Practical skills in chemistry

This science textbook includes: "general advice on practical work, classical and instrumental techniques, analysis and presentation of data, information technology, library resources, communicating information and study skills."--back cover

Practical skills in forensic science

Practical Skills in Forensic Science is designed specifically to support and develop the complete range of practical skills which are essential to success in Forensic Science courses. This range of skills includes work in practicals and laboratory sessions, and also relates to projects, study skills and assessments, exam revision, time management, and even how to put together a CV. The authors provide an updated concise and user-friendly guide, which will help students to focus on how to perform as effectively as possible in their course

Unintended pregnancy prevention and care education: Are we adequately preparing entry-to-practice nursing and midwifery students?

Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) demands an optimised workforce where nurses and midwives are able to provide the best quality care in accordance with their full scope of practice (World Health Organization 2020; Bender et al. 2016). However, political, legi slat ive , and educational barriers prevent nurses and m id wiv es from working to their full scope in the area of unintended pregnancy prevention and care (UPPC) ( Mainey et al. 2020). One important contributing factor is the inadequate coverage of the subject in nursing and midwifery curricula (Mainey et al. 2020). With un i ntend ed pregnancy and abortion affecting one-quarter of Australian wom en (Taft et al. 2018; Sch ei! et al. 2017), nursing and midwifery educators must seriously consider matching the scope of practice of graduating students to health needs of this population

Genomic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in Ireland

Presentation  A 40-year-old healthcare worker (HCW) presented with cough, headache, sore throat, fatigue and myalgia seven months after primary infection with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Symptoms were milder and recovery was faster on the second episode.  Diagnosis  Reinfection with phylogenetically distinct SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS).  Treatment  Management involved symptomatic treatment and self-isolation.  Discussion  The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is not well characterised. Infection control precautions may still be required in healthcare facilities, even in previously infected and possibly in vaccinated individuals while SARS-CoV-2 remains in circulation. Further research on the nature and duration of immunity is required to inform public health and infection control policy.</p

Irbesartan in Marfan syndrome (AIMS): a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial

Background: Irbesartan, a long acting selective angiotensin-1 receptor inhibitor, in Marfan syndrome might reduce aortic dilatation, which is associated with dissection and rupture. We aimed to determine the effects of irbesartan on the rate of aortic dilatation in children and adults with Marfan syndrome. Methods: We did a placebo-controlled, double-blind randomised trial at 22 centres in the UK. Individuals aged 6–40 years with clinically confirmed Marfan syndrome were eligible for inclusion. Study participants were all given 75 mg open label irbesartan once daily, then randomly assigned to 150 mg of irbesartan (increased to 300 mg as tolerated) or matching placebo. Aortic diameter was measured by echocardiography at baseline and then annually. All images were analysed by a core laboratory blinded to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was the rate of aortic root dilatation. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, number ISRCTN90011794. Findings: Between March 14, 2012, and May 1, 2015, 192 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to irbesartan (n=104) or placebo (n=88), and all were followed for up to 5 years. Median age at recruitment was 18 years (IQR 12–28), 99 (52%) were female, mean blood pressure was 110/65 mm Hg (SDs 16 and 12), and 108 (56%) were taking β blockers. Mean baseline aortic root diameter was 34·4 mm in the irbesartan group (SD 5·8) and placebo group (5·5). The mean rate of aortic root dilatation was 0·53 mm per year (95% CI 0·39 to 0·67) in the irbesartan group compared with 0·74 mm per year (0·60 to 0·89) in the placebo group, with a difference in means of −0·22 mm per year (−0·41 to −0·02, p=0·030). The rate of change in aortic Z score was also reduced by irbesartan (difference in means −0·10 per year, 95% CI −0·19 to −0·01, p=0·035). Irbesartan was well tolerated with no observed differences in rates of serious adverse events. Interpretation: Irbesartan is associated with a reduction in the rate of aortic dilatation in children and young adults with Marfan syndrome and could reduce the incidence of aortic complications