Development and validation of a psychometric scale for assessing healthcare professionals' knowledge in radiation protection

Introduction

Healthcare professionals must sufficiently understand ionising radiation and the associated protection measures to avoid unnecessarily exposing patients and staff to ionising radiation. Hence, a proper safety culture is important to lowering health risks. The development and establishment of an instrument that can indicate healthcare professionals' understanding/knowledge of radiation protection concepts can greatly contribute to a good safety culture.The purpose of the present study was to develop and psychometrically test the Healthcare Professional Knowledge of Radiation Protection (HPKRP) self-evaluation scale, which was designed to measure the knowledge level of radiation protection by healthcare professionals working with ionising radiation in a clinical environment.

国家中医临床研究基地文献信息库系统研究与设计

以中国中医科学院广安门医院为例，介绍国家中医临床基地文献信息库建设原则，设计中医药特色文献系统，阐述系统架构、功能、建设步骤以及围绕基地3个重点病种建设的7个文献信息库主要内容。     

Powered off-road wheelchair for the transportation of tetraplegics along mountain trails

Purpose: For off-road mobility, some manual or power assisted devices were conceived to be self-driven by paraplegics while for tetraplegics non power-assisted devices were conceived. These devices require one or more conductors who are subjected to a high physical demand thus potentially creating: precarious safety condition for the user an elevated physical demand of conductors could reduce the care and the attention to give to the user; the time of the outdoor adventure experience of the user could be limited.

Methods: To address these issues, an innovative user-centered power assisted off-road wheelchair for the transportation of tetraplegics along mountain trails was developed. The device, structured like a trike, is driven by two healthy conductors; the user is placed in the middle of the frame. A movable seat provides for the transfer from the standard to the off-road wheelchair. An electrical motor, powered by a battery pack, provides for the actuation. All the design and prototype aspects, the control system and experimental tests are detailed.

Results: The prototype satisfies mechanical, safety and duration requirements. No physical demand while using the device and for the transfer of the user to the device was identified. Fun and engaging tests were carried out and all the participants were involved.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The device has the potential to enhance the quality of life of tetraplegics in terms of new life experiences.

• The device revealed the real possibility of a full recreational experience, an enhanced participation and a better social integration of tetraplegics.

     

The geographic harmonisation of Scotland's small area census data, 1981 to 2011

Previous research in Scotland used a merging approach to combine census boundary data for geographies specific to 1981, 1991 and 2001 to create Consistent Areas Through Time (CATTs) for the analysis of health and social data for small areas. In this paper, we adopt the same methodology to integrate the 2011 Scottish Output Areas to the CATTs. First, we overlaid the 2001 Output Areas upon the 2011 Output Areas to create SUPER OAs, which were then combined with SUPER EDs, which represented a consistent small area geography for 1981 and 1991. This resulted in 8,548 CATTs providing a consistent geography for the 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 Censuses in Scotland. We demonstrate the utility of the CATTs by exploring the correlations between deprivation, the proportion of the population who were permanently sick and those with degree qualifications, across the 4 censuses, a research angle impossible without consistent geographies. We have provided a resource that enables users to deepen their understanding of small area social changes in Scotland between the 1981 and 2011 Censuses.     

Fatigue resistance of yttria‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal clasps for removable partial dentures

With the rapid development of computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD /CAM ) systems, the application of zirconia in removable partial dentures is expected to expand. Clasps composed of zirconia should improve esthetics without inducing the risk of metal allergy. The aim of this study was to examine the fatigue resistance of yttria‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y‐TZP) clasps for removable partial dentures. Yttria‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal and cobalt‐chromium (Co‐Cr) alloy were prepared using CAD /CAM systems. Specimens were either of the semicircular type or of the flat type, with cross‐sectional areas of taper ratios of 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00. All specimens were tested using the cantilever test and the constant displacement fatigue test, and data were analyzed using ANOVA . During the cantilever test, the maximum displacement prior to fracture was greater than the required undercut, and the semicircular‐type specimen exhibited a higher fracture load than the flat type. None of the specimens displayed permanent deformation and showed almost the same degree of deformation after fatigue testing. A lower taper ratio was associated with lower average load values and greater displacement. Within the limitations of this study, it was possible to conclude that Y‐TZP provides the required undercut and adequate retentive force for removable partial denture clasps. Additionally, Y‐TZP and Co‐Cr alloy had almost the same degree of deformation even after the simulated lifespan of removable partial dentures.     

