Does a junior doctor focused 'Bootcamp' improve the confidence and preparedness of newly appointed ENT registrars to perform their job roles?

BACKGROUND: To assess changes in confidence and preparedness after conducting a 2-day induction bootcamp for novice Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) first year specialty trainee registrars (ST3s) in the United Kingdom (UK). The bootcamp covered common ENT presentations on the ward, and in the elective and emergency settings. METHODS: A total of 32 trainees (ST3 or research fellow) voluntarily registered via an online application form to the Southern ST3 accelerated learning course bootcamp through ENT UK. ENT UK is a membership body that supports ENT trainees throughout their careers. They completed a two-day bootcamp that was hosted at St Mary's Hospital, London and 10 skills sessions were delivered by either a senior ENT registrar or an ENT consultant. A pre-session questionnaire was distributed to all participants and a post-session questionnaire was provided that assessed the changes in confidence and preparedness of the participants, if any. The responses were scored by a 10-point Likert scale. Only participants who fully completed the pre and post questionnaire were included, which was 29 in total. RESULTS: Participants self-reported a significant increase in confidence (p < 0.001) and preparedness (p < 0.001) following the bootcamp course. The greatest improvements in comparison to all other stations were self-preparedness in the rigid bronchoscopy station and self-confidence in the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) ligation station. CONCLUSION: The use of a two-day bootcamp improved confidence and preparedness of managing common ENT presentations in the ward, elective and emergency settings for ENT ST3s. It provides a useful adjunct in the acquisition of technical and non-technical skills alongside the traditional surgical apprenticeship. In the future, more work is required to assess the impact of bootcamps on patient outcomes and long-term benefits on trainees' skill retention and clinical proficiency.

Systematic review of the barriers and facilitators to dietary modification in people living with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes from South Asian ethnic populations.

AIMS: Lifestyle and dietary modification are effective in the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). However, South Asian (SA) populations living in Western countries have low adherence rates to healthcare advice and experience poor diabetes control and clinical outcomes compared with the general population. This systematic review aimed to summarise the barriers and facilitators of dietary modification within people from South Asian (SA) ethnicity with T2DM or pre-diabetes. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus generated 3739 articles, of which seven were included. Qualitative and quantitative data were inputted utilising COVIDENCE. Qualitative data were analysed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Thematic analysis identified three facilitators: (1) cultural sensitivity, (2) health education and (3) support networks. Barriers include (1) healthcare inequity, (2) cultural insensitivity, (3) social pressures, (4) misconceptions and (5) time constraints. Good access to health care and motivation were the most common facilitators discussed. Misconceptions on T2DM management and cultural insensitivity contributed to the majority of barriers discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally tailored interventions could improve adherence to diet modification in people with T2DM from SA ethnicity. Interventions involving the application of social media to challenge intergenerational stigmas and misinformation, distributing culturally appropriate resources and providing diets tailored to the SA palate could help.

Evaluating the utility of an international webinar as a platform to educate students and doctors on the UK core surgical training portfolio.

BACKGROUND: Core Surgical Training (CST) is a competitive two-year postgraduate training program in the UK that is scored based on three equally weighted stations: management, clinical and portfolio. Preparing a surgical portfolio can start in medical school, however, there is limited guidance on what forms a competitive portfolio with the majority of advice coming from university resources and national societies which are variable throughout the country. Our aim was to assess the utility of a webinar to educate students and doctors on the CST portfolio to address this disparity. METHODS: Pre- and post-event questionnaires that included demographic data, 10-point Likert scales to self-report confidence on the understanding of the CST portfolio and its domains, and questions on utilising webinars were distributed to attendees. Pre- and post-event responses were paired, and scores were assessed for normality via the Shapiro-Wilk test; the Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess statistical significance. Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated to report standardised differences between pre-and post-event scores. RESULTS: A total of 177 participants from over 24 countries responded to both questionnaires. A statistically significant improvement in awareness of how to score maximum points was demonstrated across all nine CST domains (p < 0.0001). Regardless of whether they were UK-based or international, approximately half of the participants stated a preference for a webinar over an in-person format. Interestingly, most attendees did not feel that their university had provided them with adequate information on preparing for a surgical career with over half of the attendees stating that they had to attend events by external organisations to obtain such information. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that a webinar can be effectively utilised to educate students and doctors on the various domains of the CST portfolio and how to maximise points in each section. Such events could address the variability of university resources and national societies across the country and provide equal opportunities for students. Further studies that directly compare webinars with in-person events and investigate long-term outcomes, such as success in CST applications, are required.

