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Louisiana Bucket Brigade (LABB)
Form a citizen-science bucket brigade to study the environmental health of your community [More]
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 15, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Health,Chemistry,Environment,Society & Policy,Ethics,Everyday Science,Science Education,Clean Air Policy,Ecology,Green Living,Biology,Science in Service Source Type: research

Technological overview of iPS induction from human adult somatic cells.
Abstract The unlimited proliferation capacity of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) combined with their pluripotent differentiation potential in various lineages raised great interest in both the scientific community and the public at large with hope for future prospects of regenerative medicine. However, since ESCs are derived from human embryos, their use is associated with significant ethical issues preventing broad studies and therapeutic applications. To get around this bottleneck, Takahashi and Yamanaka have recently achieved the conversion of adult somatic cells into ES-like cells via the forced expression of four ...
Source: Current Gene Therapy - January 15, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Cohen-Haguenauer O Tags: Curr Gene Ther Source Type: research

Patient and doctor attitudes and beliefs concerning perioperative do not resuscitate orders: anesthesiologists¿ growing compliance with patient autonomy and self determination guidelines
Background: In 1993, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) published guidelines stating that automatic perioperative suspension of Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders conflicts with patients’ rights to self-determination. Almost 20 years later, we aimed to explore both patient and doctor views concerning perioperative DNR status. Methods: Five-hundred consecutive patients visiting our preoperative evaluation clinic were surveyed and asked whether they had made decisions regarding resuscitation and to rate their agreement with several statements concerning perioperative resuscitation. Anesthesiologists, surgeons a...
Source: BMC Anesthesiology - January 15, 2013 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Christopher BurkleKeith SwetzMatthew ArmstrongMark Keegan Source Type: research

Sports physicians, ethics and antidoping governance: between assistance and negligence.
This study shows that some sports physicians involved in recent positive doping cases are insufficiently aware of the nuances of doping regulations and, most importantly, of the list of prohibited substances. Moreover, several team doctors are shown to have exercised poor judgement in relation to these matters with the consequence that athletes are punished for doping offences on the basis of doctors' negligence. In such circumstances, athletes' rights are jeopardised by a failure of the duty of care that (sports) physicians owe their athlete patients. We argue that, with respect to the World Anti Doping Code, antidoping g...
Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine - January 15, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Dikic N, McNamee M, Günter H, Markovic SS, Vajgic B Tags: Br J Sports Med Source Type: research

Telomeric repeat-containing RNA and telomerase in human fetal oocytes
We present a descriptive/qualitative study of TERRA in human fetal ovarian tissue. Given the difficult access and manipulation of fetal samples, the number of fetal ovaries used in this study was limited. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is the first report on TERRA expression in oocytes from human fetal ovaries. The presence of TERRA at the telomeres of oocytes from the leptotene to pachytene stages and its co-localization with the telomerase protein component suggests that this RNA might participate in the maintenance of the telomere structure, at least through the processes that take place during the female meio...
Source: Human Reproduction - January 15, 2013 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Reig-Viader, R., Brieno-Enriquez, M. A., Khouriauli, L., Toran, N., Cabero, L., Giulotto, E., Garcia-Caldes, M., Ruiz-Herrera, A. Tags: Reproductive biology Source Type: research

Uterus transplantation in the human: a complex surgical, medical and ethical challenge
Source: Human Reproduction - January 15, 2013 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Brosens, I., Ghaem-Maghami, S., Pijnenborg, R. Tags: COMMENTARIES Source Type: research

Uterine transplantation--a real possibility? The Indianapolis consensus
A group of experts gathered in Indianapolis in December 2011 to address lingering concerns related to uterus transplantation (UTn). They represent a multi-national group of four research teams who have worked for over 15 years on bringing UTn to reality for patients. Presented here are a set of parameters that must be considered in order for UTn to become an acceptable procedure in the human setting. UTn has been proposed as a potential solution to absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). Causes of AUFI include congenital uterine factors (i.e. absence or malformation) or acquired uterine factors (e.g. hysterectomy for u...
Source: Human Reproduction - January 15, 2013 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Del Priore, G., Saso, S., Meslin, E. M., Tzakis, A., Brannstrom, M., Clarke, A., Vianna, R., Sawyer, R., Smith, J. R. Tags: OPINION Source Type: research

