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Purpose: This study compared a tablet PC questionnaire with a paper method for reliability and patient preferences in the acquisition of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for patients treated with radiotherapy. By comparing the two modes of PRO administration, we aimed to evaluate the adequacy of using tablet PC questionnaires in future clinical use.Methods: Patients were randomized in a crossover study design using two different methods for PRO entry. A group of 89 patients answered a paper questionnaire followed by the tablet PC version, whereas 89 patients in another group completed the tablet PC questionnaire followed by the paper version. Surveys were performed four times per patient throughout the course of the radiotherapy. The Korean versions of the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-K) and the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI-K) were used. The primary endpoint of our current study was an assessment of patient preference for the survey method. The proportions of patients preferring each mode of questionnaire were evaluated.Results: The proportion of patients who preferred the tablet PC version, paper form, or who had no preference was 52.2, 22.1, and 25.7 %, respectively. More than half of the patients preferred the tablet PC to the paper version in all four surveys. Age, gender, educational status, prior experience of using a tablet PC, and the order of paper to tablet PC administration did not impact patient preferences. Inter-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) between the modes were 0.92 for MDASI-K and 0.94 for BFI-K and ranged from 0.91 to 0.96 on both instruments during the four surveys.Conclusions: A tablet PC-based PRO is an acceptable and reliable method compared with paper-based data collection for Korean patients receiving radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The essence of humanism in medicine and health care is relationships-caring relationships between clinicians and patients. While raising concerns regarding professional-patient boundaries has positively contributed to our understanding and prevention of potentially harmful boundary violations, there is controversy about which types of relationships, caring acts, and practices are acceptable versus cross boundary lines.Objective: To examine primary care physicians' practices and attitudes regarding acts that have been questioned as potentially "inappropriate" or "unethical" crossing of professional-patient boundaries.Design: Surveys conducted via in-person polling or electronic and mailed paper submissions from April 2016 to July 2017. We calculated descriptive statistics and examined associations with practices and attitudes using logistic regression.Participants: Random sample of all US primary care physicians who treat adult patients; convenience sample of attendees at medicine grand rounds presentations.Main Measures: Outcomes were self-reported practices and attitudes related to giving patients rides home, paying for patients' medication, helping patients find jobs, employing patients, going to dinner with patients, and providing care to personal friends.Key Results: Among 1563 total respondents, 34% had given a ride home, 34% had paid for medications, 15% helped patients find a job, 7% had employed a patient, 10% had dinner with patients, and 59% provided care to personal friends. A majority disapproved of dinner with a patient (75%) but approved of or were neutral on all other scenarios (61-90%).Conclusions: The medical profession is quite divided on questions related to drawing lines about appropriate boundaries. Contrary to official and widespread proscriptions against such practices (with exception of dinner dates), many have actually engaged in such practices and the majority found them acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: The growing interest of medical community about sarcopenia resulted in the production of several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), with an unavoidable variability in terms of the overall quality of those publications. Our aim is to evaluate the quality of CPGs on sarcopenia using the AGREE II instrument.Subjects/methods: We performed an online literature search for sarcopenia CPGs using different databases. Four independent reviewers evaluated the quality of CPGs using the AGREE II instrument. To classify the quality of each guideline, we defined specific thresholds of final score: high-quality if five or more domains scored >60%; average-quality if three or four domains scored >60%; low-quality if ≤2 domains scored >60%.Results: Our literature search yielded 315 articles, and after applying exclusion criteria our final analysis included 19 CPGs. The overall quality of CPGs was remarkable, as 13/19 (68.4%) were considered of "high-quality" CPGs, with more than four domains reached a score higher than 60%. "Scope and Purpose" and "Clarity of Presentations" had the best domain results (78.4% and 73.8%, respectively), while the two domains with the lowest scores were "Rigor of Development" and "Applicability" (61.5% and 58.7%, respectively). Interobserver variability ranged between moderate (0.624) and fair (0.275).Conclusions: Our study showed that the overall quality of CPGs about sarcopenia was noteworthy, as more than two-third of paper obtained a "high-quality" score. The domain "applicability" had the lowest score, suggesting that emphasis should be put on possible strategies for helping other doctors to implement guideline recommendations in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with disabilities often require healthcare accommodations in order to access high-quality, equitable healthcare services. While attention has been paid to accommodation needs in specific disability populations, limited research to date has explored healthcare accommodations that cross-cut diverse disability populations.Objective: To identify a deeper understanding regarding accommodations in healthcare settings that could apply across disability populations and promote equitable healthcare.Design: We conducted qualitative focus groups with patients with disabilities and caregivers to understand their experiences and preferences for healthcare accommodations.Participants: We recruited patients and caregivers across all major disability categories to participate in focus groups. Participants were recruited through advocacy organizations and healthcare settings in Southeastern Minnesota.Approach: A total of eight focus groups were conducted with 56 participants. Participants described their healthcare experiences and desires for healthcare accommodations. The multidisciplinary research team recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded all focus groups. The team thematically coded transcripts using content analysis within and across focus groups to identify major themes.Key Results: Patients identified four challenges and corresponding steps healthcare team could take to promote equitable care: (1) consistent documentation of disabilities and needed accommodations in the medical record; (2) allowance for accommodations to the environment, including adapting physical space, physical structures, and scheduling and rooming processes; (3) provide accommodations for administrative tasks, such as completing paper or electronic forms; and (4) adapt communication during interactions, such as speaking slower or using terms that patients can easily understand.Conclusion: These identified themes represent specific opportunities for healthcare teams to effectively provide accessible care to patients with disabilities. Many of the accommodations require minimal financial investment, but did require behavioral changes by the healthcare team to ensure equitable healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess how priority setting exercises for nutrition research are considered in publication.Design: Cross-sectional design.Settings: First, a citation analysis of priority setting exercises found in nutrition research until 2019 was conducted. The reasons for citation were extracted from the text of citing papers and the reasons were defined as: (i) acting on the research questions identified as priorities, (ii) acknowledging the priority setting exercise, (iii) using the same method, or (iv) previous knowledge to support evidence. Second, a survey with authors of the priority setting exercises was done to understand priority setters' perspectives on the impact and satisfaction of their work.Participants: Twenty-one priority setting exercise papers were included. In all, 434 citing papers were found, of which 338 were considered in the citation analysis. A sample of 17 authors representing 13 priority setting exercise papers completed the impact and satisfaction survey.Results: Half of the priority setting exercise papers were published by 2013. After excluding self-citations (n = 60), the priority setting papers had on average 18 citations. Priority setting exercises had a median of 1 (IQR = 0-1) citing manuscript that acted on the recommendations produced from priority setting exercises. Authors of the priority setting exercises expressed a desire for increased uptake of the results of the priority setting exercises by funding agencies. Key barriers for uptake were identified as challenges in involving stakeholders and the general public for participation in the priority setting exercise.Conclusions: Priority settings exercises are important efforts to guide nutrition research toward effective allocation of resources. However, there seems to be a limited consideration of these priority setting exercises in research papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Knee-specific patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are important tools in evaluating the effectiveness of sports medicine interventions. The PROMs were originally developed for paper administration, but electronic data capture technologies offer potential benefits such as increased efficiency and accuracy. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of touch screen versus paper administration using several common knee-specific and general health surveys.Methods: Agreement between scores was compared for knee-specific PROMs administered on paper versus computer; paper versus tablet; computer versus tablet in 60 patients per group undergoing ACL reconstruction. Surveys were given at pre-operative assessment and between 1 and 7 days later. Weighted kappa statistic (κ) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to test agreement between the two modalities in: IKDC Subjective Knee Form, Marx Activity Scale, Tegner Activity Level Scale, and Lysholm Knee Scale. SF-12 Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were also assessed.Results: Response rate was over 90 %. Mean age was 29.6 ± 10.9 years, with patients in the paper-computer cohort being 4 years older than in the other groups. Agreement was substantial or better for all PROMs collected: IKDC Subjective (ICC: 0.79); Marx (ICC: 0.70); Lysholm (ICC: 0.65); and Tegner (κ = 0.67). Agreement for the SF-12 PCS (ICC: 0.77) and MCS (ICC: 0.73) was also found to have substantial agreement.Conclusion: In conclusion, touch screen-based PROMs are a valid capture method, providing reliable results relative to traditional paper survey administration. Digital methods of direct data capture may also foster multi-centre collaborations and allow for more accurate comparisons of outcomes between patient groups in clinical practice and orthopaedic research.Level Of Evidence: II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To validate electronic versions of the Mini Pediatric and Pediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaires (MiniPAQLQ and PACQLQ, respectively), determine completion times and correlate QOL of children and caregivers.Methods: A total of 63 children and 64 caregivers completed the paper and electronic MiniPAQLQ or PACQLQ. Agreement between versions of each questionnaire was summarized by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The correlation between MiniPAQLQ and PACQLQ scores from child-caregiver pairs was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient.Results: There was no significant difference (mean difference = 0.1, 95% CI -0.1, 0.2) in MiniPAQLQ Overall Scores between paper (5.9 ± 1.0, mean ± SD) and electronic (5.8 ± 1.0) versions, or any of the domains. ICCs ranged from 0.89 (Overall) to 0.86 (Emotional Function). Overall PACQLQ scores for both versions were comparable (5.9 ± 0.9 and 5.8 ± 1.0; mean difference = 0.0; 95% CI -0.1, 0.2). ICCs ranged from 0.81 (Activity Limitation) to 0.88 (Emotional Function). The electronic PACQLQ took 26 s longer (95% CI 11, 41; p < 0.001). Few participants (3-11%) preferred the paper format. MiniPAQLQ and PACQLQ scores were significantly correlated (all p < 0.05) for Overall (r paper = 0.33, r electronic = 0.27) and Emotional Function domains (r paper = 0.34, r electronic = 0.29).Conclusions: These electronic QOL questionnaires are valid, and asthma-related QOL of children and caregivers is related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a substantially increased interest in biomedical research impact assessment over the past 5 years. This can be studied by a number of methods, but its influence on clinical guidelines must rank as one of the most important. In cancer, there are 43 UK guidelines (and associated Health Technology Assessments) published (up to October 2006) across three series, each of which has an evidence base in the form of references, many of which are papers in peer-reviewed journals. These have all been identified and analysed to determine their geographical provenance and type of research, in comparison with overall oncology research published in the peak years of guideline references (1999-2001). The UK papers were cited nearly three times as frequently as would have been expected from their presence in world oncology research (6.5%). Within the United Kingdom, Edinburgh and Glasgow stood out for their unexpectedly high contributions to the guidelines' scientific base. The cited papers from the United Kingdom acknowledged much more explicit funding from all sectors than did the UK cancer research papers at the same research level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach to ventilator weaning has changed considerably over the past 30 years. Change has resulted from research in three areas: pathophysiology, weaning-predictor testing, and weaning techniques. Physiology research illuminated the mechanisms of weaning failure. It also uncovered markers of weaning success. Through more reliable prediction, patients whose weaning would have been tedious in the 1970s are now weaned more rapidly. The weaning story offers several lessons in metascience: importance of creativity, the asking of heretical questions, serendipity, mental-set psychology, cross-fertilization, and the hazards of precocity. Weaning research also illustrates how Kuhnian normal (me-too) science dominates any field. Making the next quantum leap in weaning will depend on spending less time on normal science and more on the raising (and testing) of maverick ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the number and quality of the reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in Intensive Care Medicine.Design: Systematic revision.Setting: Randomised controlled trials published in Intensive Care Medicine.Study Selection: All RCTs published in this journal from its birth to December 2000 identified by MEDLINE and our own research.Measurements and Results: The Jadad scale and the individual assessment of key methodological components, namely the randomisation process, blinding and reporting and handling of loss to follow-up, were used to evaluate the quality of reporting. Other information was extracted regarding the design characteristics and the analytical approach. 173 RCTs, 63% of which were from European countries, were analysed. Adequately reported RCTs according to a Jadad scale score of more than 2 were 44 (25.4%). Analysis of individual methodological components revealed a variable percentage of adequate reporting ranging from 3.5% for randomisation to 10.4% for blinding and to 49.1% for loss to follow-up. Sample sizes were small with a median of 30 patients and rationale for its estimation was reported in 7.5%. Despite this, 81.5% of RCTs reported statistically significant results, suggesting that the treatment effects were strong or that a publication bias existed or that the uncertainty principle was not fulfilled.Conclusions: Randomised controlled trials offer the best evidence of the efficacy of medical interventions, provided that high standards of transparent reporting are used. More resolute attention to the methodological quality of reporting and adherence to recently published guidelines (CONSORT II) may help to achieve this result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial independence of biomedical journals allows flexibility to meet a wide range of research interests. However, it also is a barrier for coordination between journals to solve challenging issues such as racial bias in the scientific literature. A standardized tool to screen for racial bias could prevent the publication of racially biased papers. Biomedical journals would maintain editorial autonomy while still allowing comparable data to be collected and analyzed across journals. A racially diverse research team carried out a three-phase study to generate and test a racial bias assessment tool for biomedical research. Phase 1, an in-depth, structured literature search to identify recommendations, found near complete agreement in the literature on addressing race in biomedical research. Phase 2, construction of a framework from those recommendations, provides the major innovation of this paper. The framework includes three dimensions of race: 1) context, 2) tone and terminology, and 3) analysis, which are the basis for the Race Equity Vetting Instrument for Editorial Workflow (REVIEW) tool. Phase 3, pilot testing the assessment tool, showed that the REVIEW tool was effective at flagging multiple concerns in widely criticized articles. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed REVIEW tool to reduce racial bias in research. Next steps include testing this tool on a broader sample of biomedical research to determine how the tool performs on more subtle examples of racial bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Assessment of patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as health-related quality of life, has become an important component of healthcare that measures the impact of disease and medical treatment on patient health. Collecting PROs during point-of-care assessments and integrating them into the clinical setting, however, remains challenging. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the reliability, usability, and acceptability of point-of-care electronic PRO assessments implemented in a prostate cancer clinic.Methods: Fifty subjects completed paper-pencil and computerized formats of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC), a validated, condition-specific QOL instrument, at separate times before treatment. Parallel-forms reliability was evaluated by comparing mean scores, variations in response distribution, and correlations between administration formats. Correlation coefficients of at least 0.70 were used for reliability testing. Differences between administration forms, indicating potential bias, were compared using the signed-rank test. A 6-item acceptability scale was also used to evaluate patient acceptability and satisfaction with the electronic format.Results: Mean scores and standard deviations were similar between the paper-pencil and electronic forms across all EPIC instrument domains, and no assessment bias was found. Each EPIC domain demonstrated a high reliability between administration formats (correlation coefficients: 0.70-0.98). The majority (>90 %) of respondents found that the computerized QOL format was user friendly and simple to use.Conclusions: Point-of-care computerized QOL assessments were reliable and acceptable to patients in this study, supporting the feasibility of PRO integration at the point-of-care in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces the special section on "Geographical Clustering and the Evaluation of Cluster Policies". We first provide a motivation of cluster policies and briefly review the state of the art in cluster evaluation research. We proceed with summaries of the papers comprising the special section, which take different perspectives and cover distinct facets of cluster policy evaluation. The papers identify challenges for evaluation by highlighting the variety of approaches towards cluster policies addressed at different policy levels. Additional challenges for an identification of policy impact result from the complexity as well as the timing of policy effects. Thus, proper evaluations should employ and combine a broad set of evaluation methods. Based on the main lessons learned, we finally propose several avenues for future research to cope with these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large proportion of sexually active adults are infected with the human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Although largely asymptomatic, some types of HPVs (HPV-16, HPV-18) which infect the genitalia are known to cause cancers, including cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is an important public health concern and is the second most clinically important cancer to breast cancer in women aged 15-44 years. Until recently, cervical cancer strategies focussed on screening. However, as adolescents become sexually active at a much younger age, the focus is on the use of vaccination as an effective measure to prevent progression of HPV infection to cancer. HPV is also involved in the aetiology of cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva and penis as well as genital warts and laryngeal papillomatosis in young children. Primary prevention through vaccination is now possible in Europe using either the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, Gardasil® (Sanofi Pasteur MSD), or the bivalent HPV vaccine, Cervarix® (GSK), which are both highly immunogenic, with their effects persisting for at least 5 years. HPV vaccines are well tolerated, with serious vaccine-related events occurring in less than 0.1% of patients for both vaccines. Here, we review the possibilities for utilising vaccination programmes alongside current cervical cancer screening in comprehensive cervical cancer prevention programmes. The European Academy of Paediatrics Scientific Working Group on Vaccination concluded that the use of HPV vaccines will have a significant impact in primary prevention of cancers and other HPV-related disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First, the authors concluded that the morbidly obese patients had an increased risk of early complications including skin necrosis, while others argued that obesity was also associated with greater incidence of late complications [[2]]. The main predictors of length of stay after total knee arthroplasty: patient-related or procedure-related risk factors. [Extracted from the article]

Background: STEM education providers increasingly use complex intervention models to redress persistent under-representation in STEM sectors. These intervention models require robust evaluation to determine their effectiveness. The study examines a complex, sustained intervention intended to build science capital in young people aged 11–15 over 3 years, which drew on science capital theory and related research to inform intervention design and evaluation. When evaluation results differed from those anticipated, process evaluation supported authors to interpret these findings. By outlining challenges faced in the evaluation of a complex, sustained STEM outreach intervention, this paper addresses critique that outreach programmes focus too often on short-term and positive findings. Results: Intervention outcomes were assessed using a quantitative questionnaire adapted from science capital research, issued to pupils at the intervention's baseline (2015), midpoint (2017) and endpoint (2019). Adopting a cohort-based model, the 2015 questionnaire collected a baseline for the Year 7 intervention group (children aged 11–12, N = 464), and established baseline comparator groups for Year 9 (children aged 13–14, N = 556) and Year 11 (children aged 15–16, N = 342). The Year 7 intervention group was re-evaluated again in 2017 when in Year 9 (N = 556), and in 2019 when in Year 11 (N = 349). Analysis explored differences in science capital between the intervention and comparator groups and identified lower composite science capital scores and greater proportions of low- and medium-science capital in the intervention group when compared with the two comparator groups. A rationale for this emerged from the subsequent process evaluation. Conclusions: This study's main contribution is the provision of nuanced insight into the evaluation of STEM interventions for use by others evaluating in similar circumstances, particularly those adopting sustained or complex delivery models. This paper concludes that assessing the effectiveness of complex interventions cannot rely on quantitative evaluation of outcomes alone. Process evaluation can complement quantitative instruments and aid interventions to better understand variability and interpret results. While this study highlights the value of science capital when designing intervention models, it also illustrates the inherent challenges of using an outcome measure of 'building science capital', and quantifying levels over an intervention's course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factors related to the research context, such as inquiry mode, setting, and experimenter contact, may affect participants' comfort with and willingness to disclose certain sexual attitudes or admit to engaging in sensitive sexual behaviors. In this study, 255 female undergraduates (42.7 % non-White) completed a survey containing measures of sexual behavior and attitudes. The level of experimenter contact (high vs. low contact), setting (in lab vs. out of lab), and inquiry mode (pencil-and-paper vs. computer) were manipulated and participants were randomly assigned to conditions. We hypothesized that low-contact, out-of-lab, computer conditions would be associated with more liberal sexual attitudes and higher rates of reported sexual behaviors than high-contact, in-lab, and paper-and-pencil conditions, respectively. Further, we hypothesized that effects would be moderated by race, such that differences would be greater for non-White participants because of concerns that reporting socially undesirable behavior might fuel racial stereotypes. For attitudinal measures, White participants endorsed more liberal attitudes toward sex in high-contact conditions and non-White participants endorsed more liberal attitudes in low-contact conditions. For behavioral measures, non-White participants reported more behaviors on pencil-and-paper surveys than on computers. White participants demonstrated no significant mode-related differences or reported more sexual behaviors in computer conditions than paper-and-pencil conditions. Overall, results suggest that experimenter contact and mode significantly impact sexual self-report and this impact is often moderated by race. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies suggest that gender differences in academic medicine exist. Men frequently have better measures of performance such as number of publications, number of citations, remuneration, and funding.Aims: To evaluate whether a gender disparity in authorship exists.Methods: We recorded the gender of first and senior authors of original papers, editorials/reviews from liver-related manuscripts in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Transplantation, American Journal of Gastroenterology, and Liver Transplantation from January 2014 to 2016.Results: Of 2424 articles reviewed, we excluded 232 (10%) due to inability to determine gender. Among papers analyzed, 72.0% were original and 28.1% reviews/editorials with 65.1% of first authors being male and 34.9% female. Only 20.3% of papers with multiple authors had a female senior author. The proportion of male first and senior authorship between original papers and reviews/editorials was comparable. 72% of original papers had a male as first or senior author, but only 28% females. 