Student-centered interventions the key to student health care worker influenza vaccination

Objectives: To investigate influenza vaccination uptake rates, attitudes and motivations towards influenza vaccination among student health care workers (HCWs). Methods: Self-reported influenza vaccination uptake among student HCWs at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia (UNDAF) was surveyed before and after implementation of a peer-led, student-centered campaign to raise awareness of, and improve access to, influenza vaccination. Data were weighted and analysed using logistic regression. Results: Pre-campaign influenza vaccination uptake was 36.3% (95% CI=31.8%-40.8%), with students identifying lack of awareness of both the Australian Government’s recommendations and university policy, cost, and inconvenience of vaccine access as key barriers. Post-campaign vaccination coverage increased significantly to 55.9% (95% CI=52.2%-59.6%). Multivariate logistic regression, controlled for statistically insignificant confounders of age and gender, showed that being a student HCW in 2014 (campaign year) was significantly and independently associated with influenza vaccination (OR 2.2, 95% CI=1.7-2.9, P\u3c0.001). Other significant factors were eligibility for National Immunisation Programme (NIP) funded vaccine (OR 12.3, 95% CI=6.3 – 24.0, P\u3c0.001), employment as HCWs (OR 1.9, 95% CI=1.5-2.6, P\u3c0.001), recalled campaign materials (OR 1.8, 95% CI=1.2 – 2.7, P=0.002) and enrolled in medicine (OR 1.6, 95% CI=1.1-2.4, P=0.016). Conclusions: Student HCWs’ influenza vaccination uptake improved significantly following a low-cost, peer-led promotional campaign. This approach can be adapted to other settings

Solvent effects on host-guest residence time and kinetics: further insights from metadynamics simulation of Toussaintine-A unbiding from chitosan nanoparticle

This research article published by Springer Nature Switzerland AG., 2021Solvents play an important role in host-guest intermolecular interactions. The kinetics and residence time of Toussaintine-A (TouA) unbinding from chitosan was investigated by means of well-tempered metadynamics and thermodynamic integration using two solvents, polar aprotic (DMSO), and polar protic (water). The kinetic rates were found to be strongly dependent on the solvent polarity; hence, the unbinding rate proceeded much faster in DMSO compared to water. DMSO tends to participate less in a chemical reaction by weakening the intermolecular interaction between chitosan and TouA due to lack of acidic hydrogen resulting in a reduction of the transition state. On the other hand, water, which ought to donate hydrogen atoms, sustains a strong interaction and hence large barrier heights. Consequently, this reduces the unbinding rate and increases the residence time. Binding free energy from thermodynamic integration suggests a thermodynamic stable chitosan-TouA complex in water than in DMSO

Factors associated with spontaneous stone passage in a contemporary cohort of patients presenting with acute ureteric colic. Results from the MIMIC Study (A Multi-centre cohort study evaluating the role of Inflammatory Markers in patients presenting with acute ureteric Colic)

Objectives There is conflicting data on the role of white blood cell count (WBC) and other inflammatory markers in spontaneous stone passage in patients with acute ureteric colic. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship of WBC and other routinely collected inflammatory and clinical markers including stone size, stone position and Medically Expulsive Therapy use (MET) with spontaneous stone passage (SSP) in a large contemporary cohort of patients with acute ureteric colic. Subjects and Methods Multi‐centre retrospective cohort study coordinated by the British Urology Researchers in Surgical Training (BURST) Research Collaborative at 71 secondary care hospitals across 4 countries (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia and New Zealand). 4170 patients presented with acute ureteric colic and a computer tomography confirmed single ureteric stone. Our primary outcome measure was SSP as defined by the absence of need for intervention to assist stone passage. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between key patient factors and SSP. Results 2518 patients were discharged with conservative management and had further follow up with a SSP rate of 74% (n = 1874/2518). Sepsis after discharge with conservative management was reported in 0.6% (n = 16/2518). On multivariable analysis neither WBC, Neutrophils or CRP were seen to predict SSP, with an adjusted OR of 0.97 [95% CI 0.91 to 1.04, p = 0.38], 1.06 [95% CI 0.99 to 1.13, p = 0.1] and 1.00 [95% CI 0.99 to 1.00, p = 0.17], respectively. Medical expulsive therapy (MET) also did not predict SSP [adjusted OR 1.11 [95% CI 0.76 to 1.61]). However, stone size and stone position were significant predictors. SSP for stones 7mm. For stones in the upper ureter the SSP rate was 52% [95% CI 48 to 56], middle ureter was 70% [95% CI 64 to 76], and lower ureter was 83% [95% CI 81 to 85]. Conclusion In contrast to the previously published literature, we found that in patients with acute ureteric colic who are discharged with initial conservative management, neither WBC, Neutrophil count or CRP help determine the likelihood of spontaneous stone passage. We also found no overall benefit from the use of MET. Stone size and position are important predictors and our findings represent the most comprehensive stone passage rates for each mm increase in stone size from a large contemporary cohort adjusting for key potential confounders. We anticipate that these data will aid clinicians managing patients with acute ureteric colic and help guide management decisions and the need for intervention

