In search of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of fatigue in multiple sclerosis: A proteomics study.

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis is a very common and cumbersome symptom, but its aetiology is poorly understood. Proteomics is increasingly implemented in multiple sclerosis research, but has not yet been used to study the neurobiological basis of fatigue in multiple sclerosis. To identify potential cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of fatigue in multiple sclerosis, we collected cerebrospinal fluid of 20 patients with multiple sclerosis with fatigue (MS+), 20 patients with multiple sclerosis without fatigue (MS-), and 20 control subjects without multiple sclerosis and without fatigue (HC). We used a shotgun proteomics approach and label-free quantitative proteomics to analyse the protein content in cerebrospinal fluid. Selected proteins with differential abundance were further validated by immunoblotting. Out of 591 detected cerebrospinal fluid proteins, the abundance of nine proteins differed between the three groups, and seven additional proteins differed between MS+ and MS- patients. Using immunoblot or slot-blot techniques, we confirmed decreased levels of protein kinase C-binding protein NELL2, neural cell adhesion molecule L1-like protein, and reelin in MS+ patients. In conclusion, cerebrospinal fluid proteomics may provide insight into the neurobiological basis of fatigue in multiple sclerosis. The proteins identified to be decreased in MS+ are involved in synaptic plasticity and energy homeostasis, and thus appear as plausible biomarkers of this common symptom.

[Use of high-flow oxygen treatment in the emergency medical service: what are the dangers for users from the perspective of occupational and fire protection?] / Anwendung von "High-flow"-Sauerstoff-Therapie im Rettungsdienst: Welche Gefahren ergeben sich für Anwender aus der Perspektive des Arbeits- und Brandschutzes?

INTRODUCTION: The administration of high concentrations of oxygen may harm patients or paramedics by increasing the probability of fire. The presented work investigated the effect of oxygen applied via high flow in different concentrations and flow rates on environmental oxygen concentrations in the patient compartment of an ambulance. RESULTS: Environmental oxygen concentrations increased rapidly over time and oxygen is stored in blankets and clothes over a long period. Simulation in a fire laboratory showed that also in high oxygen concentration settings fire needs a flame or temperatures above 300 °C. Sparks alone were not able to start a fire. CONCLUSION: Ventilation of patient compartment and clothes with ambient air are mandatory to reduce dangerous oxygen concentrations in transport of patients on high-flow oxygen treatment.

Non-Feasibility to Estimate the Need for Reversal of Neuromuscular Relaxation from the Applied Rocuronium Dosing Pattern: A Retrospective Analysis of Anaesthesia Records.

OBJECTIVE: Some anaesthetists are convinced that a long interval since the last relaxant dose may be sufficient to recover from anaesthesia without a pharmacological reversal. We intended to demonstrate that the dosing pattern of rocuronium could not predict the necessity of reversal. METHODS: In a cohort analysis, we retrospectively analysed 180 anaesthesia records of adult patients who underwent elective surgical interventions in general anaesthesia and tracheal intubation with rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade. The extracted records were divided to 3 post hoc groups of 60 each, according to the reversal method employed at the end of anaesthesia: group N with neostigmine, group S with sugammadex and group Z without pharmacological reversal. All cases were terminated after achieving a train of four ratio of 0.9. Dosing patterns of rocuronium were compared by applying a novel pharmacometric calculation method, residual drug activity coefficient (RDAC), which employs both the administered individual drug doses in mg kg-1 and the timing of each drug administration in relation to the time of extubation. The rocuronium dosing pattern was correlated with the employed method of neuromuscular blockade reversal. RESULTS: The dosing for rocuronium in patients without pharmacological reversal was lower than that in both reversal agent groups (n=0.58±0.21, S=0.58±0.17 and Z=0.47±0.17), but there was still a large overlap in the RDAC. CONCLUSION: The dosage profile of rocuronium alone cannot predict the possibility to refrain from pharmacological reversal.

Simulation With PARTS (Phase-Augmented Research and Training Scenarios): A Structure Facilitating Research and Assessment in Simulation.

INTRODUCTION: Assessment in simulation is gaining importance, as are scenario design methods increasing opportunity for assessment. We present our approach to improving measurement in complex scenarios using PARTS [Phase-Augmented Research and Training Scenarios], essentially separating cases into clearly delineated phases. METHODS: We created 7 PARTS with real-time rating instruments and tested these in 63 cases during 4 weeks of simulation. Reliability was tested by comparing real-time rating with postsimulation video-based rating using the same instrument. Validity was tested by comparing preintervention and postintervention total results, by examining the difference in improvement when focusing on the phase-specific results addressed by the intervention, and further explored by trying to demonstrate the discrete improvement expected from proficiency in the rare occurrence of leader inclusive behavior. RESULTS: Intraclass correlations [3,1] between real-time and postsimulation ratings were 0.951 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.794-0.990), 1.00 (95% CI, --to--), 0.948 (95% CI, 0.783-0.989), and 0.995 (95% CI, 0.977-0.999) for 3 phase-specific scores and total scenario score, respectively. Paired t tests of prelecture-postlecture performance showed an improvement of 14.26% (bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap [BCa] 95% CI, 4.71-23.82; P = 0.009) for total performance but of 28.57% (BCa 95% CI, 13.84-43.30; P = 0.002) for performance in the respective phase. The correlation of total scenario performance with leader inclusiveness was not significant (rs = 0.228; BCa 95% CI. -0.082 to 0.520; P = 0.119) but significant for specific phase performance (rs = 0.392; BCa 95% CI, 0.118-0.632; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The PARTS allowed for improved reliability and validity of measurements in complex scenarios.

TeamGAINS: a tool for structured debriefings for simulation-based team trainings.

BACKGROUND: Improving patient safety by training teams to successfully manage emergencies is a major concern in healthcare. Most current trainings use simulation of emergency situations to practice and reflect on relevant clinical and behavioural skills. We developed TeamGAINS, a hybrid, structured debriefing tool for simulation-based team trainings in healthcare that integrates three different debriefing approaches: guided team self-correction, advocacy-inquiry and systemic-constructivist techniques. METHODS: TeamGAINS was administered during simulation-based trainings for clinical and behavioural skills for anaesthesia staff. One of the four daily scenarios involved all trainees, whereas the remaining three scenarios each involved only two trainees with the others observing them. Training instructors were senior anaesthesiologists and psychologists. To determine debriefing quality, we used a post-test-only (debriefing quality) and a pre-post-test (psychological safety, leader inclusiveness), no-control-group design. After each debriefing all trainees completed a self-report debriefing quality scale which we developed based on the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare and the Observational Structured Assessment of Debriefing. Perceived psychological safety and leader inclusiveness were measured before trainees' first (premeasure) and after their last debriefing (postmeasure) at which time trainees' reactions to the overall training were measured as well. RESULTS: Four senior anaesthetists, 29 residents and 28 nurses participated in a total of 40 debriefings resulting in 235 evaluations. Utility of debriefings was evaluated as highly positive. Pre-post comparisons revealed that psychological safety and leader inclusiveness significantly increased after the debriefings. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that TeamGAINS could provide a useful debriefing tool for training anaesthesia staff on all levels of work experience. By combining state-of-the-art debriefing methods and integrating systemic-constructivist techniques, TeamGAINS has the potential to allow for a surfacing, reflecting on and changing of the dynamics of team interactions. Further research is necessary to systematically compare the effects of TeamGAINS' components on the debriefing itself and on trainees' changes in attitudes and behaviours.