Available Sources Of Evidence Research Articles

The epidemiology of transfusion-related acute lung injury: A scoping review and analysis.

The purpose of this scoping review was to identify available sources of evidence on the epidemiology of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and whether meta-analysis on the incidence of TRALI is feasible. TRALI is a serious complication and the second leading cause of death related to blood transfusion. Estimates of the incidence of TRALI would provide a useful benchmark for research to reduce TRALI. We searched the Medline, EMBASE, and PubMed databases for publications related to the incidence of TRALI and hemovigilance. We included all studies irrespective of language or country. Both full-text articles and conference abstracts were included. Participants of the studies must all have received a blood transfusion. Reviews and case studies were excluded. We identified 427 articles or abstracts to include for review. More than half were abstracts, and the majority were published after 2010. Reported TRALI definitions varied, but only 27.2% of studies reported any definition for TRALI. TRALI rates were reported using different denominators, such as per blood unit (54.1%), patient (34.4%), and transfusion episode (14.8%). Study populations and contexts were mostly general (75.6% and 80.3%, respectively). There was also variation in study design with most being observational (90.6%) and only 13.1% of all studies used modern donor restriction policies. There was substantial variation in reporting in studies on TRALI incidence. Meta-analysis of TRALI rates may be feasible in specific circumstances where reporting is clear. Future studies should clearly report key items, such as a TRALI definition.

Recurrent Patellar Fracture in a Healthy Collegiate Basketball Player: An Exploration Clinical Case Report

Purpose: Patellar fractures only account for approximately 1% of all skeletal injuries. Patellar fractures usually result from direct trauma (i.e. falling on the knee, dashboard injury, etc.), or, less frequently, occur as a combination of direct and indirect mechanism (i.e. receiving a direct blow while contracting the quadriceps). While indirect trauma is the least common mechanism, it usually occurs due to an extensor mechanism failure during eccentric loading such as landing. Method: Case report, Level 3: Exploration Clinical Contribution to the Available Sources of Evidence (CASE) Report. Results: A 21-year-old Division I collegiate basketball athlete sustained two separate transverse patellar fractures via non-contact mechanisms in the same knee over a 21-month period. The patient had no prior history of knee injury nor predisposing risk factors for fractures; delayed union or nonunion. Conclusion: The uniqueness of this case is twofold: 1) The rareness of this injury among a healthy athletic population; and 2) The unusual non-contact mechanism of the injury. Patellar injuries are extremely rare in athletics. In NCAA Division I men’s basketball, patellar injury accounts for only 2.4% of all injuries during games and 3.7% during practice. Recommendations: Although rare, it is important for athletic trainers to recognize traumatic high-impact injuries can occur during non-contact activity in a healthy population. In addition, athletic trainers should be mindful to suspect fracture without associated defect when a patient sustains a subsequent injury with an analogous mechanism even following successful rehabilitation.

The effect of perceptual decision-making on the interpretation of twin fetal heart rate tracings

Objective Decision-making is an integrative process during which multiple sources of available evidence are combined into a singular response. Importantly, subconscious processes occur in perceptual decisions that may influence interpretations of visually displayed data such as fetal heart rate tracings (FHRT), which are typically presented together for twins. To examine the potential impact of subconscious perceptual influences on fetal well-being, differences in assessments of FHRTs for twin gestations presented singly or paired were evaluated for baseline fetal heart rate, variability, accelerations, decelerations, and overall concern. Study design Obstetrical nurses (N = 27) assessed FHRTs from 20 twin gestations (each of which had at least one live birth with a 5-min Apgar <7) presented either on the same tracing or as singletons on separate tracings. Nurses were naïve to the fact that the fetal heart rate tracings presented in the unpaired condition were the same as those presented in the paired condition. Assessments were then compared between the two conditions. Results Each nurse participant completed ratings on five metrics for each of 20 twin gestations across two conditions (80 FHRT assessments, 400 metrics total per participant). The intraobserver impact of visual context was calculated as the frequency of changed opinions regarding an individual metric (e.g. variability) between the paired and unpaired contexts for each individual fetal heart rate. Assessments of variability (average Kappa = 0.59), decelerations (average Kappa = 0.34), and overall level of concern (average Kappa = 0.33) were moderately to heavily impacted by viewing condition (unpaired vs. paired FHRT). Analysis of interobserver agreement using intraclass correlations (two-way random effect, absolute agreement) indicates poor agreement on unpaired assessments for both accelerations (ICC = 0.01, 95% CI −0.01–0.04) and decelerations (ICC = 0.22, 95% CI 0.15–0.33). These results are mirrored in poor agreement on paired assessments for both accelerations (ICC = 0.00, 95% CI −0.01–0.03) and decelerations (ICC = 0.27, 95% CI 0.19–0.39). There was moderate agreement on overall level of concern for unpaired assessments (ICC = 0.55, 95% CI 0.44–0.67) and near moderate agreement for the paired condition (ICC = 0.45, 95% CI 0.34–0.58). Conclusions The simultaneous presentation of fetal heart rate tracings in twin gestations introduces both intraobserver and interobserver variances in the interpretation of variability, accelerations, and decelerations, likely due to the influence of subconscious perceptual decision-making. This may theoretically affect outcomes in cases in which visual information is nuanced. More research is necessary to determine whether the standard protocol of simultaneous assessment of FHRT in twins is subliminally affected by perceptual decision-making.

