Liraglutide once a day versus exenatide twice a day for type 2 diabetes: a 26-week randomised, parallel-group, multinational, open-label trial (LEAD-6)

BACKGROUND: Unlike most antihyperglycaemic drugs, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have a glucose-dependent action and promote weight loss. We compared the efficacy and safety of liraglutide, a human GLP-1 analogue, with exenatide, an exendin-based GLP-1 receptor agonist. METHODS: Adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes on maximally tolerated doses of metformin, sulphonylurea, or both, were stratified by previous oral antidiabetic therapy and randomly assigned to receive additional liraglutide 1.8 mg once a day (n=233) or exenatide 10 microg twice a day (n=231) in a 26-week open-label, parallel-group, multinational (15 countries) study. The primary outcome was change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)). Efficacy analyses were by intention to treat. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00518882. FINDINGS: Mean baseline HbA(1c) for the study population was 8.2%. Liraglutide reduced mean HbA(1c) significantly more than did exenatide (-1.12% [SE 0.08] vs -0.79% [0.08]; estimated treatment difference -0.33; 95% CI -0.47 to -0.18; p<0.0001) and more patients achieved a HbA(1c) value of less than 7% (54%vs 43%, respectively; odds ratio 2.02; 95% CI 1.31 to 3.11; p=0.0015). Liraglutide reduced mean fasting plasma glucose more than did exenatide (-1.61 mmol/L [SE 0.20] vs -0.60 mmol/L [0.20]; estimated treatment difference -1.01 mmol/L; 95% CI -1.37 to -0.65; p<0.0001) but postprandial glucose control was less effective after breakfast and dinner. Both drugs promoted similar weight losses (liraglutide -3.24 kg vs exenatide -2.87 kg). Both drugs were well tolerated, but nausea was less persistent (estimated treatment rate ratio 0.448, p<0.0001) and minor hypoglycaemia less frequent with liraglutide than with exenatide (1.93 vs 2.60 events per patient per year; rate ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.88; p=0.0131; 25.5%vs 33.6% had minor hypoglycaemia). Two patients taking both exenatide and a sulphonylurea had a major hypoglycaemic episode. INTERPRETATION: Liraglutide once a day provided significantly greater improvements in glycaemic control than did exenatide twice a day, and was generally better tolerated. The results suggest that liraglutide might be a treatment option for type 2 diabetes, especially when weight loss and risk of hypoglycaemia are major considerations.

A compendium of strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals: 2014 updates

Since the publication of "A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals" in 2008, prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has become a national priority. Despite improvements, preventable HAIs continue to occur. The 2014 updates to the Compendium were created to provide acute care hospitals with up-to-date, practical, expert guidance to assist in prioritizing and implementing their HAI prevention efforts. They are the product of a highly collaborative effort led by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), the Society for Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), the Society for Hospital Medicine (SHM), and the Surgical Infection Society (SIS).

A compendium of strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals: 2014 updates.

Since the publication of "A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals" in 2008, prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has become a national priority. Despite improvements, preventable HAIs continue to occur. The 2014 updates to the Compendium were created to provide acute care hospitals with up-to-date, practical, expert guidance to assist in prioritizing and implementing their HAI prevention efforts. They are the product of a highly collaborative effort led by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), the Society for Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), the Society for Hospital Medicine (SHM), and the Surgical Infection Society (SIS).

