Characterizing the neighborhood risk environment in multisite clinic-based cohort studies: a practical geocoding and data linkages protocol for protected health information v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariann Nassel, MA ◽  
Marta G G Wilson-Barthes ◽  
Chanelle J. Howe, PhD ◽  
Sonia Napravnik, PhD ◽  
Michael J. Mugavero, MD ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Environment ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Research Personnel ◽  
Census Tracts ◽  
Patient Confidentiality ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Murder Rate ◽  
Risk Indices ◽  
Neighborhood Risk ◽  
Data Linkages

Methods. This protocol demonstrates how to: (1) securely geocode patients’ residential addresses in a clinic setting and match geocoded addresses to census tracts using Geographic Information System software (Esri, Redlands, CA); (2) ascertain contextual variables of the risk environment from the American Community Survey and ArcGIS Business Analyst (Esri, Redlands, CA); (3) use geoidentifiers to link neighborhood risk data to census tracts containing geocoded addresses; and (4) assign randomly generated identifiers to census tracts and strip census tracts of their geoidentifiers to maintain patient confidentiality. Results. Completion of this protocol generates three neighborhood risk indices (i.e., Neighborhood Disadvantage Index, Murder Rate Index, and Assault Rate Index) for patients’ coded census tract locations. Intended Usage. This protocol can be used by research personnel without prior GIS experience to easily create objective indices of the neighborhood risk environment while upholding patient confidentiality. Future studies can adapt this protocol to fit their specific patient populations and analytic objectives.

Characterizing the neighborhood risk environment in multisite clinic-based cohort studies: a practical geocoding and data linkages protocol for protected health information v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariann Nassel ◽  
Marta G Wilson-Barthes ◽  
Chanelle J. Howe ◽  
Sonia Napravnik ◽  
Michael J. Mugavero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Environment ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Research Personnel ◽  
Census Tracts ◽  
Patient Confidentiality ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Murder Rate ◽  
Risk Indices ◽  
Neighborhood Risk ◽  
Data Linkages

Methods. This protocol demonstrates how to: (1) securely geocode patients’ residential addresses in a clinic setting and match geocoded addresses to census tracts using Geographic Information System software (Esri, Redlands, CA); (2) ascertain contextual variables of the risk environment from the American Community Survey and ArcGIS Business Analyst (Esri, Redlands, CA); (3) use geoidentifiers to link neighborhood risk data to census tracts containing geocoded addresses; and (4) assign randomly generated identifiers to census tracts and strip census tracts of their geoidentifiers to maintain patient confidentiality. Results. Completion of this protocol generates three neighborhood risk indices (i.e., a Neighborhood Disadvantage Index, a Murder Rate Index, and a Assault Rate Index) for patients’ coded census tract locations. Intended Usage. This protocol can be used by research personnel and clinic staff who do not have prior GIS experience to easily create objective indices of the neighborhood risk environment while upholding patient confidentiality. Future studies can adapt this protocol to fit their specific patient populations and analytic objectives.

scholarly journals Acceptability of AAI from the Perspective of Elderly Clients, Family Members, and Staff—A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5978
Author(s):  
Kristýna Machová ◽  
Radka Procházková ◽  
Petra Konigová ◽  
Ivona Svobodová ◽  
Lucie Přibylová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Treatment Objective ◽  
Comprehensive Rehabilitation ◽  
Home Hospice Care

Although animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are increasingly part of comprehensive rehabilitation and many of its effects are already well described, the methodology for performing AAI depends on the specific patient, animal, and treatment objective. Acceptability of AAI from all involved members is a little explored area. Thus, 214 respondents (32 AAI clients, 146 family members, and 36 healthcare and social care workers; 98 males, 116 females; mean age 46.3 years (±16.5 SD)) completed a list of statements focused on AAI with a dog. This list was distributed directly in nursing homes, retirement homes, and in households with home hospice care. All statements were rated on a Likert scale of 0–3. The results show that AAI is generally very well received, with over 90% of respondents considering AAI to be beneficial. The perception of AAI and trusting the handler with their dog was evaluated very positively, as well as possible concerns about hygiene. The results were in many cases affected by demographic factors of the respondents (age, gender, role in AAI, education, and size of settlement). It seems appropriate in future studies to focus on the attitude of individual groups, and thus advance the methodology of implementing AAI.

scholarly journals Strategies to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in the pre-hospital environment – Part A: pharmaceutical strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Elizabeth Pemberton ◽  
Richard Franklin ◽  
Kerrianne Watt
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Pressure Regulation ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Compression Device ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

