Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “scientific data”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Reimbursement of biotherapy: present status, future directions--perspectives of the office-based oncology nurse.

Economic forces are stimulating cost sensitivity and the need for clinical efficiency in medicine. The federal government has led the way with Medicare reform, and cost-containment efforts are evident in all health care payer programs. More and more, the office-based oncology nurse is involved in reimbursement issues as both a colleague and a patient advocate. Creative solutions to the challenges of reimbursement require knowledge of the issues, familiarity with patient-specific therapies, and recognition of unique cost and billing issues. Biologic agents frequently used in office-based oncology practice are easy targets for reimbursement denials because of regulations against their investigational status, "off-label" use, method of administration, and relatively high cost. Such agents include interferon, erythropoietin (EPO), granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF and GM-CSF, respectively), and interleukin-2 (IL-2). Reimbursement decisions are often characterized by inconsistency and uncertainty, and rulings are based not only on law, but also on interpretation. The need for clarification often opens a window for negotiation for the complex reimbursement issues associated with biotherapy. In addition to thoroughly determining cost and accurately assigning appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, office-based oncology nurses can pursue various strategies to help their patients and practices obtain reimbursement of biotherapy. Chief among these is educating third-party payers on the appropriateness and necessity of newer treatment modalities. In individual cases, documentation of the scientific data, clinical outcomes, and cost benefits supporting a treatment decision almost always gains reimbursement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cost Allocation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neurotoxicants: emerging issues and policy options.

Neurotoxicants are increasingly seen as significant public health hazards, the resolution of which is influenced by science as well as economics, politics, and emotions. Three topical issues are presented to illustrate the application or abuse of scientific data in the political arena and to suggest appropriate responsibilities of scientists beyond the generation of data. The examples include regulation of occupation-related neurotoxic exposure, transfer of neurotoxic pollutants among environmental media, and export of neurotoxic hazards to Third World countries. These examples illustrate the variety of ways in which neurotoxicants impinge on policy questions--from international trade, through ecosystem effects, to personal occupational health and safety.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed2005

Causes and prevention of boating fatalities.

The aim of this study was to investigate the causes and prevention of the 333 boating deaths that occurred in Australia over the period 1992-1998. It involved: assessment of the Coroner's findings; review of witness statements, police reports, autopsy findings, search and rescue reports, weather maps and reports; analysis of forensic and scientific data; assessment of photographic evidence; review of other related information. The data were coded according to a recently developed national data standard. It was found that nearly half of the vessels involved had an insufficient number of personal flotation devices for the number of people on board; of all people killed only 9% were wearing them, and survivors were more than two times more likely to have been wearing them. If usage could be increased to 75%, five lives could be saved each year with a cost saving to the Australian community of nearly $8 million. The contribution of alcohol to boating deaths (28% in excess of 0.05g/100ml) was similar to its contribution to road deaths. The sequence of events resulting in a boating death was initiated most often by capsize (36%). Capsize was more likely to involve overloading or improper loading, hazardous wind or sea conditions, and dinghies. Twenty-five percent of the vessels involved in fatalities were dinghies and they were more likely to be overloaded, involve capsize, alcohol, and failure to wear a personal flotation device. Fatalities involving personal watercraft were mainly caused by human factors. Boating causes a significant level of harm to the Australian community measured in terms of mortality. This can be reduced by a concerted effort to address the identified hazards and protective factors.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Humans to Mars: a feasibility and cost-benefit analysis.

Mars is a compelling astrobiological target, and a human mission would provide an opportunity to collect immense amounts of scientific data. Exploration alone, however, cannot justify the increased risk. Instead, three factors drive a human mission: economics, education, and exploration. A human mission has a unique potential to inspire the next generation of young people to enter critically needed science and engineering disciplines. A mission is economically feasible, and the research and development program put in place for a human mission would propel growth in related high-technology industries. The main hurdles are human physiological responses to 1-2 years of radiation and microgravity exposure. However, enabling technologies are sufficiently mature in these areas that they can be developed within a few decade timescale. Hence, the decision of whether or not to undertake a human mission to Mars is a political decision, and thus, educational and economic benefits are the crucial factors.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed2004

The state of the science of health care epidemiology, infection control, and patient safety, 2004.

Being aware and implementing the latest and best scientific evidence in infection control and health care epidemiology is critical to enhancing patient outcomes. In this review, the latest published scientific data in health care epidemiology and patient safety were reviewed for the period May 2003-May 2004. Medline reviews and reviews of infection control and infectious diseases journals were used for this period. The latest guidelines and publications on antimicrobial resistance, nursing or infection control professional staffing, West Nile virus, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are included. Awareness of these and other important infection control publications is essential if the latest measures are to be implemented to prevent and control health care-associated infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

Emergency orthodontic treatment after the traumatic intrusive luxation of maxillary incisors.

