Out of the boxes,out of the silos: The need of interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce poor-quality medical products in the supply chain

In this paper, we argue that understanding and addressing the problem of poor-quality medical products requires a more interdisciplinary approach than has been evident to date. While prospective studies based on rigorous standardized methodologies are the gold standard for measuring the prevalence of poor-quality medical products and understanding their distribution nationally and internationally, they should be complemented by social science research to unpack the complex set of social, economic, and governance factors that underlie these patterns. In the following sections, we discuss specific examples of prospective quality surveys and of social science studies, highlighting the value of cross-sector partnerships in driving high-quality, policy-relevant research in this area.     

Analysis of jump load during a volleyball season in terms of player role

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyze the jump load performed by top-level volleyball players during an entire training season in terms of the player role, training period, type of daily training, and quality of opposition in the subsequent match.DesignLongitudinal panel observational study.MethodsThe total number of jumps performed by players was recorded through 174 training days distributed in 32 weeks during the 2016/2017 season (pre-season, 5 weeks; in-season, 27 weeks). The players role were classified as middle-blocker, outside-hitter, opposite and setter (the libero was omitted). A generalized mixed linear model was performed (with Bonferroni post hoc test at p < 0.05) to assess the effect of training variables and the repeated-measures data of players’ jumps along various training days. Additionally, the effect sizes at 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare the jump load between players’ role and training variables.ResultsThe results showed a significant and moderate higher amount of jumps performed by middle-blockers regardless the type of macro- or micro-cycle, the micro-cycle phase, the type of training and the quality of match opposition. Contrarily, the setter performs the least jump load in all variables analyzed. Only the players’ role, macro-cycle and micro-cycle phase had significant effects on the player's jump load variation along the season.ConclusionsThis information could be useful to guide the monitoring and preparation process for coaches and physical trainers. These values allow differentiating between players’ role and could be used as references values in order to avoid injuries whereas performance increase along the season.     

Investigating the association between eye colour and the Neurological Pupil index

IntroductionBrown or dark brown eyes make it difficult to distinguish the contrast between a black pupil and the surrounding iris, which may result in clinical assessment errors. The pupillometer can be used to derive an indexed value, the Neurological Pupil index™ (NPi) for pupillary light reflex. However, there are limited data associating the NPi and iris colour. We examine the NPi and eye colour association.MethodsData were pooled from the Establishing Normative Data for Pupillometer Assessments in Neuroscience Intensive Care (END-PANIC) Registry. The analysis includes 14,168 observations collected from 865 patients with neurological conditions who were admitted to the intensive care unit. Summary statistics and statistical models were developed to examine the association using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) summary procedure.ResultsThe mean age of the cohort was 56 years (standard deviation = 17). Eye colour included dark brown (n = 339), blue (n = 234), brown (n = 173), green (n = 82), and other (n = 37). There was significant differences (p < 0.0001) between mean NPi values by eye colour [blue = 4.08 (0.92), brown = 3.34 (1.45), dark = 3.71 (1.33), green = 4.08 (0.67), other = 3.76 (1.25)]. However, a further random-effects mixed model after controlling for confounding variables revealed no significant difference in NPi values among different eye colour groups.ConclusionsThe pupillary light reflex, when assessed using the pupillometer, is not dependent on the eye colour. Practitioners are not required to consider eye colour as a confounder when they perform pupillary assessment for examining patients with neurological conditions.     

大面积堆场逐级增高下软土地基变形特性

通过历时2 a的现场监测,揭示了大面积堆场逐级增高情况下软土地基变形特性的规律,总结了固结沉降的规律,为软土地基的固结沉降分析计算提供依据.     

充气温控毯用于神经外科手术患者的控温效果

目的评价充气温控毯用于神经外科手术患者的控温效果。方法40例择期行平卧位脑肿瘤切除术患者,年龄16—65岁,体重41-72 kg,ASAⅠ-Ⅲ级,随机分为2组(n=20):A组,术中充气温控毯24℃风档进行降温,肿瘤切除完毕前30 min进行复温;B组,术中充气温控毯维持中心温度正常(35．2—36．60℃)。均采用气管内静吸复合麻醉,静脉注射异丙酚1．5～2 mg／kg、芬太尼4-6μg／kg、维库溴铵0．1～0．2 mg／kg诱导,吸入0．6％-1．2％异氟醚维持;吸入氧浓度40％;异丙酚1．5～2 mg·kg-1·h-1持续输注;维库溴铵1～2 mg间断静脉注射。每5分钟记录1次中心温度(鼻咽温),观察围术期不良反应及并发症。结果A组2例患者因手术时间超过24 h剔除,共38例进行统计。A组患者降温速率(1．11±0．05)℃／h,复温速率(0．74±0．09)℃／h。A组患者89％(16/18)在硬脑膜打开前达到目标温度34℃,平台期平均中心温度(34．3±0．5)℃,距34℃最大升幅0．52℃,最大降幅为0．23℃。A组患者67％(12／18)手术结束时中心温度恢复正常。返回ICU后A组患者中心温度(返回ICU时实测温度的均值)(35．8±0．6)℃低于B组(36．6±0．4)℃(P<0．05)。A组患者4例术后出现寒颤、3例发热、1例死亡。结论神经外科手术中应用充气温控毯可较理想地降低体温,相对于降温效率其复温效率偏低。     

37. Perioperatives Risiko — Kontroversen zur Pathogenese -Integration der Standpunkte

Zusammenfassung 1. Das perioperative Risiko muss als Gesamtrisiko von Anaesthesisten und Chirurgen gemeinsam erfasst werden. 2. Gemeinsame Risikoklassen sind dringend erforderlich. 3. Art und Umfang von Screeninguntersuchungen bedürfen einheitlicher Festlegungen. 4. Jedes Risiko muss durch geeignete Vorbehandlungsmassnahmen gemindert werden. 5. Intraoperatives Vorgehen sowie intra- und postoperatives Monitoring sollten gemeinsam diskutiert werden. 6. Die postoperative Phase sollte Gegenstand prospektiver Untersuchungen werden.     

Diabetes mellitus and open heart surgery

A method, based on bedside determinations of blood glucose by nursing staff, was designed to control the administration of insulin to diabetic patients during and following open heart surgery. A computer-controlled intravenous infusion pump was used to deliver the insulin. Excellent control of the hyperglycaemia normally associated with open heart surgery was achieved, with 84 percent of measured blood glucose values falling within 2 mmol/litre of the target value of 6 mmol/litre. The method proved to be simple, effective, and safe.     

Semmelweis’ present day follow-up: Updating bacterial sampling and enrichment in clinical hygiene

Potentially dangerous antibiotic resistant contaminants have permanently penetrated at least well-off western populations. The danger is so evident that some hospitals have started to refuse accepting patients who carry such bacteria. Sampling and enrichment measures in hygiene monitoring must be updated as they are corner stones in handling the problems and safeguarding the health care units. Their patients, when exposed to microorganisms are strenuous to treat. Sometimes even this fails, if the infections are spreading in weakened patients. The present review summarizes currently used technologies and the abilities of bacteria to avoid detection. Improved protocols on environmental monitoring in healthcare units are required. They should be comparable with contamination control in industries. Actually these measures in health care should be even stricter because human lives are directly endangered as the resistance of especially elderly patients is low.