Scientific data curation in information science: national scenario survey

Introduction: For contemporary science, data sharing is a key element for its progress and collaboration among scientific communities. In the context of open science and e-science, information science investigates solutions to the challenges of treating and using information. The current lack of knowledge of the importance of digital curation activities of scientific data and the degree of adherence to this new scenario, cause difficulties for the information professional to adapt in this context and contribute solutions to the challenges of digital curation. It aims to investigate the importance that the digital curation activities of scientific data have for the area of Information Science in Brazil, in face of the international trend of scientific knowledge management. Methods: The research follows a quantitative approach, it is applied in nature and exploratory and descriptive. It uses procedures of a survey with Survey, to obtain information from the Digital Curator through the opinion of Brazilian researchers in the area of Information Science. Results: The information analyzed reveals that the field of Brazilian Information Science is seeking to adapt in this scenario. Conclusions: The data allow us to affirm that there is not a sufficiently assimilated awareness by the researchers of Information Science regarding the need for more conscious and committed involvement in Digital Curation activities. New research is indicated to deepen this discussion.Para a ciência contemporânea, o compartilhamento de dados constitui elemento primordial para seu progresso e colaboração entre comunidades científicas. No contexto da ciência aberta e e-science, a ciência da informação investiga soluções para os desafios do tratamento e uso da informação. O desconhecimento atual da importância das atividades de curadoria digital dos dados científicos e do grau de adesão com esse novo cenário, causam dificuldades para o profissional da informação se adequar nesse contexto e contribuir com soluções para os desafios de curadoria digital. O objetivo da pesquisa é investigar a importância que as atividades de Curadoria digital de dados científicos têm para a área da Ciência da Informação no Brasil, frente à tendência internacional do gerenciamento do conhecimento científico.  A pesquisa segue abordagem quantitativa, é de natureza aplicada e do tipo exploratória e descritiva. Utilizou-se de procedimentos de uma pesquisa com Survey, para obter informações da Curadoria Digital por meio da opinião dos pesquisadores brasileiros da área da Ciência da Informação. As informações analisadas revelam que o campo da Ciência da Informação brasileira está buscando se adaptar nesse cenário. Os dados permitem afirmar, que ainda não há uma conscientização suficientemente assimilada pelos pesquisadores da Ciência da Informação em relação à necessidade de envolvimento mais consciente e comprometido nas atividades de Curadoria Digital. Novas pesquisas são indicadas para aprofundar esta discussão

Implementing evidence based policy in a network-setting. Dutch Road Safety Policy in a shift from a Home to an Away Match

Abstract In order to improve road safety in the Netherlands, in 1992 the Institute for Road Safety Research (SWOV) developed the evidence-based ‘Sustainable Safety’ concept. Dutch road safety policy, based on this concept, was quite successful and seen as a best practice in Europe. Recently the p

Structural characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins by NMR spectroscopy.

Recent advances in NMR methodology and techniques allow the structural investigation of biomolecules of increasing size with atomic resolution. NMR spectroscopy is especially well-suited for the study of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) which are in general highly flexible and do not have a well-defined secondary or tertiary structure under functional conditions. In the last decade, the important role of IDPs in many essential cellular processes has become more evident as the lack of a stable tertiary structure of many protagonists in signal transduction, transcription regulation and cell-cycle regulation has been discovered. The growing demand for structural data of IDPs required the development and adaption of methods such as 13C-direct detected experiments, paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) or residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) for the study of 'unstructured' molecules in vitro and in-cell. The information obtained by NMR can be processed with novel computational tools to generate conformational ensembles that visualize the conformations IDPs sample under functional conditions. Here, we address NMR experiments and strategies that enable the generation of detailed structural models of IDPs

Hidden bedside rationing in the Netherlands:a cross-sectional survey among physicians in internal medicine