Unterrichtsstörungen – ein multiperspektivischer Zugang

Das Verständnis vom Unterricht als Interaktionssystem (vgl. Breidenstein, 2010; Brophy & Good, 1976; Jackson, 1968; Mehan, 1998; Vanderstraeten, 2001), unterstreicht die Bedeutung der gegenseitigen Wahrnehmung von Unterrichtsstörungen für den Aufbau von sozialer Ordnung im Unterricht (vgl. Herzog, 2002, 2011; Kieserling, 1999, S. 110ff.; Luhmann, 1984; Vanderstraeten, 2001). Somit sind Unterrichtsstörungen nicht im Fehlverhalten einzelner Schülerinnen und Schüler zu verorten, sondern als Ergebnis einer unzulänglich funktionierenden Interaktionsbasis des Unterrichts zu verstehen. Dabei grenzen wir den Begriff der Unterrichtsstörung auf Störungen der sozialen Ordnung des Unterrichts ein. Unterrichtsstörungen können sich demgemäss in Form von Regelverletzungen, Schwatzen, Dazwischenrufen, Missachtung der Lehrerautorität, Rempeleien etc. äußern, wobei oft auch Disziplinprobleme miteingeschlossen werden (vgl. Nolting, 2002). Das Defizit der bisherigen Forschung, die entweder die Schüler- oder die Lehrerperspektive fokussierte (Woolfolk Hoy & Weinstein 2006, p. 206), wird im vorliegenden Beitrag durch einen multiperspektivischen Zugang, der beide Perspektiven einander gegenüberstellt, behoben. Dazu analysieren wir die Wahrnehmung von Unterrichtsstörungen aus der Sicht der Lehrpersonen sowie aus der Sicht der Schülerinnen und Schüler derselben Schulklassen. Die erste Fragestellung lautet daher, inwiefern sich die Wahrnehmung von Unterrichtsstörungen in Abhängigkeit vom Ausmaß der Störung zwischen der Lehrperson und ihren Schülerinnen und Schüler unterscheidet. Die zweite Fragestellung betrifft die Reaktion der Lehrkräfte auf Unterrichtsstörungen. Dabei untersuchen wir, wie weit die Wahrnehmung der Lehrerreaktionen auf Unterrichtsstörungen durch die Schülerinnen und Schüler mit der Selbstwahrnehmung der Lehrperson übereinstimmt. In methodischer Hinsicht verfolgt die Studie einen multimethodischen Ansatz, der sowohl quantitative als auch qualitative Daten zur Analyse der Forschungsfragen beizieht. Die Datenbasis der Analysen stammt aus einem Forschungsprojekt, das in fünf deutschsprachigen Kantonen der Schweiz durchgeführt wurde und zwei Phasen umfasste. In der ersten (quantitativen) Projektphase wurden Schülerinnen und Schüler (N = 4394) sowie deren Lehrpersonen (N = 225) der 5. Primarstufe mittels eines standardisierten Fragebogens befragt (Makarova, Schönbächler, & Herzog, 2008). Für die zweite (qualitative) Forschungsphase wurden 24 Klassen nach typologischen Kriterien ausgewählt. In diesen mittlerweile 6. Klassen gaben Schülerinnen und Schüler in Einzel- und Gruppeninterviews (N = 192) vertiefende Auskünfte zum Unterricht (Schönbächler, Makarova, & Herzog, 2009). Eine auf den Interviewanalysen beruhende Ergebniszusammenstellung wurde den Lehrpersonen (N = 20) der in der zweiten Forschungsphase beteiligten Klassen zur Stellungnahme vorgelegt (Makarova, Schönbächler, & Herzog, 2010). Im Hinblick auf die erste Fragestellung zeigen die Ergebnisse eine weitgehende Übereinstimmung von Lehrer- und Schülerperspektive bei der Wahrnehmung von Unterrichtsstörungen, und zwar sowohl in Klassen mit niedrigem als auch in solchen mit hohem Störausmaß. Unterschiede zwischen der Lehrer- und Schülerwahrnehmung zeigen sich jedoch bei der zweiten Fragestellung. Die Lehrkräfte der Klassen mit hohem Störausmaß beurteilen hierbei ihre Reaktion auf Unterrichtsstörungen weit vorteilhafter als ihre Schülerinnen und Schüler. Zudem legen unsere Ergebnisse eine semantische Instabilität des Begriffs Unterrichtsstörungen nahe, in dem sie eine unterschiedliche Bedeutung von Unterrichtsstörung in Klassen mit hohem und tiefem Störausmaß belegen. Insgesamt erweist sich die im vorliegenden Beitrag angewandte Multiperspektivität in der Erfassung von Unterrichtsstörungen als gewinnbringend, da dadurch die Komplexität der sozialen Situation des Unterrichts veranschaulicht werden kann.

Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinases in oral squamous cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between the expressions of four matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs): MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-13, and the TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) stages of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); and to explore the implication of these MMPs in OSCC dissemination. Samples from 61 patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal tumour were studied by immunohistochemistry against MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-13. The assessment of immunoreactivity was semi-quantitative. The results showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 had similar expression patterns in the tumour cells with no changes in the immunoreactivity during tumour progression. MMP-9 always had the highest expression, whereas that of MMP-2 was moderate. MMP-7 showed a significant decrease in expression levels during tumour evolution. MMP-13 had constant expression levels within stage T2 and T3, but showed a remarkable decline in immunoreactivity in stage T4. No significant differences in the MMPs immunoreactivity between tumour cells and stroma were observed. Although strong evidence for the application of MMPs as reliable predictive markers for node metastasis was not acquired, we believe that combining patients' MMPs expression intensity and clinical features may improve the diagnosis and prognosis. Strong evidence for the application of MMPs as reliable predictive markers for node metastasis was not acquired. Application of MMPs as prognostic indicators for the malignancy potential of OSCC might be considered in every case of tumour examination. We believe that combining patients' MMPs expression intensity and clinical features may improve the process of making diagnosis and prognosis.

