600 research outputs found
Towards a New System for the Assessment of the Quality in Care Pathways: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Clinical or care pathways are developed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare
practitioners, based on clinical evidence, and standardized processes. The evaluation of their
framework/content quality is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe which tools and domains
are able to critically evaluate the quality of clinical/care pathways. An overview of systematic reviews
was conducted, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses,
using Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library, from 2015
to 2020, and with snowballing methods. The quality of the reviews was assessed with Assessment the
Methodology of Systematic Review (AMSTAR-2) and categorized with The Leuven Clinical Pathway
Compass for the definition of the five domains: processes, service, clinical, team, and financial.
We found nine reviews. Three achieved a high level of quality with AMSTAR-2. The areas classified
according to The Leuven Clinical Pathway Compass were: 9.7% team multidisciplinary involvement,
13.2% clinical (morbidity/mortality), 44.3% process (continuity-clinical integration, transitional),
5.6% financial (length of stay), and 27.0% service (patient-/family-centered care). Overall, none of
the 300 instruments retrieved could be considered a gold standard mainly because they did not
cover all the critical pathway domains outlined by Leuven and Health Technology Assessment.
This overview shows important insights for the definition of a multiprinciple framework of core
domains for assessing the quality of pathways. The core domains should consider general critical
aspects common to all pathways, but it is necessary to define specific domains for specific diseases,
fast pathways, and adapting the tool to the cultural and organizational characteristics of the health
system of each country
Exploring \pp scattering in the \1N picture
In the large approximation to , the leading \pp scattering
amplitude is expressed as the sum of an infinite number of tree diagrams. We
investigate the possibility that an adequate approximation at energies up to
somewhat more than one can be made by keeping diagrams which involve the
exchange of resonances in this energy range in addition to the simplest chiral
contact terms. In this approach crossing symmetry is automatic but individual
terms tend to drastically violate partial wave unitarity. We first note that
the introduction of the meson in a chirally invariant manner
substantially delays the onset of drastic unitarity violation which would be
present for the {\it current algebra} term alone. This suggests a possibility
of local (in energy) cancellation which we then explore in a phenomenological
way. We include exchanges of leading resonances up to the region.
However, unitarity requires more structure which we model by a four derivative
contact term or by a low lying scalar resonance which is presumably subleading
in the \1N expansion, but may nevertheless be important. The latter two
flavor model gives a reasonable description of the phase shift up
until around , before the effects associated which the
threshold come into play.Comment: 27 LaTex pages + 13 figures (also available in hard-copy
The HAC Trial (Harmonic for Acute Cholecystitis) Study. Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of Harmonic(H) versus Monopolar Diathermy (M) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) in adults
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the developmental stage of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) it was considered 'unsafe' or 'technically difficult' to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (AC). With increasing experience in laparoscopic surgery, a number of centers have reported on the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, suggesting that it is technically feasible but at the expense of a high conversion rate, which can be up to 35 per cent and common bile duct lesions.</p> <p>The HARMONIC SCALPEL(R) (H) is the leading ultrasonic cutting and coagulating surgical device, offering surgeons important benefits including: minimal lateral thermal tissue damage, minimal charring and desiccation.</p> <p>Harmonic Scalpel technology reduces the need for ligatures with simultaneous cutting and coagulation: moreover there is not electricity to or through the patient Harmonic Scalpel has a greater precision near vital structures and it produces minimal smoke with improved visibility in the surgical field.</p> <p>In retrospective series LC performed with H was demonstrated feasible and effective with minimal operating time and blood loss: it was reported also a low conversion rate (3.9%).</p> <p>However there are not prospective randomized controlled trials showing the advantages of H compared to MD (the commonly used electrical scalpel) in LC.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Aim of this RCT is to demonstrate that H can decrease the conversion rate compared to MD in LC for AC, without a significant increase of morbidity.</p> <p>The patients will be allocated in two groups: in the first group the patient will be submitted to early LC within 72 hours after the diagnosis with H while in the second group will be submitted to early LC within 72 hours with MD.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00746850</p
Effective Lagrangians for Orientifold Theories
We construct effective Lagrangians of the Veneziano-Yankielowicz (VY) type
for two non-supersymmetric theories which are orientifold daughters of
supersymmetric gluodynamics (containing one Dirac fermion in the two-index
antisymmetric or symmetric representation of the gauge group). Since the parent
and daughter theories are planar equivalent, at N\to\infty the effective
Lagrangians in the orientifold theories basically coincide with the bosonic
part of the VY Lagrangian.
