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MedEdPORTAL : the Journal of Teaching... 2024Chalk talks are effective teaching tools in the clinical setting. However, data on optimal strategies for teaching medical educators how to develop and deliver them are...
INTRODUCTION
Chalk talks are effective teaching tools in the clinical setting. However, data on optimal strategies for teaching medical educators how to develop and deliver them are limited. We designed and implemented two 50-minute workshops to help subspecialty fellows across GME create and deliver a chalk talk.
METHODS
The first workshop comprised a demonstration of an effective chalk talk and a discussion of best practices for creating chalk talks; the second was a practice session where fellows presented their chalk talks and received feedback from faculty and peers. We evaluated pre- and postworkshop confidence in the ability to create and deliver a chalk talk and develop learning objectives. Secondary outcomes were faculty and peer evaluations of the chalk talks.
RESULTS
Eighteen of 33 participants (54% response rate) completed both pre- and postsession surveys. Fellows reported improved confidence in their ability to create a chalk talk (22% vs. 83%, < .001), deliver a chalk talk (17% vs. 83%, < .001), and develop well-written learning objectives (11% vs. 83%, < .001). After the workshop, participants were more likely to correctly identify a chalk talk that made use of an advanced organizer (67% vs. 89%, < .05). Thirty-eight faculty and peers completed feedback evaluations of participants' chalk talks; most rated fellows' chalk talks highly in domains of content, delivery, design, learning objectives, and engagement.
DISCUSSION
The incorporation of these workshop within a course on medical education can effectively develop clinical teaching skills among subspecialty fellows in GME.
Topics: Humans; Learning; Calcium Carbonate; Clinical Competence; Education, Medical; Faculty
PubMed: 38445069
DOI: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11385 -
Journal of Applied Biomaterials &... 2024To evaluate the antitumor and antimicrobial properties of an alginate-based membrane (ABM) loaded with bismuth lipophilic nanoparticles (BisBAL NPs) and cetylpyridinium...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antitumor and antimicrobial properties of an alginate-based membrane (ABM) loaded with bismuth lipophilic nanoparticles (BisBAL NPs) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on clinically isolated bacteria and a pancreatic cancer cell line.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The BisBAL NP-CPC ABM was characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial potential was measured using the disk-diffusion assay, and antibiofilm activity was determined through the live/dead assay and fluorescence microscopy. The antitumor activity was analyzed on the pancreatic cell line (Panc 03.27) using the MTT assay and live/dead assay with fluorescence microscopy.
RESULTS
After a 24-h exposure (37°C, aerobic conditions), 5 µM BisBAL NP reduced the growth of by 77.9%, while 2.5 µM BisBAL NP inhibited the growth of , and by 82.9%, 82.6%, and 78%, respectively (). The BisBAL NPs-CPC ABM (at a ratio of 10:1; 500 and 50 µM, respectively) inhibited the growth of all isolated bacteria, producing inhibition halos of 9.5, 11.2, 7, and 10.3 mm for , and , respectively, in contrast to the 6.5, 9.5, 8.5, and 9.8 mm obtained with 100 µM ceftriaxone (). The BisBAL NPs-CPC ABM also reduced bacterial biofilms, with 81.4%, 74.5%, 97.1%, and 79.5% inhibition for , and , respectively. Furthermore, the BisBAL NPs-CPC ABM decreased Panc 03.27 cell growth by 76%, compared to 18% for drug-free ABM. GEM-ABM reduced tumoral growth by 73%. The live/dead assay confirmed that BisBAL NPs-CPC-ABM and GEM-ABM were cytotoxic for the turmoral Panc 03.27 cells.
CONCLUSION
An alginate-based membrane loaded with BisBAL NP and CPC exhibits dual antimicrobial and antitumoral efficacy. Therefore, it could be applied in cancer treatment and to diminish the occurrence of surgical site infections.
Topics: Bismuth; Cetylpyridinium; Anti-Infective Agents; Alginates; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Dimercaprol; Organometallic Compounds
PubMed: 38444166
DOI: 10.1177/22808000241236590 -
Poultry Science Apr 2024Iron is routinely supplemented in broiler feeds aiming to prevent dietary deficiencies. Limestone and phosphates are very rich in Fe; however, its contribution from...
