The role of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) in strengthening health system governance: Lessons from three middle-income countries—Argentina,Jordan, and South Africa (2017–2018)

IntroductionToward the Global Vaccine Action Plan 2020 goal, almost 90% of countries have established a National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). However, little is known about NITAG's contributions to governance.MethodsIn 2017–2018, a two-step, qualitative retrospective study was conducted. Jordan (JO), Argentina (AR), and South Africa (SA) were selected owing to government-financed NITAGs from middle-income countries (MICs), geographic diversity, and a vaccine introduction with NITAG support. Country case studies were developed, collecting data through desk review and face-to-face key informant interviews (KIIs) from Ministry of Health (MoH) and NITAG. Case studies were analyzed together, to assess governance applying the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies framework focusing on transparency, accountability, participation, integrity, and policy capacity (TAPIC).ResultsDocument review and 53 KII (22 AR, 20 SA, 11 JO) showed NITAGs played a pivotal role as advisors promoting a culture of evidence-informed policies. NITAGs strengthened governance, although practices varied among countries. Meetings were conducted behind-closed-doors, participation restricted to members, only in one country agendas, and recommendations were public (AR). To increase participation, policy capacity, and transparency, countries considered adding experts in communications, advocacy, and economics. AR and SA contemplated including community members. NITAGs functioned autonomously from the government, with no established internal or external monitoring or supervision. NITAG meeting minutes allowed the review of integrity, adherence to terms of reference, standard operating procedures, and conflict of interest (CoI). For the most part, NITAGs abided by their mandates. Significant issues were related to the level of MoH support and oversight of CoI declaration and documentation.ConclusionsSystematically implementing governance approaches could improve processes, better tailor policies, and implementation. The long-term survival and resilience of NITAGs in these countries showed they play a significant role in strengthening governance. Lessons learned could be useful to those promoting country-driven evidence-informed decision-making.     

科研评价导向的改变对中文科技期刊的机遇与挑战

【目的】 值此《中国科技期刊研究》创刊30周年之际,思考科研评价体系的改变给中文科技期刊带来的影响,为中文期刊探寻发展路径。【方法】 结合对中文科技期刊困境的研究,提出应对策略。【结果】 近期国家陆续出台的纠偏评价导向的政策文件,为中文科技期刊既带来了发展机遇,也提出了挑战。【结论】 在重构符合中文科技期刊发展特点的评价体系的基础上,中文科技期刊应明确目标定位,面向国家需求,提升知识服务能力,建立品牌特色。     

Multicentric Analytical and Inter-observer Comparability of Four Clinically Developed Programmed Death-ligand 1 Immunohistochemistry Assays in Advanced Clear-cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested increased clinical benefit with inhibition of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed death-1 in patients with PD-L1–positive locally advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We examined the analytical and inter-observer comparability of PD-L1–positivity across 4 clinically developed immunohistochemistry assays in clear-cell RCC (CCRCC).Materials and MethodsRandomly selected archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded nephrectomy specimens from 201 patients with locally advanced CCRCC were screened using VENTANA SP142. From these, 30 cases were selected based on their tumor-infiltrating immune cell (IC) PD-L1 status (PD-L1-IC–positivity of < 1%, 1%-5%, or > 5%; 10 cases each). These cases were stained for PD-L1 using VENTANA SP142 and SP263, and DAKO 22C3 and 28-8, and scored for PD-L1 expression on IC and tumor cells (TC) by trained readers at 5 sites.ResultsAdjusted mean percentages of PD-L1-IC–positivity and PD-L1-TC–positivity varied from 4.0% to 4.9% and from 1.3% to 10.7%, respectively, between assays. Inter-assay differences in PD-L1-IC–positivity were small and non-significant (P = .1938 to .9963); for PD-L1-TC–positivity, significant differences were observed between VENTANA SP142 and the other assays (P ≤ .0001) and between VENTANA SP263 and DAKO 28-8 (P = .0248). Intra-class correlation values showed moderate-to-high inter-reader agreement for each assay for PD-L1-IC–positivity and for 3 assays for PD-L1-TC–positivity.ConclusionsIn this first multicenter analytical comparison study of PD-L1 assays in CCRCC, PD-L1–positivity could be assessed reproducibly using all 4 assays for IC and for 3 of the 4 assays for TC.     

