MedWorm: Academia

Evaluation of the Accuracy of a Computer-aided Diagnosis (CAD) System in Breast Ultrasound according to the Radiologist’s Experience

Academic Radiology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:45:53 +0100

Conclusions: CAD for breast ultrasound appears to be a useful tool for improving the diagnosis of malignant lesions for junior radiologists. Nevertheless, its low specificity must be taken into account to limit biopsies of benign lesions. (Source: Academic Radiology)

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CTA Combined with CT Perfusion for Assessing the Efficacy of Anti-angiogenic Therapy in Rabbit VX2 Tumors

Academic Radiology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:45:53 +0100

Conclusions: It is feasible to assess the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy on VX2 tumors using three-dimensional CTA combined with CT perfusion. Three-dimensional CTA can display the morphologic changes of tumor vessels, while CT perfusion can predict the functional changes of tumor vessels after antiangiogenic therapy. (Source: Academic Radiology)

Student Concerns and Misconceptions about A Career in Radiology

Academic Radiology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:45:53 +0100

Year after year, medical students pose questions that reflect the same concerns and misconceptions about a career in radiology. While radiology educators and practicing radiologists may perceive many of these reservations as ill-founded or misguided, they are nonetheless important to recognize and address. Student decisions about careers are determined not only by what students know, but also by what they think they know. If students opt for radiology or eschew it based on inaccurate information, this benefits neither the students nor the field of radiology. In what follows, we briefly identify and suggest strategies for educating students about a dozen concerns and misconceptions. (Source: Academic Radiology)

Pedagoguery

Academic Radiology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:45:53 +0100

I am not a pedigreed pedagogue. In college, I took no courses in education psychology or technology. I did not aspire to make a career as a teacher. My intention was to be a very energetic, efficient, and insightful journalist. I would, so I dreamed, be a reporter who could explore, investigate, and write penetrating prose that would be part of news in newspapers and magazines, on radio stations, and even on that new medium, television. (Source: Academic Radiology)

Atlas of Pulmonary Vascular Imaging

Academic Radiology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:45:53 +0100

This first edition of the Atlas of Pulmonary Vascular Imaging is a good source of pulmonary vascular anatomy and cases with emphasis on pathophysiology of the pulmonary vascular disease. The book is a good and easy read for radiology residents in general and pulmonary radiology fellows in particular. The book is also very useful for pediatric radiologists and emergency radiologists given the variety of cases that are included in both the congenital and acute settings. (Source: Academic Radiology)

Comparative Effectiveness Research in Cardiovascular Imaging: Survival of the Fittest?

Academic Radiology — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:45:52 +0100

In the struggle for life, some perish and others succeed; the less give way to the greater, and are changed into the qualities of the predominant type. —Augustine, De Civitate Dei (Source: Academic Radiology)

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South Africa: Cry the Beloved Province

AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:30:22 +0100

[Health-e] There has been an increase in newborn baby deaths and newborns with brain damage at Chris Hani Baragwanath (CHB) Hospital's labour ward since November, including two avoidable stillbirths, as a staffing crisis linked to non-payment of nursing agencies hit the academic hospital. (Source: AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth)

Difficult to see how C. diff spreads in hospital

NHS News Feed — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:27:00 +0100

Conclusion This research is important because it suggests that the previous assumption that all C.difficile is spread on wards through contact with infected patients may not be entirely correct. As the authors point out, this means that transmission may not be adequately controlled by current strategies, which focus on preventing person-to-person spread. Further study is required to look at how the infection is transmitted. It’s worth noting that the research concentrated on established cases of Clostridium difficile and the potential transmission between infected patients. As such, it did not look at how far C. difficile may have been stopped from spreading in the wards by current hospital prevention strategies. Infection control measures in the NHS and private hospitals remain valid be...

NIH study links high levels of cadmium, lead in blood to pregnancy delay

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Higher blood levels of cadmium in females, and higher blood levels of lead in males, delayed pregnancy in couples trying to become pregnant, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other academic research institutions. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Aspirin for the prevention of cognitive decline in the elderly: rationale and design of a neuro-vascular imaging study (ENVIS-ion)

BMC Neurology — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study will enrol 600 adults aged 70 years and over with normal cognitive function and without overt cardiovascular disease. Subjects will undergo cognitive testing, brain MRI and RVI at baseline and after 3 years of study treatment. All subjects will be recruited from a 19,000-patient clinical outcome trial conducted in Australia and the United States that will evaluate the effects of aspirin in maintaining disability-free longevity over 5 years. The intervention will be aspirin 100 mg daily versus matching placebo, randomized on a 1:1 basis.DiscussionThis study will improve understanding of the mechanisms at the level of brain and vascular structure that underlie the effects of aspirin on cognitive function. Given the limited access and high cost of MRI, RVI may prove useful as a too...

Preventing Obesity Through Positive Parenting During Early Childhood

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Programs that support parents during their child's early years hold promise for obesity prevention, according to a new study in the online issue of Pediatrics. Today, one out of five American children is obese. Young children who are overweight are five times more likely than their peers of normal weight to be obese by adolescence. Obese children and adolescents, especially low-income and minority youth, are at increased risk for a range of medical, social and academic problems... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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World class to second class? Confronting the risks to US science and innovation

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Research!America) Research!America 2012 National Health Research Forum is a unique interactive gathering of top policy makers. This discussion brings together heads of federal agencies for health research, as well as nationally recognized leaders from industry, academia and patient advocacy. Two panels will each be followed by Q&A, exploring the current landscape for medical and health research and strategies for maintaining a robust research and development sector in the United States. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Venous malformations of the temporal bone are a common feature in CHARGE syndrome

The Laryngoscope — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions:Temporal bone venous abnormalities are a common feature in CHARGE syndrome. The pattern of venous abnormality suggests that there is a failure of the sigmoid sinus/jugular bulb to fully develop, resulting in persistence of emissary veins. Recognition of these abnormal venous structures during otologic surgery is critical to avoiding potentially catastrophic bleeding. (Source: The Laryngoscope)

Clinical Performance and Skill Retention after Simulation‐based Education for Nephrology Fellows

Seminars In Dialysis — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractWe previously demonstrated that simulation‐based education (SBE) improved temporary hemodialysis catheter (THDC) insertion skills by nephrology fellows. SBE, featuring deliberate practice and rigorous achievement standards, was a powerful method to enhance THDC insertion skills in nephrology fellows. However, experts have called for further research to evaluate skill transfer from the simulated environment to actual clinical care and skill retention. This is a prospective observational cohort study of THDC insertion skills. Twelve nephrology fellows from three academic centers in Chicago were evaluated using a skills checklist from July 2008 to June 2009. Simulator‐trained fellows were tested after the SBE intervention and expected to meet or exceed a minimum passing score (MPS...

Developing community-based preventive interventions in Hong Kong: a description of the first phase of the Family Project

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:50:35 +0100

Conclusions: This work has public health significance because of the global importance of parent-child relationships as a risk-factor for many outcomes in adulthood, the need to develop interventions with strong evidence of effectiveness to populations outside the West, the potential application of our interventions to universal populations, and characteristics of the interventions that promote dissemination, including minimal additional costs for delivery by community agencies, and high acceptability to participants. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

Craig Phelps to take over as A.T. Still president

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:33:30 +0100

Dr. Craig Phelps, who currently serves as senior vice president for strategic initiatives for A.T. Still University, has been promoted to president of the university. He will split his time between ATSU’s main campus in Kirksville, Mo., and its Mesa campus. He is replacing Jack Magruder, who announced his retirement several months ago. His new role becomes effective July 1. Phelps is a 1984 graduate of ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He became provost of its Arizona campus in 1998 and led the team that developed that campus and its three academic units — the Arizona School of Health Sciences, the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, and the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Dr Paolo Raggi joins University of Alberta

theHeart.org — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:45:19 +0100

Dr Paolo Raggi has been named the academic director of the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and chief of cardiology at Alberta Health Services. (Source: theHeart.org)

Impact of Interhospital Transfer on Complications and Outcome After Intracranial Hemorrhage

Neurocritical Care — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:36:06 +0100

Conclusions Transferred patients had similar rates of death, disability and LOS as directly admitted patients, though worse 3-month cognitive outcomes. Prolonged time to interhospital transfer was associated with an increased risk of aneurysm rerupture and tracheostomy. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s12028-012-9679-zAuthors Ashley R. Catalano, Department of Neurosurgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1136, New York, NY 10029, USAH. R. Winn, Department of Neurosurgery, Lennox Hill Hospital, 100 East 77th Street, New York, NY 10075, USAErrol Gordon, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USAJennifer A. Frontera, ...

The affect of academic "misrepresentation" on residency match outcomes.

