Knowledge management for systems biology a general and visually driven framework applied to translational medicine

Background: To enhance our understanding of complex biological systems like diseases we need to put all of the available data into context and use this to detect relations, pattern and rules which allow predictive hypotheses to be defined. Life science has become a data rich science with information about the behaviour of millions of entities like genes, chemical compounds, diseases, cell types and organs, which are organised in many different databases and/or spread throughout the literature. Existing knowledge such as genotype - phenotype relations or signal transduction pathways must be semantically integrated and dynamically organised into structured networks that are connected with clinical and experimental data. Different approaches to this challenge exist but so far none has proven entirely satisfactory. Results: To address this challenge we previously developed a generic knowledge management framework, BioXMâ„¢, which allows the dynamic, graphic generation of domain specific knowledge representation models based on specific objects and their relations supporting annotations and ontologies. Here we demonstrate the utility of BioXM for knowledge management in systems biology as part of the EU FP6 BioBridge project on translational approaches to chronic diseases. From clinical and experimental data, text-mining results and public databases we generate a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) knowledge base and demonstrate its use by mining specific molecular networks together with integrated clinical and experimental data. Conclusions: We generate the first semantically integrated COPD specific public knowledge base and find that for the integration of clinical and experimental data with pre-existing knowledge the configuration based set-up enabled by BioXM reduced implementation time and effort for the knowledge base compared to similar systems implemented as classical software development projects. The knowledgebase enables the retrieval of sub-networks including protein-protein interaction, pathway, gene - disease and gene - compound data which are used for subsequent data analysis, modelling and simulation. Pre-structured queries and reports enhance usability; establishing their use in everyday clinical settings requires further simplification with a browser based interface which is currently under development.

Derivation of human embryonic stem cells at the center for regenerative medicine in Barcelona

We report here the legislative issues related toembryo research and human embryonic stem cell (hESC)research in Spain and the derivation of nine hESC lines atthe Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona. You canfind the information for obtaining our lines for researchpurposes at blc@cmrb.eu.

Work capacity evaluation among nursing aides

Work force aging generates the need to develop studied with the purpose to evaluate work capacity. The objective of this study was to analyze the work capacity of the nursing aides of a public health institute. A cross-sectional study was developed on the work capacity of these professionals regarding their demographic, work and lifestyle characteristics (n=241). A univariate logistic regression analysis was performed with inadequate work capacity (score below 37) as the dependent variable. There was an association with age (the eldest), work time at the institution (the oldest), body mass index (obesity) and item 1 of the work capacities index: present work capacity. This information can be used to create preventive measures and restore work capacity.

Atitudes dos enfermeiros face à família: validação da escala Families' Importance in Nursing Care - Nurses Attitudes

As atitudes que os enfermeiros adotam em relação à família condicionam o processo de cuidar. Nosso propósito com este estudo foi nesse sentido: dispor de um instrumento que nos permitisse conhecer esta variável. Assim, nossa proposta foi efetuar a adaptação transcultural e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa do instrumento Families' Importance in Nursing Care - Nurses Attitudes (FINC-NA), que visa avaliar as atitudes dos enfermeiros acerca da importância de envolver a família nos cuidados de enfermagem. Foi seguido o método preconizado pela literatura. A amostra foi constituída por 136 enfermeiros dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários. Os resultados obtidos nos testes de confiabilidade revelam uma boa consistência interna para o total dos itens (Alpha de Cronbach = 0,87). O estudo psicométrico permite-nos afirmar que a versão em português da FINC-NA, que denominamos A importância das famílias nos cuidados de enfermagem - atitudes dos enfermeiros (IFCE-AE), é um instrumento fidedigno e válido.

Sistema NAS: Nursing Activities Score em tecnologia móvel

Este estudo objetivou apresentar a estrutura informatizada que viabiliza a utilização do Nursing Activities Score (NAS) em tecnologia móvel. Trata-se de um projeto de desenvolvimento de produção tecnológica baseado na engenharia de software, fundamentada na teoria do ciclo de vida de desenvolvimento de sistema. O Sistema NAS foi construído em dois módulos: módulo de pesquisa, cujo acesso é realizado através de computador pessoal (PC) e módulo de coleta de dados, acessado por meio de dispositivo móvel (smartphone). O Sistema NAS foi construído de modo a permitir que outros formulários, além do instrumento NAS, sejam incluídos futuramente. Assim, entende-se que o desenvolvimento do Sistema NAS permitirá a aproximação entre os enfermeiros e a tecnologia móvel facilitando o acesso imediato aos dados do instrumento referentes aos pacientes, auxiliando na tomada de decisão e na adequação do quantitativo de pessoal de enfermagem para prestação da assistência.

