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.     

Increase in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 associated parapneumonic pleural effusion/empyema after the introduction of PCV13 in Germany

IntroductionPediatric pneumococcal pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic pleural effusion/empyema (PPE/PE) remains a major concern despite general immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs).MethodsIn a nationwide pediatric hospital surveillance study in Germany we identified 584 children <18 years of age with bacteriologically confirmed PPE/PE from October 2010 to June 2018. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified by culture and/or PCR of blood samples and/or pleural fluid and serotyped.ResultsS. pneumoniae was identified in 256 of 584 (43.8%) children by culture (n = 122) and/or PCR (n = 207). The following pneumococcal serotypes were detected in 114 children: serotype 3 (42.1%), 1 (25.4%), 7F (12.3%), 19A (7.9%), other PCV13 serotypes (4.4%) and non-PCV13 serotypes (7.9%). Between October 2010 and June 2014 serotype 1 (38.1%) and serotype 3 (25.4%) were most prevalent, whereas between July 2014 and June 2018 serotype 3 (62.7%) and non-PCV13 serotypes (15.7%) were dominant. Compared to children with other pneumococcal serotypes, children with serotype 3 associated PPE/PE were younger (median 3.2 years [IQR 2.1–4.3 years] vs. median 5.6 years [IQR 3.8–8.2 years]; p < 0.001) and more frequently admitted to intensive care (43 [89.6%] vs. 48 [73.8%]; p = 0.04). Seventy-six of 114 (66.7%) children with pneumococcal PPE/PE had been vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccines. Thirty-nine of 76 (51.3%) had received a vaccine covering the serotype detected. Thirty of these 39 breakthrough cases were age-appropriately vaccinated with PCV13 and considered vaccine failures, including 26 children with serotype 3, three children with serotype 19A and one child with serotype 1.ConclusionFollowing the introduction of PCV13 in general childhood vaccination we observed a strong emergence of serotype 3 associated PPE/PE in the German pediatric population, including a considerable number of younger children with serotype 3 vaccine breakthrough cases and failures. Future PCVs should not only cover newly emerging serotypes, but also include a more effective component against serotype 3.     

情景模拟联合案例讨论在急诊护理临床带教中的应用体会

目的探究急诊护理临床带教中采用情景模拟、案例讨论联合教学法效果。方法在本院实习的若干名护生中,选取124名护生分按照教学方法分组,对照组62名实施传统急诊护理带教,观察组62名实施案例讨论、情景模拟联合教学法,对比临床带教效果。结果两组实践与理论成绩相比,观察组成绩更高(P<0.05)。思维、急救及应激能力自我评价相比,观察组的总提高率高于对照组(P<0.05)。实施案例分析结合情景模拟教学模式后,问卷调查中观察组无护生不赞同此模式,非常赞同此教学模式的护生占总人数的90%以上。结论实施案例讨论、情景模拟联合教学模式后,护生急诊护理实践与理论水平均提升,护生我评价较高。     

案例教学法在消化内科见习课的应用效果评价

目的探讨案例教学法在消化内科见习课的教学效果和体会。方法选取2017年10月—2017年12月在消化内科进行见习课的2015级39-40班护理本科学生44例(全部为女生),抓阄分成对照组(22人)和试验组(22人),对照组给予传统的带教方法,试验组给予案例教学法教学,比较两组护生在理论、技能、综合能力和对带教满意度方面有无差异。两组学生在性别、年龄、专业前的课程成绩比较,差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。结果观察组在理论考核成绩、操作考核成绩、教学满意度等方面均高于对照组。结论案例教学法能提高护理教学的教学效果,增加学生的理论、操作能力,提高护理临床思维能力,提升学生的学习主动性和积极性。     

针刺辅助治疗难治性肠易激综合征临床试验方案关键点设计的思考＊

肠易激综合征（Irritable bowel syndrome，IBS）是临床常见病、多发病，其治疗方法丰富，但部分患者疗效欠佳，发展成难治性IBS。目前国内外关于针灸治疗难治性IBS的临床随机对照试验尚不多见。本文立足试验方案设计的“PICOS”原则，从研究对象及诊断标准、干预措施、对照措施、结局指标四个方面入手，重点探讨针刺辅助治疗难治性肠易激综合征临床试验设计的关键要点。从选择特色优势病种、明确诊断标准、制定符合临床实际的干预方案、运用符合目标的安慰针刺、结合研究设计和目的选定结局指标几个角度，阐述试验相关环节设计的原因和思考。     

Regulation of fibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction by interleukin-1β

Fibroblasts incorporated within collagen gels induce a cell-mediated contraction of the gel to form a three-dimensional, tissue-like structure by a mechanism thought to mimic wound contraction in vivo . In this study a gel contraction model was used to investigate the ability of fibroblasts derived from adult gingiva, adult skin and fetal skin to organise a collagen matrix. In addition the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on the contraction process was also investigated. Over the concentration range 5-50 U/ml, IL-1β induced a statistically significant inhibition of gel contraction in all fibroblast cell types ( P <0.05), although fetal fibroblasts appeared least responsive and gingival fibroblasts most responsive to the inhibitory effects of this cytokine. Comparison of gel contraction by the different fibroblast strains indicated that fetal and gingival fibroblasts shared similar contraction kinetics. For the adult skin fibroblasts, three of five strains studied showed significantly diminished levels of gel contraction compared to fetal and gingival cells. This apparent difference in fibroblast phenotype may, at least in part, explain the fetal-like wound healing pattern seen in the oral mucosa.     

New stand magnifiers do not meet rated levels of performance

A new range of stand magnifiers has been released by the COIL company in the United Kingdom. Examination of these magnifiers reveals that they fail to deliver the rated magnifications labelled prominently on the appliances, as a result of the manufacturer's conformance with the requirements of the German DIN standard and the use of back vertex power (F'_v) rather than equivalent dioptric power (F_m) of the magnifier. In this study we provide information on the optometric parameters of these new stand magnifiers that will assist the more accurate specification of improvements in vision expected from their use.     

小儿心包积液28例临床分析

目的：探讨小儿心包积液的病因、分类及诊断。方法：病例回顾性分析。结果：28例中，化脓性心包积液4例，结缔组织疾病所致心包积液16例，肾病综合征所致心包答液4例，病毒性、肺吸虫性、幼年型粘液性水肿及肿瘤性心包积液各1例。治愈、好转25例，另3例，分别死于急性心包填塞，风湿性全心炎、心功能不全、呼衰、纵隔肿瘤广泛转移。结论：小儿心包积液，可由多种致病因素引起。其临床特点，对该病的诊治有重要意义。