Dermatol Online J — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:54:18 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Applicants that list multiple unpublished manuscripts have a significant competitive advantage in matching into a dermatology residency, even if these manuscripts remain unpublished. PMID: 22301038 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Dermatol Online J)

Influence of Patient Race and Ethnicity on Clinical Assessment in Patients With Affective Disorders [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions African American individuals exhibited significantly higher rates of clinical diagnoses of schizophrenia than non-Latino white subjects, even after controlling for covariates such as serious affective disorder. (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

Subcallosal Cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Unipolar and Bipolar Depression [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The findings of this study support the long-term safety and antidepressant efficacy of subcallosal cingulate DBS for TRD and suggest equivalent safety and efficacy for TRD in patients with BP. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00367003 (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

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Non‐atopic males with adult onset asthma are at risk of persistent airflow limitation

Clinical and Experimental Allergy — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions & Clinical RelevanceWe conclude that in patients with adult onset asthma, male gender and absence of atopy are associated with persistent airflow limitation. This might suggest that amongst patients with adult onset asthma, non‐atopic male patients are at increased risk of accelerated decline in lung function.© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd (Source: Clinical and Experimental Allergy)

Action is required to safeguard the future of academic medicine in the UK

Nature Medicine — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Garth M Funston & Adam M H Young The long-term decline in the number of UK doctors who conduct research is well recognized. Although some signs of recovery have been noted in the last few years, government budget cuts and the imminent rise in the tuition fee cap may make a bad situation worse. (Source: Nature Medicine)

Federal Register: Cardiovascular Metallic Implants: Corrosion, Surface Characterization, and Nickel Leaching; Public Workshop

Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA): CDRHNew — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this public workshop is to provide a forum for FDA, cardiovascular device manufacturers, test houses, and academia to discuss corrosion, surface characterization, and nickel leach testing, as well as to collect comments and input... (Source: Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA): CDRHNew)

Public Workshop - Cardiovascular Metallic Implants: Corrosion, Surface Characterization, and Nickel Leaching, March 8-9, 2012

Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA): CDRHNew — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this workshop is to provide a forum for FDA, cardiovascular device manufacturers, test houses, and academia to discuss corrosion, surface characterization, and nickel leach testing, as well as collect comments and input regarding when... (Source: Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA): CDRHNew)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease Severity, Psychiatric Symptoms, and Functional Outcomes in Perinatally Infected Youth [Article]

Archives of Pediatrics — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Human immunodeficiency virus illness severity markers are associated with the severity of some psychiatric symptoms and, notably, with cognitive, academic, and social functioning, all of which warrant additional study. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00100542 (Source: Archives of Pediatrics)

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Modifying instruction within tiers in multitiered intervention programs

Psychology in the Schools — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article provides a simple model for evaluating the current instruction to look for areas in which it can be adjusted before more restrictive measures are taken. The model draws from the literature on functional assessment of academic performance. Teachers and consultants are advised to check (a) the skills targeted for instruction, (b) guided practice, (c) independent practice, (d) implementation fidelity, and (e) the motivating conditions that are present during instruction. The role of each area in student learning and progress is discussed, and recommendations are made for adjustments. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Psychology in the Schools)

Personalized therapy in breast cancer.

Onkologie — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:58:36 +0100

Authors: Marmé F, Schneeweiss A Abstract Systemic treatment of non-metastatic breast cancer is based on endocrine therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and molecular targeted therapy - with the major problems of immense overtreatment of patients who would not relapse without systemic therapy and the failure of treatment in others whose disease still recurs. These deficits can only be overcome by the identification of new and better prognostic and predictive markers. Currently, adjuvant treatment stratification is based on a limited number of established factors, namely locoregional tumour stage, age, grade, expression of hormone receptors, HER2, and Ki-67. Molecular profiling techniques, however, have revolutionized our understanding of breast cancer as a heterogeneous disease. Future ...

Why is high-risk drinking more prevalent among men than women? Evidence from South Korea

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:52:31 +0100

Conclusion: We came to a finding that gender-specific HRD tendency is the greatest contributor to gender differences in HRD. Therefore, to effective reduce HRD, it will be necessary to understand gender differences in socioeconomic characteristics between men and women but also take notice of such differences in sociocultural settings as they experience. And it will be also required to prepare any gender-differentiated intervention strategy for men and women. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

Tees chief nurse gains academic role

Nursing Times Breaking News — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:01:00 +0100

A senior nurse from the north east has been made a visiting professor at the University of Teesside. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Research4Life

Elsevier Updates: Engineering — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:00:12 +0100

Elsevier is a founding partner and leading contributor to Research4Life, a public private partnership, providing developing countries with low or low cost access to academic and peer reviewed content online for four programs HINARI, AGORA, OARE and ARDI. (Source: Elsevier Updates: Engineering)

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[Correspondence] The Integrated Academic Training programme at Oxford

LANCET — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In 2006, the Integrated Academic Training programme was initiated in the UK as a result of the Walport report on the crisis of decreasing clinical academic numbers. In Oxford, we decided that the most effective way to manage the programme would be to create a dedicated Oxford University Clinical Academic Graduate School ( OUCAGS). We wish to highlight both some advantages of this approach and challenges within the overall programme. (Source: LANCET)

Jacqueline Rose: a life in writing

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:55:08 +0100

'Victimhood is something that happens but when you turn it into an identity you're psychically and politically finished'One day, Jacqueline Rose came across a troubling passage in Proust's A la recherche du temps perdu. The narrator, Marcel, lies beside his sleeping lover Albertine and masturbates against her. "It seemed to me at those moments," writes Proust in Carol Clark's recent Penguin translation, "that I possessed her more completely, like an unconscious part of dumb nature." Professor Rose, feminist and psychoanalytic critic, bristled. "I thought 'This is ridiculous – she'd have woken up by now!' I had my feminist reaction – which is not my most obvious default position – which is just let the woman speak."So Rose decided to awaken Proust's lover from her implausible slumber....

The clinical importance of basioccipital developmental defects

Child's Nervous System — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:50:26 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorPages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s00381-012-1709-9Authors Tobias A. Mattei, Neurosurgery Department, University of Illinois at Peoria, 828 NE Glen Oak Avenue, Apt. 302, Peoria, IL 61603-3285, USACarlos R. Goulart, Neurosurgical Academic League, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil Journal Child's Nervous SystemOnline ISSN 1433-0350Print ISSN 0256-7040 (Source: Child's Nervous System)

[Policy Forum] Scientific Publications: Coercive Citation in Academic Publishing

Science: Current Issue — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:34:11 +0100

Many journal editors appear to strategically target authors and papers to pressure them into citing the editors' journals.Authors: Allen W. Wilhite, Eric A. Fong (Source: Science: Current Issue)

Adoption and Meaningful Use of Computerized Physician Order Entry With an Integrated Clinical Decision Support System for Radiology: Ten-Year Analysis in an Urban Teaching Hospital

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:08:19 +0100

Source: Ip IK et al, Journal of the American College of Radiology, 9(2) Content: Purpose The aim of this study was to assess whether an integrated imaging computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system with embedded decision support for imaging can be accepted clinically. Methods The study was performed in a health care delivery network with an affiliated academic [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

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Caris Diagnostics Announces Name Change to Miraca Life Sciences

HSMN NewsFeed — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:39:31 +0100

Company to Provide Same High-Quality Anatomic Pathology Services Under New Name TOKYO and IRVING, Texas, Feb. 3, 2012 --(HSMN NewsFeed) -- Caris Diagnostics, specializing in academic-caliber anatomic pathology services, today announced a company name ch... DiagnosticsMiraca Life Sciences, Caris Diagnostics (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Research4Life

Elsevier Updates: Physics — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0100

Caris Diagnostics Announces Name Change to Miraca Life Sciences

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

TOKYO and IRVING, Texas, Feb. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caris Diagnostics, specializing in academic-caliber anatomic pathology services, today announced a company name change to Miraca Life Sciences following its November 2011 acquisition by Tokyo-based Miraca Holdings Inc., Japan's largest clinical diagnostics and laboratory testing service provider. The name change, which is effective February 20, 2012, follows a successful integration process and will be reflected in all marketing and communications. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Fighting malaria with one hand tied back

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:29:00 +0100

Malaria does not just kill babies and children under five – it kills adults too, in nearly as large proportionsDecades of assumptions about the lethality of malaria have been overturned by the publication of a paper in the Lancet from an academic institute in Seattle which says the disease kills twice as many as everybody thought. Even more extraordinary – it would seem that conventional wisdom about the disease has been wrong all this time.It does not just kill babies and children under five — it kills adults too, in nearly as large proportions.The Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation has astounded the global health community by claiming it has been fighting malaria apparently with one hand behind its back. The death toll has come down since 2004, thanks to huge efforts to get...

