Author: Helen Sharp, Andrew Pickles, Michael Meaney, Kate Marshall, Florin Tibu, Jonathan Hill
Thursday 18 October 2012
WUTH publication: Frequency of Infant Stroking Reported by Mothers Moderates the Effect of Prenatal Depression on Infant Behavioural and Physiological Outcomes
Citation: ScienceDaily, 2012, 7 (10), e45446
Author: Helen Sharp, Andrew Pickles, Michael Meaney, Kate Marshall, Florin Tibu, Jonathan Hill
Author: Helen Sharp, Andrew Pickles, Michael Meaney, Kate Marshall, Florin Tibu, Jonathan Hill
Monday 15 October 2012
WUTH publication: Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated disease: examination of multiple algorithms using toxin EIA, glutamate dehydrogenase EIA and loop-mediated isothermal amplification.
Citation: British Journal of Biomedical Science, 2012, 69(3), 112-8
Author: Bamber AI, Fitzsimmons K, Cunniffe JG, Beasor CC, Mackintosh CA, Hobbs G
Abstract: The laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) needs to be accurate and timely to ensure optimal patient management, infection control and reliable surveillance. Three methods are evaluated using 810 consecutive stool samples against toxigenic culture: CDT TOX A/B Premier enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit (Meridian Bioscience, Europe), Premier EIA for C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) (Meridian Bioscience, Europe) and the Illumigene kit (Meridian Bioscience, Europe), both individually and within combined testing algorithms. The study revealed that the CDT TOX A/B Premier EIA gave rise to false-positive and false-negative results and demonstrated poor sensitivity (56.47%), compared to Premier EIA for C. difficile GDH (97.65%), suggesting this GDH EIA can be a useful negative screening method. Results for the Illumigene assay alone showed sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 91.57%, 98.07%, 99.03% and 84.44%, respectively. A two-stage algorithm using Premier EIA for C. difficile GDH/Illumigene assay yielded superior results compared with other testing algorithms (91.57%, 98.07%, 99.03% and 84.44%, respectively), mirroring the Illumigene performance. However, Illumigene is approximately half the cost of current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, has a rapid turnaround time and requires no specialised skill base, making it an attractive alternative to assays such as the Xpert C. difficile assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA). A three-stage algorithm offered no improvement and would hamper workflow.
Author: Bamber AI, Fitzsimmons K, Cunniffe JG, Beasor CC, Mackintosh CA, Hobbs G
Abstract: The laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) needs to be accurate and timely to ensure optimal patient management, infection control and reliable surveillance. Three methods are evaluated using 810 consecutive stool samples against toxigenic culture: CDT TOX A/B Premier enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit (Meridian Bioscience, Europe), Premier EIA for C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) (Meridian Bioscience, Europe) and the Illumigene kit (Meridian Bioscience, Europe), both individually and within combined testing algorithms. The study revealed that the CDT TOX A/B Premier EIA gave rise to false-positive and false-negative results and demonstrated poor sensitivity (56.47%), compared to Premier EIA for C. difficile GDH (97.65%), suggesting this GDH EIA can be a useful negative screening method. Results for the Illumigene assay alone showed sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 91.57%, 98.07%, 99.03% and 84.44%, respectively. A two-stage algorithm using Premier EIA for C. difficile GDH/Illumigene assay yielded superior results compared with other testing algorithms (91.57%, 98.07%, 99.03% and 84.44%, respectively), mirroring the Illumigene performance. However, Illumigene is approximately half the cost of current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, has a rapid turnaround time and requires no specialised skill base, making it an attractive alternative to assays such as the Xpert C. difficile assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA). A three-stage algorithm offered no improvement and would hamper workflow.
For more information about obtaining the full text of journal
articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service.
Friday 12 October 2012
WUTH publication: Access to the next wave of biologic therapies (Abatacept and Tocilizumab) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in England and Wales: addressing treatment outside the current NICE guidance.
Citation: Clinical Rheumatology, 2012 Jun, 31(6), 1005-12
Author: Chiu Y, Ostor AJ, Hammond A, Sokoll K, Anderson M, Buch M, Ehrenstein MR, Gordon P, Steer S, Bruce IN
Abstract: Patients in England and Wales with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receive treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) with therapies approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), under guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). This document overviews the current NICE guidelines for the treatment of RA and identifies scenarios when such guidance may not represent the optimum management strategy for individual patients. Specifically, we consider the use of tocilizumab or abatacept as the most appropriate treatments for some patients. In such scenarios, it may be possible for the clinician to secure access to the required therapy through an application procedure known as an 'individual funding request', the process of which is described in detail here. At present, it is unclear the extent to which the proposed reform of the NHS will affect the role of NICE in providing guidance and setting standards of care. Until the full impact of the proposed changes are realized, individual funding requests will remain a valuable way of securing the optimal treatment for all patients suffering from RA.
Author: Chiu Y, Ostor AJ, Hammond A, Sokoll K, Anderson M, Buch M, Ehrenstein MR, Gordon P, Steer S, Bruce IN
Abstract: Patients in England and Wales with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receive treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) with therapies approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), under guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). This document overviews the current NICE guidelines for the treatment of RA and identifies scenarios when such guidance may not represent the optimum management strategy for individual patients. Specifically, we consider the use of tocilizumab or abatacept as the most appropriate treatments for some patients. In such scenarios, it may be possible for the clinician to secure access to the required therapy through an application procedure known as an 'individual funding request', the process of which is described in detail here. At present, it is unclear the extent to which the proposed reform of the NHS will affect the role of NICE in providing guidance and setting standards of care. Until the full impact of the proposed changes are realized, individual funding requests will remain a valuable way of securing the optimal treatment for all patients suffering from RA.
For more information about obtaining the full text of journal
articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service
Wednesday 10 October 2012
New evidence alerts bulletins available
Child Health Horizon Scanning bulletin - this monthly horizon scanning bulletin will alert you to new innovations and good practice in service provision, as well as potential future risk factors relating to Child Health. This bulletin is produced by North West health librarians.
Kidney Diseases - Updates providing the latest evidence, resources and news relating to kidney diseases.
NHS Evidence: Eyes on Evidence - Eyes on Evidence helps to contextualise important new evidence that could signal a change in clinical practice.
NHS Evidence: Eyes on Evidence - Eyes on Evidence helps to contextualise important new evidence that could signal a change in clinical practice.
WUTH publication: Use of Johan forceps as endoloop pushers for laparoscopic appendicectomy.
Citation: Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2012, 94(7), 533-4
Author: Siddique K, Siddiqi N, Sedman P
Author: Siddique K, Siddiqi N, Sedman P
For more information about obtaining the full text of journal articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service .
Thursday 4 October 2012
WUTH publication: "Many issues and beliefs affect individual sun safety advice".
Citation: Nursing Times, 2012, 108(29), 11
Author: Dean M
Author: Dean M
For more information about obtaining the full text of journal articles, please visit our Document / Book Supply service.
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