1,721,054 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation: impact of comorbidities on length and costs during hospitalization
No full textA retrospective cohort study was performed, using administrative database of the Local Health Unit Roma-A (LHU RM-A). The included subjects were residing in one of the four districts and were hospitalized for COPD exacerbation in healthcare facilities of the LHU during years 2010-2012
Translation and validation of the Italian version of the incivility in nursing education-revised scale
Full text linkBackground: Incivility in nursing education is present worldwide and impacts all those involved and the teacher-student relationship. The revised Incivility in Nursing Education (INE-R) is a validated and reliable instrument to measure academic incivility, but it is not available in Italian language. The aim of the study was to translate and validate the INE-R tool with an Italian sample. Methods: The INE-R was translated from English into Italian, culturally adapted and piloted for content and linguistic clarity. The questionnaire was administered online to Nursing Faculty (NF) and Nursing Students (NS) of Sapienza University of Rome to assess uncivil behaviors and their frequency of occurrence. The psychometric properties of the Italian version were investigated. Results: 79 Italians participated, of which 63.3 % were NS. Four-factor models provided the best fit for NF and NS scales. The models explained 78.2 % (NF) and 73.2 % (NS) of the variance of the scales. The Root Mean Square Error of Approximation for both models was 0.07, indicating an acceptable fit. INE-R reliability for all 48 NF and NS incivility items was 0.962 and 0.954, respectively. Measuring the degree of incivility and establishing codes of conduct were recommended. Conclusions: Incivility in nursing education negatively impacts the teaching-learning environment and could cause emotional or physical distress for those involved. Zero-tolerance policy regarding incivility, routine evaluation, and raising awareness among students and faculty could improve the quality of academic settings. The Italian INE-R is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to evaluate incivility in Italian nursing programs
Cost-effectiveness of RAS testing in colorectal cancer. A systematic review of economic evaluations
No full textBackground:
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors have shown benefit in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), particularly when combined with predictive biomarkers of response. The most important is RAS mutational status: international guidelines recommend to reserve anti-EGFR treatment only to RAS wild-type tumors, as they are likely to benefit from it. We aimed to review the cost-effectiveness of RAS testing in selecting mCRC patients for anti-EGFR treatment.
Methods:
We performed a systematic review of full economic evaluations comparing testing for RAS mutational status in mCRC patients prior to anti-EGFR treatment with no-testing. We searched Medline, the Health Technology Assessment Database, the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science for English papers published since 2000. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies scale.
Results:
We included 7 economic evaluations (2 cost-effectiveness analyses; 3 cost-utility analyses; 2 cost-effectiveness and cost utility analyses) conducted between 2000 and 2017 in various Countries (Switzerland; Germany; USA; Canada; Japan; China). All studies showed good quality and adopted the perspective of the healthcare system/payer, thus only direct medical costs were analyzed. All studies except one presented at least one strategy with a favorable ICER for RAS testing prior to anti-EGFR therapy.
Conclusions:
Even if testing for RAS mutational status prior to anti-EGFR therapy increases costs, still it is a cost-effective strategy compared to anti-EGFR therapy without testing. Nevertheless, existing economic evaluations showed some limitations that should be addressed with future research, such as the impact of anti-EGFR toxicity and the introduction of comprehensive molecular profiling. The treatment of mCRC is shifting to a more personalized approach which is essential for avoiding unnecessary toxicity and costs
The provision of genetic testing and related services in Quebec, Canada
Full text linkBackground: Research in the field of genomics and genetics has evolved in recent years and so has the demand of consumers who are increasingly interested in genomic prediction of diseases and various traits. The aim of this study is to identify genetic service delivery models, policies governing the use of genomics medicine, and measures to evaluate genetic services in the province of Quebec, Canada. Methods: An ad hoc questionnaire was designed and administered online in 2017 to healthcare workers with good knowledge or experience in the provision of BReast CAncer genes 1 and 2 (BRCA1/2), Lynch syndrome, familial hypercholesterolemia, inherited thrombophilia genetic tests, engaged in policy planning or evaluation of genetic services. A quali-quantitative analysis of the survey results was performed. Results: Thirty professionals participated in the study. The delivery models are classified in five categories according to the leading role of healthcare professionals in patient care pathways: i) the geneticist model; ii) the primary care model; iii) the medical specialist model; iv) the population screening program model; and v) the direct-to-consumer model. Barriers to genetic services are the coverage of genetic tests by the publicly funded healthcare system, the availability of qualified personnel, and the number of genetic centers. Regulatory oversight concerning the provision of genetic services appears to be insufficient. Conclusions: Integration between genetics and the overall healthcare system in Quebec is in an early phase. Current models of genetic services require good level of genetic knowledge by all medical specialists, collaboration among different healthcare personnel, and work redistribution. The proper implementation of genomics into healthcare can be achieved through education and training, proper regulatory oversight, genomic policies, and public awareness
