Neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants: theoretical and epidemiological perspectives to guide shared-care decision-making

Although births below 28 completed weeks' of gestation contribute to less than 1% of all preterm births globally, the impact of extreme prematurity (EPT) on neurodevelopmental outcomes across the life-course is disproportionately large. Higher rates and increased severity of neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs) are reported among extremely preterm infants (EPIs). Cognitive skills, motor skills (manifesting as cerebral palsy) and vision are most commonly affected, with effects pervasive throughout school, adolescence and early adulthood. In addition, poorer academic outcomes and higher rates of psychiatric morbidity are seen among EPTs. Consistent improvements in EPI survival in recent years has not been matched with improvements in neurodevelopmental outcomes, especially for those born at less than 25 gestational weeks. However, over the last 20 years, several national and cross-national cohort studies have helped advance our understanding of extreme prematurity's developmental and life-course consequences. Here we provide an overview of the key findings from 13 multi-centre cohorts measuring neurodevelopmental outcomes and discuss the theoretical and epidemiological perspectives of NDIs in the context of extreme prematurity to guide communication with families and shared care decision-making.     

Factors influencing the rating of sonographer students’ clinical performance

IntroductionLittle is known about the factors influencing clinical supervisor-assessors’ ratings of sonographer students’ performance. This study identifies these influential factors and relates them to professional competency standards, with the aim of raising awareness and improving assessment practice.MethodsThis study used archived written comments from 94 clinical assessors describing 174 sonographer students’ performance one month into their initial clinical practice (2015–6). Qualitative mixed method analysis revealed factors influencing assessor ratings of student performance and provided an estimate of the valency, association, and frequency of these factors.ResultsAssessors provided written comments for 93 % (n = 162/174) of students. Comments totaled 7190 words (mean of 44 words/student). One-third of comment paragraphs were wholly positive, two-thirds were equivocal. None were wholly negative. Thematic analysis revealed eleven factors, and eight sub-factors, influencing assessor impressions of five dimensions of performance. Of the factors mentioned, 84.6 % (n = 853/1008) related to professional competencies. While 15.4 % (n = 155/1008) were unrelated to competencies, instead reflecting humanistic factors such as student motivation, disposition, approach to learning, prospects and impact on supervisor and staff. Factors were prioritised and combined independently, although some associated.ConclusionClinical assessors formed impressions based on student performance, humanistic behaviours and personal qualities not necessarily outlined in educational outcomes or professional competency standards. Their presence, and interrelations, impact success in clinical practice, through their contribution to, and indication of, competence.Implications for practiceSonographer student curricula and assessor training should raise awareness of the factors influencing performance ratings and judgement of clinical competence, particularly the importance of humanistic factors. Inclusion of narrative comments, multiple assessors, and broad performance dimensions would enhance clinical assessment of sonographer student performance.     

乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者自我管理体验的质性研究

目的 了解乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者自我管理中的体验和感受，为临床制订解决方案提供参考。 方法 采用质性研究方法对15例乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者进行半结构式访谈，采用Colaizzi7步分析法分析资料。 结果 提炼出6个主题，包括缺乏自我管理知识、思想上未引起足够重视、管理方式的差异化、自我管理过程中存在诸多障碍、自我管理中的情绪问题和社会支持不足。 结论 乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者在自我管理过程中存在较多问题，医护人员应帮助患者纠正对疾病的错误认知及处理方式，树立良好的自我管理行为与习惯，重视患者由自我管理产生的心理问题，联合家庭和社会共同提高患者的自我管理能力。     

Effect of regular swimming exercise to duration-intensity on neurocognitive function in cerebral infarction rat model

Objective: This study investigated the effect of regular swimming exercise according to the duration-intensity on neurocognitive function in a cerebral infarction rat model.

Methods: Forty male Sprague–Dawley 10-week-old rats, weighing 300 ± 50 g, were subjected to photothrombotic cerebral infarction. The remaining 36 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 9 per group: non-exercise (group A); swimming exercise of short duration-intensity (5 min/day, group B); swimming exercise of moderate duration-intensity (10 min/day, group C); and swimming exercise of long duration-intensity (20 min/day, group D). Exercise was performed five times a week for 4 weeks, beginning the day after cerebral infarction. Neurocognitive function was evaluated with the Morris water maze test. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis examined brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 4 weeks postinfarction.

Results: At 4 weeks postinfarction, escape latency was found to be shorter in group C than in any of groups A, B, or D. Immunohistochemistry revealed the most significant immunoreactivity for BDNF and VEGF in group C. Western blot analysis demonstrated that BDNF and VEGF proteins were markedly expressed in group C.

Conclusions: Regular swimming exercise of moderate duration-intensity may be the most effective exercise protocol for the recovery of neurocognitive function in cerebral infarction rat model.     

基于功能磁共振成像的肝豆状核变性患者纹状体亚区损害及临床分析

目的基于功能磁共振成像分析肝豆状核变性（Wilson disease, WD）患者纹状体亚区神经功能损害及其与临床相关分析，探讨其神经心理学症状可能的致病机制。方法收集WD患者29例和健康志愿者30例，进行3.0 T磁共振功能磁共振成像及临床量表测试，采用mICA工具箱的group ICA功能将壳核和尾状核分成8个亚区，做全脑功能连接，提取功能连接异常区域的值与临床量表测试结果做相关性分析。结果与对照组相比，WD患者左侧尾状核中部与全脑未发现功能增强或减弱区域，余感兴趣区与全脑功能连接不同程度减弱。左侧尾状核前部（ROI5）-中扣带回功能连接值与简易智能状态量表（MMSE）值呈显著负相关（r=-0.47，P=0.009）；右侧尾状核前部（ROI6）-中扣带回功能连接值与MMSE值呈显著负相关（r=-0.46，P=0.011）；右侧尾状核中部（ROI8）-右侧岛叶功能连接值与MMSE值呈显著负相关（r=-0.38，P=0.041）。结论右侧尾状核前中部与背外侧前额叶功能连接减弱，双侧壳核前部与丘脑功能连接减弱，可能破坏皮质-纹状体-丘脑回路引起认知功能损害；参与记忆及动作相关认知的突显网络、默认模式网络的通路连接受阻则可能是WD患者认知障碍的神经病理机制。     

Patients Are Knowledge Workers in the Clinical Information Space

Background  Limited research exists on patient knowledge/cognition or “getting inside patients'' heads.” Because patients possess unique and privileged knowledge, clinicians need this information to make patient-centered and coordinated treatment planning decisions. To achieve patient-centered care, we characterize patient knowledge and contributions to the clinical information space. Methods and Objectives  In a theoretical overview, we explore the relevance of patient knowledge to care provision, apply historical perspectives of knowledge acquisition to patient knowledge, propose a representation of patient knowledge types across the continuum of care, and include illustrative vignettes about Mr. Jones. We highlight how the field of human factors (a core competency of health informatics) provides a perspective and methods for eliciting and characterizing patient knowledge. Conclusion  Patients play a vital role in the clinical information space by possessing and sharing unique knowledge relevant to the clinical picture. Without a patient''s contributions, the clinical picture of the patient is incomplete. A human factors perspective informs patient-centered care and health information technology solutions to support clinical information sharing.