Iron is routinely supplemented in broiler feeds aiming to prevent dietary deficiencies. Limestone and phosphates are very rich in Fe; however, its contribution from these sources have not been thoroughly investigated with chickens. The present research was conducted to evaluate live performance and blood parameters of broilers when using limestone and dicalcium phosphate as sources of Fe. A total of 576 one-day-old male Cobb x Cobb 500 were allocated into a total of 72 battery cages, 6 treatments with 12 replication cages of 8 chicks at placement. Chicks were fed diets formulated with corn, soybean meal (SBM) with laboratory grade calcium carbonate and phosphoric acid (having traces of Fe). All chicks were fed a common prestarter without Fe supplementation (analyzed total 58.2 ± 2.4 mg/kg Fe) from placement to 7 d. Allocation of birds to dietary treatments was completely randomized on day 8. Treatments had increasing Fe derived from commercial limestone and dicalcium phosphate (analyzed Fe 7,218 and 4,783 mg/kg, respectively) progressively replacing calcium carbonate and phosphoric acid to provide graded increases in total Fe (analyzed Fe in the feeds were 57.6 ± 2.1, 92.0 ± 2.3, 124.1 ± 2.7, 159.3 ± 3.1, 187.2 ± 3.2, 223.7 ± 3.6 mg/kg, respectively). There were no effects of dietary Fe on live performance, hematocrit, and hemoglobin the end of the study on day 28 (P > 0.05). Increasing dietary Fe from commercial limestone and dicalcium phosphate led to a linear reduction in the percent ileal digestible Fe. However, linear increments in Fe retention, serum ferritin and liver Fe occurred when compared to feeds without Fe derived from limestone and phosphate dicalcium. It is concluded that Fe from limestone and dicalcium phosphate can be partially utilized by broiler chickens. It was estimated that the Fe retained from limestone and dicalcium phosphate is of 1.9%. Broilers fed corn-soy feeds (58.2 mg/kg Fe) do not require supplemental Fe.
Topics: Animals; Male; Calcium Carbonate; Chickens; Iron; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Phosphates; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Digestion; Calcium Phosphates; Phosphoric Acids
PubMed: 38442559
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103558 -
Clinical and Experimental Dental... Apr 2024Magnetron sputtering was evaluated to equip surfaces of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures with silver and bismuth nanofilms.
OBJECTIVES
Magnetron sputtering was evaluated to equip surfaces of orthodontic elastomeric ligatures with silver and bismuth nanofilms.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Antibacterial properties were evaluated by the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans. Polyurethane-based elastomeric ligatures were coated with silver and bismuth nanofilms via direct current magnetron sputtering. Surface roughness (R ) and surface-free energy (SFE) were assessed. Coated specimens were incubated with S. mutans for 2 h. Adhering bacteria were visualized by Hoechst staining and quantified by an ATP-based luminescence assay. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc testing and Pearson correlation analysis were performed (p < .05) to relate bacterial adhesion to surface roughness and surface-free energy.
RESULTS
Elastomeric ligatures were successfully coated with silver and bismuth nanofilms. R was significantly reduced by silver coating. Silver and bismuth coatings showed significantly higher SFE than controls. Adhesion of S. mutans was significantly decreased by silver coating. No correlation between bacterial adhesion and SFE was found. Correlation between bacterial adhesion and R was positive but not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS
Magnetron sputtering proved to be a feasible method to equip orthodontic elastomeric ligatures with silver and bismuth nanofilms. Silver coatings of elastomeric ligatures may reduce white spots and carious lesions in orthodontic patients. Future research is required to stabilize coatings.
Topics: Humans; Silver; Bismuth; Feasibility Studies; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dental Caries
PubMed: 38433291
DOI: 10.1002/cre2.864 -
Communications Biology Feb 2024Coral reefs, the largest bioconstruction on Earth, are formed by calcium carbonate skeletons of corals. Coral skeleton formation commonly referred to as calcification...
Coral reefs, the largest bioconstruction on Earth, are formed by calcium carbonate skeletons of corals. Coral skeleton formation commonly referred to as calcification occurs in a specific compartment, the extracellular calcifying medium (ECM), located between the aboral ectoderm and the skeleton. Calcification models often assume a direct link between the surrounding seawater and the ECM. However, the ECM is separated from the seawater by several tissue layers and the cœlenteron, which contains the cœlenteric fluid found in both polyps and cœnosarc (tissue connecting the polyps). Symbiotic dinoflagellate-containing cells line the cœlenteron and their photosynthetic activity contributes to changes in the chemistry of the cœlenteric fluid, particularly with respect to pH. The aim of our study is to compare cœlenteron pH between the cœnosarc and polyps and to compare areas of high or low dinoflagellate density based on tissue coloration. To achieve this, we use liquid ion exchange (LIX) pH microsensors to profile pH in the cœlenteron of polyps and the cœnosarc in different regions of the coral colony in light and darkness. We interpret our results in terms of what light and dark exposure means for proton gradients between the ECM and the coelenteron, and how this could affect calcification.
