Irish journal of medical science
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Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is affected by both genetics and environmental factors. CDKN2B-AS1 polymorphisms have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of POAG. However, the results of the genetic associations between the CDKN2B-AS1 polymorphisms and POAG risk were inconclusive. ⋯ The CDKN2B-AS1 rs4977756 might increase the POAG risk in Caucasian population, and rs2157719 might decrease the POAG risk in Asian population, while rs10120688 might increase the risk of POAG.
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Pneumococcal diseases (PN) and herpes zoster (HZ) are preventable infections in the adult population. ⋯ The public obtain information on vaccines from friends and family members, which may result in misinformation and inappropriate behaviour in vaccination. Although educational sessions provided by pharmacists did not increase the actual vaccination rates for PN and HZ, public willingness to vaccination has increased.
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The Irish people were put on lockdown in mid-March 2020 due to concern of the spread of coronavirus. With these societal changes came a notable reduction in emergency department attendance. Our aim was to analyse emergency urological procedures performed during the COVID-19 era versus the previous year. ⋯ Whilst patients with ureteric colic continue to present, those with acute testis pain requiring exploration attended less frequently, raising the possibility of undiagnosed testicular torsion in the community.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults have been prioritized in public health campaigns to limit social interactions and 'cocoon' in their homes. This limits the autonomy of older people and may have unintended adverse consequences. ⋯ Adverse consequences of 'cocooning' were commonly expressed amongst older adults. Public health policy should take into account the heterogeneity of this population and be sensitive to their self-expressed wishes and priorities.
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Surgical masks have become an important accessory of physical activity in daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ The surgical mask use affected the maximal exercise capacity of middle-aged participants more than young participants. Although males performed better than females in tests without masks, the decrease in exercise capacity with mask use was greater than in females. Advanced age and male gender may be factors that need more attention during exercise with mask use.