Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 48
Filter
1.
Aust Crit Care ; 2024 Jun 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38879402

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Australian organ and tissue donation rates are low compared to other countries. Acknowledging that donation practices vary across Australia, the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses supported the development of a position statement to explicate critical care nurses' role in supporting organ and tissue donation. Several Australian peak professional organisations provide guidance to inform and support organ and tissue donation. AIM: The aim of this study was to develop a position statement using contemporary Australian research evidence to build upon and complement existing guidance, focussing on the role of critical care nurses in organ and tissue donation in Australian critical care. METHOD: An approach similar to a rapid review was used, providing a streamlined approach to synthesising evidence. A comprehensive search using Medical Subject Headings, keywords, and synonyms was undertaken using Medline and CINAHL Complete via EBSCOhost to identify peer-reviewed Australian research evidence about critical care nurses' role, obligations, expectations, and scope of practice during organ and tissue donation. Narrative synthesis was used to synthesise the research evidence. FINDINGS: The importance of separating death from organ donation in discussions with family, the timing and the approach to organ donation conversations, and working in collaboration with the DonateLife Donation Specialist Nurses were identified. The importance of understanding family perspectives, caring for families, and collegial support for critical care clinicians were also identified. With the guidance of peak professional organisations, the research evidence was then used to develop practice recommendations for critical care units, leaders, and critical care nurses. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The recommendations explicate the important contribution critical care nurses can make to ensuring timely, sensitive communication, providing high-quality end-of-life care, supporting families irrespective of the donation decision and supporting colleagues from the wider critical care team, thereby optimising the processes related to organ and tissue donation in Australian critical care settings.

2.
N Engl J Med ; 390(24): 2252-2263, 2024 Jun 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38924732

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Benralizumab is an eosinophil-depleting anti-interleukin-5 receptor α monoclonal antibody. The efficacy and safety of benralizumab in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis are unclear. METHODS: In a phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned patients 12 to 65 years of age with symptomatic and histologically active eosinophilic esophagitis in a 1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous benralizumab (30 mg) or placebo every 4 weeks. The two primary efficacy end points were histologic response (≤6 eosinophils per high-power field) and the change from baseline in the score on the Dysphagia Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ; range, 0 to 84, with higher scores indicating more frequent or severe dysphagia) at week 24. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients underwent randomization: 104 were assigned to receive benralizumab, and 107 were assigned to receive placebo. At week 24, more patients had a histologic response with benralizumab than with placebo (87.4% vs. 6.5%; difference, 80.8 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 72.9 to 88.8; P<0.001). However, the change from baseline in the DSQ score did not differ significantly between the two groups (difference in least-squares means, 3.0 points; 95% CI, -1.4 to 7.4; P = 0.18). There was no substantial between-group difference in the change from baseline in the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Endoscopic Reference Score, which reflects endoscopic abnormalities. Adverse events were reported in 64.1% of the patients in the benralizumab group and in 61.7% of those in the placebo group. No patients discontinued the trial because of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial involving patients 12 to 65 years of age with eosinophilic esophagitis, a histologic response (≤6 eosinophils per high-power field) occurred in significantly more patients in the benralizumab group than in the placebo group. However, treatment with benralizumab did not result in fewer or less severe dysphagia symptoms than placebo. (Funded by AstraZeneca; MESSINA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04543409.).


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Eosinophilic Esophagitis , Eosinophils , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/adverse effects , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Deglutition Disorders/drug therapy , Double-Blind Method , Eosinophilic Esophagitis/drug therapy , Eosinophilic Esophagitis/immunology , Interleukin-5 Receptor alpha Subunit/antagonists & inhibitors , Leukocyte Count
3.
Immunotherapy ; 2024 May 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38695680

ABSTRACT

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease that leads to dry, itchy, and swollen red spots, which can also be painful and flare up at any time. Some people with AD have a high number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, which are associated with worse disease. Medicated creams and lotions, prescribed by health care providers, are meant to reduce the symptoms of AD. For some people, these creams and lotions do not work. Benralizumab injection is a medication that reduces and removes eosinophils. A clinical trial called HILLER tested benralizumab to see if there was a difference in symptoms of AD after reducing or removing eosinophils. This article explains how benralizumab reduced eosinophils and the effect it had on AD symptoms in the HILLIER study. WHAT WERE THE MAIN CONCLUSIONS REPORTED BY THE RESEARCHERS?: Benralizumab reduced blood eosinophil numbers. However, benralizumab showed no evidence of treatment benefit on signs, symptoms, or severity of AD, as measured by three skin assessments compared with placebo. Benralizumab was well tolerated and had a safety profile that was consistent with previous studies. The five most commonly reported side effects were COVID-19 infection, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, swelling of the lymph nodes, and pink eye (conjunctivitis) in patients who received either benralizumab or placebo. WHAT ARE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS?: Benralizumab lowered the number of blood eosinophils without improving AD symptoms and was well tolerated.

