Rezensionen

Rezension zu: 1) Bender Walter/Zech, Rainer (Hrsg.): ... denn sie wissen, was sie tun! Auf dem Weg zur selbstreflexiven Organisation. Fallstudien zur Qualitätsentwicklung. Schriftenreihe für kritische Sozialforschung und Bildungsarbeit, Bd. 12. Hannover: Espressum Verl. 2007. ISBN 978-3-89069-014-8. 2) Göhlich, Michael; Wulf, Christoph; Zirfas, Jörg (Hrsg.): Pädagogische Theorien des Lernens. Weinheim: Beltz 2007. ISBN 978-3-407-32072-8. 3) Göhlich, Michael; König, Eckard; Schwarzer, Christine (Hrsg.): Beratung, Macht und organisationales Lernen. Wiesbaden: VS Verl. f. Sozialwiss. 2007. ISBN 978-3-531-15360-5. 4) Heimbach-Steins, Marianne; Kruip, Gerhard; Kunze, Axel Bernd: Das Menschenrecht auf Bildung und seine Umsetzung in Deutschland. Diagnose – Reflexionen – Perspektiven. Bielefeld: W. Bertelsmann 2007. ISBN 978-3-7639-3542-0. 5) Pallasch, Waldemar; Hameyer, Uwe: Lerncoaching - theoretische Grundlage und Praxisbeispiele zu einer didaktischen Herausforderung. Weinheim: Juventa 2008. ISBN 978-3-7799-2136-3. 6) Tippelt, Rudolf; Reich, Jutta; Hippel, Aiga v.; Barz, Heiner; Baum, Dajana: Weiterbildung und soziale Milieus in Deutschland. Bd. 3, Milieumarketing implementieren. Bielefeld: W. Bertelsmann 2008. ISBN 978-3-7639-1943-7. 7) Tödt, Katia: Lernerorientierte Qualitätstestierung für Bildungsveranstaltungen (LQB). Bielefeld: W. Bertelsmann 2008. ISBN 978-3-7639-3625-0. 8) Walber, Markus: Selbststeuerung im Lernprozess und Erkenntniskonstruktion: eine empirische Studie in der Weiterbildung. Münster: Waxmann 2007. ISBN 978-3-8309-1888-2. 9) Weil, Markus: Weiterbildungskooperation in KMU: eine Perspektive für berufs- und wirtschaftspädagogische Konzepte. Bern: h.e.p. Verl. 2006. ISBN 3-03905-234-9

Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Galaxies Science Roadmap

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will enable revolutionary studies of galaxies, dark matter, and black holes over cosmic time. The LSST Galaxies Science Collaboration has identified a host of preparatory research tasks required to leverage fully the LSST dataset for extragalactic science beyond the study of dark energy. This Galaxies Science Roadmap provides a brief introduction to critical extragalactic science to be conducted ahead of LSST operations, and a detailed list of preparatory science tasks including the motivation, activities, and deliverables associated with each. The Galaxies Science Roadmap will serve as a guiding document for researchers interested in conducting extragalactic science in anticipation of the forthcoming LSST era

Experiences of family-witnessed cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospital and its impact on life: An interview study with cardiac arrest survivors and their family members

AimTo explore experiences of cardiac arrest in-hospital and the impact on life for the patient who suffered the arrest and the family member who witnessed the resuscitation. BackgroundGuidelines advocate that the family should be offered the option to be present during resuscitation, but little is known about family-witnessed cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospital and the impact on the patient and their family. DesignA qualitative design consisting of joint in-depth interviews with patients and family members. MethodsFamily interviews were conducted with seven patients and their eight corresponding family members (aged 19-85 years) 4-10 months after a family-witnessed in-hospital cardiac arrest. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The study followed the guidelines outlined in the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. ResultsThe participants felt insignificant and abandoned following the in-hospital cardiac arrest. Surviving patients and their close family members felt excluded, alone and abandoned throughout the care process; relationships, emotions and daily life were affected and gave rise to existential distress. Three themes and eight subordinate themes were identified: (1) the intrusion of death-powerless in the face of the fragility of life, highlights what it is like to suffer a cardiac arrest and to cope with an immediate threat to life; (2) being totally exposed-feeling vulnerable in the care relationship, describes how a lack of care from healthcare staff damaged trust; (3) learning to live again-making sense of an existential threat, pertaining to the familys reactions to a difficult event that impacts relationships but also leads to a greater appreciation of life and a positive view of the future. ConclusionSurviving and witnessing a cardiac arrest in-hospital is a critical event for everyone involved. Patients and family members are vulnerable in this situation and need to be seen and heard, both in the hospital and after hospital discharge. Consequently, healthcare staff need to show compassion and attend to the needs of the family, which involves continually assessing how family members are coping during the process, and providing support and information during and after resuscitation. Relevance to clinical practiceIt is important to provide support to family members who witness the resuscitation of a loved one in-hospital. Structured follow-up care is crucial for cardiac arrest survivors and their families. To promote person-centred care, nurses need interprofessional training on how to support family members during resuscitation, and follow-up care focusing on providing resources for multiple challenges faced by survivors (emotional, cognitive, physical) and families (emotional) is needed. Patient or public contributionIn-hospital cardiac arrest patients and family members were involved when designing the study.Funding Agencies|Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden [FORSS-931834]; ALF Grants Region Ostergotland [RO-899881, RO-938284]</p

