Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of an augmented BroadBand Light (BBLÔ) protocol on the upper and lower eyelids in improving meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and/or dry eye disease (DED). Background: DED, often associated with MGD, can cause significant morbidity and accounts for 3.54 billion U.S. dollars of health care spending yearly. Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been used to treat MGD DED with some success. BBL therapy, a high-quality IPL machine, shows much promise for decreasing inflammation and redness in rosacea, as well as hyperpigmentation from sun damage. Methods: A retrospective medical chart review was performed for MGD DED and/or hyperpigmentation patients who received BBL therapy between January 1, 2015, and February 28, 2020. Inclusion criteria included patients who underwent at least one BBL treatment. Each treatment involved the upper and lower eyelids, as well as cheeks, nose, and face. Each MGD DED subject completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and underwent pre-and post-treatment standard clinical examinations. Results: Forty-seven patients had treatment without significant adverse effects; all patients with MGD DED reported improvement in their dry eye or blepharitis. BBL was determined to be a safe and effective treatment. There were no changes in visual acuity (p = 0.555) and OSDI scores were improved (p = 0.016). There was one case each of mild corneal/conjunctival abrasion, temporary hyperpigmentation, and two of temporary eyelash thinning. Patients with MGD also showed significant improvement in blepharitis and reduced hordeolum frequency after BBL treatment. Conclusions: This novel IPL/BBL protocol appears safe and effective for treating dry eye and blepharitis.
Consort allergic contact dermatitis (CACD) develops following exposure to an allergen originating from another individual. The diagnosis is often not straightforward. We conducted a systematic review to characterize patient demographics, clinical features, consort types, responsible products, and associated allergens in CACD. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL Complete from inception to July 2020. In total, 183 articles describing 261 patients with CACD were included. Mean age was 40.9 years with female predominance (62.8%). The most common body sites involved were the face (48.6%), hand (30.4%), arm (20.9%), neck (17.8%), and genitals (11.5%). The most common consorts were partners/spouses (50.0%, of which 29.9% were related to sexual activity), children (19.4%), and healthcare providers (7.8%). Allergens were mainly encountered via direct contact with consorts (80.5% of cases). A caregiver relationship was involved in 27.6% of cases, and the consort's occupation in 14.6%. The most frequently implicated products were medications (35.6%), plants/botanicals (11.7%), and fragrances (8.7%). Patch testing identified 125 unique allergens in CACD. CACD can occur in relation to many individuals encountered throughout life. Caregivers may represent a high-risk group for developing CACD. Obtaining a holistic history encompassing social, sexual, and occupational factors can aid in the diagnosis.
Minimizing food waste is critical to future global food security. This study aimed to assess the potential of nearinfrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with machine learning to monitor the stability of tomato fruit during storage. Freshly harvested U.K.-grown tomatoes (n = 135) were divided into five equally sized groups, each stored in different conditions. Absorbance spectra were obtained from both the tomato exocarp and locular gel using a portable NIR spectrometer, capable of connecting to a mobile phone, before subsequent chemometric analysis. Results show that support vector machines can predict the storage conditions and time-after-harvest of tomatoes. Molecular biomarkers highlighting key wavelength and molecular changes due to time and storage conditions were also identified. This method shows potential for the development of this approach for use in the field to help mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of food waste.
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