IntroductionHistorically, survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have been low. In recent times, survival rates have increased substantially in some small population pockets, which sparked general interest in this field and the volume of research increased. Included was an increase in the number of strategies being investigated to improve outcomes. The aim of this review is to assemble these strategies and consolidate the findings of the pharmaceutical strategies.MethodsThis is a systematic search and review, rather than a systematic review. Four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Informit, Scopus) were searched for papers published between 2007 and 2017 containing strategies that may be used by paramedics when resuscitating adult (18+ years) patients in cardiac arrest from presumed cardiac aetiology in the out-of-hospital environment. The search was undertaken in February 2017. Five separate search concepts were used on all databases. Each concept consisted of multiple search terms.ResultsThis review identified 28 separate studies for final review, which formulated six strategies. These were: use of a modified resuscitation protocol; use of a mechanical chest compression device; intra-thoracic pressure regulation; vasopressin administration; thrombolysis administration; application of therapeutic hypothermia. This paper reports on the full results of the pharmaceutical strategies (vasopressin or thrombolysis administration). Part B will address the non-pharmaceutical strategies.ConclusionThere is no evidence to support the introduction of vasopressin or thrombolysis use during OHCA. Future studies should focus on study design and specific patient subsets.

scholarly journals Strategies to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in the pre-hospital environment – Part B: non-pharmaceutical strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Elizabeth Pemberton ◽  
Richard C Franklin ◽  
Kerrianne Watt
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Pressure Regulation ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Compression Device ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

IntroductionOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) historically has low survival rates. Higher rates of survival have recently developed in some small geographical areas, which pre-empted an increase in the volume of research in this field. The aim of this paper is to consolidate the findings of the strategies that do not focus on drugs.MethodsThis is a systematic search and review, rather than a systematic review. A search of four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Informit, Scopus) was undertaken in February 2017. Papers published between 2007 and 2017 containing strategies that may be used by paramedics when resuscitating adult patients in OHCA from presumed cardiac aetiology were identified.ResultsTwenty-eight studies were included in the review, comprising six separate strategies. This manuscript reports on the four non-pharmaceutical strategies (use of a modified resuscitation protocol; use of a mechanical chest compression device; intra-thoracic pressure regulation and application of therapeutic hypothermia).ConclusionUse of a modified resuscitation protocol to improve the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, was the only strategy showing evidence to warrant a recommendation for immediate implementation. Future studies should focus on strategy specific patient subsets.

An Early Developmental Marker for Radial Glia in Rat Spinal Cord

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 36-37
Author(s):  
V. Kriho ◽  
H.-Y. Yang ◽  
C.-M. Lue ◽  
N. Lieska ◽  
G. D. Pappas
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Radial Glia ◽  
Rat Spinal Cord ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Spinal Cord Development ◽  
Median Septum ◽  
Differentiation Marker ◽  
Early Developmental ◽  
Developing Rat

Radial glia have been classically defined as those early glial cells that radially span their thin processes from the ventricular to the pial surfaces in the developing central nervous system. These radial glia constitute a transient cell population, disappearing, for the most part, by the end of the period of neuronal migration. Traditionally, it has been difficult to definitively identify these cells because the principal criteria available were morphologic only.Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we have previously defined a phenotype for radial glia in rat spinal cord based upon the sequential expression of vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein and an intermediate filament-associated protein, IFAP-70/280kD. We report here the application of another intermediate filament-associated protein, IFAP-300kD, originally identified in BHK-21 cells, to the immunofluorescence study of radial glia in the developing rat spinal cord.Results showed that IFAP-300kD appeared very early in rat spinal cord development. In fact by embryonic day 13, IFAP-300kD immunoreactivity was already at its peak and was observed in most of the radial glia which span the spinal cord from the ventricular to the subpial surfaces (Fig. 1). Interestingly, from this time, IFAP-300kD immunoreactivity diminished rapidly in a dorsal to ventral manner, so that by embryonic day 16 it was detectable only in the maturing macroglial cells in the marginal zone of the spinal cord and the dorsal median septum (Fig. 2). By birth, the spinal cord was essentially immuno-negative for this IFAP. Thus, IFAP-300kD appears to be another differentiation marker available for future studies of gliogenesis, especially for the early stages of radial glia differentiation.

Autophagy and ageing: implications for age-related neurodegenerative diseases

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 119-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette Carroll ◽  
Graeme Hewitt ◽  
Viktor I. Korolchuk
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Energy Availability ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Intracellular Degradation ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Autophagy Induction ◽  
Social Importance ◽  
Cellular Dysfunction ◽  
Autophagy Activity ◽  
Intense Research

Autophagy is a process of lysosome-dependent intracellular degradation that participates in the liberation of resources including amino acids and energy to maintain homoeostasis. Autophagy is particularly important in stress conditions such as nutrient starvation and any perturbation in the ability of the cell to activate or regulate autophagy can lead to cellular dysfunction and disease. An area of intense research interest is the role and indeed the fate of autophagy during cellular and organismal ageing. Age-related disorders are associated with increased cellular stress and assault including DNA damage, reduced energy availability, protein aggregation and accumulation of damaged organelles. A reduction in autophagy activity has been observed in a number of ageing models and its up-regulation via pharmacological and genetic methods can alleviate age-related pathologies. In particular, autophagy induction can enhance clearance of toxic intracellular waste associated with neurodegenerative diseases and has been comprehensively demonstrated to improve lifespan in yeast, worms, flies, rodents and primates. The situation, however, has been complicated by the identification that autophagy up-regulation can also occur during ageing. Indeed, in certain situations, reduced autophagosome induction may actually provide benefits to ageing cells. Future studies will undoubtedly improve our understanding of exactly how the multiple signals that are integrated to control appropriate autophagy activity change during ageing, what affect this has on autophagy and to what extent autophagy contributes to age-associated pathologies. Identification of mechanisms that influence a healthy lifespan is of economic, medical and social importance in our ‘ageing’ world.