Family presence during in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: effects of an educational online intervention on self-confidence and attitudes of healthcare professionals

Aims Guidelines support family-witnessed resuscitation (FWR) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospital if deemed to be safe, yet barriers amongst healthcare professionals (HCPs) still exist. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational online video intervention on nurses' and physicians' attitudes towards in-hospital FWR and their self-confidence in managing such situations.Methods and results A pre- and post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted October 2022 to March 2023 at six Swedish hospitals involving the departments of emergency care, medicine, and surgery. The 10 min educational video intervention was based on previous research covering the prevalence and outcome of FWR, attitudes of HCP, patient and family experiences, and practical and ethical guidelines about FWR.In total, 193 accepted participation, whereof 91 answered the post-test survey (47.2%) with complete data available for 78 and 61 participants for self-confidence and attitudes, respectively. The self-confidence total mean scores increased from 3.83 to 4.02 (P &amp;lt; 0.001) as did the total mean scores for attitudes towards FWR (3.38 to 3.62, P &amp;lt; 0.001). The majority (71.0%) had positive views of FWR at baseline and had experiences of in-hospital FWR (58.0%). Self-confidence was highest amongst participants for the delivery of chest compressions (91.2%), defibrillation (88.6%), and drug administration (83.3%) during FWR. Self-confidence was lowest (58.1%) for encouraging and attending to the family during resuscitation.Conclusion This study suggests that a short online educational video can be an effective way to improve HCP's self-confidence and attitudes towards the inclusion of family members during resuscitation and can support HCP in making informed decisions about FWR.Funding Agencies|Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden (FORSS); ALF Grants Region Ostergotland; Lions forskningsfond</p

ReProGlo: a new stem cell based reporter assay aimed to predict embryotoxic potential of drugs and chemicals

A stem cell-based reporter assay was developed to detect drug-induced alterations in the canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, which is involved in the regulation of early embryonic development. The so-called ReProGlo assay allows simultaneous determination of cell viability and luciferase reporter activity in a high throughput 96-well microtiter format. A clone of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells stably expressing the SuperTopFlash reporter was established. This allows Wnt pathway activity determinations in undifferentiated mES cells and their differentiated descendants. Several test chemicals were analyzed in the new assay system. Known embryotoxicants like retinoic acid or lithium chloride induced concentration-dependent increases in reporter activity. The potency of yalproic acid and a series of structural analogs to activate the Wnt pathway correlated well with their reported teratogenic activity in the mouse. Cyclophosphamide was also active but only after metabolic activation by hepatocytes. The new test may help to predict embryotoxic potential of chemicals.JRC.I.2-Validation of Alternative Method

An oral health optimized diet reduces the load of potential cariogenic and periodontal bacterial species in the supragingival oral plaque: A randomized controlled pilot study

