Is bicarbonate therapy effective in preventing CKD progression?

YES. Long-term sodium bicarbonate therapy slightly slows the loss of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may moderately reduce progression to end-stage renal disease (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, meta-analyses of lower-quality randomized controlled trails [RCTs]). Therapy duration of 1 year or less may not be beneficial (SOR: C, secondary analyses in meta-analyses).

Systematic Review of Smartphone Apps as a mHealth Intervention to Address Substance Abuse in Adolescents and Adults.

BACKGROUND: Substance abuse represents a foremost national concern for adolescents and adults; investigators have implemented a variety of interventions, delivered with both in-person and mobile-based apps' modalities. The electronic techniques could be more effective because they avoid the cost, privacy, and accessibility issues associated with in-person intervention. To address this issue, a systematic review of the scientific evidence relative to the efficacy of app-based interventions delivered by mobile devices (smartphones) to reduce substance abuse in adolescents and adults was carried out. METHODS: To identify relevant studies published from 2005 to 2019, a comprehensive search was conducted. Databases that were searched include CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Keywords and relevant controlled vocabulary terms related to substance abuse and technology were included. Studies were included if they had examined reductions in substance abuse and problem behaviors as a primary outcome with app-based interventions delivered to adolescents and adults. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 21,641 articles, duplicates were removed, and 14,797 citations remained; title/abstract screening yielded 190 full-text articles. One hundred seventy-three were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria, leaving 17 final articles to be analyzed in this review. Use of app-based interventions showed some evidence of effectiveness in reducing substance abuse in the adolescent adult population. CONCLUSION: Most intervention studies analyzed focused on alcohol reduction. Further research is needed on diverse substance abuse utilizing larger sample sizes, longitudinal studies, and theoretical foundations on the practice of delivering interventions using mobile-based apps.

African-American survivors of prostate cancer: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to systematically review the current literature on the post-treatment survivorship experiences of African-American men with prostate cancer by exploring qualitative studies to gain a deep understanding of their survivorship experiences. METHOD: We searched five databases for studies published from 2008 to 2018. We identified ten relevant qualitative studies, conducted a meta-synthesis using Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnography approach, and evaluated their quality appraisal using the validated Critical Appraisal Skills Program. RESULTS: This review generated a total of four main themes and nine subthemes. The Four main themes included coping strategy, psychophysical impact, health system influence, and socioeconomic impact. Spirituality, healthy behaviors, supportive care of spouse/family/friends and non-communicating/reticent were subthemes identified in the coping strategy theme; physical well-being and sexuality and masculinity were subthemes in the psychophysical impact theme; healthcare provider interaction and treatment decision-making were subthemes identified in the health system influence theme, and health insurance status was the subtheme in the socioeconomic impact theme. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal that the experiences of African-American prostate cancer survivors are complex and multidimensional. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This review highlights the need for further studies with African-American prostate cancer survivors, precisely identify their needs and plan a culturally appropriate intervention to meet those needs.

Does inadequate sleep increase obesity risk in children?

Yes, a link has been established but not a cause-effect relationship. Shorter reported sleep duration in childhood is associated with an increased risk of overweight or obesity years later (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, meta-analyses of prospective cohort trials with high heterogeneity). In toddlers, accelerometer documentation of short sleep duration is associated with elevation of body mass index (BMI) at 1-year follow-up (SOR: B, prospective cohort). Adequate sleep is recommended to help prevent excessive weight gain in children (SOR: C, expert opinion).

Extending Our Reach: Integrating Librarians and Library Resources into Canvas.

A team of librarians developed and implemented a plan to create coordinated library access for all students through the Canvas learning management system. Partnering with campus information technology services, librarians developed a specialized role in Canvas. Librarians also used Springshare's LibApps LTI (learning tools interoperability) to integrate research guides in Canvas, using course metadata to map guides to the appropriate subject or course. Evaluation of the impact of adding a Librarian role and mapping research guides to the Canvas LMS is ongoing and indicates these changes have affected the way students are accessing library resources.

