Raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance among the general public in the UK: the role of public engagement activities

In response to the accepted risk of emerging antimicrobial resistance, many organizations and institutions have developed and delivered events and activities designed to raise awareness of the issue and to change the behaviour of the intended audience. However, few of these events for a general public audience are documented or able to be sourced by those who might wish to repeat, adapt or modify, particularly those events that are successful. ‘Insider knowledge’ appears to be the best search tool. Moreover, evaluation of the success or impact of the event is rarely published. It would be useful if there were a ‘hub’ where descriptions of such activities could be deposited, enabling the building of a significant resource with real academic value

Development of an in vitro denture plaque biofilm to model denture malodour

This study aimed to develop an in vitro denture plaque biofilm to model denture malodour. No previous studies have attempted to characterize the malodour associated with dentures and the effect of Candida spp. (main aetiological agent of denture-related stomatitis) on malodour. Pooled denture plaque microcosms and 'model' denture plaque biofilms (pooled saliva supplemented with additional microbial species) with and without addition of candida were grown aerobically at 37 °C for up to 13 days in a constant depth film fermenter (CDFF) on denture acrylic discs. Sample discs were removed, rinsed in sterile water and placed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The discs were vortex mixed to remove the biofilms, diluted in PBS and plated in duplicate onto general and selective media. The composition and stability of the biofilms over time were assessed. CDFF-grown microcosms and 'model' denture plaque biofilms were relatively stable in composition, with streptococci remaining the dominant microbial group. Model denture plaque biofilms were comparable in composition to denture plaque microcosms. This model system has the potential for evaluation of agents that might affect these parameters such as denture cleansers and other oral hygiene treatments

Potential pathogenic aspects of denture plaque

Oral health status declines with age and as a result the need for removable prostheses increases. Oral health is a reflection of one's general health, affecting the ability of an individual to eat and speak, and contributes significantly to a sense of confidence and well-being. Currently, there are 15 million denture wearers in the UK, representing a significant consumer base and a special healthcare consideration. The microbiology of denture plaque has received little attention in comparison with dental plaque, yet it differs in location and composition. Denture plaque and poor denture hygiene is associated with stomatitis (Candida infection), may also serve as a reservoir of potentially infectious pathogens, and may contribute to oral malodour and to caries and periodontitis in people who have remaining natural teeth. Oral bacteria have been implicated in bacterial endocarditis, aspiration pneumonia, gastrointestinal infection and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among others, and dentures offer a reservoir for microorganisms associated with these infections. An effective oral hygiene regimen is important to control denture plaque biofilm and contributes to the control of associated oral and systemic diseases

Evaluating student perception of learning using a virtual reality experience of altitude sickness

Virtual simulation offers the benefit of putting the user within the learned content; offering interactive lessons where experiential learning improves the rate at which we understand new concepts (So et al., 2019; Angel-Urdinola et al., 2021). As educators, we aim to provide learners with ‘real world’ scenarios whilst allowing learners to fail in safe and controlled simulated environments. Evidence supporting simulation learning appears in medical and nursing literature, little is known of student perception of simulation learning in basic science, or building confidence in application of threshold concepts beyond laboratory environments associated with basic sciences. It is unknown as to whether simulation learning is effective in promoting confidence in threshold concepts compared with lecture learning. This study was approved by the Science and Engineering Research Ethics Committee, Manchester Metropolitan University. “Exercise and Environmental Physiology”, is a level 5, 30 credit unit as part of BSc (Hons) Human Physiology. Students were administered an anonymous survey after a 2-hour lecture session on altitude physiology and 1-hour Computer automatic virtual environment (CAVE) simulation. Student confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of altitude sickness and word association of students feelings in identifying signs and symptoms of altitude sickness was assessed. After CAVE simulation, students were surveyed on their perception of the experience and whether it added to the learning experience. Students rated from “Strongly Disagree”, “Disagree”, “Neither Agree nor Disagree”, “Agree” or “Strongly Agree”. Word associations were 9 options and/or free text. Differences between student confidence identifying signs and symptoms and word association of perception toward identifying signs and symptoms were assessed using χ2 goodness of fit (SPSS 28, IBM). After CAVE simulation, 80% (n=10) “Strongly Agree” and 20% “Agree” with being able to identify signs and symptoms of altitude sickness, compared with 0% “Strongly Agree” and 71% “Agree” after lecture (n=7) (p<0.001). Words associated with the lecture activity when compared with CAVE simulation were different (Figure 2; p<0.001). 100% “Strongly Agree”/“Agree” they enjoyed CAVE simulation, felt it helped improve knowledge and skills in addition to lecture, was engaging and would recommend to others for applying knowledge to real-world scenarios. 90% “Strongly Agree”/ “Agree” that the CAVE simulation covered what they expected, met learning needs, was appropriate to aid learning, was a high standard, easy to follow, gained new knowledge and learned how to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios. 80% “Strongly Agree”/“Agree” that it exceeded expectations. Some respondents however responded with themes of “Pressure”, “Stressed” and neutrally in learning efficacy, suggesting some felt this environment is not conducive to confidence and learning. Despite this, those students did still respond with agreement to gaining/applying knowledge and understanding threshold concepts. The CAVE environment presents an exciting and innovative way for educators in basic science to expose students to real-world scenarios in a safe, controlled environment and simultaneously meet threshold concepts of learning. Some caution however is advised in creating experiences where all students feel able to participate and to not exceed stress thresholds where learning may no longer take place (Vogel & Schwabe, 2016)