Background: Healthcare rationing can be defined as withholding beneficial care for cost reasons. One form in particular, hidden bedside rationing, is problematic because it may result in conflicting loyalties for physicians, unfair inequality among patients and illegitimate distribution of resources. Our aim is to establish whether bedside rationing occurs in the Netherlands, whether it qualifies as hidden and what physician characteristics are associated with its practice. Methods: Cross-sectional online questionnaire on knowledge of -, experience with -, and opinion on rationing among physicians in internal medicine within the Dutch healthcare system. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to explore relations between hidden bedside rationing and physician characteristics. Results: The survey was distributed among 1139 physicians across 11 hospitals with a response rate of 18% (n = 203). Most participants (n = 129; 64%) had experience prescribing a cheaper course of treatment while a more effective but more expensive alternative was available, suggesting bedside rationing. Subsequently, 32 (24%) participants never disclosed this decision to their patient, qualifying it as hidden. The majority of participants (n = 153; 75%) rarely discussed treatment cost. Employment at an academic hospital was independently associated with more bedside rationing (OR = 17 95%CI 6.1–48). Furthermore, residents were more likely to disclose rationing to their patients than internists (OR = 3.2, 95%CI 2.1–4.7), while salaried physicians were less likely to do so than physicians in private practice (OR = 0.5, 95%CI 0.4–0.8). Conclusion: Hidden bedside rationing occurs in the Netherlands: patient choice is on occasion limited with costs as rationale and this is not always disclosed. To what extent distribution of healthcare should include bedside rationing in the Netherlands, or any other country, remains up for debate.</p

Practical use, effects and complications of prehospital treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema using the Boussignac CPAP system

Background: Early use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to be beneficial within the setting of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE). The Boussignac CPAP system (BCPAP) was therefore introduced into the protocols of emergency medical services (EMS) in a large urban region. This study evaluates the implementation, practical use and complications of this prehospital treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study. The study was carried out in a period shortly after the implementation of the BCPAP system on all EMS ambulances in the The Hague region. According to protocol, diagnosis of ACPE in the prehospital setting was left to the discretion of the EMS paramedics and the facial mask was applied immediately after the diagnosis had been made. Patients were selected through hospital registration and diagnostic criteria for ACPE. Only those patients showing evident clinical signs of ACPE were included. Patient characteristics, physiologic variables, clinical outcomes and complications were collected from EMS transport reports and hospital records. Results: Between 1 June 2008 and 30 April 2009 a total of 180 patients were admitted for ACPE. Of these, 76 (42%) had evident clinical signs of ACPE upon presentation and were included. Three patients were transferred and in 14 cases data were missing. Out of the remaining 59 patients, 16 (27%) received BCPAP. In 43 (73%) cases the mask was not applied. For 7 out of 43 cases that were eligible for BCPAP treatment but did not receive the facial mask, an explanation was found in the EMS transport record. No complications were recorded pertaining to using the BCPAP system. Conclusions: A significant portion of patients with clinical signs of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema in the prehospital setting is not treated according to protocol using BCPAP. Based on the small group of patients that actually received BCPAP treatment, the facial mask seems feasible and effective for the treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema in the prehospital setting

Midwives’ perceptions of the performance- and transition into practice of newly qualified midwives, a focus group study

Problem: Newly qualified midwives in the Netherlands perceive the adaptation to new responsibilities as difficult due to the autonomous nature of- and required accountability for the work they face in practice. Background: All Dutch newly qualified midwives are accountable for their work from the moment of registration while usually working solistically. Aim: This paper explores the perceptions of experienced midwives regarding: (1) the performance- and transition into practice of newly qualified midwives, and (2) their supporting role in this transition. Methods: The design of this study is qualitative with focus groups. Experienced midwives’ perceptions were explored by means of seven semi-structured focus groups (N = 46 participants) with two meetings for each focus group. Findings: Community-based and hospital-based midwives perceived newly qualified midwives as colleagues who did not oversee all their tasks and responsibilities. They perceived newly qualified midwives as less committed to the practice organisation. Support in community-based practices was informally organised with a lack of orientation. In the hospital-based setting, midwives offered an introduction period in a practical setting, which was formally organised with tasks and responsibilities. Experienced midwives recognised the need to support newly qualified midwives; however, in practice, they faced barriers. Discussion: The differences in experienced midwives’ expectations of newly qualified midwives and reality seemed to depend on the newly qualified midwives’ temporary working contracts and -context, rather than the generational differences that experienced midwives mentioned. Dutch midwives prioritised their work with pregnant individuals and the organisation of their practice above supporting newly qualified midwives