71% of review/editorial papers had a male as first or senior author, but only 29% females. When the senior author of an original paper was female, 47.1% of first authors were male and 52.9% female. When the senior author was male, 67.1% of first authors were male and 32.9% female (p < 0.00001).Conclusions: A significant gender difference exists in Hepatology publications. Female authorship mirrors the percentage of female AASLD membership; however, female senior authorship remains disproportionate. In general, funding for male authors is greater. Fewer women are first authors when the senior author is male, highlighting the importance of female mentorship in Hepatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porin of Haemophilus influenzae type b (341 amino acids; M(r) 37782) determines the permeability of the outer membrane to low molecular mass compounds. Purified Hib porin was subjected to chemical modification of lysine residues by succinic anhydride. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry identified up to 12 modifications per porin molecule. Tryptic digestion of modified Hib porin followed by reverse phase chromatography and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry mapped the succinylation sites. Most modified lysines are positioned in surface-located loops, numbers 1 and 4 to 7. Succinylated porin was reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers, and biophysical properties were analyzed and compared to Hib porin: there was an increased average single channel conductance compared to Hib porin (1.24 +/- 0.41 vs. 0.85 +/- 0.40 nanosiemens). The voltage-gating activity of succinylated porin differed considerably from that of Hib porin. The threshold voltage for gating was decreased from 75 to 40 mV. At 80 mV, steady-state conductance for succinylated porin was 50-55% of the instantaneous conductance. Hib porin at 80 mV showed a decrease to 89-91% of the instantaneous current levels. We propose that surface-located lysine residues are determinants of voltage gating for porin of Haemophilus influenzae type b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the feasibility of an iPad-based documented patient briefing for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examinations. A standard briefing sheet and questionnaire for a MRI scan was converted from paper form into an iPad application. Twenty patients, who had been referred for an MRI scan, were briefed about the examination in paper form as well as via the iPad application before performing the MRI scan. Time each patient needed for the briefing and the number of questions that came up were documented. Patients' acceptance of the electronic briefing was assessed using a questionnaire. The mean processing time was 2.36 min (range 0.58 to 09.35 min., standard deviation ±2.05 min) for the paper-based briefing and 4.15 min (range 1.56 to 13.48 min, SD ± 2.36 min) for the app-based briefing. Concerning technical aspects, patients asked two questions during the app-based briefing; no questions arose during the paper-based briefing. Six patients preferred electronic briefing and four patients, the paper-based form. No patient preferred the electronic form with additional multimedial information. Eight participants did not mind which briefing version was used; two participants did not express their preference at all. Our experiences showed that electronic briefing using an iPad is feasible and has the potential to become a user-friendly alternative to the conventional paper-based approach. Owing to the broad range of the results, a follow-up study will seek to determine the influencing factors on processing time and other potential questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients suffering from headache are usually asked to use charts to allow monitoring of their disease. These diaries, providing they are regularly filled in, become crucial in the diagnosis and management of headache disorders because they provide further information on attack frequency and temporal pattern, drug intake, trigger factors, and short-/long-term responses to treatment. Electronic tools could facilitate diary monitoring and thus the management of headaches. Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a chronic and disabling condition that can be treated by withdrawing the overused drug(s) and adopting specific approaches that focus on the development of a close doctor-patient relationship in the post-withdrawal phase. Although the headache diary is, in this context, an essential tool for the constant, reliable monitoring of these patients to prevent relapses, very little is known about the applicability of electronic diaries in MOH patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of and patient compliance with an electronic headache diary (palm device) as compared with a traditional diary chart in a group of headache inpatients with MOH. A palm diary device, developed in accordance with the ICHD-II criteria, was given to 85 MOH inpatients during the detoxification phase. On the first day of hospitalization, the patients were instructed in the use of the diary and were then required to fill it in daily for the following 7 days. Data on the patients' opinions on the electronic diary and the instructions given, its screen and layout, as well as its convenience and ease of use, in comparison with the traditional paper version, were collected using a numerical rating scale. A total of 504 days with headache were recorded in both the electronic and the traditional headache diaries simultaneously. The level of patient compliance was good. The patients appreciated the electronic headache diary, deeming it easy to understand and to use (fill in); most of the patients rated the palm device handier than the traditional paper version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bcl-2 protein plays an essential role in preventing cell death. Its activity is regulated through association with bcl-2 homologous and nonhomologous proteins and also by serine phosphorylation. We now report that bcl-2 can be proteolytically cleaved towards its N-terminus by a cysteine proteinase present in RL-7 lymphoma cell lysates, yielding a major product of apparent MW 20 kDa, different from the products of bcl-2 cleavage by HIV protease. Moreover, bcl-2 proteins mutated for Asp residues at positions 31 and 34 were efficiently cleaved by RL-7 cell lysates, indicating that this proteolytic activity is distinct from the caspase-3 that cleaves bcl-2 at Asp 34. This bcl-2 cleaving activity is inhibited by E-64 and is therefore distinct from the proteinases of the ICE/Ced-3 family (caspases), whereas reciprocally, ICE (caspase-1) is unable to cleave bcl-2. It is optimally active at pH 5, a feature distinguishing it from calpain, another non-ICE cysteine proteinase which has been associated with apoptosis. This novel bcl-2 cleaving protease, although constitutively present in RL-7 cells and resting peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was upregulated following induction of apoptosis in RL-7 cells or mitogen activation in PBL. The N-terminus of bcl-2 which contains the BH4 domain that binds the kinase Raf-1 and the phosphatase calcineurin is essential for anti-apoptotic activity. Its cleavage might provide a novel post-translational mechanism for regulating bcl-2 function and could amplify ongoing programmed cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine possible changes in outcome from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and to compare severity of lung injury and methods of treatment from 1967 to 1994.Data Sources: Computerized (Medline, Current Contents) and manual (Cumulated Index Medicus) literature search using the key word and/or title ARDS.Study Selection: Only clinical studies published as full papers reporting data on both patient mortality (survival) and oxygenation index (PaO2/FIO2) were included. Single case reports, abstracts, reviews and editorials were excluded from evaluation.Data Extraction: Relevant data were extracted in duplicate, followed by quality checks on approximately 80% of data extracted.Data Synthesis: 101 papers reporting on 3264 patients were included: 48 studies (2207 patients) were performed in the USA, 43 studies (742 patients) in Europe and 10 studies (315 patients) elsewhere. Mortality reported in these studies was 53 +/- 22% (mean +/- SD), with no apparent trend towards a higher survival (1994: 22 studies, mortality 51 +/- 19%). The mean PaO2/FIO2 ratio remained unchanged throughout the observation period (118 +/- 47 mmHg). No correlation could be established between outcome and PaO2/FIO2 or lung injury score. Patients who underwent pressure-limited ventilation had a significantly lower mortality (35 +/- 20%) than patients on volume-cycled ventilation (54 +/- 22%) or patients for whom there was no precise information on ventilatory support (59 +/- 19%). Significantly lower PaO2/FIO2 ratios (61 +/- 17 mmHg) were observed in patients prior to extracorporeal lung assist, together with mortality rates in the range of those for conventionally treated patients (55 +/- 22%).Conclusions: The mortality of ARDS patients remained constant throughout the period studied. Therefore, the standard for outcome in ARDS should be a mortality in the 50% range. Neither PaO2/FIO2 ratio nor lung injury score was a reliable predictor for outcome in ARDS. Patients might benefit from pressure-limited ventilatory support, as well as extracorporeal lung assist. Since crucial data were missing in most clinical studies, thus preventing direct comparison, we emphasize the importance