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Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery May 2018Much biomedical research continues to focus on a small proportion of the human genome that has already been studied intensively. The Illuminating the Druggable Genome...
Much biomedical research continues to focus on a small proportion of the human genome that has already been studied intensively. The Illuminating the Druggable Genome programme, initiated as a pilot project by the US National Institutes of Health Common Fund in 2014, is now being implemented to accelerate the investigation of subsets of understudied proteins that have potential therapeutic relevance.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Genome, Human; Humans; National Institutes of Health (U.S.); Pilot Projects; Proteins; United States
PubMed: 29348682
DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2017.252 -
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County,... Jan 2024A starch- and sucrose-reduced diet has been found to improve gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome, as well as reduce weight and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
A starch- and sucrose-reduced diet may lead to improvement of intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms in more conditions than irritable bowel syndrome and congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.
OBJECTIVES
A starch- and sucrose-reduced diet has been found to improve gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome, as well as reduce weight and improve psychological well-being. Our hypothesis was that a starch- and sucrose-reduced diet would also be beneficial in other conditions with similar symptoms. The aim of the present research letter was to describe the role of a starch- and sucrose-reduced diet in a pilot project in patients with diarrhea having varying causes.
METHODS
One man, age 36 y, suffering from functional diarrhea and one woman, 56 y, suffering from microscopic colitis, were randomized to a starch- and sucrose-reduced diet for 4 wk. At baseline, dietary information was given, and blood samples collected. Weight and waist circumference were measured. The participants completed the irritable bowel syndrome severity scoring system for evaluating specific gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms and visual analog scale for irritable bowel syndrome for evaluation of specific gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological well-being. The degrees of satiety and sweet craving were measured on visual analog scales. After 4 wk, all procedures were repeated.
RESULTS
Weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were decreased during the intervention. The total amount of gastrointestinal symptoms was decreased in the participants with functional diarrhea, and diarrhea and bloating were decreased in both participants. Both had reduced extraintestinal symptoms and improved psychological well-being. Blood levels had mainly unchanged or slightly increased values of measurements reflecting nutrient intake.
CONCLUSIONS
A starch- and sucrose-reduced diet may lead to weight reduction, reduced symptoms, and improved well-being in several patient categories, not only in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Future randomized trials should be done.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adult; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Sucrose; Starch; Pilot Projects; Diarrhea; Diet; Gastrointestinal Diseases
PubMed: 37924624
DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2023.112254 -
Journal of Registry Management 2022Integration of screening data into routine cancer surveillance systems can create more robust data systems to inform cancer prevention and control activities. Currently,...
INTRODUCTION
Integration of screening data into routine cancer surveillance systems can create more robust data systems to inform cancer prevention and control activities. Currently, state central cancer registries do not routinely collect breast and cervical cancer screening data as part of state cancer surveillance activities. Florida conducted a pilot study involving: (1) linkage of breast and cervical cancer screening data from the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (FBCCEDP) from 2009 to 2021 to the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS) database to capture screening data for matched cancer cases in the FCDS; and (2) evaluation of the feasibility of developing a population-based breast and cervical cancer screening surveillance system by capturing electronic screening data from private health care providers.
METHODS
In 2018, the FCDS worked with the Florida Department of Health to identify data partners for the 5-year cancer screening pilot project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Engagement of project partners required extensive review of available screening data; data standards and formatting; data transmission schedules and methods; and processing procedures. The FCDS developed a database to integrate multiple source data sets into a single database whereby linkage to the central cancer registry could be performed.
RESULTS
The FCDS worked with Suncoast Health Systems, a clinical practice in the Hillsborough region of Florida, and the FBCCEDP to evaluate data availability, standardization of data sets, and data submission schedules for the pilot project. Extensive meetings and data reviews were conducted with both partners in the first phase of the project. The FCDS developed automated data processing procedures to integrate the data into a single cancer screening database and then linked records to the central cancer registry data set.
DISCUSSION
Registry collaboration with the FBCCEDP and Suncoast team on data quality and standardization has produced positive results. The project required extensive review of data and produced many lessons learned for development of a cancer screening surveillance system. Our pilot project depended on partnership building, commitment to data quality, and consistency in data submission practices.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pilot Projects; Florida; Early Detection of Cancer; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 37260814
DOI: No ID Found -
Community Mental Health Journal Oct 2022Leaders in public mental health are responsible for ensuring the care environment is conducive to provider wellbeing, and ultimately patient care. Given the effects...
Leaders in public mental health are responsible for ensuring the care environment is conducive to provider wellbeing, and ultimately patient care. Given the effects of stress and burnout, healthcare organizations must explore interventions to support their employees. The Leadership + Innovation Lab is a pilot project focused on enhancing leadership skills, innovation capacity, and peer connections among clinical managers. Participants executed individual or group projects to improve the care environment and co-created a peer consultation program. They reported increased connection with peers, innovation and leadership skills, and capacity to facilitate a better experience for their provider staff as a result of the program. This model can be used in other settings to help achieve the goals of the Quadruple Aim and improve communication.