Medical adjunctive therapy for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia:a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: To systematically review the literature on medical adjunctive therapy for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for studies published between January 1, 2009, and June 1, 2019. Articles that studied medical treatment of CLTI patients and reported clinical outcomes were eligible. Main exclusion criteria were case reports <20 patients, incorrect publication type, and CLTI caused by Buerger disease. The primary end point was major amputation (above the ankle) in studies with a follow-up of ≥6 months. Secondary end points were other clinical end points such as death and wound healing. Study quality was assessed according to the Downs and Black checklist. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Included were 42 articles; 4 focused on antiplatelet therapy, 5 on antihypertensive medication, 6 on lipid-lowering therapy, 16 on stem cell therapy, 3 on growth factors, 5 on prostanoids, and 1 study each on cilostazol, glucose-lowering therapy, spinal cord stimulation, sulodexide, and hemodilution. Calcium channel blockers, iloprost, cilostazol, and hemodilution showed significant improvement of limb salvage, but data are limited. Stem cell therapy showed no significant improvement of limb salvage but could potentially improve wound healing. Antiplatelets, antihypertensives, and statins showed significantly lower cardiovascular events rates but not evident lower major amputation rates. The quality of the studies was fair to good. CONCLUSIONS: Certain medical therapies serve to improve limb salvage next to revascularization in CLTI patients, whereas others are important in secondary prevention. Because high quality evidence is limited, further research is needed

Sphingolipids of the mycopathogen Sporothrix schenckii: identification of a glycosylinositol phosphorylceramide with novel core GlcNH(2)alpha 1 -> 2Ins motif

Acidic glycosphingolipid components were extracted from the yeast form of the dimorphic mycopathogen Sporothrix schenckii. Two minor and the major fraction from the yeast form (Ss-Y1, -Y2, and -Y6. respectively) have been isolated. By a combination of 1- and 2-D H-1-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Ss-Y6 was determined to be triglycosylinositol phosphorylceramide with a novel glycan structure, Man alpha1 --> 3Man alpha1 --> 6GlcNH(2)alpha1 --> 2Ins1-P-1Cer (where Ins = myo-inositol, P = phosphodiester), While the GlcNH(2)alpha1 --> 6Ins1-P-motif is found widely distributed in eukaryotic GPI anchors, the linkage GlcNH(2)alpha1 --> 2Insl-P- has not been previously observed in any glycolipid, Ss-Y1 and Ss-Y2 were both found to have the known glycan structure Man alpha1 --> 3Man alpha1 --> 2Ins1-P-1Cer, Together with the results of a prior study [Toledo et al, (2001) Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun, 280, 19-24] which showed that the mycelium form expresses GIPCs with the structures Man alpha1 --> 6Ins1-P-1Cer and Man alpha1 --> 3Man alpha1 --> 6Ins1-P-1Cer, these results demonstrate that S, schenckii can synthesize glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides with at least three different core Linkages, (C) 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societies, Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.Univ Georgia, Dept Biochem & Mol Biol, Athens, GA 30602 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biochem, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Georgia, Complex Carbohydrate Res Ctr, Athens, GA 30602 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Biochem, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Common genetic variants associated with disease from genome-wide association studies are mutually exclusive in prostate cancer and rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: To investigate if potential common pathways exist for the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease and prostate cancer (PrCa). To ascertain if the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reported by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as being associated with susceptibility to PrCa are also associated with susceptibility to the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Materials and Methods: The original Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) UK RA GWAS study was expanded to include a total of 3221 cases and 5272 controls. In all, 37 germline autosomal SNPs at genome-wide significance associated with PrCa risk were identified from a UK/Australian PrCa GWAS. Allele frequencies were compared for these 37 SNPs between RA cases and controls using a chi-squared trend test and corrected for multiple testing (Bonferroni). Results: In all, 33 SNPs were able to be analysed in the RA dataset. Proxies could not be located for the SNPs in 3q26, 5p15 and for two SNPs in 17q12. After applying a Bonferroni correction for the number of SNPs tested, the SNP mapping to CCHCR1 (rs130067) retained statistically significant evidence for association (P = 6 × 10–4; odds ratio [OR] = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06–1.24); this has also been associated with psoriasis. However, further analyses showed that the association of this allele was due to confounding by RA-associated HLA-DRB1 alleles. Conclusions: There is currently no evidence that SNPs associated with PrCa at genome-wide significance are associated with the development of RA. Studies like this are important in determining if common genetic risk profiles might predispose individuals to many diseases, which could have implications for public health in terms of screening and chemoprevention