Doctors’ perceptions of the impact of upfront point-of-care testing in the emergency department
- Goldstein, Lara Nicole, Wells, Mike, Vincent-Lambert, Craig
- Authors: Goldstein, Lara Nicole , Wells, Mike , Vincent-Lambert, Craig
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290231 , uj:31504 , Citation: Goldstein LN, Wells M, Vincent-Lambert C (2018) Doctors’ perceptions of the impact of upfront point-of-care testing in the emergency department. PLoS ONE 13(12): e0208655. https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208655
- Description: Abstract: Objectives Special investigations (e.g. blood tests, electrocardiograms, x-rays) play an integral role in patient management in the emergency department (ED). Having results immediately available prior to assessing a patient may lead to improved efficiency. This could be instituted by utilizing point-of-care (POC) testing with an alternative ED workflow, but the implementation would be dependent on acceptance by the end-users. The aim of this study was to assess doctors’ perceptions of POC testing in the ED when the normal treatment pathway was modified to use upfront POC tests performed prior to doctor evaluation in an effort to decrease treatment times. Methods A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was performed in the ED where medical patients received either the normal ED workflow pathway or one of the enhanced workflow pathways with POC tests in various combinations prior to doctor evaluation. At the end of the study period, doctors were invited to participate in an anonymous survey to gauge their opinions on the implementation of the early POC testing. Results Overall, the doctors surveyed were very satisfied with use of upfront POC in the ED. One hundred per cent of the 28 doctors surveyed found it helpful to assess patients who already had test results available and would want it to be permanently available. Normalized satisfaction scores were more favorable for combinations of 3 or more tests (0.7–1.0) as opposed to combinations with 2 or less tests (0.3–0.7). There was a preference for combinations that included comprehensive blood results. Conclusion The implementation of workflow changes to assist doctors in the ED can potentially make them more productive. End-user buy-in is essential in order for the change to be successful...
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- Authors: Goldstein, Lara Nicole , Wells, Mike , Vincent-Lambert, Craig
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290231 , uj:31504 , Citation: Goldstein LN, Wells M, Vincent-Lambert C (2018) Doctors’ perceptions of the impact of upfront point-of-care testing in the emergency department. PLoS ONE 13(12): e0208655. https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208655
- Description: Abstract: Objectives Special investigations (e.g. blood tests, electrocardiograms, x-rays) play an integral role in patient management in the emergency department (ED). Having results immediately available prior to assessing a patient may lead to improved efficiency. This could be instituted by utilizing point-of-care (POC) testing with an alternative ED workflow, but the implementation would be dependent on acceptance by the end-users. The aim of this study was to assess doctors’ perceptions of POC testing in the ED when the normal treatment pathway was modified to use upfront POC tests performed prior to doctor evaluation in an effort to decrease treatment times. Methods A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was performed in the ED where medical patients received either the normal ED workflow pathway or one of the enhanced workflow pathways with POC tests in various combinations prior to doctor evaluation. At the end of the study period, doctors were invited to participate in an anonymous survey to gauge their opinions on the implementation of the early POC testing. Results Overall, the doctors surveyed were very satisfied with use of upfront POC in the ED. One hundred per cent of the 28 doctors surveyed found it helpful to assess patients who already had test results available and would want it to be permanently available. Normalized satisfaction scores were more favorable for combinations of 3 or more tests (0.7–1.0) as opposed to combinations with 2 or less tests (0.3–0.7). There was a preference for combinations that included comprehensive blood results. Conclusion The implementation of workflow changes to assist doctors in the ED can potentially make them more productive. End-user buy-in is essential in order for the change to be successful...
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Placental CpG methylation of infants born extremely preterm predicts cognitive impairment later in life
- Tilley, Sloane K., Martin, Elizabeth M., Smeester, Lisa, Joseph, Robert M., Karl C., Kuban, K., Heeren, Tim C., Dammann, Olaf U., O'Shea, T. Michael, Fry, Rebecca C.
- Authors: Tilley, Sloane K. , Martin, Elizabeth M. , Smeester, Lisa , Joseph, Robert M. , Karl C. , Kuban, K. , Heeren, Tim C. , Dammann, Olaf U. , O'Shea, T. Michael , Fry, Rebecca C.