Topics: Animals; Anthozoa; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Calcium Carbonate; Coral Reefs; Seawater; Calcinosis
PubMed: 38424314
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05938-8 -
Nature Communications Feb 2024Calcium carbonate (CaCO) is abundant on Earth, is a major component of marine biominerals and thus of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and it plays a major role in the...
Calcium carbonate (CaCO) is abundant on Earth, is a major component of marine biominerals and thus of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and it plays a major role in the global carbon cycle by storing atmospheric CO into solid biominerals. Six crystalline polymorphs of CaCO are known-3 anhydrous: calcite, aragonite, vaterite, and 3 hydrated: ikaite (CaCO·6HO), monohydrocalcite (CaCO·1HO, MHC), and calcium carbonate hemihydrate (CaCO·½HO, CCHH). CCHH was recently discovered and characterized, but exclusively as a synthetic material, not as a naturally occurring mineral. Here, analyzing 200 million spectra with Myriad Mapping (MM) of nanoscale mineral phases, we find CCHH and MHC, along with amorphous precursors, on freshly deposited coral skeleton and nacre surfaces, but not on sea urchin spines. Thus, biomineralization pathways are more complex and diverse than previously understood, opening new questions on isotopes and climate. Crystalline precursors are more accessible than amorphous ones to other spectroscopies and diffraction, in natural and bio-inspired materials.
Topics: Animals; Calcium Carbonate; Nacre; Anthozoa; Minerals; Crystallization
PubMed: 38418834
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46117-x -
Cureus Jan 2024Acute pain is a leading reason for Emergency Department (ED) evaluation, accounting for nearly half of all ED visits. Therefore, providing effective non-opioid...
BACKGROUND
Acute pain is a leading reason for Emergency Department (ED) evaluation, accounting for nearly half of all ED visits. Therefore, providing effective non-opioid analgesics in the ED is critical. Oral acetaminophen (APAP) is commonly administered in the ED but is limited to patients tolerating oral intake. Intravenous (IV) APAP provides significant pain reduction parenterally. The purpose of this quality assessment project was to evaluate the frequency of opioid use in patients receiving IV APAP, the safety of IV APAP, and compliance with an ED IV APAP protocol.
METHODS
This study included all patients who received IV APAP in the ED of a tertiary care, level I trauma center, during a three-month period. The protocol required ED patients to be NPO (nil per os), 18 years or older, and administered with a single 1000 mg dose. The adverse reactions within 24 hours post-IV APAP, ED length of stay (LOS), and opioid administration within four hours post-IV APAP were assessed.
RESULTS
Ninety-four patients received IV APAP. All patients received a 1000 mg dose. One patient received more than one dose, but this patient had a 22-hour ED LOS. Two patients received oral medications within one hour of IV APAP (one received an antacid, and the other received carbamazepine and lamotrigine). An opioid was administered to 22 of the 94 (23.4%) patients during the four-hour protocol period. There were no reports of adverse reactions.
CONCLUSIONS
The results show excellent compliance with the protocol. IV APAP was safe and well-tolerated. Notably, most patients did not receive an opioid within four hours of IV APAP. IV APAP can be safely and effectively utilized as an analgesic and lessen ED opioid use.
PubMed: 38406114
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52934 -
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Apr 2024Selective accumulation of photosensitizers into cancerous cells is one of the most important factors affecting photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. 5-aminolevulinic acid...
Enhancement of the effect of novel targeted 5-aminolevulinic acid conjugated bismuth oxide nanoparticles-based photodynamic therapy by simultaneous radiotherapy on KB cells.
BACKGROUND
Selective accumulation of photosensitizers into cancerous cells is one of the most important factors affecting photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is the precursor of a strong photosensitizer, protoporphyrin-IX; but it has poor permeability into the cells. Folate receptors are overexpressed on the surface of many tumor cells. In the present study, folic acid (FA) and 5-ALA conjugated bismuth oxide nanoparticles were synthesized; and used in PDT, radiotherapy (RT), and concurrent PDT & RT against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KB cell line).
