Development of soft tissue regenerative scaffold with antibacterial activity

With increasingly aging and sedentary populations, and with the rising incidence of diabetes and the associated diabetic ulcers, chronic wounds have been reported to be approaching pandemic proportions. Accumulation of wound bacteria forms a biofilm that can inhibit wound healing and the action of antibiotics. Conventional skin grafts can readily harbor bacterial and fungal cells while excluding penetration of larger immune cells and essential neo-vascularization. Soft tissue regenerative scaffolds with highly interconnected porosity have been developed for wound healing. In this research, scaffolds were fabricated with bioactive components to impart antibacterial activity. The interconnective porosity of the scaffold was preserved through using thermally forming composite scaffolds. Bioactive glass (45S5), bulk metallic glass (MgZnCa), and infused antibiotic (Cephazolin sodium) were utilised to form the composite antibiotic eluting scaffolds. A novel in vivo wound model was generated to simulate the wound environment. A confluent biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus was generated on polymer coupons using a bioreactor. The coupons were placed within nutrient agar dishes (simulating tissue) underneath scaffold specimens. Gravity fed perfusion flow was set up using a drip-set kit.The model successfully replicated the planktonic phase of the Staph. aureus life-cycle and infection of the scaffold from the wound model. Bioactive glass by itself did not contribute any detectable Staph.antibacterial activity whether on the scaffold or fused to a silicone substrate. However, when bioactive glass was present with MgZnCa and antibiotic, a mild synergistic improvement in antibacterial activity was observed. This strategy may facilitate soft tissue adhesion and further militate against bacterial infection. This study is the first report of an in-vitro wound model with an infusion method and planktonic bacteria phase, applied to assess antibacterial synthetic scaffold

Profits Over Patriotism: Black Market Crime in World War II Sydney

This thesis examines the multi-faceted phenomenon of black market crime in World War II Sydney. Using previously classified archives, coupled with oral sources and newspaper articles I provide a complete survey of this phenomenon. As a concept the black market was a social construct with a level of stigma attached to offenders that would not exist in peace time. This was moral policing. I begin by discussing the relationship between the geography and morals of the city. Both women and men in Sydney related to the black market differently. I outline and evaluate the official response to the problem. I also examine broader community attitudes in relation to this issue. The research provided here should form the basis for a more comprehensive understanding of white-collar crime and the moral regulation of behaviour

Nurse Practitioner Led Services in Primary Health Care in Rural NSW– Two Case Studies

Background Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are a relatively new advanced nursing role. It was hoped that NPs would reduce some of the challenges facing health care, address workforce shortages and improve access to services for rural populations. The most recent census of Australian NPs showed that just twelve of 208 working NPs were located in primary health care settings. It also showed the majority of NPs were employed in metropolitan areas. Few previous studies describe NP roles in detail, or in rural primary health care settings. Aims This study aims to describe, in detail, the roles of two NPs in rural New South Wales in primary health care settings. One case study focuses on the delivery of an integrated mental health service and the other on leadership in aged care. Methods A case study methodology was employed, using multiple data sources. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with 31 key stakeholders, the examination of key documentation, and observation of the NPs within these settings. In the first case study, quantitative data were also analysed. Interview data were analysed thematically. Results The case studies offer an in-depth description of why and how these roles were established, what the NPs do and their impact within the context of small rural towns. They illustrate how NPs established intersectoral partnerships, new service delivery models and advocacy regarding the way health care was provided. The case studies also provide valuable information on how to best incorporate NPs into rural primary health care. Conclusion This study details the complexity of two NP roles within rural primary health care settings. The two case studies show that in these settings, NPs are providing leadership, supporting other services, helping to address workforce shortages, improving access to services for rural populations, and therefore demonstrating the positive impact of NPs working in these settings

Hepatitis C Virus: Biological and Clinical Consequences of Genetic Heterogeneity.

Contains fulltext : 23986___.PDF (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Toxoplasmosis. An experimental study in rhesus monkeys for prenatal diagnosis and treatment of congenital infections

Contains fulltext : mmubn000001_206420757.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)KU Nijmegen, 21 september 1995Promotores : Schayck, C.P. van, Grol, R.P.T.M. Co-promotor : Boom, G. van den Co-promotores : Meuwissen, J.H.E.T., Eskes, T.K.A.B., Melchers, W.J.G., Galama, J.M.D

Prevalence of naturally occurring viral infections, Mycoplasma pulmonis and Clostridium piliforme in laboratory rodents in Western Europe screened from 2000 to 2003.

Item does not contain fulltextIn this report prevalence rates of rodent viruses in laboratory animals are presented based on routine serological screening of mouse and rat colonies from European institutes. The prevalences found during the period 2000-2003 are compared with those reported for 1981-1984 and 1990-1993. It is shown that some infections were eliminated from laboratory animal colonies (e.g. K-virus and polyomavirus) by taking preventative measures whereas other infections such as mouse hepatitis virus and parvoviruses remained at a high rate. Further decreases in prevalence rates in the last 10 years were found for infections such as pneumonia virus of mice, reovirus type 3, Sendai virus, sialodacryoadenitis/rat coronavirus and Mycoplasma pulmonis. The introduction of new detection methods showed that mouse parvovirus and rat parvovirus, both members of the Parvoviridae family, remain a major threat to laboratory mice and rats. Guinea pig cytomegalovirus and para-influenza virus appeared to be the most prevalent agents among laboratory guinea pigs. The importance of a standardized, up-to-date screening programme is discussed

Prenatale diagnostiek en behandeling van congenitale toxoplasma gondii-infecties

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Anti-Toxoplasma effect of Pyrimethamine, Trimethoprim and Sulfonamides alone and in combination: Implications for therapy

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Anti-Toxoplasma effect of Pyrimethamine, Trimethoprim and Sulfonamides alone and in combination: Implications for therapy

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