Treatment of traumatically intruded teeth is based largely on empirical clinical experience rather than on scientific data. The aim of this qualitative meta-analysis was to provide an evidence base to evaluate the orthodontic repositioning approach. In a MEDLINE search of the literature in English, 14 reported patients involving 22 teeth were found to have been treated by this modality. Additionally, 3 new patients, involving 9 intruded teeth and presented herein, were combined to form a total study sample of 17 subjects (7 girls, 10 boys, aged 8.9 +/- 1.2 years). Orthodontic extrusive forces were applied in the immediate posttrauma period (up to 3 months), with a variety of orthodontic appliances. Repositioning was achieved for 90.3% of the affected teeth but failed in 9.7% because of inflammatory resorption (2 teeth) or a misdiagnosis of root fracture (1 tooth). Early complications included loss of pulp vitality and external root resorption. All intruded teeth with closed root apices lost their vitality regardless of the degree of intrusion, whereas among those with incomplete apices, 45.5% that had been moderately intruded remained vital. External resorption was encountered in 54.8% of the teeth. Loss of marginal bone support was rarely encountered. Late complications included inflammatory root resorption in teeth with closed apices, in which endodontic treatment was not initially performed, and obliteration of the pulp tissue in teeth that remained vital. The results show that this method is superior to other treatment alternatives.

Child↗
PubMed2006

[From the creation to the appreciation of a pedagogic Internet site in anaesthesia and intensive care].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to conceive, create, validate and assess a pedagogic site to teach students. STUDY DESIGN: Survey with questionnaires. METHODS: First, we performed an educational need assessment in that field, conducting a review of legal regulations and international guidelines and a survey of 91 students. Afterwards, we drew up a reference document based on proven scientific data, with selected bibliography and we wrote a list of specific teaching objectives. We then created a pedagogic Web site including illustrated references, documents, a selected bibliography and useful Internet links. These pedagogic Web sites could be associated to well-conducted tutorial sites by qualified senior physicians in an academic process to improve procedural skill teaching. After internal and external validation, this educational Web site was evaluated by students. This evaluation used the questionnaire proposed by "Régie Régionale de la Santé et des Services Sociaux de Montréal" (regional authority control of health and social services of Montreal). Our pedagogic Web site obtained 76 out of 100 and can be considered satisfactory. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that adapted multimedia tools can improve procedural skill teaching in anaesthesia and intensive care.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Hemiplegia and a hiking tour of Mont Blanc: from hope to reality].

INTRODUCTION: At the end of an endurance training program for stroke patients with hemiplegia, we offered a hiking tour around the Mont Blanc Pedestrian Tour. We found no publication describing a similar experience and no scientific data in the literature to determine the physiological characteristics required for this performance, particularly regarding cardiac and vascular capacities, level of impairment, and functional abilities. OBJECTIVE: To complete a part of the Mont Blanc Pedestrian Tour over six days, with a group of adults with hemiparesis and aphasia due to stroke. POPULATION: Seven of 20 subjects with right hemiparesis and aphasia were selected on the basis of results of physiological tests, after an endurance training program and two tests hikes at medium altitude. Mean age was 51.71 +/- 7.13 years, mean VO(2max) 19.76 +/- 3.46 ml.g(-1).mm(-1), mean P(max) 90 +/- 22.68 and mean walking speed 3.60 +/- 1.30 km/hour. ORGANIZATION: Organization involved setting up the itinerary, recruiting accompanying personnel (9 people), and arranging security. No specific adaptations for accessibility were available, and no specific equipment was used, except for standard walking sticks. RESULTS: During this pedestrian tour, the subjects demonstrated strong motivation, as well as exceptional physical and functional performance, despite significant changes in elevation (up to 1500 m per day) and long walking times (from 5 to 9 hours per day). DISCUSSION: This experience has enriched our reflection about the medical, functional, and psychological conditions required for this type of physical effort, both from patients and accompanying personnel. In the absence of reports on similar experiences with this patient population, we thought it interesting, six months after this challenge, to present our observations as well as the patients' point of view. This may encourage other rehabilitation teams to offer intensive walking activities for stroke patients.

Aphasia↗
PubMed2005

[Cord blood banking: public versus private banks--facts to ponder and consider].

Since 1988, allogeneic cord blood transplantations have been used in the hematology and oncology area. Cord blood banks, either public or from non-profit corporations, opened in several countries. They organized themselves into a world-wide network permitting broad and quick graft availability all over the world. Cryopreservation modalities and biological safety were strongly defined according to laboratory good practices. More recently, in the United States, Canada and some European and Asian countries, commercial companies created for-profit cord blood banks. They offer families the possibility of privately storing the cord blood of their children. Then, if a child gets sick and needs a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, it is possible to use the cord blood for an autograft. These companies present this service, relatively expensive for the families, as a true biological insurance. Also, they capitalize on families' hopes that scientific progress will increase cord blood autografts and other stem cell medical applications. In this work, we review available scientific data, ethical considerations and laws that can contribute to an informed reflection.

