Use of a knowledge exchange event strategy to identify key priorities for implementing deprescribing in primary healthcare in Nova Scotia, Canada

Background: Deprescribing, the process of dose reduction or stopping of medication(s) that may no longer be required, may improve medication use and patient outcomes. A collaborative interprofessional deprescribing research team was formed in 2017 in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada with the goal of investigating potential deprescribing initiatives which could be translated to primary healthcare in NS. The knowledge-to-action framework, which includes knowledge exchange, was used to guide the work of this team. Preliminary work involved knowledge inquiry and synthesis through a scoping review of deprescribing strategies in primary healthcare, a qualitative study to understand influences on deprescribing by local practitioners, and an analysis that combined the two.Aims and objectives: To describe and reflect on how an interactive knowledge exchange event strategy was used to (1) share the results, including knowledge tools, of previously conducted deprescribing research with stakeholders; (2) identify priorities for the development and implementation of collaborative deprescribing strategies in primary healthcare in NS.Key conclusions: The knowledge exchange event strategy utilised in this project achieved the planned objectives of sharing research results, raising awareness about deprescribing, and providing direction for future initiatives. The successful implementation of the knowledge exchange event hinged on many factors such as hiring a research coordinator; limiting the in-person event to one half-day; and using a variety of strategies for participant engagement both before and after the event. Other research teams could adopt a similar knowledge exchange event process as an approach for sharing research results and identifying future research and translation priorities.<br />Key messages<br />The knowledge exchange event provides an example of multiple methods of stakeholder engagement.<br /><br /><ul><li>A World Café approach provided an opportunity for diverse stakeholder input.</li><br /><li>Provision of knowledge tools in advance decreased event time which may have improved attendance.</li><br /><li>Key priorities for future deprescribing initiatives were developed through stakeholder engagement.</li></ul>

Cloning and expression of maltooligosyltrehalose trehalohydrolase from Sulfolobus solfataricus DSM 1616 in Bacillus subtilis WB800

Maltooligosyltrehalose trehalohydrolase (MTHase) is an industrial enzyme for the production of trehalose. A DNA fragment of 1680 bp encoding for MTHase was cloned from Sulfobolus solfataricus DSM 1616 then fused with promoter acoA-amyE already amplified from pMSE3 vector by PCR to generate an expression cassette acoMTH. Afterward the cassette was inserted into pAC7 vector for expression of the gene in Bacillus subtilis WB800 – a conventional expression system. Gene MTH was inserted into the genome of B. subtilis WB800 by cross-exchange event of pAC7 vector with the host genome for expression of high quality and high quantity of extracellular recombinant protein. By crossing-exchange event at 3’amyE-5’amyE, the expressional cassette was integrated into B. subtilis WB800 genome. The expressional cassette was integrated into B. subtilis WB800 genome replacing 3’amyE-5’amyE, hindering the native amylase activity of the host. Expression of expected protein was confirmed by electrophoresis SDS-PAGE. From our results, it indicates that gene MTH was expressed successfully in B. subtilis WB800. After 0.5% acetoin induction for 48 h, the data showed that the protein with a molecular mass of ~64 kDa on SDS-PAGE was expressed. The level of recombinant protein in WBpAacoMTH was increased and reached 2.5%, 15.2% and 21.95%, respectively comparing with native B. subtilis WB800.

LipiSensors: Exploiting Lipid Nanoemulsions to Fabricate Ionophore-Based Nanosensors

Ionophore-based nanosensors (IBNS) are tools that enable quantification of analytes in complex chemical and biological systems. IBNS methodology is adopted from that of bulk optodes where an ion exchange event is converted to a change in optical output. While valuable, an important aspect for application is the ability to intentionally tune their size with simple approaches, and ensure that they contain compounds safe for application. Lipidots are a platform of size tunable lipid nanoemulsions with a hydrophobic lipid core typically used for imaging and drug delivery. Here, we present LipiSensors as size tunable IBNS by exploiting the Lipidot model as a hydrophobic structural support for the sensing moieties that are traditionally encased in plasticized PVC nanoparticles. The LipiSensors we demonstrate here are sensitive and selective for calcium, reversible, and have a lifetime of approximately one week. By changing the calcium sensing components inside the hydrophobic core of the LipiSensors to those sensitive for oxygen, they are also able to be used as ratiometric O2 sensitive nanosensors via a quenching-based mechanism. LipiSensors provide a versatile, general platform nanosensing with the ability to directly tune the size of the sensors while including biocompatible materials as the structural support by merging sensing approaches with the Lipidot platform.

SMASS/WDC Marine Forum 2020 Proceedings Report

Proceedings report for the 2020 SMASS/WDC Marine Forum. On the 29th of February, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) held the third Marine Forum at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness. A total of 150 people attended the one-day knowledge exchange event, which was packed with fascinating talks, workshops, discussions, and opportunities to network with a wide variety of experts actively involved with marine conservation.

SMASS/WDC Marine Forum 2020 Proceedings Report

On the 29th of February, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) held the third Marine Forum at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness. A total of 150 people attended the one-day knowledge exchange event, which was packed with fascinating talks, workshops, discussions, and opportunities to network with a wide variety of experts actively involved with marine conservation. The marine forum was once again kindly funded by the SRUC Universities Innovations Fund.Bringing together representatives from a number of research organisations, higher education institutes, NGO’s and marine industries with policy makers and members of the public, this annual event provides a unique opportunity for the exchange of ideas between researchers, citizen scientists and other stakeholder groups concerned with the conservation of the marine environment.

Making it count: Learning from a knowledge exchange with voluntary sector workers and software providers, and data from auto/biographical reflection as an activist academic

This article offers an analysis of methodological disputes between various stakeholders in welfare provision. It addresses debates of validity, efficiency and purpose. It gathers data from two sources: a knowledge exchange event which brought together voluntary sector workers, outcome software providers and academics, and auto/biographical data from my long-term participation in a grass-roots community project seeking to tackle street homelessness and food poverty in the London Borough of Newham. It pays particular attention to the tensions inherent in measuring impact and presenting ‘softer’ outcomes. It highlights the innovative approaches adopted by those working in the third sector as they seek to comply with an often overwhelming and increasingly complex set of methodological demands from funders. This article includes a discussion of the positioning of researchers seeking to offer ‘accountable knowledge’ and the types of knowledge which arise in pursuing an approach best described as ‘theorised subjectivity’. I consider the tensions inherent in my own attempt to navigate towards being a ‘partial inbetweener’ or at least a ‘trusted outsider’ to homeless people within the project I volunteer with. To this end, discussions of the use of auto/biographical data, drawn from working as a community organiser, are included.