The Elektronika MK-52 programmable calculator in processing the results of biochemical studies]

The author reports the use of a new type of an Elektronika MK-52 programmed microcalculator for processing the results of biochemical studies. In contrast to other designs manufactured in this country, it is supplied with semifixed memory that permits storage of programs and data in the calculator after feeding switch off. Two new programs are suggested for estimating chorionic gonadotropin activity and for estimating liposome count in a preparation, and basic operations with the calculator are described as exemplified by these programs. The third program suggested by the author is intended for plotting various calibration straight lines; basing on this program the author demonstrates the use of memory enlargement units manufactured for this calculator.     

The promise of standardized data collection: school health variables identified by states

A gap in data prevents measurement of the needs of school-age children and the influence of school nursing interventions on student health and education outcomes. Its remedy is in the data collected in school health rooms. A national clinical database describing school health will allow education and health leaders to build evidence-based programs for children. Several states collect school health data describing student needs and school nursing practice. This study identified, collated, described, and evaluated the variables compiled from state school health reporting documents to identify commonalities and form the foundation of a standardized school health reporting system. A comprehensive content analysis of variables in the instruments yielded a framework within which school health data can be organized and described. It consists of five broad categories describing staffing; risk management; health promotion; episodic care; and care coordination. The result provides a nationally standardized coding set to describe school health.     

Pathway analysis in microarray data: a comparison of two different pathway analysis devices in the same data set

Oligonucleotide microarray technology has been developed to a very powerful and favorable biotechnique. However, it is an explicit challenge to judge the potential biological meaning of such extensive amounts of data. There are various-commercially available or free-software applications for pathway analyses on microarray data on the market. The aim of the present study was to test whether pathway analyses on the same data set using different commercially available devices lead to roughly comparable or massively diverging results and, if so, to give potential explanations. Two different commercially available pathway analysis programs (GeneGo and Pathway Studio 6) have been elected. The programs have been compared concerning their different analyses tools, underlying databases, database constructions, and network-building algorithms. The same data set has been uploaded into two different programs. Pathway analysis was performed according to the following three criteria: the five top networks, the five top diseases, and the five top canonical networks that are associated with the uploaded gene list. The different programs differ in extracting their information from the literature, in database construction, and network-building algorithms. The "top networks," as suggested by the programs as to be "most important," substantially differ from each other and share only one same gene. Concerning the most represented diseases in the data set, there are certain overlaps but no uniform results in the different applications. Pathway analyses of microarray data using preformed software devices offer valuable options for investigating on the biological relevance and function of a focus gene set. However, there is no standard in constructing such programs. This leads to substantial differences when investigating on the same data set using different devices. The intention of this work is to sensitize for the potentialities and also pitfalls doing pathway analysis using automated software tools.     

Development and Use of a Knowledge Translation Tool: The Rehabilitation Measures Database

Clinical translation of research evidence is a challenge for rehabilitation clinicians. Publicly accessible and free, online educational resources that summarize research evidence can support implementation of research evidence into practice. Several online resources have been developed recently to overcome common knowledge translation barriers. The Rehabilitation Measures Database (RMD) is a free, web-based searchable database of standardized instruments that was designed to support knowledge translation. It helps clinicians select valid and sensitive instruments for screening patients, monitoring progress, and assessing rehabilitation outcomes. The RMD was developed using feedback from focus groups and beta-test participants. Since its launch in 2011, RMD use has grown to an average of 1851 hits per day from 168 countries. As of September 2013, 202 instrument summaries are viewable in the RMD. Most summaries are linked to copies of the instrument or to purchase instructions. A challenge in updating and expanding the RMD is securing the resources to ensure its future. Collaborative relationships with professional associations and graduate programs in the health sciences are critical in sustaining this resource.     

Implementation of a computer database testing and analysis program

The author is the coordinator of a computer software database testing and analysis program implemented in an associate degree nursing program. Computer software database programs help support the testing development and analysis process. Critical thinking is measurable and promoted with their use. The reader of this article will learn what is involved in procuring and implementing a computer database testing and analysis program in an academic nursing program. The use of the computerized database for testing and analysis will be approached as a method to promote and evaluate the nursing student's critical thinking skills and to prepare the nursing student for the National Council Licensure Examination.     

