The presence of microbial biofilms in many human chronic wounds led to the hypothesis that biofilms delay healing of these wounds. We tested this hypothesis in a population of 117 older individuals with venous leg ulcers who were receiving standardised therapy, including frequent debridement. Debridement specimens were analysed for the amount of bacterial biomass by two independent methods: a microscopic approach that scored the relative size and number of bacterial aggregates, interpreted as a biofilm metric, and conventional enumeration by agar plating for viable bacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Health insurance in the United States varies in coverage of essential diagnostic tests, therapies, and specialists. Health disparities between privately and publicly insured patients with MS have not been comprehensively assessed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of public versus private insurance on longitudinal brain outcomes in MS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic wounds place a heavy burden on healthcare systems and markedly reduce the ability of patients to engage in activities of daily living. One major factor contributing to impaired wound healing is bacterial bioburden. With the rise in antibiotic resistance and the slowdown in antibiotic development pipelines, alternative antimicrobial strategies are important.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The effect of continuous topical oxygen therapy (cTOT) on biofilm gene transcription profiles following inoculation onto porcine skin, using a customised molecular assay was determined.
Method: Sterilised porcine skin explants were inoculated with in triplicate: 0 hours as negative control; 24 hours cTOT device on; 24 hours cTOT device off. The oxygen delivery system of the cTOT device was applied to the inoculated tissue and covered with a semi-occlusive dressing.
Background: Implementations to improve healthy eating in kindergartens may play a pivotal role in shaping children's dietary behaviors. There is limited research on the implementation and key implementation determinants (barriers and facilitators) of interventions in kindergarten settings. The aim of this study was to explore kindergarten staff members' experiences with the implementation of a nutrition education intervention to identify implementation barriers and facilitators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Wound Care (New Rochelle)
November 2024
Objective: This manuscript highlights the importance of enhancing the uptake of Core Outcome Sets (COS) by building partnerships with Collaborators and addressing their needs in COS development.
Methods And Setting: This session was structured as a simulation, resembling a format akin to a classic television game show. The moderator posed a series of questions to eight different Collaborator groups who briefly described the importance of COS within their areas of interest.
General Purpose: To review a practical and scientifically sound application of the wound bed preparation model for communities without ideal resources.
Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.
Learning Objectives/outcomes: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1.
Objective: To gain consensus on the definitions and descriptions of the domains of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core domain set for rheumatology trials evaluating shared decision making (SDM) interventions.
Methods: Following the OMERACT Handbook methods, our Working Group (WG), comprised of 90 members, including 17 patient research partners (PRPs) and 73 clinicians and researchers, had six virtual meetings in addition to email exchanges to develop draft definitions and descriptions. The WG then conducted an international survey of its members to gain consensus on the definitions and descriptions.
Objectives: Shared decision making (SDM) is a central tenet in rheumatic and musculoskeletal care. The lack of standardization regarding SDM instruments and outcomes in clinical trials threatens the comparative effectiveness of interventions. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) SDM Working Group is developing a Core Outcome Set for trials of SDM interventions in rheumatology and musculoskeletal health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA novel bioreactor simulating human colonic conditions for in vitro cultivation of intestinal microbiota is presented. The PEristaltic mixed Tubular bioReactor (PETR) is modular designed and periodically kneaded to simulate intestinal peristalsis. The reactor is introduced, characterized from a bioprocess engineer's perspective and discussed in its ability to mimic colon conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To define and select rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-specific core domain set for Longitudinal Observational Studies (LOS) within the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) framework.
Methods: A three-round online Delphi exercise, including patient research partners (PRPs) and other community partners in healthcare, was conducted. Domains scored 7-9 (i.
Objective: The OMERACT Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Working Group (WG) aimed to reach agreement on a consensus-based definition and description of the core domain related to patient perception of overall well-being and disease activity.
Methods: A committee of patient research partners, clinicians, methodologists, and researchers drafted working definitions and descriptions. The WG conducted two iterative electronic stakeholder surveys to obtain consensus on domain description, definition, and the distinction between patient perception of overall well-being and disease activity.
Objective: The antimicrobial effects of a borate-based bioactive glass matrix (BBBGM) on clinically relevant microorganisms was investigated for up to seven days in vitro.
Method: A total of 19 wound-relevant pathogens were studied using the in vitro AATCC 100 test method.
Results: The reduction of viable Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts at days 4 and 7 post-culture on the BBBGM was significant (> 4log) in most cases.
Solutions containing Ag nanoclusters, Ag, and higher oxidation state silver, generated from nanocrystalline silver dressings, were anti-inflammatory against porcine skin inflammation. The dressings have clinically-demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, suggesting application of nanosilver solutions in treating pulmonary infection. Nanosilver solutions were tested for antimicrobial efficacy; against HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2; and nebulized in rats with acute pneumonia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To provide evidence-based recommendations on the use of vaccinations in children and adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
Methods: This guideline follows American College of Rheumatology (ACR) policy guiding management of conflicts of interest and disclosures and the ACR guideline development process, which includes the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. It also adheres to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) criteria.
Objective: To provide evidence-based recommendations on the use of vaccinations in children and adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
Methods: This guideline follows American College of Rheumatology (ACR) policy guiding management of conflicts of interest and disclosures and the ACR guideline development process, which includes the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. It also adheres to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) criteria.
Wound infection is a major challenge for clinicians globally, with accurate and timely identification of wound infection being critical to achieving clinical and cost-effective management, and promotion of healing. This paper presents an overview of the development of the International Wound Infection Institute (IWII)'s 2022 Wound Infection in Clinical Practice consensus document. The updated document summarises current evidence and provides multidisciplinary healthcare providers with effective guidance and support on terminology, paradigms related to biofilm, identification of wound infection, wound cleansing, debridement and antimicrobial stewardship.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: A new compound, Debrichem (DEBx Medical BV, the Netherlands), a topical desiccation agent (TDA), is an active gel that contains an acidic species with a potent hygroscopic action. When in contact with microorganisms and necrosis, rapid desiccation and carbonisation of the proteins in these microorganisms, as well as of the extracellular matrix of biofilms and necrosis, occurs. The resulting 'precipitate' rapidly dislodges from the wound bed, resulting in a clean wound which granulates, which is a prerequisite for healing by secondary intention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech
December 2024
The use of inferior vena cava filters remains a valuable solution for patients with venous thromboembolism who have contraindications to anticoagulation therapy. Some of the most common complications associated with these devices include malposition or migration. In the present case report, we have described the case of a patient who had presented with an unretrievable, malpositioned filter with struts perforating her duodenum, aorta, and vertebral body.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Minority and older adult patients remain underrepresented in cancer clinical trials (CCTs). The current study sought to examine sociodemographic inequities in CCT interest, eligibility, enrollment, decline motivation, and attrition across two psychosocial CCTs for gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and thoracic cancers.
Methods: Patients were approached for recruitment to one of two interventions: (1) a randomized control trial (RCT) examining effects of a cognitive-behavioral intervention targeting sleep, pain, mood, cytokines, and cortisol following surgery, or (2) a yoga intervention to determine its feasibility, acceptability, and effects on mitigating distress.