Cost-effectiveness of RAS genetic testing strategies in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. A systematic review
Full text linkBackground: Monoclonal antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have proved beneficial for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), particularly when combined with predictive biomarkers of response. International guidelines recommend anti-EGFR therapy only for RAS (NRAS, KRAS) wild-type tumors because tumors with RAS mutations are unlikely to benefit. Objectives: We aimed to review the cost-effectiveness of RAS testing in mCRC patients before anti-EGFR therapy and to assess how well economic evaluations adhere to guidelines. Methods: A systematic review of full economic evaluations comparing RAS testing with no testing was performed for articles published in English between 2000 and 2018. Study quality was assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies scale, and the British Medical Journal and the Philips checklists. Results: Six economic evaluations (2 cost-effectiveness analyses, 2 cost-utility analyses, and 2 combined cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses) were included. All studies were of good quality and adopted the perspective of the healthcare system/payer; accordingly, only direct medical costs were considered. Four studies presented testing strategies with a favorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratio under the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (£20 000-£30 000/QALY) and the US (100 000/QALY) thresholds. Conclusions: Testing mCRC patients for RAS status and administering EGFR inhibitors only to patients with RAS wild-type tumors is a more cost-effective strategy than treating all patients without testing. The treatment of mCRC is becoming more personalized, which is essential to avoid inappropriate therapy and unnecessarily high healthcare costs. Future economic assessments should take into account other parameters that reflect the real world (eg, NRAS mutation analysis, toxicity of biological agents, genetic test sensitivity and specificity)
Prevalence of COVID-19-related symptoms by age group
No full textBackground: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has caused over 95 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 2 million deaths worldwide. According to current literature data, older adults have higher risk of severe disease and mortality due to COVID-19. It is also known that older adults often do not present typical symptoms of diseases. The aim of the study was to assess if the prevalence of typical COVID-19-related symptoms varies by age group. Methods: Medical charts of a random sample of COVID-19 patients dying in-hospital were retrieved through an integrated national surveillance system and reviewed by a group of researchers at the Italian National Institute of Health. Detailed information on COVID-19-related symptoms were extracted and analyzed. Results: 3241 confirmed cases of COVID-19-related deaths were identified from 4391 reviewed medical charts. The mean number of COVID-19-related symptoms progressively declined with age, from 2.1 in patients aged < 60 years to 1.7 in those aged 90 years or older (p < 0.001). Moreover, fever, cough, and diarrhea significantly declined with increasing age. Conclusions: Older adults have atypical presentation of symptoms and may be paucisymptomatic. This may lead to a diagnostic and therapeutic delay which aggravates the prognosis of COVID-19. Special attention should be posed when assessing individuals aged 65 years and older with suspected COVID-19
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Current genetic service delivery models for the provision of genetic testing in Europe. A systematic review of the literature
Full text linkBackground: The provision of genetic services, along with research in the fields of genomics and genetics, has evolved in recent years to meet the increasing demand of consumers interested in prediction of genetic diseases and various inherited traits. The aim of this study is to evaluate genetic services in order to identify and classify delivery models for the provision of genetic testing in European and in extra-European countries. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using five electronic resources. Inclusion criteria were that studies be published in English or Italian during the period 2000-2015 and carried out in European or extra-European countries (Canada, USA, Australia, or New Zealand). Results: 148 genetic programs were identified in 117 articles and were delivered mostly in the UK (59, 40%), USA (35, 24%) or Australia (16, 11%). The programs were available nationally (66; 45%), regionally (49; 33%) or in urban areas (21, 14%). Ninety-six (64%) of the programs were integrated into healthcare systems, 48 (32.21%) were pilot programs and five (3%) were direct-to-consumer genetic services. The genetic tests offered were mainly for BRCA1/2 (59, 40%), Lynch syndrome (23, 16%), and newborn screening (18, 12%). Healthcare professionals with different backgrounds are increasingly engaged in the provision of genetic services. Based on which healthcare professionals have prominent roles in the respective patient care pathways, genetic programs were classified into five models: (i) the geneticists model; (ii) the primary care model; (iii) the medical specialist model; (iv) the population screening programs model; and (v) the direct-to-consumer model. Conclusions: New models of genetic service delivery are currently under development worldwide to address the increasing demand for accessible and affordable services. These models require the integration of genetics into all medical specialties, collaboration among different healthcare professionals, and the redistribution of professional roles. An appropriate model for genetic service provision in a specific setting should ideally be defined according to the type of healthcare system, the genetic test provided within a genetic program, and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Only applications with proven efficacy and cost-effectiveness should be implemented in healthcare systems and made available to all citizens
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