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Body donation is a prosocial act providing a unique learning experience to students, ultimately impacting on patient care and science. With an increasing number of training professionals, there is an increasing need for body donors, yet little is understood about donors' beliefs and preferences. A four-center study aimed to understand donors' perceptions, 843 responses highlighted a significant relationship between completing a body donor consent form and being both an organ donor and having ever donated blood (p < 0.01). In exploring donor intentions, 69% had been considering donation for fewer than five years, 40% knew another body donor, and 27% had a family member or friend currently registered. Of those who had requested donor information packs, 97% had completed body donation consent forms. Of these, 92% had not selected any time restriction for their donation and 96% had consented to images being taken. Almost all (98%) were aware that their donation might not be accepted. Donors' motives highlighted a wish to: improve education, improve health care, advance science, and contribute to the greater good. A bimodal response was observed with body donation being used to save relatives money and inconvenience. Donors felt comfortable with their bodies being used by medical, dental, and allied health professionals; however, donors were less comfortable with their bodies being used by other groups. Only 57% were comfortable with artists, beauticians and yoga teachers using their remains. Understanding donors' motivations and decision-making process is vital to ensure resources for future and to meet any changing requirements of both donors and those studying them.

Thiel-embalmed cadavers, which have been adopted for use in anatomy teaching in relatively few universities, show greater flexibility and color retention compared to formalin-embalmed cadavers, properties which might be considered advantageous for anatomy teaching. This study aimed to investigate student attitudes toward the dissection experience with Thiel- compared to formalin/ethanol-embalmed cadavers. It also aimed to determine if one embalming method is more advantageous in terms of learning functional anatomy through the comparison of student anterior forearm functional anatomy knowledge. Student opinions and functional anatomy knowledge were obtained through use of a questionnaire from students at two medical schools, one using Thiel-, and one using more traditional formalin/ethanol-embalmed cadavers. Both the Thiel group and the formalin group of students were surveyed shortly after completing an anterior forearm dissection session. Significant differences (P-values <0.01) in some attitudes were found toward the dissection experience between cohorts using Thiel- vs. formalin-embalmed cadavers. The Thiel group of students felt more confident about recognizing anatomy in the living individual, found it easier to identify and dissect anatomical structures, and indicated more active exploration of functional anatomy due to the retained flexibility of the cadaver. However, on testing, no significant difference in functional anatomy knowledge was found between the two cohorts. Overall, although Thiel embalming may provide an advantageous learning experience in some investigated areas, more research needs to be carried out, especially to establish whether student perception is based on reality, at least in terms of structure identification.

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of the elements of neurological assessments in children • To improve your understanding of when to perform neurological observations and when to escalate them • To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers). Neurological observations are a vital part of the assessment of infants, children and young people with a suspected or confirmed acquired brain injury (ABI). They are designed to identify neurological deterioration and inform the management of ABIs. Children’s nurses may perform many of these neurological observations, including by using tools such as the AVPU scale, the Glasgow Coma Scale, pupillary response and limb assessment. This is the second of two articles that aim to encourage accuracy and consistency when performing neurological observations in infants, children and young people with a suspected or confirmed ABI to optimise their care. The article explains how to undertake various elements of a neurological assessment, how often to perform neurological observations, when to escalate concerns and why it is important to use family-centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of the different types and causes of acquired brain injuries (ABIs) in infants, children and young people • To increase your understanding of the pathophysiology of ABIs and associated complications • To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) Caring for infants, children and young people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) can be challenging due to their developing brain and reliance on parents and caregivers. It is essential that children's nurses are able to perform effective neurological observations, because these can identify deterioration and inform the management of patients with an ABI. This is the first of two articles that aim to encourage accuracy