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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and safety of a publicly available large language model (LLM)-ChatGPT in the sub-domain of glaucoma. Design: Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology. Subjects participants and/or controls: We seek to evaluate the responses of an artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT (version GPT-3.5, OpenAI). Methods intervention or testing: We curated 24 clinically relevant questions in the domain of glaucoma. The questions spanned four categories: pertaining to diagnosis, treatment, surgeries, and ocular emergencies. Each question was posed to the LLM and the responses obtained were graded by an expert grader panel of three glaucoma specialists with combined experience of more than 30 years in the field. For responses which performed poorly, the LLM was further prompted to self-correct. The subsequent responses were then re-evaluated by the expert panel. Main outcome measures: Accuracy, comprehensiveness, and safety of the responses of a public domain LLM. Results: There were a total of 24 questions and three expert graders with a total number of responses of n = 72. The scores were ranked from 1 to 4, where 4 represents the best score with a complete and accurate response. The mean score of the expert panel was 3.29 with a standard deviation of 0.484. Out of the 24 question-response pairs, seven (29.2%) of them had a mean inter-grader score of 3 or less. The mean score of the original seven question-response pairs was 2.96 which rose to 3.58 after an opportunity to self-correct (z-score - 3.27, p = 0.001, Mann-Whitney U). The seven out of 24 question-response pairs which performed poorly were given a chance to self-correct. After self-correction, the proportion of responses obtaining a full score increased from 22/72 (30.6%) to 12/21 (57.1%), (p = 0.026, χ2 test). Conclusion: LLMs show great promise in the realm of glaucoma with additional capabilities of self-correction. The application of LLMs in glaucoma is still in its infancy, and still requires further research and validation.
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Lower-intensity interventions delivered in primary and community care contacts could provide more equitable and scalable weight management support for postnatal women. This mixed-methods systematic review aimed to explore the effectiveness, implementation, and experiences of lower-intensity weight management support delivered by the non-specialist workforce. We included quantitative and qualitative studies of any design that evaluated a lower-intensity weight management intervention delivered by non-specialist workforce in women up to 5 years post-natal, and where intervention effectiveness (weight-related and/or behavioural outcomes), implementation and/or acceptability were reported. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022371828). Nine electronic databases were searched to identify literature published between database inception to January 2023. This was supplemented with grey literature searches and citation chaining for all included studies and related reviews (completed June 2023). Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessments were performed in duplicate. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. Narrative methods were used to synthesise outcomes. Seven unique studies described in 11 reports were included from the Netherlands (n = 2), and the United Kingdom, Germany, Taiwan, Finland, and the United States (n = 1 each). All studies reported weight-related outcomes; four reported diet; four reported physical activity; four reported intervention implementation and process outcomes; and two reported intervention acceptability and experiences. The longest follow-up was 13-months postnatal. Interventions had mixed effects on weight-related outcomes: three studies reported greater weight reduction and/or lower postnatal weight retention in the intervention group, whereas four found no difference or mixed effects. Most studies reporting physical activity or diet outcomes showed no intervention effect, or mixed effects. Interventions were generally perceived as acceptable by women and care providers, although providers had concerns about translation into routine practice. The main limitations of the review were the limited volume of evidence available, and significant heterogeneity in interventions and outcome reporting which limited meaningful comparisons across studies. There is a need for more intervention studies, including process evaluations, with longer follow-up in the postnatal period to understand the role of primary and community care in supporting women's weight management. Public Health Wales was the primary funder of this review.
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Dieta , Ejercicio Físico , Pérdida de Peso , Femenino , Humanos , Sesgo , Recursos Humanos , Atención PosnatalRESUMEN
PRCIS: In our case series, the 3-year failure for Paul Glaucoma Implant (PGI) implantation was 14.6%. At 3 years postoperatively, there was a significant reduction in mean intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of glaucoma medications used. OBJECTIVE: To determine the 3-year efficacy and safety of the PGI, a novel glaucoma tube shunt in patients with glaucoma. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who had undergone PGI implantation in a single tertiary institution in Singapore between May 1, 2017 and January 1, 2022. Data were extracted from electronic health records (Computerized Patient Support System 2 and Epic). The primary outcome measure was failure, defined as IOP >18 mm Hg or <6 mm Hg on 2 consecutive visits after 3 months, reoperation for IOP-related indication, explantation of implant, or loss of light perception vision. Complete success was defined as the absence of failure without medications at 36 months, and qualified success similarly, but with medications. Postoperative mean IOP, mean number of IOP-lowering medications used, and visual acuity were also assessed. RESULTS: Forty-eight eyes in 48 patients were identified. Thirty-one patients (64.6%) had primary open angle and angle closure glaucoma, and 18 (37.5%) had previous existing tube implants or trabeculectomy. At 3 years postoperatively, 7 cases (14.6%) fulfilled the criteria for failure and 36 (75%) met the criteria for complete success. The mean IOP at 36 months was 14.9 ± 4.11 mm Hg, from the mean preoperative IOP of 20.6 ± 6.13 mm Hg ( P < 0.001). The mean number of IOP-lowering medications used was reduced from 3.13 ± 0.959 preoperatively to 0.167 ± 0.476 at 36 months ( P < 0.001). The most common postoperative complication was hypotony (n = 17, 35.4%), of which the majority were self-limiting, followed by hyphema (n = 5, 10.4%) and tube exposure (n = 4, 8.3%). CONCLUSION: The PGI demonstrated sustained IOP reduction and a reduction of medication burden at 3 years postoperatively.
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Implantes de Drenaje de Glaucoma , Presión Intraocular , Tonometría Ocular , Agudeza Visual , Humanos , Presión Intraocular/fisiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Femenino , Masculino , Agudeza Visual/fisiología , Anciano , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios de Seguimiento , Resultado del Tratamiento , Glaucoma/cirugía , Glaucoma/fisiopatología , Implantación de Prótesis , Adulto , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antihipertensivos/administración & dosificación , Antihipertensivos/uso terapéutico , Glaucoma de Ángulo Abierto/cirugía , Glaucoma de Ángulo Abierto/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, United Kingdom (UK) stop smoking services had to shift to remote delivery models due to social distancing regulations, later reintroducing face-to-face provision. The "Living Well Smokefree" service in North Yorkshire County Council adopted a hybrid model offering face-to-face, remote, or a mix of both. This evaluation aimed to assess the hybrid approach's strengths and weaknesses and explore potential improvements. METHODS: Conducted from September 2022 to February 2023, the evaluation consisted of three components. First, qualitative interviews involved 11 staff and 16 service users, analysed thematically. Second, quantitative data from the QuitManager system that monitored the numbers and proportions of individuals selecting and successfully completing a 4-week quit via each service option. Third, face-to-face service expenses data was used to estimate the value for money of additional face-to-face provision. The qualitative findings were used to give context to the quantitative data via an "expansion" approach and complementary analysis. RESULTS: Overall, a hybrid model was seen to provide convenience and flexible options for support. In the evaluation, 733 individuals accessed the service, with 91.3% selecting remote support, 6.1% face-to-face, and 2.6% mixed provision. Remote support was valued by service users and staff for promoting openness, privacy, and reducing stigma, and was noted as removing access barriers and improving service availability. However, the absence of carbon monoxide monitoring in remote support raised accountability concerns. The trade-off in "quantity vs. quality" of quits was debated, as remote support reached more users but produced fewer carbon monoxide-validated quits. Primarily offering remote support could lead to substantial workloads, as staff often extend their roles to include social/mental health support, which was sometimes emotionally challenging. Offering service users a choice of support options was considered more important than the "cost-per-quit". Improved dissemination of information to support service users in understanding their options for support was suggested. CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid approach allows smoking cessation services to evaluate which groups benefit from remote, face-to-face, or mixed options and allocate resources accordingly. Providing choice, flexible provision, non-judgmental support, and clear information about available options could improve engagement and match support to individual needs, enhancing outcomes.
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Monóxido de Carbono , Pandemias , Humanos , Fumar , Fumar Tabaco , InglaterraRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study measured changes in patient satisfaction levels before and after the introduction of primary care system strengthening interventions in urban, rural, and remote sites in the Philippines. METHODS: A previously validated 16-item questionnaire was distributed to 200 patients per site before implementation of interventions and to a different set of 200 patients 1 year after implementation. We compared the percentage change in highly satisfied patients per site before and after implementing interventions using a two-proportion Z-test. RESULTS: The urban site had a significant increase in patient satisfaction in 13 survey items, which corresponded to the domains of healthcare availability, service efficiency, technical competency and health communication. The rural site had a significant increase in six survey items, which corresponded to the domains of service efficiency, environment, location, health communication and handling. The remote site had a decrease in patient satisfaction in 10 survey items, with a significant increase in only 4 items under the domains of healthcare availability and handling. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the 'inverse equity hypothesis', where well-resourced urban communities quickly adopt complex health interventions while rural and remote settings experience delays in effectively meeting patient needs and system demands. Extended intervention periods and targeted strategies may be necessary to impact patient satisfaction in underserved areas considerably.
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Satisfacción del Paciente , Atención Dirigida al Paciente , Humanos , Filipinas , Instituciones de SaludRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Strengthening primary care helps address health inequities that continue to persist in the Philippines. The Philippine Primary Care Studies pilot-tested interventions to improve the primary care system. One intervention was the provision of a free subscription to an electronic decision support application called UpToDate (UTD) for primary care providers (PCPs), including doctors, nurses, midwives and community health workers (CHWs). This study aimed to (1) assess the feasibility of using UTD as information source for PCPs in urban, rural and remote settings, (2) determine the acceptability of UTD as an information source for PCPs and (3) examine the impact of UTD access on PCP clinical decision-making. METHODS: Four focus group discussions (FGDs) and two key informant interviews (KII) were conducted to gather insights from 30 PCPs. Thematic analysis through coding in NVivo V.12 was done using the technology acceptance model (TAM) as a guiding framework. RESULTS: All PCPs had positive feedback regarding UTD use because of its comprehensiveness, accessibility, mobility and general design. The participants relayed UTD's benefit for point-of-contact use, capacity-building and continuing professional development. PCPs across the three sites, including CHWs with no formal medical education, were able to provide evidence-based medical advice to patients through UTD. However, external factors in these settings impeded the full integration of UTD in the PCPs' workflow, including poor internet access, unstable sources of electricity, lack of compatible mobile devices and the need for translation to the local language. CONCLUSION: UTD was a feasible and acceptable clinical decision support tool for the PCPs. Factors affecting the feasibility of using UTD include technological and environmental factors (ie, internet access and the lack of translation to the local language), as well as the organisational structure of the primary care facility which determines the roles of the PCPs. Despite the difference in roles and responsibilities of the PCPs, UTD positively impacted decision-making and patient education for all PCPs through its use as a point-of-contact tool and a tool for capacity-building.
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Sistemas de Apoyo a Decisiones Clínicas , Humanos , Estudios de Factibilidad , Filipinas , Toma de Decisiones Clínicas , Atención Primaria de SaludRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Diabetic Foot is a severe chronic complication of diabetes and an important factor in the morbidity of diabetic people, resulting in high health costs and increased risk of death. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors associated with diabetic foot in people with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. METHOD: Systematic literature review. Searches in MedLine via PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were performed. Inclusion of 52 studies. The R program, Metan packages, was used to calculate the meta-analysis. Given the heterogeneity of studies, the random effect was used to calculate the meta-analysis of risk factors. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of diabetic foot was 14% in a hospital setting and 5% in a community setting. The overall prevalence and incidence were 9% and 4%, respectively. Significant risk factors included time of DM (odds ratio [OR] =1.46, confidence interval [CI], 0.36-2.57, P = 0.009), smoking (OR = 1.46, CI, 1.16 -1.85, P< .001), glycated hemoglobin (OR = 0.96, CI, 0.50; 1.42, P< .001), peripheral arterial disease (OR = 3.38, CI, 2.07; 5.53, P < .001) and peripheral neuropathy (OR = 5.88, CI, 2.39-14.45, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary monitoring, educational strategies, periodic foot examination for alterations, and early identification of risk factors are essential to prevent ulceration and reduce the disease burden.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Pie Diabético , Humanos , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Pie Diabético/complicaciones , Incidencia , Prevalencia , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Trauma is an experience (physical or emotional) that is life-threatening, harmful, or out of the ordinary and has lasting effects on mental health and wellbeing. Much of the information about trauma within homeless populations focuses on events in childhood. Using coproduction principles, we aimed to synthesise qualitative evidence exploring the impact of trauma during adulthood homelessness on mental health, including substance use. METHODS: In this qualitative systematic review, we searched ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Proquest theses and dissertations, PsychInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published from inception until Sept 6, 2022, alongside grey literature from relevant websites. Search terms were developed based on the PICO framework. No language, date, or geographical limits were applied. Any qualitative research reporting experiences of trauma and its impact on mental health during homelessness in adults was eligible. We extracted relevant data (eg, methodology, sample characteristics, homelessness, and findings). People with lived experience of homelessness were provided with bespoke training by the lead researcher. They contributed to refining the review aims, screening, coding, and theme development. Quality was assessed using the CASP Qualitative Studies Checklist. FINDINGS: We included 26 qualitative papers, including 876 adults experiencing homelessness between ages 18 and 70 years (448 [51%] women and 428 [49%] men). All papers focused on urban settings. Eight papers were from the USA, five from Canada, four from the UK and Australia, three from Brazil, and one from Ethiopia and Iran. A framework synthesis of these 26 papers identified three preliminary themes. People experiencing homelessness make sense of trauma in three ways: internalised understanding, relationality to others, and with a survival lens. Coping strategies for managing feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression included substance use, self-rationalisation, and strategies to feel safe. Finally, when people experienced repeated trauma, they became either dissociated, and accepted their situation, or resilient, wishing to change their circumstances. INTERPRETATION: Further evidence is needed in rural or coastal regions, where people experiencing homelessness may face greater isolation. Trauma rarely takes place in isolation, and often previous experiences of trauma shape how people experiencing homelessness make sense of trauma and cope with it. Support to address coping with the effects of trauma should focus on ensuring people do not become desensitised and prevent deterioration of mental health and substance use. The strength of this review is its coproduction with people with lived experience. Single person data extraction with secondary checks was a limitation. FUNDING: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research as part of the Three NIHR Research Schools Mental Health Programme.
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Personas con Mala Vivienda , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Salud Mental , Investigación Cualitativa , Problemas Sociales , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The known activities of cytokinins (CKs) are promoting shoot multiplication, root growth inhibition, and delaying senescence. 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) has been the most effective CK to induce shoot proliferation in cereal and grasses. Previously, we reported that in lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) micropropagation, BAP 10 µM induces high shoot proliferation, while the natural CK 6-(γ,γ-Dimethylallylamino)purine (2-iP) 10 µM shows less pronounced effects and developed rooting. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved, we perform a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network based on the genes of Brachypodium distachyon involved in shoot proliferation/repression, cell cycle, stem cell maintenance, auxin response factors, and CK signaling to analyze the molecular mechanisms in BAP versus 2-iP plants. A different pattern of gene expression was observed between BAP- versus 2-iP-treated plants. In shoots derived from BAP, we found upregulated genes that have already been demonstrated to be involved in de novo shoot proliferation development in several plant species; CK receptors (AHK3, ARR1), stem cell maintenance (STM, REV and CLV3), cell cycle regulation (CDKA-CYCD3 complex), as well as the auxin response factor (ARF5) and CK metabolism (CKX1). In contrast, in the 2-iP culture medium, there was an upregulation of genes involved in shoot repression (BRC1, MAX3), ARR4, a type A-response regulator (RR), and auxin metabolism (SHY2).
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Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is an economically significant plant that produces fruit consumed worldwide due to its organoleptic characteristics. Since their commercial production, papaya fruits have faced several problems, such as pests, which have been partly resolved using transgenic varieties. Nevertheless, a principal challenge in this cultivation is the plant's sex determination. The sex issue in papaya is complex because papaya flowers can bear three sex forms: male, female, and hermaphrodite, which affects their fruit production, shape, and yield. Fruits from hermaphrodite plants are preferred more by consumers than female ones, and male plants rarely produce fruits without commercial value. Chromosomes are responsible for sex determination in papaya, denoted as XY for male, XX for female, and XYh for hermaphrodite. However, genes related to sex have been reported but are not conclusive. Factors such as the environment, hormones, and genetic and epigenetic background can also affect sex expression. Therefore, in this review, we will discuss recent research on the sex of papaya, from reported genes to date, their biology, and sexing approaches using molecular markers and their advantages.
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Carica , Carica/genética , VerdurasRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The draft genome sequence of Campylobacter jejuni (Cj26) was analysed to investigate genetic mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, virulence-associated genes, and phylogenetic context. METHODS: Antimicrobial resistance was assessed by agar dilution and disk diffusion. Cj26 was sequenced using NovaSeq 6000 technology. The genome was assembled and annotated. Resistance genes and chromosomal mutations were analysed using the Center for Genomic Epidemiology services, and the multilocus sequence type, SVR-flaA, and porA were determined. The virulome was determined using the Virulence Factor Database. Plasmid detection and assembly were performed using Unicycler v0.5.0 software. To infer the core genome phylogeny, prokka v1.14.5 was employed in conjunction with IQtree v2.0.3. RESULTS: The Cj26 strain showed a high level of resistance to ciprofloxacin (32 µg/mL) and erythromycin (>128 µg/mL) and resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin. Multilocus sequence typing revealed that the strain belonged to sequence type 353. The substitutions Tre-86-Ile in gyrA and A2075G in 23s RNA were detected, along with the genes tetO, aph(3')-III, ant(6)-Ia, and blaOXA 460. A consistent relationship among accessory and core genes was identified. When compared to other sequence type 353 genomes from Brazil, Cj26 clustered with strains that had more antimicrobial resistance genes than the other clusters. CONCLUSION: This report provides insight into the antimicrobial resistance determinants found in a C. jejuni strain and offers a valuable resource for further studies on Campylobacter genomics and antimicrobial resistance.
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Antiinfecciosos , Campylobacter jejuni , Animales , Ciprofloxacina/farmacología , Eritromicina , Aves de Corral , Filogenia , Brasil , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana/genética , Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , GenómicaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a common allergy in infants and can affect proper growth and development. This study verified factors associated with the evolution of the nutritional status (NS) among infants with CMPA fed with hypoallergenic formulas (HF). METHODS: This is a longitudinal study of infants (n = 1036) participating on a governmental program in Brazil. Researchers assessed Nutritional status before HF treatment (T1) and after HF treatment (T2). The causality of exposure variables on the evolution of NS was verified by Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR). RESULTS: We observed an increase in anthropometric indexes analyzed with statistically significant results (p < 0.01). The weight/age and height/age scores showed a significant reduction in infants with nutritional deficit. The Body Mass Index (BMI) showed a decrease in the number of infants with nutritional deficit (< -2 z-score). On the other hand, there was an increase in those classified as at risk of overweight, overweight and obese. MLR showed that those who remained < 12 months in the program had a lower odds ratio (95% CI = 0.355-0.906; p = 0.018) to have inadequate NS with increasing BMI. Preterm infants were 4 times more likely (CI 95% = 1.520-10.694; p = 0.005) to have their BMI decreased and those who received nutritional counseling had a lower odds ratio (CI 95% = 0.411-0.953; p = 0.029) to maintain adequate NS. CONCLUSION: The program has a significant impact on the NS of infants with CMPA. The constant management and implementation of differentiated criteria according to the evolution of NS for the supply of HF is fundamental in the continuity of this public policy.
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The emergence of fluoroquinolone and macrolide resistance in C. jejuni, a recognized zoonotic pathogen, has increased worldwide. This study aimed to investigate phenotypic resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, the molecular mechanisms involved, and the strain of C. jejuni isolated from broiler carcasses. Eighty C. jejuni isolates from broiler carcasses in southern Brazil were investigated for their susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin at minimal inhibitory concentrations. Mismatch amplification mutation assay-polymerase chain reaction (MAMA-PCR) was performed to detect substitutions of Thr-86-Ile, A2074C, and A2075G of domain V in the 23S rRNA. The presence of ermB gene and CmeABC operon were investigated by PCR. DNA sequencing was used to detect substitutions in the L4 and L22 proteins of the erythromycin-resistant strains. The Short Variable Region (SVR) of flaA was used to type all the strains resistant to both antimicrobials. Ciprofloxacin and erythromycin resistance were detected in 81.25% and 30.00% of the strains, respectively, and minimal inhibitory concentration values ranged from ≤ 0.125 to 64 µg/mL for ciprofloxacin and 0.5 to > 128 µg/mL for erythromycin. The Thr-86-Ile mutation in gyrA was observed in 100% of the ciprofloxacin-resistant strains. Mutations in both the A2074C and A2075G positions of 23S rRNA were observed in 62.5% of the erythromycin-resistant strains, while 37.5% had only the mutation A2075G. None of the strains harbored CmeABC operon, and ermB was not detected. Using DNA sequencing, the amino acid substitution T177S was detected in L4, and substitutions I65V, A103V, and S109A were detected in L22. Twelve flaA-SVR alleles were identified among the strains, with the most common SVR-flaA allele, type 287, covering 31.03% of ciprofloxacin- and erythromycin-resistant isolates. The present study revealed a high incidence and high levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, as well as broad molecular diversity in C. jejuni isolates from broiler carcasses.
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Infecciones por Campylobacter , Campylobacter jejuni , Animales , Ciprofloxacina/farmacología , Eritromicina/farmacología , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Campylobacter jejuni/genética , Aves de Corral , Mataderos , Brasil , ARN Ribosómico 23S/genética , Infecciones por Campylobacter/microbiología , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana/genética , Macrólidos/farmacología , Pollos/microbiología , Pruebas de Sensibilidad MicrobianaRESUMEN
Amikacin is the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of Gram-negative infections, namely, those in neutropenic oncology patients. No populational pharmacokinetic studies are currently available reporting amikacin pharmacokinetics in neutropenic oncology patients despite their specific pathophysiological features and treatments. A large-scale retrospective study was herein conducted to specifically investigate the effects that tumor diseases have on the pharmacokinetic parameters of amikacin and identify whether chemotherapy, the lag time between administration of chemotherapy and amikacin, age and renal function contribute to amikacin pharmacokinetics in neutropenic cancer patients. A total of 1180 pharmacokinetic analysis from 629 neutropenic patients were enrolled. The daily dose administered to oncology patients was higher than that administered to non-oncology patients (p < 0.0001). No statistical differences were found in amikacin concentrations, probably because drug clearance was increased in cancer patients (p < 0.0001). Chemotherapy influenced amikacin pharmacokinetics and drug clearance decreased as the lag time enhanced. The elderly group revealed no statistical differences between the doses administered to both the oncology groups, suggesting that the impact of ageing is stronger than chemotherapy. Our research suggests that cancer patients require higher initial doses of amikacin, as well as when chemotherapy is received less than 30 days before amikacin treatment has started.
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BACKGROUND: Inequities in health access and outcomes persist in low- and middle-income countries. While strengthening primary care is integral in improving patient outcomes, primary care networks remain undervalued, underfunded, and underdeveloped in many LMICs such as the Philippines. This paper underscores the value of strengthening primary care system interventions in LMICs by examining their impact on job satisfaction and intention to stay among healthcare workers in the Philippines. METHODS: This study was conducted in urban, rural, and remote settings in the Philippines. A total of 36 urban, 54 rural, and 117 remote healthcare workers participated in the study. Respondents comprised all family physicians, nurses, midwives, community health workers, and staff involved in the delivery of primary care services from the sites. A questionnaire examining job satisfaction (motivators) and dissatisfaction (hygiene) factors was distributed to healthcare workers before and after system interventions were introduced across sites. Interventions included the introduction of performance-based incentives, the adoption of electronic health records, and the enhancement of diagnostic and pharmaceutical capabilities over a 1-year period. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test and a McNemar's chi-square test were then conducted to compare pre- and post-intervention experiences for each setting. RESULTS: Among the factors examined, results revealed a significant improvement in perceived compensation fairness among urban (p = 0.001) and rural (p = 0.016) providers. The rural workforce also reported a significant improvement in medicine access (p = 0.012) post-intervention. Job motivation and turnover intention were sustained in urban and rural settings between periods. Despite the interventions introduced, a decline in perceptions towards supply accessibility, job security, and most items classified as job motivators was reported among remote providers. Paralleling this decline, remote primary care providers with the intent to stay dropped from 93% at baseline to 75% at endline (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The impact of strengthening primary care on health workforce satisfaction and turnover intention varied across urban, rural, and remote settings. While select interventions such as improving compensation were promising for better-supported settings, the immediate impact of these interventions was inadequate in offsetting the infrastructural and staffing gaps experienced in disadvantaged areas. Unless these problems are comprehensively addressed, satisfaction will remain low, workforce attrition will persist as a problem, and marginalized communities will be underserved.
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Fuerza Laboral en Salud , Intención , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Atención Primaria de Salud , Humanos , Agentes Comunitarios de Salud , Satisfacción Personal , Filipinas , Servicios de Salud Rural , Disparidades en Atención de SaludRESUMEN
Background: 'Making Every Contact Count' (MECC) is a public health strategy supporting public-facing workers to use opportunities during routine contacts to enable health behaviour change. A mental health hospital in the North East of England is currently implementing a programme to embed MECC across the hospital supporting weight management ('A Weight Off Your Mind'). Bespoke MECC training has been developed to improve staff confidence in discussing physical activity, healthy eating, and related behaviour change with service users. This article describes the protocol for a pragmatic formative process evaluation to inform the implementation plan for MECC and facilitate successful implementation of the bespoke MECC training at scale. Methods/Design: An 18-month, mixed method pragmatic formative process evaluation, including qualitative research, surveys, document review and stakeholder engagement. This project is conducted within a mental health inpatient setting in the North East of England. Programme documents will be reviewed, mapped against MECC national guidelines, Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) and intervention functions within the Behaviour Change Wheel. A cross-sectional survey (n = 365) and qualitative semi-structured interviews (n = 30) will be conducted with healthcare practitioners delivering MECC to assess capability, opportunity and motivation. Data collection and fidelity procedures will be examined, including design, training and delivery dimensions of fidelity. Interviews with service users (n = 20) will also be conducted. Discussion: Anticipated outcomes include developing recommendations to overcome barriers to delivery of and access to MECC, including whether to either support the use of the existing MECC protocol or tailor the MECC training programme. The findings are anticipated to improve fidelity of MECC training within mental health inpatient settings as well as provide evidence for MECC training at a national level. We also expect findings to influence strategic plans, policy, and practice specific to MECC and inform best practice in implementing wider brief intervention programmes.
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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to elucidate the effectiveness of home based rehabilitation (HBR) and compare its results with those obtained in conventional rehabilitation (CR) programs, carried out in clinics and/or outpatient clinics. METHODS: Searches were conducted in five databases of randomized clinical trials. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment of the methodological quality of included studies were conducted independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. RESULTS: The results demonstrate post-intervention values favorable to the use of HBR when compared to control group in the outcomes of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (MD = 14% CI: 5.42 to 22.58, p = 0.001), forced vital capacity (FVC) (MD = 8.00% CI: 0.83 to 15.17, p = 0.03) and quality of life by the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire - revised in the categories (Child version score" (MD= 0.71%CI: 0.15 to 1.27, p = 0.01) and "Parent version score" (MD= 0.67%CI: 0.11 to 1.23, p = 0.02). Furthermore, we noticed an increase in the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test (MD= 34.75%CI: -8.00 to 77.50, p = 0.14), in favor of HBR. CONCLUSIONS: We found that supervised or partially supervised HBR promotes improvements in FEV1, FVC and related quality of life in children and/or adolescents with cystic fibrosis.
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Fibrosis Quística , Humanos , Niño , Adolescente , Calidad de Vida , Terapia por Ejercicio/métodos , Caminata , Instituciones de Atención AmbulatoriaRESUMEN
Open, reproducible, and replicable research practices are a fundamental part of science. Training is often organized on a grassroots level, offered by early career researchers, for early career researchers. Buffet style courses that cover many topics can inspire participants to try new things; however, they can also be overwhelming. Participants who want to implement new practices may not know where to start once they return to their research team. We describe ten simple rules to guide participants of relevant training courses in implementing robust research practices in their own projects, once they return to their research group. This includes (1) prioritizing and planning which practices to implement, which involves obtaining support and convincing others involved in the research project of the added value of implementing new practices; (2) managing problems that arise during implementation; and (3) making reproducible research and open science practices an integral part of a future research career. We also outline strategies that course organizers can use to prepare participants for implementation and support them during this process.
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OBJETIVO: Sintetizar evidências disponíveis sobre ações de enfermagem para melhorar a autogestão do diabetes durante a pandemia de COVID-19. MÉTODO: Revisão de escopo usando a metodologia Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) e o Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Identificaram-se estudos acadêmicos e literatura cinzenta de sete bases de dados primárias e seis secundárias. Dois revisores avaliaram os estudos e os dados foram analisados ââdescritivamente. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 1.322 títulos, dos quais 31 estudos foram incluídos. Os estudos foram publicados em 2020, principalmente em inglês. A teleconsulta foi uma estratégia relevante para ajudar os pacientes a controlar o diabetes e sua saúde. CONCLUSÃO: A revisão indica que ações de enfermagem realizadas durante a pandemia para melhorar a autogestão do diabetes não foram diferentes do que está consolidado, mas algumas adaptações foram realizadas. A necessidade de autocuidado, apoio social e uma abordagem centrada no paciente é reforçada.
OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the available evidence on nursing-based actions to improve diabetes self-management during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology (JBI) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The research covered academic studies and gray literature from seven primary and six secondary databases. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies, and the data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: A total of 1,322 titles were identified, of which 31 studies were included. All studies were published in 2020, mainly in English. Teleconsultation was a relevant strategy to help patients manage diabetes and their general health. CONCLUSION: The review indicates that the nursing-based actions carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve diabetes self-management are not different from what has been consolidated, but some adaptations have been undertaken. The need for self-care, social support, and a collaborative and patient-centered approach is reinforced.