Free standing carbon nanotube composite bio-electrodes

Carbon nanotubes present a new material for the construction of electrodes for electrochemical devices such as batteries, capacitors, and actuators. Such electrodes require high conductivity, strength, and surface area. The latter two requirements are often incompatible. Electrodes composed entirely of carbon nanotubes (bucky paper) have high surface areas but are typically weak, and have insufficient conductivity for practical macroscopic applications. Here we report a technique that uses naturally occurring biopolymers to produce electrodes (free standing films) that exhibit conductivities of 300 S/cm. These composites also have considerable mechanical strength (up to 145 MPa) and sufficient specific capacitance of 19-27 F/g to enable them to be used as freestanding electrodes. One potential application that deserves special attention is that of biocompatible electrodes, where the binder is a biopolymer already used in a range of implants. Preliminary studies reported here show that the new carbon nanotube biopolymer electrodes can foster prolific L929 cell growth

Giving travel advice in the uncertain age of COVID-19

As restrictions ease and more people holiday overseas, the importance of providing accurate travel health advice increases. Jacqueline Spinks and colleagues provide an overview of current guidance The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic drop in people travelling to other countries for pleasure; however, now that restrictions across the UK are easing, more people are seeking a break and a long-awaited holiday overseas. Practice nurses are uniquely placed to provide travel advice not just in relation to COVID-19 requirements and restrictions, but also to remind travellers of the importance of being prepared for all other communicable diseases and travel-related hazards. This article aims to provide a summary of the latest and up to date information in England (links to guidance covering the Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are found in Box 1 ) and covers a summary of COVID-19, current guidance on travel during the pandemic, information about pre-planning for overseas travel, return from travel and information about being identified as a contact during travel, general travel advice; and ends with links to the most relevant guidance and information available. </jats:p

Activating pharmacists to reduce the frequency of medication-related problems (ACTMed):a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial

Background: Medicines are the most frequent health care intervention type; their safe use provides significant benefits, but inappropriate use can cause harm. Systemic primary care approaches can manage serious medication-related problems in a timely manner. Objectives: ACTMed (ACTivating primary care for MEDicine safety) uses information technology and financial incentives to encourage pharmacists to work more closely with general practitioners to reduce the risk of harm, improve patients’ experience of care, streamline workflows, and increase the efficiency of medical care. Methods and analysis: The stepped wedge cluster randomised trial in 42 Queensland primary care practices will assess the effectiveness of the ACTMed intervention. The primary outcome will be the proportion of people at risk of serious medication-related problems — patients with atrial fibrillation, heart failure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, or asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — who experience such problems. We will also estimate the cost per averted serious medication-related problem and the cost per averted potentially preventable medication-related hospitalisation. Ethics approval: The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee approved the pilot (2021/HE002189) and trial phases of the ACTMed study (2022/HE002136). Access to Patron data was granted by the Patron Data Governance Committee (PAT052ACTMed). Access to linked hospitalisations and deaths data are subject to Public Health Act approval (pending). Dissemination of findings: A comprehensive dissemination plan will be co-developed by the researchers, the ACTMed steering committee and consumer advisory group, project partners, and trial site representatives. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be supported in leading community-level dissemination. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (pilot: ACTRN12622000595718; 21 April 2022; full trial: ACTRN12622000574741; 14 April 2022).</p

4-(Phenylsulfonyl)piperidines: Novel, Selective, and Bioavailable 5-HT_2A Receptor Antagonists

On the basis of a spirocyclic ether screening lead, a series of acyclic sulfones have been identifed as high-affinity, selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonists. Bioavailability lacking in the parent, 1-(2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)ethyl)-4-(phenylsulfonyl)piperidine (12), was introduced by using stability toward rat liver microsomes as a predictor of bioavailability. By this means, the 4-cyano- and 4-carboxamidophenylsulfonyl derivatives 26 and 31 were identified as orally bioavailable, brain-penetrant analogues suitable for evaluation in animal models. Bioavailability was also attainable by N substitution leading to the N-phenacyl derivative 35. IKr activity detected through counterscreening was reduced to insignificant levels in vivo with the latter compound