4.
Br J Dermatol ; 191(2): 187-199, 2024 Jul 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38367194

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a relatively common skin disease associated with hives and angio-oedema. Eosinophils play a role in CSU pathogenesis. Benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor-α monoclonal antibody, has been shown to induce nearly complete depletion of eosinophils. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of benralizumab in patients with CSU who were symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment. METHODS: The 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb portion of the ARROYO trial enrolled adult patients with CSU who were currently on H1 antihistamine treatment. Patients were randomized to one of five treatment groups according to benralizumab dose and regimen for a 24-week treatment period. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in Itch Severity Score (ISS)7 at week 12. The key secondary endpoint was change from baseline in Urticaria Activity Score (UAS)7 at week 12. Additional secondary endpoints included other metrics to assess CSU at week 24, blood eosinophil levels, and pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity assessments. Exploratory subgroup analyses were conducted to explore responses according to demographics, clinical features and biomarkers. Safety was assessed in all treatment groups. RESULTS: Of 155 patients, 59 were randomized to benralizumab 30 mg, 56 to benralizumab 60 mg and 40 to placebo. Baseline and disease characteristics were consistent with what was expected for patients with CSU. There were no significant differences in change from baseline in ISS7 score at week 12 between benralizumab and placebo [benralizumab 30 mg vs. placebo, least-squares mean difference -1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.28 to 1.26; benralizumab 60 mg vs. placebo, least-squares mean difference -1.79, 95% CI -4.09 to 0.50] nor in change from baseline in UAS7 score at week 12 between benralizumab and placebo (benralizumab 30 mg vs. placebo, P = 0.407; benralizumab 60 mg vs. placebo, P = 0.082). Depletion of blood eosinophil levels was observed at week 24 in patients treated with benralizumab. All other secondary endpoints and exploratory/subgroup analyses indicated no significant differences between benralizumab and placebo. Safety results were consistent with the known profile of benralizumab. CONCLUSIONS: Although benralizumab resulted in near-complete depletion of blood eosinophils, there was no clinical benefit over placebo.


Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common disease characterized by hives, itching and inflammation (swelling) of the skin. CSU is mainly driven by what we call 'mast cells'. 'Eosinophils' are a type of white blood cell that protect the body from infections and allergens. These cells are abundant in skin biopsy samples of people with CSU, especially in the hives that contribute to swelling. Therefore, we thought that reducing eosinophils would be beneficial for treating CSU. Benralizumab is a drug that has been shown to reduce eosinophils in other diseases. This study, called 'ARROYO', was a 24-week clinical trial that compared benralizumab treatment with a placebo (inactive medicine) in adults with CSU who were taking antihistamines. We aimed to determine whether benralizumab would improve symptoms of CSU over time. Several assessments were used to measure changes in CSU symptoms, including hives, severity of itchiness, swelling of the skin, and other aspects related to overall psychological and physical wellbeing. The characteristics of the 155 people who took part in this study were consistent with what was expected for patients with CSU. We found that while benralizumab reduced eosinophil levels in people with CSU, there were no differences in symptoms in people receiving benralizumab compared with those receiving placebo. There were no new safety concerns related to benralizumab and no deaths. Overall, although benralizumab is effective at reducing the number of eosinophils, it is not effective at treating the symptoms of CSU. More studies are needed to uncover potential treatment targets in CSU.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Chronic Urticaria , Humans , Double-Blind Method , Male , Female , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/adverse effects , Chronic Urticaria/drug therapy , Middle Aged , Adult , Treatment Outcome , Eosinophils/immunology , Aged , Histamine H1 Antagonists/administration & dosage , Histamine H1 Antagonists/adverse effects , Young Adult
5.
Eur J Pediatr ; 183(4): 1839-1848, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38277000