and consistency when undertaking neurological observations in infants, children and young people with an ABI to optimise their care. This first article details the pathophysiology, types and causes of ABIs and explains the potential complications that can occur following such injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pleural infection is life‐threatening and increasingly prevalent. In addition to usual care, twice‐daily, separate administration of tissue plasminogen activator and deoxyribonuclease (tPA‐DNase) reduces radiological pleural opacity with lower surgical referral rates. Aims: This retrospective cohort study examines the use of once‐daily, concurrent administration of tPA‐DNase for complex parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema. Methods: Patients with pleural infection who received intrapleural tPA‐DNase between October 2014 and July 2020 at Logan Hospital, where it is given concurrently and once‐daily as salvage therapy, were retrospectively identified. Radiographic opacification, inflammatory markers, clinical response and complications were examined. Results: Thirty‐one patients were identified. Mean age was 48.8 years (standard deviation [SD], 17.2). Median tPA‐DNase administration was 3 (interquartile range [IQR], 2–3). Chest x‐ray pleural opacity decreased significantly (P = 0.047) from a median of 39.6% (IQR, 28.8–65.7%) to 9.7% (IQR, 2.5–23.2%), a median relative reduction of 75.5% (IQR, 47.7–93.9%). White cell count and C‐reactive protein improved significantly (P = 0.002 and P = 0.032, respectively) from a median of 16.3 × 109/L (IQR, 11.8–20.6 × 109/L) to 9.9 × 109/L (IQR, 8.0–12.3 × 109/L) and 311.0 mg/L (IQR, 218.8–374.0 mg/L) to 69.0 mg/L (IQR, 36.0–118.0 mg/L), respectively. No patients experienced significant bleeding or died. Five patients (16.1%) were referred for surgery. Conclusion: This is pilot evidence that a practical regimen of concurrent, once‐daily intrapleural tPA‐DNase improved pleural opacification and inflammatory markers without bleeding or mortality. The surgical referral rate was higher than in studies assessing twice‐daily administration, though the validity of this outcome as a measure of treatment success is limited, and further studies are needed to assess the optimal dose and frequency of intrapleural therapy and indications for surgical referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromuscular disorders (NMD) encompasses a wide range of conditions, with respiratory weakness a common feature. Respiratory care can involve non-invasive ventilation (NIV) resulting in fewer hospital admissions, a lower mortality rate and improved quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the 'lived experience' of NIV by people with NMD. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) with semi-structured, face to face interviews with 11 people with NMD, using bi-level positive airway pressure for NIV for more than 12 months. Three themes were interpreted: (i) Alive, with a life; (ii) Me and 'that' machine; and (iii) Precariousness of this life. NIV enabled hope, independence and the opportunity to explore previously perceived unattainable life experiences. Yet, participants felt dependent on the machine. Furthermore, practical considerations and fear of NIV failure created a sense of precariousness to life and a reframing of personal identity. The findings highlight the broad ranging positive and negative effects that may occur for people with NMD when using this important therapy. Ongoing non-judgemental support and empathy are required from health professionals as the use of NIV challenged concepts such as 'living life well' for people with NMD. Neuromuscular disorders may result in respiratory weakness requiring non-invasive ventilation (NIV). When prescribed early, NIV can results in fewer hospital admissions, a lower mortality rate and improved quality of life. The relationship of people with NMD with their NIV machine is complex and impacts on and requires adjustment to their identity. NIV users acknowledged that NIV provided hope but simultaneously recognised the precariousness of NIV on their life. In order to better support people with NMD healthcare professionals need to better understand how the physical, psychological and social implications of NIV affect an individual's life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK left the European Union's single market on 1 January 2021. A Withdrawal Agreement made special provision for Northern Ireland. However, 'grace periods' concerning supply of goods were agreed, delaying full application of the new rules. The Northern Ireland NHS is heavily reliant on supplies from Great Britain. If these supplies are disrupted, the quality of care offered to patients will diminish. This article shows the legal details of applicable law once the 'grace periods', which are currently securing supply, cease to apply. It reveals significant costs and uncertainties associated with supply of products to the NHS in Northern Ireland. The direction of travel, unless something changes, is that new products will reach patients later than in Great Britain, and there is a real possibility that some products become difficult or impossible for the NHS in Northern Ireland to source. The result will be reduced quality of patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]