Characteristics of Electronic Informed Consent Platforms for Consenting Patients to Research Studies: A Scoping Review.

Informed consent process assures that research study participants are properly informed about the study prior to their consent. Due to the increasing significance of electronic informed consent (eIC) platforms, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a scoping review of eIC systems to address the following characteristics: 1) technological features of current eIC platforms, 2) eIC platforms usability and efficacy, and 3) areas for future eIC research. We performed a literature search using publically available PubMed repository, where we included studies discussing an eIC platform or multimedia educational module given to patients prior to signing a consent form.

Exploring Determinants of Longevity of Biomedical Databases.

The maintenance of biomedical databases requires ongoing and systematic efforts in keeping them up-to-date which may affect long-term sustainability. Since research has become more reliant on publicly available biomedical data collections, it is important to understand factors affecting their longevity. The aim of this article was to explore potential determinants of biomedical database longevity.

A Platform for Integrating and Sharing Cancer Stem Cell Data.

Advancements in cancer research and treatment have highlighted the need for standardization and sharing of cancer stem cell (CSC) data to facilitate research transparency and to promote collaboration within the scientific community. Although previous applications have attempted to gather and disseminate these data, currently no platform organizes the heterogeneous CSC information into a harmonized project-based framework. The aim of our platform, ReMeDy, is to provide an intelligent informatics solution integrating diverse CSC characteristics, outcomes information, and omics data across clinical, preclinical and in vitro studies.

Innovative Strategies to Facilitate Safe Assessment and Intervention for Intimate Partner Violence During a Pandemic and Beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary to find innovative strategies that facilitate safe, private assessment and intervention for intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is a major source of morbidity and mortality, with women experiencing a lifetime prevalence rate of 22%. Screening pregnant individuals for IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic became critical because a 20% rise in IPV during the pandemic has been estimated.

Human Placental Arterial Distensibility, Birth Weight, and Body Size Are Positively Related to Fetal Homocysteine Concentration.

Methionine demethylation during metabolism generates homocysteine (Hcy) and its remethylation requires folate and cobalamin. Elevated Hcy concentrations are associated with vascular-related complications of pregnancy, including increased vascular stiffness, predictive of clinical vascular disease. Maternal and fetal total Hcy (tHcy) concentrations are positively related, yet the influence of Hcy on fetoplacental vascular function in normal pregnancy has not been examined.

A 6-week, double-blind, placebo- and haloperidol-controlled, phase II study of lurasidone in patients with acute schizophrenia.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of the atypical antipsychotic agent lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Methods: In this phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and experiencing an acute exacerbation of psychotic symptoms were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of fixed-dose lurasidone 20 mg/day (n = 71), lurasidone 40 mg/day (n = 67), lurasidone 80 mg/day (n = 71), haloperidol 10 mg/day (n = 72, included to test for assay sensitivity), or placebo (n = 72). Efficacy was assessed using the brief psychiatric rating scale, positive and negative syndrome scale, and clinical global impression-severity.

Comparison of mindfulness-based stress reduction versus yoga on urinary urge incontinence: a randomized pilot study. with 6-month and 1-year follow-up visits.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) versus yoga on urinary urge incontinence (UI) at 8 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after beginning an 8-week program.

Materials And Methods: Participants in this prospective randomized single-masked pilot study were women aged 18 years or older with urge-predominant incontinence, 5 or more UI episodes (UIEs) on a 3-day voiding diary, and no recent anticholinergic use. Women were randomized to MBSR or yoga.

Lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia: a 6-week, placebo-controlled study.

Rationale: There is an unmet need in the treatment of schizophrenia for effective medications with fewer adverse effects.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone, an atypical antipsychotic, for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Methods: Patients with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with once-daily, fixed-dose lurasidone 40 mg (N = 50), lurasidone 120 mg (N = 49), or placebo (N = 50).

Lurasidone in the treatment of acute schizophrenia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: Lurasidone is a novel psychotropic agent with high affinity for D(2) and 5-HT(2A) receptors, as well as for receptors implicated in the enhancement of cognition and mood and the reduction of negative symptoms (5-HT(7), 5-HT(1A), and alpha(2c)). The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lurasidone in patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of DSM-IV-defined schizophrenia.

Method: Patients were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with a fixed dose of lurasidone 80 mg (N = 90, 75.

Rapid prototyping technology for surgeries of the pediatric spine and pelvis: benefits analysis.

Background: The benefits provided by rapid prototyping (RP) of patient anomalies in complex surgeries of the pediatric spine and pelvis were elucidated and characterized.

Methods: Surgeons involved in the study were solicited from the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and the network of Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the United States. Rapid prototyping models were created at Boise State University through a federally funded Economic Development Agency grant (Economic Development Agency Project Number 07-79-05312).

Valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis without posterior displacement: two case reports.

Valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a rare entity; approximately, 26 cases in 31 hips have been reported in the orthopedic literature since 1926. It has been argued that epiphyseal displacement occurs only in a posterior or posteromedial direction, and that the radiographic appearance of true valgus or lateral slippage is an optical illusion owing to the rotation of the femur. We present the cases of two sisters with bilateral lateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis without a posterior component of displacement.

Modeling the growth plates in the pediatric knee: implications for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The authors develop 3-D models of the pediatric knee from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image files, with the goal of minimizing injury to the pediatric growth plate during surgery. Computerized tomography (CT) scans have better resolution and contrast between bone and soft tissue than MRI scans; however, surgeons rely upon MRI scans to plan knee-joint surgeries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Surgeons can use the virtual models to plan and verify surgical procedures such as hole drilling and ligament attachments, and to determine volume removed from a growth plate due to different drill-hole placements with various drill sizes.

Ethanol and pentobarbital: comparison of behavioral and subjective effects in sedative drug abusers.

The behavioral and subjective effects of acute oral doses of placebo, ethanol (0.5, 1.0, and 2.

Small bowel injuries: mechanisms, patterns, and outcome.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between mechanism of injury (MI), operative management (OM), and outcome for traumatic jejunal and ileal wounds using an aggressive diagnostic, therapeutic, and support protocol.

Methods: Medical records for patients discharged with small bowel injuries from the Trauma Service between 1988 and 1992 were reviewed. The MI, presence of shock, method of diagnosis, OM, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed.

Auscultatory percussion: a simple method to detect pleural effusion.

Objective: To assess a new technique for the detection of free pleural fluid.

Design: 118 consecutive inpatients with radiologic evidence of free pleural fluid and a control group of 175 randomly selected inpatients were examined over a three-year period in a prospective blind study by auscultatory percussion (AP) for evidence of pleural effusion. The cutoff in the percussion note by AP is strikingly loud and sharp at the fluid level and allows precise delineation of even minimal amounts of pleural fluid.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing mianserin and amitriptyline in moderately depressed outpatients.

We report on the results of a study comparing mianserin with amitriptyline and placebo, in outpatients with major depression (DSM-III 296.2 or 296.3).

Emergency department ultrasound in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.

The main objective of this study was to compare bedside sonographic detection of hemoperitoneum with diagnostic peritoneal lavage/laparotomy in the patient with blunt abdominal trauma. A retrospective review was conducted of all blunt trauma patients that underwent emergency department (bedside) sonography to rule out intraperitoneal hemorrhage at a level I trauma center in 1991 to 1992. Patients were included in the study population only if: (1) the results of the ultrasound examination were interpreted before any other diagnostic studies, and (2) a diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) or laparotomy was performed.

Intravenous flumazenil following acute and repeated exposure to lorazepam in healthy volunteers: antagonism and precipitated withdrawal.

The effects of i.v. administered flumazenil (3.

Subjective and behavioral effects of diphenhydramine, lorazepam and methocarbamol: evaluation of abuse liability.

The effects of orally administered placebo, diphenhydramine, lorazepam, methocarbamol and placebo were studied in volunteers with histories of recreational substance abuse including sedative/hypnotics. Placebo, diphenhydramine (100, 200 and 400 mg), lorazepam (1 and 4 mg) and methocarbamol (2.25 and 9 g) were tested in a randomized, double-blind crossover study using 14 subjects.

The effect of high pressure on microporous membrane oxygenator failure.

A retrospective study to determine the relationship between early microporous membrane oxygenator (MMO) failure and blood pressure at the MMO outlet (Pmo) was conducted using data collected with 19 dogs (22 +/- 1 kg, mean +/- SEM) undergoing routine normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Because gas flow was maintained at a high level, it could not be used to control CO2 exchange. Instead, blood PCO2 was controlled by adding CO2 to the sweep gas.

Building a team on a medical floor.

The article describes a case in which dysfunctional teamwork was threatening patient care on medical units. Various team-building techniques were used by trained facilitators. Survey results showed that the interventions resulted in improved communication, morale, and working relationships.

Tolerance and physical dependence to a short-acting benzodiazepine, midazolam.

Midazolam is a new ultra short-acting benzodiazepine whose physical dependence properties have not been well characterized. Our laboratory has demonstrated previously that physical dependence to the long-acting chlordiazepoxide in the rat is inducible by a single intoxicating dose, whereas maximal dependence required chronically equivalent maximally tolerable dosing b.i.

Evaluation of the abuse potential of methocarbamol.

The subjective and behavioral effects of p.o. administered methocarbamol, lorazepam and placebo were studied in a nonresidential group of adult male volunteers with histories of recreational substance abuse including sedative/hypnotics.