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of time, temperature, and thickener on expressed human milk thickened for infants with dysphagia. Thickening agents included raw oatmeal cereal, commercial thickeners (Gelmix, Purathick), pureed fruits, pureed vegetables, yogurt, and pudding. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) flow test was used to measure the thickness level across samples at various temperatures (40 °F/4.4 °C, 70 °F/21.1 °C, and 98.6 °F/37 °C) and times (0, 5, 10, and 20 min). Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test and multiple linear regression. Fruit purees, particularly banana, achieved the thickest mixtures at all temperatures and maintained a similar thickness over time (20 min). Vegetable puree mixtures were minimally effective at thickening, i.e., between 0 and 1 ml on IDDSI flow test, with exception of squash at 40 °F/4.4 °C. Commercial thickener (Gelmix and Purathick) mixtures continued to thicken over time. The yogurt mixture at 40 °F/4.4 °C thickened initially and thinned slightly over time. The pudding mixture at 40 °F/4.4 °C thickened immediately but quickly became a thin liquid. The raw oatmeal cereal mixtures thinned or thickened over time dependent on the temperature of the human milk (40 °F/4.4 °C mixture thinned over time, while the 70 °F/21.1 °C, and 98.6 °F/37 °C mixtures thickened over time). CONCLUSION: Time, temperature, and thickening agents have a significant impact on the thickness level when added to expressed human milk. Certain foods such as fruit purees, squash, yogurt, and raw oatmeal may effectively thicken human milk, and the IDDSI flow test can assess if the mixture maintains a similar thickness level over time. These foods could be considered for older infants with dysphagia. When thickening human milk for infants with dysphagia, close physician and clinician monitoring is recommended given the potential positive and/or negative consequences on oral feeding and overall health. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Thin liquids can be challenging for infants with dysphagia to safely swallow Human milk is difficult to thicken. WHAT IS NEW: • Pureed fruits and pureed squash thicken human milk effectively at various temperatures and maintain thickness level over 20 minutes. • Pureed fruits and pureed squash thicken human milk effectively at various temperatures and maintain thickness level over 20 Raw oatmeal cereal either thins over time or thickens over time depending on the temperature of the base liquid.


Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders , Humans , Temperature , Milk, Human/chemistry , Food Additives/analysis , Beverages/analysis
6.
Br Dent J ; 236(2): 117-123, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38278909

ABSTRACT

Introduction This paper explores the declared and formal and informal taught endodontic curriculum within an undergraduate dental programme in the UK as part of a wider study, which also investigates the learned curriculum. Management of the dental pulp was chosen due to the availability of clear internationally recognised guidelines.Method The declared curriculum was identified through existing course guides and seminar and practical session plans. The formal taught curriculum was identified by cataloguing all lectures, practical teaching sessions, seminars and handouts available to dental students. Questionnaires using clinical vignettes were used to explore the informal taught curriculum.Results Valid responses to the questionnaire were received from 25/40 (62.5%) clinical supervisors. Disparities between national guidelines and the declared and taught curriculum were primarily due to broad learning objectives and disparate information from lectures and supervising clinicians. Although the majority of formal teaching aligned with national guidelines, the main deviation occurred within the informal taught curriculum.Conclusion This study highlights disparities between current evidence-based guidelines and the declared and taught curriculum in relation to pulp management in a UK dental school. Recommendations are that all policies, procedures and protocols are updated and aligned to a contemporaneous evidence base annually, plus engagement with clinical lecturers, to enable more standardised teaching.


Subject(s)
Curriculum , Schools, Dental , Humans , Learning , Students , Surveys and Questionnaires , United Kingdom , Teaching
7.
Aust Crit Care ; 37(3): 475-482, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37339921

