An evaluation of the infection control potential of a UV clinical podiatry unit

Background: Infection control is a key issue in podiatry as it is in all forms of clinical practice. Airborne contamination may be particularly important in podiatry due to the generation of particulates during treatment. Consequently, technologies that prevent contamination in podiatry settings may have a useful role. The aims of this investigation were twofold, firstly to determine the ability of a UV cabinet to protect instruments from airborne contamination and secondly to determine its ability to remove microbes from contaminated surfaces and instruments. Method: A UV instrument cabinet was installed in a University podiatry suite. Impact samplers and standard microbiological techniques were used to determine the nature and extent of microbial airborne contamination. Sterile filters were used to determine the ability of the UV cabinet to protect exposed surfaces. Artificially contaminated instruments were used to determine the ability of the cabinet to remove microbial contamination. Results: Airborne bacterial contamination was dominated by Gram positive cocci including Staphylococcus aureus. Airborne fungal levels were much lower than those observed for bacteria. The UV cabinet significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the observed levels of airborne contamination. When challenged with contaminated instruments the cabinet was able to reduce microbial levels by between 60% to 100% with more complex instruments e.g. clippers, remaining contaminated. Conclusions: Bacterial airborne contamination is a potential infection risk in podiatry settings due to the presence of S. aureus. The use of a UV instrument cabinet can reduce the risk of contamination by airborne microbes. The UV cabinet tested was unable to decontaminate instruments and as such could pose an infection risk if misused. Keywords: Infection control, UV, Bacteria, Fungi, Dermatophytes, Contaminatio

Assessment of NeQuick ionospheric model for Galileo single-frequency users

The ionosphere is the main error source in GNSS measurements and in extreme cases can degrade the positioning significantly, with errors exceeding 100 m; therefore, modelling and predicting of this type of error is crucial and critical. The ionospheric effect can be reduced using different techniques, such as dual-frequency receiver or suitable augmentation system (DGPS, SBAS); the aforesaid approaches involve the use of expensive devices and/or complex architectures. Single frequency stand-alone receivers are the cheapest and most widespread GNSS devices; they can estimate and partially correct the error due to the ionosphere, through adequate algorithms, which use parameters broadcasted by the navigation message. The aim of this paper is performance assessment of the ionospheric model NeQuick, adopted by the European GNSS Galileo for single frequency receivers. The analysis is performed in measurements domain and the data are collected in different geographical locations and in various geomagnetic conditions

Use of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective inguinal hernia repair in adults in London and south-east England: a cross-sectional survey.

PURPOSE: Evidence regarding whether or not antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial in preventing post-operative surgical site infection in adult inguinal hernia repair is conflicting. A recent Cochrane review based on 17 randomised trials did not reach a conclusion on this subject. This study aimed to describe the current practice and determine whether clinical equipoise is prevalent. METHODS: Surgeons in training were recruited to administer the Survey of Hernia Antibiotic Prophylaxis usE survey to consultant-level general surgeons in London and the south-east of England on their practices and beliefs regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in adult elective inguinal hernia repair. Local prophylaxis guidelines for the participating hospital sites were also determined. RESULTS: The study was conducted at 34 different sites and received completed surveys from 229 out of a possible 245 surgeons, a 93 % response rate. Overall, a large majority of hospital guidelines (22/28) and surgeons' personal beliefs (192/229, 84 %) supported the use of single-dose pre-operative intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis in inguinal hernia repair, although there was considerable variation in the regimens in use. The most widely used regimen was intravenous co-amoxiclav (1.2 g). Less than half of surgeons were adherent to their own hospital antibiotic guidelines for this procedure, although many incorrectly believed that they were following these. CONCLUSION: In the south-east of England, there is a strong majority of surgical opinion in favour of the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in this procedure. It is therefore likely to be extremely difficult to conduct further randomised studies in the UK to support or refute the effectiveness of prophylaxis in this commonly performed procedure

Ridaforolimus as a single agent in advanced endometrial cancer: results of a single-arm, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND: This open-label, multicentre, phase 2 trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor ridaforolimus in women with advanced endometrial cancer. METHODS: Women with measurable recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer and documented disease progression were treated with ridaforolimus 12.5 mg intravenously once daily for 5 consecutive days every 2 weeks in a 4-week cycle. The primary end point was clinical benefit response, defined as an objective response or prolonged stable disease of 16 weeks or more. RESULTS: In all, 45 patients were treated with single-agent ridaforolimus. Clinical benefit was achieved by 13 patients (29%), including 5 (11%) with confirmed partial responses and 8 (18%) with prolonged stable disease. All patients with clinical benefit response received ridaforolimus for more than 4 months. In this heavily pretreated population, the 6-month progression-free survival was 18%. Ridaforolimus was generally well tolerated: adverse events were predictable and manageable, consistent with prior studies in other malignancies. Overall, the most common adverse events were diarrhoea (58%) and mouth sores (56%); most common grade 3 or higher adverse events were anaemia (27%) and hyperglycaemia (11%). CONCLUSION: Single-agent ridaforolimus has antitumor activity and acceptable tolerability in advanced endometrial cancer patients. Further clinical evaluation of ridaforolimus is warranted