Perinatal antibiotic exposure alters composition of murine gut microbiota and may influence later responses to peanut antigen

Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota shapes developmental processes within the immune system. Early life antibiotic use is one factor which may contribute to immune dysfunction and the recent...

https://ift.tt/2DeWKwQ

Anaphylactic reaction in patient allergic to mango

An allergy to mango is extremely rare. The antigenic composition of the fruit is not fully known. Profilin from mango has a structure similar to birch tree profiling: it is responsible for cross-reactions betw...

https://ift.tt/2Jvgmgv

Inequalities in healthcare access: how a man with exstrophy in rural India coped

We report a case of a 22-year-old man with adult exstrophy. The patient made a self-made urine collection device, which helped him to lead a normal life, carrying out his routine as well as occupational activities smoothly. This patient is a prime example of inequalities in healthcare distribution in low-income and middle-income countries. He was never taken to a proper medical centre to correct his condition nor was his mother ever given proper antenatal healthcare access. His background of being a poor person from rural India highlights the problems of inequalities in healthcare access.

https://ift.tt/2SyH5g9

Self-Reported Benefit and Satisfaction with a Beamforming Body-Worn Hearing Aid for Elderly Adults

Hearing impairment is a leading cause of disability globally and is particularly prevalent in elderly populations. Hearing aids are commonly recommended to mitigate the adverse effects on communication associated with hearing loss. However, the acceptability of hearing aids to elderly individuals is low and the majority of potential users do not wear hearing aids. Most hearing aids are designed with a discreet form factor in mind, to minimize device visibility. Given the range of comorbidities associated with hearing loss in the elderly, this conventional form factor may not always be optimal. The present study examined the experiences of elderly individuals with a recently developed, unconventional, body-worn hearing instrument, the EasyHear™ Grand (Logital Co. Ltd., Hong Kong). The bilaterally fitted instrument incorporates large controls, a color display, beamforming sound processing, and Bluetooth capabilities. Forty-three elderly participants (mean age=71; range 46-88 years) were surveyed to gauge level of benefit and satisfaction with the device and opinions regarding the hearing aid. They were assessed using three standardized questionnaires (the International Outcome Inventory-Hearing Aids, the Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit, and the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement) and through open-ended, structured interviews. Participants rated their EasyHear device fitting highly for hours of use and improved quality of life and rated the device favorably for improved communication and benefit in background noise. A majority of users felt the device improved listening ability in their expressed area of greatest need, and also for their second highest prioritized area of greatest need. Less than 10% of users felt their listening was only occasionally or hardly ever improved when using the body-worn device. Benefit and satisfaction ratings with the EasyHear Grand were comparable to those in studies involving conventional form factor devices. Interviews highlighted areas where users felt the device could be improved—extra noise reduction, changes to device dimensions, receiver/eartip fit, and cableless technology were among the areas mentioned. Many participants valued smartphone linkage and Bluetooth capability. The EasyHear Grand, with its body-worn design and large, simple controls, was well accepted by the majority of participants. Hearing aids that break from conventional design formats may benefit many elderly individuals with hearing impairment and promote increased user acceptability.

https://ift.tt/2Jtdi4l

Clinical Indices to Drive Quality Improvement in Otolaryngology

A Pediatric Tracheostomy Care Index (PTCI) was developed by the authors to standardize care and drive quality improvement efforts at their institution. The PTCI comprises 9 elements deemed essential for safe care of children with a tracheostomy tube. Based on the PTCI scores, the number of missed opportunities per patient was tracked, and interventions through a "Plan-Do-Study-Act" approach were performed. The establishment of the PTCI has been successful at standardizing, quantifying, and monitoring the consistency and documentation of care provided at the authors' institution.

https://ift.tt/2OiSA8m

Patient Engagement in Otolaryngology

Patient engagement, which involves incorporating the patient and family as partners in their care, is a growing focus in otolaryngology and surgery. Attention to patient and family centeredness, shared decision making, and patient experience together improves the overall tenor of patient engagement. Patient engagement promotes safety through improving quality of electronic health record data, error detection, and treatment decisions and adherence. In this article, we review specific areas of importance for patient engagement in otolaryngology as well as areas needing more research and development.

https://ift.tt/2yLfwrN

Forthcoming Issues

Implantable Auditory Devices

https://ift.tt/2Okun1v