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Communication between clinicians and family members of patients about treatment limitation practices is essential to care-planning and decision-making. For patients and family members from culturally diverse backgrounds, there are additional considerations when communicating about treatment limitations. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore how treatment limitations are communicated with family members of patients from culturally diverse backgrounds in intensive care. METHODS: A descriptive study using a retrospective medical record audit was undertaken. Medical record data were collected from patients who died in 2018 in four intensive care units in Melbourne, Australia. Data are presented using descriptive and inferential statistics and progress note entries. RESULTS: From 430 adult deceased patients, 49.3% (n = 212) of patients were born overseas, 56.9% (n = 245) identified with a religion, and 14.9% (n = 64) spoke a language other than English as their preferred language. Professional interpreters were used in 4.9% (n = 21) of family meetings. Documentation about the level of treatment limitation decisions were present in 82.1% (n = 353) of patient records. Nurses were documented as present for treatment limitation discussions for 49.3% (n = 174) of patients. Where nurses were present, nurses supported family members, including reassurance that end-of-life wishes would be respected. There was evidence of nurses coordinating healthcare activities and attempting to address and resolve difficulties experienced by family members. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first known Australian study to explore documented evidence of how treatment limitations are communicated with family members of patients from culturally diverse backgrounds. Many patients have documented treatment limitations, yet there are a proportion of patients who die before treatment limitations can be discussed with family, which may influence the timing and quality of end-of-life care. Where language barriers exist, interpreters should be used to better ensure effective communication between clinicians and family. Greater provision for nurses to engage in treatment limitation discussions is required.


Subject(s)
Communication , Family , Adult , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Qualitative Research , Australia
8.
Int J Lang Commun Disord ; 59(2): 648-664, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37189286

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) frequently experience cognitive, emotional, physical and communication deficits that require long-term rehabilitation and community support. Although access to rehabilitation services is linked to positive outcomes, there can be barriers to accessing community rehabilitation related to system navigation, referral processes, funding, resource allocation and communications required to ensure access. AIMS: This study aimed to identify barriers to accessing insurer funding for rehabilitation and healthcare services, for adults with TBI injured in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). METHODS: We used a co-design approach to collaborate with persons with lived experience to design a survey of adults who sustained a TBI in an MVC. The survey examined access to insurer funding for rehabilitation services and was disseminated through brain injury networks in Ontario, Canada. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 148) identified multiple barriers to accessing rehabilitation services through insurer funding, including delays of more than 2 years (49%), mandatory duplicative assessments (64%) and invasion of privacy (55%). Speech-language therapy and neuropsychological services were denied most frequently. Negative experiences included insurers' poor understanding of TBI symptoms, denials of services despite medical evidence demonstrating need and unsupportive insurer interactions. Although 70% of respondents reported cognitive-communication difficulties, accommodations were rarely provided. Respondents identified supports that would improve insurer and healthcare communications and rehabilitation access. CONCLUSION & IMPLICATIONS: The insurance claims process had many barriers for adults with TBI, limiting their access to rehabilitation services. Barriers were exacerbated by communication deficits. These findings indicate a role for Speech-language therapists in education, advocacy and communication supports during the insurance process specifically as well as rehabilitation access processes in general. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject There is extensive documentation of the long-term rehabilitation needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their challenges in accessing rehabilitation services over the long term. It is also well known that many individuals with TBI have cognitive and communication deficits that affect their interactions in the community, including with healthcare providers, and that SLTs can train communication partners to provide communication supports to individuals with TBI in these communication contexts. What this study adds This study adds important information about barriers to accessing rehabilitation, including barriers to accessing SLT services in the community. We asked individuals with TBI about challenges to accessing auto insurance funding for private community services, and their responses illustrate the broader challenges individuals with TBI face in communicating their deficits, conveying service needs, educating and convincing service administrators and self-advocating. The results also highlight the critical role that communication plays in healthcare access interactions, from completing forms to reviewing reports and funding decisions, to managing telephone calls, writing emails and explaining to assessors. What are the clinical implications of this work? This study shows the lived experience of individuals with TBI in overcoming barriers to accessing community rehabilitation. The results show that best practices in intervention should include evaluating rehabilitation access, which is a critical step in patient-centred care. Evaluation of rehabilitation access includes evaluating referral and navigation, resource allocation and healthcare communications, and ensuring accountability at each step, regardless of model of service delivery or funding source. Finally, these findings show the critical role of speech-language therapists in educating, advocating and supporting communications with funding sources, administrators and other healthcare providers.


