Bacterial Growth Kinetics under a Novel Flexible Methacrylate Dressing Serving as a Drug Delivery Vehicle for Antiseptics

A flexible methacrylate powder dressing (Altrazeal®) transforms into a wound contour conforming matrix once in contact with wound exudate. We hypothesised that it may also serve as a drug delivery vehicle for antiseptics. The antimicrobial efficacy and influence on bacterial growth kinetics in combination with three antiseptics was investigated in an in vitro porcine wound model. Standardized in vitro wounds were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; ATCC 33591) and divided into six groups: no dressing (negative control), methacrylate dressing alone, and combinations with application of 0.02% Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB), 0.4% PHMB, 0.1% PHMB + 0.1% betaine, 7.7 mg/mL Povidone-iodine (PVP-iodine), and 0.1% Octenidine-dihydrochloride (OCT) + 2% phenoxyethanol. Bacterial load per gram tissue was measured over five days. The highest reduction was observed with PVP-iodine at 24 h to log10 1.43 cfu/g, followed by OCT at 48 h to log10 2.41 cfu/g. Whilst 0.02% PHMB resulted in a stable bacterial load over 120 h to log10 4.00 cfu/g over 120 h, 0.1% PHMB + 0.1% betaine inhibited growth during the first 48 h, with slightly increasing bacterial numbers up to log10 5.38 cfu/g at 120 h. These results indicate that this flexible methacrylate dressing can be loaded with various antiseptics serving as drug delivery system. Depending on the selected combination, an individually shaped and controlled antibacterial effect may be achieved using the same type of wound dressing

Propagation of short-period gravity waves at high-latitudes during the MaCWAVE winter campaign

As part of the MaCWAVE (Mountain and Convective Waves Ascending Vertically) winter campaign an all-sky monochromatic CCD imager has been used to investigate the properties of short-period mesospheric gravity waves at high northern latitudes. Sequential measurements of several nightglow emissions were made from Esrange, Sweden, during a limited period from 27–31 January 2003. Coincident wind measurements over the altitude range (~80–100 km) using two meteor radar systems located at Esrange and Andenes have been used to perform a novel investigation of the intrinsic properties of five distinct wave events observed during this period. Additional lidar and MSIS model temperature data have been used to investigate their nature (i.e. freely propagating or ducted). Four of these extensive wave events were found to be freely propagating with potential source regions to the north of Scandinavia. No evidence was found for strong orographic forcing by short-period waves in the airglow emission layers. The fifth event was most unusual exhibiting an extensive, but much smaller and variable wavelength pattern that appeared to be embedded in the background wind field. Coincident wind measurements indicated the presence of a strong shear suggesting this event was probably due to a large-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

Intergenerational Perspectives On Leadership By Men Of The Three Affiliated Tribes

ABSTRACT The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine perceptions of leadership and education held by three father-son pairs of Native American Three Affiliated Tribes members. Two father-son pairs with one triad of grandfather, father and son have all graduated from college and are considered leaders by their peers or have accomplished significant achievements, and are recognized by their community. Portraiture was used as a methodological framework for this project. Qualitative data were collected using interviews, observations, and formal and informal visits. Document analysis was used to describe and analyze how these Native fathers and sons were able to navigate high school, college, and their current lives to make them leaders in their fields. This study explored participants’ perspectives on leadership and offers an uncommon perspective on three sets of Native fathers and sons who were able to attain their college degrees as well as define their leadership roles both on and off the reservation. This study is unique in many ways by providing a deeply personal window into the lives of my subjects. I found a limited number of studies using qualitative research on Three Affiliated Tribes men as well as a limited number of research studies about Native American male perspectives on leadership. Through the use of portraiture methodology, this study gives a voice to the participants by allowing them to tell their story using their own words. Several over-arching themes such as the use of storytelling in teaching, the importance of cross-generational advice, the importance of mindset when going through life, and the collective view of tribal leadership sparked many conversations. Key Words: Portraiture; Leadership; Intergenerational; Tribal Critical Race Theory, Three Affiliated Tribes, Male Perspective

Examination of the skin barrier repair/wound healing process using a living skin equivalent (LSE) model and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI).

Examination of the skin barrier repair/wound healing process using a living skin equivalent (LSE) model and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to identify lipids directly involved as potential biomarkers. These biomarkers may be used to determine whether an in vivo wound is going to heal for example if infected. An in vitro LSE model was wounded with a scalpel blade and assessed at day 4 post wounding by histology and MALDI-MSI. Samples were sectioned at wound site and were either formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) for histology or snapped frozen (FF) for MSI analysis. The combination of using an in vitro wounded skin model with MSI allowed the identification of lipids involved in the skin barrier repair/wound healing process. The technique was able to highlight lipids directly in the wound site and distinguish differences in lipid distribution between the epidermis and wound site. This novel method of coupling an in vitro LSE with MSI allowed in depth molecular analysis of the skin barrier repair/wound healing process. The technique allowed the identification of lipids directly involved in the skin barrier repair/wound healing process, indicating these biomarkers may be potentially be used within clinic. These biomarkers will help determine, which stage of the skin barrier repair/wound healing process the wound is in to provide the best treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. [Abstract copyright: This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Why don't many obese pregnant and post-natal women engage with a weight management service?

