The Hurst Exponent: A Novel Approach for Assessing Focus During Trauma Resuscitation

Author(s):  
Ikechukwu P. Ohu ◽  
Jestin N. Carlson ◽  
Davide Piovesan
CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S65-S66
Author(s):  
A. Gray ◽  
C. Hicks ◽  
K. White ◽  
M. McGowan ◽  
R. Chow ◽  
...  

Introduction / Innovation Concept: Trauma resuscitation requires a multidisciplinary team to perform at a high level within a dynamic, high-stakes environment. The unpredictable nature of trauma care increases the possibility for errors, often from underlying latent safety threats (LSTs). In-situ simulation (ISS) is a point-of-care training strategy that occurs within the patient care environment involving the actual healthcare team and provides a novel approach to team training and LST identification. Using ISS, critical events can be recreated providing an opportunity to explore and learn from past challenges. We developed and piloted a risk-informed, multidisciplinary ISS trauma training program to assess teamwork performance and identify LSTs within the trauma care environment. Methods: A comprehensive process was initiated to gain support from all stakeholders within the trauma program. Simulation cases were derived from a review of adverse events and unexpected deaths. Human factors experts aided with the integration of system- and process-related elements into the case design. ISS sessions involved all trauma team members. Debriefing after each session facilitated a team-based discussion and an opportunity for reflective practice and video recording was used for teamwork evaluation and process mapping. Curriculum, Tool, or Material: We conducted monthly, unannounced, multidisciplinary, high-fidelity ISS scenarios at a Canadian Level 1 trauma centre. The trauma team was activated by the usual notification process and care provided in the same manner as an actual trauma patient. A semi-structured debriefing followed each session with a focus on team performance and LST identification. Teamwork was measured using a previously validated tool, the Clinical Teamwork Scale. Findings were used to inform discussion at multidisciplinary trauma rounds as part of an iterative process of evaluation and implementation. Conclusion: This multidisciplinary ISS trauma training program offers a novel approach to team performance evaluation and LST identification. Using risk-informed scenarios combined with human factors analysis we are able identify knowledge and technical skill proficiency gaps, LSTs and integrate formative team assessment. An iterative process beginning with ISS followed by multidisciplinary rounds provides a robust framework for system-based changes to improve team performance and overall patient care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 476 (24) ◽  
pp. 3705-3719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avani Vyas ◽  
Umamaheswar Duvvuri ◽  
Kirill Kiselyov

Platinum-containing drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin are routinely used for the treatment of many solid tumors including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, SCCHN resistance to platinum compounds is well documented. The resistance to platinum has been linked to the activity of divalent transporter ATP7B, which pumps platinum from the cytoplasm into lysosomes, decreasing its concentration in the cytoplasm. Several cancer models show increased expression of ATP7B; however, the reason for such an increase is not known. Here we show a strong positive correlation between mRNA levels of TMEM16A and ATP7B in human SCCHN tumors. TMEM16A overexpression and depletion in SCCHN cell lines caused parallel changes in the ATP7B mRNA levels. The ATP7B increase in TMEM16A-overexpressing cells was reversed by suppression of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), by the antioxidant N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) and by copper chelation using cuprizone and bathocuproine sulphonate (BCS). Pretreatment with either chelator significantly increased cisplatin's sensitivity, particularly in the context of TMEM16A overexpression. We propose that increased oxidative stress in TMEM16A-overexpressing cells liberates the chelated copper in the cytoplasm, leading to the transcriptional activation of ATP7B expression. This, in turn, decreases the efficacy of platinum compounds by promoting their vesicular sequestration. We think that such a new explanation of the mechanism of SCCHN tumors’ platinum resistance identifies novel approach to treating these tumors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 544-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Murphy ◽  
Emily A. Diehm

Purpose Morphological interventions promote gains in morphological knowledge and in other oral and written language skills (e.g., phonological awareness, vocabulary, reading, and spelling), yet we have a limited understanding of critical intervention features. In this clinical focus article, we describe a relatively novel approach to teaching morphology that considers its role as the key organizing principle of English orthography. We also present a clinical example of such an intervention delivered during a summer camp at a university speech and hearing clinic. Method Graduate speech-language pathology students provided a 6-week morphology-focused orthographic intervention to children in first through fourth grade ( n = 10) who demonstrated word-level reading and spelling difficulties. The intervention focused children's attention on morphological families, teaching how morphology is interrelated with phonology and etymology in English orthography. Results Comparing pre- and posttest scores, children demonstrated improvement in reading and/or spelling abilities, with the largest gains observed in spelling affixes within polymorphemic words. Children and their caregivers reacted positively to the intervention. Therefore, data from the camp offer preliminary support for teaching morphology within the context of written words, and the intervention appears to be a feasible approach for simultaneously increasing morphological knowledge, reading, and spelling. Conclusion Children with word-level reading and spelling difficulties may benefit from a morphology-focused orthographic intervention, such as the one described here. Research on the approach is warranted, and clinicians are encouraged to explore its possible effectiveness in their practice. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12290687


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Kaniksha Desai ◽  
Halis Akturk ◽  
Ana Maria Chindris ◽  
Shon Meek ◽  
Robert Smallridge ◽  
...  
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