Impact of active learning: Teaching Microbiology in the degree of Podiatry

Con la adaptación al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior, se ha planteado cómo objetivo la mejora de la calidad de la docencia de la Microbiología mediante la renovación de la metodología docente, introduciendo como actividad docente el aprendizaje activo basado en preguntas (inquiry-based learning:IBL) para conseguir mejorar las competencias que deberán adquirir los estudiantes como parte de su formación integral. En este estudio han participado 49 alumnos de Segundo Curso del Grado de Podología,y se ha calculado el porcentaje de alumnos que participaron en las 3 pruebas (3 IBL), en 2 (2 IBL), en 1 (1 IBL), y los que no participaron en ninguna y posteriormente se relacionó con las calificaciones obtenidas en la asignatura de Microbiología. En los alumnos que realizaron alguna prueba IBL se obtuvieron calificaciones mejores en las preguntas diseñadas para analizar la síntesis de conocimientos y el análisis de datos que en aquellos que no habían participado en ninguna. Al finalizar la actividad se realizó un estudio transversal a través de un cuestionario autocumplimentado en el que se valoraba la opinión de los alumnos sobre el aprendizaje activo mediante IBL valorando positivamente esta actividad para medir el aprendizaje y mejorar la preparación del examen. Consideramos que en líneas generales este tipo de estudios pueden optimizar la calidad de la docencia de la Microbiología en los estudios de Grado de Podología.In response to the Adaptation to the European Higher Education Area, one path to reform is the development of educational practices that explicit engage students while enhacing how they learn Microbiology. These practices including inquiry-based learning (IBL) in which students are actively engaged in the learning process for improving the skills to be acquired as part of their effective learning. This study included 49 Microbiology students of Second Year Degree in Podiatry, and calculated the percentage of students who used these resources 3 IBL, 2IBL, 1IBL, and that did not participate in any and subsequently related to the student performance in Microbiology exam. Students who prepared IBL scored higher en exam questions designed to test synthesis of knowledge and analysis of data. In order to assess the perceived impact of the active learning, the students were asked to fill out a questionnaire evaluating IBL positively considering that this activity can measure learning and improve exam preparation. We believe that this type of study can optimize the quality of teaching of Microbiology in podiatric studies

Large increases in learning that result with the active teaching methods in Microbiology in Podiatry Degree

Se ha planteado como objetivo la mejora de la calidad de la docencia de la Microbiología mediante la actualización de la metodología docente , introduciendo como actividad docente el aprendizaje activo basado en preguntas (inquirybased learning:IBL) para conseguir mejorar las competencias que deberán adquirir los estudiantes como parte de su formación integral. En este estudio han participado 55 alumnos de Segundo Curso del Grado de Podología (Curso 2014-2015),y se ha calculado el porcentaje de alumnos que participaron en las 3 pruebas (3 IBL), en 2 (2 IBL), en 1 (1 IBL), y los que no participaron en ninguna y posteriormente se relacionó con las calificaciones obtenidas en la asignatura de Microbiología. Se incluyeron las preguntas IBL que se realizaron en clase en el campus virtual de la asignatura, pero sin incluir la corrección de las mismas. En los alumnos que realizaron alguna prueba IBL se obtuvieron calificaciones mejores en las preguntas diseñadas para analizar la síntesis de conocimientos y el análisis de datos que en aquellos que no habían participado en ninguna. Al finalizar la actividad se realizó un estudio transversal a través de un cuestionario autocumplimentado en el que se valoraba la opinión de los alumnos sobre el aprendizaje activo mediante IBL valorando positivamente esta actividad para medir el aprendizaje y mejorar la preparación del examen. Consideramos que el uso del campus virtual unido a la actualización en la metodología docente puede mejorar el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de Microbiología.Our focus here is to improve teaching methods in University microbiology classes and the development of educational practices that explicit engage students while enhacing how they learn Microbiology. These practices including inquiry-based learning (IBL) in which students are actively engaged in the learning process for improving the skills to be acquired as part of their effective learning . This study included 55 Microbiology students of Second Year Degree in Podiatry (Academic Year 2014-2015), and calculated the percentage of students who used these resources 3 IBL, 2IBL, 1IBL, and that did not participate in any and subsequently related to the student performance in Microbiology exam. The IBL questions that were done in class ,were included in the virtual campus , but not including the correction. Students who prepared IBL scored higher en exam questions designed to test synthesis of knowledge and analysis of data. In order to assess the perceived impact of the active learning, the students were asked to fill out a questionnaire evaluating IBL positively considering that this activity can measure learning and improve exam preparation. We believe that the benefits of active learning methods over lecture instruction are consistent and can increases student performance in Microbiology

