302 research outputs found

    Bulging amniotic membranes at 26 weeks with hindwater leakage. Amnioreduction, rescue double cervical cerclage, subsequent frank membrane rupture and severe oligohydramnios

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    A 39-year-old, gravida 3 para 0+2 presented at 26+4 weeks gestation with a clear vaginal discharge which upon speculum examination revealed prominent bulging amniotic membranes and a pool of clear amniotic fluid in the vagina. Abdominal ultrasound showed a single viable fetus in longitudinal lie, cephalic presentation and fetal heart rate (FHR) 150 beats per minute, regular. Estimated fetal weight 863g. The past history included 2 previous missed miscarriages. A diagnosis of pre-term premature hind water rupture of membranes was made. Intravenous antibiotics, magnesium sulphate, intramuscular progesterone and antenatal steroids were administered and emergency (double) cervical cerclage was performed after amnioreduction. The next day, the patient showed features of frank rupture of membranes and severe oligohydramnios on ultrasound. Six weeks after cerclage (32+4) considering the persistent amniotic fluid leakage with severe oligohydramnios, planned Caesarean section delivery was performed and a male fetus, weighing 1790 grams was delivered with APGAR scores of 7 and 8 at 1 and 5 minutes respectively. NICU care included invasive volume targeted ventilation, double dose surfactant administration and management of neonatal sepsis with β-haemolytic streptococci. Echocardiographic assessment was normal and feeds were initiated after 3 days of oral immune therapy using colostrum. After 14 days of NICU stay, the neonate was discharged

    Condom-use Skills Checklist: A Proxy for Assessing Condom-use Knowledge and Skills When Direct Observation Is Not Possible

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    Because of the continued importance of correct condom-use in controlling the HIV epidemic and the limited availability of tools for assessing correct condom-use, methods for assessing condom-application skills, especially when direct observation is not feasible, are needed. Accordingly, in the context of a high-risk population (The Bahamas) for HIV, a 17-item scale—the Condom-use Skills Checklist (CUSC)—was developed for use among young adolescents and adults. The rationale and approach to developing the scale and some measures of internal consistency, construct validity, and criterion-related validity have been described. It is concluded that the scale offers a reasonable alternative to direct observation among older subjects and that further development may make it more useful among pre-adolescents

    Injecting-related health harms and overuse of acidifiers among people who inject heroin and crack cocaine in London: a mixed-methods study.

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    BACKGROUND: Venous access is a priority for people who inject drugs (PWID). Damage and scarring of peripheral veins can exacerbate health harms, such as skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), and promote transitions to femoral and subcutaneous injecting. Brown heroin available in Europe requires acidification for injection preparation. In this paper, we present mixed-methods data to explore our hypothesis of a link between overly acidic injection solutions, venous damage and SSTI risk. METHODS: We present a structured survey (n = 455) and in-depth qualitative interview (n = 31) data generated with PWID in London for the Care & Prevent study. Participants provided life history data and detail on injecting environments and drug preparation practices, including the use of acidifiers. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using a logistic regression for binary outcomes to explore associations between outcomes and excessive acidifier use. Grounded theory principles informed inductive qualitative analysis. Mixed-methods triangulation was iterative with results comparison informing the direction and questions asked of further analyses. RESULTS: Of the 455 participants, most (92%) injected heroin and/or crack cocaine, with 84% using citric as their primary acid for drug preparation. Overuse of acidifier was common: of the 418 who provided an estimate, 36% (n = 150) used more than ½ a sachet, with 30% (n = 127) using a whole sachet or more. We found associations between acidifier overuse, femoral injecting and DVT, but not SSTI. Qualitative accounts highlight the role of poor heroin quality, crack cocaine use, information and manufacturing constraints in acidifier overuse. Painful injections and damage to peripheral veins were common and often attributed to the use of citric acid. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce injecting-related injury and associated consequences, it is crucial to understand the interplay of environmental and practice-based risks underpinning venous damage among PWID. Overuse of acidifier is a modifiable risk factor. In the absence of structural supports such as safe injecting facilities or the prescribing of pharmaceutical diamorphine, there is an urgent need to revisit injecting paraphernalia design and distribution in order to alleviate health harms and distress among the most marginalised

    High prevalence of albuminuria amongst people who inject drugs: A cross-sectional study.

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    Albuminuria is a key biomarker for cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Our study aimed to describe the prevalence of albuminuria amongst people who inject drugs in London and to test any potential associations with demographic characteristics, past diagnoses, and drug preparation and administration practices. We carried out a cross-sectional survey amongst people who use drugs in London. The main outcome measure was any albuminuria including both microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria. Three-hundred and sixteen samples were tested by local laboratory services. Our study initially employed point-of-care testing methods but this resulted in a high number of false positives. Our findings suggest the prevalence of albuminuria amongst PWID is twice that of the general population at 19% (95%CI 15.3-24.0%). Risk factors associated with albuminuria were HIV (aOR 4.11 [95% CI 1.37-12.38]); followed by overuse of acidifier for dissolving brown heroin prior to injection (aOR 2.10 [95% CI 1.04-4.22]). Albuminuria is high amongst people who inject drugs compared to the general population suggesting the presence of increased cardiovascular and renal pathologies. This is the first study to demonstrate an association with acidifier overuse. Dehydration may be common amongst this population and may affect the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care testing for albuminuria

    Complete genome sequence of universal bacteriophage host strain Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni PT14

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    Campylobacter jejuni strain PT14 is a clinical isolate previously used to propagate bacteriophages in the United Kingdom phage typing scheme. The strain has proven useful in the isolation of Campylobacter bacteriophages from several sources, and it functions as a model host in phage therapy experiments with poultry and poultry meat
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