Consequences for Healthcare Quality and Research of the Exclusion of Records From the Death Master File [Policy Commentary]
Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes - January 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: da Graca, B., Filardo, G., Nicewander, D. Tags: Health policy and outcome research, Other Ethics and Policy Policy Commentary Source Type: research

Time for a Thorough Evaluation of Patient-Centered Care [Editor's Perspective]
Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes - January 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Heidenreich, P. A. Tags: Other Ethics and Policy, Other Treatment Editor ' s Perspective Source Type: research

Deaths in childhood from cystic fibrosis: 10-year analysis from two London specialist centres
Conclusions The number of deaths in children with CF was small but often unpredictable, so active management was continued until late in the majority, reflected by the fact that almost all were in hospital, and more than half were ventilated. If death from respiratory failure is anticipated following a steady decline, palliative care should be instituted well in advance, with attention to appropriate end of life care.
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - January 15, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Urquhart, D. S., Thia, L. P., Francis, J., Prasad, S. A., Dawson, C., Wallis, C., Balfour-Lynn, I. M. Tags: Pancreas and biliary tract, Immunology (including allergy), Child health, End of life decisions (palliative care), Hospice, Cystic fibrosis, Artificial and donated transplantation, End of life decisions (ethics) Original articles Source Type: research

Patient and doctor attitudes and beliefs concerning perioperative do not resuscitate orders: anesthesiologists' growing compliance with patient autonomy and self determination guidelines
Conclusions: Although many patients agree that their DNR orders should be suspended for their operation, they expect a discussion regarding the performance and nature of perioperative resuscitation. In contrast to previous studies, anesthesiologists were least likely to automatically suspend a DNR order.
Source: BMC Anesthesiology - January 15, 2013 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Christopher BurkleKeith SwetzMatthew ArmstrongMark Keegan Source Type: research

The unscheduled and incidental bystander: Legal, moral, and ethical considerations in the office
A 57-year-old woman presents for her annual skin examination. She is accompanied by her 61-year-old husband who the physician has not previously met. Both have an extensive history of intermittent high-intensity sun exposure. During the clinical encounter the physician cannot help but notice an irregular, hyperkeratotic, centrally ulcerated nodule on the bald scalp of the patient’s husband. The physician’s experience and clinical acumen lead her to suspect a squamous cell carcinoma.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - January 14, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: Michael M. Wolz, Lisa A. Drage Tags: Dermatoethics Consultation Source Type: research

Should non-inferiority drug trials be banned altogether?
Abstract Non-inferiority (NI) trials can be used in a situation when a new drug is expected to have a similar efficacy to its comparator but can offer other advantages over the existing drug, such as a more convenient method of administration or fewer side effects. Here, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of NI trials from an ethical, methodological and regulatory perspective. We suggest that such trials should be designed to address simultaneously the objective of showing NI with regard to drug efficacy and the objective of establishing superiority of the additional advantages of a drug over its active co...
Source: Drug Discovery Today - January 14, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Wangge G, Klungel OH, Roes KC, de Boer A, Hoes AW, Knol MJ Tags: Drug Discov Today Source Type: research

Does quality of life assessment in palliative care look like a complex screening program?
Conclusions: The WHO Screening Principles framework was used to outline the eleven essential principles to be considered in developing and/or evaluating clinical interventions focused on QoL assessment in PC. The QoL Assessment Principles in Palliative Care identified could represent a methodological and ethical standard to be considered when developing and evaluating a clinical intervention focused on QoL assessment in PC.
Source: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes - January 14, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Gianluca CataniaMassimo CostantiniMonica BeccaroAnnamaria BagnascoLoredana Sasso Source Type: research