Action learning enhances professional development of research supervisors: an Australian health science exemplar

Nursing and Health Sciences — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractThe worldwide academic workforce is ageing. At the same time, health and human services workforces are expanding. The preparation of educators to fill gaps in expertise and to position the health sciences for future growth is an urgent need. The findings from a recent action learning project that aimed to enhance the professional growth and development of higher degree researcher student supervisors in a School of Health and Human Sciences are presented. Seven early career researchers and the facilitator met for two hours every two to three weeks over 4 months between April and July 2010, in a rural and regional university in New South Wales, Australia. The processes initiated were a combination of experiential knowledge, referral to relevant published reports, use of an effectiv...

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The Impact of the Georgia Health Sciences University Nursing Faculty Practice on Tobacco Cessation Rates

Nursing Clinics of North America — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:41:30 +0100

Nursing faculty practice groups can play a vital role in tobacco cessation in academic medical centers. Outcomes from the Georgia Health Sciences University Nursing Faculty Practice Group Tobacco Cessation Program revealed 64% abstinence outcomes at the end of treatment (N = 160) over a 2-year period from the campus-wide tobacco-free policy initiation. A nurse-led, evidence-based, interdisciplinary approach can be an effective strategy to make a difference in the lives of tobacco-dependent individuals, while at the same time integrating practice with education and research. (Source: Nursing Clinics of North America)

Research ethics: Coercive citation in academic publishing

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:48:48 +0100

Scientists have examined the unethical practices of some journal publications, articulating results from their research to show that some editors coerce authors into adding unnecessary citations to articles in the same journal that is considering publishing the submitted work. Journal editors want to increase the number of times articles within their journals are cited by researchers -- because it raises the journal ranking and is used to make claims of prestige and importance. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Ethnic Differences in Prevalence and Barriers of HBV Screening and Vaccination Among Asian Americans

Journal of Community Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:14:02 +0100

Abstract Our study identifies the prevalence of HBV virus (HBV) screening and vaccination among Asian Americans, and ethnic differences for factors associated with screening and vaccination behaviors. In 2009–2010 we recruited 877 Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese Americans 18 years of age and above through several community organizations, churches and local ethnic businesses in Maryland for a health education intervention and a self-administered survey. Prevalence of HBV screening, screening result and vaccinations were compared by each ethnic group. We used logistic regression analysis to understand how sociodemographics, familial factors, patient-, provider-, and resource-related barriers are associated with screening and vaccination behaviors, using the total samp...

Scientists sign petition to boycott academic publisher Elsevier

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:07:55 +0100

Cost of Knowledge petition criticises 'exorbitantly high' price of Elsevier's scientific journals and the publisher's 'huge profits'More than 3,000 academics, including several Fields medal-winning mathematicians, have put their names to a petition declaring their intention to boycott the academic publisher Elsevier.The "Cost of Knowledge" petition claims Elsevier charges "exorbitantly high" prices for its journals and criticises its practice of selling journals in "bundles" so libraries "must buy a large set with many unwanted journals, or none at all". It says the publisher makes "huge profits by exploiting their essential titles, at the expense of other journals".The petition also criticises Elsevier's support for the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), PIPA and the US Research Works Act, wh...

Sleepy Teens

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:01:31 +0100

Can't get your teen out of bed to go to school? Maybe the problem isn't him. Maybe the problem is his changing body.read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

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Instituto de Cooperación Social - Integrare

WHO Maternal, Newborn and Child Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:47:00 +0100

Academic, Research & Training Institutes (Source: WHO Maternal, Newborn and Child Health)

Exposing the Hidden Curriculum Influencing Medical Education on the Health of Indigenous People in Australia and New Zealand: The Role of the Critical Reflection Tool

Academic Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:12:24 +0100

The disparity in health status between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia and New Zealand is widely known, and efforts to address this through medical education are evidenced by initiatives such as the Committee of Deans of Australian Medical Schools' Indigenous Health Curriculum Framework. These efforts have focused primarily on formal curriculum reform. In this article, the authors discuss the role of the hidden curriculum in influencing the teaching and learning of Indigenous health (i.e., the health of Indigenous people) during medical training and suggest that in order to achieve significant changes in learning outcomes, there needs to be better alignment of the formal and hidden curriculum. They describe the Critical Reflection Tool as a potential resource through whic...

The Career Trajectories of Health Care Professionals Practicing With Permanent Disabilities

Academic Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:49 +0100

Conclusions: The responses revealed several missed opportunities for supporting health care professionals with disabilities in the workplace. These findings should inform the continuing debate regarding what defines “reasonable accommodation” and how to create a workplace that is welcoming for nurses and physicians with disabilities. (Source: Academic Medicine)

Perspective: Ten Thousand Hours to Patient Safety, Sooner or Later

Academic Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:09:41 +0100

A call by the Institute of Medicine to advance the cause of patient safety catalyzed the current focus on duty hours limits during resident education. Unrelated benefits to resident education have accrued from those efforts, but, despite rigorous study of the issue, there is little evidence of a positive impact on patient safety resulting from trainee duty hours adjustments. Moreover, the discussion has become worrisomely myopic in its singular preoccupation with the impact of postgraduate medical education duty hours on safe patient care. The author argues that patient safety efforts should focus instead on the three essential elements of capacity, of which a discussion of duty hours and fatigue are an important part, commitment, and competence. Commitment requires altruism and profession...

Key Indicators in Academic Medicine

Academic Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:09:18 +0100

No abstract available (Source: Academic Medicine)

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Sex-Related Differences in Clinical Presentation and Outcome of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Severe Aortic Stenosis

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:55:34 +0100

Conclusions: Female sex is associated with better baseline clinical characteristics and improved survival, and is identified as a predictor of midterm survival after TAVI. (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

Recommended Breast Screening MRI Not Followed Through

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

A study of 64,659 women, recently published in the journal Academic Radiology, found that while 1,246 of these women were at high enough breast cancer risk to recommend additional screening with MRI, only 173 of these women returned to the clinic within a year for the additional screening. "It's hard to tell where, exactly, is the disconnect," says Deborah Glueck, PhD, investigator at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and associate professor of biostatistics and informatics at the Colorado School of Public Health, the paper's senior author... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Decisions on HEFCE funding for higher education 2012-13

MEDEV News — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:53:18 +0100

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced its funding decisions for higher education in England following the annual grant letter (Note 1) from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and subsequent decisions by the HEFCE Board. This announcement covers HEFCE funding for the academic year 2012-13 (Note 2). The overall level of government support for teaching in universities and colleges is set to increase over the next few years as a result of higher tuition fee loans under the Government’s new finance arrangements for higher education. HEFCE’s grant will reduce accordingly, but our commitment to supporting high-cost and strategically important subjects, widening participation and smaller specialist institutions will be maintained. HEFCE...

Clinical Decision Support to Promote Safe Prescribing to Women of Reproductive Age: A Cluster-Randomized Trial

Journal of General Internal Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:56:02 +0100

CONCLUSIONS CDS systems hold promise for increasing provision of family planning services when fertile women are prescribed potentially teratogenic medications, but further refinement of these systems is needed. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ResearchPages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s11606-012-1991-yAuthors Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USASara M. Parisi, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USASteven M. Handler, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USAGideon Koren, Motherisk Laboratory, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaElan D. Cohen, Division of General Internal Medicine,...

Intraoperative blood pressure changes as a risk factor for anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery

International Journal of Colorectal Disease — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:54:30 +0100

Conclusions The development of an anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery is related to surgical, patient and anaesthetic risk factors. A high preoperative diastolic blood pressure and profound intraoperative hypotension combined with complex surgery, marked by a blood loss of ≥250 mL and the occurrence of intraoperative adverse events, is associated with an increased risk of developing anastomotic leakage. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s00384-011-1381-7Authors I. L. Post, Department of Anesthesiology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The NetherlandsP. M. Verheijen, Department of Surgery, Diakonessenhuis Hospital, Utrecht, the NetherlandsA. Pronk, Department of Surgery, Diakonessenhu...

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Visualising the invisible: a network approach to reveal the informal social side of student learning

Advances in Health Sciences Education — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:26:25 +0100

Abstract World-wide, universities in health sciences have transformed their curriculum to include collaborative learning and facilitate the students’ learning process. Interaction has been acknowledged to be the synergistic element in this learning context. However, students spend the majority of their time outside their classroom and interaction does not stop outside the classroom. Therefore we studied how informal social interaction influences student learning. Moreover, to explore what really matters in the students learning process, a model was tested how the generally known important constructs—prior performance, motivation and social integration—relate to informal social interaction and student learning. 301 undergraduate medical students participated in this c...

Pediatric surgical site infection in the developing world: a Kenyan experience

Pediatric Surgery International — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:10:04 +0100

Conclusions Our rate of SSI among pediatric patients in sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest reported in the literature to date. More work is needed to identify modifiable risk factors for pediatric SSI in low- and middle-income countries. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00383-012-3058-xAuthors James H. Wood, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Box C302, Aurora, CO 80045, USAPeter M. Nthumba, BethanyKids at Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, KenyaEdita Stepita-Poenaru, BethanyKids at Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, KenyaDan Poenaru, BethanyKids at Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya Journal Pediatric Surgery InternationalOnline ISSN 1437-9813Print ISSN 0179-0358 (Source: Pediatric Su...

Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program - 2012 Call for Applications

RWJF - Open Calls For Proposals — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

The Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program was established to increase the number of faculty from historically disadvantaged backgrounds who can achieve senior rank in academic medicine and dentistry and who will encourage and foster the development of succeeding classes of such physicians and dentists. Four-year postdoctoral research awards are offered to universities, schools of medicine and dentistry and research institutions to support the research and career development of physicians and dentists from historically disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to developing careers in academic medicine and dentistry and to serving as role models for students and faculty of similar background. The program defines the term “historically disadvantaged” to mean the chall...

Secrets of the inner voice unlocked

NHS News Feed — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:19:00 +0100

Conclusion This study of 15 people undergoing brain surgery has demonstrated a method of reconstructing the sound of a heard word using only the signals obtained from the brain. This study represents an important progression in the field of speech reconstruction, which has the potential to improve the lives of many who suffer from speech difficulties in the future. But the words, when reconstructed, were not of good enough quality to be recognised by a human listener when played. The words could only be identified when the original and reconstructed sound patterns were compared visually. The researchers suggest that improving the brain sensors detecting the STG brain activity may, in the future, improve the reconstructed sound to a level that could be understood by a person listening. The ...

[Research as attractiveness parameter for young surgeons.]

Der Chirurg — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vollmar B Abstract Increasing concern has been expressed about the significant shortage of new trainees in surgery. As research in the context of surgical education and training is an essential element of attraction for the field of surgery, there is an urgent priority to implement clear room for research in the concepts of education and training. In this article the relevance of both the thesis accompanying the study and research training during surgical residency for the clinical self-image, personal satisfaction and academic development of young surgeons will be presented. PMID: 22290223 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Der Chirurg)

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The value of education in special care dentistry as a means of reducing inequalities in oral health

European Journal of Dental Education — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article aims to discuss the role and value of promoting and harmonising education in Special Care Dentistry as a means of reducing inequalities in oral health. (Source: European Journal of Dental Education)

Self‐esteem among German nurses: does academic education make a difference?

Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Accessible summary• Self‐esteem is not typically associated with nurses.• An academic nurse training can potentially increase self‐esteem.• Promoting self‐esteem in nurses should be part of academic as well as non‐academic education.AbstractSelf‐esteem is not typically associated with the nursing profession. However, the concept is indispensible for job satisfaction and good‐quality patient care. Many healthcare systems are confronted with declining numbers of qualified nurses, and desperately seek suitable strategies to recruit and retain sufficient trainees and junior staff. This investigation examined self‐esteem in 212 German nurses using the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale. Nurses with an academic degree displayed a statistically significant higher level of sel...

Ergonomics: Back to the Future

Ophthalmology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The frequency of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) has been reported in the ophthalmic literature over the last decade. Based upon different criteria, survey instruments, and populations studied, the prevalence of MSD symptoms in ophthalmologists varies. Kitzmann et al report the first study that compares MSD symptoms in ophthalmologists to family medicine doctors at 2 institutions using the same survey instrument. Ophthalmologists reported a statistically significant increased prevalence of neck, hand/wrist, and lower back pain in comparison to their family medicine doctor colleagues. Although the number of ophthalmologists surveyed was relatively low, and findings in practice settings as opposed to these 2 academic institutions may differ, the rates of symptoms among ophthalmologists were ...

Developmental outcome of very low birth weight infants in a developing country

BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Although the neurodevelopmental outcome of this group of VLBW infants was within the normal range, with a low incidence of cerebral palsy, these results may reflect the low survival of babies with a birth weight below 900 grams. In addition, mean subscale scores were low and one third of the babies were identified as "at risk", indicating that this group of babies warrants long-term follow up into school going age. (Source: BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles)

Quantitatively and Qualitatively Augmenting Medical Student Knowledge of Oncology and Radiation Oncology: An Update on the Impact of the Oncology Education Initiative

Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In the successive years since its inception, the Oncology Education Initiative continues to show a significant improvement in medical students' knowledge of cancer. The initiative has also succeeded in providing radiation oncology education to all graduating medical students at the authors' institution. Dedicated oncology education in the undergraduate medical curriculum provides students with a better understanding of multidisciplinary oncology management. (Source: Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR)

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Adoption and Meaningful Use of Computerized Physician Order Entry With an Integrated Clinical Decision Support System for Radiology: Ten-Year Analysis in an Urban Teaching Hospital

Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Imaging CPOE with embedded decision support integrated into the IT infrastructure of the health care enterprise and clinicians' workflow can be broadly accepted clinically. (Source: Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR)

JACR Journal Club: The University of Iowa Experience

Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Residency programs are designed to take medical students and turn them into capable, practicing physicians. For most diagnostic radiology residents, that usually means becoming private practice or academic radiologists. The vast majority of didactics are focused on diagnosis. Most programs are proficient at teaching things such as how to work up an adrenal lesion, and the ABR tests residents to make sure they are safe. However, are graduating residents fully prepared to jump out of the nest? (Source: Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR)

2011—year in review

Journal of Critical Care — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The year 2011 marked the first year the Journal of Critical Care published on a bimonthly schedule. This, coupled with an increased page allocation and accelerated submission rate, has created a robust and increasingly visible publication that depends upon its volunteer reviewers to succeed. Therefore, it is not only appropriate and fitting but also a pleasure and responsibility to thank the Journal's nine hundred fifty-eight completed reviews (out of 2024 invitations) 2011 reviewers for their expert commentaries, unstinting commitment to excellence, and selfless dedication to the concept that peer review is one of the highest forms of academic commitment and a bastion of journalistic integrity. This year has seen a number of challenges to the reputation of the process, but despite several...

Assessing the impact of faculty development fellowship in shiraz university of medical sciences.

Archives of Iranian Medicine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Our faculty development program appears to have a significant positive effect on medical teachers' competencies, and we suggest that our educational intervention is effective in achieving its aims. Further research should investigate whether this faculty development program actually results in improved teaching performance. PMID: 22292575 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Archives of Iranian Medicine)

Validation of frontal near-infrared spectroscopy as noninvasive bedside monitoring for regional cerebral blood flow in brain-injured patients.

Neurosurgical Focus — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The authors demonstrated a linear correlation for frontal NIRS cerebral oxygenation measurements compared with regional CBF on CT perfusion imaging. Thus, frontal NIRS cerebral oxygenation measurement may serve as a useful, noninvasive, bedside intensive care unit monitoring tool to assess brain oxygenation in a direct manner. PMID: 22296679 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Neurosurgical Focus)

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A review of continuing professional development for dentists in Europe

European Journal of Dental Education — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: To ensure high standards of care, alongside recommending core or mandatory topics, more attention should be given to reflection on learning needs, the learner’s readiness to engage with education and training and the influence of the workplace environment. (Source: European Journal of Dental Education)

Mastering improvement science skills in the new era of quality and safety: the Veterans Affairs National Quality Scholars Program

Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The VA National Quality Scholars program continues to nurture and develop leaders for the new millennium focusing on interprofessional education. The nations' health care systems need strong interdisciplinary leaders in advanced quality improvement science who are dedicated to improving the overall quality of health and health care. (Source: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice)

Respiratory Cycle-Related EEG Changes: Response to CPAP

Sleep — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:52:03 +0100

Conclusions:RCREC tends to diminish acutely with alleviation of upper airway obstruction by PAP. These data in combination with previous observations support the hypothesis that RCREC reflect numerous, subtle, brief, but consequential inspiratory microarousals.Citation:Chervin RD; Shelgikar AV; Burns JW. Respiratory cycle-related EEG changes: response to CPAP. SLEEP 2012;35(2):203-209. (Source: Sleep)

Contemporary body armor: technical data, injuries, and limits

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:48:13 +0100

Abstract The introduction of firearms in the fifteenth century led to the continuous development of bulletproof personal protection. Due to recent industrial progress and the emergence of a new generation of ballistic fibers in the 1960s, the ability of individual ballistic protections to stop projectiles greatly increased. While protective equipment is able to stop increasingly powerful missiles, deformation during the impact can cause potentially lethal nonpenetrating injuries that are grouped under the generic term of behind armor blunt trauma, and the scope and consequences of these are still unclear. This review first summarizes current technical data for modern bulletproof vests, the materials used in them, and the stopping mechanisms they employ. Then it describes r...

Expression of Fraser syndrome genes in normal and polycystic murine kidneys

Pediatric Nephrology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:45:54 +0100

Conclusions These descriptive results are consistent with the hypothesis that Fras family molecules play diverse roles in kidney epithelia. In future, this should be tested by conditional deletion of FS genes in nephron segments and collecting ducts. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s00467-012-2100-5Authors Larissa Kerecuk, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UKDavid A. Long, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UKZahabia Ali, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UKCorina Anders, School of Biomedicine, University of Manchester and Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UKMaria Kolatsi-Joannou, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UKPeter J. Scambler, UCL Institute of C...