Topics: Burnout, Professional; Humans; Leadership; Mental Health; Pilot Projects; Public Health
PubMed: 35089472
DOI: 10.1007/s10597-022-00942-w -
Journal of Preventive Medicine and... Jun 2022Due to the impact on the public health systems of the ageing and the increasing frailty of the population, the European Union and the World Health Organisation have...
INTRODUCTION
Due to the impact on the public health systems of the ageing and the increasing frailty of the population, the European Union and the World Health Organisation have emphasised how family and community nurses (FCNs) could play an important role in supporting the ageing process through prevention, promotion, and protection in the territory.
METHODS
This study describes the first experience in Italy of a one-year postgraduate blended-learning master course divided into 5 modules for FCNs piloted as part of the EuropeaN curriculum for fAmily aNd Community nursE (ENhANCE) 2018-2020 project, funded by the European Commission. The 5 modules focused on: Epidemiology and Prevention (14 ECTS); Fundamentals of care (19 ECTS); Organisational Models and Priority Health Problems (12 ECTS); Communication Models and Continuity of Care (5 ECTS); and Nursing Research (10 ECTS). Participants included a total of 45 students and 23 lecturers and a team of clinical tutors.
RESULTS
The Italian pilot course for the FCNs proved to be a successful example of innovative teaching methods using blended didactic methods, which enabled participants to achieve high-standard learning outcomes and competencies in the field of family and community nursing.
CONCLUSIONS
The pilot course is well suited to preparing competent family and community nurses to meet the growing healthcare needs of the population. Therefore, we have planned to replicate this course to increase the workforce of family and community nurses, who through their healthcare services aimed at prevention, promotion and protection, will ensure high quality services to the public and consequently relieve the burden on acute hospitals.
Topics: Curriculum; Humans; Italy; Pilot Projects
PubMed: 35968059
DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2.2533 -
Neuroinformatics Apr 2016A central tenet in support of research reproducibility is the ability to uniquely identify research resources, i.e., reagents, tools, and materials that are used to...
A central tenet in support of research reproducibility is the ability to uniquely identify research resources, i.e., reagents, tools, and materials that are used to perform experiments. However, current reporting practices for research resources are insufficient to identify the exact resources that are reported or to answer basic questions such as "How did other studies use resource X?" To address this issue, the Resource Identification Initiative was launched as a pilot project to improve the reporting standards for research resources in the methods sections of papers and thereby improve identifiability and scientific reproducibility. The pilot engaged over 25 biomedical journal editors from most major publishers, as well as scientists and funding officials. Authors were asked to include Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs) in their manuscripts prior to publication for three resource types: antibodies, model organisms, and tools (i.e., software and databases). RRIDs are assigned by an authoritative database, for example a model organism database, for each type of resource. To make it easier for authors to obtain RRIDs, resources were aggregated from the appropriate databases and their RRIDs made available in a central web portal ( http://scicrunch.org/resources ). RRIDs meet three key criteria: they are machine readable, free to generate and access, and are consistent across publishers and journals. The pilot was launched in February of 2014 and over 300 papers have appeared that report RRIDs. The number of journals participating has expanded from the original 25 to more than 40 with RRIDs appearing in 62 different journals to date. Here, we present an overview of the pilot project and its outcomes to date. We show that authors are able to identify resources and are supportive of the goals of the project. Identifiability of the resources post-pilot showed a dramatic improvement for all three resource types, suggesting that the project has had a significant impact on identifiability of research resources.
Topics: Culture; Datasets as Topic; Health Resources; Humans; Neurosciences; Pilot Projects; PubMed; Publishing
PubMed: 26589523
DOI: 10.1007/s12021-015-9284-3 -
Brain and Behavior Jan 2016A central tenet in support of research reproducibility is the ability to uniquely identify research resources, that is, reagents, tools, and materials that are used to...
