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Sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias during the early postinfarction period: electrophysiologic findings and prognosis for survival.

Forty patients with sustained tachycardia occurring 3 to 65 days after myocardial infarction underwent programmed ventricular stimulation within 3 months of the infarction. Patients were characterized clinically by a complicated initial 48 hours of hospitalization for their acute infarction (85% of study group). The development of bundle branch block in association with infarction occurred with an unusually high frequency (32%). Ventricular tachycardia similar in configuration to spontaneous arrhythmia was induced with programmed ventricular stimulation in 33 (83%) of the 40 patients. In 15 (45%) of these 33 patients, additional morphologically distinct ventricular tachycardia not seen clinically was initiated. The induction of ventricular tachycardia was not significantly related to the time after myocardial infarction at which spontaneous ventricular tachycardia was initially observed. Only 20 of the 40 patients are alive after a mean follow-up period of 20 +/- 15 months. Twelve of the 20 deaths were sudden cardiac deaths. Sixteen of the 33 patients with inducible ventricular tachycardia died; 8 of the 16 deaths were sudden. By comparison, four of the seven patients with no inducible ventricular tachycardia died (probability [p] = not significant), all suddenly. The mode of therapy did not influence subsequent survival. It appears that in patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia occurring more than 48 hours after a recent myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia similar to that clinically observed can usually be induced by programmed stimulation. In addition, multiple morphologically distinct ventricular tachycardias, some of which have not been previously observed, are frequently induced. Finally, the prognosis for survival is poor, regardless of inducibility or mode of therapy, and may in part be related to a changing arrhythmia substrate.

Adult↗

Electrophysiologic findings after Fontan repair of functional single ventricle.

Cardiac arrhythmias are well recognized sequelae of the Fontan operation for complex congenital anomalies. In this study the electrophysiologic effects of the Fontan procedure were evaluated in 30 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization with electrophysiologic study 1.9 +/- 1.3 years (mean +/- SD) after modified Fontan repair for functional single ventricle. Abnormalities of sinus node or ectopic pacemaker automaticity were detected in 50% (15 patients) by determination of a prolonged corrected sinus node or pacemaker recovery time. Total sinoatrial conduction time was prolonged in 50% of the patients with normal sinus rhythm. Sinus node or ectopic atrial pacemaker function was entirely normal in only 43% of patients. The predominant atrial rhythm was normal sinus in 70% and ectopic atrial or junctional in 30%. Abnormalities of atrial effective and functional refractory periods were noted in 43% of patients and were most pronounced at faster paced cycle lengths. Atrial endocardial catheter mapping revealed intraatrial conduction delays between adjacent sites in 76% of the patients tested and in eight of nine patients with inducible intraatrial reentry. Programmed atrial stimulation induced nonsustained supraventricular arrhythmias in 10% of the 30 patients and sustained arrhythmias in 27%. Intraatrial reentry was the most common inducible arrhythmia and was present in seven of the eight patients with sustained and two of the three patients with nonsustained atrial arrhythmias. Atrioventricular conduction abnormalities were noted in 10% (three patients). No patient had inducible ventricular arrhythmias with programmed ventricular stimulation. The electrophysiologic findings after Fontan repair include abnormal sinus node function, prolonged atrial refractoriness, delayed intraatrial conduction and inducible atrial arrhythmias.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Lessons in ethnonephrology.

Only recently has the nephrology community moved beyond a fairly singular focus on terminal kidney failure to embrace population-based studies of earlier stages of disease, its markers and risk factors, and of interventions. Observations in developing countries, and in minority, migrant, and disadvantaged groups in westernized countries, have promoted these developments. We are only beginning to interpret renal disease in the context of public health history, social and health transitions, changing population demography, and competing mortality. Its intimate relationships to other health issues are being progressively exposed. Perspectives on the multideterminant etiology of most disease and the pedestrian nature of most risk factors are maturing. We are challenged to reconcile epidemiologic patterns with morphology in diseased renal tissue, and to consider structural markers, such as nephron number and glomerular size, as determinants of disease susceptibility. New work force models are mandated for population-based studies and intervention programs. Intervention programs need to be integrated with other chronic disease initiatives and nested in a matrix of systematic primary care, and although flexible to changing needs, must be sustained over the long term. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential in designing those programs, and in promoting them to health-care funders. Substantial expansion and restructuring of the discipline is needed for the nephrology community to participate effectively in those processes.