Der "Ritualmord"

N. J. Weinstein

Von Südafrika und seinen Goldfeldern

von Carl Weinstein

Improving disclosure of medical errors: Including patients and family members in the disclosure process

Over the last decade, adverse events and medical errors have become a main focus of interest for the standards of quality and safety in the U.S. healthcare system (Weinstein & Henderson, 2009). Particularly when a medical error occurs, the disclosure of medical errors and its practices have become a focal point of the healthcare process. Patients and family members who have experienced a medical error might be able to provide knowledge and insight on how to improve the disclose process. However, patient and family member are not typically involved in the disclosure process, thus their experiences go unnoticed. ^ The purpose of this research was to explore how best to include patients and family members in the disclosure process regarding a medical error. The research consisted of 28 qualitative interviews from three stakeholder groups: Hospital Administrators, Clinical Service Providers, and Patients and Family Members. They were asked for their ideas and suggestions on how best to include patients and family members in the disclosure process. Framework Analysis was used to analyze this data and find prevalent themes based on the primary research question. A secondary aim was to index categories created based on the interviews that were collected. Data was used from the Texas Disclosure and Compensation Study with Dr. Eric Thomas as the Principal Investigator. Full acknowledgement of access to this data is given to Dr. Thomas. ^ The themes from the research revealed that each stakeholder group was interested and open to including patients and family members in the disclosure process and that the disclosure process should not be a "one-way" avenue. The themes gave many suggestions regarding how to best include patients and family members in the disclosure process of a medical error. Secondary aims revealed several ways to assess the ideas and suggestion given by the stakeholders. Overall, acceptability of getting the perspective of patients and family members was the most common theme. Comparison of each stakeholder group revealed that including patients and family members would be beneficial to improving hospital disclosure practices. ^ Conclusions included a list of recommendations and measureable appropriate strategies that could provide hospital with key stakeholders insights on how to improve their disclosure process. Sharing patients and family members experience with healthcare providers can encourage a shift in culture where patients are valued and active in participating in hospital practices. To my knowledge, this research is the very first of its kind and moves the disclosure process conversation forward in a patient-family member inclusion direction that will assist in improving disclosure practices. Future research should implement and evaluate the success of the various inclusion strategies.^

Predicting smokeless tobacco cessation in a blue -collar population

The use of smokeless tobacco products is undergoing an alarming resurgence in the United States. Several national surveys have reported a higher prevalence of use among those employed in blue-collar occupations. National objectives now target this group for health promotion programs which reduce the health risks associated with tobacco use.^ Drawn from a larger data set measuring health behaviors, this cross-sectional study tested the applicability of two related theories, the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), to smokeless tobacco (SLT) cessation in a blue-collar population of gas pipeline workers. In order to understand the determinants of SLT cessation, measures were obtained of demographic and normative characteristics of the population and specific constructs. Attitude toward the act of quitting (AACT) and subjective norm (SN) are constructs common to both models, perceived behavioral control (PBC) is unique to the TPB, and the number of past quit attempts is not contained in either model. In addition, a self-reported measure was taken of SLT use at two-month follow-up.^ The study population was comprised of all male SLT users who were field employees in a large gas pipeline company with gas compressor stations extending from Texas to the Canadian border. At baseline, 199 employees responded to the SLT portion of the survey, 118 completed some portion of the two-month follow-up, and 101 could be matched across time.^ As hypothesized, significant correlations were found between constructs antecedent to AACT and SN, although crossover effects occurred. Significant differences were found between SLT cessation intenders and non-intenders with regard to their personal and normative beliefs about quitting as well as their outcome expectancies and motivation to comply with others' beliefs. These differences occurred in the expected direction, with the mean intender score consistently higher than that of the non-intender.^ Contrary to hypothesis, AACT predicted intention to quit but SN did not. However, confirmatory of the TPB, PBC, operationalized as self-efficacy, independently contributed to the prediction of intention. Statistically significant relationships were not found between intention, perceived behavioral control, their interactive effects, and use behavior at two-month follow-up. The introduction of number of quit attempts into the logistic regression model resulted in insignificant findings for independent and interactive effects.^ The findings from this study are discussed in relation to their implications for program development and practice, especially within the worksite. In order to confirm and extend the findings of this investigation, recommendations for future research are also discussed. ^