Executive summary of the Czech Republic's 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous health benefits. However, the decreasing level of PA and increasing screen-time among Czech children and youth has been well documented in the last two decades. To build effective intervention and prevention programs, it is necessary to review all available sources of evidence. Objective: The aim is to summarize the results of the first Czech Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth based on a synthesis of the most recently available evidence. Methods: The Report Card included 10 indicators. To inform the indicator grades, a multi-level search strategy was used to find all relevant sources that provide published/unpublished data collected from 2013 through 2018. The data were synthesised, and a set of standardized benchmarks was used to assign grades. Final grades were assigned upon consensus of all members of the national research work group. Results: We retrieved 724 records from database searches and 81 records identified through other sources. A total of 40 records were identified as eligible for data extraction. Overall PA in Czech children and youth was observed to be insufficient to support fitness and health, with high rates of excessive screen-time and low numbers of children and youth spending time in unstructured/unorganized play. On the other hand, some grades indicated promising foundations to build on in future. They are represented, for instance, by a relatively high number of children and youth participating in organized sports and/or PA programs, or generally PA-friendly setting (e.g., family and peers, school, and built environment). Conclusions: There is ample evidence that Czech children and youth are insufficiently active, and the prevalence of physical inactivity and excessive screen-time has increased in both sexes during the last two decades. Thus, PA in childhood and adolescence should be promoted intensively and effective intervention and prevention programs are needed.

How could we end the epidemic of cardio-metabolic diseases?

Globally, individuals with chronic diseases now consume over 80% of all healthcare resources. Set against this depressing projection is decades of epidemiologic work demonstrating that 80%-90% of cardiovascular disease can be prevented via lifestyle and dietary interventions. How can we reconcile such contrasting views toward the future of cardiovascular health in human populations? Herein, we review available sources of evidence that can be used to answer these challenging questions of how and why. In particular, we submit that analytical framework incorporating the 6P (prediction, precision, personalization, prevention, population, and policy)-3G (good food, good environment, and good behavior)-4I (interpretation, integration, implementation, and innovation) will allow us to focus resource towards the development of multi-level approaches for the betterment of population health. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2017, 33: 453-459) Key words: Cardio-metabolic diseases; Disease prevention and control; Lifestyle intervention; Gene-environment interactions

Clinical Contributions to the Available Sources of Evidence (CASE) Reports: Executive Summary

Clinical Contributions to the Available Sources of Evidence (CASE) Reports: Executive Summary

Clinical Contributions to the Available Sources of Evidence (CASE) Reports: Executive Summary.

Clinical Contributions to the Available Sources of Evidence (CASE) Reports: Executive Summary.

A New Year, a New Set of Guidelines for Making Clinical Contributions to the Available Sources of Evidence

A New Year, a New Set of Guidelines for Making Clinical Contributions to the Available Sources of Evidence

The Use of Systematic Reviews in Clinical Trials and Narrative Reviews in Dermatology: Is the Best Evidence Being Used?