Biomechanics of the knee

In this article the biomechanics of the tibiofemoral joint, patellofemoral joint and menisci are discussed. Normal knee kinematics depend on soft tissue and bony structures working closely together. Implant manufacturers have considered this interaction in order to design and develop a broad spectrum of total knee replacement (TKR) implant solutions. These designs include anatomic and functional considerations, asymmetric or symmetric implants, mobile or fixed bearing offerings and ‘high flexion’ designs, as well as designs with a single or multiple radii of curvature. Substantial differences in outcome between these designs remains unproven and TKR design selection at present is therefore often based on other factors, such as cost and the surgeon's familiarity with a particular knee system. An understanding of knee biomechanics pertaining to implant design will help surgeons with implant selection and help refine the method of implantation to optimize patient outcomes.     

Induction of specific cell‐mediated immune responses and protection in BALB/c mice by vaccination with outer membrane vesicles from a Brucella melitensis human isolate

Brucellosis is a worldwide bacterial zoonosis caused by Brucella spp. No approved vaccine is available for human use against the disease. In this study, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from a Brucella melitensis biovar 1 human isolate obtained in Iran were used to immunize BALB/c mice (n = 12) by 2 intramuscular injections with a 2‐week interval. Another group of 12 mice was used as non‐vaccinated controls. Two weeks after the last vaccination, six mice of each group were sacrificed, and proliferation and interferon gamma (IFNγ) production responses of their splenocytes were evaluated following in vitro stimulation with killed Brucella cells. The other mice were challenged with the virulent B. melitensis isolate. Two weeks later, mice were killed and spleens were cultured to determine the number of the challenge strain. The results showed proliferative response and IFNγ production of splenocytes from vaccinated mice (stimulation index: 2.18 ± 0.57, and 1519.35 ± 10.70 pg/mL, respectively) were significantly higher than those of control mice (stimulation index: 1.02 ± 0.02, and 210.01 ± 17.58 pg/mL, respectively). Numbers of the challenge strain in spleens of vaccinated mice were also significantly less than those in the controls with 1.6 units of protection. Our study revealed vaccination with OMVs of the B. melitensis isolate could induce specific immune responses and protection against infection in the mouse model suggesting their potential application for active immunization against brucellosis.     

Prognosis and complications of mature teeth after lateral luxation: A systematic review

BackgroundDental trauma injuries are frequent in children and adolescents and can result in a sequela of future complications. Lateral luxation injuries are diagnosed when a tooth becomes displaced in a position other than axial and is often associated with alveolar bone fracture. Although the tooth is not immediately lost, pulp canal obliteration or pulpal necrosis can occur. The objective of this systematic review was to gather existing data on lateral luxation injuries to mature teeth to evaluate their overall prognosis and reported complications.Types of Studies ReviewedThe authors conducted a systematic search of the literature using MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases in February 2019. They hand searched reference lists to identify additional literature. The authors included prospective and retrospective observational studies in the search. They screened a total of 291 articles, downloaded 28 articles, and included 4 articles in the study.ResultsThe most frequent complication reported for mature teeth with lateral luxation was pulpal necrosis (44.2%). Less frequent findings included surface resorption (14.0%), inflammatory resorption (8.5%), pulp canal obliteration (8.1%), and replacement resorption (0.9%). The included studies were cohort studies, which resulted in great heterogeneity, and the authors could not attempt a meta-analysis.Conclusions and Practical ImplicationsA large number of permanent teeth that experience lateral luxation are at risk of developing pulpal necrosis and other complications. Careful follow-up is required for these patients to treat complications as early as possible. Furthermore, the authors of this systematic review emphasize the importance of consistent reporting of dental trauma outcomes.