Hydrocarbon degradation potential and competitive persistence of hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium Acinetobacter pittii strain ABC.

Acinetobacter pittii strain ABC was isolated from oily sludge sediments and characterized with regard to utilization/degradation of hydrocarbons and competitive persistence in hydrocarbon-amended media. The isolate grew in both aliphatic- and aromatic hydrocarbon-amended Bushnell-Haas medium (BHM). When incubated in 1% (v/v) Assam crude oil-amended BHM for 5 and 10 days, this strain was able to degrade 88% and 99.8% of the n-hexane extractable crude oil components, respectively. The isolate showed appreciable emulsification index (E24 65.26 ± 1.2%), hydrophobicity (60.88 ± 3.5%) and produced lipopeptide biosurfactant (0.57 g L-1). The isolate was able to tolerate heavy metal salts at concentrations reported in crude oil-polluted sediments from Assam. A 16S rDNA DGGE-based screening showed the persistence of A. pittii strain ABC in hydrocarbon-amended microcosms co-inoculated with other hydrocarbonoclastic bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa AKS1, Bacillus sp. AKS2, Arthrobacter sp. BC1, and Novosphingobium panipatense P5:ABC), each isolated from the same oily sludge sediment. These findings indicate A. pittii strain ABC as a potential agent for the bioremediation of crude oil-polluted environment.

Unstandardized UV-C dose used for killing harmful cyanobacteria may instead initiate accelerated growth in the target organisms.

Although UV-C radiation has been in use for killing unwanted cyanobacteria, experiments with lower doses of UV-C radiation instead showed induction of growth related parameters and enhanced biomass production in the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Meg1. When the cyanobacterial cultures were exposed to UV-C radiation of varying doses (6, 12 and 18 mJ/cm2), concentrations of various photo-absorbing pigments, RuBisCO and D1 protein of PSII; activities of oxygen evolving complex, nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase were significantly increased upon 6 and 12 mJ/cm2 UV-C radiation exposures. Resulting higher photosynthetic performance was evident from the augmentation in carbohydrate content by ∼49% under single exposure to 6 mJ/cm2 UV-C by fifteenth day. The increased performances of both RuBisCO and D1 proteins were in part also due to induction at the genetic level as seen from the increase in their mRNA and protein levels under treatment. Similar increase was also observed in protein (16%) and in lipid contents (43%) that reflected an upsurge in the total biomass. Highest biomass (463 mg/L/d) was noted in culture exposed to 6 mJ/cm2 UV-C radiation, representing a ∼25% increase. Furthermore the possibility of this organism using part of the incident UV-C radiation as an additional source of energy was deduced from an experiment where the thylakoid membranes excited within UV (226-400 nm) range showed emission at longer wavelengths with an emission maximum at ∼640 nm. Thus this work provides evidence that lower UV-C doses can potentially augment cyanobacterial growth and use of unstandardized UV-C doses for restricting cyanobacterial growth may in fact produce contrary result.

Dose dependent variance in UV-C radiation induced effects on carbon and nitrogen metabolism in the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Meg1.

With the intention of getting an insight into the differential effect of UV-C radiation on the N2-fixing heterocystous cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum Meg1, various aspects of carbon and nitrogen metabolism was evaluated in the organism. Exposure to different doses of UV-C (6, 12, 18 and 24 mJ/cm2) showed that among various photo-absorbing pigments, phycobiliproteins were most sensitive. Oxygen evolving complex (OEC) activity measured as net oxygen evolution rate decreased by 63% upon 24 mJ/cm2 exposure. Western blot analysis established that D1 protein of PSII was highly sensitive and its levels decreased even at a radiation dose as low as 6 mJ/cm2. In contrast, levels of the Calvin cycle enzyme RuBisCO was increased at 6 and 12 mJ/cm2 doses but the level decreased drastically (84%) at higher dose (24 mJ/cm2). The nitrogenase enzyme activity decreased at all doses but the ammonia assimilating enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) activity recorded increase at the lower doses. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation increased upon UV-C exposure. Transmission electron microscopic observation revealed damage to ultrastructure especially the thylakoid membrane organization, aggregation of dissolving phycobilisomes and loss of caboxysomes. Interestingly, sub-lethal radiation (6 and 12 mJ/cm2) dose exposures increased the growth rate in the organism when growth was measured over a period of 11 days after radiation exposure.

Zn2+ sequestration by Nostoc muscorum: study of thermodynamics, equilibrium isotherms, and biosorption parameters for the metal.