Training programs for children: literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Training programs are increasingly being prescribed for occupational therapy for adults affected by chronic illness and/or handicap, but their use is more recent for children and teenagers. OBJECTIVE: A review of the literature to synthesize information concerning training programs for children, whether healthy or with disease or handicap, considering the target population, methodology, the results and limitations. METHODS: We searched the Medline database with use of the key words retraining, training, training programs, physical activity, physical training, fitness program, sport, children, disability, and handicap. We also searched references of the selected articles for appropriate studies. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Physical activity seems to be a good means of primary preventing adverse health in the healthy child and secondary prevention in children with chronic disease or handicap. Thus, training programs could be adapted and integrated into the global treatment of sick or handicapped children in the health care situation or in the home. These programs are feasible and do not undermine children's health, but few studies have shown clear data on the methods of the programs. The suggested training programs, not always validated, included two to five sessions from 30 to 60 min/week, for 6-16 weeks, of variable activity and intensity, adapted to the condition and the objectives of therapy. Training programs adapted to children should be validated to allow their accessibility by health care professionals dealing with children with chronic disease and/or handicap.     

Using student-collected practice data as a teaching tool

Research is an intimidating prospect for many students. This brief and fairly simple foray into data collection and analysis did not convince all students to embrace research. It did, however, entice many to consider how to incorporate data collection into their own beginning practices. Students who had stated their aversion to research found themselves arguing for the necessity of data collection to provide evidence for practice changes. There were also students who found the experience yet another busywork paper trail invented by the faculty. They resented the time and effort required for completion of another form during their busy clinical experiences. Other students remained adamantly opposed to considering any changes in what they saw as "appropriate" practice despite evidence to the contrary. An ongoing goal of education is to facilitate lifelong learning and investigation into clinical questions. The faculty plan to survey the graduates to ascertain what data collection efforts, if any, they are currently using. The educational program described in this project closed in December 1998 because of funding restrictions. One of the faculty in this project (Carr) and current colleagues are continuing to use the NMCDS to encourage students to examine and analyze their own practices. An additional use of the data set is for student-initiated research projects that focus on specific clinical questions. One faculty member was part of an effort to institute a similar project in a master's-based nurse-midwifery education program. That database has currently provided data for two master's degree projects. The uses of the NMCDS are not limited to graduate students or advanced practice clinicians. The tool is being used in an undergraduate maternity nursing clinical course to assist students in seeing differences in practice and the possible reasons for those differences. The Division of Research of the ACNM has sponsored the development of similar data collection tools for both ambulatory prenatal and well-woman care. The wellwoman tool is currently in the pilot stage (1999), and will be refined and further tested this year. The use of these data collection tools by advanced practice nurses would provide a wealth of data for both policy setting and clinical research. Educational programs frequently combine coursework for various advanced practice nursing pathways, and nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner students would benefit from jointly focusing on practice patterns and participating in the analysis of student-collected data. The standardized tools for intrapartum, well-woman care, and antepartum care will be available to all of the 50 ACNM education programs as well as to practicing clinicians.     

Overview of artifact reduction and removal in evoked potential and event-related potential recordings

Artifact in one form or another needs to be contended with in all EEG and EP studies. Various methods have been employed to avoid, eliminate, or minimize artifact. This article has described the methods that have been available for some time and newer methods and their advantages. It is the authors' hope that through the use of these methods the accuracy of all EP and ERP measurements will be improved and promote the validity and general acceptance of EP and ERP recordings. Genuine and valuable data are contained in EPs and ERPs. The challenge is to extract relatively small voltage signals often occurring within a higher voltage background of artifact. The computing power required to perform the artifact removal/reduction procedures now is available with basic laptop and desktop computers, as are the software programs that provide the artifact removal/reduction capabilities. It may be of interest for a prudent researcher to integrate the currently available artifact rejection methods before subjecting the ERP and EP data for further analysis and subsequent publication.     

Combination of pose and rank consensus in docking-based virtual screening: the best of both worlds

The use of high-throughput docking (HTD) in the drug discovery pipeline is today widely established. In spite of methodological improvements in docking accuracy (pose prediction), scoring power, ranking power, and screening power in HTD remain challenging. In fact, pose prediction is of critical importance in view of the pose-dependent scoring process, since incorrect poses will necessarily decrease the ranking power of scoring functions. The combination of results from different docking programs (consensus scoring) has been shown to improve the performance of HTD. Moreover, it has been also shown that a pose consensus approach might also result in database enrichment. We present a new methodology named Pose/Ranking Consensus (PRC) that combines both pose and ranking consensus approaches, to overcome the limitations of each stand-alone strategy. This approach has been developed using four docking programs (ICM, rDock, Auto Dock 4, and PLANTS; the first one is commercial, the other three are free). We undertook a thorough analysis for the best way of combining pose and rank strategies, and applied the PRC to a wide range of 34 targets sampling different protein families and binding site properties. Our approach exhibits an improved systematic performance in terms of enrichment factor and hit rate with respect to either pose consensus or consensus ranking alone strategies at a lower computational cost, while always ensuring the recovery of a suitable number of ligands. An analysis using four free docking programs (replacing ICM by Auto Dock Vina) displayed comparable results.

