Lanchester Road Hospital

To identify putative members of the canine cutaneous core flora. A knowledge of this flora is important if we are to properly understand cutaneous dysbiosis. Cutaneous dysbiosis has been reported in allergic skin conditions, for example. The unclipped skin on the axilla, umbilical region, and groin of 15 healthy dogs was swabbed monthly for 5 months using flocked cotton swabs. The samples were taken within a sterile brass guide of the known area. The swabs were submitted for next-generation 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer 2 sequencing to identify components of the bacterial and fungal microbiome. The density of the bacteria and fungi were expressed as IQR/cm2. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Sphingomonas subsp, Malassezia var, Vishniacozyma victoriae, and Cladosporium var were recovered from 70% of samples. None of these 5 were found on every dog on every occasion. The density of the bacteria was 6.4 × 104 (IQ [interquartile range] 1, 3.2 × 104; IQ3, 1.2 × 105), the density of the filamentous fungi was 1.04 × 103/cm2 (IQ1, 450; IQ3, 2.13 × 105), and the density of malassezial yeast was 1.3 × 122 (IQ1, 90; IQ3, 1.8 × 10). We propose that these 2 bacterial species and 3 fungal species be considered members of the core cutaneous flora of dogs. Knowledge of the normal flora will help our understanding of aberrations in flora that might be associated with underlying diseases, such as atopy.

SUMMARYAcross medicine, key scientific advances in the past couple of decades have deepened knowledge of fundamental mechanisms of disease, leading to new treatments and the possibility of increased personalisation of care. Some of the most important developments in fields as diverse as immunology, the microbiome, genetics, stem cells and artificial intelligence are summarised in this article to raise awareness among psychiatrists and to help understand the opportunities and challenges they may present for mental healthcare in the future.

The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of dogs with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) within the region of the ischiatic tuberosity (ITSTS) treated surgically. This was a multi-institutional retrospective study. Fifty-two dogs met the inclusion criteria, which were: histologically confirmed STS in the region of the IT treated with surgical resection between March 1st, 2009 and March 1st, 2021 with a minimum follow-up time of 6 months. Data collected included patient signalment, preoperative diagnostics, surgical intent/method, surgical complications, histopathology, margins, outcome and cause of death. Statistical analyses were performed to determine significant factors in the treatment and prognosis of ITSTS. Overall survival time (OST) and disease progression were negatively associated with tumour grade, while recurrence was positively associated with grade and incomplete margins. Of the 52 included dogs, there were 24 grade I, 20 grade II and 7 grade III tumours. Forty dogs had reported histopathologic margins of which 26 were reported to be complete and 14 were incomplete. OST and progression-free survival was not reached for tumours graded as I or II and was 255 and 268 days respectively, for grade III. Median time to recurrence was not reached for tumours excised with complete margins and was 398 days for those with incomplete margins. The surgical complication rate was 25%. ITSTS was not found to be a unique clinical entity in dogs as tumour behavior, treatment recommendations, and prognosis were similar to STS in other locations, with overall outcome and prognosis influenced by histologic grade and margins. While surgical complications were common, none resulted in significant morbidity or mortality.

Our worst fears about the impact of Universal Credit cut are coming true A month after the cut to Universal Credit, Charlotte White reflects on increasing need for the independent food bank she runs in south-west London

To assess the impact of rail grinding on structure borne vibration a study was undertaken on the track between the West Brompton (WB) and Earls Court (EC) stations. Before and after rail-grinding took place, rail roughness was measured at three different occasions and, in parallel to that, vibration due to train movements was measured at three locations inside the former Earls Court 1 exhibition centre (EC1) basement. This measurement process was undertaken on four separate occasions to assess the evolution of rail roughness/train vibration. Trains in the WB tunnel have generally been found to travel at lower speed than the track design speed, which suggests a higher wear rate of the outer rail (OR) when compared to the inside rail (IR). Contrary to the common approach of averaging the roughness of both rails, a better correlation between vibration levels and rail roughness for this curved track was found when considering the maximum roughness levels of both rails.