Developing Countries↗

Unveiling Potato Cultivars With Microbiome Interactive Traits for Sustainable Agricultural Production.

Root traits significantly shape rhizosphere microbiomes, yet their interaction with microbes is often overlooked in plant breeding programs. Here, we propose that selecting modern cultivars based on microbiome interactive trait (MIT), such as root biomass, exudate patterns and the rhizosphere microbiome, can enhance agricultural sustainability by interacting effectively with soil microbiomes, which in turn, promotes plant growth and resistance to stress, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic crop protectants. Through a stepwise selection process (in silico and in vitro) that started with approximately 1000 potato genotypes, we chose 51 potato cultivars based on known phenotypical properties and distinct root exudate patterns. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to evaluate their capacity to interact with the soil microbiome and to assess their MIT scores. Our findings revealed that cultivars significantly influence plant growth, metabolite profiles, and rhizosphere fungal community composition. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between microbial community diversity and root biomass. Additionally, leaf metabolites were correlated with rhizosphere bacterial composition, supporting the plant holobiont framework. Utilising z-scores, we aggregated all data related to plant growth, metabolomes, and microbiomes, creating a classification of 51 cultivars based on a gradient of MIT scores. By examining the distribution of low, intermediate, and high MIT, we identified a group of 11 potato cultivars suitable for further studies to assess their resilience and productivity under low-input production systems. This study provides an in-depth correlation between microbiome and several plant traits across 51 cultivars, offering tools to facilitate and expedite the incorporation of microbiome traits into breeding goals to support sustainable agriculture.

Solanum tuberosum↗

When training is insufficient: reflections on capacity development in health promotion in Peru.

The international development community has lately recognized the programatic importance of capacity development. Despite growing attention, a consensus is still lacking on appropriate strategies and interventions to strengthen local capacity for development programs. The CHANGE Project designed and implemented a program to contribute to capacity development in health promotion in Peru between 2002 and 2005. This article discusses key lessons learned in the program. Successful capacity development requires the strengthening of institutional networks. Training activities alone are insufficient. Educational opportunities need to be integrated into strategies that aim to institutionalize competencies in specific work contexts and promote the inter-institutional linkages. The experience suggests that capacity development programs need to start by assessing challenges to make competencies effective in job performance. Projects should neither be donor-driven nor depend on individuals. Instead, they should focus on institution building, find creative ways to promote long-term sustainability of capacity development, and require long-term commitment to promote ownership and sustainability. What is needed is an approach that maximizes the impact of programs through collaboration among institutions committed to supporting and absorbing capacity, and to having mechanisms to monitor and change job performance according to the needs of staff, supervisors and other stakeholders.

Health Promotion↗

Survey of graduates of the Epidemic Intelligence Service as an approach to enhancing ethnic diversity among the nation's epidemiologists.

A survey was conducted to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of epidemiologists in the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Program of the Centers for Disease Control. The authors compared minority graduates of the program and nonminority graduates in several areas: reasons for application, degree of satisfaction, appropriateness of preparation for epidemiologic practice, and current professional activities. A closed-ended questionnaire was mailed to all 87 minority graduates from the program during the period 1970-88, and to 172 randomly selected nonminority graduates. Of 259 graduates surveyed, 234 or 90.3 percent returned the questionnaire--89.6 percent of minority graduates and 90.7 percent of nonminority graduates. Virtually all graduates were satisfied with their EIS experience (95.2 percent), have encouraged others to apply (96.1 percent), and are the most frequent sources of initial contact of prospective officers (38.2 percent). Most EIS graduates (71.2 percent) were still working in epidemiology. Compared with the nonminority graduates, the minority graduates were more likely to be women and to be single. Minority graduates were less likely than non minorities to hold academic appointments (44.2 percent versus 60.0 percent) and less likely to work in academic settings as their primary job (11.5 percent versus 18.7 percent). At the same time, minority graduates were more likely to have learned of the EIS Program from academic advisors (32.1 percent versus 19.4 percent). Graduates express high levels of satisfaction with the EIS Program and continue to practice epidemiology following graduation. Few differences between the minority and nonminority graduates were found. Because fewer minority graduates are in academic settings to serve as mentors or role models, alternative recruitment methods must be developed to sustain a high level of interest among minority groups in the EIS Program.

