The evaluation of an evidence-based model of feedback implemented on an undergraduate dental clinical learning environment.

Objectives: Dental graduates must graduate with high levels of clinical skills. Education in the clinical environment needs to be more than didactic supervision of practice by clinical teachers. Appropriate feedback in this context, is therefore critical to the development of student competence and confidence.

Mucosal delivery of antigen-coated nanoparticles to lungs confers protective immunity against tuberculosis infection in mice.

Mucosal boosting of BCG-immunised individuals with a subunit tuberculosis (TB) vaccine would be highly desirable, considering that the lungs are the principal port of entry for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and the site of the primary infection and reactivation. However, the main roadblock for subunit TB vaccine development is the lack of suitable adjuvants that could induce robust local and systemic immune responses. Here, we describe a novel vaccine delivery system that was designed to mimic, in part, the MTB pathogen itself.

Oxygen gas-filled microparticles provide intravenous oxygen delivery.

We have developed an injectable foam suspension containing self-assembling, lipid-based microparticles encapsulating a core of pure oxygen gas for intravenous injection. Prototype suspensions were manufactured to contain between 50 and 90 ml of oxygen gas per deciliter of suspension. Particle size was polydisperse, with a mean particle diameter between 2 and 4 μm.

Novel formulation of glycerin 1% artificial tears extends tear film break-up time compared with Systane lubricant eye drops.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of glycerin 1% formulated with the novel and proprietary ophthalmic excipient poly(l-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) (Eyeon Particle Sciences LLC) in extending tear film break-up time (TFBUT) compared with a market-leading artificial tear formulation of propylene glycol (0.3%) and polyethylene glycol (0.4%) (Systane(®) Lubricant Eye Drops; Alcon, Fort Worth, TX).

Ethylene vinyl acetate intravaginal rings for the simultaneous delivery of the antiretroviral UC781 and contraceptive levonorgestrel.

Ethylene vinyl acetate intravaginal rings (IVRs) were prepared by hot-melt compounding and injection moulding. The IVRs contained various levels of the antiretroviral drug UC781 and the contraceptive hormone levonorgestrel. The IVRs were assayed for drug content and related substances, characterized for physical properties, in vitro drug-elution kinetics, photostress stability, and 3-month accelerated storage stability under ICH conditions.

Pharmacokinetics of UC781-loaded intravaginal ring segments in rabbits: a comparison of polymer matrices.

UC781 is a potent and poorly water-soluble nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor being investigated as a potential microbicide for preventing sexual transmission of HIV-1. This study was designed to evaluate the in vivo release and pharmacokinetics of UC781 delivered from matrix-type intravaginal ring segments in rabbits. Three polymer matrices (polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and silicone elastomer) and two drug loadings (5 and 15 mg/segment) were evaluated in at least one of two independent studies for up to 28 days in vivo.

Carnauba wax nanoparticles enhance strong systemic and mucosal cellular and humoral immune responses to HIV-gp140 antigen.

Induction of humoral responses to HIV at mucosal compartments without inflammation is important for vaccine design. We developed charged wax nanoparticles that efficiently adsorb protein antigens and are internalized by DC in the absence of inflammation. HIV-gp140-adsorbed nanoparticles induced stronger in vitro T-cell proliferation responses than antigen alone.

Discourses on bad children and bad schools.

First, discourse is discussed as concerning the subtler lineaments of knowledge production in notions about difference and difficulty. The unhelpful influences that these notions have had on the development of special education research and practice are discussed. The importance of the scholar-practitioner in undoing some of these understandings is further developed.