Ethical and effective: Approaches to residential care for people with dementia
New knowledge underpins calls for change in approaches to the care of people with dementia. Person-centred care is considered essential, whereas purpose-built facilities and environmental design are reported to enhance safety and to have a positive effect on behaviour. Research findings have highlighted the inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs and there is debate about their value in ‘managing’ symptoms. This paper presents the combination of approaches used to enable residents of two secure dementia units to live life within their ability and without antipsychotic drugs. Essential to the success of the cha...
Source: Dementia - January 14, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: O'Sullivan, G. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Does warm-up using mental practice improve crisis resource management performance? A simulation study
Conclusion Unlike technical skills, warm-up with MP does not seem to improve CRM skills in simulated crisis scenarios.
Source: British Journal of Anaesthesia - January 14, 2013 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Hayter, M. A., Bould, M. D., Afsari, M., Riem, N., Chiu, M., Boet, S. Tags: Quality And Patient Safety Source Type: research

Transplantation of parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells ameliorates cardiac dysfunction and remodelling after myocardial infarction
Conclusion Transplantation of pESCs could attenuate cardiac dysfunction and adverse ventricular remodelling post-MI, suggesting that pESCs may provide promising therapeutic sources for MI in females.
Source: Cardiovascular Research - January 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Liu, Y., Ye, X., Mao, L., Cheng, Z., Yao, X., Jia, X., Mao, D., Ou, L., Li, Z., Che, Y., Liu, N., Steinhoff, G., Liu, L., Kong, D. Tags: Cardiac biology and remodelling Source Type: research

A Bayesian decision‐theoretic sequential response‐adaptive randomization design
We propose a class of phase II clinical trial designs with sequential stopping and adaptive treatment allocation to evaluate treatment efficacy. Our work is based on two‐arm (control and experimental treatment) designs with binary endpoints. Our overall goal is to construct more efficient and ethical randomized phase II trials by reducing the average sample sizes and increasing the percentage of patients assigned to the better treatment arms of the trials. The designs combine the Bayesian decision‐theoretic sequential approach with adaptive randomization procedures in order to achieve simultaneous goals of improved eff...
Source: Statistics in Medicine - January 13, 2013 Category: Statistics Authors: Fei Jiang, J. Jack Lee, Peter Müller Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

State of the art in paediatric heart transplantation: the Berlin experience [REVIEW]
Enormous progress has been made in paediatric heart transplantation since the first unsuccessful effort by Kantrowitz in 1967. Early reports of children undergoing heart transplantation showed alarmingly high perioperative mortality rates of 25–60%, with the diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) representing a particularly high-risk subset compared with cardiomyopathy. Many of these early failures were related to poor patient selection, suboptimal immunosuppression and technical problems. We learned a great deal from these earlier difficulties. Presently, with more refined techniques, better-defined patient sel...
Source: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery - January 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Hetzer, R., Weng, Y., Delmo Walter, E. M. Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research

Emergency Research: Using Exception from Informed Consent, Evaluation of Community Consultations
ConclusionsOverall, members of these two communities expressed satisfaction with the CC session and had relatively high levels of support for the study and trust in physician‐investigators. Resumen La Excepción del Consentimiento Informado en la Investigación en Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias ‐ Evaluación de las Consultas a la Comunidad IntroducciónEn 1996, la United States Food and Drug Administration aprobó las regulaciones que autorizaban la excepción del consentimiento informado (EDCI) para la investigación llevada a cabo en el ámbito de la medicina de urgencias y emergencias cuando la obtención del ...
Source: Academic Emergency Medicine - January 13, 2013 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Prasanthi Govindarajan, Neal W. Dickert, Michele Meeker, Natalie Souza, Deneil Harney, Claude J. Hemphill, Rebecca Pentz Tags: Biros Section on Research Ethics Source Type: research

Ethical and legal issues in aesthetic surgery
Suresh GuptaIndian Journal of Plastic Surgery 2012 45(3):547-549Rapid growth and expansion of plastic surgery in general and aesthetic surgery in particular in the past decade has brought in its wake some confusions particularly raising questions for the surgeons conduct towards his colleagues and the patients in the light of ethical requirements. Some thoughts from eminent thinkers form a backdrop to consideration of theories of medical ethics. In this article raging and continuous debates on these subjects have been avoided to maintain the momentum. Apart from the western thoughts, directions from our old scriptures on e...
Source: Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery - January 12, 2013 Category: Cosmetic Surgery Authors: Suresh Gupta Source Type: research