Subject(s)
Brain Injuries, Traumatic , Brain Injuries , Adult , Humans , Brain Injuries, Traumatic/complications , Brain Injuries, Traumatic/rehabilitation , Speech Therapy/methods , Brain Injuries/rehabilitation , Communication , Cognition
9.
BMC Prim Care ; 24(1): 126, 2023 06 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37340362

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The creation of Family Health Teams in Ontario was intended to reconfigure primary care services to better meet the needs of an aging population, an increasing proportion of which is affected by frailty and multimorbidity. However, evaluations of family health teams have yielded mixed results. METHODS: We conducted interviews with 22 health professionals affiliated or working with a well-established family health team in Southwest Ontario to understand how it approached the development of interprofessional chronic disease management programs, including successes and areas for improvement. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis of the transcripts identified two primary themes: [1] Interprofessional team building and [2] Inadvertent creation of silos. Within the first theme, two subthemes were identified: (a) collegial learning and (b) informal and electronic communication. CONCLUSION: Emphasis on collegiality among professionals, rather than on more traditional hierarchical relationships and common workspaces, created opportunities for better informal communication and shared learning and hence better care for patients. However, formal communication and process structures are required to optimize the deployment, engagement, and professional development of clinical resources to better support chronic disease management and to avoid internal care fragmentation for more complex patients with clustered chronic conditions.


Subject(s)
Family Health , Patient Care Team , Humans , Aged , Ontario , Chronic Disease , Disease Management
12.
Aust Crit Care ; 36(5): 872-888, 2023 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36371292

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Providing bereavement support and care to families is an aspect of critical care nursing practice that can be rewarding, yet emotionally and psychologically challenging. Whilst significant research has focused on end-of-life care in critical care, less is known about nurses' experiences after patient death. AIM: The aim of this study was to synthesise research evidence on the experience of registered nurses after patient death in adult critical care. DESIGN: A structured integrative review of the empirical literature was undertaken. A combination of keywords, synonyms, and Medical Subject Headings were used across the Cumulative Index Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Complete, Ovid Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, and Emcare databases. Records were independently assessed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. A process of forward and backward chaining was used to identify additional papers. All papers were assessed for quality. Narrative synthesis was used to analyse and present the findings. RESULTS: From the 4643 records eligible for screening, 36 papers reporting 35 studies were included in this review, representing the voices of 1687 nurses from more than 20 countries. Narrative synthesis revealed three themes: (i) postmortem care, which encompassed demonstrating respect and dignity for the deceased, preparation of the deceased, and the concurrent death rituals performed by nurses; (ii) critical care nurses' support of bereaved families, including families of potential organ donors and the system pressures that impeded family support; and (iii) nurses' emotional response to patient death including coping mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst a focus on the provision of high-quality end-of-life care should always remain a priority in critical care nursing, recognising the importance of after-death care for the patient, family and self is equally important. Acknowledging their experience, access to formal education and experiential learning and formal and informal supports to aid self-care are imperative.


Subject(s)
Critical Care Nursing , Nurses , Terminal Care , Humans , Adult , Critical Care , Adaptation, Psychological
13.
Intensive Crit Care Nurs ; 73: 103303, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35931595

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients and their family members have diverse needs at the end of life, influenced by culture. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether clinicians (doctors and nurses), provided culturally sensitive care for family members of patients from culturally diverse backgrounds who died in an intensive care unit. METHODS: A retrospective medical record audit was undertaken in four metropolitan intensive care units in Melbourne, Australia. Quantitative data are reported using descriptive statistics. Qualitative progress note entries are presented using themes. RESULTS: In all, 430 patients died in 2018 and were included in the audit. Almost half of patients (47.9%, n = 206) were born in Australia, with the remaining 52.1% (n = 224) representing 41 other countries of birth. Languages other than English were spoken by 14.9% (n = 64) of patients. Christian religions were most common (50.2%, n = 216), followed by Buddhism 3.0% (n = 13), and Hindu and Islam respectively (1.9%, n = 8). A cultural assessment was undertaken in 10.5% (n = 45) of cases, mostly by social workers, to ascertain family members' wishes and preferences for the dying patient's end-of-life care. Religious leaders (eg. priests) (25.1%, n = 108) and interpreters (4.9%, n = 21) contributed to ensuring family members could participate as desired, in accordance with cultural wishes and preferences. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the culturally-diverse patient population, findings show that details about culturally sensitive end-of-life care are rarely documented. Comprehensive documentation is required of how clinicians assess patient and family member cultural wishes and preferences, in conjunction with how clinicians attempt to address these cultural needs.


