Reporting radiographers within the European Federation of Radiographer Society (EFRS) member countries - motivation for becoming a reporting radiographer.

INTRODUCTION: Radiographer-led reporting originated in the United Kingdom as a strategy to reduce reporting backlog and time taken to report images. The effectiveness of reporting radiographers has been demonstrated, but their motivational factors have not been thoroughly explored. This survey aims to understand the incentives for radiographers to pursue postgraduate education in reporting radiography across Europe. METHODS: An online survey was conducted, collecting data across a range of topics such as demographic information, professional role, and job satisfaction. Questions assessing the influence of motivational factors on the decision to become a reporting radiographer are presented in this study. Descriptive statistics characterized the respondents' demographics. The motivational aspects were analysed quantitatively by regression analyses. Thematic analyses were performed for the free text responses on motivational aspects. RESULTS: 239 respondents from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ireland, and Malta completed the survey's motivation section. Increased knowledge and new challenges were the most motivating factors for becoming a reporting radiographer, while less exposure to radiation and less patient contact were the least motivating factors. Job satisfaction was a significant motivator. Gender significantly correlated with the importance of social connections for female reporting radiographers. A cross-country comparison showed that title and position and job security were more important for reporting radiographers from the UK. CONCLUSION: Taking in consideration that a sample of 239 is not generalisable for the role, this survey does provides insights into the motivation behind being a reporting radiographer in Europe. Factors such as increased knowledge, new challenges, and job satisfaction play significant roles. Hindrances experienced by reporting radiographers included lack of time, support, and standards, while aspirations for further professional development were expressed. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A thorough understanding of the motivation behind pursuing postgraduate studies in reporting radiography is a valuable tool for managers, aiding in fostering a positive work environment and attracting/keeping qualified personnel. The findings of this study can be employed in the development of strategies to support and enhance the practice of reporting radiographers.

Accessing three oxidation states of cobalt in M6L3 nanoprisms with cobalt-porphyrin walls.

Nanocages with porphyrin walls are common, but studies of such structures hosting redox-active metals are rare. Pt2+-linked M6L3 nanoprisms with cobalt-porphyrin walls were prepared and their redox properties were evaluated electrochemically and chemically, leading to the first time that cobalt-porphyrin nanocages have been characterized in CoI, CoII, and CoIII states.

International Collaboration in the Time of COVID-19: The World Hospice and Palliative Care Social Work Network.

In the context of widespread loss, isolation, and grief due to COVID-19, palliative social workers came together in the fall of 2020 to form an international group named the World Hospice and Palliative Care Social Work Network (WHPCSW). This emerging global network is committed to amplifying the innovative work, nuanced skills, research, and education and training provided by palliative social workers across different settings around the world. This article highlights some of the novel interventions developed by social workers in response to the pandemic and describes this coalescing WHPCSW network along with information about its mission and membership.

Selecting Double Bond Positions with a Single Cation-Responsive Iridium Olefin Isomerization Catalyst.

The catalytic transposition of double bonds holds promise as an ideal route to alkenes of value as fragrances, commodity chemicals, and pharmaceuticals; yet, selective access to specific isomers is a challenge, normally requiring independent development of different catalysts for different products. In this work, a single cation-responsive iridium catalyst selectively produces either of two different internal alkene isomers. In the absence of salts, a single positional isomerization of 1-butene derivatives furnishes 2-alkenes with exceptional regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. The same catalyst, in the presence of Na+, mediates two positional isomerizations to produce 3-alkenes. The synthesis of new iridium pincer-crown ether catalysts based on an aza-18-crown-6 ether proved instrumental in achieving cation-controlled selectivity. Experimental and computational studies guided the development of a mechanistic model that explains the observed selectivity for various functionalized 1-butenes, providing insight into strategies for catalyst development based on noncovalent modifications.

Use of developmental temperature and gastrointestinal tract location to isolate pure Trichostrongylus vitrinus from mixed, naturally acquired trichostrongylid infections in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To isolate Trichostrongylus vitrinus from naturally-acquired mixed trichostrongylid infections (predominantly Trichostrongylus spp. and Teladorsagia circumcincta) in sheep using differential larval development temperatures and the anatomical location of adults. METHODS: Faeces were collected from ewes with mixed, naturally acquired trichostrongylid infection, and incubated at low temperatures (4°C or 8°C) for 20-68 days depending on temperature. Harvested infective larvae were passaged through worm-free lambs, from which the first 5 m of small intestine was collected and adult worms recovered. Purity of infection with T. vitrinus was assessed by examination of spicules on 100 adult male worms. Eggs of recovered adult female worms were cultured at 25°C and harvested larvae were re-passaged through worm-free lambs. RESULTS: Low temperature incubation (≤8°C) successfully exploited variation in the developmental temperature required by pre-parasitic stages of small intestinal nematodes, allowing T. vitrinus to develop while others did not. Differential organ harvest from infected sheep allowed isolation of T. vitrinus from other gastrointestinal nematodes, with amplification of pure T. vitrinus achieved by passage through a further generation of lambs. CONCLUSION: A successful method for the isolation of pure T. vitrinus from mixed infections is described. The resulting pure strain of T. vitrinus has been amplified and is held by two institutions for use in research (CSIRO reference SARDI 2011 strain).