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Clinical Lecturer in Diabetes & Endocrinology, University of Edinburgh

Society for Endocrinology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

Via www.jobs.ac.uk. There is a vacancy for a clinical lecturer in diabetes and endocrinology at Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh (salary: £31,523 - £46,708). The post provides outstanding opportunities for postdoctoral research in parallel with clinical training in diabetes and endocrinology and general medicine. The University's endocrinology research groups are based in the UoE/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science and the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, both large internationally renowned groups of clinical and biomedical researchers with expertise in many aspects of steroid hormone action in reproduction, obesity, type 2 diabetes, neuroendocrinology and cardiovascular disease. Clinical training will be provided in the Edinburgh Centre for Endoc...

COPD Assessment Test Assesses Exacerbation Severity

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Exacerbation severity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be reliably assessed with the COPD Assessment Test™ (CAT), according to a new study from the UK. "There is currently no widely accepted standardized method for assessing symptom severity at exacerbations in COPD patients," said Dr Alex J Mackay, MBBS, MRCP, clinical research fellow at the Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, University College London... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Financial Responsibility of Hospitalized Patients Who Left Against Medical Advice: Medical Urban Legend?

Journal of General Internal Medicine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:11:12 +0100

CONCLUSIONS Contrary to popular belief, we found no evidence that insurance denied payment for patients leaving AMA. Residency programs and hospitals should ensure that patients are not misinformed. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ResearchPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s11606-012-1984-xAuthors Gabrielle R. Schaefer, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USAHeidi Matus, Internal Medicine Residency Program, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 2007, AMB W216, Chicago, IL 60637, USAJohn H. Schumann, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, Tulsa, OK, USAKeith Sauter, Patient Financial Services, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USABenjamin Vekhter, Department of Me...

Frailty and sarcopenia: definitions and outcome parameters

Osteoporosis International — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:05:09 +0100

Abstract An operational definition of musculoskeletal decline in older people is needed to allow development of interventions for prevention or treatment, as was developed for the treatment of osteoporosis. Frailty and sarcopenia are linked, but distinct, correlates of musculoskeletal aging that have many causes, including age-related changes in body composition, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance. With the emergence of a number of exciting candidate therapies to retard the loss of muscle mass with aging, the derivation of a consensual definition of sarcopenia and physical frailty becomes an urgent priority. Although several consensual definitions have been proposed, these require clinical validation. An operational definition, which might provide a threshold for treatme...

Women not following through with recommended breast screening MRI

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Colorado Denver) A study of 64,659 women, recently published in the journal Academic Radiology, found that while 1,246 of these women were at high enough breast cancer risk to recommend additional screening with MRI, only 173 of these women returned to the clinic within a year for the additional screening. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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How to write an article: Preparing a publishable manuscript!

CytoJournal — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Vinod B Shidham, Martha B Pitman, Richard M DeMayCytoJournal 2012 9(1):1-1Most of the scientific work presented as abstracts (platforms and posters) at various conferences have the potential to be published as articles in peer-reviewed journals. This DIY (Do It Yourself) article on how to achieve that goal is an extension of the symposium presented at the 36 th European Congress of Cytology, Istanbul, Turkey (presentation available on net at http://alturl.com/q6bfp). The criteria for manuscript authorship should be based on the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts. The next step is to choose the appropriate journal to submit the manuscript and review the 'Instructions to the authors' for that journal. Although initial...

Accessing NIHR Information Systems: IT guidance

NHS Networks — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Peter Knight, deputy director and head of research information and intelligence, has written to chief executives of NHS trusts and university chancellors to explain that NHS and academic organisations are expected to review their local IT, internet access policies and/or firewall settings to ensure that all researchers are able to access the NIHR systems. (Source: NHS Networks)

Natural Language Processing Improves Identification of Colorectal Cancer Testing in the Electronic Medical Record

Medical Decision Making — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Applying NLP to EHR records detected more CRC tests than either manual chart review or billing records review alone. NLP had better precision but marginally lower recall to identify patients who were due for CRC screening than billing record review. (Source: Medical Decision Making)

Identifying, Assessing, and Treating Early Onset Schizophrenia at School(Li et al.)

Springer Psychology titles — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:07:30 +0100

series:Developmental Psychopathology at SchoolBy itself or in combination with an affective disorder, early onset schizophrenia (EOS) — the onset of symptoms before 18 years of age — can create severe deficits in young people’s academic performance, family and peer relationships, and even the ability to acquire new skills. The relative rarity of the condition, meanwhile, can leave school personnel unsure of how to meet — or even recognize ... (Source: Springer Psychology titles)

Dropping the Health Bill would save £1bn

HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:01:00 +0100

Abandoning the Health Bill would save the government just over £1bn in 2013, a leading academic has claimed. (Source: HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News)

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Who came up with the model for excessive pay? No, it wasn't the bankers – it was academics | Aditya Chakrabortty

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:30:01 +0100

All the focus has been on bankers' bonuses, yet no one has looked at the economists who argued for rewarding bosses by giving them a bigger financial stake in their companiesTake a big step back. Ignore those sterile debates about how Dave screwed up over Stephen Hester's pay and where this leaves Ed. Instead, ask this: which profession has done most to justify the millions handed over to the boss of RBS, his colleagues and counterparts? Which group has been most influential in making the argument that top people deserve top pay? Not the executives themselves – at least, not directly. Nor the headhunters. Try the economists.The ground rules for the system by which City bankers, Westminster MPs and ordinary taxpayers live today were set by two US economists just a couple of decades ago. I...

CAT Assesses COPD Exacerbation Severity

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0100

A UK study revealed that the COPD Assessment TestÂ� (CAT) can accurately evaluate exacerbation severity in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study is published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Alex J Mackay, MBBS, MRCP, clinical research member at the Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, University College London, explained: "There is currently no widely accepted standardized method for assessing symptom severity at exacerbations in COPD patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Peripherally inserted central catheters are equivalent to centrally inserted catheters in intensive care unit patients for central venous pressure monitoring

Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:07:40 +0100

In conclusion, PICCs are equivalent to CVCs when measuring static and dynamic pressure in vitro and CVP in ICU patients. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s10877-012-9337-1Authors Heath E. Latham, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 3007, Kansas City, KS 66160, USAScott T. Rawson, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 3007, Kansas City, KS 66160, USATimothy T. Dwyer, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 3007, Kansas City, KS 66160, USAChirag C. Patel, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 390...

Accessing National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) information systems

The Kings Fund - Health Management Specialist Collection — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:46:45 +0100

This letter explain that NHS and academic organisations are expected to review their local IT, internet access policies and/or firewall settings to ensure that all researchers are able to access the NIHR systems. Letter Department of Health - letters (Source: The Kings Fund - Health Management Specialist Collection)

Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Context in School-Associated Student Homicides. - Kaufman JM, Hall JE, Zagura M.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:32:08 +0100

This study assessed the importance of sex, race/ethnicity, and geographic context for incidents of school-associated student homicides between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1999, covering 5 academic years. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Pr... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Strategies and attributes of highly productive scholars and contributors to the school psychology literature: Recommendations for increasing scholarly productivity. - Martínez RS, Floyd RG, Erichsen LW.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:32:08 +0100

In all academic fields, there are scholars who contribute to the research literature at exceptionally high levels. The goal of the current study was to discover what school psychology researchers with remarkably high levels of journal publication do to be ... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Award-winning physician appointed deputy director at NIMHD

National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:01:00 +0100

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) announced today the appointment of M. Roy Wilson, M.D., M.S., an award-winning physician and academic administrator, as NIMH's Deputy Director Strategic Scientific Planning and Program Coordination. NIMHD is part of the National Institutes of Health. (Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases)

Adolescents and Bullying Coaches

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:30:50 +0100

The question put to me was basically this: "It's bad enough when students bully other students, but when it's an adult who does the bullying, it's even worse. My son has a bully for a coach at school. What should I do?"read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

Construction and completion of flux balance models from pathway databases

Bioinformatics — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We present a multiple gap-filling method to accelerate the development of FBA models using a new tool, called MetaFlux, based on mixed integer linear programming (MILP). The method suggests corrections to the sets of reactions, biomass metabolites, nutrients and secretions. The method generates FBA models directly from Pathway/Genome Databases. Thus, FBA models developed in this framework are easily queried and visualized using the Pathway Tools software. Predicted fluxes are more easily comprehended by visualizing them on diagrams of individual metabolic pathways or of metabolic maps. MetaFlux can also remove redundant high-flux loops, solve FBA models once they are generated and model the effects of gene knockouts. MetaFlux has been validated through construction of FBA models for Escher...