of using standardized definitions and study entry criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To implement distress screening in routine radiotherapy practice and to compare computerised and paper-and-pencil screening in terms of acceptability and utility.Methods: We used the Stress Index RadioOncology (SIRO) for screening. In phase 1, 177 patients answered both a computerised and a paper version, and in phase 2, 273 patients filled out either the computerised or the paper assessment. Physicians received immediate feedback of the psycho-oncological results. Patients, nurses/radiographers (n=27) and physicians (n=15) evaluated the screening procedure.Results: The agreement between the computerised and the paper assessment was high (intra-class correlation=0.92). Patients' satisfaction did not differ between the two administration modes. Nurses/radiographers rated the computerised assessment less time consuming (3.7 vs 18.5%), although the objective data did not reveal a difference in time demand. Physicians valued the psycho-oncological results as interesting and informative (46.7%). Patients and staff agreed that the distress screening did not lead to an increase in the discussion of psychosocial issues in clinician-patient encounters.Conclusion: The implementation of a distress screening was feasible and highly accepted, regardless of the administration mode. Communication trainings should be offered in order to increase the discussion of psychosocial topics in clinician-patient encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for developing effective telehealth tools for dysphagia management is high not only for people who live in rural areas, but also for individuals with mobility/access limitations. We aimed to develop an electronic case History Tool/form (thereafter, e-HiT) for dysphagia, and compare its effectiveness with its paper-based version (PBV) on completion time, completeness, independence, and patient perceptions/satisfaction. Secondarily, we examined associations between the aforementioned variables and predictor variables, such as age, cognition, and computer/internet use. Forty adults who expressed concerns with eating/swallowing participated. To compare both versions, a randomized, controlled two-period crossover design was used. In Visit 1, Group A completed the e-HiT and Group B completed the PBV. In Visit 2, Group A completed the PBV and Group B completed the e-HiT. A satisfaction survey was completed post visits. There were no statistically significant differences for completion time (p = 0.743), completeness (p = 0.486), and independence (p = 0.738). Patient perception/satisfaction was significantly higher with the e-HiT (p = 0.004). In addition, a significant association was found between completion time and age (p = 0.0063). Our results indicate that completing the e-HiT is as time efficient as completing the PBV and that both forms elicit the same amount of information with no or minimal support. Also, completion of the e-HiT yielded significantly higher satisfaction responses. This is the first study documenting the effectiveness of the e-HiT for outpatients with dysphagia, providing evidence that the first step of a swallowing assessment-case history completion-can be effectively completed via telehealth by individuals with reliable internet connection and basic computer literacy skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In a randomised controlled trial, patients were offered financial incentives to improve their adherence to anti-psychotic maintenance medication. Compared to a control group without the incentives, they had an improved adherence and also better subjective quality of life (SQOL) after 1 year. This paper explores the question as to whether this improvement in SQOL was associated with the amount of money received or with the improved adherence itself.Method: A secondary analysis was performed using data of the experimental group in the trial. Adherence was assessed as the percentage of all prescribed long-acting anti-psychotic injections that were taken by the patient. In regression models, we tested whether changes in medication adherence and/or the amount of incentives received over the 12-month period was associated with SQOL, as rated on the DIALOG scale.Results: Adherence changed from 68.49 % at baseline to 88.23 % (mean difference in adherence = 19.59 %, SD = 17.52 %). The total amount of incentives received within the 1-year study period varied between £75 and £735, depending on the treatment cycle and the number of long-acting injections taken. Improvement in adherence was found to be a significant predictor of better subjective quality of life (β = 0.014, 95 % CI 0.003-0.025, p = 0.014), whilst the amount of incentives received was not (β = 0.0002, 95 % CI -0.002 to 0.002, p = 0.818).Conclusion: Improved medication adherence is associated with a more favourable SQOL. This underlines the clinical relevance of improved adherence in response to financial incentives in this patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of globalization and informationization, stadiums city refers to a class of cities that are of great significance to regional sports. This paper studies the evaluation of urban public sports services in stadiums city under the fuzzy theory. In this paper, the fuzzy evaluation procedure and index of public sports service in stadiums are firstly selected and determined according to the weight ratio. Secondly, FNN algorithm for improving hidden nodes is introduced to solve the model based on the idea of neural network. Finally, we come to the conclusion that its public sports service quality is medium level, after taking Shenyang as an example and judging the quality of urban public sports services by using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The housing unit method of population estimation is often characterized as being imprecise and having an upward bias. In an earlier paper we argued that the method itself cannot be properly characterized by a particular level of precision or direction of bias. Only specific techniques of applying the method can have such characteristics. In that paper we presented several new techniques for estimating the number of households and average number of persons per household (PPH). However, the testing of these new techniques was limited by the lack of census results against which the estimates could be compared. Complete census data on population, households, and PPH are now available and can be used to test alternate estimation techniques. In this paper we replicate the tests reported in our earlier paper using 1980 census data for Florida's 67 counties. These tests provide further evidence that the new techniques produce more precise, less biased estimates than previously used techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although previous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with major depressive disorder (MDD), these analyses are prone to biases. Here, we applied the Mendelian Randomization approach to determine whether SUA is causally associated with MDD.Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between SUA and MDD, then applied summary data from the Global Urate Genetics Consortium and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium to estimate their causal effect using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis. Thereafter, the causal effect was further researched using genetic risk scores (GRS) as instrumental variables (IVs).Results: Results of a meta-analysis of articles comprising 6975 and 13,589 MDD patients and controls, respectively, revealed that SUA was associated with MDD (SMD = -0.690, 95% CI: -0.930 to -0.440, I2 = 97.4%, P < 0.001). In addition, the five MR methods revealed no causal relationship existed between SUA and MDD, which corroborated the results obtained via the GRS approach.Conclusion: This paper found little evidence that this association between SUA and MDD is casual. Genetically, there was no significant causal association between SUA and MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International collaborative training programs for graduate students are widespread, but studies on their educational impact are limited. As an advanced cancer institute in China, Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CHCAMS) attaches great importance to international exchanges and cooperation within graduate education. The Department of Epidemiology of CHCAMS has been involved in several existing international training programs and has also launched a short-term training program in cooperation with foreign universities and institutes from 2008. Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars and Fellows (FICRS-F) Program and the Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowship Program are the most typical examples of our practice in international cooperation on graduate education over these years. Our department has gained substantial experience in graduate-level international collaborative training, focused on cancer epidemiology. This paper is a brief introduction to the practice of different programs in our department and students' achievements during and after training. Moreover, we attempt to serve as a reference and help promote the training of graduate students pursuing careers in cancer research or global health by other universities or research institutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the various descriptions and interpretations of professional autonomy, as have been given in the articles from Belgium, Italy and the UK are subjected to a further analysis. The implicit claim that professional autonomy of physicians is beneficial for the health of patients is scrutinized and is proven to be untrue and invalid. The conclusion is that professional autonomy is more directed at the interests of physicians than of those of patients and deserves no special place in health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families have always cared for relatives with dementia, but scientific advances in diagnosis, management, and treatment will make caring more challenging as more people are diagnosed in early stages and more live longer in severe stages with better health care. This paper discusses the increasing prevalence, the economic value and cost of caregiving, the impact of caregiving in families with and without dementia, the subjective experience of dementia and quality of life, the ethical challenges of clinician-family partnerships, the complexity of family systems and processes that impact care patterns, homicide-suicide in caregiving, long-term care staff training, and theoretic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is defined as the neuropathic pain that arises either acutely or in the chronic phase of a cerebrovascular event and is a result of central lesions of the somatosensory tract. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to establish the prevalence of CPSP, to describe its characteristics, and to discuss the associated management challenges.Methods: After a systematic Medline search, we identified 69 papers eligible to be included.Results: The pooled prevalence of CPSP in patients with stroke at any location was 11% (95% CI 7-18%), which can increase to more than 50% in the subgroups of patients with medullary or thalamic strokes. CPSP onset coincides with stroke occurrence in 26% of patients (95% CI 18-35%); CPSP manifests within a month since symptom onset in 31% of patients (95% CI 22-42%), and occurs between the first month and the first year in 41% of patients (95% CI 33.9-49.0%). CPSP develops more than 12 months after stroke onset in 5% of patients (95% CI 3-8%).Conclusions: Clinicians should look for any evidence of central neuropathic pain for at least 12 months after stroke. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions can be used for the management of CPSP. Lamotrigine has the strongest evidence (Level II of evidence, derived from small randomized controlled trials) for being effective in the management of CPSP. Future research should focus on well-designed trials of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aiming to relief CPSP, which is a very common but often neglected pain syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread application of the Hyperledger Fabric platform and the timeliness requirement of transactions on the platform necessitate the effective performance evaluation of transaction processing. The existing evaluation researches on Hyperledger Fabric ignored transaction endorsement failure (due to transaction endorsing duration timeout) and/or ignored block timeout. This paper considers these two timeout constraints and develops a hierarchical model for Hyperledger Fabric v1.4 transaction process from the time when transactions are submitted by clients until the completion of validating/committing transactions as a block. Formulas for calculating performance measures, including platform throughput, transaction rejection probability and mean transaction response delay, are derived. Extensive numerical analysis and simulations are carried out to verify the approximate accuracy of the model and formulas. Moreover, numerical analysis is applied to illustrate the impact of various parameters on performance measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In order to close the gap between discoveries that could improve health, and widespread impact on routine health care practice, there is a need for greater attention to the factors that influence dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices. Evidence synthesis projects (e.g., systematic reviews) could contribute to this effort by collecting and synthesizing data relevant to dissemination and implementation. Such an advance would facilitate the spread of high-value, effective, and sustainable interventions.Objective: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of extracting factors related to implementation during evidence synthesis in order to enhance the replicability of successes of studies of interventions in health care settings.Design: Drawing on the implementation science literature, we suggest 10 established implementation measures that should be considered when conducting evidence synthesis projects. We describe opportunities to assess these constructs in current literature and illustrate these methods through an example of a systematic review.Subjects: Twenty-nine studies of interventions aimed at improving clinician-patient communication in clinical settings.Key Results: We identified acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, implementation cost, intervention complexity, penetration, reach, and sustainability as factors that are feasible and appropriate to extract during an evidence synthesis project.Conclusions: To fully understand the potential value of a health care innovation, it is important to consider not only its effectiveness, but also the process, demands, and resource requirements involved in downstream implementation. While there is variation in the degree to which intervention studies currently report implementation factors, there is a growing demand for this information. Abstracting information about these factors may enhance the value of systematic reviews and other evidence synthesis efforts, improving the dissemination and adoption of interventions that are effective, feasible, and sustainable across different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is only one of several organisations internationally that uses economic evaluation as part of decision making regarding funding and pricing of new medical technologies. However, it can be argued that NICE has developed a more prominent international profile than most in their use of economics. After 20 years of operation, it is timely to assess the extent of NICE's achievements, including the economic evaluation methods it has used and its willingness to adapt these as new evaluative approaches emerge and when NICE faces particular policy challenges. This paper considers some of the important policy and contextual developments in the UK over the last 20 years and how these may have shaped NICE's approach to economic evaluation. It then assesses key areas of NICE methods, including perspective, defining benefits, modelling and uncertainty. The paper concludes that NICE has provided important support for the development of new methods, in particular through its role in identifying priorities for methods research funding and its sponsorship of the NICE Decision Support Unit. However, potentially important developments in methods in a number of important areas have yet to be formally included in NICE's methods guidance and this should be addressed in the Institute's 2019/2020 methods review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on experiences collected in the course of an evaluation of a German cluster policy programme, the Leading-Edge Cluster Competition (LECC, evaluation 2008–2014), this paper scrutinizes central problems that arise in the evaluation of the impacts of large-scale innovation policy programmes. We find that our relatively modest knowledge with regard to the actual effects and impact patterns of comparable programmes is not necessarily due to methodological weaknesses of the evaluation studies, but rather to inherent structural programme characteristics. The present state-of-the-art evaluation methodology does not sufficiently allow us to take into consideration these characteristics. Challenges in the evaluation of technology programs relate closely to different facets of complexity. Our analysis shows that three aspects of programme effects deserve more attention in evaluation research: Emergence and non-linearity, uncertainty, and time patterns of the observed effects. Using the example of the LECC, our paper demonstrates how evaluators' work is affected by these phenomena. The results lead to the question of whether there are methodological alternatives that are suitable for future evaluations of complex innovation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of regional water system evaluation, this paper proposes a system efficiency evaluation method based on the game cross-efficiency model and conducts an empirical analysis. First, autopoiesis is introduced as the theoretical basis. The characteristics of the authigenic system are combined with a regional water system, and the connotation and characteristics of the regional water system are defined. Second, based on the competitive relationship between regional water systems, the existing game crossover efficiency model is improved. A crossover efficiency model of other games is proposed to evaluate the efficiency of regional water systems. Then, the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration is selected as the research object. The effects of four systematic evaluation methods based on the DEA method are compared horizontally to find the optimal system efficiency evaluation method. Finally, the characteristics of the regional water system in the Pearl River Delta are systematically analysed through