Does the Application of a Semiocclusive Dressing Alter the Microflora of Healthy Intact Skin on the Foot?

Background: The skin on human feet presents unique environments for the proliferation of potentially pathogenic commensals. This study examined microflora changes on healthy intact skin under a semiocclusive dressing on the medial longitudinal arch of the foot to determine changes in growth, distribution, and frequency of microflora under the dressing.

Methods: Nine human participants wore a low-adherent, absorbent, semiocclusive dressing on the medial longitudinal arch of the left foot for 2 weeks.

High throughput production of single-wall carbon nanotube fibres independent of sulfur-source.

Floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) methods offer a highly scalable strategy for single-step synthesis and assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into macroscopic textiles. However, the non-uniform axial temperature profile of a typical reactor, and differing precursor breakdown temperatures, result in a broad distribution of catalyst particle sizes. Spun CNT fibres therefore contain nanotubes with varying diameters and wall numbers.

Motivations, Satisfaction, and Fears of Death and Dying in Residential Hospice Volunteers: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Rationale: Studies conducted on hospice volunteers' characteristics and experiences have been cross-sectional. We conducted a prospective study to examine changes in the volunteer experience over time in a cohort of volunteers during the first year of a new residential hospice.

Method: Eighty-two active volunteers completed an online baseline survey, and of these, 39 completed a follow-up survey at 6 months.

Altered placental development in pregnancies resulting in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Background: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is postulated to be a developmental disorder originating during fetal life in utero. Knowledge regarding the intrauterine environment in which SIDS infants develop is, however, inadequate and how the placenta develops prior to a SIDS event has not been studied.

Aim: To investigate the morphological development of the placenta obtained from full-term infants who subsequently succumbed to SIDS.

Urgent suspected cancer referrals from general practice: audit of compliance with guidelines and referral outcomes.

Background: Late diagnosis contributes to the UK having poorer cancer survival than many countries in Europe. Cancer referral guidelines help GPs decide which patients to refer urgently for further investigation.

Aim: To examine primary care referral patterns, compliance with referral guidance, and eventual outcome for patients.

Strategic implementation and accountability: the case of the long-term care alliance.

A group of chief executives of long-term care homes formed an alliance in order to tap the resources residing within their management teams. Adopting a strategic implementation project based on a framework of accountability, the executives were able to better understand the uncertainties of the environment and potentially structure their strategic implementation to best use scarce resources. The framework of accountability allowed the homes to recognize the need for a strong business approach to long-term care.

Prices for ingenuity.

Competitions and community exchanges are spurring scientific progress.

The European Research Council--a European Renaissance.

European scientists are pressing for the creation of an independent body to fund European research - driven by the pursuit of scientific excellence

In Methuselah's Mould.

Is aging inevitable or can it be "cured"? Recent work from many different fields of science is now providing clues into why we age and how long we might live

Digital evolution.

In silico experiments reveal how evolution can work--without missing links. What can biologists learn from them?