Effective Interventions to Support Self-management for Parents of Children with a Chronic Condition: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: This systematic review aims to determine the efficacy of interventions to support the self-management for parents of children with a chronic condition. An overview of prior research, regardless of the children's diagnosis, is lacking. Therefore, this systematic review provides an overview of the most recent available scientific literature that describes interventions to support self-management for parents of children with a chronic condition.

Is quantitative ultrasound a measure for metabolic bone disease in preterm-born infants? A prospective subcohort study.

In this study, we aimed to (a) evaluate postnatal changes in bone development in relation to growth and (b) to determine factors associated with bone development, from birth to 24 months of corrected age. The metacarpal speed of sound (mcSOS) and metacarpal bone transmission time (mcBTT) were used to evaluate bone development in 98 preterm infants, during hospitalization and follow-up. The mcSOS and mcBTT values not only declined in the first 6 weeks of hospitalization but also during follow-up.

Repertoire Analysis of B-Cells Located in Striated Ducts of Salivary Glands of Patients With Sjögren's Syndrome.

A major complication of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is development of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) B-cell lymphoma, particularly in salivary glands. These lymphomas express FcRL4 and are characteristically associated with lymphoepithelial lesions. Neoplastic B-cells may be derived from non-neoplastic glandular intraductal B-cells, also virtually all expressing FcRL4.

Medication audit and feedback by a clinical pharmacist decrease medication errors at the PICU: An interrupted time series analysis.

Objective: Medication errors (MEs) are one of the most frequently occurring types of adverse events in hospitalized patients and potentially more harmful in children than in adults. To increase medication safety, we studied the effect of structured medication audit and feedback by a clinical pharmacist as part of the multidisciplinary team, on MEs in critically ill children.

Method: We performed an interrupted time series analysis with 6 preintervention and 6 postintervention data collection points, in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit.

Acquisition of N-Glycosylation Sites in Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Genes During Local Expansion in Parotid Salivary Glands of Primary Sjögren Patients.

Previous studies revealed high incidence of acquired N-glycosylation sites acquired N-glycosylation sites in RNA transcripts encoding immunoglobulin heavy variable region (IGHV) 3 genes from parotid glands of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients. In this study, next generation sequencing was used to study the extent of ac-Nglycs among clonally expanded cells from all IGVH families in the salivary glands of pSS patients. RNA was isolated from parotid gland biopsies of five pSS patients and five non-pSS sicca controls.

Endoscopic Management of Transmural Defects, Including Leaks, Perforations, and Fistulae.

Transmural defects of the gastrointestinal tract can be classified into 3 distinct entities-leak, perforation, and fistula. Each arises from different mechanisms and is managed accordingly. Leaks occur most often after surgery, while perforations occur most often after flexible endoscopic maneuvers.

Systematic review and meta-analysis: Sodium picosulphate with magnesium citrate as bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Background: An effective and tolerable bowel preparation is important to secure quality of colonoscopies. It remains unclear if sodium picosulphate with magnesium citrate (SPMC), which is considered a tolerable bowel preparation agent, is also an effective alternative for polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium phosphate (NaP).

Aim: The aim of this article is to compare effectiveness of SPMC to PEG and NaP through assessment of quality of bowel cleansing measured by validated tools.

Prevalence and associated factors of medication non-adherence in hematological-oncological patients in their home situation.

Background: Medication non-adherence is associated with poor health outcomes and increased health care costs. Depending on definitions, reported non-adherence rates in cancer patients ranges between 16 and 100%, which illustrates a serious problem. In malignancy, non-adherence reduces chances of achievement of treatment response and may thereby lead to progression or even relapse.

Adjuvant photodynamic therapy in head and neck cancer after tumor-positive resection margins.

Objective: In case of close or positive resection margins after oncological resection in head and neck surgery, additional treatment is necessary. When conventional options are exhausted, photodynamic therapy (PDT) can play a role in achieving clear margins. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the clinical benefit of PDT as adjuvant therapy next to surgery with positive resection margins.

Effects of medicinal food plants on impaired glucose tolerance: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The objective of this systematic review was to assess available scientific data on the efficacy and safety of medicinal food plants for the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a minimum follow-up period of 6weeks. The diagnosis was determined by fasting plasma glucose values after two-hour oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT).

Effect of nocturnal sound reduction on the incidence of delirium in intensive care unit patients: An interrupted time series analysis.

Introduction: Delirium in critically-ill patients is a common multifactorial disorder that is associated with various negative outcomes. It is assumed that sleep disturbances can result in an increased risk of delirium. This study hypothesized that implementing a protocol that reduces overall nocturnal sound levels improves quality of sleep and reduces the incidence of delirium in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.

Current challenges in the management of sepsis in ICUs in resource-poor settings and suggestions for the future.

Background: Sepsis is a major reason for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, also in resource-poor settings. ICUs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face many challenges that could affect patient outcome.

Aim: To describe differences between resource-poor and resource-rich settings regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, economics and research aspects of sepsis.

Pharmacological and surgical therapy for the central giant cell granuloma: A long-term retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with a central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) treated at a single center to assess and compare the different surgical and non-surgical approaches.

Material And Methods: A cohort with a single histologically proven non-syndrome-related CGCG was selected and reviewed. Patients were allocated to group I (surgery), group II (pharmacotherapy), and group III (pharmacotherapy and surgery).

Safe and effective nursing shift handover with NURSEPASS: An interrupted time series.