Microbial biosorption has evolved as an effective strategy for heavy metal removal from contaminated waters. The common cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum isolated from the banks of a polluted river in Meghalaya, India, was tested for its potential to remove Zn2+ from aqueous solutions. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) study verified Zn binding on the cyanobacterial biomass, and FTIR analysis revealed many negatively charged functional groups (hydroxyl, carbonyl, alcohol, amine, phosphoryl, sulfhydryl, and carboxyl) on the cell surface that aided in metal binding. Thermodynamic studies established the biosorption process to be energetically favorable with negative free energy change (-10.404, -10.599, and -10.796 kJ/mol at 298, 303, and 308 K, respectively). Sorption isotherm data fitted best in the Langmuir isotherm indicating monolayer nature of Zn sorption. The organism showed hyper-accumulation tendency towards Zn with a maximum sorption capacity as high as 2500 mg of Zn taken up per gram of biomass. The separation factor R L calculated from Langmuir isotherm ranged between 0 and 1 signifying favorable interaction between the cyanobacterial biomass and the Zn ions. Various experimental parameters, viz. pH, temperature, inoculum age and size, and shaking rate, influenced Zn biosorption. Optimized experimental conditions significantly enhanced the sorption percentage. Sorption was primarily a fast surface phenomenon in the beginning with internalization of zinc ions by the live cells on prolonged exposure.

Decisions around Deceased Organ Donation in Young South Asian Individuals in the United Kingdom.

There is a large disparity between the demand and availability of organs for transplantation from within the UK's ethnic minority groups. Our aims were to identify the perceptions, knowledge of and level of engagement with organ donation since the law changed in England in 2020. A questionnaire survey using Google Forms was designed based on prior literature and information on NHSBT website. It was distributed through media outlets and cultural/professional organizations. Status on Organ Donation Registry and Quiz scores were analyzed against multiple variables. Three hundred and sixty-five people between 18 and 24 years old completed the questionnaire. 72.3% were female, 57% were health-care students, 86.3% were of South Asian ethnicity, and 11% were immigrant respondents. Overall, 43.6% were registered to donate. South Asian groups, particularly those of Pakistani ethnicity and migrant students, were less likely to register to donate. Being more knowledgeable about the organ donation process, females, nonreligious groups, and health-care students are more likely to be registered to donate. This study identified barriers around deceased organ donation decisions and demonstrates the need for further targeted and continual education to the young South Asians individuals, to produce positive associations that will percolate to older and future generations.

Isolation and characterization of a Mastigocladus species capable of growth, N(2)-fixation and N-assimilation at elevated temperature.

A Mastigocladus species was isolated from the hot spring of Jakrem (Meghalaya) India. Uptake and utilization of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and amino acids (glutamine, asparagine, arginine, alanine) were studied in this cyanobacterium grown at different temperatures (25°C, 45°C). There was 2-3 fold increase in the heterocyst formation and nitrogenase activity in N-free medium at higher temperature (45°C). Growth and uptake and assimilation of various nitrogen sources were also 2-3 fold higher at 45°C indicating that it is a thermophile. The extent of induction and repression of nitrate uptake by NO(3) (-) and NH(4) (+), respectively, differed from that of nitrite. It appeared that Mastigocladus had two independent nitrate/nitrite transport systems. Nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase activitiy was not NO(3) (-)-inducible and ammonium or amino acids caused only partial repression. Presence of various amino acids in the media partially repressed glutamine synthetase activity. Ammonium (methylammonium) and amino acid uptake showed a biphasic pattern, was energy-dependent and the induction of uptake required de novo protein synthesis. Ammonium transport was substrate (NH(4) (+))-repressible, while the amino acid uptake was substrate inducible. When grown at 25°C, the cyanobacterium formed maximum akinetes that remained viable upto 5 years under dry conditions.

Cyanobacteria: A Precious Bio-resource in Agriculture, Ecosystem, and Environmental Sustainability.