Subject(s)
Culturally Competent Care , Terminal Care , Critical Care , Death , Family , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Retrospective Studies
14.
Mol Oral Microbiol ; 37(4): 133-153, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35674142

ABSTRACT

The objective of this review was to assess the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in the oral cavity and identify mobile genetic elements (MGEs) important in disseminating them. Additionally, to assess if age, geographic location, oral site, bacterial strains and oral disease influence the prevalence of these genes. Three electronic databases (Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library) were used to search the literature. Journals and the grey literature were also hand searched. English language studies from January 2000 to November 2020 were selected. Primary screening was performed on the titles and abstracts of 1509 articles generated. One hundred and forty-seven full texts were obtained to conduct the second screening with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Forty-four final articles agreed with the inclusion criteria. Half of the studies were classed as low quality. tet(M) was the most prevalent gene overall and the conjugative transposon Tn916 the most common MGE associated with antibiotic resistance genes in the oral cavity. In babies delivered vaginally, tet(M) was more prevalent, whilst tet(Q) was more prevalent in those delivered by C-section. Generally, countries with higher consumption of antibiotics had higher numbers of antibiotic resistance genes. Agricultural as well as medical use of antibiotics in a country should always be considered. Between healthy, periodontitis and peri-implantitis subjects, there was no difference in the prevalence of tet(M); however, erm(B), tet(M) and tet(O) were higher in carious active children than the non-carious group. Subjects with poor oral hygiene have more pathogenic bacteria that carry resistance genes compared to those with good oral hygiene. Enterococcus faecalis isolates demonstrated significant tetracycline resistance (tet(M) up to 60% prevalence in samples) and erythromycin resistance (erm(B) up to 61.9% prevalence in samples), periodontal pathogens showed significant beta-lactam resistance with blaZ and cfxA present in up to 90%-97% of samples and the normal oral flora had a high level of erythromycin resistance with mef(A/E) present in 65% of Streptococcus salivarius isolates. The most common resistance gene was tet(M) in root canals, cfxA in subgingival plaque, erm(B) in supragingival plaque and tet(W) in 100% of whole saliva samples. The review highlights that although many studies in this area have been performed, 50% were classed as low quality. We advise the following recommendations to allow firm conclusions to be drawn from future work: the use of large sample sizes, investigate a broad range of antibiotic resistance genes, improved methodologies and reporting to improve the quality of genetic testing in microbiology and randomisation of subject selection.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacteria/genetics , Child , Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics , Erythromycin , Humans , Interspersed Repetitive Sequences/genetics , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Mouth , Prevalence
15.
Syst Rev ; 11(1): 52, 2022 03 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35321731

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although simulation-based education (SBE) has become increasingly popular as a mode of teaching in undergraduate nursing courses, its effect on associated student learning outcomes remains ambiguous. Educational outcomes are influenced by SBE quality that is governed by technology, training, resources and SBE design elements. This paper reports the protocol for a systematic review to identify, appraise and synthesise the best available evidence regarding the impact of SBE on undergraduate nurses' learning outcomes. METHODS: Databases to be searched from 1 January 1990 include the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), American Psychological Association (APA) PsycInfo and the Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC) via the EBSCO host platform. The Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE) will be searched via the OVID platform. We will review the reference lists of relevant articles for additional citations. A combination of search terms including 'nursing students', 'simulation training, 'patient simulation' and 'immersive simulation' with common Boolean operators will be used. Specific search terms will be combined with either MeSH or Emtree terms and appropriate permutations for each database. Search findings will be imported into the reference management software (Endnote© Version.X9) then uploaded into Covidence where two reviewers will independently screen the titles, abstracts and retrieved full text. A third reviewer will be available to resolve conflicts and moderate consensus discussions. Quantitative primary research studies evaluating the effect of SBE on undergraduate nursing students' educational outcomes will be included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) will be used for the quality assessment of the core criteria, in addition to the Cochrane RoB 2 and ROBINS-I to assess the risk of bias for randomised and non-randomised studies, respectively. Primary outcomes are any measure of knowledge, skills or attitude. DISCUSSION: SBE has been widely adopted by healthcare disciplines in tertiary teaching settings. This systematic review will reveal (i) the effect of SBE on learning outcomes, (ii) SBE element variability and (iii) interplay between SBE elements and learning outcome. Findings will specify SBE design elements to inform the design and implementation of future strategies for simulation-based undergraduate nursing education. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021244530.