DMAN: a Java tool for analysis of multi-well differential scanning fluorimetry experiments

Bioinformatics — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Summary: Differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) is a rapid technique that can be used in structural biology to study protein–ligand interactions. We have developed DMAN, a novel tool to analyse multi-well plate data obtained in DSF experiments. DMAN is easy to install and provides a user-friendly interface. Multi-well plate layouts can be designed by the user and experimental data can be annotated and analysed by DMAN according to the specified plate layout. Statistical tests for significance are performed automatically, and graphical tools are also provided to assist in data analysis. The modular concept of this software will allow easy development of other multi-well plate analysis applications in the future. Availability and implementation: DMAN is implemented in Java to provide ...

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An Economic Toolkit for Identifying the Cost of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems: Detailed Methodology of the EMS Cost Analysis Project (EMSCAP)

Academic Emergency Medicine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article describes the development of a methodology for calculating the cost of an EMS system to its community. This includes a tool for calculating the cost of EMS (the “cost workbook”) and detailed directions for determining cost (the “cost guide”). The 12‐step process that was developed is consistent with current theories of health economics, applicable to prehospital care, flexible enough to be used in varying sizes and types of EMS systems, and comprehensive enough to provide meaningful conclusions. It was developed by an expert panel (the EMS Cost Analysis Project [EMSCAP] investigator team) in an iterative process that included pilot testing the process in three diverse communities. The iterative process allowed ongoing modification of the toolkit during the developmen...

Emergency Medical Services Education in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: A National Survey

Academic Emergency Medicine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: There is a wide range in the didactic, online, and in‐field EMS educational experiences provided as part of EM training. Most residents participate in ground ride‐along activities, provide DMO, and have a dedicated EMS rotation. Disaster‐preparedness is the most common desired addition to existing EMS rotations.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:1–6 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (Source: Academic Emergency Medicine)

Multicenter Study of Predictors of Suicide Screening in Emergency Departments

Academic Emergency Medicine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The presence of known psychiatric problems and substance use had the strongest associations with suicide screening, yet even patients presenting with these indicators were not screened for suicide. Understanding factors that currently influence suicide screening in the ED will guide the design and implementation of improved suicide screening protocols and related interventions.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 1–5 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (Source: Academic Emergency Medicine)

Emergency Medicine Resident Multitasking and Improvisation

Academic Emergency Medicine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Academic Emergency Medicine)

Systematic review of the emotional state and self‐management of widows

Nursing and Health Sciences — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study reviewed evidence about the emotional state of widows. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included in the review. A systematic search was made of the OVID Medline, PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost/Academic Search Premier databases using the following search words: “depression”, “elderly”/“older”, “emotional state”, “mood”, “self‐management”, “widows”, and “women” for the period January 2000 to December 2010. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria, and a qualitative content analysis was used to review them. The findings revealed one main theme: “A struggle to perceive meaning in the meaningless”, which was based on three themes: “Numbing the pain and struggling to control feelings”, “Feeling sad, yet trying to maintain ...

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The professional profile of UFBA nursing management graduate students

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:57:48 +0100

The objective of the present study was to analyze the professional profile of the nursing graduate students of Federal University of Bahia, more specifically of the nursing management area. This descriptive, exploratory study was performed using documental research. The data was collected from the graduates' curriculum on the Lattes Platform and from the graduate program documents, using a form. The study population consisted of graduates enrolled under the line of research The Organization and Evaluation of Health Care Systems, who developed dissertations/theses addressing Nursing/Health Management. The data were stored using Microsoft Excel, and then transferred to the STATA 9.0 statistical software. Results showed that most graduates are women, originally from the State of Bahia, and ha...

Digital fluency and the use of virtual environments: the characterization of nursing students

Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:57:48 +0100

The objective of this study was to characterize the profile of nursing undergraduate students, identify their digital fluency, knowledge, ability and interest in using virtual learning environments. This quantitative, exploratory-descriptive study, was performed with 51 nursing undergraduate students. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire. All 51 subjects (100%) reported having some knowledge in informatics, 26 (49%) of which reported having an intermediate knowledge; 47 (92%) use the Internet everyday; 51 (100%) surf the social networks and have e-mail; 51 (100%) are MSN users; 32 (62.7%) use Skype; 41 (82%) use Chat applications; 33 (64.7%) use discussion forums; 22 (43%) use blogs; 33 (64.7%) frequently use Moodle and 26 (51%) use COL; 45 (88.2 %) reported interest in usin...

David Grimes obituary

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:23:37 +0100

Our brother, David Grimes, who has died aged 60 from sporadic CJD, a neurodegenerative condition, was reader in African meteorology at the University of Reading.In 1990 he joined the Tamsat (Tropical Applications of Meteorology using Satellite and other data) group, and led it from 1996, developing a unique rainfall database which is used extensively by African weather services. Its immense significance for vulnerable communities in African countries was recognised in 2010 by the Royal Meteorological Society, which gave Tamsat the IBM award for meteorological innovation that matters. Among many other academic achievements, David made a substantial contribution to the Open University science foundation course – gateway to a qualification for those new to science.Born in Consett, Co Durham...

Global health outreach during anesthesiology residency in the United States: a survey of interest, barriers to participation, and proposed solutions

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:15:49 +0100

Conclusions: Anesthesiology residents have an interest in residency and fellowship GHO programs. Formalization of GHO programs during training may reduce work-related barriers associated with GHO participation and broaden academic program recruitment. (Source: Journal of Clinical Anesthesia)

Solutions for the storage and handling of SPINE standard pucks

Journal of Synchrotron Radiation — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Currently there is no rack system for the long-term storage of SPINE pucks in spite of their commercial availability and heavy usage at the ESRF. The only way to store pucks is in transport dewar canisters which presents a number of limitations and drawbacks. Here a simple affordable rack for storing SPINE pucks is described, which we believe is accessible to not only synchrotrons but also both academic and industrial research laboratories. (Source: Journal of Synchrotron Radiation)

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Has Diversity Increased in Orthopaedic Residency Programs since 1995?

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the increase in diversity in the orthopaedic workforce during the past 15 years, ethnic and gender disparities persist among orthopaedic residency programs regarding residents, clinical faculty, and basic research faculty. To increase diversity in orthopaedic residency programs, an emphasis on recruiting ethnic and gender minority candidates needs to become a priority in the orthopaedic academic community. PMID: 22286669 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research)

A working life: the geneticist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:02:30 +0100

Joe Rainger might still have been a chef, but for a degree change that took him out of the kitchen and plunged him into a world of DNA researchPeople born with abnormal eyes could – within our lifetime – benefit from replacements that match their own DNA, thanks to research by scientists like Joe Rainger.The 35-year-old geneticist is researching a mutation in human genes that causes microphthalmia (one or both eyes abnormally small), anophthalmia (absence of one or both eyes), and coloboma (a gap in the structure of the eye). The conditions are recessive; which means you need both parents to carry the defective gene for the conditions to appear. They are therefore most common in families where first cousins marry.Rainger, who works at the Medical Research Council's human genetics unit ...

Cerebellar toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS infant: case report and review of the literature

Neurological Sciences — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:55:44 +0100

Abstract Cerebellar mass lesion is an uncommon presentation of toxoplasmosis. The authors report one rare case in an 11-month-old HIV/AIDS female infant who presented with deterioration in her developmental milestones. CT scan revealed a ring-enhancing mass lesion in the right cerebellar hemisphere with secondary obstructive hydrocephalus. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted prior to posterior fossa decompression and biopsy of the lesion. The specimens obtained were divided into two. One specimen was sent for histological diagnosis immediately after surgery while the second specimen was preserved until the release of the histology report. The initial histopathology report indicated a neoplastic process. Immunohistochemical stains were attempted but interpreted with d...

[News Focus] Behavioral Sciences: Modernizing an Academic Monastery

Science: Current Issue — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:42:31 +0100

The venerable Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences has been trying to reinvent itself by applying behavioral science to 21st century problems.Author: Greg Miller (Source: Science: Current Issue)

Branding academic publishers 'enemies of science' is offensive and wrong

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:26:40 +0100

Publishers have made more scientific research available to more readers at a lower unit cost than ever beforeWriting in these pages last week, Dr Mike Taylor used strong language to support his assertion that academic publishers have "drifted out of alignment" with science – language that demands a response.I won't comment on the multiple references to one significant publisher – which is just one of 2,000 active scholarly publishers, most of them learned societies – but it is unfair and wrong to characterise a progressive industry in these terms. These publishers are not anti-science, anti-publication, pouring scorn on new entrants to the industry, exploiting people with preventable diseases (are you serious?) or doing almost nothing to earn their "obscene profits".They are offended...

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Pakistan to improve academia-industry links

SciDev.Net — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:11:57 +0100

Offices of research, innovation and commercialisation (ORIC) are set to improve links between Pakistan’s universities and its enterprises. www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/entrepreneurship/http://www.scidev.net/en/science-and-innovation-policy/entrepreneurship/ (Source: SciDev.Net)

How to write a good research grant proposal

Paediatrics and Child Health — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:16:38 +0100

This article aims to provide a step-by-step overview of the process of applying for research funding and will be most relevant to either a new academic joining a group or a young clinician wanting to establish their own research. We explain the types of funding available and the process by which one would choose the right funding body to apply to. We highlight the various people who should be involved in developing the research proposal and making a funding application, as well as the sources of support available to help the new researcher take their ideas forward. A checklist is also provided to reiterate the key points. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)

Research in resource-limited settings

Paediatrics and Child Health — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:16:38 +0100

Abstract: After long periods of vast child health disparities between industrialized countries and Resource-limited Settings (RLS) research has started to address and reduce the gap. It is well established worldwide, has yielded mutually rewarding collaborations and has a funding and career structure unthinkable even 25 years ago. Despite this progress, work remains to ensure academic and funding equity and ethical parity.This paper outlines the background to and history of research in RLS, illustrates the current situation and points to potential future developments. (Source: Paediatrics and Child Health)

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Practical Overview for Pediatricians

Pediatric Clinics of North America — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:14:51 +0100

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a history and it started with the Jewish physician Leo Kanner (1894–1981), born in a small village in Galicia, which at that time was part of Austria-Hungary. He studied medicine in Berlin and graduated in 1921, but emigrated to the United States in 1924 to take a position at the State Hospital in Yankton County, South Dakota. In 1930, he was selected to develop the first child psychiatry service at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, where he in 1933 became associate professor of psychiatry. He was in reality the first physician in the world identified as a child psychiatrist, the founder of the first academic child psychiatry department at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, and his first textbook “Child Psychiatry” from 1935 was the fir...

Brief communication: Radiographic study of metatarsal one basal epiphyseal fusion: A note of caution on age determination

American Journal of Physical Anthropology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study examines radiographs of first metatarsals of 131 individuals from age 17–88 years to determine whether internal basal epiphyseal lines may be visible past the age of metatarsal fusion, which usually occurs between 14 and 16 years of age (Scheuer and Black: The juvenile skeleton. San Diego: Elsevier Academic Press,2004). In 29% (38 out of 131) of the radiographed first metatarsals (MT1s) the basal epiphyseal scar is visible, including in one individual who was 80 years old. Statistically, there was no relationship between the loss of the epiphyseal scar and age. Thus, the presence of the epiphyseal scar does not necessarily indicate subadult age. These data suggest that OH 8's radiographically visible basal epiphyseal line has no bearing on whether it is a subadult or not. Am J...

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Ensuring oral health for older individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Journal of Clinical Nursing — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. A nurse can play a critical role in the examination, preventive services and referrals for dental care for older individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Relevance to clinical practice. The specific oral health needs of older individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be an integral component of the preventive and general health care provided by nurses. (Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing)

Videovoice: Community Assessment in Post-Katrina New Orleans

Health Promotion Practice — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study describes a videovoice project implemented in post-Katrina New Orleans during a pivotal time in city rebuilding and revitalization. Videovoice is a health advocacy, promotion, and research method through which people get behind video cameras to research issues of concern, communicate their knowledge, and advocate for change. Using videovoice method, a community–academic–filmmaker partnership engaged 10 Central City neighbors, who took part in an 18-week training and community assessment. The resulting 22-min film premiered before more than 200 city leaders and residents, reached more than 4,000 YouTube viewers during its first 2 months online, and was shared through the distribution of 1,000 DVDs. Viewing further helped mobilize the community for action on three prio...

Functional Status Does Not Predict Complicated Clinical Course in Older Adults in the Emergency Department with Infection

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionFor older adults admitted to the ED with infection, functional status did not predict complicated clinical course, but several other variables were predictive, including immunosuppression, several variables associated with hypoperfusion, and suspected bloodstream infection. Emergency physicians could consider these variables as potential indicators of complicated clinical course when making disposition decisions for this population. (Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society)

Factors Noted to Affect Breast Cancer Treatment Decisions of Women Aged 80 and Older

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionThe quality of physician documentation about decision‐making in these women was high. A great amount of thoughtful and complex decision‐making involving patients, family, and physicians occurs after a woman aged 80 and older is diagnosed with breast cancer. (Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society)

Carcinoma involving the gallbladder: A retrospective review of 23 cases - pitfalls in diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma

Diagnostic Pathology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Clinical history and a high index of suspicion are prerequisite to detecting GBC. Detection of GBC at an early stage is difficult because the symptoms mimic benign gallbladder diseases. Misinterpretation of subtle microscopic abnormalities contributes diagnostic failures in early cases. Careful attention to any evidence of mural thickening, thorough sampling, particularly in older patients, and close examination of any deeply situated glandular structures are critical. Correlations with radiographic and clinical findings are important helps to avoid misdiagnosis in this commonly resected organ. (Source: Diagnostic Pathology)

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Structural biology and drug discovery of difficult targets: the limits of ligandability.

Chemistry and Biology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Surade S, Blundell TL Abstract Over the past decade, researchers in the pharmaceutical industry and academia have made retrospective analyses of successful drug campaigns in order to establish "rules" to guide the selection of new target proteins. They have identified features that are considered undesirable and some that make targets "unligandable." This review focuses on the factors that make targets difficult: featureless binding sites, the lack of hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, the presence of metal ions, the need for adaptive changes in conformation, and the lipophilicity of residues at the protein-ligand interface. Protein-protein interfaces of multiprotein assemblies share many of these undesirable features, although those that involve concerted binding and fol...

Integrative Oncology Imperative for Nurses

Seminars in Oncology Nursing — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:56:03 +0100

Conclusion: The field of integrative oncology is growing and research evidence in this area is burgeoning. Many cancer patients are using and can benefit from CAM. There are many resources and educational opportunities available to oncology nurses to enhance their CAM knowledge and skills.Implications for Nursing Practice: Nurses must keep abreast of the growing evidence in integrative oncology that documents the safety and efficacy of different CAM approaches for cancer patients. It is critical that nurses be aware of reputable resources and legal implications related to use of CAM. (Source: Seminars in Oncology Nursing)

Twenty-five years of research and new beginnings

Applied Nursing Research : ANR — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:54:20 +0100

This volume marks the 25th anniversary of Applied Nursing Research (ANR). In these past two and a half decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the nursing knowledge developed and disseminated both in the United States and globally. Funding for nurse scientists also has increased, and these scientists are recognized as full members of the academic community. As part of this volume, in tribute to the scholarship of the past and the inherent lessons for future researchers, we will profile some of the most significant studies published in ANR. (Source: Applied Nursing Research : ANR)

Strategies for Collaboration in the Interdisciplinary Field of Emerging Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonoses and Public Health — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:03:50 +0100

SummaryThe integration of the veterinary, medical and environmental sciences necessary to predict, prevent or respond to emerging zoonotic diseases requires effective collaboration and exchange of knowledge across these disciplines. There has been no research into how to connect and integrate these professions in the pursuit of a common task. We conducted a literature search looking at the experiences and wisdom resulting from collaborations built in health partnerships, health research knowledge transfer and exchange, business knowledge management and systems design engineering to identify key attributes of successful interdisciplinary (ID) collaboration. This was followed by a workshop with 16 experts experienced in ID collaboration including physicians, veterinarians and biologists from...

Histologic tumor necrosis is an independent prognostic indicator for clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:55:05 +0100

Authors: Pichler M, Hutterer GC, Chromecki TF, Jesche J, Kampel-Kettner K, Rehak P, Pummer K, Zigeuner R Abstract Histologic tumor necrosis (TN) has been reported to indicate a poor prognosis for different human cancers. In papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC), data regarding the prognostic impact of TN are conflicting. We retrospectively studied the pathology records of 2,333 consecutive patients who underwent nephrectomy from 1984 to 2006 at a single tertiary academic center. In multivariate analyses regarding clear cell RCC, the presence of histologic TN was an independent negative prognostic factor for metastasis-free (hazard ratio [HR], 2.32; confidence interval [CI], 1.86-2.9; P < .001) and overall (HR, 1.52; CI, 1.31-1.76; P < .001) survival. Regarding papillary RCC, t...

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ARL releases “Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries”

News from STM — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:45:13 +0100

January 26, 2012. The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) announces the release of the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries, a clear and easy-to-use statement of fair and reasonable approaches to fair use developed by and for librarians who support academic inquiry and higher education. The Code was developed in partnership with the Center for Social Media and the Washington College of Law at American University. Winston Tabb, Johns Hopkins University Dean of University Libraries and Museums and President of ARL, said, “This document is a testament to the collective wisdom of academic and research librarians, who have asserted careful and considered approaches to some very difficult situations that we all face every day.” http://bit.ly/ylp1Xj (Sour...

AR: PACS implementation can be a roller coaster ride

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:36:52 +0100

The benefits to productivity and efficiency provided by PACS are widely publicized, but a PACS implementation isn’t without its challenges. In the February issue of Academic Radiology, radiologists and PACS managers from University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland offered their experiences implementing PACS to illustrate potential gains and problem areas. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

Impact of Automated Alerts on Follow-Up of Post-Discharge Microbiology Results: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of General Internal Medicine — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:55:24 +0100

CONCLUSION Our alerting system improved the proportion of important post-discharge microbiology results with documented follow-up, though the proportion remained low. The alerts were well received and may be expanded in the future. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ResearchPages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s11606-012-1986-8Authors Robert El-Kareh, Division of Biomedical Informatics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., no. 0505, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093-0505, USAChristopher Roy, Division of General Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USADeborah H. Williams, Division of General Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USAEric G. Poon, Division of General Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA ...

The Epidemiology of Intensive Care Unit Readmissions in the United States.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 2% and 4% of ICU patients discharged to the ward are readmitted within 48 and 120 hours, within a median time of 3 days. Medical patients in academic hospitals are more likely to be readmitted than patients in community hospitals without residents. ICU readmission rates could be useful for policy makers and investigations into their causes and consequences. PMID: 22281829 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine)

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Piperacillin-Tazobactam in 42 Patients Treated with Concomitant CRRT.

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsThere is significant patient to patient variability in pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters in patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy. Many patients did not achieve pharmacodynamic targets, suggesting that therapeutic drug monitoring might optimize therapy. PMID: 22282479 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN)

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Bare Metal Stent Thrombosis in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Circulation Journal — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The incidence of ST in ACS patients was higher than classically described. Clopidogrel discontinuation and resumption of smoking are involved. Efforts should be made to improve patient education and secondary prevention. PMID: 22277320 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)

Management of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: From Academic Guidelines to Clinical Practice

Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:05:35 +0100

Abstract Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal disorders characterized by excessive production of mature cells. In most of the classic Philadelphia-negative MPNs—polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and MPN-associated myelofibrosis (MPN-MF)—oncogenic mutations affecting JAK2 or MPL lead to constitutive activation of cytokine-regulated intracellular signalling pathways. The traditional therapy for PV and ET is the prevention of thrombotic events with antiproliferative agents in association with aspirin. New drugs such as pegylated interferon and anti-JAK agents are candidates for slowing the evolution to myelofibrosis or leukemia. Conventional therapy for MPN-MF is driven by clinical needs, primarily anemia and splenomegaly. Lenalidomide and ...

Description of an academic teaching rotation for postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residents.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:49:01 +0100

Conclusion An academic teaching rotation can provide a PGY1 pharmacy resident with experiences in teaching, service, and scholarly activities beyond those typically offered in residency programs. PMID: 22261945 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Development and implementation of a comprehensive heparin-induced thrombocytopenia recognition and management protocol.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:48:41 +0100

Conclusion In one institution, an HIT working group extended the scope of NPSG 03.05.01 to include the parenteral DTIs. The implementation of the HIT protocol has resulted in greater compliance with appropriate DTI dosing and improved EMR documentation of HIT. PMID: 22261947 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Procedures to improve prescribing and dispensing of oral contraceptives at an academic medical center.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:48:31 +0100

Conclusion A review of existing processes for the use of oral contraceptives led to the identification of several strategies to improve prescribing and dispensing practices. Strategies to improve medication safety included reducing the number of oral contraceptive products on the formulary, modifying the CPOE system to restrict ordering to formulary products, dispensing only tablets that contain active drug, and repackaging oral contraceptives in unit dose form. PMID: 22261948 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

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Call for nomination of a representative of Academic, Research and Training Institutions Constituency

WHO Maternal, Newborn and Child Health — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:36:00 +0100

There is presently an open seat on the Board of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health to represent the ART (Academic, Research and Training Institutions) constituency. As you know, this vacancy must be filled prior to the PMNCH Board meeting in May 2012. (Source: WHO Maternal, Newborn and Child Health)

AR: Efficiency gains top imaging informatics wish list

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:15:37 +0100

Informatics innovations can boost productivity or market share; however, justifying the development and implementation of such systems can be challenging. An article in the February issue of Academic Radiology offered a wish list and a series of strategies for investing in specific PACS innovations. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

Study: Adolescents from unstable families lose ground in rigorous high schools

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(American Sociological Association) Research continues to support a connection between instability in the home and school performance in adolescents, but a new study in the January issue of Sociology of Education takes the research a step further by exploring how the relationship between family structure change and adolescent academic careers is also affected by the kinds of schools they attend. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Good governance handbook

NHS Networks — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This report explains how to apply these within health and social care organisations. (Source: NHS Networks)

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Recent Changes in Patenting Behavior in Microprocess Technology and its Possible Use for Gas-Liquid Reactions and the Oxidation of Glucose.

ChemSusChem — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dencic I, Hessel V, de Croon MH, Meuldijk J, van der Doelen CW, Koch K Abstract The miniaturization of continuous processes has been of increasing interest in the past decade, and microreaction technology and flow chemistry have moved from academic and industrial research to commercial applications. With industry taking up such innovations, this trend is also reflected in the patenting behavior of companies active in this area. This review is a continuation of the review paper on microreactor patents published by Hessel et al. and indicates major changes in patenting trends since 2006. Moreover, a different patent database search algorithm is presented, which complements the algorithm explained in the previous review. In addition, the preservation of intellectual propert...

Adiponectin Dysregulation and Insulin Resistance in Type 1 Diabetes.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion:Adiponectin levels are positively correlated with insulin sensitivity in T1D patients. However, T1D patients have decreased insulin sensitivity compared with controls at every level of adiponectin, suggesting an important adaptive change of adiponectin set point. PMID: 22278421 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism)

Risk factors of underutilization of childhood immunizations in ultraorthodox Jewish communities in Israel despite high access to health care services.

Vaccine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors of under-immunization are in part modifiable, by means of health education on the risks of vaccine preventable diseases and by improving the trust in the MOH. The leaders of the ultraorthodox communities could play an important role in such interventions. PMID: 22285273 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Randomized Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents vs. Sirolimus-Eluting Stents for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Chronic Total Occlusion.

Circulation Journal — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The effectiveness and safety of ZES are similar to those of SES and therefore it is a good treatment option in patients undergoing PCI for CTO with DESs. PMID: 22277317 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)

Socioeconomic status, severity of disease and level of family members’ care in adult surgical intensive care patients: the prospective ECSSTASI study

Intensive Care Medicine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:14:07 +0100

Abstract Background Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer and trauma. However, individual-level prospective data on SES in relation to health outcomes among critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) are unavailable. Methods In a cohort of 1,006 patients at a 24-bed surgical ICU of an academic tertiary care facility in Germany, we examined levels of SES in relation to disease severity at admission, time period of mechanical ventilation, length of stay and frequency of phone calls and visits by next-of-kin. Findings Patients with low SES had higher risk for Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score greater or equal to 5 [multivariate-adjusted...

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Development of an electronic medical record based intervention to improve medical care of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis International — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:09:41 +0100

Conclusion An electronic medical record intervention without electronic reminders created with physician input achieves an increase in calcium supplementation but fails to increase diagnosis or treatment for osteoporosis at the time of hospitalization for a fragility fracture. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00198-011-1866-9Authors B. J. Edwards, Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan, Suite 630, Chicago, IL 60611, USAA. D. Bunta, Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USAJ. Anderson, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USAA. Bobb, Nort...

Sacred Heart University to offer master's in health IT

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:53:45 +0100

Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., is adding a graduate-level health IT program to its course catalog for the 2012 to 2013 academic year. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

The Patient-Provider Relationship in Chronic Pain

Current Pain and Headache Reports — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:27:19 +0100

Abstract The relationship between patient and provider has long been the subject of study within the psychotherapy literature, with the available data suggesting a modest, but reliable, association between the strength of this relationship and treatment outcome. Conversely, there has been little work focused on the patient–provider relationship in chronic pain settings despite the complexities and difficulties that are often involved in this area. This review provides a brief, broad overview of the literature on the patient–provider relationship and identifies key aspects that are specifically relevant to chronic pain settings. In addition to reviewing the literature in this area, a series of recommendations for future clinical and academic work are offered. Conte...

Post-operative wound infection in salvage laryngectomy: does antibiotic prophylaxis have an impact?

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:27:15 +0100

Abstract Salvage laryngectomy carries a high risk of post-operative infection with reported rates of 40–61%. The purpose of this study was to analyse infections in our own patients and review the potential impact of our current antibiotic prophylaxis (AP). A retrospective analysis of infection in 26 consecutive patients between 2000 and 2010 undergoing salvage total laryngectomy (SL) following recurrent laryngeal cancer after failed radiotherapy or chemo-radiation was undertaken. The antibiotic prophylaxis was intravenous teicoplanin, cefuroxime and metronidazole at induction and for the following 24 h. Infection was defined by Tabet and Johnson’s grade 5, categorized as pharyngocutaneous fistula. Fifteen patients (58%) developed a post-operative wound infection, ...