Career Choice↗

Penetrating head injury: a prospective study of outcomes.

The purpose of our study was to describe the outcomes of persons with penetrating brain injury resulting from a gunshot wound to the head. It is a prospective study of 442 patients admitted with gunshot wounds to the head over a 7 year period to our University Trauma Center Emergency Department, an urban trauma center and an inpatient rehabilitation hospital with a specialized brain injury unit. Measures and factors described include initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, Revised Trauma Score, the Disability Rating Scale, Functional Independence Measure, levels of cognitive functioning, patient demographics, length of stay, hospital charges, and discharge disposition. Initially 36% of patients expired in or were dead upon arrival to the Emergency Department; 64% of patients survived to be admitted for inpatient care. Of those admitted, 41% expired within the first 48 h of admission. Fifty-two percent of those admitted had severe injuries, 7% moderate injuries, and 42% had mild head injuries. Sixty-two percent of the survivors were discharged from acute care to private residences. The remaining 38% were discharged to programs providing varying levels of care depending upon their level of functioning and care needs. Patients sustaining severe injuries following gunshot wound(s) to the head have high early mortality. Survivors able to participate in an inpatient rehabilitation program have good potential for functional improvement.

Adolescent↗

Effect of a manager training program on sanitary conditions in restaurants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a food manager training and certification program in increasing compliance with restaurant sanitary codes. METHODS: Using routine sanitary inspection records, the authors compared pre- and post-training inspection scores for 94 restaurants falling into three groups: a "mandatory" group (managers' attendance was mandated for these restaurants); a "voluntary" group (managers attended the training voluntarily); and a control group (no staff attended the training program). RESULTS: Restaurants for which managers were mandated to attend a training and certification program demonstrated a significant improvement in inspection scores, an improvement that was sustained over a two-year follow-up period. The mean inspection scores for a control group did not change significantly over time. However, improvements were not noted in all areas of food safety. CONCLUSIONS: Food manager training and certification programs may be an effective way to improve the sanitary conditions of restaurants and reduce the spread of foodborne illnesses.

Boston↗

Ethics and the AIDS pandemic in the developing world.

Traditional ethics provide insight, but often fall short of guiding the complex biomedical ethical concerns of research conducted in developing countries. The need to create research within a framework that is appropriate to the social, medical, and political context of developing countries is examined through the current AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. A specific case study focuses on this issue. Over 70 percent of the 40 million people with HIV/AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa. With at least one in five African adults infected with the disease, sub-Saharan Africa is now acknowledged as the epicenter of HIV/AIDS. The scale and scope of the disease in the environment of a developing economy presents unique issues that challenge the role and practices of traditional ethics in healthcare research programs. Medical research within developing countries, particularly for HIV/AIDS, requires a distinctive approach. For these populations, investigators must incorporate new thinking into traditional biomedical research ethics which will address the role of innovation; access to treatment; the impact of fear, stigma, and denial; concerns around autonomy for vulnerable populations; capacity building; and sustainable care to communities. Since May 1999, Secure the Future, a philanthropic program that focuses on care and support for women and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, has attempted to fulfill these ethical concepts in its processes. The program is a public and private sector partnership between governments, communities, practitioners, academia, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company to respond to AIDS in five countries in sub-Saharan African countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland. To ensure symmetry between ethical principles and local context, collaborative projects undergo a comprehensive review process. This includes review and approval by a national secretariat to ensure projects support objectives of national policies and local communities; approval by an ethics committee comprised of participating institutions; blinded peer review; and an examination by an external advisory board comprised of local and international medical experts, persons living with AIDS (PLWA), religious communities, governments, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). An independent monitor also oversees the approved programs. Cost-effective and practical interventions against HIV/AIDS must encompass ethical approaches appropriate to the contexts of the respective developing countries. Lessons learned to date are to focus on innovation; establish unassailable ethical standards that are sensitive to local contexts; ensure transparent communications among partners and the broader community; and build sustainable capacity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Self-awareness after acquired brain injury--predictors and rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors contributing to deficit in self-awareness following acquired brain injury and to study change in self-awareness during a group support program. METHODS: Sixty-two patients (mean age: 35.4 +/- 15.3 years) attending our Service (295 +/- 525 days after injury) were included in the study (41 of them had sustained a head injury). Thirty-six patients were admitted to a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program including a group support program designed to improve self-awareness deficits. All patients were assessed with the Patient Competency Rating Scale as a measure of self-awareness and with a broad range of neuropsychological tests, checklists of psychopathological symptoms, and several functional scales. RESULTS: Thirty patients showed high levels of self-awareness while 32 showed impaired self-awareness. Patients with appropriate perception of their deficits showed less psychopathological symptoms, better neuropsychological function and higher functional independence than those with impaired SA (Student's t test, p < 0.05). Both groups improved, but with different patterns, after rehabilitation (MANOVA, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that cognitive status was predictive of level of self-awareness. CONCLUSION: The level of self-awareness after acquired brain injury is a useful prognostic index of the neuropsychological, psychopathological and functional status of the patient. We recommend the evaluation of this symptom after acquired brain injury due to its clinical relevance.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Determinants of improvement in exercise capacity in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