The effect of dentifrice abrasion on denture topography and the subsequent retention of microorganisms on abraded surfaces

Statement of problem. Denture surfaces provide hard nonshedding niches for the adhesion and subsequent accumulation of oral microorganisms into denture plaque, which can harbor various potential pathogens linked with oral mucosal lesions and inhalation pneumonia. The initial adhesion is the prerequisite for subsequent biofilm growth, and surface roughness niches facilitate this process by trapping cells. Retained microorganisms are then able to proliferate when the denture is returned to the oral cavity.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to measure the amount and strength of the attachment of microorganisms to a roughened denture acrylic resin surface. An increase in surface roughness increases the retention of microorganisms and a greater amount of cell-surface contact interface may increase the strength of adhesion and, therefore, retention. Cleaning denture surfaces with brushes and dentifrices can influence the denture surface topography and, therefore, may affect retention.Material and methods. Denture acrylic resin specimens were abraded to provide different surface roughness. The amount of attachment of Streptococcus oralis or Candida albicans to these surfaces was assessed by measuring the area of a microscopic field covered by stained cells after 1 hour of incubation. The strength of attachment was assessed with atomic force microscopy, whereby an increasing force was applied to the attached cells until they detached from the surface.Results. Both bacteria and yeast cells were retained in increasing amounts on surfaces of increasing roughness. Cells were most strongly attached on surfaces whose linear features (scratches) were of comparable size with the cells (the streptococci on the low-abraded surfaces, and the yeast on high-abraded surfaces).Conclusion. Analysis of findings reveal that even small abrasions may enhance retention on denture surfaces and reduce surface cleanability. The strength of attachment instead of the amount is more important in terms of surface hygiene. © 2014 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

Biofilm development by blastospores and hyphae of Candida albicans on abraded denture acrylic resin surfaces

© 2014 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Statement of problem Candida albicans is a known etiologic agent of denture stomatitis. Candida hyphae exhibit the ability to respond directionally to environmental stimuli. This characteristic is thought to be important in the penetration of substrata such as resilient denture liners and host epithelium. It has been suggested that hyphal production also enhances adhesion and survival of Candida on host and denture surfaces. Surface roughness, in addition, can enhance adhesion where stronger interactions occur between cells and surface features of similar dimensions. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the development of hyphal and blastospore biofilms on abraded denture acrylic resin specimens and measure the ease of removal of these biofilms. Material and methods Biofilms were grown for 48 hours on abraded 1-cm2denture acrylic resin specimens from adhered hyphal phase C albicans or from adhered blastospores. Subsequently, all specimens were stained with Calcofluor White and examined with confocal scanning laser microscopy. Biofilms were removed by vortex mixing in sterile phosphate buffered saline solution. Removed cells were filtered (0.2-μm pore size). Filters were dried at 37°C for 24 hours for dry weight measurements. Any cells that remained on the acrylic resin specimens were stained with 0.03% acridine orange and examined with epifluorescence microscopy. Results Biofilms grown from both cell types contained all morphologic forms of C albicans. Although the underlying surface topography did not affect the amount of biofilm produced, biofilms grown from hyphal phase Candida were visibly thicker and had greater biomass (P<.05). These biofilms were less easily removed from the denture acrylic resin, especially in the case of rougher surfaces, evidenced by the higher numbers of retained cells (P≤.05). Conclusion The presence of hyphae in early Candida biofilms increased biofilm mass and resistance to removal. Increased surface roughness enhances retention of hyphae and yeast cells, and, therefore, will facilitate plaque regrowth. Therefore, minimization of denture abrasion during cleaning is desirable

Distribution Patterns of E-Cadherin, Type VII Collagen and Fibronectin in Denture-Related Stomatitis: A Preliminary Study

The distribution of epithelial E-cadherin, basement membrane type VII collagen, and underlying connective tissues fibronectin were investigated immunohistochemically and compared in normal palatal mucosa and in denture-related stomatitis (DRS) derivatives using monoclonal antibodies.Biopsies of palatal mucosa were obtained from twelve patients enrolled in this study, 8 with type II DRS and 4 with healthy mucosa

Detection & characterisation of microoganisms in denture plaque

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