Understanding the Dissolution of Cellulose and Silk Fibroin in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate and Dimethyl Sulphoxide for Application in Hybrid Films.

This paper investigates the dissolution of two biopolymers, cellulose and silk fibroin, in a mixture of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EmimAc) and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). EmimAc is a promising environmentally friendly solvent currently in wide use but can be limited by its high viscosity, which inhibits the speed of dissolution. To mediate this, DMSO has been used as a cosolvent and has been shown to significantly lower the solution viscosity and aid mass transport.

Time-Temperature Superposition of the Dissolution of Wool Yarns in the Ionic Liquid 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate.

The dissolution of wool yarns in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate [C2mim][OAc] has been investigated. Wool yarns were submerged into [C2mim][OAc] and dissolved for various times and temperatures before coagulating with water. Optical microscopy was used to track the yarn's cross-sectional area.

Narrative Matters: Hidden LIVE - Adam's story - a mental health theatre production as an example of participatory principles and practices.

This article presents the co-production principles underpinning the co-creation of a multimedia theatre production on young people's mental health.

"Take a walk in someone else's shoes": the role of participatory arts for health research development and training.

Participatory arts are increasingly recognised as a valuable and accessible mechanism for giving a voice to the experiences of individuals' health and healthcare. In recent years, there has been a move towards embedding participatory arts-based models into public engagement processes. Here, we contribute to the existing literature on the use of participatory arts-based approaches and their role in health research and healthcare practise, focusing on two interlinked approaches, the creation of personas and storytelling.

A 'train the trainers' approach to infection prevention and control training in pandemic conditions.

Background: The first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic in early 2020 required a rapid roll-out of infection prevention and control (IPC) training for healthcare workers (HCW), including use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Education about respiratory droplet and aerosol transmission was of paramount importance to ensure safe working practices and improve confidence.

Methods: A joint working group of Infectious Diseases and IPC staff developed a 'train the trainers' programme, to be rapidly deployed over a three-week period.

Pyrolysis activation energy of cellulosic fibres investigated by a method derived from the first order global model.

The pyrolysis kinetics of cellulosic fibres, a natural cotton yarn (NCY) and a mercerized cotton yarn (MCY), has been explored with a modified first order global analysis method (FOG), via a series of non-isothermal experiments, using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The modified FOG analysis routine was developed to overcome discrepancy in heating rate and the difference between exact results and approximations in integrals. The intrinsic pyrolysis activation energy, with temperature range tending to zero, was found to be independent of heating rate and approximation used, giving average values of 153 ± 2 kJ/mol for NCY and 192 ± 7 kJ/mol for MCY.

Increasing anti-S antibody testing: a quality improvement initiative with evolving COVID-19 guidelines.

Background: COVID-19 management guidelines are constantly evolving, making them difficult to implement practically. was a neutralising monoclonal antibody introduced into UK COVID-19 guidelines in 2021. It reduces mortality in seronegative patients infected with non-omicron variants.

Pyronaridine-artesunate for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Concerns about artemisinin resistance have led to global initiatives to develop new partner drugs to protect artemisinin derivatives in ACT. Pyronaridine-artesunate is a novel ACT.

Three methods to measure the dissolution activation energy of cellulosic fibres using time-temperature superposition.

Three methods are established to explore the dissolution kinetics of cellulosic fibres in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]), based on optical microscopic images of processed dried cellulose and cellulose hydrogels. The dissolution process for different times at various temperatures was analysed using time-temperature superposition, and from this the dissolution was found to follow an Arrhenius behaviour. Three values for the activation energy of dissolution were obtained from three different quantifying methods; these were found to agree, giving an average value of 73 ± 2 kJ/mol.

Clinical features and management of human monkeypox: a retrospective observational study in the UK.

Background: Cases of human monkeypox are rarely seen outside of west and central Africa. There are few data regarding viral kinetics or the duration of viral shedding and no licensed treatments. Two oral drugs, brincidofovir and tecovirimat, have been approved for treatment of smallpox and have demonstrated efficacy against monkeypox in animals.

A patient satisfaction survey and educational package to improve the care of people hospitalised with COVID-19: a quality improvement project, Liverpool, UK.

The perspectives and experiences of people hospitalised with COVID-19 have been under-reported during the coronavirus pandemic. We developed and conducted a COVID-19 patient satisfaction survey in a large university-affiliated secondary healthcare centre in Liverpool, UK, during Europe's first coronavirus wave (April-June 2020). The survey found that care was rated highly, including among people of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

Rapid versus standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing to guide treatment of bloodstream infection.