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/289346 , uj:31392 , Citation: Tilley SK, Martin EM, Smeester L, Joseph RM, Kuban KCK, Heeren TC, et al. (2018) Placental CpG methylation of infants born extremely preterm predicts cognitive impairment later in life. PLoS ONE 13(3): e0193271. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0193271
- Description: Abstract: Background The placenta is the central regulator of maternal and fetal interactions. Perturbations of placental structure and function have been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes later in life. Placental CpG methylation represents an epigenetic modification with the potential to impact placental function, fetal development and child health later in life. Study design Genome-wide placental CpG methylation levels were compared between spontaneous versus indicated deliveries from extremely preterm births (EPTBs) (n = 84). The association between the identified differentially methylated CpG sites and neurocognitive outcome at ten years of age was then evaluated. Results Spontaneous EPTB was associated with differential CpG methylation levels in 250 CpG sites (217 unique genes) with the majority displaying hypermethylation. The identified genes are known to play a role in neurodevelopment and are enriched for basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor binding sites. The placental CpG methylation levels for 17 of these sites predicted cognitive function at ten years of age. Conclusion A hypermethylation signature is present in DNA from placentas in infants with spontaneous EPTB. CpG methylation levels of critical neurodevelopment genes in the placenta predicted...
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- Authors: Tilley, Sloane K. , Martin, Elizabeth M. , Smeester, Lisa , Joseph, Robert M. , Karl C. , Kuban, K. , Heeren, Tim C. , Dammann, Olaf U. , O'Shea, T. Michael , Fry, Rebecca C.
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/289346 , uj:31392 , Citation: Tilley SK, Martin EM, Smeester L, Joseph RM, Kuban KCK, Heeren TC, et al. (2018) Placental CpG methylation of infants born extremely preterm predicts cognitive impairment later in life. PLoS ONE 13(3): e0193271. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0193271
- Description: Abstract: Background The placenta is the central regulator of maternal and fetal interactions. Perturbations of placental structure and function have been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes later in life. Placental CpG methylation represents an epigenetic modification with the potential to impact placental function, fetal development and child health later in life. Study design Genome-wide placental CpG methylation levels were compared between spontaneous versus indicated deliveries from extremely preterm births (EPTBs) (n = 84). The association between the identified differentially methylated CpG sites and neurocognitive outcome at ten years of age was then evaluated. Results Spontaneous EPTB was associated with differential CpG methylation levels in 250 CpG sites (217 unique genes) with the majority displaying hypermethylation. The identified genes are known to play a role in neurodevelopment and are enriched for basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor binding sites. The placental CpG methylation levels for 17 of these sites predicted cognitive function at ten years of age. Conclusion A hypermethylation signature is present in DNA from placentas in infants with spontaneous EPTB. CpG methylation levels of critical neurodevelopment genes in the placenta predicted...
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A global trend towards the loss of evolutionarily unique species in mangrove ecosystems
- Daru, Barnabas H., Yessoufou, Kowiyou, Mankga, Ledile T., Davies, T. Jonathan
- Authors: Daru, Barnabas H. , Yessoufou, Kowiyou , Mankga, Ledile T. , Davies, T. Jonathan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mangrove ecology , Threatened species , Biodiversity conservation
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8604
- Description: The mangrove biome stands out as a distinct forest type at the interface between terrestrial, estuarine, and near-shore marine ecosystems. However, mangrove species are increasingly threatened and experiencing range contraction across the globe that requires urgent conservation action. Here, we assess the spatial distribution of mangrove species richness and evolutionary diversity, and evaluate potential predictors of global declines and risk of extinction. We found that human pressure, measured as the number of different uses associated with mangroves, correlated strongly, but negatively, with extinction probability, whereas species ages were the best predictor of global decline, explaining 15% of variation in extinction risk. Although the majority of mangrove species are categorised by the IUCN as Least Concern, our finding that the more threatened species also tend to be those that are more evolutionarily unique is of concern because their extinction would result in a greater loss of phylogenetic diversity. Finally, we identified biogeographic regions that are relatively species-poor but rich in evolutionary history, and suggest these regions deserve greater conservation priority. Our study provides phylogenetic information that is important for developing a unified management plan for mangrove ecosystems worldwide.