In order to identify patients who benefit most from a cardiac rehabilitation program, we studied retrospectively all patients who completed a 3-month comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program during a 2-year period. Questionnaires regarding physical exercise habits were sent to 122 patients and returned by 117 (96%) of them (53 post-acute myocardial infarction, 50 post-coronary artery bypass surgery, 14 post-infarction and surgery, 2 post-angioplasty). Exercise capacity (subset of 66 patients) improved by 19% after rehabilitation (7.8 +/- 3.1 to 9.3 +/- 2.7 METs, p < 0.0001). Univariate and multivariate analysis identified initial exercise capacity as the only independent variable predicting improvement in exercise performance (inverse relationship) (r2 = 0.24, p < 0.0001). The improvement was not related to age, sex, left ventricular function or time from cardiac event to rehabilitation. Patients recovering from both infarction and coronary artery bypass surgery showed a greater improvement (delta exercise capacity 2.8 +/- 1.4 METs) than patients after myocardial infarction alone (delta exercise capacity 0.8 +/- 2 METs, p < 0.02). Improvement was sustained for up to 2 years after completion of the program.

Adult↗

Hardiness training among nurse managers: building a healthy workplace.

BACKGROUND: This exploratory study investigated development of a model hardiness training program to determine whether stress could be reduced and hardiness could be increased and sustained among nurse managers. METHOD: Thirteen nurse managers at an urban hospital completed pretests for hardiness levels and underwent initial hardiness training for 2.5 days. Posttests were completed after initial training, after the 6 weekly sessions, and after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Changes in hardiness scores between pretest and the first posttest were significant (p < .05). Scores after the third posttest were decreased for the subscale control but were unchanged for subscales commitment and challenge. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the use of a hardiness training program and intermittent follow-up can be effective in increasing and sustaining hardiness levels in nurse managers and may have a positive impact on staff turnover rates.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Methodological and clinical challenges in evaluating treatment outcome of substance-related disorders and comorbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To review the steps required to develop an outcome evaluation package and to report on the 12-month outcome of an integrated day program. METHOD: Based on the identification of salient outcome predictors, standardized instruments were selected. A cohort of 78 patients was assessed at the time of admission to the program, at discharge, and 3, 6, and 12 months afterward. RESULTS: Improvements were sustained over 1 year in all areas including treatment needs, quality of life, and readiness to change. CONCLUSIONS: The gap between the "cultures" of treatment and research must be narrowed. Following evidence of a program's general effectiveness through outcome monitoring, a randomized control design is optimal for specific interventions. The optimal length of follow-up depends on the perceived confounds.

Adult↗

World Federation of Haemophilia programs in developing countries.

The World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) is a global not-for-profit organization devoted to furthering the treatment of hemophilia and related disorders. Founded in Montreal in 1963, it has grown tremendously during the last 40 years and now has 107 National Member Organizations and has been recognized by the World Health Organization. The mission of the WFH is to introduce, improve, and maintain care for patients with hemophilia and related disorders. Several specific programs may be used as tools to achieve these goals. The WFH organizes regular educational workshops on key aspects of hemophilia care. Fellowships are offered to approximately 30 healthcare professionals each year that provide funding for a period of study of up to 8 weeks at an International Hemophilia Training Center of their choice. The WFH twinning program helps emerging hemophilia treatment centers develop partnerships with well-established centers. Although the ultimate goal of the WFH is to promote sustainable hemophilia treatment in developing countries, donations of concentrate are regularly made through the Humanitarian Aid program. The WHF launched the Global Alliance for Progress in its 40th anniversary year, establishing a partnership between the WFH and other stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical industry. The aim is to focus on 30 to 40 developing countries during the next 10 years, aiming to more than double the number of patients diagnosed with hemophilia in those countries. The WFH is also involved in fostering discussion on key issues such as safety and supply of blood products.