Reducing interruptions to continuous enteral nutrition in the intensive care unit: a comparative study
ConclusionTargeted strategies to enteral feeding practice resulted in a reduction to the number of interruptions but not the duration of enteral nutrition lost to interruption. Reducing unnecessary interruption of feeding circuits is likely to minimise the risk for splash injury and contamination of feeding sets through less manipulation and interruption to enteral nutrition flow. Relevance to clinical practiceReview of practice may reveal opportunities for improvement. Nurse champions can facilitate change processes to improve care.
Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing - January 12, 2013 Category: Nursing Authors: Teresa A Williams, Gavin D Leslie, Tim Leen, Lauren Mills, Geoff J Dobb Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

[Policy Forum] Research Ethics: Regulation of Online Social Network Studies
How should research studying adolescent players of online educational games be conducted responsibly?Authors: R. Benjamin Shapiro, Pilar N. Ossorio
Source: Science: Current Issue - January 11, 2013 Category: Science Authors: R. Benjamin Shapiro Source Type: research

Patient selection for intra-arterial cerebral revascularization in acute ischemic stroke.
Abstract In acute ischemic stroke, rapid revascularization of the cerebral 'penumbra volume' is the key to better patient outcome. The largest and most proximal cerebral thrombotic artery occlusions can in most cases only be opened by intra-arterial intervention. The use of intra-arterial revascularization is rapidly expanding throughout Europe and North America, despite the risk for serious complications and the fact that the benefit of this treatment has not yet been proven in large, randomized clinical trials. Oslo University Hospital has performed approximately 60 intra-arterial procedures annually in acute isc...
Source: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. Supplementum - January 11, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Lund CG, Aamodt AH, Russell D Tags: Acta Neurol Scand Suppl Source Type: research

[Comment] SPIRIT 2013: new guidance for content of clinical trial protocols
The protocol is an important document that details the background, methods, ethical considerations, and administration of a clinical trial. The information contained in the protocol is useful for several groups. For those involved in the trial, the protocol provides the information needed for the study to be implemented consistently across collaborators in a way that mirrors the intentions of the principal investigators. For external groups who review the trial, such as research ethics committees (REC), funders, regulators, journal editors, potential participants, health-care providers, and systematic reviewers, the protoc...
Source: LANCET - January 11, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: An-Wen Chan, Jennifer M Tetzlaff, Douglas G Altman, Kay Dickersin, David Moher Tags: Comment Source Type: research

Participant recruitment in sensitive surveys: a comparative trial of 'opt in' versus 'opt out' approaches
Background: Although in health services survey research we strive for a high response rate, this must be balanced against the need to recruit participants ethically and considerately, particularly in surveys with a sensitive nature. In survey research there are no established recommendations to guide recruitment approach and an 'opt-in' system that requires potential participants to request a copy of the questionnaire by returning a reply slip is frequently adopted. However, in observational research the risk to participants is lower than in clinical research and so some surveys have used an 'opt-out' system. The effect of...
Source: BMC Medical Research Methodology - Latest articles - January 11, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Katherine HuntNatalie ShlomoJulia Addington-Hall Source Type: research

Designing an Ethics Curriculum to Support Student Volunteerism in Global Surgery
Source: Journal of Surgical Research - January 10, 2013 Category: Surgery Authors: B. Martin, T. Love, J. Srinivasan, J. Sharma, J. Pattaras, B. Pettitt, C. Sullivan, V. Master, L. Brewster Tags: Quickshot Session: Thursday 2/7 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM Source Type: research

The Ethics of Exception for Emergency Research
Source: Journal of Surgical Research - January 10, 2013 Category: Surgery Authors: T.L. Chin, E.E. Moore, A. Ghasabyan, J.N. Harr, A. Banerjee, M. Coors Tags: Quickshot Session: Thursday 2/7 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM Source Type: research