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- Authors: Daru, Barnabas H. , Yessoufou, Kowiyou , Mankga, Ledile T. , Davies, T. Jonathan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mangrove ecology , Threatened species , Biodiversity conservation
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8604
- Description: The mangrove biome stands out as a distinct forest type at the interface between terrestrial, estuarine, and near-shore marine ecosystems. However, mangrove species are increasingly threatened and experiencing range contraction across the globe that requires urgent conservation action. Here, we assess the spatial distribution of mangrove species richness and evolutionary diversity, and evaluate potential predictors of global declines and risk of extinction. We found that human pressure, measured as the number of different uses associated with mangroves, correlated strongly, but negatively, with extinction probability, whereas species ages were the best predictor of global decline, explaining 15% of variation in extinction risk. Although the majority of mangrove species are categorised by the IUCN as Least Concern, our finding that the more threatened species also tend to be those that are more evolutionarily unique is of concern because their extinction would result in a greater loss of phylogenetic diversity. Finally, we identified biogeographic regions that are relatively species-poor but rich in evolutionary history, and suggest these regions deserve greater conservation priority. Our study provides phylogenetic information that is important for developing a unified management plan for mangrove ecosystems worldwide.
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Heat and mass transfer in unsteady rotating fluid flow with binary chemical reaction and activation energy
- Awad, Faiz G., Motsa, Sandile, Khumalo, Melusi
- Authors: Awad, Faiz G. , Motsa, Sandile , Khumalo, Melusi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Spectral relaxation method , Arrhenius activation energy , Partial differential equations
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12594
- Description: In this study, the Spectral Relaxation Method (SRM) is used to solve the coupled highly nonlinear system of partial differential equations due to an unsteady flow over a stretching surface in an incompressible rotating viscous fluid in presence of binary chemical reaction and Arrhenius activation energy. The velocity, temperature and concentration distributions as well as the skin-friction, heat and mass transfer coefficients have been obtained and discussed for various physical parametric values. The numerical results obtained by (SRM) are then presented graphically and discussed to highlight the physical implications of the simulations.
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- Authors: Awad, Faiz G. , Motsa, Sandile , Khumalo, Melusi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Spectral relaxation method , Arrhenius activation energy , Partial differential equations
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12594
- Description: In this study, the Spectral Relaxation Method (SRM) is used to solve the coupled highly nonlinear system of partial differential equations due to an unsteady flow over a stretching surface in an incompressible rotating viscous fluid in presence of binary chemical reaction and Arrhenius activation energy. The velocity, temperature and concentration distributions as well as the skin-friction, heat and mass transfer coefficients have been obtained and discussed for various physical parametric values. The numerical results obtained by (SRM) are then presented graphically and discussed to highlight the physical implications of the simulations.
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The first initiative of DNA barcoding of ornamental plants from Egypt and potential applications in horticulture industry
- Elansary, Hosam O., Ashfaq, Muhammad, Ali, Hayssam M., Yessoufou, Kowiyou
- Authors: Elansary, Hosam O. , Ashfaq, Muhammad , Ali, Hayssam M. , Yessoufou, Kowiyou
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Articles
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/241494 , uj:24863 , Citation: O. Elansary H, Ashfaq M, Ali HM, Yessoufou K (2017) The first initiative of DNA barcoding of ornamental plants from Egypt and potential applications in horticulture industry. PLoS ONE 12(2): e0172170. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0172170
- Description: Abstract: DNA barcoding relies on short and standardized gene regions to identify species. The agricultural and horticultural applications of barcoding such as for marketplace regulation and copyright protection remain poorly explored. This study examines the effectiveness of the standard plant barcode markers (matK and rbcL) for the identification of plant species in private and public nurseries in northern Egypt. These two markers were sequenced from 225 specimens of 161 species and 62 plant families of horticultural importance. The sequence recovery was similar for rbcL (96.4%) and matK (84%), but the number of specimens assigned correctly to the respective genera and species was lower for rbcL (75% and 29%) than matK (85% and 40%). The combination of rbcL and matK brought the number of correct generic and species assignments to 83.4% and 40%, respectively. Individually, the efficiency of both markers varied among different plant families; for example, all palm specimens (Arecaceae) were correctly assigned to species while only one individual of Asteraceae was correctly assigned to species. Further, barcodes reliably assigned ornamental horticultural and medicinal plants correctly to genus while they showed a lower or no success in assigning these plants to species and cultivars. For future, we recommend the combination of a complementary barcode (e.g. ITS or trnH-psbA) with rbcL + matK to increase the performance of taxa identification. By aiding species identification of horticultural crops and ornamental palms, the analysis of the barcode regions will have large impact on horticultural industry.
