Continuing professional development (CPD) : a necessary component in the workplace or not?

Abstract: Background: Continuing professional development (CPD) is important because it delivers benefits to the individual, their profession and the public. CPD increases credibility, maintains skills and knowledge to deliver a professional healthcare service. It also ensures that individuals are up to date with industry change by constantly updating their skill set, and filling in gaps in competencies and knowledge. Objective: The objective of this brief review is to investigate whether CPD should be a necessary component in the professional work field or not. Method: A literature review was conducted using electronic databases Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar, ERIC, Research Gate, African Journals Online and Emerald Insight. Results: The results have shown that a number of barriers played a role related to the participation of professionals in CPD programmes. The barriers most professionals face which prevent them from participating in CPD are either the attitudes of professionals towards CPD or time constraints due to workload. .

Сравнение показателей соотношений тромбоциты / лимфоциты и нейтрофилы / лимфоциты в качестве предикторов исхода COVID-19

Clinical presentation is an undependable prognostic indicator of COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019). So, a more objective predictor is needed to precisely evaluate and classify the prognosis. Immune dysregulation to lymphocytes, mainly T-lymphocytes, have been noticed between COVID-19 patients. The aim. This study was planned to determine the role of platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in assessment of COVID-19 prognosis. Methods. 70 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. All included patients underwent a consistent clinical, radiological and blood examination. Laboratory analysis was made by means of a commercially accessible kit. Blood cells ratios were computed by dividing their absolute counts. Results. Non-significant association was found between laboratory data and COVID-19 clinical severity. A significant association between CT classification and platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio (higher value in L type; p = 0.001) was detected. Platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio was significantly higher among intubated cases. However, Non-significant association was found between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and need of endotracheal intubation. Conclusion. Routine blood values are abnormal in patients with COVID-19. Platelet-to-lymphocyte count ratio ratios could be used as more meaningful biomarker than other values in predicting the prognosis of COVID-19. LMR helpful in COVID-19 severity.Клиническая картина является ненадежным показателем прогноза исхода новой коронавирусной инфекции (НКИ), поэтому для точной оценки и классификации прогноза необходим более объективный прогнозирующий фактор. У пациентов, перенесших НКИ, отмечается нарушение регуляции иммунного ответа со стороны лимфоцитов, в основном Т-лимфоцитов. Целью исследования явилось определение роли показателей соотношений тромбоциты / лимфоциты и нейтрофилы / лимфоциты при оценке прогноза COVID-19. Материалы и методы. В исследование были включены госпитализированные пациенты (n = 70) с подтвержденным COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019). У всех пациентов проводились последовательное клиническое и рентгенологическое обследование и анализ крови. Лабораторные анализы выполнялись с помощью коммерческого набора. Соотношения показателей клеток крови рассчитывались путем деления их абсолютного количества. Результаты. Обнаружена незначимая связь между лабораторными показателями и степенью тяжести COVID-19. Выявлена значимая связь между степенью поражения легких по данным компьютерной томографии и показателем соотношения тромбоциты / лимфоциты (более высокое значение для L-типа; p = 0,001). У интубированных пациентов соотношение показателя тромбоциты / лимфоциты было значимо выше. Однако обнаружена незначимая связь между показателем соотношения нейтрофилы / лимфоциты и необходимостью интубации трахеи. Заключение. У пациентов с COVID-19 наблюдаются отклонения показателей рутинных анализов крови. Показатель соотношения тромбоциты / лимфоциты может служить биомаркером при прогнозировании течения COVID-19, а показатель соотношения лимфоциты / моноциты полезен при прогнозировании степени тяжести COVID-19

Charcoal characterization and application is solar evaporator for seawater desalination

Solar desalination is the most attractive and simple technique for desalination process but suffers low thermal efficiency. The objective of this research is to study the effect of charcoal in seawater desalination for clean water production. The experiment was conducted in a basin type solar evaporator by using seawater with charcoal to seawater mass ratio variation of 1:50 to 1:500. The investigation was carried out for eight hours in sunny daylight. The water qualities including pH, conductivity, total dissolve solid (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity of the seawater and amount of evaporated water were determined. The spent and fresh charcoals were also characterized by using Nitrogen Adsorption (BET), X Ray Detector (XRD) and Scanning Electromagnetic Microscope (SEM). It is found that the addition of charcoal in the water leads to20 % increment of water temperature. Charcoal’s exposed area to the energy source significantly affects the temperature raise. The best charcoal to water mass ratio was achieved at 1:100 to produce 16.8% evaporated water. Charcoal was stable in seawater because minimum changes of pore size and pore volume were observed. In conclusion, charcoal is a potential salt adsorbent and medium for solar thermal energy storage for seawater solar desalination process

Distinct RNA profiles in subpopulations of extracellular vesicles: apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and exosomes

Introduction: In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the number of studies aiming to understand the biology of exosomes, as well as other extracellular vesicles. However, classification of membrane vesicles and the appropriate protocols for their isolation are still under intense discussion and investigation. When isolating vesicles, it is crucial to use systems that are able to separate them, to avoid cross-contamination. Method: EVs released from three different kinds of cell lines: HMC-1, TF-1 and BV-2 were isolated using two centrifugation-based protocols. In protocol 1, apoptotic bodies were collected at 2,000×g, followed by filtering the supernatant through 0.8 µm pores and pelleting of microvesicles at 12,200×g. In protocol 2, apoptotic bodies and microvesicles were collected together at 16,500×g, followed by filtering of the supernatant through 0.2 µm pores and pelleting of exosomes at 120,000×g. Extracellular vesicles were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry and the RNA profiles were investigated using a Bioanalyzer®. Results: RNA profiles showed that ribosomal RNA was primary detectable in apoptotic bodies and smaller RNAs without prominent ribosomal RNA peaks in exosomes. In contrast, microvesicles contained little or no RNA except for microvesicles collected from TF-1 cell cultures. The different vesicle pellets showed highly different distribution of size, shape and electron density with typical apoptotic body, microvesicle and exosome characteristics when analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry revealed the presence of CD63 and CD81 in all vesicles investigated, as well as CD9 except in the TF-1-derived vesicles, as these cells do not express CD9. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that centrifugation-based protocols are simple and fast systems to distinguish subpopulations of extracellular vesicles. Different vesicles show different RNA profiles and morphological characteristics, but they are indistinguishable using CD63-coated beads for flow cytometry analysis

Differential Regulation of the PGC Family of Genes in a Mouse Model of Staphylococcus aureus Sepsis

The PGC family of transcriptional co-activators (PGC-1α [Ppargc1a], PGC-1β [Ppargc1b], and PRC [Pprc]) coordinates the upregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, and Ppargc1a is known to be activated in response to mitochondrial damage in sepsis. Therefore, we postulated that the PGC family is regulated by the innate immune system. We investigated whether mitochondrial biogenesis and PGC gene expression are disrupted in an established model of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis both in mice with impaired innate immune function (TLR2−/− and TLR4−/−) and in wild-type controls. We found an early up-regulation of Ppargc1a and Ppargc1b post-infection (at 6 h) in WT mice, but the expression of both genes was concordantly dysregulated in TLR2−/− mice (no increase at 6 h) and in TLR4−/− mice (amplified at 6 h). However, the third family member, PRC, was regulated differently, and its expression increased significantly at 24 h in all three mouse strains (WT, TLR2−/−, and TLR4−/−). In silico analyses showed that Ppargc1a and Ppargc1b share binding sites for microRNA mmu-mir-202-3p. Thus, miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional mRNA degradation could account for the failure to increase the expression of both genes in TLR2−/− mice. The expression of mmu-mir-202-3p was measured by real-time PCR and found to be significantly increased in TLR2−/− but not in WT or TLR4−/− mice. In addition, it was found that mir-202-3p functionally decreases Ppargc1a mRNA in vitro. Thus, both innate immune signaling through the TLRs and mir-202-3p-mediated mRNA degradation are implicated in the co-regulation of Ppargc1a and Ppargc1b during inflammation. Moreover, the identification of mir-202-3p as a potential factor for Ppargc1a and Ppargc1b repression in acute inflammation may open new avenues for mitochondrial research and, potentially, therapy

Effect of dust storm intensity variations on total path attenuation prediction

This paper proposes a novel dust-storm total path attenuation prediction model. This model is formulated as a function of specific attenuation (dB/km) and the effective distance, which considers the non-uniform dust storm intensity variations throughout the link. The effective distance is obtained as a combination of the total link distance and the reduction factor. The reduction factor is developed based on the modeled 2-D structure of the observed dust storm characteristics. A measurement campaign of atmospheric characteristics, their properties, and effects on several microwave links operated in Khartoum-Sudan was conducted. In an earlier report, an empirical dust storm attenuation prediction model was proposed based on short-distance links by assuming uniform dust storm intensity variations. However, it was observed that the dust intensity varies with the distance, which affects total attenuation, and this issue is not addressed yet. One year measurement on the 6.2 km and 7.6 km long microwave links operating at 21.2 GHz and 14.5 GHz are used to validate the proposed dust storm total path attenuation model

