RESUMO
STUDY QUESTION: What are clinical predictors for successful medical treatment in case of early pregnancy loss (EPL)? SUMMARY ANSWER: Use of mifepristone, BMI, number of previous uterine aspirations and the presence of minor clinical symptoms (slight vaginal bleeding or some abdominal cramps) at treatment start are predictors for successful medical treatment in case of EPL. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Success rates of medical treatment for EPL vary strongly, between but also within different treatment regimens. Up until now, although some predictors have been identified, no clinical prediction model has been developed yet. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Secondary analysis of a multicentre randomized controlled trial in 17 Dutch hospitals, executed between 28 June 2018 and 8 January 2020. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Women with a non-viable pregnancy between 6 and 14 weeks of gestational age, who opted for medical treatment after a minimum of 1 week of unsuccessful expectant management. Potential predictors for successful medical treatment of EPL were chosen based on literature and expert opinions. We internally validated the prediction model using bootstrapping techniques. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: 237 out of 344 women had a successful medical EPL treatment (68.9%). The model includes the following variables: use of mifepristone, BMI, number of previous uterine aspirations and the presence of minor clinical symptoms (slight vaginal bleeding or some abdominal cramps) at treatment start. The model shows a moderate capacity to discriminate between success and failure of treatment, with an AUC of 67.6% (95% CI = 64.9-70.3%). The model had a good fit comparing predicted to observed probabilities of success but might underestimate treatment success in women with a predicted probability of success of â¼70%. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The vast majority (90.4%) of women were Caucasian, potentially leading to less optimal model performance in a non-Caucasian population. Limitations of our model are that we have not yet been able to externally validate its performance and clinical impact, and the moderate accuracy of the prediction model of 0.67. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: We developed a prediction model, aimed to improve and personalize counselling for medical treatment of EPL by providing a woman with her individual chance of complete evacuation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The Triple M Trial, upon which this secondary analysis was performed, was funded by the Healthcare Insurers Innovation Foundation (project number 3080 B15-191). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03212352.
Assuntos
Aborto Espontâneo , Cólica , Aborto Espontâneo/tratamento farmacológico , Cólica/tratamento farmacológico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Mifepristona/uso terapêutico , Modelos Estatísticos , Gravidez , Probabilidade , Prognóstico , Hemorragia Uterina/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews often require substantial resources, partially due to the large number of records identified during searching. Although artificial intelligence may not be ready to fully replace human reviewers, it may accelerate and reduce the screening burden. Using DistillerSR (May 2020 release), we evaluated the performance of the prioritization simulation tool to determine the reduction in screening burden and time savings. METHODS: Using a true recall @ 95%, response sets from 10 completed systematic reviews were used to evaluate: (i) the reduction of screening burden; (ii) the accuracy of the prioritization algorithm; and (iii) the hours saved when a modified screening approach was implemented. To account for variation in the simulations, and to introduce randomness (through shuffling the references), 10 simulations were run for each review. Means, standard deviations, medians and interquartile ranges (IQR) are presented. RESULTS: Among the 10 systematic reviews, using true recall @ 95% there was a median reduction in screening burden of 47.1% (IQR: 37.5 to 58.0%). A median of 41.2% (IQR: 33.4 to 46.9%) of the excluded records needed to be screened to achieve true recall @ 95%. The median title/abstract screening hours saved using a modified screening approach at a true recall @ 95% was 29.8 h (IQR: 28.1 to 74.7 h). This was increased to a median of 36 h (IQR: 32.2 to 79.7 h) when considering the time saved not retrieving and screening full texts of the remaining 5% of records not yet identified as included at title/abstract. Among the 100 simulations (10 simulations per review), none of these 5% of records were a final included study in the systematic review. The reduction in screening burden to achieve true recall @ 95% compared to @ 100% resulted in a reduced screening burden median of 40.6% (IQR: 38.3 to 54.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The prioritization tool in DistillerSR can reduce screening burden. A modified or stop screening approach once a true recall @ 95% is achieved appears to be a valid method for rapid reviews, and perhaps systematic reviews. This needs to be further evaluated in prospective reviews using the estimated recall.
Assuntos
Inteligência Artificial , Aprendizado de Máquina , Algoritmos , Humanos , Programas de Rastreamento , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Mandatory induction for foundation year 1 trainees (F1s) was introduced in 2012 to ease the transition from student to doctor. The aims of this national study were to assess anxiety levels and preparedness in the 2012 F1 cohort and whether these varied according to medical school of graduation and foundation school of practice. METHODS: Online surveys were completed anonymously and voluntarily by F1s and F1 supervisors from participating foundation schools. Questions assessed how prepared F1s were for practice and how well they coped with the transition from medical school. A validated screening tool was used to assess anxiety levels. RESULTS: 1829 F1s and 1145 supervisors participated. 27.8% of F1s screened positive for pathological anxiety. Increased time spent in a 'shadowing' type role during medical school and each additional day of induction reduced anxiety levels. How prepared F1s were for different aspects of their jobs varied according to medical and foundation school, from both the F1 and supervisor perspective. CONCLUSIONS: How prepared F1s feel can vary according to the medical school of graduation and foundation school of practice. F1 anxiety may be reduced with a prolonged F1 induction programme and an extended shadowing period during the final year of medical school.
Assuntos
Competência Clínica , Educação de Pós-Graduação em Medicina/organização & administração , Faculdades de Medicina/organização & administração , Autoeficácia , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Adaptação Psicológica , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Humanos , Reino UnidoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cancer treatment-related cognitive impairment (CTRCI) can substantially reduce the quality of life of cancer survivors. Many treatments of CTRCI have been evaluated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including psychological interventions, pharmacologic interventions, and other therapies. There is a pressing need to establish the benefits and harms of previously studied CTRCI treatments. The proposed systematic review and network meta-analyses will assess the relative efficacy and safety of competing interventions for the management of CTRCI. METHODS: In consultation with the review team, an experienced medical information specialist will draft electronic search strategies for MEDLINE®, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Trials Registry. We will seek RCTs of interventions for the treatment of CTRCI in adults with any cancer, except cancers/metastases of the central nervous system. Due to the anticipated high search yields, dual independent screening of citations will be expedited by use of an artificial intelligence/machine learning tool. The co-primary outcomes of interest will be subjective and objective cognitive function. Secondary outcomes of interest will include measures of quality of life, mental and physical health symptoms, adherence to treatment, and harms (overall and treatment-related harms and harms associated with study withdrawal), where feasible, random-effects meta-analyses and network meta-analyses will be pursued. We will address the anticipated high clinical and methodological heterogeneity through meta-regressions, subgroup analyses, and/or sensitivity analyses. DISCUSSION: The proposed systematic review will deliver a robust comparative evaluation of the efficacy and safety of existing therapies for the management of CTRCI. These findings will inform clinical decisions, identify evidence gaps, and identify promising therapies for future evaluation in RCTs.
Assuntos
Sobreviventes de Câncer , Disfunção Cognitiva , Neoplasias , Qualidade de Vida , Revisões Sistemáticas como Assunto , Humanos , Sobreviventes de Câncer/psicologia , Disfunção Cognitiva/terapia , Disfunção Cognitiva/etiologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Neoplasias/complicações , Pesquisa Comparativa da Efetividade , AdultoRESUMO
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are key components of most agricultural ecosystems. Therefore, understanding the impact of agricultural practices on their community structure is essential to improve nutrient mobilization and reduce plant stress in the field. The effects of five different organic or mineral sources of phosphorus (P) for a maize-soybean rotation system on AM fungal diversity in roots and soil were assessed over a 3-year period. Total DNA was extracted from root and soil samples collected at three different plant growth stages. An 18S rRNA gene fragment was amplified and taxa were detected and identified using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis followed by sequencing. AM fungal biomass was estimated by fatty acid methyl ester analysis. Soil P fertility parameters were also monitored and analyzed for possible changes related with fertilization or growth stages. Seven AM fungal ribotypes were detected. Fertilization significantly modified soil P flux, but had barely any effect on AM fungi community structure or biomass. There was no difference in the AM fungal community between plant growth stages. Specific ribotypes could not be significantly associated to P treatment. Ribotypes were associated with root or soil samples with variable detection frequencies between seasons. AM fungal biomass remained stable throughout the growing seasons. This study demonstrated that roots and soil host distinct AM fungal communities and that these are very temporally stable. The influence of contrasting forms of P fertilizers was not significant over 3 years of crop rotation.
Assuntos
Biodiversidade , Fertilizantes , Glycine max/microbiologia , Micorrizas/efeitos dos fármacos , Raízes de Plantas/microbiologia , Microbiologia do Solo , Zea mays/microbiologia , Análise por Conglomerados , DNA Fúngico/química , DNA Fúngico/genética , DNA Ribossômico/química , DNA Ribossômico/genética , Fungos , Genes de RNAr , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Micorrizas/classificação , Micorrizas/genética , Filogenia , RNA Fúngico/genética , RNA Ribossômico 18S/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Optic atrophy type 1 (OPA1, MIM 165500) is a dominantly inherited optic neuropathy occurring in 1 in 50,000 individuals that features progressive loss in visual acuity leading, in many cases, to legal blindness. Phenotypic variations and loss of retinal ganglion cells, as found in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), have suggested possible mitochondrial impairment. The OPA1 gene has been localized to 3q28-q29 (refs 13-19). We describe here a nuclear gene, OPA1, that maps within the candidate region and encodes a dynamin-related protein localized to mitochondria. We found four different OPA1 mutations, including frameshift and missense mutations, to segregate with the disease, demonstrating a role for mitochondria in retinal ganglion cell pathophysiology.
Assuntos
Cromossomos Humanos Par 3 , GTP Fosfo-Hidrolases/genética , Mutação , Atrofia Óptica/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Núcleo Celular/genética , Mapeamento Cromossômico , Dinaminas , Éxons , Feminino , GTP Fosfo-Hidrolases/química , Genes Dominantes , Humanos , Hibridização in Situ Fluorescente , Masculino , Mitocôndrias/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Linhagem , Polimorfismo Genético , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , Schizosaccharomyces/genética , Alinhamento de Sequência , Homologia de Sequência de AminoácidosRESUMO
Infrared laser irradiation has been established as an appropriate stimulus for primary sensory neurons under conditions where sensory receptor cells are impaired or lost. Yet, development of clinical applications has been impeded by lack of information about the molecular mechanisms underlying the laser-induced neural response. Here, we directly address this question through pharmacological characterization of the biological response evoked by midinfrared irradiation of isolated retinal and vestibular ganglion cells from rodents. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings reveal that both voltage-gated calcium and sodium channels contribute to the laser-evoked neuronal voltage variations (LEVV). In addition, selective blockade of the LEVV by micromolar concentrations of ruthenium red and RN 1734 identifies thermosensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid channels as the primary effectors of the chain reaction triggered by midinfrared laser irradiation. These results have the potential to facilitate greatly the design of future prosthetic devices aimed at restoring neurosensory capacities in disabled patients.
Assuntos
Potenciais Somatossensoriais Evocados/efeitos da radiação , Potenciais Evocados Visuais/efeitos da radiação , Lasers , Células Ganglionares da Retina/fisiologia , Canais de Cátion TRPV/fisiologia , Animais , Canais de Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Canais de Cálcio/fisiologia , Potenciais Somatossensoriais Evocados/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais Evocados Visuais/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais da Membrana/fisiologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Rutênio Vermelho/farmacologia , Canais de Sódio/efeitos dos fármacos , Canais de Sódio/fisiologia , Sulfonamidas/farmacologia , Canais de Cátion TRPV/antagonistas & inibidores , Nervo Vestibular/efeitos dos fármacos , Nervo Vestibular/fisiologiaRESUMO
Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (HL), classically described as mild to severe with a typically down-sloping audiometric configuration, is the earliest symptom occurring in Usher syndrome type II (USH2). Audiological findings were analyzed in a total of 100 USH2 patients (92 families) divided into three groups according to the gene involved: 88 USH2A, 10 GPR98 and 2 DFNB31 patients. A fine analysis of audiograms was performed (pure tone average, degree of severity, configuration). The median age of HL diagnosis was 5 years (range 8 months-31 years) although the median age at USH2 diagnosis was 34.5 (range 8-76). Moderate HL was predominant (76%) and a gently down-sloping configuration characterized most audiograms (66%). No statistically significant difference was found between USH2A and GPR98 patients but a tendency was clearly noted for more GPR98 patients to present with severe hearing loss. It is not possible to predict the mutated gene from audiograms.
Assuntos
Audiologia/métodos , Proteínas da Matriz Extracelular/genética , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Audiometria/métodos , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Genótipo , Perda Auditiva Neurossensorial/genética , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Mutação , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Adulto JovemRESUMO
AIMS: This study explores nontarget effects of fungicide application on field-grown chickpea. METHODS AND RESULTS: Molecular methods were used to test the effects of foliar application of fungicide on the diversity and distribution of nifH genes associated with two chickpea cultivars and their nodulation. Treatments were replicated four times in a split-plot design in the field, in 2008 and 2009. Chemical disease control did not change the richness of the nifH genes associated with chickpea, but selected different dominant nifH gene sequences in 2008, as revealed by correspondence analysis. Disease control strategies had no significant effect on disease severity or nifH gene distribution in 2009. Dry weather conditions rather than disease restricted plant growth that year, suggesting that reduced infection rather than the fungicide is the factor modifying the distribution of nifH gene in chickpea rhizosphere. Reduced nodule size and enhanced N(2) -fixation in protected plants indicate that disease control affects plant physiology, which may in turn influence rhizosphere bacteria. The genotypes of chickpea also affected the diversity of the nifH gene in the rhizosphere, illustrating the importance of plant selective effects on bacterial communities. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the chemical disease control affects nodulation and the diversity of nifH gene in chickpea rhizosphere, by modifying host plant physiology. A direct effect of fungicide on the bacteria cannot be ruled out, however, as residual amounts of fungicide were found to accumulate in the rhizosphere soil of protected plants. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Systemic nontarget effect of phytoprotection on nifH gene diversity in chickpea rhizosphere is reported for the first time. This result suggests the possibility of manipulating associative biological nitrogen fixation in the field.
Assuntos
Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Cicer/efeitos dos fármacos , Cicer/microbiologia , Fungicidas Industriais/farmacologia , Fixação de Nitrogênio/efeitos dos fármacos , Rizosfera , Bactérias/genética , Biodiversidade , Cicer/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Oxirredutases/análise , Oxirredutases/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Microbiologia do SoloRESUMO
Crop nutrient- and water-use efficiency could be improved by using crop varieties highly compatible with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Two greenhouse experiments demonstrated the presence of genetic variability for this trait in modern durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf.) germplasm. Among the five cultivars tested, 'AC Morse' had consistently low levels of AM root colonization and DT710 had consistently high levels of AM root colonization, whereas 'Commander', which had the highest colonization levels under low soil fertility conditions, developed poor colonization levels under medium fertility level. The presence of genetic variability in durum wheat compatibility with AMF was further evidenced by significant genotype × inoculation interaction effects in grain and straw biomass production; grain P, straw P, and straw K concentrations under medium soil fertility level; and straw K and grain Fe concentrations at low soil fertility. Mycorrhizal dependency was an undesirable trait of 'Mongibello', which showed poor growth and nutrient balance in the absence of AMF. An AMF-mediated reduction in grain Cd under low soil fertility indicated that breeding durum wheat for compatibility with AMF could help reduce grain Cd concentration in durum wheat. Durum wheat genotypes should be selected for compatibility with AMF rather than for mycorrhizal dependency.
Assuntos
Agricultura , Variação Genética , Micorrizas/fisiologia , Microbiologia do Solo , Triticum/genética , Biomassa , Canadá , Ecologia , Fungos/fisiologia , Genótipo , Micorrizas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Raízes de Plantas/microbiologia , Análise de Componente Principal , Triticum/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Triticum/metabolismo , Triticum/microbiologiaRESUMO
Viral protein R (Vpr), an apoptogenic accessory protein encoded by HIV-1, induces mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) via a specific interaction with the permeability transition pore complex, which comprises the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in the outer membrane (OM) and the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) in the inner membrane. Here, we demonstrate that a synthetic Vpr-derived peptide (Vpr52-96) specifically binds to the intermembrane face of the ANT with an affinity in the nanomolar range. Taking advantage of this specific interaction, we determined the role of ANT in the control of MMP. In planar lipid bilayers, Vpr52-96 and purified ANT cooperatively form large conductance channels. This cooperative channel formation relies on a direct protein-protein interaction since it is abolished by the addition of a peptide corresponding to the Vpr binding site of ANT. When added to isolated mitochondria, Vpr52-96 uncouples the respiratory chain and induces a rapid inner MMP to protons and NADH. This inner MMP precedes outer MMP to cytochrome c. Vpr52-96-induced matrix swelling and inner MMP both are prevented by preincubation of purified mitochondria with recombinant Bcl-2 protein. In contrast to König's polyanion (PA10), a specific inhibitor of the VDAC, Bcl-2 fails to prevent Vpr52-96 from crossing the mitochondrial OM. Rather, Bcl-2 reduces the ANT-Vpr interaction, as determined by affinity purification and plasmon resonance studies. Concomitantly, Bcl-2 suppresses channel formation by the ANT-Vpr complex in synthetic membranes. In conclusion, both Vpr and Bcl-2 modulate MMP through a direct interaction with ANT.
Assuntos
Produtos do Gene vpr/farmacologia , Membranas Intracelulares/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Translocases Mitocondriais de ADP e ATP/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , HIV-1 , Canais Iônicos/metabolismo , Lipossomos , Modelos Biológicos , Modelos Moleculares , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Consumo de Oxigênio , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/farmacologia , Permeabilidade , Ligação Proteica , Ressonância de Plasmônio de Superfície , Produtos do Gene vpr do Vírus da Imunodeficiência HumanaRESUMO
Soil function may be affected by cropping practices impacting the soil microbial community. The effect of different phosphorus (P) fertilization rates (0, 20, or 40 kg P(2)O(5) ha(-1)) on soil microbial diversity was studied in 8-year-old alfalfa monocultures. The hypothesis that P fertilization modifies soil microbial community was tested using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and phospholipids fatty acid (PLFA) profiling to describe soil bacteria, fungi, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi diversity. Soil parameters related to fertility (soil phosphate flux, soluble P, moisture, phosphatase and dehydrogenase assays, and carbon and nitrogen content of the light fraction of soil organic matter) were also monitored and related to soil microbial ribotype profiles. Change in soil P fertility with the application of fertilizer had no effect on crop yield in 8 years, but on the year of this study was associated with shifts in the composition of fungal and bacterial communities without affecting their richness, as evidenced by the absence of effect on the average number of ribotypes detected. However, variation in soil P level created by a history of differential fertilization did not significantly influence AM fungi ribotype assemblages nor AM fungi biomass measured with the PLFA 16:1omega5. Fertilization increased P flux and soil soluble P level but reduced soil moisture and soil microbial activity, as revealed by dehydrogenase assay. Results suggest that soil P fertility management could influence soil processes involving soil microorganisms. Seasonal variations were also recorded in microbial activity, soil soluble P level as well as in the abundance of specific bacterial and fungal PLFA indicators of soil microbial biomass.
Assuntos
Bactérias/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Fertilizantes , Medicago sativa/microbiologia , Micorrizas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Fósforo/química , Microbiologia do Solo , Agricultura/métodos , Bactérias/genética , Biodiversidade , Biomassa , DNA Bacteriano/genética , DNA Fúngico/genética , Ácidos Graxos/análise , Análise Multivariada , Micorrizas/genética , Fosfolipídeos/análise , Saskatchewan , Estações do Ano , Solo/análiseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine use and harms are rising rapidly. Management of patients with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and problematic methamphetamine use (PMU) is challenging, with no clearly established best approach; both psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions have been described. Furthermore, given the diversity of individuals that use methamphetamines, there is a need to assess evidence for treatments for subgroups including youths; gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men; individuals with mental health comorbidities; and individuals in correction services. Establishing awareness of the messages regarding treatment from recent clinical practice guidelines (CPG) in the field is also of value. The first study objective will be to establish a greater understanding of the methods, populations, and findings of controlled studies for psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments for MUD and PMU. Investigation of this information can help establish the potential for advanced syntheses of the evidence (such as network meta-analysis) to compare therapies for this condition and to identify gaps related to key populations where more primary research is needed. Summarizing the recommendations regarding treatment of MUD/PMU from recent CPGs and systematic reviews will be an important secondary objective. METHODS: A scoping review will be performed. Using the OVID platform, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and relevant Cochrane databases from EBM Reviews will be searched (from databases' inception onwards). Eligibility criteria will include individuals described as having MUD or PMU, with designs of interest including randomized trials, non-randomized trials, and controlled cohort studies with three or more months of follow-up; systematic reviews and CPGs will also be sought. Two reviewers (with support from automation tools) will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and chart data. Different approaches to handling and summarizing the data will be implemented for each type of study design. Tables and graphics will be used to map evidence sources and identify evidence gaps. DISCUSSION: This research will enhance awareness of evidence addressing the effects of psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions for MUD/PMU overall and in sub-populations, both in terms of recent CPGs/reviews and primary studies; inspection of the latter will also help establish the feasibility of future syntheses to compare treatments, such as network meta-analysis. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/9wy8p ).
Assuntos
Comportamento Aditivo , Metanfetamina , Minorias Sexuais e de Gênero , Adolescente , Homossexualidade Masculina , Humanos , Masculino , Metanálise como Assunto , Metanálise em Rede , Literatura de Revisão como AssuntoRESUMO
A systematic review of published articles was performed to identify risk factors associated with recent transmission of tuberculosis (TB). The computerized search identified studies in PubMed, Ovid, CDSR, CINAHL and EMBASE published between 1994 and 2005. Of 137 articles, 30 satisfied all the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. A random effects model estimated the odds ratio (OR), confidence interval (CI), and heterogeneity between studies. Recent transmission of TB was associated with: ethnic minority (OR 3.03, 95%CI 2.21- 4.16), being a native of the country (OR 2.33, 95%CI 1.76-3.08), residing in an urban area (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.35-1.72), drug use (OR 3.01, 95%CI 2.14-4.22), excessive alcohol consumption (OR 2.27, 95%CI 1.69-3.06), homelessness (OR 2.87, 95%CI 2.04-4.02), previous incarceration (OR 2.21, 95%CI 1.71-2.86), human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (OR 1.66, 95%CI 1.36-2.05), young age (OR 2.09, 95%CI 1.69-2.59), sputum smear positivity (OR 1.39, 95%CI 1.20-1.60) and male sex (OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.19-1.58). The results should be useful for improving prevention and control strategies, thus contributing to a reduction in Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission.
Assuntos
Tuberculose/epidemiologia , Humanos , Fatores de Risco , Escarro/microbiologia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologia , Tuberculose/transmissão , População Urbana/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine: i) changes in key outcome measures over time in treatment in a representative first-episode psychosis treatment cohort and ii) baseline predictors of service disengagement. METHOD: Baseline characteristics of 236 patients were examined for associations with outcomes over time using generalized estimating equation models. The data on disengagement were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS: After controlling for admission scores, patients showed consistently improved outcomes while in treatment on functional recovery (unemployment, P < 0.01; HoNOS, P < 0.001; the Quality of Life Scale, P < 0.001; GAF, P < 0.05) but not symptomatology (as assessed by the PANSS and substance abuse). The 64 (33%) who disengaged were more likely to be unemployed (P < 0.01) and have higher HoNOS (P < 0.01) and GAF (P < 0.05) scores at baseline. CONCLUSION: This evaluation has shown significant improvements in psychosocial functioning but not psychopathology during treatment at an Early Intervention for Psychosis Service. Despite attempts to retain patients, there is a high rate of treatment discontinuation.
Assuntos
Antipsicóticos/uso terapêutico , Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental/métodos , Serviços de Saúde Mental/estatística & dados numéricos , Transtornos Psicóticos/terapia , Retenção Psicológica , Adolescente , Adulto , Terapia Combinada , Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais , Feminino , Educação em Saúde , Humanos , Inteligência , Testes de Inteligência , Masculino , Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto , Transtornos Psicóticos/diagnóstico , Transtornos Psicóticos/tratamento farmacológico , Encaminhamento e Consulta , Facilitação Social , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do Tratamento , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi facilitate inorganic N (NH(4)(+) or NO(3)(-)) uptake by plants, but their role in N mobilization from organic sources is unclear. We hypothesized that arbuscular mycorrhizae enhance the ability of a plant to use organic residues (ORs) as a source of N. This was tested under controlled glasshouse conditions by burying a patch of OR in soil separated by 20-microm nylon mesh so that only fungal hyphae can pass through it. The fate of the N contained in the OR patch, as influenced by Glomus claroideum, Glomus clarum, or Glomus intraradices over 24 weeks, was determined using (15)N as a tracer. AM fungal species enhanced N mineralization from OR to different levels. N recovery and translocation to Russian wild rye by hyphae reached 25% of mineralized N in G. clarum, which was most effective despite its smaller extraradical development in soil. Mobilization of N by G. clarum relieved plant N deficiency and enhanced plant growth. We show that AM hyphae modify soil functioning by linking plant growth to N mineralization from OR. AM species enhance N mineralization differentially leading to species-specific changes in the quality of the soil environment (soil C-to-N ratio) and structure of the soil microbial community.
Assuntos
Micorrizas/fisiologia , Nitrogênio/metabolismo , Poaceae/fisiologia , Microbiologia do Solo , Simbiose , Biomassa , Micorrizas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Raízes de Plantas/microbiologia , Poaceae/metabolismoRESUMO
Systematic reviews are the most common form of knowledge synthesis and remain a cornerstone of the practice of evidence-based medicine. They offer enhanced rigor and validity relative to traditional narrative review articles by reducing bias and increasing objectivity. In answering focused research questions, systematic reviews are directly applicable to clinical practice as well as the development of clinical guidelines and the identification of knowledge gaps, which may drive future primary research directions. Typically, such a rigorous process necessarily requires substantive time to carefully and systematically identify, screen, and synthesize all relevant available primary research on a topic. Further, other knowledge synthesis methods have emerged to address the varying needs of decision makers with respect to condensed timelines and more diverse research questions, as well as to allow incorporation of already synthesized evidence into reviews. These alternative methods include rapid reviews, scoping reviews, and overviews of systematic reviews, which are being used with increasing frequency by clinicians, decision-makers, and researchers. We encourage clinicians and researchers in nuclear medicine and other imaging sciences to acquire a greater familiarity with these methods and to consider them in clinical decision making, the development of clinical guidelines, and the planning of future research activities.
Assuntos
Medicina Baseada em Evidências/métodos , Humanos , Revisões Sistemáticas como AssuntoAssuntos
Cegueira/congênito , Cegueira/genética , Proteínas do Olho/genética , Mutação , Atrofias Ópticas Hereditárias/genética , Proteínas , Adolescente , Adulto , Sequência de Bases , Proteínas de Transporte , DNA/genética , Análise Mutacional de DNA , Primers do DNA/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Linhagem , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , cis-trans-IsomerasesRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate clinical practice of primary care physicians regarding common thyroid disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 210 primary care physicians was randomly selected in three Quebec's administrative regions. Four clinical vignettes (V1 to V4) were presented by mail: two cases of subclinical hypothyroidism (women of 25 years - V1 - and 70 - V2 - years of age) for which physicians had to choose to either treat or not with thyroid replacement and two cases of hyperthyroidism (women of 30 - V3 - and 66 - V4- years of age) for which they had to choose a course of action (observation, treatment or referral to a specialist). V1 and V2 where followed by four sub-questions presenting supportive elements that could influence the decision to treat (presence of antithyroid antibodies, accumulation of symptoms, LDL cholesterol and thyreostimulin levels). RESULTS: The overall response rate was 22%. Forty-two percent of respondents would have treated V1 outright and 49% would have treated V2. The therapeutic approach in the face of these two vignettes, independently of the presence or absence of supportive clinical or biochemical elements, did not vary according to geographic practice area. However, one region was significantly more conservative for V4. The number of years in practice or assistance to continuous medical education activities did not affect management of vignettes. CONCLUSION: This study outlines the importance of clinical practice guidelines and tools to facilitate their application in clinical management of thyroid disorders.