La quête du consentement éclairé en médecine comme construction sociale [The application of informed consent in medicine as social construction].

The aim of this article is to propose an anthropological point of view about informed consent in medicine. This quest for legitimacy should be read as a relational and social construction. In the heart of clinical complexity we find on one side various techniques employed by the medical community to validate research and to obtain the consent of patients. On the other side patients offer plural and subjective answers due to the doctor patient hierarchical and long relationship. Between constraints and freedoms, informed consent brings to light social relation.

Iowa Board of Nursing Annual Report, July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004

Annual Report of the Iowa Board of Nursing. Includes changes to rules,legislation and procedure during fiscal year 2004, as well as statistics pertaining to all aspects of board business: basic education, continuing education, enforcement, administration, financial report, and nursing demographics.

Iowa Board of Nursing Annual Report, July 12, 2004-June 30,2005

Annual report of the Iowa Board of Nursing. Includes information on legislation, rule changes, and statistics related to all aspects of board business: education, continuing education, enforcement, administrative changes, financial report and general nursing demographics.

Knowledge as a factor in vulnerability to tuberculosis among nursing students and professionals

The objective of this study was to identify vulnerability to tuberculosis (TB) related to knowledge about the disease among 76 nursing students and professionals. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted using a closed questionnaire for the collection of data regarding transmission, preventive and biosafety measures, diagnosis, and prejudice regarding the disease. The SAS software version 9.1.3 was used for data analysis, with the level of significance set at 5% (p < 0.05). Nursing students and professionals showed a vulnerability to TB related to knowledge about transmission, preventive and biosafety measures, and diagnosis of the disease. With respect to transmission, vulnerability was higher among nursing professionals. The results indicate the need for investment by healthcare institutions surrounding this topic in view of the important role of nursing in the establishment of strategies for prevention and control of the disease.

Cell-derived microparticles in haemostasis and vascular medicine.

Considerable interest for cell-derived microparticles has emerged, pointing out their essential role in haemostatic response and their potential as disease markers, but also their implication in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. They derive from different cell types including platelets - the main source of microparticles - but also from red blood cells, leukocytes and endothelial cells, and they circulate in blood. Despite difficulties encountered in analyzing them and disparities of results obtained with a wide range of methods, microparticle generation processes are now better understood. However, a generally admitted definition of microparticles is currently lacking. For all these reasons we decided to review the literature regarding microparticles in their widest definition, including ectosomes and exosomes, and to focus mainly on their role in haemostasis and vascular medicine.

Risco de quedas em idosos: revisão integrativa pelo diagnóstico da North American Nursing Diagnosis Association

Foi objetivo desta pesquisa analisar a produção científica de fatores de risco para quedas, a partir do diagnóstico da North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, na literatura científica brasileira e estrangeira, de 2005 a 2010. Revisão integrativa, na qual foram utilizados os descritores: acidente por quedas e idoso, nas bases de dados da Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature e Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, sendo selecionados 32 artigos para análise de conteúdo. Os resultados são apresentados conforme os fatores de riscos indicados na North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, sendo eles: fatores de riscos ambientais, como recinto com móveis e objetos/tapetes espalhados pelo chão, pouca iluminação, piso escorregadio; fatores de riscos cognitivos, tais como estado mental rebaixado; fatores de riscos em adultos, como idade acima de 65 anos; fatores de riscos fisiológicos, como equilíbrio prejudicado, dificuldades visuais, incontinência, dificuldade na marcha, neoplasia; fatores de riscos para uso de alguns medicamentos. A análise dos fatores de risco de quedas nos idosos evidência a necessidade de desenvolvimento de novas estratégias modificadoras dos ambientes e componentes intrínsecos.

Dignity in care: where next for nursing ethics scholarship and research?

Dignity is recognised as both a central and also a contested value in bioethics discourse. The aim of this manuscript is to examine some of the key strands of the extensive body of dignity scholarship and research literature as it relates to nursing ethics and practice. The method is a critical appraisal of selected articles published in Nursing Ethics and other key manuscripts and texts identified by researchers in the UK and Brazil as influential. The results suggest a wide and rather confusing range of perspectives and findings albeit with some overall themes relating to objective and subjective features of dignity. In conclusion, the authors point to the need for more sustained philosophical engagement contextualising human dignity within a plurality of professional values. Future empirical work should explore what matters to patients, families, professionals and citizens in different cultural contexts rather than foregrounding qualitative research with such a contested concept.