Infectious complications in digital surgery

The authors expose the infectious complications after the accomplishment of surgical techniques in the foot as well as the antimicrobial treatment of election.The authors expose the infectious complications after the accomplishment of surgical techniques in the foot as well as the antimicrobial treatment of election

Effectiveness of surgical hand antisepsis using chlorhexidine digluconate and parachlorometaxylenol hand scrub

[Abstract] Background: Chlorhexidine and parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX) are antiseptics recommended for surgical hand antisepsis. To our knowledge, PCMX has not been evaluated for bactericidal efficacy “in vivo. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled crossover trial to compare the bacterial loads on fingertips and fingernails under laboratory conditions after use of antiseptic test products, including chlorhexidine digluconate 4%, PCMX 3%, and a reference solution of propan-1-ol 60% (P-1). We assessed bacterial load after a prewash with soft soap, immediately after application of an antiseptic, and 3 hours after application and wearing of sterile, powder-free gloves. Our procedures followed those specified by European Norm (EN) 12791 for evaluating surgical hand antiseptics and using cotton swab for fingertips and fingernails. Results: Chlorhexidine digluconate 4% and PCMX 3% did not decrease bacterial load on the hands. The bactericidal performances of chlorhexidine digluconate 4% and PCMX 3% did not differ significantly. Chlorhexidine digluconate 4% and PCMX 3% increased bacterial load on the fingertips after participants had worn gloves for 3 hours. Fingernails had greater bacterial loads than skin on the fingertips. Conclusions: Chlorhexidine digluconate 4% and PCMX 3% had similar bactericidal efficacy, but they failed to meet the EN 12791 efficacy standard. Fingernails should be a particular focus of antisepsis in preparation for surgery. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT02500758)

Innovative Medial Cushioning Orthoses Affect Peroneus Longus Electromyographic Activity during Running

Background: Over-supination processes of the foot and ankle involving peroneus longus (PL) damage during running sports have been treated conservatively with passive control tools, such as tapes, braces, or external ankle supports, but the effect of orthoses with typical lateral wedging orthoses (TLWO) on the muscular activity of PL during running remains unclear. Here we investigate the effects of innovative medial cushioning orthoses (IMCO) on PL activity during the full running gait cycle. In addition, we wished to ascertain the effects of innovative medial cushioning orthoses (IMCO) on PL activity during running. Methods: Thirty-one healthy recreational runners (mean age 34.5 ± 3.33) with neutral foot posture index scores, were selected to participate in the present study. They ran on a treadmill at 9 km/h wearing seven different orthoses (NRS, IMCO 3 mm, IMCO 6 mm, IMCO 9 mm, TLWO 3 mm, TLWO 6 mm and TLWO 9 mm), randomly performed on the same day while electromyographic activity of the PL muscle was recorded. Statistical intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to test reliability was carried out and the Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni’s correction was developed to analyze the differences between the conditions. Results: the reliability of all assessments showed data higher than 0.81, that is, “almost perfect reliability”; all EMG PL values wearing either TLWO or IMCO showed a statistically significant reduction versus NRS during the fully analyzed running gait cycle; the highest difference was set on NRS 23.08 ± 6.67 to TLWO 9 mm 17.77 ± 4.794 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Muscular EMG activity of the PL during the full running gait cycle decreases when wearing either TLWO or IMCO relative to NRS; therefore, these orthoses could be prescribed to treat the strain and overload pathologies of PL. In addition, IMCO—as it less thick, compared with TLWO—can be used when aiming to achieve better running econom

Influence of Sexual Dimorphism, Aging, and Differential Cell Capture Efficiency of Blood Separation Systems on the Quality of Platelet-Rich Plasma

[Abstract] Few studies have checked the impact of the hormonal/immunological dimorphism of patients on the cellular composition of platelet-rich plasma products (PRP). Whole blood (WB) from 26 volunteers was concentrated using a device previously characterized. Platelet and white blood cell (WBC) counts in WB and PRP were compared between genders, and after the population was split into pre (≤50 years)- and post (&gt;50 years)-menopausal ages. In WB, platelet-total WBC densities were comparable in men and women. The phagocytic cell composition differed (p ≤ 0.04). After dividing by ages, phagocytic cell discrepancies were linked to women &gt; 50 years (p ≤ 0.05), and differences emerged in lymphocyte counts (lower in &gt;50 years groups, within and between genders, p ≤ 0.05). In PRP, densities were significantly higher, but the PRP/WB ratios varied according to blood cell (lower for phagocytic cells) and between subjects (more favorable at a lower density of a particular blood cell in WB). This "system compensatory efficiency" reduced/reverted PRP differences in the leukocyte composition between genders/age-sex groups in WB. In PRP, neutrophils were higher in younger men than older women (p &lt; 0.05). WB lymphocyte differences between age-sex groups persisted. Age is a more determining factor than sex in the preparation of PRP. Post-menopause, sexual dimorphism strongly influences the composition of leukocytes, also conditioned by the capture efficiency of the system

