Ethical Issues of Recruitment and Enrollment of Critically Ill and Injured Patients for Research

The ethical issues of recruitment and enrollment of critically ill and injured patients into research studies is central to the conduct of nursing research in critical care settings. Nurse scientists can anticipate and plan for the challenges that arise during the recruitment and enrollment of these vulnerable patients into research studies

A concept analysis of analgesic nonadherence for cancer pain in a time of opioid crisis

Background Pain is one of the most common symptoms identified along the cancer trajectory. Among patients with moderate to severe cancer pain, nonadherence to prescribed analgesics may complicate treatment plans and exacerbate pain severity. Nonadherent behaviors are likely due to a number of individual/family, provider, and system level factors and may lead to negative pain-related outcomes. Purpose The purpose of this concept analysis is to clarify the concept of analgesic nonadherence for cancer pain and qualify its utility in the context of the opioid crisis. Method Walker and Avant's (2019) method for concept analysis was used. We integrated empirical evidence, relevant literature, and sociopolitical considerations related to the opioid crisis to provide critical and timely analysis. Data were collected from a search of PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus. The search yielded 418 individual records. Empirical articles using quantitative and qualitative methodologies pertaining to analgesic nonadherence for cancer pain in adult outpatient settings, written in English, with an abstract, and published between 2010 and 2018 were considered. Other relevant literature sources were used if additional criteria were met. A total of 33 records were selected for detailed review. Findings Few studies link analgesic nonadherence to patient outcomes highlighting a significant literature gap. Given the available evidence, a definition for analgesic nonadherence is proposed for future use in research, education, practice, and policy settings. Discussion The paucity of empirical data combined with the implications of the opioid crisis and conflicting pain management guidelines create uncertainty about the utility of analgesic nonadherence. The concept of analgesic nonadherence warrants further normative and empirical research to clarify the role of opioids and the meaning of nonadherence in shaping pain-related outcomes within the current sociopolitical environment

Density functional calculations of nanoscale conductance

Density functional calculations for the electronic conductance of single molecules are now common. We examine the methodology from a rigorous point of view, discussing where it can be expected to work, and where it should fail. When molecules are weakly coupled to leads, local and gradient-corrected approximations fail, as the Kohn-Sham levels are misaligned. In the weak bias regime, XC corrections to the current are missed by the standard methodology. For finite bias, a new methodology for performing calculations can be rigorously derived using an extension of time-dependent current density functional theory from the Schroedinger equation to a Master equation.Comment: topical review, 28 pages, updated version with some revision

High-resolution CT phenotypes in pulmonary sarcoidosis: a multinational Delphi consensus study

One view of sarcoidosis is that the term covers many different diseases. However, no classification framework exists for the future exploration of pathogenetic pathways, genetic or trigger predilections, patterns of lung function impairment, or treatment separations, or for the development of diagnostic algorithms or relevant outcome measures. We aimed to establish agreement on high-resolution CT (HRCT) phenotypic separations in sarcoidosis to anchor future CT research through a multinational two-round Delphi consensus process. Delphi participants included members of the Fleischner Society and the World Association of Sarcoidosis and other Granulomatous Disorders, as well as members' nominees. 146 individuals (98 chest physicians, 48 thoracic radiologists) from 28 countries took part, 144 of whom completed both Delphi rounds. After rating of 35 Delphi statements on a five-point Likert scale, consensus was achieved for 22 (63%) statements. There was 97% agreement on the existence of distinct HRCT phenotypes, with seven HRCT phenotypes that were categorised by participants as non-fibrotic or likely to be fibrotic. The international consensus reached in this Delphi exercise justifies the formulation of a CT classification as a basis for the possible definition of separate diseases. Further refinement of phenotypes with rapidly achievable CT studies is now needed to underpin the development of a formal classification of sarcoidosis

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder