E-Portfolio Effectiveness in Seeking IT Jobs

The fact that graduate students usually have no experience and similar backgrounds might cause job vacancy placement and applicant evaluation to be complicated and stressful tasks for employers. This research project focuses on the role of e-portfolios in facilitating the hiring process and assisting job seekers in finding IT jobs. By using e- portfolios, employers would be able to assess IT applicants during the evaluation process more efficiently than using conventional CVs. A hybrid method was used to assess the e-portfolio effectiveness involving HR/IT interviewees after the experimentation of using simulated e-portfolios. Accordingly, Interviewees previewed the results of compression between a CV and an e-portfolio conducted in a focus group experimentation to get their feedback. The findings of this research indicate a high probability of acceptance to use the e-portfolio for seeking jobs and evaluation purposes by both employers and job seekers

Coupled plasma filtration and adsorption in septic shock: a multicentric experience

Introduction Recently extracorporeal removal of mediators and endotoxins improved haemodynamics, organ dysfunction and mortality in patients with abdominal sepsis [1]. Coupled plasma filtration and adsorption (CPFA), too, may improve haemodynamics, respiratory function and mortality through removal of proinfl ammatory mediator. The aim of this multicentric study is to evaluate the haemodynamic response and the respiratory function, and to evaluate the reduction of infl ammatory markers during CPFA.Methods Fifty-fi ve septic patients were enrolled in this study. Every patient had four CPFA treatments (LINDA; Bellco-Mirandola, Italy) for 8 hours with Qb = 200 ml/minute, Qultrafi ltration = 30 ml/kg/hour and Qplasma = 20% of Q b. At T0 (basal), T1 (after fi rst cycle), T2 (after second cycle), T3 (after third cycle)and T4 (after fourth cycle) we evaluated haemodynamic parameters, norepinephrine dosage, PaO2/FiO 2 ratio, plasma IL-6, and procalcitonin (PCT). The ANOVA test was used to compare changes during times study. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Patients enrolled in the study have been submitted to 256 CPFA treatments for 2,650 hours. Table 1 presents the main results of the study. IV quartile of IL-6 is shown in Table 1Conclusions In this large multicentric study, CPFA may improve haemodynamic status and respiratory function. Plasma fi ltration and adsorption of proinfl ammatory mediators may explain this improvement. Larger randomized controlled trials are indicated to confi rm these data. Reference 1.Cruz D, et al.: JAMA 2009, 23:2445-2452

CD40L is selectively expressed on platelets from thrombocytopenic septic patients

Introduction It has been recently hypothesized that septic microangio- pathy is caused or at least promoted by the interaction between endo- thelial surface receptor CD40 and its ligand CD40L, expressed by activated platelets. This interaction produces procoagulative changes in endothelial cells, endothelial apoptosis, subendothelial matrix exposition and microthrombi formation. Since virtually all septic patients show a certain degree of coagulation abnormalities, we hypothesized that low platelet count is associated with a diff erent degree of CD40L expression and that this could correlate with the severity of disease. Methods To determine the infl uence of sepsis on levels of platelet-derived CD40L expression, we performed a prospective observational study in a polyvalent university hospital ICU. Eighteen consecutively septic patients were enrolled in the study, independently of the platelet count and the severity of disease (SOFA score). Flow cytometry of fresh blood from septic patients (n = 18) and age-matched controls (n = 8) was performed for membrane-bound CD40L and CD62P on circulating platelets. Results Flow cytometry demonstrated low levels of CD62P in controls while the levels in patients were high. CD40L+ platelets were selectively found from patients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count ≤60,000/mm3). Furthermore a direct correlation between CD40L expression and the SOFA score was found in patients with sepsis and thrombocytopenia compared to patients with sepsis without thrombocytopenia. Conclusions These results suggest that CD40L expression on platelets is somehow related to the degree of thrombocytopenia and possibly can be a marker of the severity of sepsis. Although the role of endothelial- derived CD40/platelet-derived CD40L interaction is not fully understood during sepsis, the expression of CD40L on platelets could be related to the severity of organ disease due to the possible bursting of endothelial damage through this pathway. Further investigation is needed to determine whether platelets CD40L contributes to endothelial and subsequent organ damage, its role in thrombocytopenia and its correlation with the outcome of sepsis. The microvascular injury seems to be a central event in sepsis, so understanding the mechanisms underlying its development is crucial for the individuation of new and specifi c therapeutic strategies

Renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury: controversy and consensus

Renal replacement therapies (RRTs) represent a cornerstone in the management of severe acute kidney injury. This area of intensive care and nephrology has undergone significant improvement and evolution in recent years. Continuous RRTs have been a major focus of new technological and treatment strategies. RRT is being used increasingly in the intensive care unit, not only for renal indications but also for other organ-supportive strategies. Several aspects related to RRT are now well established, but others remain controversial. In this review, we review the available RRT modalities, covering technical and clinical aspects. We discuss several controversial issues, provide some practical recommendations, and where possible suggest a research agenda for the future

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]