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- Authors: Elansary, Hosam O. , Ashfaq, Muhammad , Ali, Hayssam M. , Yessoufou, Kowiyou
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Articles
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/241494 , uj:24863 , Citation: O. Elansary H, Ashfaq M, Ali HM, Yessoufou K (2017) The first initiative of DNA barcoding of ornamental plants from Egypt and potential applications in horticulture industry. PLoS ONE 12(2): e0172170. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0172170
- Description: Abstract: DNA barcoding relies on short and standardized gene regions to identify species. The agricultural and horticultural applications of barcoding such as for marketplace regulation and copyright protection remain poorly explored. This study examines the effectiveness of the standard plant barcode markers (matK and rbcL) for the identification of plant species in private and public nurseries in northern Egypt. These two markers were sequenced from 225 specimens of 161 species and 62 plant families of horticultural importance. The sequence recovery was similar for rbcL (96.4%) and matK (84%), but the number of specimens assigned correctly to the respective genera and species was lower for rbcL (75% and 29%) than matK (85% and 40%). The combination of rbcL and matK brought the number of correct generic and species assignments to 83.4% and 40%, respectively. Individually, the efficiency of both markers varied among different plant families; for example, all palm specimens (Arecaceae) were correctly assigned to species while only one individual of Asteraceae was correctly assigned to species. Further, barcodes reliably assigned ornamental horticultural and medicinal plants correctly to genus while they showed a lower or no success in assigning these plants to species and cultivars. For future, we recommend the combination of a complementary barcode (e.g. ITS or trnH-psbA) with rbcL + matK to increase the performance of taxa identification. By aiding species identification of horticultural crops and ornamental palms, the analysis of the barcode regions will have large impact on horticultural industry.
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Estimating genetic kin relationships in prehistoric populations
- Monroy Kuhn, Jose Manuel, Jakobsson, Mattias, Gunther, Torsten
- Authors: Monroy Kuhn, Jose Manuel , Jakobsson, Mattias , Gunther, Torsten
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/276552 , uj:29597 , Citation: Monroy Kuhn JM, Jakobsson M, GuÈnther T (2018) Estimating genetic kin relationships in prehistoric populations. PLoS ONE 13(4): e0195491. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0195491
- Description: Abstract: Archaeogenomic research has proven to be a valuable tool to trace migrations of historic and prehistoric individuals and groups, whereas relationships within a group or burial site have not been investigated to a large extent. Knowing the genetic kinship of historic and prehistoric individuals would give important insights into social structures of ancient and historic cultures. Most archaeogenetic research concerning kinship has been restricted to uniparental markers, while studies using genome-wide information were mainly focused on comparisons between populations. Applications which infer the degree of relationship based on modernday DNA information typically require diploid genotype data. Low concentration of endogenous DNA, fragmentation and other post-mortem damage to ancient DNA (aDNA) makes the application of such tools unfeasible for most archaeological samples. To infer family relationships for degraded samples, we developed the software READ (Relationship Estimation from Ancient DNA). We show that our heuristic approach can successfully infer up to second degree relationships with as little as 0.1x shotgun coverage per genome for pairs of individuals. We uncover previously unknown relationships among prehistoric individuals by applying READ to published aDNA data from several human remains excavated from different cultural contexts. In particular, we find a group of five closely related males from the same Corded Ware culture site in modern-day Germany, suggesting patrilocality, which highlights the possibility to uncover social structures of ancient populations by applying READ to genome-wide aDNA data. READ is publicly available from https://bitbucket.org/tguenther/read.
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- Authors: Monroy Kuhn, Jose Manuel , Jakobsson, Mattias , Gunther, Torsten
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/276552 , uj:29597 , Citation: Monroy Kuhn JM, Jakobsson M, GuÈnther T (2018) Estimating genetic kin relationships in prehistoric populations. PLoS ONE 13(4): e0195491. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0195491
- Description: Abstract: Archaeogenomic research has proven to be a valuable tool to trace migrations of historic and prehistoric individuals and groups, whereas relationships within a group or burial site have not been investigated to a large extent. Knowing the genetic kinship of historic and prehistoric individuals would give important insights into social structures of ancient and historic cultures. Most archaeogenetic research concerning kinship has been restricted to uniparental markers, while studies using genome-wide information were mainly focused on comparisons between populations. Applications which infer the degree of relationship based on modernday DNA information typically require diploid genotype data. Low concentration of endogenous DNA, fragmentation and other post-mortem damage to ancient DNA (aDNA) makes the application of such tools unfeasible for most archaeological samples. To infer family relationships for degraded samples, we developed the software READ (Relationship Estimation from Ancient DNA). We show that our heuristic approach can successfully infer up to second degree relationships with as little as 0.1x shotgun coverage per genome for pairs of individuals. We uncover previously unknown relationships among prehistoric individuals by applying READ to published aDNA data from several human remains excavated from different cultural contexts. In particular, we find a group of five closely related males from the same Corded Ware culture site in modern-day Germany, suggesting patrilocality, which highlights the possibility to uncover social structures of ancient populations by applying READ to genome-wide aDNA data. READ is publicly available from https://bitbucket.org/tguenther/read.
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Risk perception and the influence on uptake and use of biomedical prevention interventions for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa : a systematic literature review
- Emily A. Warren,, Paterson, Pauline, Schulz, William S., Lees, Shelley, Eakle, Robyn, Stadler, Jonathan, Larson, Heidi J.
- Authors: Emily A. Warren, , Paterson, Pauline , Schulz, William S. , Lees, Shelley , Eakle, Robyn , Stadler, Jonathan , Larson, Heidi J.
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290025 , uj:31478 , Citation: Warren EA, Paterson P, Schulz WS, Lees S, Eakle R, Stadler J, et al. (2018) Risk perception and the influence on uptake and use of biomedical prevention interventions for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review. PLoS ONE 13 (6): e0198680. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0198680
- Description: Abstract: Background Risk perception has been found to be a crucial factor explaining inconsistent or non-use of HIV prevention interventions. Considerations of risk need to expand beyond risk of infection to also include the personal, social, emotional, and economic risks associated with prevention intervention use. Objectives This systematic review of qualitative peer-reviewed literature from sub-Saharan Africa examines perceptions of risk associated with HIV infection and HIV prevention intervention use. Data sources We searched Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, Africa Wide Info, CINAHL, and Global Health for publications and screened them for relevance. Study eligibility criteria Peer-reviewed qualitative studies published since 2003 were eligible for inclusion if they examined risk perception or uncertainty in the context of a medically regulated intervention. Only studies focusing on adults were included...
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- Authors: Emily A. Warren, , Paterson, Pauline , Schulz, William S. , Lees, Shelley , Eakle, Robyn , Stadler, Jonathan , Larson, Heidi J.
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290025 , uj:31478 , Citation: Warren EA, Paterson P, Schulz WS, Lees S, Eakle R, Stadler J, et al. (2018) Risk perception and the influence on uptake and use of biomedical prevention interventions for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review. PLoS ONE 13 (6): e0198680. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0198680
- Description: Abstract: Background Risk perception has been found to be a crucial factor explaining inconsistent or non-use of HIV prevention interventions. Considerations of risk need to expand beyond risk of infection to also include the personal, social, emotional, and economic risks associated with prevention intervention use. Objectives This systematic review of qualitative peer-reviewed literature from sub-Saharan Africa examines perceptions of risk associated with HIV infection and HIV prevention intervention use. Data sources We searched Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, Africa Wide Info, CINAHL, and Global Health for publications and screened them for relevance. Study eligibility criteria Peer-reviewed qualitative studies published since 2003 were eligible for inclusion if they examined risk perception or uncertainty in the context of a medically regulated intervention. Only studies focusing on adults were included...
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