Aim: Implementation of a locally developed evidence based nursing shift handover blueprint with a bedside-safety-check to determine the effect size on quality of handover.

Methods: A mixed methods design with: (1) an interrupted time series analysis to determine the effect on handover quality in six domains; (2) descriptive statistics to analyze the intercepted discrepancies by the bedside-safety-check; (3) evaluation sessions to gather experiences with the new handover process.

Results: We observed a continued trend of improvement in handover quality and a significant improvement in two domains of handover: organization/efficiency and contents.

Can Clinical Evaluation Predict Return to Sport after Acute Hamstring Injuries? A Systematic Review.

Background: The current literature on the value of clinical evaluation for predicting time to return to sport (RTS) after acute hamstring injuries has not been systematically summarised.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the prognostic value of clinical findings (patient history and physical examination) for time to RTS after acute hamstring injuries in athletes.

Data Sources: The databases PubMed, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane Library were searched between October 2014 and August 2015.

Interleukin-9 Overexpression and Th9 Polarization Characterize the Inflamed Gut, the Synovial Tissue, and the Peripheral Blood of Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the expression and tissue distribution of Th9-related cytokines in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: Quantitative gene expression analysis of Th1, Th17, and Th9 cytokines was performed in intestinal biopsy samples obtained from patients with PsA, HLA-B27-positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and healthy controls. Expression and tissue distribution of interleukin-23 (IL-23), IL-17, IL-22, IL-9, and IL-9 receptor (IL-9R) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy.

Safety and efficacy of atacicept in combination with rituximab for reducing the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Objective: To explore the safety and tolerability of atacicept in combination with rituximab in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving rituximab re-treatment.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial, 2 infusions (1,000 mg per infusion) of intravenous rituximab, given 2 weeks apart, were followed by once-weekly subcutaneous injections of 150 mg atacicept or placebo for 25 weeks. Primary end points were the nature, incidence, and severity of adverse events (AEs).

Quality indicators for safe medication preparation and administration: a systematic review.

Background: One-third of all medication errors causing harm to hospitalized patients occur in the medication preparation and administration phase, which is predominantly a nursing activity. To monitor, evaluate and improve the quality and safety of this process, evidence-based quality indicators can be used.

Objectives: The aim of study was to identify evidence-based quality indicators (structure, process and outcome) for safe in-hospital medication preparation and administration.

Stereotypic rheumatoid factors that are frequently expressed in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type lymphomas are rare in the labial salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: Among autoimmune diseases, Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is most strongly associated with the development of malignant B cell lymphoma, in particular mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-type lymphoma. Previously, we have shown that in ∼40% of cases of salivary gland MALT lymphoma, high-affinity stereotypic rheumatoid factor (RF) B cell receptors, specific for IgG-Fc, are expressed. This study was undertaken to investigate whether in the inflamed salivary glands of patients with SS, a similar RF-biased Ig repertoire is present.

Features of the synovium of individuals at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis: implications for understanding preclinical rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Findings from previous studies have suggested that subclinical inflammation of the synovium does not coincide with the appearance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-specific autoantibodies. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between the presence of autoantibodies, changes in the synovium, and development of arthritis over time in a markedly larger, prospective study.

Methods: Fifty-five individuals who were IgM rheumatoid factor positive and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positive (detected by the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody test) and who were without any evidence of arthritis upon physical examination were included in the study.

The combination of IDH1 mutations and MGMT methylation status predicts survival in glioblastoma better than either IDH1 or MGMT alone.

Background: Genetic and epigenetic profiling of glioblastomas has provided a comprehensive list of altered cancer genes of which only O(6)-methylguanine-methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation is used thus far as a predictive marker in a clinical setting. We investigated the prognostic significance of genetic and epigenetic alterations in glioblastoma patients.

Methods: We screened 98 human glioblastoma samples for genetic and epigenetic alterations in 10 genes and chromosomal loci by PCR and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

Local synovial engagement of angiogenic TIE-2 is associated with the development of persistent erosive rheumatoid arthritis in patients with early arthritis.

Objective: To examine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin signaling in the diagnosis and disease outcome of patients with early arthritis.

Methods: Fifty patients with early arthritis (disease duration <1 year) who had not been treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were monitored prospectively and were classified at baseline and after 2 years as having undifferentiated arthritis (UA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or spondyloarthritis (SpA). All patients underwent arthroscopic synovial biopsy at baseline.

Presence and role of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies in experimental arthritis models.

Objective: Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are the serologic hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis. Functional studies on the role of ACPAs in experimental arthritis have yielded conflicting results, and therefore the present study was undertaken to assess systematically whether citrullinated proteins can really induce ACPAs and modulate arthritis in mice.

Methods: Balb/c, SJL, and DBA/1 mice were immunized with either native or citrullinated fibrinogen, myelin basic protein (MBP), and type II collagen (CII).

Disease-specific and inflammation-independent stromal alterations in spondylarthritis synovitis.

Objective: The molecular processes driving the distinct patterns of synovial inflammation and tissue remodeling in spondylarthritis (SpA) as compared to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify novel and unsuspected disease-specific pathways in SpA by a systematic and unbiased synovial gene expression analysis.

Methods: Differentially expressed genes were identified by pan-genomic microarray and confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analyses of synovial tissue biopsy samples from patients with SpA (n=63), RA (n=28), and gout (n=9).