Blood Banks↗
PubMed2006

Rotating platform knees: an emerging clinical standard: in opposition.

As surgeons, we share the common goals of making total knee arthroplasty as reliable, as reproducible, and as durable as we can. For that reason, we are almost compelled to investigate the rotating platform knee because of the contentions that it might improve patellar tracking, decrease lateral release rates, improve flexion, or perhaps give better wear characteristics over the long term. But when we take a step back and carefully examine the scientific data from 20 years of clinical experience with the rotating platform knee, the data speak for itself. To date, there are no demonstrated clinical advantages in regard to wear, survivorship, kinematics, range of motion, or patellar function. The rotating platform design then is really just another knee design, clinically indistinguishable from many well-functioning, fixed-bearing total knee designs.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
PubMed2005

The use of biomarkers in the elderly: current and future challenges.

Biomarkers are hypothesized but not frequently used in research with the elderly because of a general paucity of supportive scientific data. However, there is an obvious need for greater diagnostic specificity and sensitivity across many diagnoses in the elderly, as well as good targets for therapeutic trials. The authors reviewed the available information in this field as part of a general review of geriatric research for the . Potential biomarkers with pathophysiologic significance have been studied in the field of Alzheimer disease research with some success, especially in the area of genetic markers (apolipoprotein E [APOE] epsilon4 allele), neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid markers (beta-amyloid and tau). While some progress has been made in the search for adequate biomarkers in the elderly, in particular with Alzheimer disease, much more work is needed before these potential biomarkers can be reliably used in clinical practice.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Internet in clinical research based on a pilot experience.

Computing has become an integral part of many disciplines nowadays, turning it into an evermore necessary working tool. Internet provides a fast and easy way to collect scientific data and is becoming a more and more effective and safe way to transmit data. It is also an efficient means for interaction and information sharing within a work group that provides the necessary flexibility. A pilot project was conducted replacing the traditional hardcopy version of the case report form for an electronic one (e-CRF) and with access to Internet within the Naturalistic Randomized Clinical Trial of the Effectiveness of Olanzapine and Risperidone in the Treatment of Schizophrenia. Carrying out this pilot project has given us the opportunity to determine the advantages electronic data collection (EDC) by Internet has to offer both researchers and sponsors. The results have optimized time management, since it is easier to work in real time; data quality is improved, since intermediates are eliminated, and it facilitates communication amongst the different parties involved in the project. The use of this technology requires updated Internet connections and adequate personal computers, since the possibilities offered by the computer system and high-speed connection are critical in conducting the project. Obviously, this may involve a higher initial investment, but the results have revealed to us that these start-up costs are later offset by lowering personnel costs or by decreasing the number of monitoring visits. On the basis of our experience and that of the participating investigators, certain recommendations for future clinical trials using e-CRF can be made. We will go into these recommendations in greater depth throughout this paper. In short, EDC can dramatically improve the clinical trial process, opening the door to new technologies in the world of clinical research, not only for sponsors, but also for clinicians.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Psychosomatic factors in dermatology: special perspectives for application in clinical practice.

The identification of psychosomatic factors in dermatology has always been one of the principal themes in the history of this field and in the personal experience and research of the author. After a brief review of some of the milestones in the area of psychosomatic factors in dermatology, the author presents the criteria dictated by clinical experience, in the absence to date of more precise scientific data, for the individuation of such psychosomatic factors in clinical practice.

Dermatology↗
PubMed2005

The thoughts of breast cancer survivors regarding the need for starting hormone replacement therapy.

UNLABELLED: There is not only a need for scientific data regarding the risk of recurrence of breast cancer by starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but also regarding the patients' needs for HRT. OBJECTIVES: To examine the severity of climacteric complaints in breast cancer patients and to examine if they are willing to take HRT. METHODS: In November 2003, a questionnaire was sent to 469 breast cancer survivors. The survey examined on a scale base the severity of climacteric complaints and the patient's opinion on starting HRT. RESULTS: More than 76% of the patients complained that they experience or had experienced hot flushes or night sweating. More than half (53%) of this group found the inconvenience severe to extreme, affecting the patient's quality of life. A majority (80.5%) patients who had already taken HRT, found that it improved their quality of life substantially. When the results of observational studies were explained regarding HRT in breast cancer survivors, a majority said they would take or would consider taking HRT (57.9%). CONCLUSION: While physicians are more reserved in prescribing HRT in breast cancer survivors, a combination of severe symptomatic climacteric complaints and the willingness of the patient to be treated should at least result in a "consideration" of prescribing HRT.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The FEMA GRAS assessment of cinnamyl derivatives used as flavor ingredients.