We depart from the supersymmetric limit in two ways. First, we consider
finite (albeit large) values of N. Then 1/N effects break supersymmetry. We
suggest seemingly the simplest modification of the VY Lagrangian which
incorporates these 1/N effects, leading to a non-vanishing vacuum energy
density. We analyze the spectrum of the finite-N non-supersymmetric daughters.
For N=3 the two-index antisymmetric representation (one flavor) is equivalent
to one-flavor QCD. We show that in this case the scalar quark-antiquark state
is heavier than the corresponding pseudoscalar state, `` eta' ''. Second, we
add a small fermion mass term. The fermion mass term breaks supersymmetry
explicitly. The vacuum degeneracy is lifted. The parity doublets split. We
evaluate the splitting. Finally, we include the theta-angle and study its
implications.Comment: LaTeX, 21 page
Phenomenology and Cosmology of an Electroweak Pseudo-Dilaton and Electroweak Baryons
In many strongly-interacting models of electroweak symmetry breaking the
lowest-lying observable particle is a pseudo-Goldstone boson of approximate
scale symmetry, the pseudo-dilaton. Its interactions with Standard Model
particles can be described using a low-energy effective nonlinear chiral
Lagrangian supplemented by terms that restore approximate scale symmetry,
yielding couplings of the pseudo-dilaton that differ from those of a Standard
Model Higgs boson by fixed factors. We review the experimental constraints on
such a pseudo-dilaton in light of new data from the LHC and elsewhere. The
effective nonlinear chiral Lagrangian has Skyrmion solutions that may be
identified with the `electroweak baryons' of the underlying
strongly-interacting theory, whose nature may be revealed by the properties of
the Skyrmions. We discuss the finite-temperature electroweak phase transition
in the low-energy effective theory, finding that the possibility of a
first-order electroweak phase transition is resurrected. We discuss the
evolution of the Universe during this transition and derive an
order-of-magnitude lower limit on the abundance of electroweak baryons in the
absence of a cosmological asymmetry, which suggests that such an asymmetry
would be necessary if the electroweak baryons are to provide the cosmological
density of dark matter. We revisit estimates of the corresponding
spin-independent dark matter scattering cross section, with a view to direct
detection experiments.Comment: 34 pages, 4 figures, additional references adde
Gli3 utilizes Hand2 to synergistically regulate tissue-specific transcriptional networks.
Despite a common understanding that Gli TFs are utilized to convey a Hh morphogen gradient, genetic analyses suggest craniofacial development does not completely fit this paradigm. Using the mouse model (Mus musculus), we demonstrated that rather than being driven by a Hh threshold, robust Gli3 transcriptional activity during skeletal and glossal development required interaction with the basic helix-loop-helix TF Hand2. Not only did genetic and expression data support a co-factorial relationship, but genomic analysis revealed that Gli3 and Hand2 were enriched at regulatory elements for genes essential for mandibular patterning and development. Interestingly, motif analysis at sites co-occupied by Gli3 and Hand2 uncovered mandibular-specific, low-affinity, \u27divergent\u27 Gli-binding motifs (dGBMs). Functional validation revealed these dGBMs conveyed synergistic activation of Gli targets essential for mandibular patterning and development. In summary, this work elucidates a novel, sequence-dependent mechanism for Gli transcriptional activity within the craniofacial complex that is independent of a graded Hh signal
Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in patients with major trauma and uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Background
Multiple studies regarding the use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) in patients with non-compressible torso injuries and uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock were recently published. To date, the clinical evidence of the efficacy of REBOA is still debated. We aimed to conduct a systematic review assessing the clinical efficacy and safety of REBOA in patients with major trauma and uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock.
