BackgroundMany previous studies on internship have reported a lack of preparedness for the role. More recently in Ireland, medical schools have introduced formal clinical skills training programmes. This study sought to evaluate the impact, if any, of formal skills training in the medical training on intern's preparedness for practice.MethodsThe study utilized a survey approach followed by focus group discussions. The aim was to identify the skills that were taught and assessed in medical training and the skills that were actually required in their intern year.ResultsMost interns had received skills training in designated skills laboratories. No intern had received training in all skills advised in the European guidelines. Skills taught to all interns were intravenous cannulation, basic life support, and basic suture. Skills required from all interns were intravenous cannulation, phlebotomy, and arterial blood sampling. Removal of peripherally inserted central line (PICC) lines, central lines, and chest drains were commonly requested but not taught. Senior staff underestimated skill abilities and expected failure.ConclusionThese findings identify discordance between the skills taught and the skills required in the job. There is a need for standardization in the clinical skills training to ensure that all interns enter practice with equal competencies. Consideration should be given to experiential learning opportunities such as subintern programmes to consolidate learning and improve preparedness. Improvement in communications with senior clinicians is indicated to ensure that expectations are realistic and reflective of actual training.

Aim: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, which has been shown to promote disease severity in cystic fibrosis. Methods: In this study, aerosolized drug-loaded nanoparticles containing SCD-19, an inhibitor of MIF's tautomerase enzymatic activity, were developed and characterized. Results: The aerosolized nanoparticles had an optimal droplet size distribution for deep lung deposition, with a high degree of biocompatibility and significant cellular uptake. Conclusion: For the first time, we have developed an aerosolized nano-formulation against MIF's enzymatic activity that achieved a significant reduction in the inflammatory response of macrophages, and inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation on airway epithelial cells. This represents a potential novel adjunctive therapy for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, with an estimated 12% of women in the United States affected during their lifetime. Researchers have demonstrated that early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are pivotal to increasing survival. The advent of nanotechnology has yielded several novel advances and available modern methods within the clinic to detect and treat breast cancer. Inorganic nanoparticles are broadly utilized for cancer diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. Interestingly, these nanoparticles can also be attached to tumor-specific ligands and used to deliver chemotherapeutic or hormonal agents with high levels of tumor selectivity. Iron oxide nanoparticles are one of the most commonly used nanomaterials, which have attracted much attention to detect and treat breast cancers, owing to their superparamagnetic characteristics. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizing iron-based magnetic nanoparticles are promising approaches for the radiological detection of breast cancer. Here, we discuss the roles and recent applications of iron oxide nanoparticles in diagnosing and treating breast cancer.

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