This study aimed to investigate the effects of an oral health optimized diet on the composition of the supragingival oral plaque in a randomized controlled trial. Participants of the standard diet group (n = 5) had a diet high in processed carbohydrates and did not change their dietary behavior during the observation. The healthy diet group (n = 9) had to change the diet after 2 weeks from a diet high in processed carbohydrates to a diet low in carbohydrates, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, rich in vitamins C and D, antioxidants and fiber for 4 weeks. Saliva and supragingival plaque samples were taken at the end of week two and eight of the observation period to investigate the composition of microbiota in saliva and supragingival plaque. Data were subjected to an exploratory analysis to identify significant differences. Statistically significant differences were only found in the healthy diet group between the baseline (week 2) and the final sample (week 8) for specific species in plaque and saliva samples. A reduction of the total counts of Streptococcus mitis group, Granulicatella adiacens, Actinomyces spp., and Fusobacterium spp. was found in plaque samples of the healthy diet group. In saliva samples of the healthy diet group, the total counts of Actinomyces spp. and Capnocytophaga spp. decreased. A diet low in carbohydrates, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, rich in vitamins C and D, and rich in fiber reduced Streptococcus mitis group, Granulicatella adiacens, Actinomyces spp., and Fusobacterium spp. in the supragingival plaque

Neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life in adult medulloblastoma patients: long-term outcomes of the NOA-07 study

BACKGROUND Combined radiochemotherapy followed by maintenance chemotherapy with cisplatin, lomustine and vincristine within the NOA-07 study resulted in considerable short-term toxicity in adult medulloblastoma patients. Here we investigated the long-term impact of this treatment, focusing on neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS Neurocognitive functioning and HRQoL scores over time were determined, and differences between the post-treatment and follow-up assessments were calculated up to 18 months for neurocognition and 60 months for HRQoL. RESULTS 28/30 patients were analyzed. The three preselected HRQoL scales (role, social and cognitive functioning) showed improved scores, to a clinically relevant extent (≥ 10 points), compared to post-treatment levels up to 30 months, but decreased afterwards. Z-scores for verbal working memory were worse during follow-up compared to post-treatment scores and remained impaired during 18 months follow-up (i.e. z-score below - 1 standard deviation). Attention was impaired post-treatment, and remained impaired to a clinically relevant extent during follow-up. Coordination/processing speed and lexical verbal fluency improved compared to post-treatment scores, and remained within the normal range thereafter. Other tests of verbal fluency were stable over time, with z-scores within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS This long-term follow-up study showed that the NOA-07 treatment regimen was not associated with a deterioration in HRQoL in the post-treatment period. Verbal working memory deteriorated, while other neurocognitive domains did not seem to be impacted negatively by the treatment

Report of the EPAA-ECVAM Workshop on Validation of Integrated Testing Strategies (ITS)

The use of Integrated Testing Strategies (ITS) enables the combination of diverse types of chemical and toxicological data for hazard identification and characterisation. In November 2008, the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA), together with ECVAM, held a workshop on ‘Overcoming Barriers to Validation of Non-animal Partial Replacement Methods / Integrated Testing Strategies’ in Ispra, Italy to discuss to what extent current ECVAM approaches to validation can be used to evaluate partial-replacement in vitro test methods (i.e. as potential ITS components) and ITS themselves. The main conclusion of these discussions was that formal validation was only considered necessary for regulatory purposes (e.g. replacement of a test guideline) and that current ECVAM approaches to validation should be adapted to accommodate such test methods (Kinsner-Ovaskainen et al, 2009a). With these conclusions in mind, a follow-up EPAA-ECVAM workshop was held in October 2009 to discuss to what extent existing validation principles are applicable to validation of ITS test methods and to develop a draft approach for validation of such test methods and/or overall ITS for regulatory purposes. This report summarises the workshop discussions which started with a review of current validation methodologies and the presentation of two case studies (skin sensitisation and acute toxicity) before covering the definition of ITS components and ITS themselves, their validation and their regulatory acceptance. The following conclusions/recommendations were made: 1) the validation of a partial replacement test method (for application as part of a testing strategy) should be differentiated from the validation of an in vitro test method for application as a stand-alone replacement, especially with regard to its predictive capacity. In the former case, the predictive capacity of the whole testing strategy (rather than of the individual test methods) would be more important, in particular if the individual test methods have a high biological relevance; 2) an ITS allowing for flexible and ad hoc approaches cannot be validated, whereas the validation of a clearly defined ITS would be feasible, although practically quite difficult; 3) test method developers should be encouraged to develop and submit to ECVAM not only full replacement test methods, but also partial replacement methods to be placed in a testing strategy. The added value of formal validation of testing strategies and the requirements needed in view of regulatory acceptance of the data requires further informed discussion within the EPAA forum on the basis of case studies provided by industry.JRC.I.4-Nanobioscience