A Tensioned Human Skin Explant Model Used for Preliminary Assessment of Chemexfoliant-Stimulated Bioeffects.

A tensioned ex vivo full-thickness human skin explant platform was used to assess the bioeffects arising from application of several commercial chemexfoliation agents. Although such treatments are well-established, and improved understanding of the underlying mechanistic processes continues to emerge, research into the optimum treatments for specific skin types/conditions is still needed for enhanced efficacy while minimizing recovery time. The 3 commercial chemexfoliation agents employed all contained trichloroacetic acid at well-defined concentrations (6, 10, and 20%) and were applied to the explants' stratum corneum.

Cultivating an Active Living Plan Through a Social-Ecological Evaluation.

Physical activity (PA) social-ecological model (SEM) posits the importance of several levels of influence critical for PA promotion within communities. The purpose of this study was to examine an SEM evaluation informing a county-wide active living plan in McLennan County, Texas in the United States. Mixed-methods evaluation occurred in 4 stages: (1) county policies (n = 15) were evaluated for PA promoting strategies; (2) PA resource assessments (PARAs) were conducted via Google Maps (n = 171); (3) surveys (n = 244) included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and interpersonal and intrapersonal factors related to PA; and (4) focus groups (n = 5) were conducted with residents (n = 30), discussing barriers and facilitators to being active.

Exercise in the Treatment of Addiction: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: Exercise has been recognized as a promising and emerging treatment for individuals recovering from addiction. The purpose of this article was to systematically review scientific studies using exercise as a means to improve, sustain, or treat addictions, and to provide suggestions for the future use of exercise as a treatment method for addiction.

Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, a database search was conducted for articles that tested the impact of exercise interventions on addiction-related outcomes.

Survey of Canadian Physiotherapists: Entry-Level and Post-professional Education in Women's Health.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to identify (1) practice patterns of Canadian physiotherapists who consider themselves women's health providers or educators (WHPTs); (2) WHPTs' perception of the relative importance of entry-level and post-professional education curricular content directed at women's health issues; and (3) WHPTs' patterns and preferences with respect to continuing education.

Method: A survey link was sent via e-mail to all 429 members of the Women's Health Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and to physiotherapist educators at the 14 Canadian physiotherapy programmes.

Results: A total of 114 WHPTs responded (27%), including 16 educators.

Comparison of environmental scanning electron microscopy with high vacuum scanning electron microscopy as applied to the assessment of cell morphology.

The efficacy of conventional high vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM), environmental SEM (ESEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques in the assessment of cell-material interactions is compared. Specific attention is given to the application of these techniques in the assessment of the early morphological response of human osteoblast-like cells cultured on titanium dioxide. The processing of cells cultured for conventional high vacuum SEM leads to the loss of morphological features that are retained when using ESEM.