American Society for Microbiology evidence-based laboratory medicine practice guidelines to reduce blood culture contamination rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

SUMMARYBlood cultures (BCs) are one of the critical tests used to detect bloodstream infections. BC results are not 100% specific. Interpretation of BC results is often complicated by detecting microbial contamination rather than true infection.

The American Society for Microbiology collaboration with the CDC Laboratory Medicine Best Practices initiative for evidence-based laboratory medicine.

SUMMARYClinical medicine has embraced the use of evidence for patient treatment decisions; however, the evaluation strategy for evidence in laboratory medicine practices has lagged. It was not until the end of the 20th century that the Institute of Medicine (IOM), now the National Academy of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Laboratory Systems (CDC DLS), focused on laboratory tests and how testing processes can be designed to benefit patient care. In collaboration with CDC DLS, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) used an evidence review method developed by the CDC DLS to develop a program for creating laboratory testing guidelines and practices.

Mechanism-centric regulatory network identifies NME2 and MYC programs as markers of Enzalutamide resistance in CRPC.

Heterogeneous response to Enzalutamide, a second-generation androgen receptor signaling inhibitor, is a central problem in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) management. Genome-wide systems investigation of mechanisms that govern Enzalutamide resistance promise to elucidate markers of heterogeneous treatment response and salvage therapies for CRPC patients. Focusing on the de novo role of MYC as a marker of Enzalutamide resistance, here we reconstruct a CRPC-specific mechanism-centric regulatory network, connecting molecular pathways with their upstream transcriptional regulatory programs.

Dietary Intake Correlated to Waist-To-Hip Ratio in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Objective: Individuals with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) are at risk for protein-energy wasting (PEW). Inadequate dietary intake and altered anthropometrics are two criteria of the PEW diagnosis. This study explored whether individuals with ESKD on MHD meet the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (NKF-KDOQI) 2020 guidelines for nutritional adequacy on a dialysis treatment day (DD) and explored the relationship between dietary energy [DEI] and protein [DPI] intake and anthropometrics.

Functional Status and Engagement in Physical Activity Among Maintenance Dialysis Patients: A Mixed Methods Study.

Rationale & Objective: People receiving maintenance hemodialysis (HD) experience significant activity barriers but desire the ability to do more and remain independent. To learn about how to help people who require dialysis stay active, a mixed methods study was designed to assess functional status and explore participants' lived activity experiences.

Study Design: A concurrent mixed methods design was chosen to increase understanding of the real-life activity experiences of people who require dialysis through in-depth interviews paired with functional status measures.

Sugar-sweetened beverage purchases and intake at event arenas with and without a portion size cap.

This is the first real-world study to examine the association between a voluntary 16-ounce (oz) portion-size cap on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) at a sporting arena on volume of SSBs and food calories purchased and consumed during basketball games. Cross-sectional survey data from adults exiting a Brooklyn, NY, USA arena (Barclays, n = 464) with a 16-oz portion-size restriction and a Manhattan, NY, USA arena with no portion-size restriction (Madison Square Garden, control, n = 295) after the portion cap policy was put in place from March through June 2014 were analyzed. Linear regression models adjusting for sex, age, BMI, ethnicity, race, marital status, education, and income were used to compare the two arenas during the post-implementation period.

Exploring physical therapy students' experience of peer learning in a student-run clinic.

Background: Participation in a student-run pro bono clinic (SRPBC) provides opportunities for students to develop professional skills, engage with the community, and provide an often-underserved population with needed care.

Materials And Methods: This paper describes the results of a mixed-method analysis of student experiences in an SRPBC. A survey with both Likert-type and write-in elements was administered to three cohorts of students enrolled in a doctoral program of physical therapy.

Assessment of the Diversity and Inclusion Culture in a Physician Assistant Program.

Purpose: Physician assistant (PA) programs aim to foster a collaborative culture that enables stakeholders to feel included, empowered, and valued. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural climate of diversity and inclusion in one PA program to identify areas of strength and to serve as a baseline needs assessment for future program initiatives.

Methods: The study used a cross-sectional, descriptive approach for PA survey data (N = 85) to assess perceptions of diversity and inclusion of PA program students, faculty, and staff.

The relation between neck strength and psychological distress: preliminary evidence from collegiate soccer athletes.

Aim: To examine whether neck strength and symmetry are associated with psychological function in athletes with exposure to repetitive head impacts.

Methods: Collegiate soccer (n = 29) and limited/noncontact (n = 63) athletes without a history of concussion completed the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 and assessments of isometric neck strength. Neck strength symmetry was calculated as the difference in strength between opposing muscle groups.

Self-Reported Disability in Persons With HIV-Related Neuropathy Is Mediated by Pain Interference and Depression.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare disability in people with HIV and peripheral neuropathy with those without neuropathy and explore how neuropathy and other relevant factors are associated with disability.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants completed the Brief pain inventory, Beck Depression Inventory II, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), and a health and demographic questionnaire.

Reliability and Validity of the HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) with Adults Living with HIV in the United States.

Objectives: To assess measurement properties of the HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) among adults with HIV in the United States.

Methods: We administered the HDQ, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS 2.0), and a demographic questionnaire.

A Knowledge Translation Intervention Designed and Implemented by a Knowledge Broker Improved Documented Use of Gait Speed: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background And Purpose: Although outcome measures are a valuable part of physical therapy practice, there is a gap in routine outcome measurement use by physical therapists (PTs). Knowledge brokers (KBs) are individuals who can collaborate with PTs to facilitate outcome measure use. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an intervention tailored by an external KB, cocreated with the PTs and supported by the supervisor, would increase the use of gait speed by PTs working at an inpatient subacute rehabilitation hospital.

