Breast compression techniques in screening mammography – A Maltese evaluation project

Introduction: In screening mammography, the radiographer should be responsible for providing mammograms of high diagnostic value, possibly without subjecting clients to a painful experience. This skill is demonstrated via the technique of breast compression and is explored in this study by analysing insights about methods and underlying principles in regards to this procedure. Methods: One-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with radiographers who perform screening mammography in Malta. For data analysis, a descriptive phenomenological approach following a simplified version of Hycner's (1985) method was adopted. Results: Five general themes were extracted from the data; meeting the client, preparing the client, the mammography procedure, pain from compression and client turnout. It was determined that the participants alter their breast compression technique according to the client rather than following a rigid step-by-step process and that explanation and requesting client feedback are essential to obtain cooperation. Additionally, mammography positioning and compression application are tailored in a way that encourage compliance, however not at the expense of degrading image quality. Ultimately, it is also believed that a proper breast compression technique positively influences client turnout. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that radiographers should be flexible in their approach in order to carry out a successful breast compression technique. However, it has also been shown that such effectiveness in practice is gained from experience rather than initial training. If exposed to this study's findings, new mammographers would be able to form a robust core of knowledge before embarking on the challenging specialisation of mammography

Cardiac illustrations

Pictures of congenital heart lesions are very useful for patient and parent understanding of underlying problems, and the actual physical mechanics of treatment/s, both past and proposed. In this article, we have produced scanned pictures by Heartline from their book ‘Heart Children’. We have also added some new graphics that depict heart lesions not originally in this book, and in addition, some postoperative situations.peer-reviewe

Emission of reactive oxygen species during degradation of iron gall ink

Iron gall inks are characterised by high contents of acids and transition metals, promoting degradation of cellulose due to hydrolysis and oxidation, respectively. Their chemical interaction with the environment is not well understood, especially in view of emissions of degradation products which could lead to spread of degradation processes. In order to study the emissions, we employed gas chromatography/mass spectrometry following headspace micro-extraction, and liquid chromatography following hydroxyl radical scavenging with appropriate probes. We also studied chemiluminescence of cellulose affected by ink degradation. We show that while the emissions of organic volatile degradation compounds by inks are less intense than those of surrounding paper, ink does promote the degradation of cellulose across big distances (from object to object). We were able to link this to emission of reactive oxygen species, probably hydrogen peroxide. Its emission from ink is considerably more intensive than from paper

Dentistry

The specialty of Dental Surgery has progressed from the "blood and acrylic" of the early seventies. Dentistry has undergone a quantum leap over the past twenty-five years, with improvements in both technique and technology, bringing us the sophisticated procedures used in today's practice.peer-reviewe

Social influence and low-carbon innovations: synthesis report

Disruptive innovations don’t just improve incrementally on what is already available, they offer something fundamentally new and different. By creating new value for consumers, disruptive innovations can shake up incumbent firms, markets, and regulations. The SILCI project investigated potentially disruptive consumer innovations that could also help tackle climate change. SILCI researchers asked: Which potentially disruptive consumer innovations are also low carbon? What novel attributes do they offer users? How do they spread, and what role does social influence play in this diffusion process? What impact might their widespread adoption have on emissions? Over the course of our project (2016-2021), the SILCI team answered these questions by collecting data from questionnaire surveys, market studies, interviews, focus groups, workshops, choice experiments, historical archives, and systematic literature review. We analysed these data using a range of methods including perceptual mapping, thematic coding, statistical models, simulation models, and scenario analysis. Looking broadly across consumer innovations in energy, food, homes, and transport domains, we found good evidence of significant contributions to emission reductions and strong evidence of the pervasive importance of social influence. Looking deeply at particular consumer innovations such as carsharing, mobility-as-a-service, digital food hubs, and smart home technologies, we identified specific challenges as well as opportunities … for people, policy and the planet. We’ve published and communicated our work through academic papers, reports, blogs, conference and seminar talks. These are all available for download from the Outputs page of this website

Treatment with supplementary arginine, vitamin C and zinc in patients with pressure ulcers: A randomised controlled trial

Background &amp; AimsNutrients putatively implicated in pressure ulcer healing were evaluated in a clinical setting.MethodsSixteen inpatients with a stage 2, 3 or 4 pressure ulcer randomised to receive daily a standard hospital diet; a standard diet plus two high-protein/energy supplements; or a standard diet plus two high-protein/energy supplements containing additional arginine (9 g), vitamin C (500 mg) and zinc (30 mg). Nutritional status measurements (dietary, anthropometric and biochemical) and pressure ulcer size and severity (by PUSH tool; Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing; 0=completely healed, 17=greatest severity) were measured weekly for 3 weeks.ResultsPatients&rsquo; age and BMI ranges were 37&ndash;92 years and 16.4&ndash;28.1 kg/m2, respectively. Baseline PUSH scores were similar between groups (8.7&plusmn;0.5). Only patients receiving additional arginine, vitamin C and zinc demonstrated a clinically significant improvement in pressure ulcer healing (9.4&plusmn;1.2 vs. 2.6&plusmn;0.6; baseline and week 3, respectively; P&lt;0.01). All patient groups presented with low serum albumin and zinc and elevated C-reactive protein. There were no significant changes in biochemical markers, oral dietary intake or weight in any group.ConclusionsIn this small set of patients, supplementary arginine, vitamin C and zinc significantly improved the rate of pressure ulcer healing. The results need to be confirmed in a larger study.<br /

Measuring knowledge, attitudes and behavior of nurses in medication management. Cross-cultural comparisons in Italy and Malta

Medication errors are one of the most common causes of negative events affecting patient safety all over the world.&nbsp; Scientific literature divides the factors that contribute to the occurrence of harmful events into factors related to the characteristics of the healthcare workers and factors related to the organization of the drug management process. The aim of the study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to medication errors among Italian and Maltese nurses