Exploring the effectiveness of a novel teaching approach for information and academic literacies in a first year engineering unit

First year Engineering students tend to lack key information and academic literacy skills, which results in poor writing and language use, the use of a limited range of sources and poor referencing in their assignments. In the 2014 graduate outlook survey, 48% of graduate employers ranked communication skills as the most important selection criterion when recruiting graduates. Transferable skills are becoming increasingly important, not just to produce a more adaptable work force, but to inspire lifelong students who will continuously learn and improve. In the Macquarie University Engineering Program these transferable skills are introduced early in the degree using enquiry based methodology in a core first year Engineering unit. Tutors play a pivotal role in this process, facilitating repeated practice and acting as mentors for the students. To emphasise the importance of information and academic literacy as the first step in educating Engineering students, librarians developed a series of ‘research studios’ based on Baratta, Chong and Foster’s work (2011) which were run during tutorial sessions in week 4 of session 1. As Engineering students typically have active, sensing, inductive and visual learning styles (Young, 2012, p. 22) an activity based approach was used to help students self-discover and practice. This was supplemented with an online language activity created by the learning skills department. The following learning outcomes were addressed: recognising when information is needed appreciating the relevance of different types of resources for their field identifying the most efficient search strategy to locate relevant information of a high standard critically evaluating information sources using appropriate academic language using the correct format of reporting referencing correctly and ethically Over 300 students attended tutorials held in library classrooms. Each ‘research studio’ was held in a different room and facilitated by a different library staff member, with groups of students moving from room to room at the conclusion of each 40 minute session. Library staff members provided short instruction, with most of the tutorial time devoted to hands-on activities, small group work and discussion. A large first year core unit was chosen to pilot this approach in order to be representative of the Engineering student population. Evaluation data shows that all of the activities had positive effects on student learning. The online language activity recorded a high number of hits. Student feedback indicated that the activity-based approach to developing information skills helped to consolidate understanding. Tutor feedback indicated that the quality of assignments submitted following the program was improved over previous sessions. To facilitate integrating these literacies into the unit, tutors will provide input into reviewing the exercises and will be trained to facilitate the learning activities co-designed by librarians and learning skills specialists in a blended learning format. As there was some feedback that exercises were too easy, the input from tutors will help pitch the training at the appropriate level and also provide valuable subject specific context. This presentation shares the results of this unique collaboration and its impact on student test results. It will address the information and academic literacy skills that Engineering students require to succeed in their academic and professional endeavours. REFERENCES Ali, R., Abu Hassan, N., Daud, M. Y. M., & Jusoff, K. (2010). Information literacy skills of engineering students. International Journal of Research and Reviews in Applied Sciences, 5(3), 264-270. http://eprints.utm.my/37881/2/IJRRAS_5_3_08.pdf Baratta, M., Chong, A & Foster, J.A. (2011). The research studio: integrating information literacy into a first year engineering science course. American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Vancouver, Canada. file:///C:/Users/mariette.leroux/Downloads/ASEE2011TheResearchStudioFinal%20(2).pdf Fosmire, M & Radcliffe, D. (2013). Integrating information into the Engineering design process. West Lafayette, IN.: Perdue University Press. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=purduepress_ebooks Lindsay, E. (2015). Graduate outlook 2014: employer’s perspectives on graduate recruitment in Australia. Melbourne, Vic.: Graduate Careers Australia. http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Graduate_Outlook_2014.pdf Young, S.J. (2012). Engineering. in O’Clair and Davidson, J. (eds) The busy librarian’s guide to information literacy in science and engineering. Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Curtin University, Sept 30th to Oct 1st, 2015, page X, ISBN Number 978-0-9871834-4-6

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Pyogenic sacroiliitis in a 13-month-old child a case report and literature review

International audiencePyogenic sacroiliitis is exceptional in very young children. Diagnosis is difficult because clinical examination is misleading. FABER test is rarely helpful in very young children. Inflammatory syndrome is frequent. Bone scintigraphy and MRI are very sensitive for the diagnosis. Joint fluid aspiration and blood cultures are useful to identify the pathogen. Appropriate antibiotic therapy provides rapid regression of symptoms and healing. We report the case of pyogenic sacroiliitis in a 13-month-old child.Clinical, biological, and imaging data of this case were reviewed and reported retrospectively.A 13-month-old girl consulted for decreased weight bearing without fever or trauma. Clinical examination was not helpful. There was an inflammatory syndrome. Bone scintigraphy found a sacroiliitis, confirmed on MRI. Aspiration of the sacroiliac joint was performed. Empiric intravenous biantibiotic therapy was started. Patient rapidly recovered full weight bearing. On the 5th day, clinical examination and biological analysis returned to normal. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was switched for oral. One month later, clinical examination and biological analysis were normal and antibiotic therapy was stopped.Hematogenous osteoarticular infections are common in children but pyogenic sacroiliitis is rare and mainly affects older children. Diagnosis can be difficult because clinical examination is poor. Moreover, limping and decreased weight bearing are very common reasons for consultation. This may delay the diagnosis or refer misdiagnosis. Bone scintigraphy is useful to locate a bone or joint disease responsible for limping. In this observation, bone scintigraphy located the infection at the sacroiliac joint. Given the young age, MRI was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Despite the very young age of the patient, symptoms rapidly disappeared with appropriate antibiotic therapy.We report the case of pyogenic sacroiliitis in a 13-month-old child. It reminds the risk of misdiagnosing pyogenic sacroiliitis in children because it is exceptional and clinical examination is rarely helpful. It also highlights the usefulness of bone scintigraphy and MRI in osteoarticular infections in children

Biological differences between FIM2 and FIM3 fimbriae of Bordetella pertussis: not just the serotype

International audienceIntroduction: Bordetella pertussis still circulates worldwide despite vaccination. Fimbriae are components of some acellular pertussis vaccines. Population fluctuations of B. pertussis fimbrial serotypes (FIM2 and FIM3) are observed, and fim3 alleles (fim3-1 [clade 1] and fim3-2 [clade 2]) mark a major phylogenetic subdivision of B. pertussis. Objectives: To compare microbiological characteristics and expressed protein profiles between fimbrial serotypes FIM2 and FIM3 and genomic clades. Methods: A total of 23 isolates were selected. Absolute protein abundance of the main virulence factors, autoagglutination and biofilm formation, bacterial survival in whole blood, induced blood cell cytokine secretion, and global proteome profiles were assessed. Results: Compared to FIM3, FIM2 isolates produced more fimbriae, less cellular pertussis toxin subunit 1 and more biofilm, but auto-agglutinated less. FIM2 isolates had a lower survival rate in cord blood, but induced higher levels of IL-4, IL-8 and IL-1 secretion. Global proteomecomparisons uncovered 15 differentially produced proteins between FIM2 and FIM3 isolates, involved in adhesion and metabolism of metals. FIM3 isolates of clade 2 produced more FIM3 and more biofilm compared to clade 1. Conclusion: FIM serotype and fim3 clades are associated with proteomic and other biological differences, which may have implications on pathogenesis and epidemiological emergence