While a clear human presence may be recognised in the Andes by 12 000–11 000 cal BP, most archaeological research has focused on occupation of the Andean highlands. To understand the initial occupation of inland areas of South America, the authors consider regional connections and spatial exploitation strategies of hunter-gatherers highlighted in a recent survey of Andean sites. Focusing on north-central Chile, artefacts and radiocarbon dates from three rock shelters suggest sporadic and brief occupation during the Terminal Pleistocene–Early Holocene. Co-occurrence of marine and montane resources, the authors argue, demonstrates a strategy of high mobility and local adaptation in early Andean occupation, using rock shelters as landmarks to navigate and learn new landscapes.

This study explores Bangladesh’s mental health services from an individual- and system-level perspective and provides insights and recommendations for strengthening it’s mental health system. We conducted 13 in-depth interviews and 2 focus group discussions. Thirty-one participants were recruited using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling methods. All interviews and group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed, and key findings were translated from Bengali to English. Data were coded manually and analysed using a thematic and narrative analysis approach. Stakeholders perceived scarcity of service availability at the peripheral level, shortage of professionals, weak referral systems, lack of policy implementation and regulatory mechanisms were significant challenges to the mental health system in Bangladesh. At the population level, low levels of mental health literacy, high societal stigma, and treatment costs were barriers to accessing mental healthcare. Key recommendations included increasing the number of mental health workers and capacity building, strengthening regulatory mechanisms to enhance the quality of care within the health systems, and raising awareness about mental health. Introducing measures that relate to tackling stigma, mental health literacy as well as building the capacity of the health workforce and governance systems will help ensure universal mental health coverage.

We present the first-in-paediatric uses of a mechanical aspiration system for percutaneous removal of right atrial masses in three patients, including central line-related thrombus and metastatic tumour. Percutaneous mechanical removal of right atrial masses can be performed safely and effectively.

We evaluated povidone-iodine (PVI) decolonization among 51 fracture-fixation surgery patients. PVI was applied twice on the day of surgery. Patients were tested for S. aureus nasal colonization and surveyed. Mean S. aureus concentrations decreased from 3.13 to 1.15 CFU/mL (P = .03). Also, 86% of patients stated that they felt neutral or positive about their PVI experience.

Background: Nasal decolonization significantly decreases the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus surgical-site infections (SSIs). Patient adherence with self-administration of a decolonization ointment (ie, mupirocin) is low, especially among patients having urgent surgery. Povidone-iodine decolonization may overcome patient adherence challenges because povidone-iodine needs to be applied only on the day of surgery. We assessed the effectiveness and acceptability of povidone-iodine decolonization given on the day of surgery among patients having orthopedic trauma surgery. Methods: Adult patients who underwent operative fixation of traumatic lower extremity fractures were consented to receive 10% intranasal povidone-iodine solution. Povidone-iodine was applied ~1 hour before surgical incision and was reapplied the evening after surgery. Patients were tested for S. aureus nasal colonization before surgery, the evening after surgery (before povidone-iodine reapplication), and the day after surgery. Swabs were inoculated into Dey-Engley neutralizer and processed in a vortexer. A series of dilutions were performed and plated on mannitol salt agar plates. S. aureus cultures were quantitatively assessed to determine the reduction in S. aureus after povidone-iodine use. Reductions in S. aureus nasal growth were evaluated using the Skillings-Mack test. SSIs manifesting within 30 and 90 days of surgery were identified using NHSN definitions. A survey was administered the morning after surgery to determine the acceptability of intranasal povidone-iodine. Results: In total, 51 patients participated in this pilot study between February 2020 and June 2021. Nasal samples from 12 participants (23.5%) grew S. aureus. The S. aureus concentration decreased significantly across the time points (P = .03) (Fig. 1). No SSIs were identified within 30 days of surgery. One SSI occurred within 90 days of surgery; this patient did not carry S. aureus, and cultures from the infected site were negative. Also, 31% of patients reported at least 1 mild side effect while using povidone-iodine: dripping (n = 7), itching (n = 6), dryness (n = 4), stinging (n = 4), staining (n = 3), unpleasant taste (n = 3), runny nose (n = 2), burning (n = 1), sneezing (n = 1), sore throat (n = 1), tickling (n = 1), and/or cough (n = 1). Also, 86% of patients stated that povidone-iodine felt neutral, pleasant, or very pleasant, and only 14% stated that it felt unpleasant or very unpleasant. Discussion: In this pilot study, 2 applications of nasal povidone-iodine on the day of surgery were acceptable for patients, and this protocol significantly reduced S. aureus concentration in nares of patients. Future large clinical trials should evaluate whether this 2-application regimen of povidone-iodine significantly decreases rates of SSI among orthopedic trauma surgery patients.

Funding: PDI Healthcare

Disclosures: None

Life course research embraces the complexity of health and disease development, tackling the extensive interactions between genetics and environment. This interdisciplinary blueprint, or theoretical framework, offers a structure for research ideas and specifies relationships between related factors. Traditionally, methodological approaches attempt to reduce the complexity of these dynamic interactions and decompose health into component parts, ignoring the complex reciprocal interaction of factors that shape health over time. New methods that match the epistemological foundation of the life course framework are needed to fully explore adaptive, multilevel, and reciprocal interactions between individuals and their environment. The focus of this article is to (1) delineate the differences between lifespan and life course research, (2) articulate the importance of complex systems science as a methodological framework in the life course research toolbox to guide our research questions, (3) raise key questions that can be asked within the clinical and translational science domain utilizing this framework, and (4) provide recommendations for life course research implementation, charting the way forward. Recent advances in computational analytics, computer science, and data collection could be used to approximate, measure, and analyze the intertwining and dynamic nature of genetic and environmental factors involved in health development.