Introduction and objectivesSystematic reviews —the most comprehensive type of literature review—should be taken into account before a clinical trial or a narrative review on a topic is undertaken. The objective of this study was to describe the use of systematic reviews in clinical trials and narrative reviews in dermatology. Material and methodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study. We selected randomized clinical trials and narrative reviews from the dermatological clinical research journals identified as most important (according to impact factor) and from Actas Dermosifiliográficas, and studied the bibliographies to ascertain whether the authors made reference to existing systematic reviews and Cochrane reviews. ResultsOf the 72 clinical trials for which a systematic review was available, 24 (33.3%) cited at least 1 review; reference was made to relevant Cochrane reviews in 15.6% of cases and to non-Cochrane reviews in 32%. In the case of the 24 narrative reviews for which a review was available, 10 (41.7%) cited at least 1 review; Cochrane reviews were cited in 20% and non-Cochrane reviews in 35.3%.In the case of Actas Dermosifiliográficas, very few clinical trials were found and the findings for narrative review articles were similar to those observed for the other journals. ConclusionsSystematic reviews are not often taken into account by the authors of clinical trials and narrative reviews and this may lead to redundant studies and publications. Authors appear to use Cochrane reviews even less than non-Cochrane reviews and are therefore ignoring one of the main sources of available evidence.

Improving the Quality of Early Childhood Education in Chile: Tensions Between Public Policy and Teacher Discourses Over the Schoolarisation of Early Childhood Education

This article problematises emerging tensions in Chile, in relation to the discourses of early childhood teachers and public policies aimed at improving the quality of early childhood education. The aim of the analysis is to contribute to developing more nuanced understandings of these tensions, through the analytical lenses provided by the concepts of agency, power and discourses in the social construction of professional identity. The paper begins by describing aspects of the current Chilean policy context of early childhood education, and its location in the broader educational system. Tracing recent public policy initiatives focused on improving early childhood education quality; the paper then considers diverse sources of available evidence of early childhood teacher perspectives and responses to public policy discourses. It concludes by contextualising the findings of the analysis in an international literature body about early childhood professional identity.

Empleo de las revisiones sistemáticas en ensayos clínicos y revisiones narrativas en dermatología: ¿se usa la mejor evidencia disponible?

Introduction and objectivesSystematic reviews —the most comprehensive type of literature review— should be taken into account before a clinical trial or a narrative review on a topic is undertaken. The objective of this study was to describe the use of systematic reviews in clinical trials and narrative reviews in dermatology. Material and methodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study. We selected randomized clinical trials and narrative reviews from the dermatological clinical research journals identified as most important (according to impact factor) and from Actas Dermosifiliográficas, and studied the bibliographies to ascertain whether the authors made reference to existing systematic reviews and Cochrane reviews. ResultsOf the 72 clinical trials for which a systematic review was available, 24 (33.3%) cited at least 1 review; reference was made to relevant Cochrane reviews in 15.6% of cases and to non-Cochrane reviews in 32%. In the case of the 24 narrative reviews for which a review was available, 10 (41.7%) cited at least 1 review; Cochrane reviews were cited in 20% and non-Cochrane reviews in 35.3%.In the case of Actas Dermosifiliográficas, very few clinical trials were found and the findings for narrative review articles were similar to those observed for the other journals. ConclusionsSystematic reviews are not often taken into account by the authors of clinical trials and narrative reviews and this may lead to redundant studies and publications. Authors appear to use Cochrane reviews even less than non-Cochrane reviews and are therefore ignoring one of the main sources of available evidence.

Methods report on the development of the European S3 guidelines for the treatment of acne

Methods report on the development of the European S3 guidelines for the treatment of acne

An integrated approach for fusion of environmental and human health data for disease surveillance

This paper describes the problem of public health monitoring for waterborne disease outbreaks using disparate evidence from health surveillance data streams and environmental sensors. We present a combined monitoring approach along with examples from a recent project at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The project objective was to build a module for the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE) to include water quality data with health indicator data for the early detection of waterborne disease outbreaks. The basic question in the fused surveillance application is 'What is the likelihood of the public health threat of interest given recent information from available sources of evidence?' For a scientific perspective, we formulate this question in terms of the estimation of positive predictive value customary in classical epidemiology, and we present a solution framework using Bayesian Networks (BN). An overview of the BN approach presents advantages, disadvantages, and required adaptations needed for a fused surveillance capability that is scalable and robust relative to the practical data environment. In the BN project, we built a top-level health/water-quality fusion BN informed by separate waterborne-disease-related networks for the detection of water contamination and human health effects. Elements of the art of developing networks appropriate to this environment are discussed with examples. Results of applying these networks to a simulated contamination scenario are presented.