Greater curve approach for laparoscopic gastric bypass: total stapler gastrojejunostomy

BACKGROUND: Gastric bypass is an established bariatric procedure that has undergone multiple modifications to improve its effectiveness. The side-to-side stapled technique is well recognized, but closure of the gastrotomy/enterotomy by the stapler can potentially narrow the Roux limb. Because of this, many surgeons will hand suture the closure of the gastrotomy/enterotomy. To obviate this difficulty, we inserted the linear stapler from the stomach's greater curvature, using a double-stapled anastomosis that minimized the need for hand suturing. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 307 patients undergoing this technique for laparoscopic gastric bypass. The weight loss and 30-day morbidity and mortality were tabulated and compared with those in other published series. RESULTS: Of the 307 patients, none died postoperatively. The overall 30-day morbidity rate was 15%. Two leaks from the gastrojejunostomy and 2 from the jejunojejunostomy (1.2%) developed. The mean percentage of excess weight loss was 34% at 3 months, 52% at 6 months, 73% at 1 year, 71% at 2 years, and 69% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: The greater curve approach avoids Roux limb obstruction, minimizes the need for hand suturing, and uses standard trocar incisions. Our short-term follow-up results are similar to those of series of other techniques.     

浅析中专护生文化休克的护理策略

文化休克(culture shock),又译为文化震撼或文化震惊,是指生活在某一种文化环境中的人初次进入到另一种文化环境,如到了不同的民族、社会群体中或地区甚至国家时所产生的思想混乱与心理上精神紧张综合征。新入校中专护生,由于文化环境的改变,往往会出现孤独、焦虑、无助等文化休克的种种表现,这些现象若不能及时得到解决,将不利于他们的全面健康状态的成长与发展。众所周知,WHO明确规定,健康不但是没有疾病和身体缺陷,还要有完整的生理、心理状态和良好的社会适应能力。因此,新入校中专护生这一特殊群体所产生的文化休克现象应引起学校有…     

某钢铁厂工艺改进前后金属酸洗岗位职业危害的对比

目的了解工艺改进后金属酸洗岗位职业危害因素及浓度降低效果，控制岗位人员职业危害因素接受量，预防职业病的发生。方法通过对某钢铁厂金属酸洗车间工艺改进前后酸洗和天车操作两个岗位职业危害因素监测结果进行对比、分析，确定工艺改进对控制岗位职业危害的效果。结果天车操作室：硫酸雾合格率由60．2％上升到88．9％，盐酸雾合格率由63.0％提高到100％；酸洗操作岗位：硫酸雾合格率由37．0％上升到87．9％，盐酸雾合格率由49．0％提高到99．1％。经统计学分析，工艺改进前与工艺改进后硫酸雾、盐酸雾总体合格率差异均有显著性（P〈0．05），说明工艺改进后主要岗位职业危害因素减低的合格率均有较大提升。结论工艺改进对控制酸洗岗位职业危害效果明显。     

Aortic valve injury 10 years after tetralogy of Fallot repair

Summary Although recognized by pediatric cardiac surgeons, aortic insufficiency as a technical complication after tetralogy of Fallot repair is poorly documented, especially if it occurs late. The case of a boy with aortic insufficiency 10 years after complete tetralogy repair is described. No documentation in the literature other than summary statements in textbooks of this occurence was found.     

不同性别飞行学员人格特征的比较

目的 :探讨男女飞行学员人格特征的差别 ,为选拔战斗机女飞行员提供心理选拔方法的参照 .方法 :女学员组为某飞行学院 2 2名女飞行学员 ,男学员组为同一飞行学院 4 3名男飞行学员 .采用卡特尔 16种个性因素测验 (16PF) ,应用DXC多项心理测评仪进行集体测试 .结果 :在 16PF的 2 4个分析项目中 ,情绪的稳定性 (C)、兴奋性 (F)、敢为性 (H)、怀疑性 (L)、紧张性 (Q4)、适应与焦虑、内向与外向等 7个因子分男学员和女学员有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ,其中在稳定性、兴奋性、敢为性和外向性等 4个因素上 ,女学员的分数显著高于男学员 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ;而在怀疑性、紧张性、焦虑性等 3个因子分上则是男学员显著高于女学员(P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) .结论 :女飞行学员的个性特点是情绪稳定 ,轻松兴奋 ,冒险敢为 ,适应环境 ,趋于外向 ,紧张困扰和焦虑较少 .本调查结果表明 ,女飞行学员的人格特征基本符合战斗机飞行员人格结构的要求     

护理学基础课程技术操作教学改革与实践

目的培养高素质实用型护理人才，塑造护生良好形象，使之更加适应现代护理工作需要。方法教师在护理学基础课程技术操作教学过程中，注意通过课前引导学生预习操作内容、精心设计教案、规范操作流程、善于灵活运用示教和多媒体、演练情景剧、开放实验室、强化训练、开展技能考核与比赛等方式培养学生动手操作能力。结果2001年以来，已先后有3届学生进入临床实习。通过问卷调查，学生、带教教师、病人满意度分别达到98．5％、98．2％、97．0％。