Keeping in view, the challenges concerning agro-ecosystem and environment, the recent developments in biotechnology offers a more reliable approach to address the food security for future generations and also resolve the complex environmental problems. Several unique features of cyanobacteria such as oxygenic photosynthesis, high biomass yield, growth on non-arable lands and a wide variety of water sources (contaminated and polluted waters), generation of useful by-products and bio-fuels, enhancing the soil fertility and reducing green house gas emissions, have collectively offered these bio-agents as the precious bio-resource for sustainable development. Cyanobacterial biomass is the effective bio-fertilizer source to improve soil physico-chemical characteristics such as water-holding capacity and mineral nutrient status of the degraded lands. The unique characteristics of cyanobacteria include their ubiquity presence, short generation time and capability to fix the atmospheric N2. Similar to other prokaryotic bacteria, the cyanobacteria are increasingly applied as bio-inoculants for improving soil fertility and environmental quality. Genetically engineered cyanobacteria have been devised with the novel genes for the production of a number of bio-fuels such as bio-diesel, bio-hydrogen, bio-methane, synga, and therefore, open new avenues for the generation of bio-fuels in the economically sustainable manner. This review is an effort to enlist the valuable information about the qualities of cyanobacteria and their potential role in solving the agricultural and environmental problems for the future welfare of the planet.

Nitrogen nutrition in the cyanobacterium Nostoc ANTH, a symbiotic isolate from Anthoceros: uptake and assimilation of inorganic-n and amino acids.

Amino acid uptake and utilization of various nitrogen sources (amino acids, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia) were studied in Nostoc ANTH and i ts mu tant (Het(-)Nif(-)) isolate defective in heterocyst formation and N2-fixation. Both parent and its mutant grew at the expense of glutamine, asparagine and arginine as a source of fixed-nitrogen. Growth was better in glutamine-and asparagine-media as compared to that in arginine media. Glutamine and asparagine repressed heterocyst formation, N2-fixation and nitrate reduction in Nostoc ANTH, but arginine did so only partially. The poor growth in arginine-medium was not due to poor uptake rates, since the uptake rates were not significantly different from those for glutamine or asparagine. The glutamine synthetase activity remained unaffected during cultivation in media containing any one of the three amino acids tested. The uptake of amino acids was substrate-inducible, energy-dependent and required de novo protein synthesis. Nitrate and ammonium repressed ammonium uptake, but did not repress uptake of amino acids. In N2-medium (BG-11(0)), the uptake of ammonium and amino acids in the mutant was significantly higher than its parent strain. This was apparently due to nitrogen limitation since the mutant was unable to fix N2 and the growth medium lacked combined-N.

A common transport system for methionine, L-methionine-DL-sulfoximine (MSX), and phosphinothricin (PPT) in the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum.

We present evidence, for the first time, of the occurrence of a transport system common for amino acid methionine, and methionine/glutamate analogues L-methionine-DL-sulfoximine (MSX) and phosphinothricin (PPT) in cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum. Methionine, which is toxic to cyanobacterium, enhanced its nitrogenase activity at lower concentrations. The cyanobacterium showed a biphasic pattern of methionine uptake activity that was competitively inhibited by the amino acids alanine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, proline, valine, glutamine, and asparagine. The methionine/glutamate analogue-resistant N. muscorum strains (MSX-R and PPT-R strains) also showed methionine-resistant phenotype accompanied by a drastic decrease in 35S methionine uptake activity. Treatment of protein extracts from these mutant strains with MSX and PPT reduced biosynthetic glutamine synthetase (GS) activity only in vitro and not in vivo. This finding implicated that MSX- and PPT-R phenotypes may have arisen due to a defect in their MSX and PPT transport activity. The simultaneous decrease in methionine uptake activity and in vitro sensitivity toward MSX and PPT of GS protein in MSX- and PPT-R strains indicated that methionine, MSX, and PPT have a common transport system that is shared by other amino acids as well in N. muscorum. Such information can become useful for isolation of methionine-producing cyanobacterial strains.

Isolation and characterization of a chlorate-resistant mutant (Clo- R) of the symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc ANTH: heterocyst formation and N(2)-fixation in the presence of nitrate, and evidence for separate nitrate and nitrite transport systems.

Nostoc ANTH is a filamentous, heterocystous cyanobacterium capable of N(2)-fixation in the absence of combined nitrogen. A chlorate-resistant mutant (Clo- R) of Nostoc ANTH was isolated that differentiates heterocysts and fixes N(2) in the presence of nitrate, but not in the presence of nitrite or ammonium. The mutant lacks nitrate uptake and thereby also lacks induction of nitrate reductase activity by nitrate. However, this mutant is able to transport and assimilate nitrite, indicating that there is a transport system for nitrite that is distinct from that for the nitrate. The lack of inhibitory effect of nitrate on N(2)-fixation was owing to lack of nitrate uptake and not to lack of enzymes for its assimilation (nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase) or the lack of an ammonium transport system for retention of ammonia. The mutant has potential for use as a biofertilizer supplementing chemical nitrate fertilizer in rice fields, without N(2)-fixation being adversely affected.