This publication is the seventh in a series of safety evaluations performed by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). In 1993, the Panel initiated a comprehensive program to re-evaluate the safety of more than 1700 GRAS flavoring substances under conditions of intended use. Elements that are fundamental to the safety evaluation of flavor ingredients include exposure, structural analogy, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicology. Flavor ingredients are evaluated individually and in the context of the available scientific information on the group of structurally related substances. Scientific data relevant to the safety evaluation of the use of cinnamyl derivatives as flavoring ingredients is evaluated.

Acrolein↗
PubMed2005

Criteria for the safety evaluation of flavoring substances. The Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association.

The current status of the GRAS evaluation program of flavoring substances operated by the Expert Panel of FEMA is discussed. The Panel maintains a rigorous rotating 10-year program of continuous review of scientific data related to the safety evaluation of flavoring substances. The Panel concluded a comprehensive review of the GRAS (GRASa) status of flavors in 1985 and began a second comprehensive review of the same substances and any recently GRAS materials in 1994. This second re-evaluation program of chemical groups of flavor ingredients, recognized as the GRAS reaffirmation (GRASr) program, is scheduled to be completed in 2005. The evaluation criteria used by the Panel during the GRASr program reflects the significant impact of advances in biochemistry, molecular biology and toxicology that have allowed for a more complete understanding of the molecular events associated with toxicity. The interpretation of novel data on the relationship of dose to metabolic fate, formation of protein and DNA adducts, enzyme induction, and the cascade of cellular events leading to toxicity provides a more comprehensive basis upon which to evaluate the safety of the intake of flavor ingredients under conditions of intended use. The interpretation of genotoxicity data is evaluated in the context of other data such as in vivo animal metabolism and lifetime animal feeding studies that are more closely related to actual human experience. Data are not viewed in isolation, but comprise one component that is factored into the Panel's overall safety assessment. The convergence of different methodologies that assess intake of flavoring substances provides a greater degree of confidence in the estimated intake of flavor ingredients. When these intakes are compared to dose levels that in some cases result in related chemical and biological effects and the subsequent toxicity, it is clear that exposure to these substances through flavor use presents no significant human health risk.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The FEMA GRAS assessment of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid, and related acetals and esters used as flavor ingredients.

This publication is the ninth in a series of safety evaluations performed by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). In 1993, the Panel initiated a comprehensive program to re-evaluate the safety of more than 1700 GRAS flavoring substances under conditions of intended use. Elements that are fundamental to the safety evaluation of flavor ingredients include exposure, structural analogy, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicology. Flavor ingredients are evaluated individually and in the context of the available scientific information on the group of structurally related substances. Scientific data relevant to the safety evaluation of the use of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid, and related acetals and esters as flavoring ingredients is evaluated. The group of phenethylalcohol, aldehyde, acid, and related acetals and esters was reaffirmed as GRAS (GRASr) based, in part, on their self-limiting properties as flavoring substances in food, their rapid absorption, metabolic detoxication, and excretion in humans and other animals, their low level of flavor use, the wide margins of safety between the conservative estimates of intake and the no-observed-adverse effect levels determined from subchronic and chronic studies and the lack of significant genotoxic and mutagenic potential. This evidence of safety is supported by the fact that the intake of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid, and related acetals and esters as natural components of traditional foods is greater than their intake as intentionally added flavoring substances.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed2005

The FEMA GRAS assessment of benzyl derivatives used as flavor ingredients.

This publication is the eighth in a series of safety evaluations performed by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). In 1993, the panel initiated a comprehensive program to re-evaluate the safety of more than 1700 GRAS flavoring substances under conditions of intended use. Elements that are fundamental to the safety evaluation of flavor ingredients include exposure, structural analogy, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicology. Flavor ingredients are evaluated individually and in the context of the available scientific information on the group of structurally related substances. Scientific data relevant to the safety evaluation of the use of benzyl derivatives as flavoring ingredients is evaluated. The group of benzyl derivatives was reaffirmed as GRAS (GRASr) based, in part, on their self-limiting properties as flavoring substances in food; their rapid absorption, metabolic detoxication, and excretion in humans and other animals, their low level of flavor use, the wide margins of safety between the conservative estimates of intake and the no-observed-adverse effect levels determined from subchronic and chronic studies and the lack of significant genotoxic and mutagenic potential. This evidence of safety is supported by the fact that the intake of benzyl derivatives as natural components of traditional foods is greater than their intake as intentionally added flavoring substances.

Animals↗