Effects of chronic infection with Trichostrongylus vitrinus and immune suppression with corticosteroid on parasitological, immune and performance variables in crossbred meat lambs.

The effects of, and interactions between chronic Trichostrongylus vitrinus infection and immune suppression with methylprednisolone were investigated for a period of 112 days in a grazed flock of 176 crossbred meat lambs. Worm egg count of non-immune-suppressed lambs increased rapidly from days 21 to 42 post-initial infection, and then steadily declined. Infection was associated with significantly decreased fat depth, eye muscle area and cold carcase weight, and increased circulating anti-T. vitrinus IgG and IgA. Immune suppression led to sustained increases in WEC, and significantly greater worm count, liver weight, fat depth and carcase dressing percentage, and significantly reduced IgG and IgA anti-T. vitrinus titres, lymphocyte counts, adrenal weight, eye muscle area and cold carcase weight. Both infection and immune suppression were associated with significant body weight reductions. Only 39% of reduced growth rate due to infection was attributable to the host immune response to T. vitrinus.

TALEN-mediated genetic tailoring as a tool to analyze the function of acquired mutations in multiple myeloma cells.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal plasma cell malignancy that is initiated by a number of mutations and the process of disease progression is characterized by further acquisition of mutations. The identification and functional characterization of these myelomagenic mutations is necessary to better understand the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in this disease. Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing have made the identification of most of these mutations a reality. However, the functional characterization of these mutations has been hampered by the lack of proper and efficient tools to dissect these mutations. Here we explored the possible utility of transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) genome engineering technology to tailoring the genome of MM cells. To test this possibility, we targeted the HPRT1 gene and found that TALENs are a very robust and efficient genome-editing tool in MM cells. Using cotransfected green fluorescent protein as an enrichment marker, single-cell subclones with desirable TALEN modifications in the HPRT1 gene were obtained in as little as 3-4 weeks of time. We believe that TALENs will greatly facilitate the functional study of somatic mutations in MM as well as other cancers.

Experimental realization of Josephson junctions for an atom SQUID.

We report the creation of a pair of Josephson junctions on a toroidal dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), a configuration that is the cold atom analog of the well-known dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). We observe Josephson effects, measure the critical current of the junctions, and find dynamic behavior that is in good agreement with the simple Josephson equations for a tunnel junction with the ideal sinusoidal current-phase relation expected for the parameters of the experiment. The junctions and toroidal trap are created with the painted potential, a time-averaged optical dipole potential technique which will allow scaling to more complex BEC circuit geometries than the single atom-SQUID case reported here. Since rotation plays the same role in the atom SQUID as magnetic field does in the dc SQUID magnetometer, the device has potential as a compact rotation sensor.

A1 adenosine receptor modulation of chemically and electrically evoked lumbar locomotor network activity in isolated newborn rat spinal cords.

It is not well-studied how the ubiquitous neuromodulator adenosine (ADO) affects mammalian locomotor network activities. We analyzed this here with focus on roles of 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX)-sensitive A(1)-type ADO receptors. For this, we recorded field potentials from ventral lumbar nerve roots and electrically stimulated dorsal roots in isolated newborn rat spinal cords. At ≥ 25µM, bath-applied ADO slowed synchronous bursting upon blockade of anion-channel-mediated synaptic inhibition by bicuculline (20 µM) plus strychnine (1 µM) and this depression was countered by DPCPX (1 µM) as tested at 100 µM ADO. ADO abolished this disinhibited rhythm at ≥ 500 µM. Contrary, the single electrical pulse-evoked dorsal root reflex, which was enhanced in bicuculline/strychnine-containing solution, persisted at all ADO doses (5 µM-2 mM). In control solution, ≥ 500 µM ADO depressed this reflex and pulse train-evoked bouts of alternating fictive locomotion; this inhibition was reversed by 1 µM DPCPX. ADO (5 µM-2 mM) did not depress, but stabilize alternating fictive locomotion evoked by serotonin (10 µM) plus N-methyl-d-aspartate (4-5 µM). Addition of DPCPX (1µM) to control solution did not change either the dorsal root reflex or rhythmic activities indicating lack of endogenous A(1) receptor activity. Our findings show A(1) receptor involvement in ADO depression of the dorsal root reflex, electrically evoked fictive locomotion and spontaneous disinhibited lumbar motor bursting. Contrary, chemically evoked fictive locomotion and the enhanced dorsal root reflex in disinhibited lumbar locomotor networks are resistant to ADO. Because ADO effects in standard solution occurred at doses that are notably higher than those occurring in vivo, we hypothesize that newborn rat locomotor networks are rather insensitive to this neuromodulator.