First products of DNA marker-assisted selection in sorghum released for cultivation by farmers in sub-saharan Africa

Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. is the major biotic constraint to sorghum production. Its control is difficult and can only be achieved through integrated management strategies that depend mainly on host plant resistance and enhanced soil fertility. However, breeding for resistance is hampered by the complexity of host parasite interactions and lack of reliable screening methods. The invention of molecular markers has enhanced the effectiveness of breeding for resistance. Five genomic regions (QTLs) with linked markers associated with Striga resistance were mapped in sorghum variety N13 by [10]. In this study, to increase the efficiency of marker-assisted selection (MAS), 27 EST-SSR markers in close association with Striga resistance QTLs were also identified and mapped. Populations of backcross (BC3S4) derived from N13 (Striga resistant) X three farmer preferred sorghum cultivars: Tabat, Wad Ahmed and AG-8 (Striga susceptible) were generated. Thirty-one lines (BC3S4) with confirmed Striga field resistance were genotyped with foreground and background selection makers. Twenty resistant lines, with two or more major QTLs were selected for regional evaluation. Of these 10 lines were selected and advanced for multi-location testing, together with Wad Ahmed, Tabat, AG-8, N13, SRN39 and IS9830 as checks. Standard variety trials were conducted in Striga sick plots over three seasons (2009-2011) in Sudan, Gezira Research Station, Damazine, Sinnar, and Gedarif. Results revealed that four lines (T1BC3S4, AG6BC3S4, AG2BC3S4 and W2BC3S4) were Striga resistant and agronomically superior with yields ranging from 180% to 298% higher relative to their recurrent parents. This Striga resistance coupled with superior attributes of the recurrent parent (including very high yield potentials, high grain quality and drought tolerance) will provide adaptation and stability across a wide range of environments. These are the first products of DNA markerassisted selection (MAS) in sorghum released for cultivation by farmers in sub-Saharan Africa

Systemic pharmacological treatment of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: a systematic literature review

Objective: To evaluate the evidence concerning systemic pharmacological treatments for SSc digital ulcers (DUs) to inform the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines. Methods: A systematic literature review of seven databases was performed to identify all original research studies of adult patients with SSc DUs. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective longitudinal observational studies (OBSs) were eligible for inclusion. Data were extracted, applying the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome framework, and risk of bias (RoB) was assessed. Due to study heterogeneity, narrative summaries were used to present data. Results: Forty-seven studies that evaluated the treatment efficacy or safety of pharmacological therapies were identified among 4250 references. Data from 18 RCTs of 1927 patients and 29 OBSs of 661 patients, at various RoB (total 2588 patients) showed that i.v. iloprost, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and atorvastatin are effective for the treatment of active DUs. Bosentan reduced the rate of future DUs in two RCTs (moderate RoB) and eight OBSs at low to high RoB. Two small studies (moderate RoB) indicate that Janus kinase inhibitors may be effective for the treatment of active DUs, otherwise there are no data to support the use of immunosuppression or anti-platelet agents in the management of DUs. Conclusion: There are several systemic treatments, across four medication classes, that are effective therapies for the management of SSc DUs. However, a lack of robust data means it is not possible to define the optimal treatment regimen for SSc DUs. The relatively low quality of evidence available has highlighted further areas of research need

Non-surgical local treatments of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: a systematic literature review

Introduction: Digital ulcers (DUs) are difficult to treat in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic (i.e., pharmacological) therapy is currently considered the 'standard of care'. Our aim was to examine the safety and efficacy of local, non-surgical treatment for SSc-DUs. Methods: A systematic literature review (SLR) of original research articles up to August, 29 2022 was performed according to the PICO framework. References were independently screened by two reviewers and risk of bias was assed using validated tools. Due to study heterogeneity narrative summaries are used to present data. Results: Among 899 retrieved references, 14 articles were included (2 randomised trials (RTs), and 12 observational (OBS) studies). The most frequently studied procedure (5 studies) was botulin A toxin (hand or single finger) injection with a reported healing rate (HR) of 71%-100%. Amniotic and hydrocolloid membranes were examined in one study each and associated with a good HR. Tadalafil 2% cream was studied in a single study with a reduction in the number of DUs. Vitamin E gel was associated with a reduction in ulcer healing time. Low-level light therapy, hydrodissection and corticosteroid injection, extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) and photobiomodulation were evaluated in a single study each and showed a positive trend. Dimethyl sulfoxide was associated with significant local toxicity. Conclusions: A range of non-surgical, local treatments for SSc-DUs have been explored and showed efficacy to some extent. We have identified methodological flaws that should be avoided in the design of future studies to explore locally-acting treatments for SSc-DUs