Development of An Ethical Framework for Consideration of Cognitive Disability in Kidney Allocation
Source: Journal of Surgical Research - January 10, 2013 Category: Surgery Authors: M.P. Bobel, M.L. Schwarze, N.C. Fost Tags: Quickshot Session: Tuesday 2/5 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM Source Type: research

New Rules Tackle Bacteria in Drinking Water
New national drinking water rules are expected to lead to fewer dangerous pathogens coming out of the tap. [More]
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 10, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Energy & Sustainability,Environment,Health,Society Policy,Ethics,More Science,Energy Sustainability,Ecology,Biology,Everyday Science Source Type: research

Safety of Induced Stem Cells Gets a Boost
A paper published in Nature today could dispel a cloud over the hopes of turning a patient’s own cells into perfectly matched replacement tissues. [More]
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 10, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Health,Health,Ethics,Biotechnology,Biotechnology,Biology,More Science Source Type: research

Health and environment regulation: standards of ethical evidence.
Abstract The regulation of health and environmental hazards is coercive to the point of imposing substantial fines and even detention to transgressors. In free societies, those regulations have ethical standing if grounded on the scientific evidence of physical measurements relevant to what is being protected including humans, or on transparent use and benefit tradeoffs. These requirements are commonly observed for risks and hazards that are present and measurable, and sustain much of current regulations that remain uncontroversial. By contrast, most supposable but distant future risks that cannot be measured are c...
Source: Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology : RTP - January 10, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Gori GB, Bethesda, Maryland Tags: Regul Toxicol Pharmacol Source Type: research

The Sri Lankan Twin Registry: 2012 Update.
Abstract The Sri Lankan Twin Registry (SLTR), established in 1997, is a unique resource for twin and genetic research in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC). It comprises of a volunteer cohort of 14,120 twins (7,060 pairs) and 119 sets of triplets, and a population-based cohort of 19,040 (9,520 pairs) twins and 89 sets of triplets. Several studies have been conducted using this registry, including the Colombo Twin and Singleton Study (CoTaSS 1; 4,387 twins, 2,311 singletons), which have explored the prevalence and heritability of a range of psychiatric disorders as well as gene-environmental interplay. Currentl...
Source: Twin Research and Human Genetics - January 10, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Sumathipala A, Siribaddana S, Hotopf M, McGuffin P, Glozier N, Ball H, Kovas Y, Rijsdijk F, Yatawara L, Pariante C, Zavos H, Siriwardhana C, Pannala G, Jayaweera K, Adikari A, Gunewardane D Tags: Twin Res Hum Genet Source Type: research

Saving Lives
Source: Bioethics - January 10, 2013 Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Ruth Chadwick Tags: EDITORIAL Source Type: research

Motives for participating in a clinical research trial: a pilot study in Brazil
Conclusions: The present study shows that study participants are primarily motivated by personal benefit when volunteering to participate in clinical studies. Whether these study participants had an integral understanding of the ICS is not clear.
Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles - January 10, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Solange NappoGiovanna IafrateZila Sanchez Source Type: research

Breathe Wheezy: Traffic Pollution Not Only Worsens Asthma, but May Cause It
Dear EarthTalk : Is it true that asthma cases in children often correlate to living close to roads and all the associated pollution-spewing traffic? -- Jake Locklear, San Diego [More]
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 9, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Energy & Sustainability,Health,Society Policy,Everyday Science,Ethics,Clean Air Policy,Climate,Ecology,Environment,Energy Source Type: research

Stem cells: Sending cells back in time
Nature Reviews Neuroscience 14, 78 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrn3432 Author: Sian Lewis Obtaining neural stem cells (NSCs) by reprogramming differentiated cells has tremendous therapeutic potential with few ethical problems. Wang et al. used episomal vectors to reprogram human urine cells (epithelial-like cells) into an expandable population of neural progenitors. They demonstrated that, both in vitro
Source: Nature Reviews Neuroscience - January 9, 2013 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Sian Lewis Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Student mental health; below the radar?
In 2011, the Royal College of Psychiatrists issued a report on the mental health of students in higher education. The report made recommendations for psychiatrists and the National Health Service, for Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and a broader category of ‘all sectors’. One of the challenges of working with this potential group of patients is that students may well live within the area of the university for around half the year and elsewhere for the other half. Organisationally, this can create additional problems when compared with those with a fixed address the year round. The report emphasises the impo...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 9, 2013 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Towl, G. Tags: Editor's choice, General practice / family medicine, Suicide (psychiatry), Competing interests (ethics) Editorials Source Type: research

