Despite international and national guidelines, poor asthma control remains an issue. Asthma exacerbations are costly to both the individual, and the healthcare provider. Improvements in our understanding of the therapeutic benefit of asthma therapies suggest that, in general, while long-acting bronchodilator therapy improves asthma symptoms, the anti-inflammatory activity of inhaled corticosteroids reduces acute asthma exacerbations. Studies have explored factors which could be predictive of exacerbations. A history of previous exacerbations, poor asthma control, poor inhaler technique, a history of lower respiratory tract infections, poor adherence to medication, the presence of allergic rhinitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, psychological dysfunction, smoking and obesity have all been implicated as having a predictive role in the future risk of asthma exacerbation. Here we review the current literature and discuss this in the context of primary care management of asthma.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; Disease Progression ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Obesity ; Primary Health Care ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Smoke ; Smoking

Objectives: A growing number of health professional institutions around the world are embracing innovative technologies to increase student engagement, primarily to improve clinical and simulated learning experiences. Didactic learning is an essential component of dental and medical curricula. However, limited research is available regarding the implementation of technology-infused teaching in classroom settings. We developed self-paced interactive learning content using the HTML5 Package (H5P) to promote student engagement in a didactic course within a dental hygiene program. Methods: A total of 52 interactive artifacts were created and administered to students as supplementary learning material. A descriptive study was conducted to explore student perceptions and engagement with the H5P content, as well as to evaluate the impact of these artifacts on academic performance. Results: Students performed significantly better on exam questions associated with interactive H5P content posted in the learning management system compared to other questions. Most students were highly engaged with the H5P content during the week leading up to each summative assessment. However, two of the three students with the highest course grades demonstrated consistent engagement with this content throughout the course. Conclusions Our results highlight the effectiveness of interactive content created using the H5P platform in fostering student engagement. The development of self-paced interactive materials may benefit various aspects of didactic teaching, including both synchronous and asynchronous online learning.

Objectives: A growing number of health professional institutions around the world are embracing innovative technologies to increase student engagement, primarily to improve clinical and simulated learning experiences. Didactic learning is an essential component of dental and medical curricula. However, limited research is available regarding the implementation of technology-infused teaching in classroom settings. We developed self-paced interactive learning content using the HTML5 Package (H5P) to promote student engagement in a didactic course within a dental hygiene program. Methods: A total of 52 interactive artifacts were created and administered to students as supplementary learning material. A descriptive study was conducted to explore student perceptions and engagement with the H5P content, as well as to evaluate the impact of these artifacts on academic performance. Results: Students performed significantly better on exam questions associated with interactive H5P content posted in the learning management system compared to other questions. Most students were highly engaged with the H5P content during the week leading up to each summative assessment. However, two of the three students with the highest course grades demonstrated consistent engagement with this content throughout the course. Conclusions Our results highlight the effectiveness of interactive content created using the H5P platform in fostering student engagement. The development of self-paced interactive materials may benefit various aspects of didactic teaching, including both synchronous and asynchronous online learning.

Objectives: A growing number of health professional institutions around the world are embracing innovative technologies to increase student engagement, primarily to improve clinical and simulated learning experiences. Didactic learning is an essential component of dental and medical curricula. However, limited research is available regarding the implementation of technology-infused teaching in classroom settings. We developed self-paced interactive learning content using the HTML5 Package (H5P) to promote student engagement in a didactic course within a dental hygiene program. Methods: A total of 52 interactive artifacts were created and administered to students as supplementary learning material. A descriptive study was conducted to explore student perceptions and engagement with the H5P content, as well as to evaluate the impact of these artifacts on academic performance. Results: Students performed significantly better on exam questions associated with interactive H5P content posted in the learning management system compared to other questions. Most students were highly engaged with the H5P content during the week leading up to each summative assessment. However, two of the three students with the highest course grades demonstrated consistent engagement with this content throughout the course. Conclusions Our results highlight the effectiveness of interactive content created using the H5P platform in fostering student engagement. The development of self-paced interactive materials may benefit various aspects of didactic teaching, including both synchronous and asynchronous online learning.

Introduction: Laboratory capacity is needed in central Viet Nam to provide early warning to public health authorities of respiratory outbreaks of importance to human health, for example the outbreak of influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in 2009. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures established as part of a capacity-building process were used to conduct prospective respiratory surveillance in a region where few previous studies have been undertaken. Methods: Between October 2008 and September 2010, nose and throat swabs from adults and children (approximately 20 per week) presenting with an acute respiratory illness to the Ninh Hoa General Hospital were collected. Same-day PCR testing and result reporting for 13 respiratory viruses were carried out by locally trained scientists. Results: Of 2144 surveillance samples tested, 1235 (57.6%) were positive for at least one virus. The most common were influenza A strains (17.9%), with pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 and seasonal H3N2 strain accounting for 52% and 43% of these, respectively. Other virus detections included: rhinovirus (12.4%), enterovirus (8.9%), influenza B (8.3%), adenovirus (5.3%), parainfluenza (4.7%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (3.9%), human coronavirus (3.0%) and human metapneumovirus (0.3%). The detection rate was greatest in the 0–5 year age group. Viral co-infections were identified in 148 (6.9%) cases. Discussion: The outbreak in 2009 of the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic strain provided a practical test of the laboratory’s pandemic plan. This study shows that the availability of appropriate equipment and molecular-based testing can contribute to important individual and public health outcomes in geographical locations susceptible to emerging infections.

We report the case of a 32 year-old male with Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma of the skull, which was imaged with both ¹⁸[F]fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and ⁶⁸Gallium-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (⁶⁸Ga-RGD) PET/CT. The ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT did not demonstrate the tumour,whereas the ⁶⁸Ga-RGD PET/CT clearly depicted a left-sided frontal tumour. ⁶⁸Ga-RGD PET/CT may be a clinically useful imaging modality for early detection of recurrent osteosarcoma, considering the limitations of ¹⁸F-FDG PET in a setting of low glycolytic activity.
Chondrocytes ; Electrons ; Humans ; Male ; Osteosarcoma ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Skull