METHODS
The KB cells were incubated with the synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) for 2 h; then illuminated using a custom-made LED lamp at the light dose of 26 J/cm. Irradiation of the cells was carried out using X-ray 6 MV (2 Gy); and synergistic effect of the simultaneous RT and PDT treatments was evaluated using fractional product values. Efficacy of the treatments was determined using MTT and Caspase-3 enzyme activity assays.
RESULTS
Targeting of folic acid receptors enables the selective endocytosis of the conjugated NPs. RT results in the presence of BiO NPs showed a significant radiosensitizer potential of these NPs. Fractional product values of 1.49±0.05, 1.36±0.06, and 1.05±0.06 obtained in the presence of FA-5-ALA conjugated NPs, 5-ALA conjugated NPs, and in the absence of the NPs, respectively. Therefore, simultaneous RT and PDT in the presence of these conjugated NPs is superior to RT in the presence of the NPs.
CONCLUSION
Simultaneous PDT and RT in the presence of FA-5-ALA conjugated bismuth oxide NPs can be introduced as a promising therapeutic approach in controlling KB cancer cells.
Topics: Photochemotherapy; Bismuth; Humans; Photosensitizing Agents; Aminolevulinic Acid; KB Cells; Folic Acid; Nanoparticles; Cell Survival; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38403143
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104025 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024While microbial biogeochemical activities such as those involving denitrification and sulfate reduction have been considered to play important roles in material cycling...
While microbial biogeochemical activities such as those involving denitrification and sulfate reduction have been considered to play important roles in material cycling in various aquatic ecosystems, our current understanding of the microbial community in groundwater ecosystems is remarkably insufficient. To assess the groundwater in the Ryukyu limestone aquifer of Okinawa Island, which is located in the southernmost region of Japan, we performed metagenomic analysis on the microbial communities at the three sites and screened for functional genes associated with nitrogen metabolism. 16S rRNA amplicon analysis showed that bacteria accounted for 94-98% of the microbial communities, which included archaea at all three sites. The bacterial communities associated with nitrogen metabolism shifted by month at each site, indicating that this metabolism was accomplished by the bacterial community as a whole. Interestingly, site 3 contained much higher levels of the denitrification genes such as narG and napA than the other two sites. This site was thought to have undergone denitrification that was driven by high quantities of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In contrast, site 2 was characterized by a high nitrate-nitrogen (NO-N) content and a low amount of DOC, and this site yielded a moderate amount of denitrification genes. Site 1 showed markedly low amounts of all nitrogen metabolism genes. Overall, nitrogen metabolism in the Ryukyu limestone aquifer was found to change based on environmental factors.
Topics: Calcium Carbonate; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Bacteria; Microbiota; Groundwater; Nitrogen; Denitrification; Nitrates
PubMed: 38388732
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54614-8 -
Vaccine Mar 2024Two malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) candidates, R0.6C and ProC6C, have completed preclinical development including the selection of adjuvants, Alhydrogel®...
Two malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) candidates, R0.6C and ProC6C, have completed preclinical development including the selection of adjuvants, Alhydrogel® with or without the saponin based adjuvant Matrix-M™. Here, we report on the final drug product (formulation) design of R0.6C and ProC6C and evaluate their safety and biochemical stability in preparation for preclinical and clinical pharmacy handling. The point-of-injection stability studies demonstrated that both the R0.6C and ProC6C antigens are stable on Alhydrogel in the presence or absence of Matrix-M for up to 24 h at room temperature. As this is the first study to combine Alhydrogel and Matrix-M for clinical use, we also evaluated their potential interactions. Matrix-M adsorbs to Alhydrogel, while not displacing the > 95 % adsorbed protein. The R0.6C and ProC6C formulations were found to be safe and well tolerated in repeated dose toxicity studies in rabbits generating high levels of functional antibodies that blocked infection of mosquitoes. Further, the R0.6C and ProC6C drug products were found to be stable for minimally 24 months when stored at 2-8 °C, with studies ongoing through 36 months. Together, this data demonstrates the safety and suitability of the L. lactis expression system as well as supports the clinical testing of the R0.6C and ProC6C malaria vaccine candidates in First-In-Human clinical trials.
Topics: Animals; Rabbits; Aluminum Hydroxide; Antibodies, Protozoan; Antigens, Protozoan; Malaria Vaccines; Malaria, Falciparum; Plasmodium falciparum; Protozoan Proteins
PubMed: 38388238
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.043