Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Renal Replacement Modalities on Amikacin Population Pharmacokinetics in Critically Ill Patients on Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to describe amikacin pharmacokinetics (PK) in critically ill patients receiving equal doses (30 ml/kg of body weight/h) of continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Patients receiving amikacin and undergoing CVVH or CVVHDF were eligible. Population pharmacokinetic analysis and Monte Carlo simulation were undertaken using the Pmetrics software package for R. Sixteen patients (9 undergoing CVVH, 11 undergoing CVVHDF) and 20 sampling intervals were analyzed. A two-compartment linear model best described the data. Patient weight was the only covariate that was associated with drug clearance. The mean ± standard deviation parameter estimates were 25.2 ± 17.3 liters for the central volume, 0.89 ± 1.17 h−1 for the rate constant for the drug distribution from the central to the peripheral compartment, 2.38 ± 6.60 h−1 for the rate constant for the drug distribution from the peripheral to the central compartment, 4.45 ± 2.35 liters/h for hemodiafiltration clearance, and 4.69 ± 2.42 liters/h for hemofiltration clearance. Dosing simulations for amikacin supported the use of high dosing regimens (≥25 mg/kg) and extended intervals (36 to 48 h) for most patients when considering PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) targets of a maximum concentration in plasma (Cmax)/MIC ratio of ≥8 and a minimal concentration of ≤2.5 mg/liter at the end of the dosing interval. The mean clearance of amikacin was 1.8 ± 1.3 liters/h by CVVHDF and 1.3 ± 1 liters/h by CVVH. On the basis of simulations, a strategy of an extended-interval high loading dose of amikacin (25 mg/kg every 48 h) associated with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) should be the preferred approach for aminoglycoside treatment in critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). (This study is a substudy of a trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under number NCT01403220.)
Towards a Framework for Health Information Systems Evaluation

The evaluation of Health Information Systems (HIS) is crucial to ensure their effective implementation and positive impact on healthcare delivery. A review of HIS evaluation studies was carried out which indicated that the improvement of current methods is required. In order to satisfy this requirement, a new framework is introduced for the evaluation of Information Systems (IS) in healthcare settings. The proposed HOT-fit framework (Human, Organization and Technology-fit) was developed after having critically appraised the existing findings of HIS evaluation studies. It also builds on previous models of IS evaluation, in particular, the IS Success Model and the IT-Organization Fit Model. HOT-fit incorporates the concept of fit between technology, human and organization. The paper outlined the proposed methodology of a Fundus Imaging Systems in a primary care in the UK. The framework can be potentially used as a tool to conduct better and comprehensive HIS evaluation.
Understanding the Factors Influencing the Value of Person-to-Person Knowledge Sharing

It is generally accepted that knowledge sharing is a difficult task for organizations. Many reasons for this difficulty have been proposed. In this paper, we offer another. Specifically, we build on Zander and Kogut’s work [29] and examine the relationship between knowledge dimensions and knowledge sharing. Departing from their study, we focus on person-to-person, rather than organization-to-organization, knowledge sharing. We surveyed 68 employees of a Workman’s Compensation Board in Canada. To analyze the data, we employed Hierarchical Linear Modeling. The results demonstrate that complexity and teachability increased person-to-person knowledge sharing but observability did not. Contrary to expectations, the availability of codified knowledge in a knowledge management system (KMS) had no impact on person-to-person knowledge transfer; individuals were as likely to share knowledge person-to-person regardless of whether there was a KMS available that contained appropriate knowledge.
Pharmacotherapy for Altitude-Related Illness

Altitude-related illness is a frequent cause of morbidity and occasional mortality among recreational sports travelers in the United States and throughout the world. High-altitude illness describes the cerebral and pulmonary syndromes (acute mountain sickness, high-altitude cerebral edema, and high-altitude pulmonary edema) that can occur in unacclimatized persons ascending too rapidly to high altitude. The pathogenesis of these syndromes is primarily hypobaric hypoxia that causes compensatory changes in the brain and lungs, resulting in hyperperfusion of microvascular beds, increased capillary pressure, and a microvascular leak with resulting edema and a characteristic constellation of symptoms. Prevention and treatment involve education about rate of ascent; diet; alcohol intake; physical activity; oxygen; hyperbaric chambers; and pharmacotherapy, including acetazolamide, dexamethasone, nifedipine, and salmeterol in selected circumstances.
Varieties of User-Centeredness

This paper critically examines user-centeredness as a multidimensional concept along four aspects: as user focus; as work-centeredness; as user participation; and as system personalization. Each aspect loads user-centeredness with different meanings. It is discussed whether user centered design can be considered an information systems development approach on its own. In its current form, we do not see it as a separate approach, because it is neither horizontally nor vertically complete, and because of the overall confusion regarding its goals, principles and practices. The four dimensions identified can be used for evaluating information systems development methods and approaches to what extent they adhere to the ideals of user-centeredness.
Effective Versus Ineffective Communication Behaviors in Virtual Teams

The critical incident technique was used to interview 18 professional virtual team workers about their experiences with effective and ineffective communication behaviors of virtual team workers. We clustered the 317 behaviors that we found into 11 categories that are critical for the success or failure of a team and/or satisfaction of team members. These categories are discussed, and suggestions are made for future research
Reply to “Are There Reasons To Prefer Tetracyclines to Macrolides in Older Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia?”

I n a recent meta-analysis, Brown et al. investigated the association between antibiotic class and the risk of community-associ-ated Clostridium difﬁcile infection (CDI). The results demon-strated that the risk of CDI in patients treated with macrolides was more than twice that in patients with no antibiotic exposure (odds ratio [OR], 2.65; 95% conﬁdence interval [CI], 1.92 to 3.64), and yet in those patients receiving tetracyclines, no increased risk was observed (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.61 to 1.40) (1). In another recent study on 3,305 patients exposed to ceftriaxone (24% with pneumonia on admission), the incidence of CDI was 1.67 cases per 10,000 patient-days in those receiving doxycycline compared to 8.11 per 10,000 patient-days in those who did not receive doxycycline (2). In the same study, the hazard ratio for development of CDI in a patient receiving a 5-day course of doxycycline plus ceftriaxone compared to a 5-day course of a macrolide plus ceftriaxone was 0.15 (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.77) (2). Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the third-commonest hospital diagnosis among patients aged (cid:1) 65 years and the sixth leading cause of death in developed countries. The mortality rate is 10% to 25% and is particularly high in the elderly population (3). It is esti-mated that, every year, 4 million people in the United States de-velop CAP. Of these, 80% are managed in the outpatient setting, whereas the remaining 20% are admitted to hospitals (4). The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)/American
The risk management of occupational stress

In Europe, occupational stress is considered as a risk-assessable disease. Recent high-profile litigation cases have raised awareness of the risk posed by workplace stress. Whilst legislation provides guidelines for the risk assessment of physical hazards, there remains little guidance for employers concerning occupational stress. This article proposes a risk management methodology that might be used to identify hazards and assess the level of risk associated with those hazards, using well-validated stress audit instruments, for example the Occupational Stress Indicator. It is suggested that a risk management approach is both informative and cost-effective. High risks, which may require more expensive organisational development solutions, can be differentiated and prioritised from lower risks, which may be effectively controlled through stress management or Employee Assistance Programmes.
Plasmid-Mediated 16S rRNA Methylases among Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Isolates

High levels of resistance to aminoglycosides conferred by plasmid-mediated mechanisms of resistance to aminoglycosides corresponding to 16S rRNA methylases have been reported since 2003 ([3][1], [11][2]). To date, six enzymes (ArmA, RmtA, RmtB, RmtC, RmtD, and NpmA) have been described, with ArmA
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Subculture Results in Loss of Potentially Clinically Relevant Heteroresistance

ABSTRACT Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) presents a major public health dilemma. Heteroresistance, the coexistence of drug-resistant and drug-susceptible strains or of multiple drug-resistant strains with discrete haplotypes, may affect accurate diagnosis and the institution of effective treatment. Subculture, or passage of cells onto fresh growth medium, is utilized to preserve Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell lines and is universally employed in TB diagnostics. The impact of such passages, typically performed in the absence of drug, on drug-resistant subpopulations is hypothesized to vary according to the competitive costs of genotypic resistance-associated variants. We applied ultradeep next-generation sequencing to 61 phenotypically rifampin-monoresistant (n = 17) and preextensively (n = 41) and extensively (n = 3) drug-resistant isolates with presumptive heteroresistance at two time points in serial subculture. We found significant dynamic loss of minor-variant resistant subpopulations across all analyzed resistance-determining regions, including eight isolates (13%) whose antibiogram data would have transitioned from resistant to susceptible for at least one drug through subculture. Surprisingly, some resistance-associated variants appeared to be selected for in subculture.
Nitazoxanide Inhibits Biofilm Formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis by Blocking Accumulation on Surfaces

ABSTRACT Coagulase-negative species of Staphylococcus are often associated with opportunistic hospital-acquired infections that arise from the colonization of indwelling catheters. Here we show that the antiparasitic drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) and its active metabolite, tizoxanide (TIZ), are inhibitory to the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and other staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, under aerobic and microaerobic conditions (MICs, 8 to 16 μg/ml). At sub-MIC levels, NTZ and TIZ also inhibited biofilm production under static conditions by strains of S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus with a 50% inhibitory concentration of ∼2.5 μg/ml (8 μM). The 5-nitro group was required for biological activity, and a hydrophilic derivative of NTZ (AMIX) also inhibited biofilm formation. NTZ did not disperse the existing biofilm but did block further accumulation. Sub-MICs of NTZ had no effect on primary attachment to surfaces at either 4 or 37°C. The inhibitory action of NTZ and TIZ, but not vancomycin, on biofilm production could be reversed by the addition of zinc salts (2.5 to 40 μM) but not other metals, suggesting that NTZ might target the zinc-dependent accumulation-associated protein (Aap) that mediates accumulation on surfaces. However, neither NTZ nor TIZ formed chelation complexes with zinc salts, based on spectrophotometric and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses, and addition of excess zinc to NTZ-grown bacteria (apo-Aap) did not restore the accumulation phenotype. Our studies suggest that sub-MIC levels of NTZ may affect the assembly or function of cell structures associated with the biofilm phenotype.
Trifoliate Three-Phase Contactless Power Transformer in Case of Winding-Alignment

This paper proposes a trifoliate three-phase contactless power transformer. This transformer can achieve balanced electrical behavior between three phases at winding alignment. For this transformer, models are presented with accompanying detailed explanations. The models reproduce the electrical behavior more precisely than conventional models. A contactless power transfer system using a prototype of the proposed transformer and the resonant capacitances estimated by the models works effectively and attains good performance levels. In addition, in winding misalignments with slight displacements, the system is able to maintain these high-performance levels.
Desnutrição infantil em indígenas Mbyá-Guarani: estudo etnoepidemiológico

The purpose of this study was to know the infantile malnutrition prevalence in children from zero to five years old, as well as the associated ethnographical aspects in an indigenous population Mbya-Guarani in the south of Brazil. To reach this complex phenomenon the integration of several methods was used: semi-structured interviews with children’s mothers suffering from malnutrition and with the healers, participant observation, social demographic survey, alimentary 24-hour survey and antropometric measurement, through the triangulation process. The nutritional deficit was verified in macronutrients and micronutrients as well as the existence of 38% of malnutrition for height/age index and 7,6% for height/weight index. Despite the data found on malnutrition, this population does not recognize its existence, but the presence of a Guarani disease called “kamby riru jere”. So, the therapeutic carried out by the white people is replaced by xamânicos treatments. This study emphasized the importance of the performed interventions in these people seeking the united construction of health practices which respect the indigenous culture, attaining thus greater effectiveness.
Griffithsin-Modified Electrospun Fibers as a Delivery Scaffold To Prevent HIV Infection

ABSTRACT Despite current prophylactic strategies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain significant contributors to global health challenges, spurring the development of new multipurpose delivery technologies to protect individuals from and treat virus infections. However, there are few methods currently available to prevent and no method to date that cures human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or combinations of STIs. While current oral and topical preexposure prophylaxes have protected against HIV infection, they have primarily relied on antiretrovirals (ARVs) to inhibit infection. Yet continued challenges with ARVs include user adherence to daily treatment regimens and the potential toxicity and antiviral resistance associated with chronic use. The integration of new biological agents may avert some of these adverse effects while also providing new mechanisms to prevent infection. Of the biologic-based antivirals, griffithsin (GRFT) has demonstrated potent inhibition of HIV-1 (and a multitude of other viruses) by adhering to and inactivating HIV-1 immediately upon contact. In parallel with the development of GRFT, electrospun fibers (EFs) have emerged as a promising platform for the delivery of agents active against HIV infection. In the study described here, our goal was to extend the mechanistic diversity of active agents and electrospun fibers by incorporating the biologic GRFT on the EF surface rather than within the EFs to inactivate HIV prior to cellular entry. We fabricated and characterized GRFT-modified EFs (GRFT-EFs) with different surface modification densities of GRFT and demonstrated their safety and efficacy against HIV-1 infection in vitro. We believe that EFs are a unique platform that may be enhanced by incorporation of additional antiviral agents to prevent STIs via multiple mechanisms.
Pseudonymization for improving the Privacy in E-Health Applications

Electronic health records (EHR) promise to improve communication between health care providers, thus leading to better quality of patients' treatment and reduced costs. As highly sensitive patient information provides a promising goal for attackers and is also demanded by insurance companies and employers, there is an increasing social and political pressure regarding the prevention of health data misuse. This paper presents a detailed description of the new system PIPE (pseudonymization of information for privacy in e-health) which differs from existing approaches in its ability to securely integrate primary and secondary usage of health data. Therefore, PIPE provides a solution to shortcomings of existing approaches. Our approach may be used as a basis for implementing secure EHR architectures or as an extension to existing systems.
Smartphones Enabling Mobile Collaboration

Mobilization of the work-force is demanding new mobile and wireless technologies to facilitate contact between the growing number of mobile eWorkers and organizations. Smartphones incorporating mobile e-mail functionality enable instant access to e-mail boxes and company resources without complex synchronization. A study amongst sixteen German companies was conducted to elicit the influence of mobile e-mail on work-processes and communication. The empirical results indicate that mobile e-mail impacts on performance, whereas attitude towards technology influences perceived performance gains. According to our findings smartphones have the potential to improve and accelerate work processes through timely provision of information, enhanced reachability and the simplification of coordination processes. This study treats a present organizational issue related to increasing the productivity of the mobile workforce. The research expands the mobile e-mail literature by assessing the impact of mobile e-mail on performance and highlights the importance of attitude towards IT as an influencing variable.
Prognosis of Bearing Failures Using Hidden Markov Models and the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System

Prognostics and health management (PHM) play a key role in increasing the reliability and safety of systems especially in key sectors (military, aeronautical, aerospace, nuclear, etc.). This paper presents a new methodology which combines data-driven and experience-based approaches for the PHM of roller bearings. The proposed methodology uses time domain features extracted from vibration signals as health indicators. The degradation states in bearings are detected by an unsupervised classification technique called artificial ant clustering. The imminence of the next degradation state in bearings is given by hidden Markov models, and the estimation of the remaining time before the next degradation state is given by the multistep time series prediction and the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system. A set of experimental data collected from bearing failures is used to validate the proposed methodology. Experimental results show that the use of data-driven and experience-based approaches is a suitable strategy to improve the PHM of roller bearings.
Paradoxical Growth of Candida dubliniensis Does Not Preclude In Vivo Response to Echinocandin Therapy

ABSTRACT Candida dubliniensis commonly shows paradoxical or trailing growth effects in vitro in the presence of echinocandins. We tested the in vitro activities of anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin against clinical isolates of C. dubliniensis and evaluated the efficacy of these drugs in two murine models of systemic infection. The three echinocandins were similarly effective in the treatment of experimental disseminated infections with C. dubliniensis strains showing or not showing abnormal growth in vitro.
Exploring the Moderating Effect of Information Inconsistency in a Trust-Based Online Shopping Model

Online shopping is associated with various uncertain issues. In this sense, researchers have found that trust plays an important role in affecting consumers' purchase behavior. As advances of Internet technology, many consumers tend to read online messages about others' shopping experiences before making purchasing decisions. Thus, informational social influence affects in the decision-making process as well. However, few studies have provided in-depth examination of both impacts from trust and informational social influence in online context. In this study, we explore the moderating effect of informational social influence in a trust-based online shopping model. We conduct a laboratory experiment to verify this model, and find that emotional trust mediates relationships between three trusting beliefs (competence, benevolence, and integrity) and purchase intention. Further, information inconsistency, a particular form of informational social influence, is found to strengthen the relationship between emotional trust and purchase intention. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of 1-Hydroxy-2-Alkyl-4(1H)Quinolone Derivatives against Toxoplasma gondii

ABSTRACT 1-Hydroxy-2-dodecyl-4(1H)quinolone (HDQ) was recently identified as a Toxoplasma gondii inhibitor. We describe here two novel 1-hydroxyquinolones, which displayed 50% inhibitory concentrations 10- and 5-fold lower than that of HDQ. In a mouse model of acute toxoplasmosis, these two compounds and HDQ reduced the percentages of infected peritoneal cells and decreased the parasite loads in lungs and livers. Compound B showed a tendency toward lowering parasite loads in brains in a mouse model of toxoplasmic encephalitis.
The PRISMS taxonomy of self-management support: derivation of a novel taxonomy and initial testing of its utility

Background Supporting self-management is a core response of health care systems globally to the increasing prevalence of long-term conditions. Lack of a comprehensive taxonomy (or classification) of self-management support components hinders characterization and, ultimately, understanding of these frequently complex, multi-component interventions. Objective To develop a comprehensive, descriptive taxonomy of self-management support components. Methods Components were derived from the 969 unique randomized controlled trials described in the 102 systematic reviews and 61 implementation trials, examining 14 diverse long-term conditions included in the Practical Reviews in Self-Management Support (PRISMS) project followed by discussion at an expert stakeholder workshop. The utility of the taxonomy was then tested using a self-management support intervention for cancer survivors. Results The PRISMS taxonomy comprises 14 components that might be used to support self-management (e.g. information about condition/management, provision of equipment, social support), when delivered to someone with a long-term condition or their carer. Overarching dimensions are delivery mode; personnel delivering the support; intervention targeting; and intensity, frequency and duration of the intervention. The taxonomy does not consider the effectiveness or otherwise of the different components or the overarching dimensions. Conclusions The PRISMS taxonomy offers a framework to researchers describing self-management support interventions, to reviewers synthesizing evidence and to developers of health services for people with long-term conditions.