Building new twenty-first century medical school libraries from the ground up: challenges, experiences, and lessons learned

The twenty-first century library at a newly opened medical school often differs from those at traditional medical schools. One obvious difference is that the new medical school library tends to be a born-digital library, meaning that the library collection is almost exclusively digital. However, the unique issues related to building a library at a new medical school are not limited to online collections. A unique start-up culture is prevalent, of which newly appointed directors and other library and medical school leaders need to be aware. This special paper provides an overview of best practices experienced in building new medical school libraries from the ground up. The focus is on the key areas faced in a start-up environment, such as budgeting for online collections, space planning, staffing, medical informatics instruction, and library-specific accreditation issues for both allopathic and osteopathic institutions

Very Low Tidal Volume Ventilation with Associated Hypercapnia - Effects on Lung Injury in a Model for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Ventilation using low tidal volumes with permission of hypercapnia is recommended to protect the lung in acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the most lung protective tidal volume in association with hypercapnia is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different tidal volumes with associated hypercapnia on lung injury and gas exchange in a model for acute respiratory distress syndrome. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this randomized controlled experiment sixty-four surfactant-depleted rabbits were exposed to 6 hours of mechanical ventilation with the following targets: Group 1: tidal volume = 8-10 ml/kg/PaCO(2) = 40 mm Hg; Group 2: tidal volume = 4-5 ml/kg/PaCO(2) = 80 mm Hg; Group 3: tidal volume = 3-4 ml/kg/PaCO(2) = 120 mm Hg; Group 4: tidal volume = 2-3 ml/kg/PaCO(2) = 160 mm Hg. Decreased wet-dry weight ratios of the lungs, lower histological lung injury scores and higher PaO(2) were found in all low tidal volume/hypercapnia groups (group 2, 3, 4) as compared to the group with conventional tidal volume/normocapnia (group 1). The reduction of the tidal volume below 4-5 ml/kg did not enhance lung protection. However, oxygenation and lung protection were maintained at extremely low tidal volumes in association with very severe hypercapnia and no adverse hemodynamic effects were observed with this strategy. CONCLUSION: Ventilation with low tidal volumes and associated hypercapnia was lung protective. A tidal volume below 4-5 ml/kg/PaCO(2) 80 mm Hg with concomitant more severe hypercapnic acidosis did not increase lung protection in this surfactant deficiency model. However, even at extremely low tidal volumes in association with severe hypercapnia lung protection and oxygenation were maintained

Protective role of vitamin B6 (PLP) against DNA damage in Drosophila models of type 2 diabetes

Growing evidence shows that improper intake of vitamin B6 increases cancer risk and several studies indicate that diabetic patients have a higher risk of developing tumors. We previously demonstrated that in Drosophila the deficiency of Pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, causes chromosome aberrations (CABs), one of cancer prerequisites, and increases hemolymph glucose content. Starting from these data we asked if it was possible to provide a link between the aforementioned studies. Thus, we tested the effect of low PLP levels on DNA integrity in diabetic cells. To this aim we generated two Drosophila models of type 2 diabetes, the first by impairing insulin signaling and the second by rearing flies in high sugar diet. We showed that glucose treatment induced CABs in diabetic individuals but not in controls. More interestingly, PLP deficiency caused high frequencies of CABs in both diabetic models demonstrating that hyperglycemia, combined to reduced PLP level, impairs DNA integrity. PLP-depleted diabetic cells accumulated Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) that largely contribute to CABs as α-lipoic acid, an AGE inhibitor, rescued not only AGEs but also CABs. These data, extrapolated to humans, indicate that low PLP levels, impacting on DNA integrity, may be considered one of the possible links between diabetes and cancer

Präklinisches Management bei Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand – extrakorporale kardiopulmonale Reanimation

Hintergrund Die Überlebenschancen nach präklinischem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand sind weiterhin sehr gering. Trotz intensiver Bemühungen bleibt das Outcome seit vielen Jahren weitestgehend konstant. Neue Technologien wie die extrakorporale kardiopulmonale Reanimation (eCPR) können in bestimmten Situationen möglicherweise das Überleben mit gutem neurologischen Outcome signifikant verbessern. Fragestellung Beeinflusst die sofortige Reperfusion und Reoxygenierung des Körpers mittels eCPR das Überleben nach Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand? Bedarf es einer Erweiterung der „chain of survival“ um die eCPR? Material und Methoden Diskussion aktueller Studienergebnisse und Leitlinienempfehlungen. Ergebnisse Die Überlebensraten nach präklinischem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand sind weltweit seit vielen Jahren unverändert bei 10–30 %. Trotz geringer Fallzahlen zeigen neuere retrospektive Studien, dass durch die eCPR eine Verbesserung des Outcome erzielt werden kann. In selektionierten Patientenkollektiven ist ein Überleben mit gutem neurologischen Outcome von 38 % möglich. Schlussfolgerung Ob und mit welcher Lebensqualität ein Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand überlebt werden kann, ist von vielen unterschiedlichen Faktoren abhängig. Der Faktor Zeit, also die Vermeidung einer „No-flow-Phase“ und die Reduktion der „Low-flow-Phase“, ist von zentraler Bedeutung. Durch die sofortige Wiederherstellung von Zirkulation und Sauerstoffversorgung kann durch die eCPR das Überleben signifikant verbessert werden. Große kontrollierte, randomisierte Studien hierzu fehlen jedoch bisher.Background The chances of surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are still very low. Despite intensive efforts the outcome has remained relatively poor over many years. In specific situations, new technologies, such as extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) could significantly improve survival with a good neurological outcome. Objective Does the immediate restoration of circulation and reoxygenation via eCPR influence the survival rate after OHCA? Is eCPR the new link in the chain of survival? Material and methods Discussion of current study results and guideline recommendations. Results The overall survival rates after OHCA have remained at 10–30% over many years. Despite low case numbers more recent retrospective studies showed that an improved outcome can be achieved with eCPR. In selected patient collectives survival with a favorable neurological outcome is possible in 38% of the cases. Conclusion Survival after cardiac arrest and the subsequent quality of life dependent on many different factors. The time factor, i.e. the avoidance of a no-flow phase and reduction of the low-flow phase is of fundamental importance. The immediate restoration of the circulation and oxygen supply by eCPR can significantly improve survival; however, large randomized, controlled trials are currently not available

Patient Blood Management in der Herzchirurgie

Patient blood management (PBM) is a patient-centered and multidisciplinary approach to manage anemia, optimize hemostasis, minimize iatrogenic blood loss and medically harness the tolerance to anemia. This continuing medical education (CME) article focusses on the special challenges in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In particular, management of preoperative anemia, preoperative management of oral anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors, management of intraoperative and postoperative coagulopathy, avoidance of unnecessary blood loss and avoidance of unnecessary transfusion of allogeneic blood products are highlighted