Background: Rapid antimicrobial susceptibility tests are expected to reduce the time to clinically important results of a blood culture. This might enable clinicians to better target therapy to a person's needs, and thereby, improve health outcomes (mortality, length of hospital stay), and reduce unnecessary prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics; thereby reducing antimicrobial resistance rates.

Objectives: To assess the effects of rapid susceptibility testing versus standard susceptibility testing for bloodstream infections (BSIs).

Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Biological Applications.

The term liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) describes a class of materials that combine the elastic entropy behaviour associated with conventional elastomers with the stimuli responsive properties of anisotropic liquid crystals. LCEs consequently exhibit attributes of both elastomers and liquid crystals, but additionally have unique properties not found in either. Recent developments in LCE synthesis, as well as the understanding of the behaviour of liquid crystal elastomers-namely their mechanical, optical and responsive properties-is of significant relevance to biology and biomedicine.

Summary of Guidelines for Managing Histoplasmosis among People Living with HIV.

Histoplasmosis is a frequent fungal opportunistic infection in people living with HIV (PLHIV), associated every year to a total of 5% to 15% of AIDS-related deaths among this population. In 2020, the first global guidelines for diagnosing and managing disseminated histoplasmosis among PLHIV was published. This document recommends (1) detection of circulating antigens as the recommended laboratory assay to diagnose histoplasmosis among PLHIV; (2) the use of liposomal amphotericin for induction therapy in severe or moderately severe disease, followed by a maintenance therapy with itraconazole for 12 months; a shorter maintenance therapy could be considered if the patient is clinically stable and if immune status has improved; (3) antiretroviral therapy initiation as soon as possible among patients with histoplasmosis without involvement of central nervous system; and (4) that for the treatment of co-infection with histoplasmosis and tuberculosis (TB), treatment of TB should be initiated according to the World Health Organization treatment guidelines.

Time-Temperature Superposition of the Dissolution of Silk Fibers in the Ionic Liquid 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate.

This study investigated the dissolution of silk multifilament fibers in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate. The dissolution process was found to create a silk composite fiber, comprising undissolved silk multifilaments surrounded by a coagulated silk matrix. The dissolution procedure was carried out for a range of temperatures and times.

Atovaquone-proguanil for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015 stated atovaquone-proguanil can be used in travellers, and is an option in malaria-endemic areas in combination with artesunate, as an alternative treatment where first-line artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is not available or effective. This review is an update of a Cochrane Review undertaken in 2005.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of atovaquone-proguanil (alone and in combination with artemisinin drugs) versus other antimalarial drugs for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and children.

Haplosporosomes, sporoplasmosomes and their putative taxonomic relationships in rhizarians and myxozoans.

This paper reviews current knowledge of the structure, genesis, cytochemistry and putative functions of the haplosporosomes of haplosporidians (Urosporidium, Haplosporidium, Bonamia, Minchinia) and paramyxids (Paramyxa, Paramyxoides, Marteilia, Marteilioides, Paramarteilia), and the sporoplasmosomes of myxozoans (Myxozoa - Malacosporea, Myxosporea). In all 3 groups, these bodies occur in plasmodial trophic stages, disappear at the onset of sporogony, and reappear in the spore. Some haplosporidian haplosporosomes lack the internal membrane regarded as characteristic of these bodies and that phylum.

Haplosporidian host:parasite interactions.

The host:parasite interactions of the 3 serious haplosporidian pathogens of oysters, on which most information exists, are reviewed. They are Bonamia ostreae in Ostrea spp. and Crassostrea gigas; Bonamia exitiosa in Ostrea spp.

Treating progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in people living with HIV.

Background: Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH) is a serious fungal infection that affects people living with HIV. The best way to treat the condition is unclear.

Objectives: We assessed evidence in three areas of equipoise.

Templated Assembly of Pore-forming Peptides in Lipid Membranes.

Pore-forming peptides are of interest due to their antimicrobial activity and ability to form gateways through lipid membranes. Chemical modification of these peptides makes it possible to arrange several peptide monomers into well-defined pore-forming structures using various templating strategies. These templated super-structures can exert antimicrobial activity at significantly lower total peptide concentration than their untemplated equivalents.

Tuberculosis screening for prospective migrants to high-income countries: systematic review of policies.

Objective: To compare predeparture tuberculosis (TB) screening policies, including screening criteria and screening tests, and visa requirements for prospective migrants to high-income countries that have low to intermediate TB incidence and high immigration.

Study Design: Systematic review of policy documents.

Methods: We systematically identified high-income, high net-migration countries with an estimated TB incidence of <30 per 100,000.