Using the Traditional Ex Vivo Whole Blood Model to Discriminate Bacteria by Their Inducible Host Responses.

Whole blood models are rapid and versatile for determining immune responses to inflammatory and infectious stimuli, but they have not been used for bacterial discrimination. , and are the most common causes of invasive disease, and rapid testing strategies utilising host responses remain elusive. Currently, immune responses can only discriminate between bacterial 'domains' (fungi, bacteria and viruses), and very few studies can use immune responses to discriminate bacteria at the species and strain level.

Risk factors for burn contractures: A cross-sectional study in a lower income country.

Risk factors for burn contractures require further study, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs); existing research has been predominantly conducted in high income countries (HICs). This study aimed to identify risk factors for burn contractures of major joints in a low-income setting. Potential risk factors (n = 104) for burn contracture were identified from the literature and a survey of clinicians with extensive experience in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Embedding retrieval practice in undergraduate biochemistry teaching using PeerWise.

Retrieval practice is an evidence-based approach to teaching; here, we evaluate the use of PeerWise for embedding retrieval practice into summative assessment. PeerWise allows anonymous authoring, sharing, answering, rating, and feedback on peer-authored multiple choice questions. PeerWise was embedded as a summative assessment in a large first-year introductory biochemistry module.

The Royal College of Surgeons of England Damage Control Orthopaedic Trauma Skills course (DCOTS): resuscitative knowledge and confidence in surgical skills are reliably maintained at six months post course.

Introduction: Since 2012, the Damage Control Orthopaedic Trauma Skills course (DCOTS) has trained more than 250 surgeons in the principles and practice of damage control orthopaedics and early appropriate care. This Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) course takes place at the RCS England Partner cadaver laboratory at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK, and the course has tried to pass on the lessons of war and conflict from its military faculty and hard-won lessons of "developed world" trauma from its experienced civilian faculty.