A Practical Approach for Evidence Gathering in Windows Environment

theincrease in internet technology cyber-attacks have also increased, most of the sufferers from these cyber-attacks are novice windows end users. Windows is more popular due to the ease in use, and effective GUI; due to the unavailability of windows component source code the crime investigations in windows environment is a tedious and hectic job for law enforcement agencies. The unsystematic organization of the available sources of evidence in a windows environment makes the integration of these evidences a difficult task. In this paper a prototype model is developed and implemented to extract the various sources of evidence in windows environment. Investigation issues in Windows and Linux environment are also presented.

Bayesian statistic methods and theri application in probabilistic simulation models

Bayesian statistic methods are facing a rapidly growing level of interest and acceptance in the field of health economics. The reasons of this success are probably to be found on the theoretical fundaments of the discipline that make these techniques more appealing to decision analysis. To this point should be added the modern IT progress that has developed different flexible and powerful statistical software framework. Among them probably one of the most noticeably is the BUGS language project and its standalone application for MS Windows WinBUGS. Scope of this paper is to introduce the subject and to show some interesting applications of WinBUGS in developing complex economical models based on Markov chains. The advantages of this approach reside on the elegance of the code produced and in its capability to easily develop probabilistic simulations. Moreover an example of the integration of bayesian inference models in a Markov model is shown. This last feature let the analyst conduce statistical analyses on the available sources of evidence and exploit them directly as inputs in the economic model.

Bayesian Methods for Evidence Synthesis in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Recently, health systems internationally have begun to use cost-effectiveness research as formal inputs into decisions about which interventions and programmes should be funded from collective resources. This process has raised some important methodological questions for this area of research. This paper considers one set of issues related to the synthesis of effectiveness evidence for use in decision-analytic cost-effectiveness (CE) models, namely the need for the synthesis of all sources of available evidence, although these may not 'fit neatly' into a CE model. Commonly encountered problems include the absence of head-to-head trial evidence comparing all options under comparison, the presence of multiple endpoints from trials and different follow-up periods. Full evidence synthesis for CE analysis also needs to consider treatment effects between patient subpopulations and the use of nonrandomised evidence. Bayesian statistical methods represent a valuable set of analytical tools to utilise indirect evidence and can make a powerful contribution to the decision-analytic approach to CE analysis. This paper provides a worked example and a general overview of these methods with particular emphasis on their use in economic evaluation.

A View from the Industrial Age

Like the constructivist approach to the history of science, the new history of reading has shifted attention from disembodied ideas to the underlying material culture and the localized practices by which it is apprehended. By focusing on the complex embodied processes by which readers make sense of printed objects, historians of reading have provided new insights into the manner in which meaning is both made and contested. In this brief account I argue that these insights are particularly relevant to historians of science, first, because practices of reading, like those of experiment and fieldwork, are constitutive of scientific knowledge, and, second, because attention to the history of reading provides important evidence of the multifaceted and uneven contest for meaning that occurs when science is mobilized in popular culture. The essay concludes by considering some of the surprisingly abundant sources of available evidence from which a history of scientific reading might be constructed for the modern era.

Promoting the past

LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARIANS, museum curators and archivists are, to state the obvious, jointly in the business of making available sources of evidence on earlier times to the public. This may not be our only business: an archivist working in central or local government is responsible primarily for the management of the records of his authority, a local studies librarian may well have a wider reference or information services responsbility, and such factors as these will condition our ability to concentrate on promoting the past. But that aside, if we feel committed to the work we are doing, then we are committed not just to servicing the demand for local studies material but to stimulating this demand: that is, to increasing the availability of the material, and deepening the level on which it is used. In the case of all three of our services, however, resources are strictly limited; every penny, almost literally, has to count, The question then must be to what extent total independence, cooperation or mergers between our services obtain best value for money from what we might term the ‘global local studies resource’.

Colombia and Venezuela.

International Law — Sources of — Practice of the Parties to the Dispute as Determining the Law Applicable by the Arbitrator.Acquiescence — Absence of Protest — Relevance of.Arbitration — Award — How far Based on Available Sources of Evidence.84State Territory — Cession — Requirement of Formal Delivery of Possession — Whether Forming Part of International Law — Formal Delivery in regard to Territories Awarded by the Arbitrator — Declarative or Constitutive Effect of the Arbitral Award — The Principle uti possidetis juris — Application to Cession and to Arbitral Awards — Effectiveness of the Latter — Admissibility of Partial Executions — Tacit Consent of the Parties — Absence of Protest — Legal Nature of Boundary Commissions.