The new methodology named Pose/Ranking Consensus (PRC) combines both pose and ranking consensus strategies. It displays an enhanced performance in terms of enrichment factor and hit rate, ensuring the recovery of a suitable number of ligands.     

Theory-based approach to computer skill development in nursing administration.

The authors describe a theory-based approach to computer skill development in nursing administration that is a strategy for preparing nurse administrators to meet the challenge for effective decision making in the rapidly changing health care environment. A framework is presented using theories of decision making and information processing to integrate the development of knowledge and skills for decision making with knowledge and skills associated with computer decision support. Computerized support is available to help managers be effective at each stage of the decision-making process. Focusing on five stages of the decision-making process, the authors discuss how computers can facilitate decision-making. Computer applications introduced throughout a three-semester program in nursing administration include bibliographic databases, thought and word processing, database programs, decision analysis programs, spreadsheets, and project management programs. The curriculum and course activities are described.     

"Utstein style" spreadsheet and database programs based on Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access software for CPR data management of in-hospital resuscitation

In 1997, The American Heart Association in association with representatives of the International Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) published recommended guidelines for reviewing, reporting and conducting in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) outcomes using the "Utstein style". Using these guidelines, we developed two Microsoft Office based database management programs that may be useful to the resuscitation community. We developed a user-friendly spreadsheet based on MS Office Excel. The user enters patient variables such as name, age, and diagnosis. Then, event resuscitation variables such as time of collapse and CPR team arrival are entered from a "code flow sheet". Finally, outcome variables such as patient condition at different time points are recorded. The program then makes automatic calculations of average response times, survival rates and other important outcome measurements. Also using the Utstein style, we developed a database program based on MS Office Access. To promote free public access to these programs, we established at a website. These programs will help hospitals track, analyze, and present their CPR outcomes data. Clinical CPR researchers might also find the programs useful because they are easily modified and have statistical functions.     

Programming to meet the needs of the elderly in institutions: part II

This paper explores the principles of humanistic psychology and their application in the care of elderly institutionalized people. Activities already used by occupational therapists which can enhance the self-actualization process are described and other activities which could be incorporated into activity programs are suggested. The influence of staff attitudes on residents' well-being is a vital factor in geriatric care and must be taken into account in any form of programming.     

Computer assisted management of information in an intensive care unit

Summary In order to use the capability of computers for handling large amounts of information, we developed a program for the acquisition, handling, storage and retrieval of administrative and clinical information generated in the 20 bedded multidisciplinary critical care unit of a University Hospital. At an initial phase a personal computer (PC) was used to collect information from 4362 patients, that included registration data, coded admission problems, techniques and special treatments, and final diagnosis. This information combined with free text provided a discharge report. Complementary programs allowed calculation and storage of hemodynamic and gas exchange parameters. This experience led to a second phase in which a computer with microprocessor Intel 80386 at 25MHz, 8MB RAM, 310 MB hard, disk and a streamer for 150MB cartridge tape back up, using UNIX operating system, permitted multiple users working simultaneously through 1 central console and 7 ASCII terminals. Data input included demographic data, previous and admission problems in coded form, present history and physical examination in free text, list of present problems in coded form, comments on evolution, record of special techniques and treatments, laboratory data, treatment, final diagnosis and facility for using all the information to elaborate the final report. Side modules provide help for drugs dosing, protocols for specific conditions and clerical routines. The system is open for connection to other areas of the Hospital. Data from more than 2000 patients have been included so far. The program is used by medical, nursing and clerical staff with high degree of acceptance. All patients have their clinical information filed and 100% of the final reports are elaborated with the program.We conclude that a PC supported application is not adequate for implementing a historical database. On the contrary the integration of a relational database management system with a text editor in a more potent multiuser set up, provides a highly efficient tool to handle all the data generated during the patients' admission.     

Evaluation of needle exchange programs

Needle exchange programs exist in every major population area in the United States and in many other countries. Some operate legally under emergency health decrees issued by local departments of health, with the stated intention of risk reduction through the removal of used injection equipment from use by injection drug users. It is theorized that this results in a reduced transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis, and, possibly, other blood-borne diseases. Needle exchange programs also offer access to drug treatment programs for the participants. It is a difficult but necessary task to evaluate these programs. This article examines examples of evaluations attempted in the past and discusses the challenges of such evaluations. Experimental evaluations, economic program analysis, legal aspects, and risk-benefit assessment along with ethical aspects are considered. An outline of program evaluation is proposed. Needle exchange programs offer an opportunity to encourage risk reduction and to offer counseling and access to health care for individuals at high risk. It is essential that such programs demonstrate their effectiveness. Assumptions of efficacy are insufficient for health care in the twenty-first century.     

