[Operational planning of health services: How do we make it possible?] / Planificación operativa en servicios sanitarios: ¿cómo lo hacemos posible?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The Catalan Health Service carries out the operational planning of service delivery and organization. The goal is to describe the methodology and procedure followed to perform these functions. METHODS: The process of operational planning in healthcare services (OPHS) is continuous, dynamic, participatory, objective, and adaptable. OPHS can be divided into three stages prior to implementation and evaluation: Service delivery planning, Organization of healthcare resources, and Procurement planning. RESULTS: Three examples of projects are presented following the POSS framework. It is essential to adapt the process to the characteristics of each project. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed framework is useful to achieve high quality and equity in access to services.

Oesophagectomy in End-Stage Achalasia.

Presentation A 53 year old male with known Chicago Classification type II achalasia, and successful pneumatic dilatation five years previously, presented with severe dysphagia and 17.5 kg weight loss over 3 months. Diagnosis He underwent OGD and contrast imaging to reveal a mega oesophagus secondary to progressive achalasia. Treatment After initial nutritional pre-habilitation with naso-enteric feeding, he underwent a laparoscopic heller's myotomy with clinical and radiological improvement. However quick relapse of symptoms and a failed, atonic, massively dilated oesophagus lead to the decision to proceed to transhiatal oesophagectomy. Discussion Achalasia is a spectrum of motility disorder, and where it has progressed to mega-oesophagus, the success of standard therapeutic approaches is limited. End stage achalasia in this context, with nutritional failure or recurrent pneumonia/bronchiectasis, can be safely treated with an oesophageal resection which is curative, removing a "failed" oesophagus in its entirety.

Nutrient Intakes and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Among Esophagogastric Cancer Survivors up to 5 Years Post-Surgery.

A cross-sectional analysis explored nutritional intakes and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms among esophagogastric cancer survivors up to 12, 13-36, and 37+ months post-surgery. Participants were identified from the Upper GI Cancer Registry at St James' Hospital, Ireland. The Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire, European Prospective Investigation of Cancer Food Frequency Questionnaire, World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Score, and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale assessed malnutrition risk, nutritional intake, adherence to (secondary) cancer prevention recommendations, and GI symptoms, respectively. Most (82.5%, n33) participants (n40) were male. Mean age was 65.5 ± 9.3 years. Time post-surgery ranged from 6-62 months. Half (50.0%, n20) had a BMI in the healthy range. A quarter (27.5%, n11) were at risk of malnutrition. Intakes of meat and meat products exceeded recommendations and intakes of fruits, vegetables, and fiber were below recommendations, with no significant between-group differences. The mean WCRF/AICR score was 3.6 ± 1.1, indicating adherence to 3.6 of 7 cancer prevention recommendations. It was not significantly different between subgroups. Minor to mild GI discomfort was reported, with no significant between-group differences in symptoms. As rates of long-term survivorship continue to increase, survivors must be supported to sustain behaviors that enhance quality of life and reduce secondary cancer risk.

The Patient-Centered Dental Home: A Framework for Quality Measurement, Improvement, and Integration.

OBJECTIVE: This study completed the development of a standardized patient-centered dental home (PCDH) framework to align and integrate with the patient-centered medical home. This study identified measure concepts and specific measures and standards to complete the 4-level measurement framework to implement and evaluate a PCDH. This study built on prior model development, which identified the PCDH definition and characteristics and the components nested within those characteristics. METHODS: An environmental scan identified existing oral health care quality measure concepts, measures, and standards for rating by the project's National Advisory Committee (NAC). A modified Delphi process, adapted from the RAND appropriateness method, was used to obtain structured feedback from the NAC. NAC members rated measure concepts on importance and, subsequently, specific measures and standards on feasibility, validity, and actionability using a 1 to 9 rating scale. Criteria for model inclusion were based on median ratings and rating dispersion. Open-ended comments were elicited to inform model inclusion as well as identify additional concepts. RESULTS: We identified more than 500 existing oral health care measures and standards. A structured process was used to identify a subset that best aligned with a PCDH for rating by the NAC. Four Delphi rounds were completed, with 2 rounds to rate measure concepts and 2 rounds to rate measures and standards. NAC quantitative ratings and qualitative comments resulted in a total of 61 measure concepts and 47 measures and standards retained for inclusion in the framework. CONCLUSIONS: The NAC ratings of measure concepts, and specific measures and standards nested within those concepts, completed the 4-level PCDH measurement framework. The resulting framework allows for the development and implementation of core measure sets to identify and evaluate a PCDH, facilitating quality improvement and dental-medical integration. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: Clinicians, payers, health care systems, and policy makers can use the results of this study to guide and assess implementation of the various components of a patient-centered dental home and to support dental-medical integration.

Evaluating residual anti-Xa levels following discontinuation of treatment-dose enoxaparin in patients presenting for elective surgery: a prospective observational trial.

INTRODUCTION: Prior studies have demonstrated that patients presenting for elective surgery may have higher-than-expected residual anti-Xa level activity at or beyond 24 hours following their last treatment dose of enoxaparin. Given that 24 hours of abstinence is currently recommended by both European and American societies before the performance of neuraxial or deep anesthetic/analgesic procedures, determining the actual timeframe at which residual anti-Xa level activity reliably falls below 0.2 IU/mL, the lower limit of the target range for thromboprophylaxis, is critical. METHODS: This was a prospective observational trial. Consenting patients on treatment-dose enoxaparin were randomized to either a 24-hour group (last dose at 07:00 the day prior to surgery) or a 36-hour group (last dose at 19:00 2 days prior to surgery). On arrival for surgery, blood samples were obtained to assess residual anti-Xa level activity and renal function. The primary outcome was residual anti-Xa level activity following the last treatment dose of enoxaparin. Incorporating all patients, linear regression modeling was performed to predict the timepoint at which the level of anti-Xa activity reliably fell below 0.2 IU/mL. RESULTS: 103 patients were analyzed. Time from the last dose at which residual anti-Xa activity fell below 0.2 IU/mL, based on the upper bound of the 95% CI, was 31.5 hours. No correlation overall between age, renal function, or sex was found. CONCLUSION: Residual levels of anti-Xa activity do not reliably fall below 0.2 IU/mL 24 hours following discontinuation of treatment-dose enoxaparin. Therefore, current time-based guidelines are not conservative enough. Routine anti-Xa testing should be strongly considered, or current time-based guidelines should be reassessed. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03296033.

Associations between Johne's disease and fertility in UK dairy herds.

The objective of this observational study was to quantify associations between Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) antibody status and a variety of fertility outcomes, in UK dairy cattle. Longitudinal milk recording, fertility and MAP antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) milk test data were collated retrospectively from 121,762 lactations in 78 herds. Datasets were structured into appropriate units to suit outcomes and enable temporal association between current and future MAP status, and fertility measures. Current MAP status was categorised according to most recent status within 180 days, with time-related future MAP status assigned based on MAP antibody ELISA milk test data for each cow. Multilevel multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between MAP status and 21-day pregnancy and submission rate and conception risk. Posterior predictions and cross-validation techniques were used to assess model fit and check model building assumptions. A negative association was found between risk of insemination (Odds Ratio [OR], 0.78; 95% Credible Interval [CI], 0.66-0.92) and conception occurring (OR, 0.65; CI, 0.5-0.84) and transition from negative to non-negative MAP test status in the next 30-90 days. A positive association was observed between risk of insemination (OR, 1.34; CI, 1.16-1.52) and conception occurring (OR, 1.26; CI, 1.11-1.43) and transition from negative to non-negative MAP test status in the next 90-180 days. Current positive MAP test status was negatively and positively associated with insemination (OR, 0.59; CI, 0.49-0.70) and conception risk (OR, 1.12; CI, 0.96-1.30), respectively. Herd managers will have had access to test results, declaring cows with past recent or multiple positive MAP antibody ELISA results not to be bred, negatively influencing insemination risk. Overall, these results demonstrate the temporal association between a positive MAP antibody ELISA result and dairy cow fertility outcomes, with particular variability prior to a positive MAP antibody ELISA result.

Response adaptive salvage with KTd and ASCT for functional high-risk multiple myeloma-The Australasian Leukemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) MM17 Trial.

We evaluated re-induction incorporating carfilzomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone (KTd) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) refractory, or demonstrating a suboptimal response, to non-IMID bortezomib-based induction. KTd salvage consisted of thalidomide 100 mg daily and dexamethasone 20 mg orally combined with carfilzomib 56 mg/m2 days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16, of each 28-day cycle. Following four cycles, patients achieving a stringent complete response proceeded to ASCT whereas those who did not received a further two cycles then ASCT. Consolidation consisted of two cycles of KTd then Td to a total of 12 months post-ASCT therapy. Primary end-point was the overall response rate (ORR) with KTd prior to ASCT. Fifty patients were recruited. The ORR was 78% with EuroFlow MRD negativity of 34% in the intention-to-treat population and 65% in the evaluable population at 12 months post-ASCT. With follow-up >38 months median PFS and OS have not been reached with PFS and OS at 36 months of 64% and 80%, respectively. KTd was well tolerated with grade 3 and grade ≥4 adverse events rates of 32% and 10%, respectively. Response adaptive utilisation of KTd with ASCT is associated with both high-quality responses and durable disease control in functional high-risk NDMM.

Recommendations from a Canadian Delphi consensus study on best practice for optimal referral and appropriate management of severe asthma.

BACKGROUND: In Canada, severe asthma affects an estimated 5-10% of people with asthma and is associated with frequent exacerbations, poor symptom control and significant morbidity from the disease itself, as well as the high dose inhaled, and systemic steroids used to treat it. Significant heterogeneity exists in service structure and patient access to severe asthma care, including access to biologic treatments. There appears to be over-reliance on short-acting beta agonists and frequent oral corticosteroid use, two indicators of uncontrolled asthma which can indicate undiagnosed or suboptimally treated severe asthma. The objective of this modified Delphi consensus project was to define standards of care for severe asthma in Canada, in areas where the evidence is lacking through patient and healthcare professional consensus, to complement forthcoming guidelines. METHODS: The steering group of asthma experts identified 43 statements formed from eight key themes. An online 4-point Likert scale questionnaire was sent to healthcare professionals working in asthma across Canada to assess agreement (consensus) with these statements. Consensus was defined as high if ≥ 75% and very high if ≥ 90% of respondents agreed with a statement. RESULTS: A total of 150 responses were received from HCPs including certified respiratory educators, respirologists, allergists, general practitioners/family physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists. Consensus amongst respondents was very high in 37 (86%) statements, high in 4 (9%) statements and was not achieved in 2 (5%) statements. Based on the consensus scores, ten key recommendations were proposed. These focus on referrals from primary and secondary care, accessing specialist asthma services, homecare provision for severe asthma patients and outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of these recommendations across the severe asthma care pathway in Canada has the potential to improve outcomes for patients through earlier detection of undiagnosed severe asthma, reduction in time to severe asthma diagnosis, and initiation of advanced phenotype specific therapies.

An engineered N-acyltransferase-LOV2 domain fusion protein enables light-inducible allosteric control of enzymatic activity.

Transferases are ubiquitous across all known life. While much work has been done to understand and describe these essential enzymes, there have been minimal efforts to exert tight and reversible control over their activity for various biotechnological applications. Here, we apply a rational, computation-guided methodology to design and test a transferase-class enzyme allosterically regulated by light-oxygen-voltage 2 sensing domain. We utilize computational techniques to determine the intrinsic allosteric networks within N-acyltransferase (Orf11/∗Dbv8) and identify potential allosteric sites on the protein's surface. We insert light-oxygen-voltage 2 sensing domain at the predicted allosteric site, exerting reversible control over enzymatic activity. We demonstrate blue-light regulation of N-acyltransferase (Orf11/∗Dbv8) function. Our study for the first time demonstrates optogenetic regulation of a transferase-class enzyme as a proof-of-concept for controllable transferase design. This successful design opens the door for many future applications in metabolic engineering and cellular programming.

Continuous heart rate variability monitoring of freely moving chicken through a wearable electrocardiography recording system.

Identification and quantification of stress and stress inducing factors are important components of animal welfare assessment and essential parts of poultry management. Measurement of the autonomic nervous system's influence on cardiac function using heart rate and heart rate variability (HR/HRV) indices can provide a non-invasive assessment of the welfare status of an animal. This paper presents a preliminary study showing the feasibility of continuous long-term measurement of HR/HRV indices in freely moving chicken. We developed and evaluated an electrocardiography (ECG) based HR/HRV recording system that can be used as a poultry wearable backpack for research studies. The backpack system was first validated against a commercial ECG amplifier, and the corresponding estimations of HR values matched well with each other. Then, an in vivo proof-of-concept experiment was conducted on floor-reared chickens to collect ECG data for 2 weeks. The extracted HR/HRV values show strong alignment with circadian patterns and well-defined sleep cycles. Wearable devices, like the backpack ECG system used in this study, may be best suited for application in freely moving poultry to get an insight into circadian abnormalities and sleep quality for stress and welfare management.

Decision making in next generation risk assessment for skin allergy: Using historical clinical experience to benchmark risk.

Our aim is to develop and apply next generation approaches to skin allergy risk assessment that do not require new animal test data and better quantify uncertainties. Quantitative risk assessment for skin sensitisation uses safety assessment factors to extrapolate from the point of departure to an acceptable human exposure level. It is currently unclear whether these safety assessment factors are appropriate when using non-animal test data to derive a point-of departure. Our skin allergy risk assessment model Defined Approach uses Bayesian statistics to infer a human-relevant metric of sensitiser potency with explicit quantification of uncertainty, using any combination of human repeat insult patch test, local lymph node assay, direct peptide reactivity assay, KeratinoSens™, h-CLAT or U-SENS™ data. Here we describe the incorporation of benchmark exposures pertaining to use of consumer products with clinical data supporting a high/low risk categorisation for skin sensitisation. Margins-of-exposure (potency estimate to consumer exposure level ratio) are regressed against the benchmark risk classifications, enabling derivation of a risk metric defined as the probability that an exposure is low risk. This approach circumvents the use of safety assessment factors and provides a simple and transparent mechanism whereby clinical experience can directly feed-back into risk assessment decisions.

Next generation risk assessment for skin allergy: Decision making using new approach methodologies.

Our aim is to develop and apply next generation approaches to skin allergy risk assessment (SARA) that do not require new animal test data and better quantify uncertainties. Significant progress has been made in the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), non-animal test methods, for assessment of skin sensitisation and there is now focus on their application to derive potency information for use in Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA). The SARA model utilises a Bayesian statistical approach to infer a human-relevant metric of sensitiser potency and a measure of risk associated with a given consumer exposure based upon any combination of human repeat insult patch test, local lymph node, direct peptide reactivity assay, KeratinoSens™, h-CLAT or U-SENS™ data. Here we have applied the SARA model within our weight of evidence NGRA framework for skin allergy to three case study materials in four consumer products. Highlighting how to structure the risk assessment, apply NAMs to derive a point of departure and conclude on consumer safety risk. NGRA based upon NAMs were, for these exposures, at least as protective as the historical risk assessment approaches. Through such case studies we are building our confidence in using NAMs for skin allergy risk assessment.

The Influence of Posture on Attention.

Smith et al. (2019) found standing resulted in better performance than sitting in three different cognitive control paradigms: a Stroop task, a task-switching, and a visual search paradigm. Here, we conducted close replications of the authors' three experiments using larger sample sizes than the original work. Our sample sizes had essentially perfect power to detect the key postural effects reported by Smith et al. The results from our experiments revealed that, in contrast to Smith et al., the postural interactions were quite limited in magnitude in addition to being only a fraction of the size of the original effects. Moreover, our results from Experiment 1 are consistent with two recent replications (Caron et al., 2020; Straub et al., 2022), which reported no meaningful influences of posture on the Stroop effect. In all, the current research provides further converging evidence that postural influences on cognition do not appear to be as robust, as was initially reported in prior work.

A hypothetical skin sensitisation next generation risk assessment for coumarin in cosmetic products.

Next generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) is an exposure-led, hypothesis-driven approach which integrates new approach methodologies (NAMs) to assure safety without generating animal data. This hypothetical skin allergy risk assessment of two consumer products - face cream containing 0.1% coumarin and deodorant containing 1% coumarin - demonstrates the application of our skin allergy NGRA framework which incorporates our Skin Allergy Risk Assessment (SARA) Model. SARA uses Bayesian statistics to provide a human relevant point of departure and risk metric for a given chemical exposure based upon input data that can include both NAMs and historical in vivo studies. Regardless of whether NAM or in vivo inputs were used, the model predicted that the face cream and deodorant exposures were low and high risk respectively. Using only NAM data resulted in a minor underestimation of risk relative to in vivo. Coumarin is a predicted pro-hapten and consequently, when applying this mechanistic understanding to the selection of NAMs the discordance in relative risk could be minimized. This case study demonstrates how integrating a computational model and generating bespoke NAM data in a weight of evidence framework can build confidence in safety decision making.

Patient-reported outcomes after oesophagectomy in the multicentre LASER study.

BACKGROUND: Data on the long-term symptom burden in patients surviving oesophageal cancer surgery are scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the most prevalent symptoms and their interactions with health-related quality of life. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cohort study of patients who underwent oesophageal cancer surgery in 20 European centres between 2010 and 2016. Patients had to be disease-free for at least 1 year. They were asked to complete a 28-symptom questionnaire at a single time point, at least 1 year after surgery. Principal component analysis was used to assess for clustering and association of symptoms. Risk factors associated with the development of severe symptoms were identified by multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 1081 invited patients, 876 (81.0 per cent) responded. Symptoms in the preceding 6 months associated with previous surgery were experienced by 586 patients (66.9 per cent). The most common severe symptoms included reduced energy or activity tolerance (30.7 per cent), feeling of early fullness after eating (30.0 per cent), tiredness (28.7 per cent), and heartburn/acid or bile regurgitation (19.6 per cent). Clustering analysis showed that symptoms clustered into six domains: lethargy, musculoskeletal pain, dumping, lower gastrointestinal symptoms, regurgitation/reflux, and swallowing/conduit problems; the latter two were the most closely associated. Surgical approach, neoadjuvant therapy, patient age, and sex were factors associated with severe symptoms. CONCLUSION: A long-term symptom burden is common after oesophageal cancer surgery.

Radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and the tumour microenvironment: Turning an immunosuppressive milieu into a therapeutic opportunity.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionised the treatment of solid tumours, yet most patients do not derive a clinical benefit. Resistance to ICB is often contingent on the tumour microenvironment (TME) and modulating aspects of this immunosuppressive milieu is a goal of combination treatment approaches. Radiation has been used for over a century in the management of cancer with more than half of all cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Here, we outline the rationale behind combining radiotherapy with ICB, a potential synergy through mutually beneficial remodelling of the TME. We discuss the pleiotropic effects radiation has on the TME including immunogenic cell death, activation of cytosolic DNA sensors, remodelling the stroma and vasculature, and paradoxical infiltration of both anti-tumour and suppressive immune cell populations. These events depend on the radiation dose and fractionation and optimising these parameters will be key to develop safe and effective combination regimens. Finally, we highlight ongoing efforts that combine radiation, immunotherapy and inhibitors of DNA damage response, which can help achieve a favourable equilibrium between the immunogenic and tolerogenic effects of radiation on the immune microenvironment.

Exaggerated postprandial GLP-1 secretion following esophagectomy is not associated with gastric emptying and intestinal transit.

Esophagectomy causes postprandial symptoms associated with an exaggerated postprandial gut hormone response. This study aimed to compare the gastrointestinal transit time of patients 1 year after esophagectomy with unoperated controls, including its relation to satiety gut hormone release. In this cross-sectional study, consecutive, disease-free patients after esophagectomy with pyloroplasty were compared with unoperated control subjects to assess gastric emptying (GE) and cecal arrival time (CAT). Serial plasma samples were collected before, and for 300 minutes after, a mixed-meal challenge. Body composition was assessed, and symptom scores were calculated. Eleven patients 1 year post-esophagectomy (age: 62.6 ± 9.8, male: 82%) did not show a significantly different GE pattern compared with 10 control subjects (P = 0.245). Rather, patients could be categorized bimodally as exhibiting either rapid or slow GE relative to controls. Those with rapid GE trended toward a higher postprandial symptom burden (P = 0.084) without higher postprandial glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion (P = 0.931). CAT was significantly shorter after esophagectomy (P = 0.043) but was not significantly associated with GE, GLP-1 secretion, or symptom burden. Neither early nutrient delivery to the proximal small intestine nor to the colon explains the exaggerated postprandial GLP-1 response after esophagectomy. GE varies significantly in these patients despite consistent pyloric management.

Young adult cancer survivors' experience of taking part in a 12-week exercise referral programme: a qualitative study of the Trekstock RENEW initiative.

PURPOSE: There is emerging evidence that physical activity interventions have the potential to improve the physical function and psychosocial well-being of young adult cancer survivors. However, most existing interventions for young adult cancer survivors have been delivered in an in-patient hospital setting. The purpose of this study is to explore young adult cancer survivors' (YACS) experiences of the RENEW programme, a 12-week community-based exercise referral scheme delivered by Trekstock, a UK-based cancer charity. METHODS: Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with YACS (mean age, 33 years; 87.5% female) who participated in the RENEW exercise referral programme. Each interview followed the same semi-structured interview guide which asked participants about their experiences of the RENEW programme and their ideas for the future development of the scheme. Data was audio-recorded, transcribed full verbatim and analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: YACs predominantly chose to take part in the RENEW programme as a means to improve their health and overcome cancer related impairments (e.g. fatigue, loss of strength, low body confidence). The offer of one-to-one tailored support and unlimited gym access was often cited as a factor which motivated enrolment. Overall, YACS experience of the programme was positive with many describing improvements in physical function and general well-being. Barriers to participating in the programme included sign-off from clinicians prior to enrolment, travelling to the gym and fear of exercising alone. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise referral schemes are acceptable to YACS and provide a promising opportunity for young people with cancer to improve their physical and psychosocial health through physical activity.