Development of Small-scale Plasma Experiments for an Undergraduate Laboratory

In this paper we describe some simple low cost experiments for developing plasma physics at undergraduate level. A discharge tube was fabricated to (i) study variation of breakdown voltage with distance and pressure, (ii) estimate charge densities and (iii) estimate electron energies in argon and air discharge. The charge densities measured using Johnson- Malter's double probe method for argon and air were 6.0n1014 electrons m-3 and 4.1n1014 electrons m-3 respectively. The corresponding electron energies determined for argon gas discharge and air discharge were 1.0 n 10-18 J and 9.6 n 10-19 J respectively. These quantities were determined at 1 torr pressure. The minimum breakdown voltage for argon was 900 V at 7 torr. This gave a value of the product of pressure and separation of electrodes10 torr-mm, but at constant 2 mm separation of electrodes the value was 7.5 torr-mm at the same breakdown voltage of 900 V. The Paschen's and the Townsend's laws were also verified under present experimental conditions. Keywords: plasma, electron temperature, electron energy, paschen, townsend Résumé Dans cet article nous décrivons des expériences simples et peu chères de laboratoire de physique des plasmas pouvant être menées dans le cadre des travaux pratiques par les étudiants au niveau du baccalauréat. Un tube de décharge a été fabriqué pour étudier (i) la variation de décharge d'une tension selon la distance et la pression, (ii) évaluer les densités de charge et (iii) évaluer les énergies électroniques dans des décharges d'argon et d'air. Les densités de charge mesurées par la méthode d'un couple de sondes Johnson- Malter dans l'argon et l'air, étaient respectivement de 6.0n1014 électrons par m3 et de 4.1n1014 électrons par m3 Les énergies électroniques correspondantes, déterminées par la décharge pour le gaz d'argon et l'air étaient de 1.0 n 10-18 J et de 9.6 n 10-19 J respectivement. Ces quantités ont été déterminées à 1 torr de pression. La tension de décharge minimale pour l'argon était 900 V à 7 torr. Ceci a donné la valeur du produit de la pression par l'écartement des électrodes de 10 torr-mm, mais avec un écartement constant de 2 mm entre les électrodes, la valeur était de 7,5 torr-mm à la même tension de décharge de 900 V. Les lois de Paschen et Townsend ont été également vérifiées dans des conditions de la présente expérience. Mots-clés: plasma, température électronique, énergie électronique, paschen, townsend (Discovery and Innovation: 2002 14 (3-4): 169-178

Views on unlawful water abstractions along the Liebenbergsvlei River, South Africa