Practical Pre-SchoolVol. 2015, No. 179 In This IssueBeing ‘reasonable?’Karen FauxKaren FauxSearch for more papers by this authorKaren FauxPublished Online:18 Nov 2015https://doi.org/10.12968/prps.2015.179.3AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 December 2015Volume 2015Issue 179ISSN (print): 1366-610XISSN (online): 2052-4587 Metrics History Published online 18 November 2015 Published in print 2 December 2015 Information© MA Education LimitedPDF download

The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php This practice profile is based on NS638 Burns D (2012) Management of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Nursing Standard. 26, 32, 41-46. In my work as a nurse practitioner at a GP surgery, I see patients with symptoms of allergic rhinitis and many people in the asthma clinic have exacerbations during the summer hay fever season. The article explains that poorly controlled allergic rhinitis can have a detrimental effect on asthma control where the conditions co-exist. Poor asthma control can result in severe and persistent symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough and wheeze. The quality of life for patients with asthma may be improved through identifying and reducing the effects of allergic rhinitis, which include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and itching. Assessing for symptoms of allergic rhinitis is sometimes difficult. Anecdotally, I find that many patients tend to accept that hay fever is something that they may experience. They may purchase over-the-counter medications to treat the condition and tend not to seek any further assistance. If, or when, patients encounter problems with their asthma control, they may not mention signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The article has therefore been useful as a reminder of the importance of asking patients whether they are experiencing any signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and I can now use the classification table to assess the seriousness of the condition. Through having an objective means of classifying the condition, I can reassess the patients following treatment to ascertain if there is any improvement.

The purpose of the research study was to find out if the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) could improve the planning, performing and evaluating process within a sequence of six gymnastics lessons, and whether this would then improve the children's technique. The research consisted of a questionnaire given to the 30 children in the class at the end of the six consecutive lessons, an interview with the class teacher prior to the implementation of ICT and again afterwards, and observations. The findings showed that ICT improved the plan, perform and evaluate stages, within gymnastics, and consequently, the children's technique improved.

Background:The link between glycaemic control of type 1 diabetes and family functioning is complex, with the existing literature largely focussing upon the association between clear patterns of disturbances in family functioning and suboptimal diabetic control.The more subtle changes to family function that might influence the degree of successful management of a child's diabetes have been less well studied.Methods: This study sought to explore whether suboptimal glycaemic control was associated with variations in family functioning that might not in themselves prompt concern in routine clinic review.The project focussed on families attending for routine follow-up in specialist paediatric diabetes clinics in the North East of England.Mother and child participants provided demographic information and completed the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV), and the quality of their glycaemic control was assessed using the mean HbA1c value for each child over the last year.Families with clear emotional or family difficulties, or where the level of control was causing clear concern were excluded (as were families where there was major physical or a member with significant learning disabilities).The sample was divided into two groups; families whose children were in optimal glycaemic control of their diabetes, and families where the glycaemic control was suboptimal.Results: Whatever the degree of control, nearly all the mothers and index children reported functioning within the balanced range.The mothers of children with optimal glycaemic control reported their family to be more cohesive and expressed greater satisfaction with family life than mothers whose child's glycaemic control was suboptimal.The children with suboptimal diabetic control also tended to view their family life as more chaotic.Discussion: Despite the challenges most families cope reasonably well with the issues that managing type 1 diabetes in a child bring.However suboptimal control tends to be associated with some unhelpful family issues, and the implications for intervention are discussed.Conclusions: Suboptimal control, when it is present, prompts exploration of a wide range of factors.Assessment of family functioning should be part of this process, even if there is no evidence of major family difficulties because subtle distortions in functioning can significantly influence glycaemic control, especially in early adolescence.

Children are born naturally mathematical, so why is it sometimes so difficult to observe children being mathematical? Why do so many of us think we are 'bad' at maths and how does this subconsciously affect the provision, experiences and opportunities we provide for young children who are starting their mathematical learning journey? This easily accessible book will help you to realise the wonderful mathematical learning happening in your setting all day and every day through the familiar resources and experiences routinely offered to young children. It will help you to think more reflectively about what you are providing for children and suggest ways of making provision richer and more exciting for you and the children in your care. With chapters linked to areas of continuous provision including sand, water, dough, role play, music, outdoors and ICT among many others, this book features: A wide range of activities including key questions, vocabulary and advice on observations Lists of key resources Ideas to support children's mathematical mark making Useful links to stories and rhymes to engage children and promote mathematical learning Links to other areas of learning and development Suggestions for involving parents Providing a wealth of exciting, meaningful, play-based ways to promote mathematical learning and create a maths rich environment, this highly practical book will help you to develop young children's confidence and enjoyment of maths through your everyday provision. It is a perfect resource for Early Years Practitioners working in all settings, as well as those studying on childcare, Early Childhood and Early Years Professional Status courses.