Commercial Blood Cell Separation Systems Versus Tube Centrifugation Methods for the Preparation of Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

[Abstract] OBJECTIVE: Clinical studies claim that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) accelerates tissue healing due to its high concentration of growth factors and that the combination with leukocytes improves the antimicrobial effect of the concentrate. Most of these studies obtained PRP using different separation systems, and few analyzed the content of the PRP used for treatment. This study characterized the composition of PRP and white blood cells (WBC) from a single donor produced by three commercially available PRP separation systems and two anticoagulated general analytical tubes. METHODS: Five patients donated 50 mL of blood, which was processed to produce PRP and WBC using three PRP concentration systems (i.e., Easy PRP Kit, GloPRP, and Wego) and two tubes for general analysis anticoagulated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citrate. Platelets and WBC in combination with their concentrates were analyzed by automated systems in a clinical laboratory. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the average concentrations of PRP platelets and WBC between GloPRP and the tubes for general analysis with EDTA and citrate; however, the Easy PRP Kit gave results much superior to the rest of the methods, especially comparing it with the Wego Kit, whose concentrates were especially low, even nonexistent for WBC. CONCLUSIONS: The Easy PRP Kit concentrates WBC-rich PRP, resulting in increased WBC concentrations, compared with low WBC-low PRP of GloPRP and general tube methods for EDTA and citrate analysis and the even lower concentration of PRP from the Wego Kit, with the absence of leukocyte

Cefditoren and ceftriaxone enhance complement-mediated immunity in the presence of specific antibodies against antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains

8 p.-4 fig.Background: Specific antibodies mediate humoral and cellular protection against invading pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae by activating complement mediated immunity, promoting phagocytosis and stimulating bacterial clearance. The emergence of pneumococcal strains with high levels of antibiotic resistance is of great concern worldwide and a serious threat for public health. Methodology/Principal Findings: Flow cytometry was used to determine whether complement-mediated immunity against three antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae clinical isolates is enhanced in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of cefditoren and ceftriaxone. The binding of acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P component, and of complement component C1q, to pneumococci was enhanced in the presence of serum plus either of these antibiotics. Both antibiotics therefore trigger the activation of the classical complement pathway against S. pneumoniae. C3b deposition was also increased in the presence of specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies and sub-inhibitory concentrations of cefditoren and ceftriaxone confirming that the presence of these antibiotics enhances complementmediated immunity to S. pneumoniae. Conclusions/Significance: Using cefditoren and ceftriaxone to promote the binding of acute phase proteins and C1q to pneumococci, and to increase C3b deposition, when anti-pneumococcal antibodies are present, might help reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae infections.This work was supported by grants SAF2009-10824 from Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica, MPY 1350/10 from ISCIII and an unrestricted educational grant from Tedec-Meiji Farma S. A. (Madrid, Spain).Peer reviewe

Age-Based Inter-Subject Variability in Platelet and Whiteblood Cell Concentrations of Platelet-Rich Plasma Preparedusing a New Application to Blood Separation System

[Abstract] The benefit of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is still underdiscussion. Variations in PRP products, consequence of the lack of astandardised protocol for the multitude of commercially available blood sepa-ration systems and the lack of knowledge of the optimal composition of PRPor its suitability for the proposed indication are some of the reasons behindclinical inconsistencies. The impact of inter-subject variability in PRP hasreceived less attention in comparison. The purpose of this study was to deter-mine the inter-subject variability, based on age, in the concentrates preparedby a new blood concentration system. Twenty-six healthy volunteers of bothgenders (29-93 years) were enrolled. Whole blood (WB) was collected fromeach participant to prepare PRP using the Easy PRP kit. Platelets and whiteblood cells (WBC) from WB and PRP were analysed after split population byage; patients younger than 65 years (n=13) and patients≥65 years old(n=13). Among the demographic characteristics tested, only age was signifi-cantly different between the groups. Cell capture efficiency of the system wasspecific for each type of blood cell and identical for both age groups. Plateletsand WBC in PRP were higher than in WB (P< .001). In WB, platelets andWBC concentrations were significantly lower in older group (P≤.035). Thesedifferences persisted in the prepared PRP (P≤.004). The ageing of populationhas a strong influence on the haematocrit and therefore on the composition ofPRP. Because the efficiency of blood separator system seems to be constantacross individuals, the inter-subject haematocrit variability based on age couldbe used as a predictor of resulting PRP. The clinical application of PRP shouldbe restricted to the specific cell capture capacity of the different commercialdevice