Broad consent versus dynamic consent in biobank research: Is passive participation an ethical problem?
Broad consent versus dynamic consent in biobank research: Is passive participation an ethical problem? European Journal of Human Genetics advance online publication, January 9 2013. doi:10.1038/ejhg.2012.282 Authors: Kristin Solum Steinsbekk, Bjørn Kåre Myskja & Berge Solberg
Source: European Journal of Human Genetics - January 9, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Kristin Solum SteinsbekkBjørn Kåre MyskjaBerge Solberg Tags: broad consent dynamic consent biobank research participation ethics Source Type: research

Negligible immunogenicity of terminally differentiated cells derived from induced pluripotent or embryonic stem cells
Nature advance online publication 09 January 2013. doi:10.1038/nature11807 Authors: Ryoko Araki, Masahiro Uda, Yuko Hoki, Misato Sunayama, Miki Nakamura, Shunsuke Ando, Mayumi Sugiura, Hisashi Ideno, Akemi Shimada, Akira Nifuji & Masumi Abe The advantages of using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) instead of embryonic stem (ES) cells in regenerative medicine centre around circumventing concerns about the ethics of using ES cells and the likelihood of immune rejection of ES-cell-derived tissues. However, partial reprogramming and genetic instabilities in iPSCs could elicit immune responses in transplant recipients...
Source: Nature AOP - January 9, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Ryoko ArakiMasahiro UdaYuko HokiMisato SunayamaMiki NakamuraShunsuke AndoMayumi SugiuraHisashi IdenoAkemi ShimadaAkira NifujiMasumi Abe Tags: Letter Source Type: research

Research capacity and culture in podiatry: early observations within Queensland Health
Conclusions: This study appears to report the research capacity levels of the largest populations of podiatrists published. The 2011 survey findings indicate podiatrists have similarly low research capacity skill levels to those reported in the allied health literature. The 2012 survey, compared to the 2011 survey, suggests podiatrists perceived higher skills and support to initiate research in 2012. This improvement coincided with the implementation of research capacity building strategies.
Source: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research - January 9, 2013 Category: Podiatry Authors: Peter LazzariniJulia GeraghtyEwan KinnearMark ButterworthDonna Ward Source Type: research

Supreme Court Ensures Funding of Research Using Human Embryonic Stem Cells
The US Supreme Court today ended an effort to shut down government support of human embryonic stem cell research, refusing to hear a case that challenged the legality of funding for the work by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [More]
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 8, 2013 Category: Science Tags: More Science,Health,Society & Policy,More Science,Pharmaceuticals,Biotechnology,Biotechnology,Ethics,Biology Source Type: research

Premarital Screening and Genetic Counseling program: Knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction of attendees of governmental outpatient clinics in Jeddah
Conclusion: Knowledge in the general population about the PMSGC program was low. Implementation of school and university educational campaigns is important. Improved counseling and adding new topics for counseling on genetic, chronic, and psychiatric problems; building healthy families; reproduction and fertility are recommended.
Source: Journal of Infection and Public Health - January 8, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Nahla Khamis Ibrahim, Jamel Bashawri, Hussein Al Bar, Jawaher Al Ahmadi, Adnan Al Bar, Mahdi Qadi, Waleed Milaat, Hashim Feda Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