Subject(s)
Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Students, Nursing , Educational Status , Humans , Learning , Patient Simulation , Systematic Reviews as Topic
16.
Eur J Cancer ; 162: 221-236, 2022 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34980502

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare cancer of the sinonasal region. We provide a comprehensive analysis of this malignancy with molecular and clinical trial data on a subset of our cohort to report on the potential efficacy of somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2)-targeting imaging and therapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 404 primary, locally recurrent, and metastatic olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) patients from 12 institutions in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Europe. Clinicopathological characteristics and treatment approach were evaluated. SSTR2 expression, SSTR2-targeted imaging and the efficacy of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy [PRRT](177Lu-DOTATATE) were reported in a subset of our cohort (LUTHREE trial; NCT03454763). RESULTS: Dural infiltration at presentation was a significant predictor of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in primary cases (n = 278). Kadish-Morita staging and Dulguerov T-stage both had limitations regarding their prognostic value. Multivariable survival analysis demonstrated improved outcomes with lower stage and receipt of adjuvant radiotherapy. Prophylactic neck irradiation significantly reduces the rate of nodal recurrence. 82.4% of the cohort were positive for SSTR2; treatment of three metastatic cases with SSTR2-targeted peptide-radionuclide receptor therapy (PRRT) in the LUTHREE trial was well-tolerated and resulted in stable disease (SD). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents pertinent clinical data from the largest dataset, to date, on ONB. We identify key prognostic markers and integrate these into an updated staging system, highlight the importance of adjuvant radiotherapy across all disease stages, the utility of prophylactic neck irradiation and the potential efficacy of targeting SSTR2 to manage disease.


Subject(s)
Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory , Neuroblastoma , Nose Neoplasms , Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory/pathology , Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory/therapy , Humans , Nasal Cavity/metabolism , Nasal Cavity/pathology , Neuroblastoma/pathology , Nose Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Positron-Emission Tomography , Radioisotopes , Radionuclide Imaging , Receptors, Somatostatin/metabolism , Retrospective Studies
17.
Aust Crit Care ; 35(4): 480-487, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34384650

ABSTRACT

Patient death in critical care is not uncommon. Rather, the provision of end-of-life care is a core feature of critical care nursing, yet not all nurses feel adequately prepared for their role in the provision of end-of-life care. For this reason, the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) supported the development of a Position Statement to provide nurses with clear practice recommendations to guide the provision of end-of-life care, which reflect the most relevant evidence and information associated with end-of-life care for adult patients in Australian critical care settings. A systematic literature search was conducted between June and July, 2020 in CINAHL Complete, Medline, and EMBASE databases to locate research evidence related to key elements of end-of-life care in critical care. Preference was given to the most recent Australian or Australasian research evidence, where available. Once the practice recommendations were drafted in accordance with the research evidence, a clinical expert review panel was established. The panel comprised clinically active ACCCN members with at least 12 months of clinical experience. The clinical expert review panel participated in an eDelphi process to provide face validity for practice recommendations and a subsequent online meeting to suggest additional refinements and ensure the final practice recommendations were meaningful and practical for critical care nursing practice in Australia. ACCCN Board members also provided independent review of the Position Statement. This Position Statement is intended to provide practical guidance to critical care nurses in the provision of adult end-of-life care in Australian critical care settings.


Subject(s)
Critical Care Nursing , Terminal Care , Adult , Australia , Critical Care , Humans
18.
Dysphagia ; 37(3): 578-590, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33954811

ABSTRACT

Children with dysphagia, or swallowing disorder, are at an increased risk for developing respiratory compromise, failure to thrive, and aversion. Thickened liquids can be recommended for children with dysphagia, if shown to be effective on instrumental examination and if strategies/interventions with thin liquids are not successful. Thickened liquids have many benefits, including creating a more cohesive bolus, slowing oropharyngeal transit time, and reducing aspiration. However, preparing thickened liquids with commercially available thickeners can result in poor compliance due to concerns regarding taste, texture, accessibility, cost, thickness variability, and potential negative impact of these substances on a child's immature digestive tract. The purpose of this study was to determine if liquids could be successfully thickened with widely available, commercial pureed foods, and to assess how these mixtures compare to starch and gum based thickening agents. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) flow test was performed for each sample of puree thickened liquids, gum based thickened water, and cornstarch based thickened water. In addition, rheology testing was performed on each category of the samples to measure viscosity at various shear rates and temperatures, and to assess the presence of yield stress. Results revealed that liquids thickened with smooth textured purees were comparable to commercial starch and gum based thickeners, and may be offered as a viable alternative.


Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders , Beverages/analysis , Child , Deglutition , Humans , Rheology/methods , Starch , Viscosity , Water
19.
Dysphagia ; 37(5): 1333-1336, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34705083

ABSTRACT

Lateral medullary syndrome/Wallenberg syndrome is a stroke in the lateral medulla with symptoms often including dysphagia and dysphonia. In adults, this stroke is the most common brainstem stroke, but it is rare in the pediatric population. Insults to the medulla can involve the "swallowing centers," the nucleus ambiguus and nucleus tractus solitarius, and the cranial nerves involved in swallowing, namely IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus). These individuals can develop severe dysphagia with an inability to trigger a swallow due to pharyngeal weakness and impaired mechanical opening of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) which can result in aspiration. We present a 7-year-old male with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (velocardiofacial syndrome) and velopharyngeal insufficiency who underwent pharyngeal flap surgery at an outside hospital whose post-operative course was complicated by adenovirus, viral myocarditis, and dorsal medullary stroke. He required a tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube. He was discharged from that hospital and readmitted to our hospital 4 months later for increased oxygen requirement, requiring a 5 month admission in the intensive care units. His initial VFSS revealed absent UES opening with the entire bolus remaining in the pyriform sinuses resulting in aspiration. His workup over the course of his admission included multiple videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS), flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), and pharyngeal and esophageal manometry. Intervention included intensive speech therapy, cricopharyngeal Botox® injection, and cricopharyngeal myotomy. Nineteen months after his stroke, he transitioned to oral intake of solids and liquids with adequate movement of the bolus through the pharynx and UES and no aspiration on his VFSS.


Subject(s)
Brain Stem Infarctions , Deglutition Disorders , Lateral Medullary Syndrome , Stroke , Adult , Brain Stem Infarctions/complications , Child , Deglutition/physiology , Deglutition Disorders/diagnosis , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Deglutition Disorders/therapy , Esophageal Sphincter, Upper , Humans , Lateral Medullary Syndrome/complications , Male , Manometry , Stroke/complications
20.
Laryngoscope ; 131(12): 2817-2822, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34228358

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Determine the incidence of short- and long-term dysphagia in pediatric patients with and without syndromes/neurodevelopmental delay following supraglottoplasty (SGP) at our institution. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of children ≤18 years old who underwent SGP from 2014 to 2019 was undertaken. Age at surgery, sex, race, insurance, underlying syndromes/neurodevelopmental delay, concurrent surgical procedures, and clinical swallowing assessments were reviewed. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with postoperative feeding difficulties. Time-to-event analysis was performed to assess time to resolution of dysphagia. RESULTS: A total of 231 patients were identified. Average age at time of SGP was 13.7 months. Of 231 patients, 88 (38.1%) had a syndrome/neurodevelopmental delay. Of these 231 patients, 112 had a preoperative videofluoroscopic swallow study or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, of whom 53/112 (47.3%) had dysphagia. After SGP, 138/231 (59.7%) underwent clinical/instrumental swallowing assessments, of whom 95/138 (68.8%) had immediate postsurgical dysphagia. At last follow-up (1 month to 45 months), 15/95 (15.8%) had persistent dysphagia on instrumental assessment, 14/15 of whom had syndromes/neurodevelopmental delay. Time-to-event analysis revealed that for the nonsyndromic cohort, 25% had resolution of dysphagia by 4 months, 50% by 10 months, and 75% by 14 months. Cox proportional hazards regression revealed that the presence of underlying syndromes/neurodevelopmental delay was the only factor predictive of long-term postoperative dysphagia (hazard ratio of resolution 0.21 [95% confidence interval 0.096-0.48]). CONCLUSIONS: While short-term feeding difficulties following SGP in pediatric patients are not uncommon, long-term dysphagia is rare in patients without syndromes/neurodevelopmental delay. These data can be used when counseling caregivers about the risks and benefits of SGP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2817-2822, 2021.


Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders/epidemiology , Glottis/surgery , Laryngomalacia/surgery , Laryngoplasty/adverse effects , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Female , Glottis/abnormalities , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Laryngoplasty/methods , Male , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...