A central tenet in support of research reproducibility is the ability to uniquely identify research resources, that is, reagents, tools, and materials that are used to perform experiments. However, current reporting practices for research resources are insufficient to identify the exact resources that are reported or to answer basic questions such as "How did other studies use resource X?" To address this issue, the Resource Identification Initiative was launched as a pilot project to improve the reporting standards for research resources in the methods sections of papers and thereby improve identifiability and scientific reproducibility. The pilot engaged over 25 biomedical journal editors from most major publishers, as well as scientists and funding officials. Authors were asked to include Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs) in their manuscripts prior to publication for three resource types: antibodies, model organisms, and tools (i.e., software and databases). RRIDs are assigned by an authoritative database, for example, a model organism database for each type of resource. To make it easier for authors to obtain RRIDs, resources were aggregated from the appropriate databases and their RRIDs made available in a central web portal ( http://scicrunch.org/resources). RRIDs meet three key criteria: they are machine readable, free to generate and access, and are consistent across publishers and journals. The pilot was launched in February of 2014 and over 300 papers have appeared that report RRIDs. The number of journals participating has expanded from the original 25 to more than 40 with RRIDs appearing in 62 different journals to date. Here, we present an overview of the pilot project and its outcomes to date. We show that authors are able to identify resources and are supportive of the goals of the project. Identifiability of the resources post-pilot showed a dramatic improvement for all three resource types, suggesting that the project has had a significant impact on identifiability of research resources.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Databases, Factual; Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Laboratory Chemicals; Periodicals as Topic; Pilot Projects; Publishing; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 27110440
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.417 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Nov 2022.Summary measures such as disability-adjusted life years (DALY) are becoming increasingly important for the standardized assessment of the burden of disease due to death...
BACKGROUND
.Summary measures such as disability-adjusted life years (DALY) are becoming increasingly important for the standardized assessment of the burden of disease due to death and disability. The BURDEN 2020 pilot project was designed as an independent burden-of-disease study for Germany, which was based on nationwide data, but which also yielded regional estimates.
METHODS
DALY is defined as the sum of years of life lost due to death (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). YLL is the difference between the age at death due to disease and the remaining life expectancy at this age, while YLD quantifies the number of years individuals have spent with health impairments. Data are derived mainly from causes of death statistics, population health surveys, and claims data from health insurers.
RESULTS
In 2017, there were approximately 12 million DALY in Germany, or 14 584 DALY per 100 000 inhabitants. Conditions which caused the greatest number of DALY were coronary heart disease (2321 DALY), low back pain (1735 DALY), and lung cancer (1197 DALY). Headache and dementia accounted for a greater disease burden in women than in men, while lung cancer and alcohol use disorders accounted for a greater disease burden in men than in women. Pain disorders and alcohol use disorders were the leading causes of DALY among young adults of both sexes. The disease burden rose with age for some diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and diabetes mellitus. For some diseases and conditions, the disease burden varied by geographical region.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate a need for age- and sex-specific prevention and for differing interventions according to geographic region. Burden of disease studies yield comprehensive population health surveillance data and are a useful aid to decision-making in health policy.
Topics: Male; Young Adult; Humans; Female; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Alcoholism; Pilot Projects; Cost of Illness; Disabled Persons; Germany; Dementia
PubMed: 36350160
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0314 -
American Journal of Public Health Jul 2016Large Analysis and Review of European Housing and Health Status (LARES) was conducted in Europe in 2002 to 2003 to study the relationship between citizens' health and...
Large Analysis and Review of European Housing and Health Status (LARES) was conducted in Europe in 2002 to 2003 to study the relationship between citizens' health and built environments. One of its objectives was to put public health priorities on the agenda of local decision-makers to implement solutions for the community. We adapted the LARES protocol as a pilot project in a small French-Canadian town in Quebec Province in 2012. The distinguishing feature of this project was the collaborative approach taken with local actors, especially the municipality, which was committed a priori to using survey data from an urban planning perspective. The project produced interesting results that were used to motivate actions concerning people living in bad sanitary conditions; to draft the urban plan including the development of parks, green spaces, and bicycle paths; and to allow the municipality to meet eligibility criteria for access to renovation programs. If a partnership with the local actors and their commitment to promote and realize the project were obtained at the beginning, then the survey could be replicated in other communities.
Topics: Environment; Environment Design; Health Priorities; Health Status; Housing; Pilot Projects; Public Health; Quebec; Residence Characteristics
PubMed: 27196661
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303224 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2023Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease which is linked to a number of adverse endocrinological and metabolic conditions. Currently, bariatric surgery is one of the...
Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease which is linked to a number of adverse endocrinological and metabolic conditions. Currently, bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments for individuals diagnosed with severe obesity. However, the current indications for bariatric surgery are based on inadequate metrics (i.e., BMI) which do not account for the complexity of the disease, nor the heterogeneity among the patient population. Moreover, there is a lack of understanding with respect to the biological underpinnings that influence successful and sustained weight loss post-bariatric surgery. Studies have implicated age and pre-surgery body weight as two factors that are associated with favorable patient outcomes. Still, there is an urgent medical need to identify other potential factors that could improve the specificity of candidate selection and better inform the treatment plan of patients with obesity. In this report, we present and describe the cohort of the DECON pilot project, a multicenter study which aims to identify predictive biomarkers of successful weight loss after bariatric surgery.
Topics: Humans; Pilot Projects; Bariatric Surgery; Obesity; Obesity, Morbid; Weight Loss
PubMed: 37591977
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40452-7