SPIRIT 2013 Statement: Defining Standard Protocol Items for Clinical Trials.
This article describes the systematic development and scope of SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items:Recommendations for Interventional Trials) 2013, a guideline for the minimum content of a clinical trial protocol.The 33-item SPIRIT checklist applies to protocols for all clinical trials and focuses on content rather than format. The checklist recommends a full description of what is planned; it does not prescribe how to design or conduct a trial. By providing guidance for key content, the SPIRIT recommendations aim to facilitate the drafting of high-quality protocols. Adherence to SPIRIT would also enhance the transparency and ...
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine - January 8, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Chan AW, Tetzlaff JM, Altman DG, Laupacis A, Gøtzsche PC, Krleža-Jerić K, Hróbjartsson A, Mann H, Dickersin K, Berlin JA, Doré CJ, Parulekar WR, Summerskill WS, Groves T, Schulz KF, Sox HC, Rockhold FW, Rennie D, Moher D Tags: Ann Intern Med Source Type: research

‘Rehab’ helps errant researchers return to the lab
Nature 493, 7431 (2013). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/493147a Author: Daniel Cressey As cases of misconduct rise, ethicists test an approach for reforming offenders.
Source: Nature - January 8, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Daniel Cressey Tags: News Source Type: research

Estimating the clinical benefits of vaccinating boys and girls against HPV-related diseases in Europe
Conclusions: In Europe, the vaccination of 12-year old boys and girls against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 would be associated with substantial additional clinical benefits in terms of reduced incidence of HPV-related genital warts and carcinomas versus girls-only vaccination. The incremental benefits of adding boys vaccination are highly dependent on coverage in girls. Therefore, further analyses should be performed taking into account the country-specific situation. In addition to clinical benefits, substantial economic benefits are also anticipated and warrant further investigation as do the social and ethical implications of i...
Source: BMC Cancer - January 8, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Rémi MartyStéphane RozeXavier BresseNathalie LargeronJayne Smith-Palmer Source Type: research

Coenrolment of critically ill patients into multiple studies: patterns, predictors and consequences
Conclusions: Coenrolment was strongly associated with features of the patients, research personnel, setting and study. Coenrolment had no impact on trial results, and appeared safe, acceptable and feasible. Transparent reporting, scholarly discourse, ethical analysis, and further research are needed on the complex topic of coenrolment during critical illness.
Source: Critical Care - January 8, 2013 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Deborah CookEllen McDonaldOrla SmithNicole ZytarukDiane Heels-AnsdellIrene WatpoolTracy McArdleAndrea MatteFrance ClarkeShirley VallanceSimon FinferPauline GaltTim CrozierRob FowlerYaseen ArabiClive WoolfeNeil OrfordRichard HallNeill AdhikariMarie-Claude Source Type: research

Screening for depression in medical research: ethical challenges and recommendations
DiscussionDeciding on whether to report positive screens to healthcare practitioners is both an ethical and a pragmatic dilemma. Evidence suggests that reporting positive depression screens should only be considered in the context of collaborative care. Possible adverse effects, such as the impact of false-positive results, potentially inappropriate labelling, and potentially inappropriate treatment also need to be considered. If possible, the psychometric properties of the selected screening measure should be determined in the target population, and a threshold for depression that minimises the rate of false-positive resu...
Source: BMC Medical Ethics - January 8, 2013 Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Aisling SheehanHannah McGee Source Type: research

Social spaces for young children in hospital
ConclusionWhile technology offers many opportunities to support children's psychosocial well‐being when in confined healthcare spaces, the implementation and operation of such services and systems require much further research in the areas of ethics, facilitation, organizational impact and evaluation.
Source: Child: Care, Health and Development - January 7, 2013 Category: Child Development Authors: V. Lambert, J. Coad, P. Hicks, M. Glacken Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Embryonic Stem Cells Or Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells? A DNA Integrity Perspective.
Abstract Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are two types of pluripotent stem cells that hold great promise for biomedical research and medical applications. iPSCs were initially favorably compared to ESCs. This view was first based on ethical arguments (the generation of iPSCs does not require the destruction of an embryo) and on immunological reasons (it is easier to derive patient HLA-matched iPSCs than ESCs). However, several reports suggest that iPSCs might be characterized by higher occurrence of epigenetic and genetic aberrations than ESCs as a consequence of the reprogram...
Source: Current Gene Therapy - January 7, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Bai Q, Desprat R, Klein B, Lemaître JM, de Vos J Tags: Curr Gene Ther Source Type: research