Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography with a conical beam scan for the investigation of birefringence and collagen alignment in the human cervix

By measuring the phase retardance of a cervical extracellular matrix, our in-house polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) was shown to be capable of (1) mapping the distribution of collagen fibers in the non-gravid cervix, (2) accurately determining birefringence, and (3) measuring the distinctive depolarization of the cervical tissue. A conical beam scan strategy was also employed to explore the 3D orientation of the collagen fibers in the cervix by interrogating the samples with an incident light at 45° and successive azimuthal rotations of 0-360°. Our results confirmed previous observations by X-ray diffraction, suggesting that in the non-gravid human cervix collagen fibers adjacent to the endocervical canal and in the outermost areas tend to arrange in a longitudinal fashion whereas in the middle area they are oriented circumferentially. PS-OCT can assess the microstructure of the human cervical collagen in vitro and holds the potential to help us better understand cervical remodeling prior to birth pending the development of an in vivo probe

Exchange Rate and Interest Rate Exposure of UK Industries Using First-order Autoregressive Exponential GARCH-in-mean (EGARCH-M) Approach

We examine the sensitivity of 31 UK non-financial industries to exchange and interest rate exposure from 1990 to 2006 using first-order autoregressive exponential GARCH-in-mean (EGARCH-M) model. We find that the stock returns of UK industries are more affected by long-term interest rate risk than exchange rate risk and short-term interest rate risk. Moreover, the euro introduction decreases exchange and interest rate exposure and competitive industries exhibit higher returns volatility than concentrated industries. Furthermore, for most UK industries: increased risk does not necessarily lead to an increase in returns and persistence of volatility is much higher in some industries than others

Acute periodontal lesions

This is a review and update on acute conditions affecting the gingival tissues, including abscesses in the periodontium, necrotizing periodontal diseases, and other acute conditions that cause gingival lesions with acute presentation, such as infectious process not associated with oral bacterial biofilms, muco-cutanenous disorders, and traumatic and allergic lesions. A periodontal abscess is clinically important since it is a relatively frequent dental emergency, it can compromise the periodontal prognosis of the affected tooth, and because bacteria within the abscess have been identified, mainly by the type of etiology, and there are clear diffrences between those affecting a previously existing periodontal pocket ahd those affecting healthy sites. Therapy for this acute condition consists of drainage and tissue debridement, with individual evaluation of the need for systemic antimicrobial therapy. the definitive treatment of the pre-existing condition should be accomplished after the acute phase is controlled. Necrotizing periodontal disease (NPD) present three typical clinical features : papilla necrosis, gingival bleeding, and pain. Although the prevalence of these diseases is not high, their importance is clear, since they represent the most severe conditions associated with dental biofilm, with very rapid tissue destruction. In adittion to bacteria, the etiology of NPD includes numerous factors that alter the host response and predispose to these diseases, including HIV infection, malnutrition, stress, and tobacco smoking. The treatment consists of superficial debridement, careful mechanical oral hygiene, rinsing with chlorhexidine, and daily re-evaluation. Systemic antimicrobials may be used adjunctively in severe cases or in non-responding conditions and the best option is metronidazole.Once the acute disease is under control, definitive treatment should be provided, including the adequate therapy for the pre-existing gingivitis or periodontitis. Among other acute conditions affecting the periodontal tissues, but not caused by the microorganisms present in oral biofilms , are infectious diseases, muco-cutaneous diseases and traumatic or allergic lesions. In most cases, the gingival envolvement is not severe, though they are common and may prompt a dental emergency visit. These conditions may the direct result of a trauma or the consequence of the breaking of vesicles and bullae. A proper differential diagnosis is important for an adequate management of the case

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Increased teicoplanin doses are associated with improved serum levels but not drug toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: Teicoplanin is widely used for the treatment of severe gram-positive infection, aiming to achieve trough serum levels of 20-60 mg/L for patients with severe infection. A standard 400 mg daily dose is frequently associated with sub-therapeutic levels, and we have therefore changed our routine approach to 600 mg daily (following loading doses in each case). We set out to investigate the impact of this dose increase on drug levels and potential side-effects. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study of 549 consecutive adult Out-Patient Antimicrobial Treatment (OPAT) episodes treated with intravenous teicoplanin. RESULTS: Therapeutic teicoplanin levels were more frequently achieved in patients treated with 600 mg compared to 400 mg daily (68% vs. 37% respectively, p < 0.0001), without an increased frequency of potentially toxic levels, defined as >60 mg/L (6% vs. 8% respectively, p = 0.4). There was no difference in the incidence of neutropaenia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopaenia, acute renal injury or treatment cessation in patients treated with the higher teicoplanin dose. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of stable adult patients with normal renal function, we advocate a loading regimen (600 mg b.d. for two doses) followed by a 600 mg daily teicoplanin dose in order to achieve therapeutic trough levels

Increased teicoplanin doses are associated with improved serum levels but not drug toxicity

Objective: Teicoplanin is widely used for the treatment of severe gram-positive infection, aiming to achieve trough serum levels of 20-60mg/L for patients with severe infection. A standard 400mg daily dose is frequently associated with sub-therapeutic levels, and we have therefore changed our routine approach to 600mg daily (following loading doses in each case). We set out to investigate the impact of this dose increase on drug levels and potential side-effects. Methods: We undertook a retrospective study of 549 consecutive adult Out-Patient Antimicrobial Treatment (OPAT) episodes treated with intravenous teicoplanin. Results: Therapeutic teicoplanin levels were more frequently achieved in patients treated with 600mg compared to 400mg daily (68% vs. 37% respectively, p<0.0001), without an increased frequency of potentially toxic levels, defined as >60mg/L (6% vs. 8% respectively, p=0.4). There was no difference in the incidence of neutropaenia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopaenia, acute renal injury or treatment cessation in patients treated with the higher teicoplanin dose. Conclusions: In the majority of stable adult patients with normal renal function, we advocate a loading regimen (600mg b.d. for two doses) followed by a 600mg daily teicoplanin dose in order to achieve therapeutic trough levels. © 2013 The British Infection Association