Developing Countries↗

The Wellcome Trust population initiative.

This paper describes what the Wellcome Trust has done and aims to do through its population initiative. The Trust is required to spend its funds to improve the physical welfare of mankind, and in this context there can be no more important issue than the rapid changes that are occurring in the human population. The Trust's first involvement was to help fund the New Delhi population summit covered by the world's scientific academics in 1993 and, following discussions with authorities in the field, initiated its funding programme in 1995. Through this programme, the Trust hopes to bring about improved understanding of the relationship between reproductive health, population growth, and sustainable development and create cadres of high quality research scientists in relevant disciplines. Uniquely, funding is available under this programme to suitably qualified applicants from any country other than the USA.

Africa↗

Implementation impediments to institutionalising the practice of sustainable urban water management.

It is now well accepted that there are significant challenges to realising the widespread and self-sustaining implementation of sustainable urban water management. It is argued that these challenges are entrenched within the broader socio-political framework, yet often unsuccessfully addressed within the more narrow scope of improving technical knowledge and design capacity. This hypothesis is investigated through a comparative analysis of three independent research projects investigating different dimensions of the water cycle, including stormwater management in Australia and sanitary waste management and implementation of innovative technologies in the U.K. The analysis reveals significant and common socio-political impediments to improved practice. It was evident that the administrative regime, including implementing professionals and institutions, appears to be largely driven by an implicit expectation that there is a technical solution to solve water management issues. This is in contrast to addressing the issues through broader strategies such as political leadership, institutional reform and social change. It is recognised that this technocratic culture is inadvertently underpinned by the need to demonstrate implementation success within short-term political cycles that conflict with both urban renewal and ecological cycles. Addressing this dilemma demands dedicated socio-technical research programs to enable the much needed shift towards a more sustainable regime.

Cities↗

[Electrophysiological effects of flecainide on stimulus-inducible ventricular tachycardia].

13 patients (54 +/- 11.8 years) with either spontaneously occurring ventricular tachycardia (N = 12) or recurrent syncope (n = 1) probably due to ventricular tachycardia were studied electrophysiologically. In all patients, ventricular tachycardia could be initiated by programmed right ventricular stimulation during the control study. Ventricular tachycardia was sustained in eleven patients and non-sustained in the remaining two. After several days of oral administration of flecainide (400 to 500 mg per day) sustained ventricular tachycardia could still be initiated in seven cases that had to be interrupted by overdrive stimulation in five cases, and by cardioversion in the remaining two. In six cases, short, self-terminating episodes of ventricular tachycardia were induced. In four patients, induction of ventricular tachycardia was unchanged or made easier, whereas in seven cases ventricular tachycardia was more difficult to induce (i.e. later during the step-like stimulation program). The mean rate of induced ventricular tachycardia decreased from 215 +/- 59.4/min (+/- S.D.) to 169 +/- 44.1/min during flecainide (p less than 0.025). The interval between the tachycardia-initiating beat and the first beat of tachycardia increased from 323 +/- 61.1 ms to 438 +/-148.3 ms (P less than 0.02). The effective refractory period of the right ventricle was prolonged from 240 +/- 20.5 ms t 279 +/- 37.3 ms (P less than 0.005). The plasma concentration of flecainide at the time of stimulation was 995 +/- 238 ng/ml. Thus, flecainide exerts a marked effect on the rate of induced ventricular tachycardia, whereas the mode of induction did not change considerably. The prophylactic effect of long-term therapy with flecainide in patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia needs further studies.

Adult↗

Fee-for-service revenue for school mental health through a partnership with an outpatient mental health center.

School mental health programs are increasingly prominent in the United States and in other countries, but funding remains tentative. This article describes a partnership between a school mental health program and an outpatient mental health center, and considers the larger goal of promoting sustainability and increasing revenue. Issues related to using fee-for-service revenue to support school mental health are explored, and strategies for promoting effective partnerships are discussed. Recommendations for programs facing the challenge of incorporating fee-for-service activities into their current model of service provision are provided.

Adolescent↗