Test-Retest Reliability and Validity of the Nutrition-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to test the Nutrition-Specific Quality of Life (NSQOL) questionnaire for test-retest reliability and validity in a sample of patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).

Design And Methods: Test-retest reliability of the NSQOL questionnaire via two patient interviews and comparison of the NSQOL questionnaire to a comprehensive nutrition assessment performed by a registered dietitian nutritionist for validity testing. This study was conducted in one outpatient MHD center in Chicago, IL.

Functional Limitations and Disability in Persons Living with HIV in South Africa and United States: Similarities and Differences.

Persons living with HIV (PLHIV) may experience disability. We compared disability among PLHIV in the United States and South Africa and investigated associations with health and demographic characteristics. Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data using medical records and questionnaires including the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS) 2.

The Relationships Between Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Women Participating in a University-Based Worksite Wellness Program.

Objective: Associations between changes in physical activity (PA) and cardiometabolic risk factors among women with overweight/obesity enrolled in a university-based worksite wellness program (WWP) were examined.

Methods: Data from 173 women who completed a 26-week WWP were analyzed retrospectively. Participants completed diet and PA assessments and received client-centered diet/lifestyle counseling at baseline, and 12 and 26 weeks thereafter.

Research Priorities for Studies Linking Intake of Low-Calorie Sweeteners and Potentially Related Health Outcomes: Research Methodology and Study Design.

In a world of finite research funding, efforts to prioritize future research topics are increasingly necessary. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize the direction of future research in the broad area of low-calorie sweetener (LCS) intake and potentially related health outcomes by using a novel method that incorporates evidence mapping in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Future Research Needs (FRN) process. A diverse expert stakeholder panel was convened and engaged to identify research gaps and prioritize future research needs.

Integrative (epi) Genomic Analysis to Predict Response to Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer.

Therapeutic resistance is a central problem in clinical oncology. We have developed a systematic genome-wide computational methodology to allow prioritization of patients with favorable and poor therapeutic response. Our method, which integrates DNA methylation and mRNA expression data, uncovered a panel of 5 differentially methylated sites, which explain expression changes in their site-harboring genes, and demonstrated their ability to predict primary resistance to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in the TCGA prostate cancer patient cohort (hazard ratio = 4.

A knowledge translation intervention designed using audit and feedback and the Theoretical Domains Framework for physical therapists working in inpatient rehabilitation: A case report.

: Little is known about the process of engaging key stakeholders to select and design a knowledge translation (KT) intervention to increase the use of an outcome measure using audit and feedback. The purpose of this case report was to describe the development of a KT intervention designed with organizational support to increase physical therapists' (PTs) use of a selected outcome measure in an inpatient sub-acute rehabilitation hospital. : Eleven PTs who worked at a sub-acute rehabilitation hospital participated.

The Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Instruction to Teach Physical Examination to Students and Trainees in the Health Sciences Professions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To explore knowledge and skill acquisition outcomes related to learning physical examination (PE) through computer-assisted instruction (CAI) compared with a face-to-face (F2F) approach.

Method: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis published between January 2001 and December 2016 was conducted. Databases searched included Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, ERIC, Ebsco, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Examining the Phenomenon of the Administrative Burden in Health Care, Allied Health, and Respiratory Care.

Documentation expectations for allied health professional appears to have changed dramatically in the past decade. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the literature related to clinician perceptions of these documentation expectations and changes in the workload attributable to such administrative duties, review the results of a recent pilot project surveying respiratory therapists' perception of documentation, and reflect upon the potential ramifications of excessive documentation. This commentary also discusses some recommendations for the future in terms of the design of documentation systems and the need for additional research to further explore this area.

Quality of life and self-reported lower extremity function in adults with HIV-related distal sensory polyneuropathy.

Background: Distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is a common complication of HIV disease. Its effects on quality of life (QOL) and function have not been well described.

Objective: The study objectives were: (1) to compare QOL and lower extremity function in people with HIV-related DSP and people with HIV disease who do not have DSP, (2) to determine the extent to which function predicts QOL, (3) to evaluate the agreement of 2 function scales, and (4) to describe the use of pain management resources.

Impact of standardized feeding guidelines on enteral nutrition administration, growth outcomes, metabolic bone disease, and cholestasis in the NICU.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine whether the implementation of standardized feeding guidelines (SFGs) in a neonatal intensive care unit had an impact on the administration of enteral nutrition, growth, and bone and liver health.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of infants ≤ 32 weeks' gestation and ≤ 1500 g at birth who received enteral nutrition either via traditional care (TC) or via SFGs. The outcomes of the study were to determine the day of life the first enteral feedings were started, the day of life full, fortified enteral feedings were established, the day of life the infant returned to birth weight, the change in weight z score from birth to day of life 30, and the presence of metabolic bone disease and cholestasis.

Feeding tube use in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Use of a prophylactic feeding tube before concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CRT) for patients with head and neck cancer is often debated.

Methods: A retrospective, exploratory study of 109 veterans with stage III/IV head and neck cancer who completed standard CRT was conducted. Relationships among 3 feeding tube status groups: prophylactic feeding tube (PFT), reactive feeding tube (RFT), and no feeding tube (no-FT) were compared for clinical outcomes.