Development of professional identity among dental students - A qualitative study

The study explored dental students' perception of their professional identity (PI) development at a newly established dental college with a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum. Qualitative methods based on focus groups were used for data collection. The conceptual framework of the study was informed by a subject-centered sociocultural approach to PI development. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from five focus groups of undergraduate dental students to gain a deeper understanding of their PI development in a PBL environment. Out of a total of 38 dental students in years 2 and 3, 34 students (89.47%) participated in the focus groups. A theory-driven thematic analysis was used to dissect the views and experiences of the participants to explore factors contributing to PI development in the early years of the program. At an individual level, PBL was seen to be appropriate for PI development. However, some participants placed more emphasis on practical training in operative dental skills. Relational sources especially role modeling by the PBL facilitators and faculty staff were identified as a key factor to nurture PI development. Mixed views were observed on the value of PBL to enhance team-working skills. The participants also identified challenges of PBL and provided recommendations on further improvements to enhance the learning experiences of the students. This study provided useful insights into a PBL curriculum at a newly established dental institution. The findings underscore the value of PBL in developing PI and also highlight the challenges of implementing PBL in a socio-cultural context and pedagogical implications for further program improvement.The authors would like to thank all the student participants for their contribution to this research. Open access funding was provided by the Qatar National Library

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Not AvailableHigh flux, monolithic water purification filters based on polylactic acid (PLA) functionalised with fish scale extracted hydroxyapatite (HAp) were prepared by solvent-assisted blending and thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), followed by twin-screw extrusion into filaments and processed via three-dimensional (3D) printing. The printed filters with consistent pore geometry and channel interconnectivity as well as homogenous distribution of HAp in the PLA matrix showed adsorption capabilities towards heavy metals i.e. cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) with maximum adsorption capacity of 112.1 mg gHAp−1 and 360.5 mg gHAp−1 for the metal salt of Pb and Cd, respectively. The adsorption was found to be driven by a combination of ion exchange, dissolution and precipitation on HAp and surface complexation.Not Availabl

Seismic Proving Test of Eroded Piping (Status of Eroded Piping Component and System Test), Transactions of SMiRT 17,

ABSTRACT In FY 2000, a 3-year testing program of eroded piping was initiated with the following objectives: 1) to ascertain the seismic safety margins for eroded piping designed under the current seismic design code, 2) to clarify the elasto-plastic response and ultimate strength of eroded nuclear piping. A series of tests on eroded piping components and eroded piping systems was planned. In this paper, the results of those tests are presented and analyzed, focusing on the influence of the form and the number of thinned-wall portions on the fatigue life of the piping

A Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter, Dose Escalation Study of HQK-1001 (2,2-Dimethylbutyrate, Sodium Salt) in Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract Abstract 998 Fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) induction is an effective therapeutic strategy in SCD. Widespread use of hydroxyurea (HU), the only approved anti-switching agent, has been limited by patient concerns about tolerability, patient compliance, and long-term use of a cytotoxic agent. There is a need for alternative anti-switching agents that are not cytotoxic and with different mechanisms of action. HQK-1001, an orally bioavailable short-chain fatty acid, promotes Hb F synthesis and prolongs erythroid survival and proliferation in pre-clinical models. In an earlier placebo-controlled Phase I/II study in SCD, HQK-1001 at 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks was well tolerated and resulted in dose-dependent increase in Hb F. This randomized, open-label, dose escalation study evaluated the safety, pharmacodynamics (PD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of HQK-1001 given at higher doses and for longer duration (NCT01322269). Patients with SCD ≥ 12 years of age were randomized to receive HQK-1001 at 30, 40, or 50 mg/kg daily for 26 weeks. Enrollment at 50 mg/kg was opened after an interim review of safety data at the 2 lower doses. Patients were stratified by HU at enrollment, and those on HU had to be on a stable dose for ≥ 6 months. HQK-1001 was discontinued if the patient was transfused. Oral iron was given daily if baseline plasma ferritin was < 700 ng/mL. Week 4 PK was evaluated in 4 patients at each dose. Pre-dose plasma concentrations were measured at each 4-weekly visits in all patients to verify compliance with dosing. Between April and September 2011, 52 patients were randomized to HQK-1001 at 30 mg/kg (n = 15), 40 mg/kg (n = 18), and 50 mg/kg (n = 19). There were 28 males and 24 females with a median age of 21 years (range, 12–46). The phenotype was Hb S-S in 45 and Hb S-β-thal-0 in 7, and 31 patients (60%) were on HU. The median duration on study drug was 114 days (range, 8–192), with 27 patients (52%) having discontinued HQK-1001 prior to completing the planned 26 weeks of dosing, 12 due to a transfusion and 15 for other reasons including withdrawal of consent and adverse events (AEs). The most common drug-related AEs, nausea (44%), vomiting (29%), somnolence (25%), headache (17%) and upper abdominal pain (17%), were usually graded as mild or moderate. Oral iron may have exacerbated upper gastrointestinal (GI) AEs. Dose limiting toxicities identified at 40 and 50 mg/kg doses consisted of gastritis (n = 3), somnolence (n = 2), pancreatitis (n = 1) and increased AST (n = 1). The maximum tolerated dose was established as 30 mg/kg/day and the protocol was amended to dose all patients at 30 mg/kg/day and discontinue oral iron. To further improve GI tolerability, the protocol was then amended to switch all patients to 15 mg/kg twice a day. No new drug-related severe toxicities were reported after stopping oral iron and dosing all patients at 30 mg/kg/day. Peak plasma concentrations were dose proportional. Average half-lives ranged from 9.8 to 11.7 hours and were dose independent. Plasma concentrations at 30 mg/kg were in the range shown to induce Hb F and erythropoiesis in pre-clinical models. Plasma concentrations were < 99% of the lower limit of confidence intervals in 16% of pre-dose samples collected at the scheduled times, suggesting non-compliance with HQK-1001 dosing in some patients. Of the 21 patients receiving HQK-1001 alone, Hb F increased in 18 patients (86%), with a mean increase of 2% (range, −2% to +10%), total Hb increased by a mean of 0.5 g/dL (range, −0.7 to 2.4 g/dL), and reticulocytes increased by a mean of 4.1% (range, to −4% to +15%). In 31 patients receiving HQK-1001 + HU, Hb F increased in 25 patients (80%), with a mean increase of 2.7% (range, −3% to + 10%), total Hb increased by a mean of 0.75 g/dL (range, −1.2 to + 1.8 g/dL), and reticulocytes increased by a mean of 1.4% (range, −6% to +15%). Covariate analysis showed significant correlation between change in Hb F at peak value and baseline ferritin (positive correlation, p = 0.008) and TIBC (negative correlation, p < 0.0001). This study demonstrated that HQK-1001 is well tolerated at 30 mg/kg/day. Plasma concentrations at this dose were in the range shown to induce Hb F and erythropoiesis in pre-clinical models. Hb F increased in most patients, both in HU and non-HU groups. HQK-1001 also increased erythropoiesis. Based on these positive results, a placebo-controlled Phase 2 study was launched to evaluate the PD, efficacy and safety of HQK-1001 at 15 mg/kg BID in SCD patients not currently treated with HU. Disclosures: Kutlar: HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding. Reid:Haemaquest: Honoraria. Taher:Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Abboud:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Research Funding; Sangart: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Buchanan:HemaQuest Pharmacuetical, Inc.: Research Funding. Ataga:HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. White:HemaQuest: Consultancy. Johnson:HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ghalie:HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership