Is there any change in the prevalence of intestinal or cardiopulmonary parasite infections in companion animals (dogs and cats) in Germany between 2004-2006 and 2015-2017? An assessment of the impact of the first ESCCAP guidelines.

Main objective of the present nationwide study was to assess the impact of the ESCCAP guideline for the control of worm infections in dogs and cats 8-10 years after its first publication in Germany. A secondary aim was to determine the prevalence of canine and feline cardiopulmonary nematodes and intestinal protozoa. Faecal samples of 53,693 dogs and 26,491 cats in 2004-2006 as well as of 129,578 dogs and 45,709 cats in 2015-2017 routinely submitted by veterinarians to a private veterinary laboratory were examined using appropriate parasitological methods. In dogs, the prevalence of Toxocara and taeniid egg shedding was significantly lower in 2015-2017 (3.8 % and 0.16 %, respectively) than in 2004-2006 (4.6 % and 0.27 %, respectively). The prevalence of hookworm and Capillaria eggs was higher in the second study period (2.3 % and 0.77 %, respectively) than in the first (1.3 % and 0.6 %, respectively). For Toxascaris leonina (0.55-0.6 %) and Trichuris (0.8-0.9 %), the difference was not significant between the study periods. Dogs shed more often Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae in the second study (3.1 %) than in the first (1.0 %), whereas the prevalence of Crenosoma vulpis did not change significantly (2.2-2.6 %). Cystoisospora canis and C. ohioensis-like infections were less detected in the second study period (1.0 % and 2.1 %, respectively) than in the first (1.8 % and 2.7 %, respectively). Neospora-like oocysts and Sarcocystis sporocysts were more prevalent in the second study period (0.19 % and 0.13 %, respectively) than in the first (0.13 % and 0.06 %, respectively). The percentage of Giardia or Cryptosporidium coproantigen-positive samples was lower in the second study period (18.9 % and 6.7 %, respectively) than in the first (22.8 % and 10.0 %, respectively). In cats, the prevalence of egg shedding of T. cati, Capillaria and taeniids was significantly lower in 2015-2017 (3.5 %, 0.25 % and 0.1 %, respectively) than in 2004-2006 (4.8 %, 0.54 % and 0.22 %, respectively). No difference was recorded for hookworms (0.12-0.13 %) and Ts. leonina (0.04-0.05 %). Aelurostrongylus-like larvae were detected more often in the second study period (6.5 %) than in the first (2.6 %). Infections with Cystoisospora felis, C. rivolta, Toxoplasma-like coccids and Sarcocystis were less prevalent in the second study period (1.9 %, 0.7 %, 0.24 % and 0.02 %, respectively) than in the first (2.7 %, 1.1 %, 0.36 % and 0.1 %, respectively). The percentage of Giardia or Cryptosporidium coproantigen-positive samples was significantly lower in the second study period (10.6 % and 4.8 %, respectively) than in the first (15.4 % and 8.3 %, respectively). Although these results indicate a decline of the occurrence of most canine and feline intestinal parasites in Germany over the years, a transmission risk of zoonotic parasites remains. Therefore, the control of helminth infections in domestic dogs and cats continues to be a challenge for veterinarians and pet owners.

Metodología para la confección de la guía de tratamiento integral del cáncer de pulmón, en Villa Clara / Methodology to prepare a comprehensive treatment guideline for lung cancer in Villa Clara

RESUMEN Introducción: En Cuba, la Estrategia Nacional de Control del Cáncer recomienda contextualizar las guías clínicas de diagnóstico y tratamiento a las condiciones específicas de cada provincia e institución sanitaria. Objetivo: Describir la metodología para la elaboración de la guía de diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de pulmón en Villa Clara. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en la Biblioteca Cochrane de revisiones sistemáticas y en la base de datos PubMed, en el periodo de 2007-2017. Se consultaron, además, las principales guías nacionales e internacionales relacionadas con el tratamiento del cáncer de pulmón. Se utilizó el consenso de expertos como sistemática de trabajo para la elaboración y validación de la guía. Resultados: Se estructuró un documento final en seis apartados (estadísticas de cáncer de pulmón, prevención y epidemiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento, seguimiento, conducta en la recidiva local y progresión de la enfermedad); con anexos relacionados con la pesquisa, descripción clínica, esquemas de tratamiento, instrumentos de calidad de vida e indicadores. La guía se encuentra implementada en hospitales y policlínicos de la provincia, desde el año 2013, y fue actualizada en 2017. Conclusiones: Esta guía fomenta la valoración multidisciplinaria de los pacientes, orienta a la Atención Primaria de Salud en la aplicación del algoritmo para la atención integral a los enfermos y el desarrollo de los ensayos clínicos con inmunoterapias, e incorpora indicadores de evaluación de desempeño en la red de atención médica.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the National Cancer Control Strategy, in Cuba, recommends contextualizing clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of the specific conditions in each health institution and province. Objective: to describe the methodology for the preparation of a diagnosis and treatment guideline for lung cancer in Villa Clara. Methods: a bibliographic search was carried out in the Cochrane Library of systematic reviews and in PubMed database, in 2007-2017. The main national and international guidelines related to the treatment of lung cancer were also consulted. The consensus of experts was used as a work system for the guideline preparation and validation. Results: a final document was structured in six sections (lung cancer statistics, prevention and epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment, follow-up, conduct in local recurrence and disease progression); with annexes related to the research, clinical description, treatment schemes, quality of life instruments and indicators. The guideline has been implemented in hospitals and polyclinics in the province since 2013, and was updated in 2017. Conclusions: this guideline promotes the multidisciplinary assessment of patients, guides Primary Health Care in the application of the algorithm for comprehensive care of patients and the development of clinical trials with immunotherapies, as well as incorporates performance evaluation indicators in the health care network.

Associations between prolonged second stage of labor and maternal and neonatal outcomes in freestanding birth centers: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for second stage management do not provide guidance for community birth providers about when best to transfer women to hospital care for prolonged second stage. Our goal was to increase the evidence base for these providers by: 1) describing the lengths of second stage labor in freestanding birth centers, and 2) determining whether proportions of postpartum women and newborns experiencing complications change as length of second stage labor increases. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of de-identified client-level data collected in the American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry, including women giving birth in freestanding birth centers January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2016. We plotted proportions of postpartum women and newborns transferred to hospital care against length of the second stage of labor, and assessed significance of these with the Cochran-Armitage test for trend or chi-square test. Secondary maternal and newborn outcomes were compared for dyads with normal and prolonged second stages of labor using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Second stage labor exceeded 3 hours for 2.3% of primiparous women and 2 hours for 6.6% of multiparous women. Newborn transfers increased as second stage increased from < 15 minutes to > 2 hours (0.6% to 6.33%, p for trend = 0.0008, for primiparous women, and 1.4% to 10.6%, p for trend < 0.0001, for multiparous women.) Postpartum transfers for multiparous women increased from 1.4% after second stage < 15 minutes to greater than 4% for women after second stage exceeding 2 hours (p for trend < 0.0001.) CONCLUSIONS: Complications requiring hospitalization of postpartum women and newborns become more common as the length of the second stage increases. Birth center guidelines should consider not just presence of progress but also absolute length of time as indications for transfer.

The experience of European hospital-based health care workers on following infection prevention and control procedures and their wellbeing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Working under pandemic conditions exposes health care workers (HCWs) to infection risk and psychological strain. A better understanding of HCWs' experiences of following local infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures during COVID-19 is urgently needed to inform strategies for protecting the psychical and psychological health of HCWs. The objective of this study was therefore to capture the perceptions of hospital HCWs on local IPC procedures and the impact on their emotional wellbeing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. METHODS: Participants were recruited in two sampling rounds of an international cross-sectional survey. Sampling took place between 31 March and 17 April 2020 via existing research networks and between 14 May and 31 August 2020 via online convenience sampling. Main outcome measures were behavioural determinants of HCWs' adherence to IPC guidelines and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, a validated scale of 0-100 reflecting emotional wellbeing. The WHO-5 was interpreted as a score below or above 50 points, a cut-off score used in previous literature to screen for depression. RESULTS: 2289 HCWs from 40 countries in Europe participated. Mean age was 42 (±11) years, 66% were female, 47% and 39% were medical doctors and nurses, respectively. 74% (n = 1699) of HCWs were directly treating patients with COVID-19, of which 32% (n = 527) reported they were fearful of caring for these patients. HCWs reported high levels of concern about COVID-19 infection risk to themselves (71%) and their family (82%) as a result of their job. 40% of HCWs considered that getting infected with COVID-19 was not within their control. This feeling was more common among junior than senior HCWs (46% versus 38%, P value < .01). Sufficient COVID-19-specific IPC training, confidence in PPE use and institutional trust were positively associated with the feeling that becoming infected with COVID-19 was within their control. Female HCWs were more likely than males to report a WHO-5 score below 50 points (aOR 1.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.8). CONCLUSIONS: In Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a differential impact on those providing direct COVID-19 patient care, junior staff and women. Health facilities must be aware of these differential impacts, build trust and provide tailored support for this vital workforce during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Educação física e Covid-19: o que dizem os protocolos de volta às aulas presenciais / Physical education and Covid-19: what do the protocols for going back to presential classes say / Educación física y Covid-19: qué dicen los protocolos para volver a las clases presenciales

Diante do cenário causado pela SARS-CoV-2, este estudo buscou identificar diretrizes das unidades da federação brasileira e refletir sobre os impactos na Educação Física no retorno presencial. Analisou-se quatorze documentos oficiais elaborados até setembro de 2020, utilizando-se de Análise de Conteúdo. Identificaram-se diretrizes gerais de higienização para prevenção do contágio no ambiente escolar e orientações específicas à Educação Física, como reorganização dos espaços, proibição de eventos e atividades coletivas, suspensão de atividades esportivas e adoção de aulas teóricas. Concluiu-se que os protocolos abordam nuances próprias da Educação Física, mas são notáveis os limites de infraestrutura, recursos humanos e materiais para viabilizar o retorno seguro e igualitário (AU).

Given the scenario caused by SARS-CoV-2, this study aiming to identify the guidelines of Brazilian units federation and reflect about impacts of returning on Physical Education. Fourteen official documents prepared by September 2020 were analyzed, using Content Analysis technique. General hygiene guidelines for prevention of contagion in the school environment and specific guidelines for Physical Education were identified, such as reorganization of school spaces, prohibition of events and collective activities, suspension of sports activities and adoption of theorical classes. It was concluded that the protocols address specific nuances to Physical Education, but the limits of infrastructure and human and material resources are remarkable to enable safe return in an equal way (AU).

Dado el escenario del SARS-CoV-2, este estudio identificó las pautas de las unidades de la federación brasileña y reflexionó sobre los impactos en la Educación Física en el retorno presencial. Se analizaron catorce documentos oficiales elaborados hasta septiembre de 2020, utilizando Análisis de Contenido. Se identificaron pautas generales de higiene para la prevención del contagio en el ambiente escolar y pautas específicas para la Educación Física, como reorganizar espacios, prohibir eventos y actividades colectivas, suspender actividades deportivas y adoptar clases teóricas. Se concluyó que los protocolos abordan matices de la EducaciónFísica, pero son notables los límites de infraestructura, recursos humanos y materiales para viabilizar el retorno seguro e igualitario (AU).

Korean Clinical Practice Guidelines: Current Status of Adherence to the RIGHT Checklist.

BACKGROUND: The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS) has been utilizing AGREE II to audit the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) developed in Korea. Monitoring the RIGHT Checklist adherence could help monitor the quality status and discover areas for improvement of CPG development. METHODS: We included 129 CPGs from the past 5 years and assessed each item of the RIGHT Checklist. STATA version 15.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among the seven sections of the RIGHT checklist, sections with a full compliance rate over 60% were 'basic information' (65%) and 'background' (66%). The other sections' mean full compliance rates were 'Evidence' 52%, 'Recommendation' 35%, 'Review and quality assurance' 25% and 'Funding, declaration and management of interest' 17%. Sections with a partial compliance rate over 60% were 'Recommendation' (60%) and 'Funding, declaration and management of interest' (70%). Non-compliance was highest in the 'Review and quality assurance' (17%) domain. In comparison between groups 1 (under median group) and 2 (over median group), group 2 showed a tendency to have multi-stakeholder involvement and present sufficient information on financial resources and conflict of interest declarations. For the CPGs developmental methodology aspect, group 2 provided more pertinent information than group 1 about supporting evidence-making and the process from evidence to recommendation. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated adherence to the RIGHT Checklist of CPGs developed in Korea. It can provide helpful information to develop strategic plans for enhancing the capabilities of developing CPGs in Korea.

Creation of an inventory of quality markers used to evaluate pharmacokinetic literature: A systematic review.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Robust critical appraisal tools for clinical pharmacokinetic studies are limited. Before development of such a tool is possible, quality markers (items deemed important for credibility of study results) must be identified. We aim to create an inventory of quality markers intended for the appraisal of clinical pharmacokinetic studies and to categorize identified markers into associated domains of study quality. METHODS: Medline via ProQuest central (1946-Sep 2020, EMBASE (1974-Sep 2020), Cochrane database of systematic reviews, Google and Google Scholar were searched using the following search categories: pharmacokinetics, reporting guidelines and quality markers. Reference lists of the identified articles were searched manually. Any article (review, study or guideline) reporting quality markers related to the appraisal of pharmacokinetic literature was eligible for inclusion. Articles were further screened and limited to those reported in English on human subjects only. Cell-based and animal-based pharmacokinetic studies were excluded. Extracted data from included articles included identified or perceived markers of quality and baseline article data. Identified quality markers were then categorized according to manuscript reporting domains (abstract, introduction/background, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Of 789 studies identified, 17 articles were included for extraction of quality markers. A total of 35 quality markers were identified across eight categories. The most frequently reported quality markers were related to method (13/35) and result sections (6/35). Quality markers encompassed all aspects of study design and reporting and were both similar and different to established reporting checklists for clinical pharmacokinetic studies. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The inventory of quality markers is now suitable to undergo further testing for inclusion in a tool designed for the appraisal of clinical pharmacokinetic studies.

Challenges of evidence synthesis during the 2020 COVID pandemic: a scoping review.

AIM: The objectives of this scoping review are to identify the challenges to conducting evidence synthesis during the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose some recommendations addressing the identified gaps. METHODS: A scoping review methodology was followed to map the literature published on the challenges and solutions of conducting evidence synthesis using the Joanna Briggs Methodology of performing scoping review. We searched several databases from the start of the Pandemic in December 2019 until 10th June 2021. RESULTS: A total of 28 publications was included in the review. The challenges cited in the included studies have been categorised into four distinct but interconnected themes including: upstream, Evidence synthesis, downstream and contextual challenges. These challenges have been further refined into issues with primary studies, databases, team capacity, process, resources, and context. Several proposals to improve the above challenges included: transparency in primary studies registration and reporting, establishment of online platforms that enables collaboration, data sharing and searching, the use of computable evidence and coordination of efforts at an international level. CONCLUSION: This review has highlighted the importance of including artificial intelligence, a framework for international collaboration and a sustained funding model to address many of the shortcomings and ensure we are ready for similar challenges in the future.

Guidelines for Designing and Evaluating Feasibility Pilot Studies.

BACKGROUND: Pilot studies test the feasibility of methods and procedures to be used in larger-scale studies. Although numerous articles describe guidelines for the conduct of pilot studies, few have included specific feasibility indicators or strategies for evaluating multiple aspects of feasibility. In addition, using pilot studies to estimate effect sizes to plan sample sizes for subsequent randomized controlled trials has been challenged; however, there has been little consensus on alternative strategies. METHODS: In Section 1, specific indicators (recruitment, retention, intervention fidelity, acceptability, adherence, and engagement) are presented for feasibility assessment of data collection methods and intervention implementation. Section 1 also highlights the importance of examining feasibility when adapting an intervention tested in mainstream populations to a new more diverse group. In Section 2, statistical and design issues are presented, including sample sizes for pilot studies, estimates of minimally important differences, design effects, confidence intervals (CI) and nonparametric statistics. An in-depth treatment of the limits of effect size estimation as well as process variables is presented. Tables showing CI around parameters are provided. With small samples, effect size, completion and adherence rate estimates will have large CI. CONCLUSION: This commentary offers examples of indicators for evaluating feasibility, and of the limits of effect size estimation in pilot studies. As demonstrated, most pilot studies should not be used to estimate effect sizes, provide power calculations for statistical tests or perform exploratory analyses of efficacy. It is hoped that these guidelines will be useful to those planning pilot/feasibility studies before a larger-scale study.

Manual Acolhimento à Família / Family Reception Manual

A aplicação deste manual se faz necessária em toda instituição de saúde, para garantir o acolhimento às famílias e ampliar o acesso dos visitantes/acompanhantes/responsáveis às unidades de internação, de forma a garantir o elo entre o paciente, sua rede social e equipe de saúde, além de reorganizar fluxo de informações e notícias difíceis prestadas aos usuários, acolhendo-os de forma digna, respeitando suas necessidades particularidades e privacidade.

Os desafios das diretrizes curriculares nacionais para a área de educação física: uma análise do período de 1939 a 2015 / The challenges presented in the national curriculum guidelines for physical education area: an analysis of the period 1939 to 2015 / Los desafíos de las directrices curriculares nacionales para el área de educación física: un análisis del período de 1939 a 2015

O artigo teve por objetivo identificar os desafios apresentados na configuração dos textos das Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais publicadas no período de 1939 a 2015 que orientam a formação em Educação Física e a formação dos professores que atuam na Educação Básica, bem como os pontos de vistas dentro dos grupos políticos relacionados à Educação Física brasileira. Este estudo é de cunho descritivo-analítico. A amostra foi composta por 20 profissionais de Educação Física. Os resultados mostraram que a perspectiva geral dos participantes dos grupos B, C e D indica que houve avanços ao longo da história. Já os participantes do grupo A afirmaram que as mudanças na legislação não apresentaram resultados positivos ou que não há pesquisas significativas sobre o tema para permitir tal suposição (AU).

The purpose of the article was to investigate the challenges presented in the configuration of the texts of the National Curriculum Guidelines published in the period 1939 to 2015 that regulate the physical education courses and teacher education courses who work in Basic Education, even as the points of view within the political groups related to Brazilian Physical Education. This is a descriptive-analytic study. Participants comprised 20 Physical Education professionals.According to the general perspectives of the participants of groups B, C and D, the findings indicate that there were advances as the guidelines. The participants of group A stated that changes in legislation did not provide positive outcomes, or that there is no significant research on the topic to allow such assumption (AU).

El artículo tuvo como objetivo identificar los desafíos presentados em La configuración de los textos de lãs Directrices Curriculares Nacionales publicado en el período 1939 a 2015 que guían la formación en Educación Física y la formación de profesores de educación básica, así como los puntos de vista dentro de los grupos políticos relacionados com la Educación Física brasileña. Este es um estúdio descriptivo-analítico. La muestra de estúdio consistió en 20 profesionales de Educación Física. Los resultados mostraron que la perspectiva general de los participantes em los grupos B, C y D indica que ha habido avances a lo largo de la historia. Los participantes del Grupo A, por otro lado, declararon que los câmbios em la legislación no arrojaron resultados positivos o que no hay una investigación significativa sobre el tema que permita tal suposición (AU).

Systematic Reviews and Quality Appraisal of In Vitro Cancer Studies: Investigation of Current Practice.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To assess the quantity and quality of systematic reviews of in vitro cancer studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Knowledge and PROSPERO databases were searched. Articles described as systematic reviews of in vitro studies, focused on or relevant to cancer and published in English were selected and appraised using an adapted version of AMSTAR 2 'critical domains'. RESULTS: From 4,021 records, 41 reviews described as systematic and cancer-related were identified. Publication dates indicate increasing frequency of systematic review conduct. Mean number of databases searched was three (range=1-8). Thirty-six reviews (88%) reported search methods, 35 (85%) specified inclusion criteria, 26 (63%) reported study selection methods, and 21 (51%) used reporting guidelines. Only 13 reviews (32%) involved formal quality assessment. CONCLUSION: Detailed investigation of reviews of cancer-relevant in vitro studies indicates need for further development and use of robust search strategies, appropriate quality assessment tools, and researchers with relevant skills.

How Hypertension Guidelines Address Social Determinants of Health: A Systematic Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Patient-level and community-level social and economic conditions impact hypertension risk and control. We examined adult hypertension management guidelines to explore whether and how existing guidelines refer to social care activities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore how hypertension guidelines reference social care activities. RESEARCH DESIGN: A systematic scoping review of clinical guidelines for adult hypertension management. We employed a PubMed search strategy to identify all hypertension guidelines published in the United States between 1977 and 2019. We reviewed all titles to identify the most updated versions focused on nonpregnant adults with hypertension. We extracted instances where guidelines referred to social determinants of health (SDH) or social care activities. The primary outcome was how guidelines covered social care activities, defined using a framework adapted from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). RESULTS: Search terms yielded 126 guidelines. Thirty-six guidelines met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 72% (26/36) recommended social care activities as part of hypertension management; 58% recommended clinicians change clinical practice based on social risk information. These recommendations often lacked specific guidance around how to directly address social risk factors or reduce the impact of these risks on hypertension management. When guidelines referred to specific social factors, patient financial security was the most common. Over time, hypertension guidelines have included more references to SDH. CONCLUSION: Information about SDH is included in many hypertension guidelines, but few guidelines provide clear guidance for clinicians or health systems on how to identify and address social risk factors in the context of care delivery.