As a result of the growing demand for additional water supplies, officials at the National Department of Water Affairs (DWA) continually monitor consumption patterns. The unlawful abstraction of water for irrigation purposes along the Axle and Liebenbergsvlei water transfer scheme, a South African river catchment, has been identified as a potential over-consumption hotspot. An investigation into the evolution of modern farming and irrigation developments along this important water transfer scheme found that restrictions on irrigation water abstraction have primarily focused on the water security of downstream urban and industrial users who receive water at a high assurance of supply. During periods of normal rainfall the authorities paid little attention to the existing use of water from the Liebenbergsvlei water transfer scheme. Subsequent restrictions placed on local water abstraction for irrigation has achieved mixed results. This paper focuses on the perspectives of irrigation farmers who may be unlawfully using water from the transfer scheme. Their views are compared with those expressed by the authorities on this issue, and the way in which the authorities attempt to regulate water use in the region within the confines of existing legislation. The responses from the different sectors were qualitatively analysed and suggested solutions have been formulated for further discussion. The study’s major findings reveal that the contestation around water use for agricultural purposes will continue as long as the misunderstandings surrounding legal or illegal water use persist. As demand on water is escalating, it is considered important to put in place water security measures designed to safeguard the available water in light of scarcity

Cardiovascular effects of Boophone disticha aqueous ethanolic extract on early maternally separated BALB/C mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: There are a number of reports from traditional medical practice in Zimbabwe and neighboring countries and few in vitro studies suggesting an effect with extracts of Boophone disticha in some forms of anxiety disorder. Aim of the study: In order to validate the use of Boophone disticha in treatment of anxiety, this study was set to determine the effects of the plant extracts on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in adult BALB/c mice subjected to repeated early maternal separation (MS) stress. Materials and methods: To test whether early life stress increases anxiety in mice, non-invasive tail cuff method was used to examine the autonomic nervous system activity by assessing cardiovascular reactivity and response to acute mixing stress (AMS) and restraint stress (RS) in adult mice subjected to early postnatal stress as compared to control. AMS-induced cardiovascular response was then evaluated in adult MS mice treated with Boophone disticha as compared to vehicle and diazepam. Results: Comparisons of the BP and HR measurements indicated that MS significantly reduced AMSinduced HR responses in BALB/c mice when compared with control. Boophone disticha treatment significantly reduced AMS-induced BP response in BALB/c MS mice as compared to vehicle and diazepam treatments. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate for the first time that postnatal stress can induce short-term changes in the sensitivity of the cardiovascular system to subsequent stress which can be reduced by treatment with a freeze dried aqueous ethanolic extract of Boophone disticha

Polyamidoamine Dendrimers for Enhanced Solubility of Small Molecules and Other Desirable Properties for Site Specific Delivery: Insights from Experimental and Computational Studies

Clinical applications of many small molecules are limited due to poor solubility and lack of controlled release besides lack of other desirable properties. Experimental and computational studies have reported on the therapeutic potential of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers as solubility enhancers in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Besides formulation strategies, factors such as pH, PAMAM dendrimer generation, PAMAM dendrimer concentration, nature of the PAMAM core, special ligand and surface modifications of PAMAM dendrimer have an influence on drug solubility and other recommendable pharmacological properties. This review, therefore, compiles the recently reported applications of PAMAM dendrimers in pre-clinical and clinical uses as enhancers of solubility and other desirable properties such as sustained and controlled release, bioavailability, bio-distribution, toxicity reduction or enhancement, and targeted delivery of small molecules with emphasis on cancer treatment

A new cinnamoylglycoflavonoid, antimycobacterial and antioxidant constituents from <i>Heritiera littoralis</i> leaf extracts

<div><p>A new cinnamolyglycoflavonoid 3-cinnamoyltribuloside (<b>1</b>), its precursor tribuloside and two known flavonoid glycosides afzelin and astilbin were isolated from <i>Heritiera littoralis</i> Dryand (Sterculiaceae) ethanolic leaf extract. The dichloromethane leaf extract afforded two known pentacyclic triterpenoids, 3β-taraxerol and friedelin. Extracts and compounds isolated therefrom, with the exception of 3β-taraxerol, exhibited antimycobacterial activity against the non-pathogenic <i>Mycobacterium</i> species <i>Mycobacterium madagascariense</i> and <i>Mycobacterium indicus pranii</i>, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 5.0 mg/mL for the crude extracts and MICs in the range of 1.6–0.8 mg/mL for the pure compounds. The extracts together with 3-cinnamoyltribuloside (<b>1</b>), tribuloside and astilbin exhibited 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. The compounds that showed dual activities could be further evaluated under clinical settings for co-administration with standard anti-tuberculosis drugs.</p></div