Healthcare professionals' perspectives of the management of people with palliative care needs in the emergency department of a UK hospital.

Background: The Emergency Department (ED) is not always the optimal place for people with palliative care needs but is the most common route for treatment when urgent care is sought. The aim of this study,''REasons for PalLIative Care Admissions (REPLICA)' was to explore the perspectives of ED healthcare professionals of hospital admission or discharge via ED for palliative care patients.

Methods: This is a sequential mixed methods study comprising (i) quantitative descriptive analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) of palliative care patients (code Z51.

Antibacterial Activity of Blue Light against Nosocomial Wound Pathogens Growing Planktonically and as Mature Biofilms.

Unlabelled: The blue wavelengths within the visible light spectrum are intrinisically antimicrobial and can photodynamically inactivate the cells of a wide spectrum of bacteria (Gram positive and negative) and fungi. Furthermore, blue light is equally effective against both drug-sensitive and -resistant members of target species and is less detrimental to mammalian cells than is UV radiation. Blue light is currently used for treating acnes vulgaris and Helicobacter pylori infections; the utility for decontamination and treatment of wound infections is in its infancy.

Antimicrobial dressings: Comparison of the ability of a panel of dressings to prevent biofilm formation by key burn wound pathogens.

Unlabelled: Antimicrobial medicated dressings (AMD) are often used to reduce bacterial infection of burns and other wounds. However, there is limited literature regarding comparative efficacies to inform effective clinical decision making.

Objectives: Following on from a previous study where we demonstrated good antibiofilm properties of acetic acid (AA), we assessed and compared the in vitro anti-biofilm activity of a range of AMDs and non-AMDs to AA.

Cardiovascular risk and TZD: safe therapy for the elderly?

Recent data regarding cardiovascular risks have raised serious safety concerns with thiazolidinedione (rosiglitazone and pioglitazone) therapy. Some studies have identified an increased risk of myocardial infarction and death with rosiglitazone use; others found no increased risk. Multiple comorbidities (heart failure, renal insufficiency) limit diabetes treatment options in the elderly.