基于共词分析法探讨我国2010~2019年慢性伤口护理研究热点

目的分析国内近10年慢性伤口护理的研究热点,探索慢性伤口护理的研究趋势。方法通过中国知网、万方医学数据库、维普数据库以及中国生物医学文献数据库检索2010年至2019年所有有关慢性伤口护理文献,采用书目共现分析系统BICOMB和gCLUTO软件进行词频分析和共词聚类分析。结果共纳入符合标准的文献2297篇,通过双向聚类分析得出慢性伤口护理的5个研究热点慢性伤口的管理模式、慢性伤口的疼痛护理、负压治疗技术的应用、银离子敷料的使用、新型湿性敷料的应用。结论慢性伤口护理研究主题呈现多样化,研究内容趋向专科化方向发展,但在研究的全面性与深入性方面还有待提高,建议在今后的研究中顺应“互联网+”护理发展理念,不断探索与完善慢性伤口的专业化、信息化以及多学科协作发展模式。     

Preparing the next generation of scientists in translation research

AIM: Four questions about translation research are considered in this article. (1) Why should there be concern about preparing nurse scientists for translation research? (2) Are current research-intensive doctoral programs in nursing preparing graduates for translation research? (3) Should targeted efforts be made to systematically prepare nurses in translation research? (4) What strategies would be useful? QUESTION 1: It is argued that translation research is needed in order to increase the odds that interventions found to be efficacious can be effectively translated into practices that will produce desired outcomes. Thus, evidence from translation research is a very important component of the science base needed to guide innovation in practice. Another reason of concern in preparing translation researchers is the growing pace of research into the efficacy of interventions, which accelerates the need for translation research. Furthermore, the emergence of clinical doctoral programs in nursing that will be seeking faculty with expertise in translation research supports the need for preparing scientists in translation research. QUESTION 2: To determine whether translation research was visible in current research-intensive doctoral programs, a Web-based review of these programs offered by colleges and universities in the database of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) was conducted in the fall of 2003. The search revealed that in the 79 programs surveyed, no school identified an area of emphasis in terms that suggested a component of translation science such as research dissemination or utilization, knowledge transfer, diffusion of innovation, or technology transfer. Less than a dozen courses could be located that focused on topics related to translation research or translation science. QUESTIONS 3 AND 4: The case is made that more attention should be given to preparing translation scientists in research-intensive doctoral programs in nursing, and several strategies were suggested for moving toward that goal.     

AssayFinder--an online database for clinical chemistry assays

AssayFinder is an electronic database of clinical chemistry assays. It currently holds 1300 entries from 63 laboratories. It was developed for hospital clinical chemistry laboratories that need to send patient samples to reference centres for complex analysis. AssayFinder anticipated use of the Internet for transmitting information between hospitals. It started as a disc containing individual hypertext markup language files. From the beginning AssayFinder was designed for Web browser software, usable even in laboratories without Internet access. Later, files were generated automatically from a database package, (FileMaker-Pro, Claris, Santa Clara, USA.). Direct on-line access to the database has now been achieved using the World Wide Web. In the future sites will submit new assays in electronic form. In addition, links to other relevant specialist web-sites will further increase its value to the clinical chemistry community.     

Procedure Documentation in Emergency Medicine Residencies: A Time of Change

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the methods of procedure documentation (PD) used by emergency medicine residency programs and to ascertain the number of programs that are transitioning to a more advanced system. Methods: All 122 ACGME-approved allopathic emergency medicine programs were contacted by telephone in December 2001. Survey information was obtained from the program director, an attending physician, a resident, or the residency coordinator. Results: The response rate was 92.6%. Seventeen programs (15%) reported using multiple methods of PD, with only 8% utilizing a formal database. Fifty-five percent reported that PD was manual. One third of all programs utilized a Web-based system for PD, while 13% required the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs). Nearly one fifth of programs stated they were changing to another form of PD, with the majority of those changing to a PDA format. Fifteen percent of programs purchased PDAs for their residents, and a similar proportion reported that the PDA was used by "most or all" of their residents to document procedures. Nearly four times as many programs (64%) reported that "most or all" of their residents utilized PDAs for clinical purposes. Conclusions: PDAs are used by a majority of residents for clinical purposes, although fewer utilize this resource for PD. Although most emergency medicine residency programs still utilize a manual system for PD, many programs are in transition to a more technologically advanced method.     

Development of the predicted and standardized carbapenem usage metric: Analysis of the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination payment system data

This study aimed to develop a metric for standardized and predicted carbapenem consumption using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination payment system database and patients’ characteristics. Based on Diagnosis Procedure Combination data analysis, the developed metric will provide useful benchmarks that stewardship programs can use to help drive improvements.