41 research outputs found
SDOP-DB: a comparative standardized-protocol database for mouse phenotypic analyses
Summary: This article reports the development of SDOP-DB, which can provide definite, detailed and easy comparison of experimental protocols used in mouse phenotypic analyses among institutes or laboratories. Because SDOP-DB is fully compliant with international standards, it can act as a practical foundation for international sharing and integration of mouse phenotypic information
Effectiveness of scapula-focused approaches in patients with rotator cuff related shoulder pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCSP) is common with a range of conservative treatments currently offered. Evidence supporting superiority of one approach over another is lacking. Scapula focused approaches (SFA) are frequently prescribed and warrant investigation. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of SFA in RCSP. Design: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Methods: An electronic search including MEDLINE, PEDro, ENFISPO to January 2016 was supplemented by hand searching. Randomised controlled trials were included; appraised using the PEDro scale and synthesised via meta-analysis or narratively, where appropriate. Results: Four studies (n = 190) reported on pain and three studies (n = 122) reported on disability. Regarding pain, there was statistical but not clinically significant benefit of SFA versus generalised approaches (mean difference (VAS) 0.714; 95% CI 0.402-1.026) in the short term (<6 weeks); regarding disability, there was significant benefit of SFA versus generalised approaches (mean difference 14.0; 95% CI 11.2-16.8) in the short term (<6 weeks). One study (n = 22) reported disability at 3 months, which was not statistically significant. Evidence is conflicting from four studies relating to the effect of SFA on scapula position/movement. Conclusion: SFA for RCSP confers benefit over generalised approaches up to six weeks but this benefit is not apparent by 3 months. Early changes in pain are not clinically significant. With regards to scapula position/movement, the evidence is conflicting. These preliminary conclusions should be treated with significant caution due to limitations of the evidence base
Explaining variation in Down's syndrome screening uptake: comparing the Netherlands with England and Denmark using documentary analysis and expert stakeholder interviews.
Background: The offer of prenatal Downâs syndrome screening is part of routine antenatal care in most of Europe; however screening uptake varies significantly across countries. Although a decision to accept or reject screening is a personal choice, it is unlikely that the widely differing uptake rates across countries can be explained by variation in individual values alone. The aim of this study was to compare Downâs syndrome screening policies and programmes in the Netherlands, where uptake is relatively low ( 90% respectively), in an attempt to explain the observed variation in national uptake rates. Methods: We used a mixed methods approach with an embedded design: a) documentary analysis and b) expert stakeholder analysis. National central statistical offices and legal documents were studied first to gain insight in demographic characteristics, cultural background, organization and structure of healthcare followed by documentary analysis of primary and secondary sources on relevant documents on DSS policies and programme. To enhance interpretation of these findings we performed in-depth interviews with relevant expert stakeholders. Results: There were many similarities in the demographics, healthcare systems, government abortion legislation and Downâs syndrome screening policy across the studied countries. However, the additional cost for Downâs syndrome screening over and above standard antenatal care in the Netherlands and an emphasis on the âright not to knowâ about screening in this country were identified as potential explanations for the âlowâ uptake rates of Downâs syndrome screening in the Netherlands. The social context and positive framing of the offer at the service delivery level may play a role in the relatively high uptake rates in Denmark. Conclusions: This paper makes an important contribution to understanding how macro-level demographic, social and healthcare delivery factors may have an impact on national uptake rates for Downâs syndrome screening. It has suggested a number of policy level and system characteristics that may go some way to explaining the relatively low uptake rates of Downâs syndrome screening in the Netherlands when compared to England and Denmark
Comparative Deterrence from Private Enforcement and Criminal Enforcement of the U.S. Antitrust Laws
Computational study of the afterglow in single and sequential pulsing of an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Therapy for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death after Myocardial Infarction:
Outcomes after adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of high-risk urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT-UC)
BACKGROUND: Urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT-UC) was
a rare, aggressive urologic cancer with a propensity for multifocality,
local recurrence, and metastasis. High-risk patients had poor outcomes.
Because of the rarity of these tumors, randomized clinical trials and
data regarding adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced tumors are
currently unavailable. Our objective was to assess the effect of
adjuvant chemotherapy and the impact of potential prognostic factors on
survival in high-risk, postsurgical UUT-UC patients. METHODS: Using a
multi-institutional, international retrospective database, identified
were 627 patients with high risk UUT-UCs (pT3N0, pT4N0 and/or N+ and/or
M+) who underwent surgical removal. Only patients who received adjuvant
chemotherapy were included. RESULTS: Overall, 140 patients (22.6%) with
a median age of 67 years were included. The median follow-up was 22.5
months. The 5-year, overall survival for the entire cohort was 43%, the
5-year recurrence-free survival was 54%, and metastasis-free survival
was 53% at 5 years. Positive surgical margins were an independent
prognostic factor for recurrence (P=.06), cancer-specific mortality
(P=.05), and overall mortality (P=.02) of any cause. Adjuvant
chemotherapy was not linked with overall or cancer-specific survival in
patients with high risk disease (adjuvant chemotherapy [n = 140] vs no
treatment [n = 487]) (P>.5). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant postoperative
chemotherapy did not offer any significant benefit to overall survival
in our population. Additional data were necessary, and studies enrolling
patients at high risk in clinical trials investigating neoadjuvant
chemotherapy in conjunction with chemotherapy should have been highly
encouraged. Cancer 2011; 117: 5500-8. (C) 2011 American Cancer Society