the evaluation results, and the present situation of the regional water system is fully explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a specific approach in the field of evaluating the effects of publicly supported R&D activities: the BETA approach. Initially developed for application to large technology procurement/agency driven public R&D programmes, it has been adapted to a larger range of programmes supporting science and technology. The BETA approach consists of identifying and retrospectively measuring, at the micro-level via direct interviews, the impact of different types of learning processes triggered by participation in R&D. A further adaptation to the specific case of research infrastructures was conducted in the frame of the EvaRIO project. It also dealt with learning processes from an ex post and micro-level perspective, but covered a wider variety of activities and actors over time, leading to a broader view of effects. Based on 30 years of impact evaluation experience, we argue that the revised BETA approach, despite its focus on the economic dimension of impacts, is at the intersection between different strands of evaluation research. The dual nature of the BETA approach is examined along several dimensions including an output versus process perspective, project versus organization scope, qualitative versus quantitative investigation, contribution versus attribution issues, private profitability versus public value perspective, etc. We show that the BETA-EvaRIO method can be used to complement other evaluation methodologies and can be considered as bridging among them, or can be seen as a single, specific approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) plus digital mammography (DM) in screening is problematic due to increased radiation by the double exposure. Synthesised two-dimensional mammography (s2D) calculated from DBT datasets at no additional dose appears a sensible alternative compared to adding DM. This systematic review and meta-analysis focuses on screening performance outcomes in women screened with DBT plus s2D compared to DM alone.Methods: PubMed was searched from January 1, 2010, to September 2, 2020. Studies comparing DBT plus s2D to DM alone in breast cancer screening were included. Pooled risk ratios (RR) were estimated for cancer detection rates (CDR), recall rates, interval cancer rates (ICR), biopsy rates, and positive predictive values for recalls (PPV-1), for biopsies recommended (PPV-2), and for biopsies performed (PPV-3). Sensitivity analyses were performed using the leave-one-out approach. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2 tool.Results: Twelve papers covering 414,281 women were included from 766 records identified. CDR is increased ([RR, 95% CI] 1.35, 1.20-1.52), recall rates are decreased (0.79, 0.64-0.98), and PPV-1 is increased (1.69, 1.45-1.96) when using DBT plus s2D compared to DM alone. ICR and biopsy rates did not differ, but PPV-2 respectively PPV-3 increased with DBT plus s2D (1.57, 1.08-2.28 respectively 1.36, 1.17-1.58). Overall RoB of studies was assessed to be low.Conclusion: Results show improved diagnostic outcomes with DBT plus s2D compared to DM alone and underline the value of DBT in combination with s2D in breast cancer screening.Key Points: • DBT plus s2D is associated with higher CDR, lower recall rates, and a higher PPV-1 compared to DM alone in breast cancer screening. • No differences in biopsy rates were found between screening modalities, but PPV-2 and PPV-3 were higher in women screened with DBT plus s2D compared to DM alone. • We identified inconsistent results of ICR in two studies comparing DBT plus s2D to DM alone-resulting in no differences when pooling ICR in meta-analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, implanted medical devices are increasingly used for many patients and in case of diverse health problems. However, several runtime problems and errors are reported by the relevant organizations, even resulting in patient death. One of those devices is the pacemaker. The pacemaker is a device helping the patient to regulate the heartbeat by connecting to the cardiac vessels. This device is directed by its software, so any failure in this software causes a serious malfunction. Therefore, this study aims to a better way to monitor the device's software behavior to decrease the failure risk. Accordingly, we supervise the runtime function and status of the software. The software verification means examining limitations and needs of the system users by the system running software. In this paper, a method to verify the pacemaker software, based on the fuzzy function of the device, is presented. So, the function limitations of the device are identified and presented as fuzzy rules and then the device is verified based on the hierarchical Fuzzy Colored Petri-net (FCPN), which is formed considering the software limits. Regarding the experiences of using: 1) Fuzzy Petri-nets (FPN) to verify insulin pumps, 2) Colored Petri-nets (CPN) to verify the pacemaker and 3) To verify the pacemaker by a software agent with Petri-network based knowledge, which we gained during the previous studies, the runtime behavior of the pacemaker software is examined by HFCPN, in this paper. This is considered a developing step compared to the earlier work. HFCPN in this paper, compared to the FPN and CPN used in our previous studies reduces the complexity. By presenting the Petri-net (PN) in a hierarchical form, the verification runtime, decreased as 90.61% compared to the verification runtime in the earlier work. Since we need an inference engine in the runtime verification, we used the HFCPN to enhance the performance of the inference engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the boundary detection of atrium and ventricle in echocardiographic images. In case of mitral regurgitation, atrium and ventricle may get dilated. To examine this, doctors draw the boundary manually. Here the aim of this paper is to evolve the automatic boundary detection for carrying out segmentation of echocardiography images. Active contour method is selected for this purpose. There is an enhancement of Chan-Vese paper on active contours without edges. Our algorithm is based on Chan-Vese paper active contours without edges, but it is much faster than Chan-Vese model. Here we have developed a method by which it is possible to detect much faster the echocardiographic boundaries. The method is based on the region information of an image. The region-based force provides a global segmentation with variational flow robust to noise. Implementation is based on level set theory so it easy to deal with topological changes. In this paper, Newton-Raphson method is used which makes possible the fast boundary detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer is a commonly performed and well-established practice of ∼50 years standing. However, there have been no controlled studies, randomised or otherwise. We sought to investigate the evidence base that has been used in establishing its status as a standard of care.Methods: Among 51 papers used in a recent systematic review and quantitative synthesis, a citation network analysis was performed. A total of 344 publications (the 51 index papers and a further 293 cited in them) constitute the citation network.Results: The pattern of citation is that of a citation cascade. Specific analyses show the frequent use of historical or landmark papers, which add authority. Papers expressing an opposing viewpoint are rarely cited.Conclusions: The citation network for this common and well-established practice provides an example of selective citation. This pattern of citation tends to escalate belief in a clinical practice even when it lacks a high-quality evidence base and may create an impression of more authority than is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For approximately 50 years, hepatic clearance of indocyanine green (ICG) has been used to assess liver function. Steady-state infusion of ICG with simultaneous measurement of arterial and hepatic venous ICG concentrations provides unambiguous measures of the extraction ratio for ICG and the hepatic blood flow rate, but also requires cannulation of a hepatic vein. Transient clearance following injection of a single bolus of ICG, which typically involves only measurement of arterial ICG concentration, is a more commonly used procedure. Since drawing blood from a hepatic vein is often impossible, and, in any event can be difficult, there has been considerable interest in the claim by Grainger et al. (Clin Sci 64:207-212, 1983) that a single-bolus, two-compartment model "enabled the hepatic extraction ratio (ER(ss)) of dye to be determined solely from the plasma disappearance curve". The principal purpose of this paper is to show that the claim by Grainger et al. is not valid because it ignores the fact that a finite fraction of ICG entering the liver passes directly into hepatic veins without being sequestered in the liver. A valid relationship between ER(ss) and parameters determined from single-bolus clearance data is derived in this paper. For individuals with normally functioning livers, the single-bolus method of Grainger et al. yields an extraction ratio approximately 20% too large, but in cirrhotic patients with extensive intrahepatic shunting, the extraction ratio evaluated using the single-bolus method of Grainger et al. may be too large by a factor of two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) holds promise for preventing prescription errors in the ambulatory