Recommended reporting items for epidemic forecasting and prediction research: The EPIFORGE 2020 guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The importance of infectious disease epidemic forecasting and prediction research is underscored by decades of communicable disease outbreaks, including COVID-19. Unlike other fields of medical research, such as clinical trials and systematic reviews, no reporting guidelines exist for reporting epidemic forecasting and prediction research despite their utility. We therefore developed the EPIFORGE checklist, a guideline for standardized reporting of epidemic forecasting research. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We developed this checklist using a best-practice process for development of reporting guidelines, involving a Delphi process and broad consultation with an international panel of infectious disease modelers and model end users. The objectives of these guidelines are to improve the consistency, reproducibility, comparability, and quality of epidemic forecasting reporting. The guidelines are not designed to advise scientists on how to perform epidemic forecasting and prediction research, but rather to serve as a standard for reporting critical methodological details of such studies. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines have been submitted to the EQUATOR network, in addition to hosting by other dedicated webpages to facilitate feedback and journal endorsement.

Male engagement guidelines in antenatal care: unintended consequences for pregnant women in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: The meaningful engagement of male partners in antenatal care (ANC) can positively impact maternal and newborn health outcomes. The Tanzania National Plan for the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV recommends male partners attend the first ANC appointment as a strategy for HIV prevention and treatment. This recommendation seeks to increase uptake of HIV and reproductive healthcare services, but unintended consequences of these guidelines may negatively impact women's ANC experiences. This study qualitatively examined the impact of policy promoting male engagement on women's ANC experiences. METHODS: The study was conducted in two urban clinics in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 participants (13 women and 6 male partners) attending a first ANC appointment. A semi-structured guide was developed, applying Kabeer's Social Relations Approach. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis, combining memo writing, coding, synthesis, and comparison of themes. RESULTS: Male attendance impacted the timing of women's presentation to ANC and experience during the first ANC visit. Women whose partners could not attend delayed their presentation to first ANC due to fears of being interrogated or denied care because of their partner absence. Women presenting with partners were given preferential treatment by clinic staff, and women without partners felt discriminated against. Women perceived that the clinic prioritized men's HIV testing over involvement in pregnancy care. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings indicate the need to better assess and understand the unintended impact of policies promoting male partner attendance at ANC. Although male engagement can benefit the health outcomes of mothers and newborn children, our findings demonstrate the need for improved methods of engaging men in ANC. ANC clinics should identify ways to make clinic settings more male friendly, utilize male attendance as an opportunity to educate and engage men in pregnancy and newborn care. At the same time, clinic policies should be cognizant to not discriminate against women presenting without a partner.

HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) recommendations for the designation of gene fusions.

Gene fusions have been discussed in the scientific literature since they were first detected in cancer cells in the early 1980s. There is currently no standardized way to denote the genes involved in fusions, but in the majority of publications the gene symbols in question are listed either separated by a hyphen (-) or by a forward slash (/). Both types of designation suffer from important shortcomings. HGNC has worked with the scientific community to determine a new, instantly recognizable and unique separator-a double colon (::)-to be used in the description of fusion genes, and advocates its usage in all databases and articles describing gene fusions.

Management of patients with cervical spine trauma in the emergency department: a systematic critical appraisal of guidelines with a view to developing standardized strategies for clinical practice.

Several guidelines on the evaluation of patients with suspected cervical spine trauma in the Emergency Department (ED) exist. High heterogeneity between different guidelines has been reported. Aim of this study was to find areas of agreement and disagreement between guidelines, to identify topics in which further research is needed and to provide an evidence-based cervical spine trauma algorithm for ED physicians. The three most relevant guidelines published on cervical spine trauma in the last 10 years were selected screening websites of the main scientific societies and through the comparison of a normalized Google Scholar and SCOPUS citation index. We compared the selected guidelines through seven a-priori defined questions. In case of disagreement between the guidelines or if the quality of evidence appeared low, evidence from published systematic reviews on the topic was added to build an evidence-based algorithm for approach to spinal trauma in the ED. The three selected guidelines were: NICE 2016, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma 2009 and American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2013. We found complete agreement on one question, partial agreement for one questions, no agreement for two questions, while agreement was not assessable for 3 questions. The agreement between different guidelines and the evidence on which recommendations are based is low. An attempt to build an evidence-based algorithm has been made. More studies are needed on many topics.