Role of Physical Therapists in the Management of Individuals at Risk for or Diagnosed With Venous Thromboembolism: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), in conjunction with the Cardiovascular & Pulmonary and Acute Care sections of APTA, have developed this clinical practice guideline to assist physical therapists in their decision-making process when treating patients at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) or diagnosed with a lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LE DVT). No matter the practice setting, physical therapists work with patients who are at risk for or have a history of VTE. This document will guide physical therapist practice in the prevention of, screening for, and treatment of patients at risk for or diagnosed with LE DVT. Through a systematic review of published studies and a structured appraisal process, key action statements were written to guide the physical therapist. The evidence supporting each action was rated, and the strength of statement was determined. Clinical practice algorithms, based on the key action statements, were developed that can assist with clinical decision making. Physical therapists, along with other members of the health care team, should work to implement these key action statements to decrease the incidence of VTE, improve the diagnosis and acute management of LE DVT, and reduce the long-term complications of LE DVT.

The Lived Experience and Training Needs of Librarians Serving at the Clinical Point-of-Care.

This study examines the emotional experiences and perceptions of librarians embedded into clinical care teams and how those perceptions affect their training and preparation needs. Qualitative research methodologies were applied to textual data drawn from focus groups (n = 21), interviews (n = 2), and an online survey (n = 167), supplemented by quantitative survey data. Phenomenological results show librarians experience strongly affective responses to clinical rounding. Important factors include personal confidence; relationships with team members, patients, and families; and the stressful environment. Analysis of librarians' perceived educational needs indicates that training must address specialized subjects including medical knowledge, clinical culture, and institutional politics.

Evidence-based review of interventions for medically at-risk older drivers.

OBJECTIVE. To conduct an evidence-based review of intervention studies of older drivers with medical conditions. METHOD. We used the American Occupational Therapy Association's classification criteria (Levels I-V, I = highest level of evidence) to identify driving interventions. We classified studies using letters to represent the strength of recommendations: A = strongly recommend the intervention; B = recommend intervention is provided routinely; C = weak evidence that the intervention can improve outcomes; D = recommend not to provide the intervention; I = insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the intervention. RESULTS. For clients with stroke, we recommend a graded simulator intervention (A) and multimodal training in traffic theory knowledge and on-road interventions (B); we make no recommendation for or against Dynavision, Useful Field of View, or visual-perceptual interventions (I). For clients with visual deficits, we recommend educational intervention (A) and bioptic training (B); we make no recommendation for or against prism lenses (I). For clients with dementia, we recommend driving restriction interventions (C) and make no recommendation for or against use of compensatory driving strategies (I). CONCLUSION. Level I studies are needed to identify effective interventions for medically at-risk older drivers.

Librarians as Part of Cross-Disciplinary, Multi-Institutional Team Projects: Experiences from the VIVO Collaboration.

Cross-disciplinary, team-based collaboration is essential for addressing today's complex research questions, and librarians are increasingly entering into such collaborations. This study identifies skills needed as librarians integrate into cross-disciplinary teams, based on the experiences of librarians involved in the development and implementation of VIVO, a research discovery and collaboration platform. Participants discussed the challenges, skills gained, and lessons learned throughout the project. Their responses were analyzed in the light of the science of team science literature, and factors affecting collaboration on the VIVO team were identified. Skills in inclusive thinking, communication, perseverance, adaptability, and leadership were found to be essential.

Using NLM exhibits and events to engage library users and reach the community.

In an effort to reach out to library users and make the library a more relevant, welcoming place, the University of Florida's Health Science Center Library hosted exhibits from the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Traveling Exhibition Program. From 2010 through 2012, the library hosted four NLM exhibits and created event series for each. Through reflection and use of a participant survey, lessons were learned concerning creating relevant programs, marketing events, and forming new partnerships. Each successive exhibit added events and activities to address different audiences. A survey of libraries that have hosted NLM exhibits highlights lessons learned at those institutions.

Smartphone use at a university health science center.

This article describes the results of a survey of library patrons conducted by librarians and information technology specialists at the Health Science Center Libraries at the University of Florida. The purpose of the survey was to learn if and how library patrons were using smartphones to perform their work-related tasks and how patrons felt the library could support smartphone use at the Health Science Center.

Changing the face of reference: adapting biomedical and health information services for the classroom, clinic, and beyond.

This article describes how the reference department at a large academic health sciences library evolved to address the clinical and research information needs of the parent organization without losing its close connections to the classroom and curriculum. Closing the reference desk, moving to on-call and house call models, designing positions such as clinical research librarian and basic biomedical sciences librarian, finding alternative funding to grow the department, providing technology and training to facilitate librarians' work, and developing programming for and taking advice from library clients facilitated efforts to create a relevant presence and solidify the library's place in the university community.