Objective: This study investigated the views and experiences of obese pregnant and post-natal women who had declined or disengaged from an evidence-based weight management service, and their reasons for doing so. Background: Despite significant risks of maternal obesity to both mother and baby, the majority of obese women offered tailored weight management support during or after pregnancy declined to use it, and many women who accepted the service disengaged soon after. Methods: Semi-structured interviews regarding women’s views and experiences were conducted with obese pregnant and post-natal women who declined the service (N = 7) and women who disengaged from the service (N = 11) and analysed thematically. Results: Four main themes were identified. ‘First contact counts’ related to inadequate explanation of the service by the referrer, being offended by the referral, and negative expectations of the service. ‘Missed opportunities for support’ describes what support declining women identified as desirable, such as regular weight monitoring. ‘No need for help’, and ‘Service not meeting needs’ related to personal choices regarding weight management, including not wanting support and preferring group-based services. Conclusions: While some obese pregnant and post-natal women did not want any type of weight management support, many did but failed to engage with the service on offer due to a variety of barriers. A more sensitive and transparent referral process and further tailoring of the service to meet individual needs may increase uptake and continued use of this service. The inclusion of non-participants and non-completers formed a valuable element of service evaluation

Burnout in frontline ambulance staff

Background: Staff retention is a significant issue for ambulance services across the globe. Exploratory research, although minimal, indicates that stress and burnout, in particular, influence attrition within the paramedic profession. These need to be understood if their impact on retention is to be addressed. Aims: To determine the presence of and contributory factors for burnout in the ambulance service to inform recommendations for positive change. Methods: A two-phased survey approach was adopted using an adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory and Copenhagen self-assessment burnout questionnaire, to measure levels of burnout, depersonalisation (cynicism) and personal achievement. Open-ended questions explored factors that influenced these. Demographic and comparative analysis identified trends and thematic analysis was carried out on the qualitative data. Results: Ninety-four per cent of ambulance staff in this study (n=382) reported a sense of personal achievement within their professional role; however, more than 50% were experiencing varying levels of burnout with 87% displaying moderate or high levels of depersonalisation towards their work. Causes of stress were complex: themes attributed were a perceived lack of management support, the public's misuse of the ambulance service, involuntary overtime and a poor work-life balance. Conclusions: Burnout poses a genuine threat to retention in the ambulance service and needs addressing. Proactive screening, better communication between practice staff and management and access to counselling services are recommended. This problem of burnout is beginning to be acknowledged but further evidence is needed to understand it in more depth in order for effective solutions to be developed. Abstract published with permissio

VHF radar studies of mesosphere and thermosphere

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Disparities In Low Birthweight and the Influence of Access To Food, Maternity Care, and Medicaid Coverage of Doula Services

This dissertation explores the ways in which access acts as both a barrier and facilitator to healthy birth outcomes. In particular, access to food, maternity care, and Medicaid coverage of doula services are explored alongside low birthweight in this dissertation through both population health and health disparity lenses. Low birthweight is a leading cause of infant mortality and thought to reflect nations’ long-term public health problems such as maternal malnutrition and inadequate receipt of maternity care. As such, sufficient access to healthy food and maternity care is essential for healthy birth outcomes. Chapter 1 of this dissertation contains an introduction to the dissertation topic, discusses the etiology and risk factors for low birthweight, and includes details about the significance of the problem. Chapter 2 provides an evaluation of prior literature and discusses theoretical and conceptual frameworks that support the literature and explain the factors contributing to low birthweight. Chapter 3 contains the methods section which includes details about the research questions and hypotheses, study designs, data collection, and statistical analyses used for each of the three study aims. Chapter 4 contains the results for each study aim. Examination of access to food and low birthweight in US counties in Aim 1 revealed that food insecurity significantly predicted low birthweight overall and for both Black and White women. Exploration of access to maternity care by race and geographic classification in US counties in Aim 2 revealed that in rural counties without access to maternity care, prevalence of low birthweight was significantly higher for Black women compared to White women. Aim 3 findings revealed that exposure to statewide expansion of Medicaid coverage of doula services may reduce low birthweight prevalence for women with Medicaid overall and Black women with Medicaid in particular. Chapter 5 includes detailed discussions of the results for each study aim presented in Chapter 4 and contains a comprehensive conclusion of the dissertation. Evidence from the findings of this dissertation study suggest that access to food, maternity care, and Medicaid coverage of doula services are important modifiable factors that should be considered when planning prevention efforts at the state and county levels, as well as when planning efforts aimed at reducing racial disparities in low birthweight

Development and Validation of a Portuguese Elicited Imitation Test

Elicited imitation (EI) is a method of assessing oral proficiency in which the examinee listens to a prompt and attempts to repeat it back exactly as it was heard. Research over recent decades has successfully established correlation between EI testing and other oral proficiency tests, such as the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the OPI by computer (OPIc). This paper details the history of oral proficiency assessment as well as that of EI. It then outlines the development process and validation of a Portuguese Elicited Imitation test. The processes of item selection and item validation are detailed followed by the criterion-related validation through a statistical correlation analysis of participants\u27 results on an official American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) OPIc and their predicted OPIc scores which were based on their results of the Portuguese EI calibration test. Results of the statistical analysis revealed a strong correlation between the predicted scores of the EI test and the actual OPIc scores. In order to go beyond previously completed EI research, this paper addresses the issue of face validity which has been a challenge for the proliferation of EI testing. Analysis of a survey administered after participants\u27 completion of the two tests (OPIc and EI) addresses the experiences and reactions of the participants to the two testing formats. Suggestions for future use of EI as well as future research will be presented