setting, research on its effectiveness is inconclusive.Objective: To assess the impact of a stand-alone e-prescribing system on the rates and types of ambulatory prescribing errors.Design, Participants: Prospective, non-randomized study using pre-post design of 15 providers who adopted e-prescribing with concurrent controls of 15 paper-based providers from September 2005 through June 2007.Intervention: Use of a commercial, stand-alone e-prescribing system with clinical decision support including dosing recommendations and checks for drug-allergy interactions, drug-drug interactions, and duplicate therapies.Main Measures: Prescribing errors were identified by a standardized prescription and chart review.Key Results: We analyzed 3684 paper-based prescriptions at baseline and 3848 paper-based and electronic prescriptions at one year of follow-up. For e-prescribing adopters, error rates decreased nearly sevenfold, from 42.5 per 100 prescriptions (95% confidence interval (CI), 36.7-49.3) at baseline to 6.6 per 100 prescriptions (95% CI, 5.1-8.3) one year after adoption (p < 0.001). For non-adopters, error rates remained high at 37.3 per 100 prescriptions (95% CI, 27.6-50.2) at baseline and 38.4 per 100 prescriptions (95% CI, 27.4-53.9) at one year (p = 0.54). At one year, the error rate for e-prescribing adopters was significantly lower than for non-adopters (p < 0.001). Illegibility errors were very high at baseline and were completely eliminated by e-prescribing (87.6 per 100 prescriptions at baseline for e-prescribing adopters, 0 at one year).Conclusions: Prescribing errors may occur much more frequently in community-based practices than previously reported. Our preliminary findings suggest that stand-alone e-prescribing with clinical decision support may significantly improve ambulatory medication safety.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Taconic Health Information Network and Community (THINC), NCT00225563, http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00225563?term=Kaushal&rank=6 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Age, sex, and type of fracture have traditionally been described as prognostic factors for proximal humeral fractures (PHFs). Some non-medical patient-related factors may play a role in the outcome. This paper evaluates the association of comorbidities and socioeconomic factors with clinical outcomes for PHF.Methods: A total of 217 patients with PHF were evaluated according to Neer's classification with X-ray. Comorbidities were assessed through the Charlson comorbidity index and, non-medical patient-related factors were determined with a 52-item questionnaire concerning personal behaviors such as social activities, family support, economic solvency, and leisure-time activities. The clinical outcome was assessed with the Constant-Murley Score (CMS), with a minimum 1-year follow-up. The minimal clinically relevant difference for the CMS was set at 10 points. A multivariable analysis was performed to adjust for comorbidities and non-medical patient-related factors, such as age, sex, fracture classification, and treatment.Results: One hundred and eighty-three patients completed the initial research protocol, while 126 of them completed the 1-year follow-up. The mean age was 71.6 years (SD ± 13.3), and 79.3% of the patients were women. In the bivariable analysis, age and comorbidities were correlated with the CMS (correlation coefficient: - 0.34 [- 0.49, 0.17] and 0.35 [0.18, 0.50], respectively), as well as non-medical patient-related factors and the fracture pattern (p value ANOVA < 0.001). In the multivariable regression model, the effects of considering oneself socially active, without economic problems, and self-sufficient were associated with a higher CMS than the effect of the fracture pattern (beta coefficient: 11.69 [6.09-17.30], 15.54 [8.32-22.75], and 10.61 [3.34-17.88], respectively).Conclusion: Socioeconomic status had a higher impact on functional outcomes than fracture pattern in patients with PHF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to rapid developments in machine learning, and in particular neural networks, a number of new methods for time-to-event predictions have been developed in the last few years. As neural networks are parametric models, it is more straightforward to integrate parametric survival models in the neural network framework than the popular semi-parametric Cox model. In particular, discrete-time survival models, which are fully parametric, are interesting candidates to extend with neural networks. The likelihood for discrete-time survival data may be parameterized by the probability mass function (PMF) or by the discrete hazard rate, and both of these formulations have been used to develop neural network-based methods for time-to-event predictions. In this paper, we review and compare these approaches. More importantly, we show how the discrete-time methods may be adopted as approximations for continuous-time data. To this end, we introduce two discretization schemes, corresponding to equidistant times or equidistant marginal survival probabilities, and two ways of interpolating the discrete-time predictions, corresponding to piecewise constant density functions or piecewise constant hazard rates. Through simulations and study of real-world data, the methods based on the hazard rate parametrization are found to perform slightly better than the methods that use the PMF parametrization. Inspired by these investigations, we also propose a continuous-time method by assuming that the continuous-time hazard rate is piecewise constant. The method, named PC-Hazard, is found to be highly competitive with the aforementioned methods in addition to other methods for survival prediction found in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The operative image for minimal access surgery currently is displayed on a monitor located outside the sterile field. It is ergonomically advantageous to locate the image adjacent to the surgeon's hands by projection onto a sterile screen, but there has been no research into the optimal screen material.Methods: Several screen materials were compared for image resolution, brightness, variation of brightness with viewing angle, and image artifact.Results: Glossy materials perform poorly, whereas finely grained surfaces improve image clarity. Excessive roughness and incomplete opacity limit the image resolution. Conventional screen fabrics are unsuitable in this application. Ambient lighting and projector brightness affect image contrast, but a correct choice of material can address this. Practical issues such as moisture absorbency and ease of sterilization are considered.Conclusions: Potential screen materials were rejected because of excessive glare, poor resolution, and image artifact. Finely textured surfaces (e.g., polystyrene sheeting) provide an acceptable screen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper responds to the call for more research to fully understand out of pocket (OOP) costs for cancer patients by providing a detailed discussion of such costs for adult haematology patients from Queensland, Australia.Methods: The descriptive qualitative research was based on in-depth interviews with 45 (n = 45) haematology patients from regional, rural and remote areas.Results: The discussion itemises the OOP costs under four categories including the costs associated with travel and accommodation, the costs associated with family and friends during relocation, the costs associated with diagnosis and treatment, and the costs of parking.Conclusions: The paper provides evidence of the categories of financial burden experienced by haematology patients who have to relocate for specialist treatment by detailing the extensive range of OOP costs. The expectation is that the itemisation of OOP cost variables will contribute to future efforts of quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: An Internet-based tool for reporting and analysing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) has been developed. The tool enables merging PROs with blood test results and allows for computation of treatment responses. Data may be visualized by graphical analysis and may be exported for downstream statistical processing. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) were willing and able to use the tool and fill out questionnaires regularly.Methods: Participants were recruited from the outpatient clinic at the Department of Haematology, Roskilde University Hospital, Denmark. Validated questionnaires that were used were European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30, Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form, Brief Fatigue Inventory and Short Form 36 Health Survey. Questionnaires were filled out ≥ 6 months online or on paper according to participant preference. Regularity of questionnaire submission was investigated, and participant acceptance was evaluated by focus-group interviews.Results: Of 135 invited patients, 118 (87 %) accepted participation. One hundred and seven participants (91 %) preferred to use the Internet-based tool. Of the 118 enrolled participants, 104 (88 %) submitted PROs regularly ≥ 6 months. The focus-group interviews revealed that the Internet-based tool was well accepted.Conclusion: The Internet-based approach and regular collection of PROs are well accepted with a high participation rate, persistency and adherence in a population of MPN patients. The plasticity of the platform allows for adaptation to patients with other medical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]