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Karl R VanDerMeid, Mirzi Grace Byrnes, Kimberly Millard, Catherine A Scheuer, Nitasha R Phatak, William Reindel Vision Care, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Rochester, NY, USACorrespondence: Nitasha R Phatak, Vision Care, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Rochester, NY, USA, Tel +1 585-413-6397, Email nitasha.phatak@bausch.comPurpose: Contact lens (CL) wear challenges the balance of the ocular surface environment by increasing water evaporation and tear osmolarity. Maintaining ocular surface homeostasis during CL wear remains a goal of lens manufacturers and an important consideration for eye care professionals. The purpose of this study was to measure the metabolic activity and inflammatory responses of a transformed human corneal epithelial cell (THCEpiC) line under hyperosmotic conditions in the presence of CL packaging solutions.Methods: CL packaging solutions sampled from seven daily disposable silicone hydrogel CL blister packages were prepared at 25% and made hyperosmolar (400 mOsm/kg) with NaCl. THCEpiCs were incubated with each solution for 24 hr, after which cell culture supernatants were collected. THCEpiC metabolic activity was determined by an alamarBlue assay. Concentrations in cell culture supernatants of inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-6) and chemokine (IL-8), as well as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), were quantitated by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results: THCEpiC metabolic activity under hyperosmolar conditions decreased in the presence of somofilcon A and senofilcon A solutions (p=0.04 and 0.004, respectively), but no other solution (all p≥ 0.09). Concentrations of IL-6 increased in the presence of delefilcon A, somofilcon A, narafilcon A, and senofilcon A solutions (all p≤ 0.001), but no other solution (all p≥ 0.08), while those of IL-8 increased in the presence of all solutions (all p≤ 0.03) but kalifilcon A (p> 0.99), and those of MCP-1 increased in the presence of delefilcon A, verofilcon A, somofilcon A, and stenfilcon A solutions (all p< 0.0001), but no other solution (all p> 0.99).Conclusion: CL packaging solutions differ in their capacity to inhibit epithelial inflammation. THCEpiC inflammatory response was less in the presence of a CL packaging solution containing osmoprotectants than in solutions lacking osmoprotectants under moderately hyperosmolar conditions in vitro. Clinical studies are warranted to further substantiate the benefit of osmoprotectants.Keywords: contact lens, cornea, TFOS, hyperosmolarity, osmoprotection, homeostasis

Aim To explore the theme of multiple temporalities revealed through a phenomenological study of the experience of mid-life shift-working nurses. Background There are few data on the experience of mid-life women working rotating shift systems that change frequently. Concomitantly, the age profile of the current nursing workforce demands exploration of such issues. Method This phenomenological study sought the perspectives of 13 shift-working mid-life women. Results Sociological discussion of the temporal nature of work describes temporality as the clock time associated with an individual as determined by the constraints of their life. Transcript analysis identified the numerous temporalities surrounding a shift-working mid-life woman and a sense of disjunction between the temporalities of individuals important to them which resulted in feelings of regret and guilt. The concept of juggling is introduced to illustrate the participants' need to 'keep everything going' for important individuals in their lives. Conclusion The personal cost of effective juggling may be high for the jugglers themselves but also for health systems that provide the mid-life shift-working nurse with no alternative than a reduction in working hours. Implications for nursing management The development of a personal 'time map' framed within the concept of multiple temporalities is suggested for use as a staff development tool to assist with staff retention by facilitating both group and individual discussions of rostering and the complexities of managing an intergenerational work force undertaking shift work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against a backdrop of scant literature on commonalities and differences among diverse groups of menopausal women within the United States, and little attempt by scholars in any country to study the ways in which both privilege and oppression can shape women's ideas and experiences of menopause, in this study, 61 menopausal women of varied racial-ethnic and class locations in a Midwestern state were asked about the different meanings and experiences of menopause. African American women and Chicanas, particularly working-class women, viewed menopause as a positive experience, whereas many middle-class European American women discussed more negative feelings. Women of color were more likely than European Americans to report talking about menopause with same-race, same-sex friends only. While women of color discussed their knowledge of European American women's menopause, the latter lacked knowledge of other women's experiences. Women's lived experiences with privilege and oppression also surfaced in the interviews. The authors argue that when scholars listen to how women discuss menopause experiences, commonalities among women by gender, and differences among women by race, and class are exposed. The presence of racial-ethnic differences in these pilot data suggests the importance of more comparative studies on reproductive aging both in the United States and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]