Brief compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation training video and simulation with homemade mannequin improves CPR skills.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training has traditionally involved classroom-based courses or, more recently, home-based video self-instruction. These methods typically require preparation and purchase fee; which can dissuade many potential bystanders from receiving training. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching compression-only CPR to previously untrained individuals using our 6-min online CPR training video and skills practice on a homemade mannequin, reproduced by viewers with commonly available items (towel, toilet paper roll, t-shirt). METHODS: Participants viewed the training video and practiced with the homemade mannequin. This was a parallel-design study with pre and post training evaluations of CPR skills (compression rate, depth, hand position, release), and hands-off time (time without compressions). CPR skills were evaluated using a sensor-equipped mannequin and two blinded CPR experts observed testing of participants. RESULTS: Twenty-four participants were included: 12 never-trained and 12 currently certified in CPR. Comparing pre and post training, the never-trained group had improvements in average compression rate per minute (64.3 to 103.9, p = 0.006), compressions with correct hand position in 1 min (8.3 to 54.3, p = 0.002), and correct compression release in 1 min (21.2 to 76.3, p \u3c 0.001). The CPR-certified group had adequate pre and post-test compression rates (\u3e100/min), but an improved number of compressions with correct release (53.5 to 94.7, p \u3c 0.001). Both groups had significantly reduced hands-off time after training. Achieving adequate compression depths (\u3e50 mm) remained problematic in both groups. Comparisons made between groups indicated significant improvements in compression depth, hand position, and hands-off time in never-trained compared to CPR-certified participants. Inter-rater agreement values were also calculated between the CPR experts and sensor-equipped mannequin. CONCLUSIONS: A brief internet-based video coupled with skill practice on a homemade mannequin improved compression-only CPR skills, especially in the previously untrained participants. This training method allows for widespread compression-only CPR training with a tactile learning component, without fees or advance preparation

Bioactive Peptides™ to Aid in Healing of Chronic Skin Wounds and Tissue Repair

When wound healing of cutaneous tissue becomes problematic, it increases patient morbidity associated with increased infection, demand on medical resources, and asserts a profound detrimental effect on the individual’s quality of life. Currently, there are limited effective strategies for addressing chronic cutaneous wounds. The study reported here is based upon the understanding that individual skin wounds may preferentially require differing proteinaceous precursors during specific phases of skin wound repair and calls attention to the possibilities in the reexamination of traditional treatments such as plant and animal-derived substances among many others. This study aimed to determine if, and which, amino acid containing powders could be applied to wounds and lead to faster or more effective healing when compared to a similar wound in the same animal. These compounds were chosen based upon their predetermined roles in wound healing processes like clotting and scar formation. Size of wound in addition to histological features were measured and included number of immune cells such as fibroblasts, fat cells and dense connective tissue. This data showed certain amino acid powders did have preferential healing in these types of wounds. It presents preliminary data that suggests this approach may offer new resources to address this increasingly widespread medical issue

Kinesthetic Evaluation of Surgical Interventions To Improve Physiologic Performance

Background: The evaluation of rat movement patterns is pertinent when studying the particular influence an injury may have on ambulation. Previous studies have found that these animals will alter their load-bearing away from the injured limb. Change also occurs in the stride width between the immobilized limb and the opposite hind limb. The Functional indices for print length (PL), distance between first and fifth digits or toe spreading (TS), distance between second and fourth digits or intermediary toes (IT), and toe to opposite foot (TOF), was determined for each of the experimental groups. The focus of the present study was to evaluate ambulatory function throughout the healing period and to compare results to presurgical ambulatory function following the experimental interventions; laser induced gastrocnemius lacerations versus cold knife as well as the effect of exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) injections into the muscle wound

Associations between First Year Medical Students’ Lifestyles, Resting Blood Pressure, and Resting ECGs

Introduction: There is considerable evidence that psychological stressors can impact cardiovascular health. Medical students experience a high degree of stress based upon their responses to survey questionnaires, although there are few physiological studies that support this association that are targeted specifically to medical students. Medical students in general represent an underrepresented age group in the context of cardiovascular treatment guidelines. Therefore, medical students are a pertinent cohort for study based upon these findings. Objective:The purpose of this study was to analyze whether medical student lifestyles impact normal baseline cardiovascular measurements of blood pressures and electrocardiograms in this population. Methods: Twenty five Medical students in the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating class of 2017 were recruited and met inclusion criteria. Blood pressure and lifestyle factor surveys were obtained on a weekly basis and ECGs were recorded biweekly. All ECGs were read by a cardiologist. Participation by the cardiologist and the subjects was voluntary and without compensation. BP and Heart Rate data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and the ECG analyses using Fisher Exact Test. Data obtained throughout the study was compared to the subjects’ initial data gathered at the beginning of the academic year. Data was organized into the male gender category, the female gender category, and a category that combined the data for both genders. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the amount of caffeine consumption and systolic BP abnormalities (p=0.05), and also a statistically significant difference in the amount of strength training exercise and diastolic BP abnormalities (p=0.04) for the male gender category. There were statistically significant differences in the amount of strength training exercise and prevalence of early repolarization (p=0.01), and the amount of study hours and bradycardia (p= 0.04) for the female gender category.There were statistically significant differences between the amount of aerobic exercise and T wave inversions (p=0.03), anxiety level and voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (p=0.05), the amount of strength exercise and systolic BP abnormalities (p=0.02), the amount of strength exercise and diastolic abnormalities (p=0.004), the amount of study hours and bradycardia (p=0.034), and the amount of study hours and inverted T waves (p=0.008) for the combined gender category. Conclusion: Changes in both blood pressure and ECGs in association with both behavioral and curriculum lifestyle factors were demonstrated. Whether the behavioral habits that differed significantly from baseline were due to the curriculum cannot be determined from these preliminary analyses. However, these findings in this population are concerning with respect to younger adults as a discrete and unique population, and may warrant closer scrutiny in conjunction with the American Heart Association Guidelines to determine whether a new category of recommendations for younger adults may be warranted with respect to blood pressure and heart rate parameters