ility of choosing dentistry as the future career.

To expand the limited knowledge on cell-free (cf)DNA analysis of maternal blood for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 in twin pregnancies by updating the data from the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) on prospective first trimester screening and those arising from systematic review of the literature.

The FMF data were derived from prospective screening for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 in twin pregnancies at 10

-14

weeks’ gestation using the Harmony® prenatal test of Roche/Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc. Search of Medline, Embase, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library), ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRP (World Health Organization) was carried out to identify all peer-reviewed publications on clinical validation or implementation of maternal cfDNA testing for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 in twin pregnancies, irrespective of gestational age at testing, in which data on pregnancy outcome were provided for more than 85% of the study population. Meta-analysis was then performed using the FMF data and data from the studies identified by the literat the cfDNA test. This article is protected by copyright. SGX-523 molecular weight All rights reserved.

In twin pregnancies the reported DR of trisomy 21 by cfDNA testing is high, but lower than in singleton pregnancies, whereas the FPR appears to be equally low. The number of cases of trisomy 18 and more so trisomy 13 is too small for accurate assessment of the predictive performance of the cfDNA test. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Characterisation of resistance phenotype and genotype is crucial to understanding the burden and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aims to determine the spectrum of AMR and associated genes encoding aminoglycoside, macrolide and β-lactam classes of antimicrobials in bacteria isolated from hospitalised patients in Bangladesh.

430 bacterial isolates from patients with respiratory, intestinal, wound infections and typhoid fever, presenting to clinical care from 2015 to 2019, were examined. They included Escherichia coli (n=85); Staphylococcus aureus (n=84); Salmonella typhi (n=82); Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=42); Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=36); coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=28); Enterococcus faecalis (n=27); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=26); and Acinetobacter baumannii (n=20). Reconfirmation of these clinical isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility tests was performed. PCR amplification using resistance gene-specific primers was done, and the amplified products were confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

53% of isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR), including 97% of Escherichia coli. There was a year-wise gradual increase in MDR isolates from 2015 to 2018, and there was an almost twofold increase in the number of MDR strains isolated in 2019 (P=0.00058). Among the 5 extended-spectrum β-lactamases investigated, CTX-M-1 was the most prevalent (63%) followed by NDM-1 (22%); Escherichia coli was the major reservoir of these genes. The ermB (55%) and aac(6′)-Ib (35%) genes were the most frequently detected macrolide and aminoglycoside resistance genes, respectively.

MDR pathogens are highly prevalent in hospital settings of Bangladesh.

MDR pathogens are highly prevalent in hospital settings of Bangladesh.

To examine the perceptions of leadership by leaders within residential aged care and to identify the crucial requirements for successful leadership in this complex industry.

As an industry capitalizing on the concept of ‘care’, one of the critical attributes this research has found to be absent in many aged care leadership approaches is compassion.

A qualitative methodology using thematic analysis was used to explore the construction of leadership attributes needed within residential aged care, as perceived by leaders in these organisations.

Senior staff in the aged care industry believe that compassion is both a key component and a gap in the skill set of aged care leadership and leaders. While most studies define good leadership and care in relation to clinical ‘safety’ and ‘efficiency’, this research demonstrates that compassionate caring is central to high-quality care in residential aged care.

The aged care industry needs to enhance and encourage compassionate leadership as a cornerstone of humane and dignified care.

When developing theoretical explanations for the role of leadership in aged care, researchers should contemplate compassion as a key attribute required in residential aged care leaders. Education and training in this industry must incorporate the attributes associated with compassion, including emotional intelligence and person-centred leadership.

When developing theoretical explanations for the role of leadership in aged care, researchers should contemplate compassion as a key attribute required in residential aged care leaders. Education and training in this industry must incorporate the attributes associated with compassion, including emotional intelligence and person-centred leadership.

To determine the state-trait anxiety levels and solution-focused thinking skills of primary care nurses/midwives during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to evaluate the factors affecting these variables and the determinants of state-trait anxiety levels.

The COVID-19 outbreak has created intense anxiety in nurses/midwives that may affect the care they provide. Nurses and midwives may manage anxiety using solution-focused thinking skills.

This descriptive correlational study included 170 nurses/midwives at 61 family health centres evaluated from 1 August to 14 September 2020.

The participants’ state and trait anxiety scores were above average, indicating a moderate level of anxiety and the mean total solution-focused inventory scores were at a moderate level. It was determined that 47.9% of the variance in state anxiety scores could be explained by trait anxiety, age, years of professional experience, chronic illness, type of work shift during the pandemic, follow-up of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 using computed tomography or a COVID-19 test, and whether the institution was taking necessary measures against COVID-19. There was a negative relationship between state anxiety and solution-focused inventory total score.

Nurses/midwives displayed a moderate level of anxiety and solution-focused thinking skills during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steps should be taken to improve nurses’ solution-focused thinking skills to enable them to organise quickly and manage care processes successfully in extraordinary circumstances such as pandemics. Moreover, personal empowerment programmes should be recommended for nurses and midwives to help them cope with anxiety.

Steps should be taken to improve nurses’ solution-focused thinking skills to enable them to organise quickly and manage care processes successfully in extraordinary circumstances such as pandemics. Moreover, personal empowerment programmes should be recommended for nurses and midwives to help them cope with anxiety.