What components are important for effective healthcare alliance governance? Findings from a modified Delphi study in New Zealand

Alliance governance is a form of governance developed in industry settings and more recently applied to healthcare. The core idea behind alliance governance is to involve the many stakeholders in the system to collaboratively develop a joint programme that promotes an integrated and whole of systems approach to care. Little is known about the model in healthcare, nor what those involved in an alliance should be focused upon. Using a modified Delphi method, this research presents a set of components that research participants agreed should underpin development of an effective alliance governance arrangement.These characteristics include a systems perspective—a truly shared governance protocol based on a shared vision and a common purpose; performance measurement—collecting and using real-time data that depicts the realities of an end-to-end system to establish better and more achievable goals based on alliance performance; a relational perspective to promote trust, respect and collaboration amongst alliance members, who historically have been competing for contracts and resources; structural changes that enable and promote a shared governance system; and, finally, equity and inclusion to ensure a diverse alliance which promotes diversity of ideas, and involvement of all stakeholders in the decision making process. This research is relevant to policymakers seeking to develop effective alliance-type arrangements as well as to those involved in the practice of alliance governance.     

北京地区病毒性脑炎患者病原体的分离和初步鉴定

１９９１年夏秋季，我们从４１例北京儿童医院临床诊断为病毒性脑炎（非乙脑）患者的７５份急性期血和／或脑脊液中分离到３３株病毒。对其中１２株进行电镜观察，电镜下均见大小相同的球形病毒颗粒，毒粒的直径约为４４．７８±１．３５ｕｍ，无囊膜，具双层蛋白外壳，视野内多见空心颗粒。超薄切片显示病毒在感染细胞的胞浆内发生，直径约为４７．６±２．３ｕｍ。正常细胞中未见病毒颗粒。对其中３株病毒进行理化性状分析，多次试验均显示该病毒抵抗５＇－碘脱氧尿苷，抵抗乙醚，耐酸，能在地鼠肾ＢＨＫ－２１和白纹伊蚊Ｃ６／３６细胞上增殖并出现细胞病变。该病毒与本室制备的披膜病毒科甲组、乙脑病毒和布尼亚病毒科的组特异性免疫腹水均不反应。脑内接种３日龄乳小白鼠可引起不规律的发病和死亡。上述结果表明，该病毒是一类４５ｕｍ左右、无囊膜、耐酸的ＲＮＡ病毒。     

诊断幽门螺杆菌感染的新进展

目前幽门螺杆菌感染的检测方法分为侵性检查和非侵入性检查,前者包括：培养,组织学检查,快速尿素酶试验,ＰＣＲ;后者包括：＾１３Ｃ／＾１４Ｃ－尿素呼吸试验及＾１５Ｎ尿氨排泄试验,血清学,尽管检测方法较多,但在临床和科研中,由于使用目的的不同,选择的检测方法有区别。     

Potential preventive strategies and therapies in urinary tract infection

There are perhaps five strategies either presently advocated or under investigation for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI): antibiotics, including natural peptides; functional foods; vaccines; probiotics; and miscellaneous, including avoidance of spermicides and maintenance of good hygiene. It is not possible to state the proportion of patients using antibiotics versus foods such as cranberry or using alternative approaches such as avoidance of spermicides. The majority of women who are referred to specialists will be prescribed long-term, low-dose antibiotics. However, given the magnitude of the problem, it is safe to state that large numbers of women are at least experimenting with alternative remedies such as drinking of cranberry juice or ingestion of herbal remedies with a view to enhancing their immune response. Vaccine development remains a long way from human use and has yet to be developed for organisms other than Escherichia coli. The use of probiotics to restore the normal vaginal flora and provide a competitive bacterial barrier to pathogens is close to becoming available as an alternative preventive approach. The next decade should see the introduction of new methods for reduction of the high incidence of UTI and better management of recurring urogenital infections.     

Differential diagnosis of anterior segment cysts by ultrasound biomicroscopy

BACKGROUND: To describe the ultrasound biomicroscopic (UBM) features of anterior segment cysts. DESIGN: A retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eighteen eyes with anterior segment cysts examined by UBM at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary between August 1992 and November 1997 were included in this study. INTERVENTION: The authors reviewed demographic and diagnostic data from the medical record including ocular and medical history, age, race, gender, and intraocular pressure. Ultrasound data concerning the type, number, position, and acoustic characteristics of cysts were recorded. The authors then correlated the written, clinical, and UBM characteristics. RESULTS: One hundred eyes (92.6%) had neuroepithelial cysts. Ninety (83.3%) of these had primary neuroepithelial cysts, 10 (9.3%) had cysts associated with uveitis, 7 (6.5%) had implantation cysts, and 1 (0.9%) had a cavitated ciliary body tumor. Neuroepithelial cysts typically were round or ovoid, thin-walled, and echolucent. Of the 90 eyes with primary neuroepithelial cysts, 56 (62.2%) had 3 or fewer cysts; multiple cysts (>3 per eye) were found in 34 eyes (37.8%). The multiple cysts occupied more than 180 degrees in 12 patients (13.3%). Primary neuroepithelial cysts were located at the iridociliary junction (74.2%), pars plicata (14.0%), pars plana (6.8%), and iris (5.0%). Implantation cysts (seven eyes) tended to have thicker walls and two contained a copious, echogenic material. CONCLUSION: The UBM results provide important information regarding location and extent of anterior segment cystic lesions. Ultrasound characteristics may help differentiate between neuroepithelial, implantation, and neoplastic cysts.