Mesophyll conductance: the leaf corridors for photosynthesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Gago ◽  
Danilo M. Daloso ◽  
Marc Carriquí ◽  
Miquel Nadal ◽  
Melanie Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Mesophyll Conductance ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Cell Structures ◽  
Leaf Tissues ◽  
Change Framework ◽  
Chloroplast Stroma

Besides stomata, the photosynthetic CO2 pathway also involves the transport of CO2 from the sub-stomatal air spaces inside to the carboxylation sites in the chloroplast stroma, where Rubisco is located. This pathway is far to be a simple and direct way, formed by series of consecutive barriers that the CO2 should cross to be finally assimilated in photosynthesis, known as the mesophyll conductance (gm). Therefore, the gm reflects the pathway through different air, water and biophysical barriers within the leaf tissues and cell structures. Currently, it is known that gm can impose the same level of limitation (or even higher depending of the conditions) to photosynthesis than the wider known stomata or biochemistry. In this mini-review, we are focused on each of the gm determinants to summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms driving gm from anatomical to metabolic and biochemical perspectives. Special attention deserve the latest studies demonstrating the importance of the molecular mechanisms driving anatomical traits as cell wall and the chloroplast surface exposed to the mesophyll airspaces (Sc/S) that significantly constrain gm. However, even considering these recent discoveries, still is poorly understood the mechanisms about signaling pathways linking the environment a/biotic stressors with gm responses. Thus, considering the main role of gm as a major driver of the CO2 availability at the carboxylation sites, future studies into these aspects will help us to understand photosynthesis responses in a global change framework.

Please Respect Patient Confidentiality

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (Spring) ◽  
pp. 48-51
Author(s):  
Therese M. O'Neil-Pirozzi
Keyword(s):  
Patient Confidentiality

An Overview of Facilities Providing Clinical Services for Persons Who Stutter in Kuwait

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 79-95
Author(s):  
Latifa Alsalmi ◽  
Robert Mayo
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Department Heads ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Medical Settings ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Language Services ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Clinical Directors

Presently, no clear picture is available about the facilities providing clinical services for persons who stutter (PWS) in Kuwait. This information is crucial for any awareness program to be established in the future. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical facilities and speech-language personnel that provide services for PWS in Kuwait. Participants consisted of 21 clinical directors of governmental medical centers, non-profit clinics, and private clinics as well as department heads of governmental school clinics where speech-language services were provided. Participants were interviewed regarding the availability of speech-language services within their centers and whether or not PWS receive services. The results revealed that four out of five governmental medical centers with a total of 32 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provided services for PWS. Additionally, 12 schools of special education were found to have 62 SLPs on their staff providing fluency services for students. Finally, two stand-alone private clinics and one non-profit clinic provided services for PWS. Results indicated an overall shortage of SLPs in the country, especially in medical settings. This study sets the foundation for a series of future studies investigating the type and quality of stuttering services provided by the identified facilities in Kuwait.

Evaluating Shoulder Impairment

1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Richard T. Katz ◽  
Sankar Perraraju
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Nerve Lesion ◽  
Fourth Edition ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Industrial Medicine ◽  
Shoulder Motion ◽  
Upper Extremity Impairment

Abstract The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), Fourth Edition, offers several categories to describe impairment in the shoulder, including shoulder amputation, abnormal shoulder motion, peripheral nerve disorders, subluxation/dislocation, and joint arthroplasty. This article clarifies appropriate methods for rating shoulder impairment in a specific patient, particularly with reference to the AMA Guides, Section 3.1j, Shoulder, Section 3.1k, Impairment of the Upper Extremity Due to Peripheral Nerve Disorders, and Section 3.1m, Impairment Due to Other Disorders of the Upper Extremity. A table shows shoulder motions and associated degrees of motion and can be used in assessing abnormal range of motion. Assessments of shoulder impairment due to peripheral nerve lesion also requires assessment of sensory loss (or presence of nerve pain) or motor deficits, and these may be categorized to the level of the spinal nerves (C5 to T1). Table 23 is useful regarding impairment from persistent joint subluxation or dislocation, and Table 27 can be helpful in assessing impairment of the upper extremity after arthroplasty of specific bones of joints. Although inter-rater reliability has been reasonably good, the validity of the upper extremity impairment rating has been questioned, and further research in industrial medicine and physical disability is required.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document