41 research outputs found

    Unified treatment algorithm for the management of crotaline snakebite in the United States: results of an evidence-informed consensus workshop

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Envenomation by crotaline snakes (rattlesnake, cottonmouth, copperhead) is a complex, potentially lethal condition affecting thousands of people in the United States each year. Treatment of crotaline envenomation is not standardized, and significant variation in practice exists.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A geographically diverse panel of experts was convened for the purpose of deriving an evidence-informed unified treatment algorithm. Research staff analyzed the extant medical literature and performed targeted analyses of existing databases to inform specific clinical decisions. A trained external facilitator used modified Delphi and structured consensus methodology to achieve consensus on the final treatment algorithm.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A unified treatment algorithm was produced and endorsed by all nine expert panel members. This algorithm provides guidance about clinical and laboratory observations, indications for and dosing of antivenom, adjunctive therapies, post-stabilization care, and management of complications from envenomation and therapy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Clinical manifestations and ideal treatment of crotaline snakebite differ greatly, and can result in severe complications. Using a modified Delphi method, we provide evidence-informed treatment guidelines in an attempt to reduce variation in care and possibly improve clinical outcomes.</p

    Proceedings of the 3rd Biennial Conference of the Society for Implementation Research Collaboration (SIRC) 2015: advancing efficient methodologies through community partnerships and team science

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    It is well documented that the majority of adults, children and families in need of evidence-based behavioral health interventionsi do not receive them [1, 2] and that few robust empirically supported methods for implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) exist. The Society for Implementation Research Collaboration (SIRC) represents a burgeoning effort to advance the innovation and rigor of implementation research and is uniquely focused on bringing together researchers and stakeholders committed to evaluating the implementation of complex evidence-based behavioral health interventions. Through its diverse activities and membership, SIRC aims to foster the promise of implementation research to better serve the behavioral health needs of the population by identifying rigorous, relevant, and efficient strategies that successfully transfer scientific evidence to clinical knowledge for use in real world settings [3]. SIRC began as a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded conference series in 2010 (previously titled the “Seattle Implementation Research Conference”; $150,000 USD for 3 conferences in 2011, 2013, and 2015) with the recognition that there were multiple researchers and stakeholdersi working in parallel on innovative implementation science projects in behavioral health, but that formal channels for communicating and collaborating with one another were relatively unavailable. There was a significant need for a forum within which implementation researchers and stakeholders could learn from one another, refine approaches to science and practice, and develop an implementation research agenda using common measures, methods, and research principles to improve both the frequency and quality with which behavioral health treatment implementation is evaluated. SIRC’s membership growth is a testament to this identified need with more than 1000 members from 2011 to the present.ii SIRC’s primary objectives are to: (1) foster communication and collaboration across diverse groups, including implementation researchers, intermediariesi, as well as community stakeholders (SIRC uses the term “EBP champions” for these groups) – and to do so across multiple career levels (e.g., students, early career faculty, established investigators); and (2) enhance and disseminate rigorous measures and methodologies for implementing EBPs and evaluating EBP implementation efforts. These objectives are well aligned with Glasgow and colleagues’ [4] five core tenets deemed critical for advancing implementation science: collaboration, efficiency and speed, rigor and relevance, improved capacity, and cumulative knowledge. SIRC advances these objectives and tenets through in-person conferences, which bring together multidisciplinary implementation researchers and those implementing evidence-based behavioral health interventions in the community to share their work and create professional connections and collaborations

    Prognostic Significance of the Proliferation Index in Surgically-Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

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    Objective: To determine the utility of measuring the tumor proliferation index as a prognostic marker in patients with non—small-cell lung cancer. Design: Immunostaining for the proliferationassociated antigen Ki-67, quantitated using computerassisted image cytometry, was used to derive the tumor proliferation index for 61 fresh-frozen, banked specimens of non—small-cell lung cancer. DNA ploidy was measured concomitantly for all specimens. A median follow-up of 38 months was achieved for survival analyses. Setting: A large southeastern United States private referral institution and affiliated hospital provided the study environment. Participants: A consecutive, convenience sample of 61 patients was enrolled based on resected tissue preservation and viability over a five-year accruement. Main Outcome Measures: Significant associations between DNA content, proliferation index, established clinicopathological parameters, and outcome were examined. Results: A significant inverse association between patient survival and tumor proliferation index was found that was independent of other established clinicopathological predictors of outcome. Patients whose tumors harbored a proliferation index of less than 3.5 survived significantly longer than patients with tumors demonstrating higher values. No association between DNA content and proliferation index was uncovered. Conclusion: Measurement of the proliferation index, as derived from quantitative Ki-67 immunostaining and analyzed by image cytometry, may provide significant complementary, if not independent, prognostic information for patients with non—small-cell lung cancer

    Prognostic Significance of the Proliferation Index in Surgically-Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

    No full text
    Objective: To determine the utility of measuring the tumor proliferation index as a prognostic marker in patients with non—small-cell lung cancer. Design: Immunostaining for the proliferationassociated antigen Ki-67, quantitated using computerassisted image cytometry, was used to derive the tumor proliferation index for 61 fresh-frozen, banked specimens of non—small-cell lung cancer. DNA ploidy was measured concomitantly for all specimens. A median follow-up of 38 months was achieved for survival analyses. Setting: A large southeastern United States private referral institution and affiliated hospital provided the study environment. Participants: A consecutive, convenience sample of 61 patients was enrolled based on resected tissue preservation and viability over a five-year accruement. Main Outcome Measures: Significant associations between DNA content, proliferation index, established clinicopathological parameters, and outcome were examined. Results: A significant inverse association between patient survival and tumor proliferation index was found that was independent of other established clinicopathological predictors of outcome. Patients whose tumors harbored a proliferation index of less than 3.5 survived significantly longer than patients with tumors demonstrating higher values. No association between DNA content and proliferation index was uncovered. Conclusion: Measurement of the proliferation index, as derived from quantitative Ki-67 immunostaining and analyzed by image cytometry, may provide significant complementary, if not independent, prognostic information for patients with non—small-cell lung cancer

    Overexpression and Mutation of p53 in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

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    We examined p53 expression in 107 epithelial ovarian cancers with immunohistochemical techniques using monoclonal antibody PAb1801. High level expression of nuclear p53 protein was detected in the malignant epithelium in 54 (50%) of these cancers. Expression of p53 protein was undetectable in 13 benign gynecological tissues. p53 mRNA from three cancers that overexpressed the protein were sequenced and point mutations which altered the coding sequence of the highly conserved region of the gene were found in each case. Three cancers with undetectable protein levels also were sequenced and were found to be wild-type through the same region of the gene. As in other cancers, overexpression of the p53 protein in ovarian cancer appears to correlate closely with the presence of mutation in the p53 gene. p53 overexpression did not correlate with stage, histological grade, or the ability to perform optimal cytoreductive surgery. A significant correlation (P = 0.04) was observed between p53 overexpression and aneuploidy in advanced stage (III/IV) disease. There was no significant relationship between overall survival and p53 expression. Since mutation and overexpression of p53 are common in epithelial ovarian cancers, further studies are warranted to clarify the role of p53 in ovarian tumorigenesis
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