Detection of Mycoplasma mycoides sub-species mycoides small colony by a specific capture/enrichment monoclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA.

The present study describes the development of a specific Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides Small Colony (MmmSC) monoclonal antibody (MAb), 6E3, and its application in a sandwich ELISA (sELISA) format. Mab 6E3 reacted only to the 12 MmmSC within the 32 M. mycoides cluster strains and 12 representative strains of other bovine, ovine and caprine associated mycoplasmas examined. A capture/enrichment format of the sELISA that combined MAb 6E3 with a previously developed MAb 3H12 that cross reacted with Mmm Large Colony [Rodriguez, F., Ball, H.J., Finlay, D., Campbell, D., Mackie, D.P., 1996. Detection of Mycoplasma mycoides sub-species mycoides by monoclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA. Veterinary Microbiology 51, 69-76], retained MmmSC specificity and improved the sensitivity from the 1.2x10(7)cfu/ml for a standard 2h capture stage sELISA down to as low as 2cfu/ml for a 72h capture. A low level of false positives (1%) was observed when this assay was applied to 200 bovine respiratory and milk samples submitted for diagnostic investigation. This simple and specific sELISA provides a suitable assay for screening large numbers of samples for CBPP.

Apolipoprotein E and lipoprotein lipase gene polymorphisms interaction on the atherogenic combined expression of hypertriglyceridemia and hyperapobetalipoproteinemia phenotypes.

The combination of hypertriglyceridemia (hyperTG) and hyperapobetalipoproteinemia (hyperapoB) is associated with an increased coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Apolipoprotein (apo) E and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) genes are involved in the catabolism of triglycerides (TG)-rich apoB-containing lipoproteins (VLDL). Several apoE and LPL gene variants affecting CAD risk, plasma TG or apoB concentrations have an allelic frequency of >5% in the general population. This study examined the combined effect of frequent apoE and LPL gene polymorphisms on the expression of hyperTG and hyperapoB. ApoE (E2, E3, and E4) and LPL (D9N, N291S, G188E, and P207L) were genotyped and fasting lipid profiles were assessed among 1,441 French-Canadian subjects. Multivariate analyses were performed to estimate the relationship between apoE and LPL gene variants and the risk of hyperTG (TG>1.7 mmol/l) and hyperapoB (apoB>0.9 g/l). Compared to apoE3 carriers, the apoE4 allele significantly increased the risk of expressing the "hyperTG/hyperapoB" phenotype [odds ratio (OR)=1.95; p=0.014]. This risk was significantly exacerbated (OR=4.69; p=0.017) by the presence of frequent deleterious LPL gene variants in this population. The apoE2 allele was negatively associated with hyperTG/hyperapoB (OR=0.49; p=0.002) in the absence of a deleterious LPL gene variant. These results suggest that epistasis is a phenomenon to consider while assessing the CAD risk associated with gene variants or the effect of frequent alleles on high-risk lipid profiles.

Effect of type 2 diabetes on various electrophoretic characteristics of low-density lipoprotein particles in women.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Coronary heart disease represents the leading cause of death in type 2 diabetic patients. As the small, dense LDL phenotype is a typical feature of the dyslipidaemic state found in type 2 diabetes, this characteristic could be an important mediator of the elevated coronary heart disease risk in this condition. We have therefore studied the effect of type 2 diabetes on various electrophoretic characteristics of LDL particles. METHODS: Potential differences in LDL peak particle size and in concentration of LDL cholesterol in small (<255 A) and large (>260 A) LDL particles were assessed by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis among 183 non-diabetic and 56 type 2 diabetic women. RESULTS: LDL peak particle size was significantly smaller in type 2 diabetic women than in non-diabetic women (p<0.0001). In addition, the proportion of small LDL particles (<255 A) was higher in type 2 diabetic women, whereas the proportion of large LDL particles (>260 A) was lower than in non-diabetic women (p<0.0002). Type 2 diabetic women also had the highest waist circumference and triglyceride levels (p<0.03). When subgroups of non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic women were individually matched (n=41) for similar waist circumference and triglyceride levels, the differences initially found in LDL peak particle size and in the proportion of small and large LDL particles remained significantly different between the two groups (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results provide evidence that type 2 diabetes may have an independent effect on LDL peak particle size and on the proportion of small and large LDL particles.

Optic disk edema as a presentation of Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: To report a patient with an initial presentation of optic disk edema secondary to Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis. METHODS: Interventional case report. The patient had surgery and treatment related to endophthalmitis. Nine months after cataract surgery with posterior chamber lens implant, a 79-year-old man receiving topical corticosteroids in the same eye presented with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/60, a superior visual field defect, and optic nerve edema without intraocular inflammation. One year postoperatively, the eye presented a further decrease in best-corrected visual acuity, and a dense white plaque was noted on the posterior capsule. RESULTS: One year postoperatively, a partial capsulectomy with vitrectomy and injection of intravitreal antibiotics was performed. Hematoxylin and eosin stain of the posterior capsule plaque revealed gram-positive coccobacilli characteristic of P. acnes. CONCLUSION: Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis may present after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant with decreased vision, optic disk edema, and a visual field defect.

Effect of changes in graduate medical education funding on emergency medicine residency programs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether changes in graduate medical education (GME) funding have had an impact on emergency medicine (EM) residency training programs. METHODS: A 34-question survey was mailed to the program directors (PDs) of all 115 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited EM residency programs in the United States in the fall of 1998, requesting information concerning the impact of changes in GME funding on various aspects of the EM training. The results were then compared with a similar unpublished survey conducted in the fall of 1996. RESULTS: One hundred one completed surveys were returned (88% response rate). Seventy-one (70%) of the responding EM residency programs were PGY-I through PGY-III, compared with 55 (61%) of the responding programs in 1996. The number of PGY-II through PGY-IV programs decreased from 25 (28%) of responding programs in 1996 to 17 (16%). The number of PGY-I through PGY-IV programs increased slightly (13 vs 10); the number of EM residency positions remained relatively stable. Fifteen programs projected an increase in their number of training positions in the next two years, while only three predicted a decrease. Of the respondents, 56 programs reported reductions in non-EM residency positions and 35 programs reported elimination of fellowship positions at their institutions. Only four of these were EM fellowships. Forty-six respondents reported a reduction in the number of non-EM residents rotating through their EDs, and of these, 11 programs reported this had a moderate to significant effect on their ability to adequately staff the ED with resident physicians. Sixteen programs limited resident recruitment to only those eligible for the full three years of GME funding. Eighty-seven EM programs reported no change in faculty size due to funding issues. Sixty-two programs reported no change in the total number of hours of faculty coverage in the ED, while 34 programs reported an increase. Three EM programs reported recommendations being made to close their residency programs in the near future. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in GME funding have not caused a decrease in the number of existing EM residency and fellowship training positions, but may have had an impact in other areas, including: an increase in the number of EM programs structured in a PGY-I through PGY-III format (with a corresponding decrease in the number of PGY-II through PGY-IV programs); a decrease in the number of non-EM residents rotating through the ED; restriction of resident applicants who are ineligible for full GME funding from consideration by some EM training programs; and an increase in the total number of faculty clinical hours without an increase in faculty size.

Respirable particles in the excimer laser plume.

PURPOSE: To determine whether respirable-size particles are present in the excimer laser plume following ablation of the corneal stroma. SETTING: Outpatient laser vision correction facility. METHODS: In this experimental study, an excimer laser was used to ablate 2 eye-bank corneas. Material from the plume was collected with filter paper that was coupled to a smoke evacuator. The filter paper was examined and photographed with an electron microscope. The particle size was measured with a computer program using digitized images of the photographs. As a control, room air was sampled using a smoke evacuator connected to a holder containing filter paper prior to the tissue ablation. RESULTS: Ninety-eight particles were measured. The mean diameter was 0.22 microm +/- 0.056 (SD). No particles were seen on the control filter paper. CONCLUSIONS: The plume created during excimer laser ablation of the cornea contained respirable-size particles. It is not known whether inhalation of these particles poses a significant health hazard. However, we recommend that a mask be worn by the surgeon and technical personnel assisting in excimer laser surgery. The plume should also be evacuated.