Selectivity of Explosives Analysis with Ambient Ionization Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry: Implications for Trace Detection.

Ambient ionization (AI) is a rapidly growing field in mass spectrometry (MS). It allows for the direct analysis of samples without any sample preparation, making it a promising technique for the detection of explosives. Previous studies have shown that AI can be used to detect a variety of explosives, but the exact gas-phase reactions that occur during ionization are not fully understood. This is further complicated by differences in mass spectrometers and individual experimental set ups between researchers. This study investigated the gas-phase ion reactions of five different explosives using a variety of AI techniques coupled to a Waters QDa mass spectrometer to identify selective ions for explosive detection and identification based on the applied ambient ionization technique. The results showed that the choice of the ion source can have a significant impact on the number of ions observed. This can affect the sensitivity and selectivity of the data produced. The findings of this study provide new insights into the gas-phase ion reactions of explosives and could lead to the development of more sensitive and selective AI-based methods for their detection.

Physician Assistant Student Attitudes Toward Gamification of Cardiac Auscultation Instruction.

INTRODUCTION: Current physician assistant (PA) learners have a clear preference for interactive learning that is vibrantly present in new media technologies. At present, there is a paucity of research regarding use or acceptability of gamification in PA education. The purpose of this study was to examine PA students' experience with, attitudes toward, and outcomes of a gamified cardiac auscultation curriculum. METHODS: Faculty at one institution designed an interactive Mobile App Cardiac Auscultation Curriculum (MACAC). The MACAC incorporates independent and group learning using the Littmann Learning mobile app. Author-created surveys as well as knowledge and auscultation assessment tools were delivered to all students. RESULTS: Most of the students recommended the use of the app for future cohorts and reported confidence to accurately identify normal and abnormal heart sounds. Knowledge and auscultation assessment scores demonstrated proficiency in identification of normal and abnormal heart sounds. DISCUSSION: Gamification research is important because blended learning that incorporates new media technologies with traditional approaches can help overcome the limitations of passive learning environments. This study provides evidence that the use of a mobile app can be an effective and innovative method to teach cardiac auscultation to the 21st century PA learners.

Approach to the patient with a palpable breast mass.

ABSTRACT: Breast mass is a common finding in patients presenting to primary care, women's health, or urgent care clinics. There are multiple etiologies that can cause a palpable breast mass both benign and malignant. PAs must know how to approach a patient with a palpable breast mass as well as what appropriate diagnostic evaluation is needed.

Early pregnancy loss.

ABSTRACT: Previously called spontaneous abortion, early pregnancy loss (EPL) is the preferred term encompassing threatened abortion, incomplete abortion, complete abortion, and anembryonic pregnancy. EPL has many causes, including chromosomal abnormalities, immunologic and infectious causes, and underlying maternal risk factors. Because many patients present with first-trimester bleeding, clinicians must know the appropriate evaluation and management techniques.

Efficacy of Different Hair and Skin Decontamination Strategies with Identification of Associated Hazards to First Responders.

Background: Established procedures for mass casualty decontamination involve the deployment of equipment for showering with water (such as the ladder pipe system [LPS] and technical decontamination [TD]). This necessarily introduces a short, but critical delay. The incorporation of dry decontamination to the incident response process offers the potential to establish a more rapid and timely intervention. Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of various dry (DD) and wet decontamination strategies for removing a chemical warfare simulant (methyl salicylate; MS) from the hair and skin of human volunteers. Methods: The simulant was applied to volunteers via whole body exposure to an aerosol. Three decontamination protocols (dry, LPS and technical decontamination) were applied, singly and in various combinations. The efficacy of the protocols was evaluated by fluorescent photography and analysis of residual MS from skin/hair swabs, decontamination materials and air samples. Results: Dry decontamination was effective, with the greatest reduction in skin and hair contamination arising from the "Triple Protocol" (DD+LPS+TD). Secondary hazards associated with contaminated individuals and equipment decreased as the number of decontamination procedures increased. In particular, dry decontamination reduced the potential contact and inhalation hazard arising from used washcloths, towels and vapor within the TD units. Discussion: The introduction of dry decontamination prior to wet forms of decontamination offers a simple strategy to initiate treatment at a much earlier opportunity, with a corresponding improvement in clinical outcomes and substantial reduction of secondary hazards associated with operational processes.

Homelessness Among Patients in a Southeastern Safety Net Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: Emergency departments (EDs) are important providers for homeless individuals, providing vital health care and meeting the subsistence needs of many homeless patients (eg, food, water, shelter). Studies that have examined the proportion of patients in the ED setting who experience homelessness have been conducted primarily in the northeastern United States. We hypothesized that findings from prior studies, conducted primarily in the Northeast, would not generalize to other regions of the United States. We conducted a direct patient survey to describe the proportion and demographics of ED patients who have experienced homelessness within the past 12 months in an urban safety net hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of patients presenting to the ED from September to December 2016. A team of trained research assistants administered a structured survey instrument to patients who were 18 years old, English speakers, not incarcerated, and able to provide informed consent. Questions were based on the US Department of Health and Human Services definition of homelessness. RESULTS: A total of 923 ED patients (55.1% male; median age 44 years) completed the survey. Of the ED patients surveyed, 51.5% reported some measure of homelessness in the past 12 months: lived with others but did not pay rent (n = 279, 30.2%), skipped mortgage or rent payment (n = 111, 12%), experienced eviction (n = 74, 8%), lived in a hotel or motel (n = 196, 21.2%), lived in a place not meant for human habitation (n = 76, 8.2%), slept in a shelter (n = 131, 14.2%), and slept on the street (n = 115, 12.5%). Men (odds ratio [OR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-2.09), patients who completed some school (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.72-4.71), and patients who completed high school (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.53-3.52) were more likely to have experienced homelessness in the 12 months preceding their ED visit. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of patients experiencing homelessness at our hospital is substantially greater than those reported in prior surveys of ED patients. More research is needed on homelessness and its implications for ED patients.

Evaluation of US Federal Guidelines (Primary Response Incident Scene Management [PRISM]) for Mass Decontamination of Casualties During the Initial Operational Response to a Chemical Incident.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and operational effectiveness of US federal government guidance (Primary Response Incident Scene Management [PRISM]) for the initial response phase to chemical incidents. METHODS: The study was performed as a large-scale exercise (Operation DOWNPOUR). Volunteers were dosed with a chemical warfare agent simulant to quantify the efficacy of different iterations of dry, ladder pipe system, or technical decontamination. RESULTS: The most effective process was a triple combination of dry, ladder pipe system, and technical decontamination, which attained an average decontamination efficiency of approximately 100% on exposed hair and skin sites. Both wet decontamination processes (ladder pipe system and technical decontamination, alone or in combination with dry decontamination) were also effective (decontamination efficiency >96%). In compliant individuals, dry decontamination was effective (decontamination efficiency approximately 99%), but noncompliance (tentatively attributed to suboptimal communication) resulted in significantly reduced efficacy (decontamination efficiency approximately 70%). At-risk volunteers (because of chronic illness, disability, or language barrier) were 3 to 8 times slower than ambulatory casualties in undergoing dry and ladder pipe system decontamination, a consequence of which may be a reduction in the overall rate at which casualties can be processed. CONCLUSION: The PRISM incident response protocols are fit for purpose for ambulatory casualties. However, a more effective communication strategy is required for first responders (particularly when guiding dry decontamination). There is a clear need to develop more appropriate decontamination procedures for at-risk casualties.