Methods
We systematically searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and CENTRAL up to June 2020. All randomized controlled trials and observational studies that investigated the use of REBOA compared to resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) with/without REBOA or no-REBOA were eligible.
We followed the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Two authors independently extracted data and appraised the risk of bias of included studies. Effect sizes were pooled in a meta-analysis using random-effects models. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Primary outcomes were mortality, volume of infused blood components, health-related quality of life, time to haemorrhage control and any adverse effects. Secondary outcomes were improvement in haemodynamic status and failure/success of REBOA technique.
Results
We included 11 studies (5866 participants) ranging from fair to good quality. REBOA was associated with lower mortality when compared to RT (aOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.20–0.74), whereas no difference was observed when REBOA was compared to no-REBOA (aOR 1.40; 95% CI 0.79–2.46). No significant difference in health-related quality of life between REBOA and RT (p = 0.766). The most commonly reported complications were amputation, haematoma and pseudoaneurysm. Sparse data and heterogeneity of reporting for all other outcomes prevented any estimate.
Conclusions
Our findings on overall mortality suggest a positive effect of REBOA among non-compressible torso injuries when compared to RT but no differences compared to no-REBOA. Variability in indications and patient characteristics prevents any conclusion deserving further investigation. REBOA should be promoted in specific training programs in an experimental setting in order to test its effectiveness and a randomized trial should be planned
Dopaminergic-GABAergic interplay and alcohol binge drinking
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd The dopamine D 3 receptor (D 3 R), in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), plays an important role in alcohol reward mechanisms. The major neuronal type within the NAc is the GABAergic medium spiny neuron (MSN), whose activity is regulated by dopaminergic inputs. We previously reported that genetic deletion or pharmacological blockade of D 3 R increases GABA A α6 subunit in the ventral striatum. Here we tested the hypothesis that D 3 R-dependent changes in GABA A α6 subunit in the NAc affect voluntary alcohol intake, by influencing the inhibitory transmission of MSNs. We performed in vivo and ex vivo experiments in D 3 R knockout (D 3 R −/− ) mice and wild type littermates (D 3 R +/+ ). Ro 15-4513, a high affinity α6-GABA A ligand was used to study α6 activity. At baseline, NAc α6 expression was negligible in D 3 R +/+ , whereas it was robust in D 3 R −/− ; other relevant GABA A subunits were not changed. In situ hybridization and qPCR confirmed α6 subunit mRNA expression especially in the NAc. In the drinking-in-the-dark paradigm, systemic administration of Ro 15-4513 inhibited alcohol intake in D 3 R +/+ , but increased it in D 3 R −/− ; this was confirmed by intra-NAc administration of Ro 15-4513 and furosemide, a selective α6-GABA A antagonist. Whole-cell patch-clamp showed peak amplitudes of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in NAc medium spiny neurons higher in D 3 R −/− compared to D 3 R +/+ ; Ro 15-4513 reduced the peak amplitude in the NAc of D 3 R −/− , but not in D 3 R +/+ . We conclude that D 3 R-dependent enhanced expression of α6 GABA A subunit inhibits voluntary alcohol intake by increasing GABA inhibition in the NAc
Modulation of EEG theta by naturalistic social content is not altered in infants with family history of autism
Theta oscillations (spectral power and connectivity) are sensitive to the social content of an experience in typically developing infants, providing a possible marker of early social brain development. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting early social behaviour, but links to underlying social brain function remain unclear. We explored whether modulations of theta spectral power and connectivity by naturalistic social content in infancy are related to family history for autism. Fourteen-month-old infants with (family history; FH; N = 75) and without (no family history; NFH; N = 26) a first-degree relative with autism watched social and non-social videos during EEG recording. We calculated theta (4–5 Hz) spectral power and connectivity modulations (social–non-social) and associated them with outcomes at 36 months. We replicated previous findings of increased theta power and connectivity during social compared to non-social videos. Theta modulations with social content were similar between groups, for both power and connectivity. Together, these findings suggest that neural responses to naturalistic social stimuli may not be strongly altered in 14-month-old infants with family history of autism
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