Optimizing polypharmacy interventions and evaluating their impact on elderly inpatients using dual criteria and medication appropriateness index

With the acceleration of society’s aging process,the widespread phenomenon of polypharmacy among the elderly has become a significant concern.This research aimed to analyze potential inappropriate medication among 178 inpatients in the geriatric general department of our hospital from January 2022 to September 2022.The participants were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group.The observation group received pharmaceutical intervention,whereas the control group did not.The objective was to explore the impact of pharmaceutical intervention on polypharmacy in this population.The results revealed that after pharmaceutical intervention,there were no significant differences in medication adherence,medication appropriateness index(MAI),quantity of medicine,and potentially inappropriate medication(PIM)in the control group compared to before the intervention(P>0.05).However,the observation group showed significant improvement(P<0.05).The proportion of patients with good adherence increased from 57%to 78%,and the percentage of patients with MAI scores over 10 decreased from 60%to 40%.Moreover,there was a reduction in the number of medications prescribed,with only 47%of patients receiving more than five different types compared to the initial rate of 64%.Additionally,the occurrence of PIM declined from an initial rate of 64%to just 44%,surpassing that observed in the control group.Therefore,the implementation of pharmaceutical intervention can effectively enhance medication adherence and appropriateness among elderly patients,mitigate the risk of PIM,and promote rational medicine utilization.

Spousal Involvement in the Workplace of Doctors: What Is Defined as Appropriate or Inappropriate

Background: Workers spend a significant amount of time in the workspace. Involvement of a spouse in a doctor’s workplace can take different forms and come with different intentions. Objectives: The survey aimed to determine the prevalence and extent of spousal involvement in physicians’ workplaces as well as the outcome of such involvement on doctor’ swell-being, productivity, and relationship with colleagues. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey on spousal involvement in the workplace of doctors was conducted among 83 responding doctors from July to August 2023. Results: Among the respondents, 60 (72.3%) had witnessed a doctor’s spouse being involved in the workplace. The most common reason for spousal involvement in the workplace was to protect the spouse from what they perceived as a threat 34 (54.0%). Spouse’s ignorance of boundaries in the workplace (OR: 6.09 (95% CI: 1.70, 21.79) P: 0.003) and exertion of control by the spouse (OR: 11.2 (95% CI: 2.26, 56.41) P: 0.002) were significantly associated with higher odds of inappropriate spousal involvement in the workplace, while expression of love for spouse with acts of kindness was significantly associated with a lowered odd of inappropriate spousal involvement (OR: 0.11 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.36) P: 0.0001). Conclusion: Spousal involvement in the workplace is relatively common. Ignorance of the boundaries of the workplace and exertion of control by the spouse were significant enablers of inappropriate spousal involvement in the workplace of doctors. The establishment of workplace policies that define the limits of spousal involvement in the doctor’s workplace can foster a healthy workspace environment, enhance doctors’ well-being, and improve patient care.

Appropriateness of Amikacin Dose Prescription, Monitoring and Safety during Hospitalization as an Impact of Clinical Pharmacologist Intervention, in the Israeli Regional Hospital

Background: Use of inappropriate amikacin dose is one of the most important factors in inducing toxicity, prolonged hospitalization as well as in increasing patient’s mortality. Objective: The aims of this study are the analysis of amikacin dose, serum level and the examination of the effectiveness of the clinical pharmacologist (CP) therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) intervention to guarantee the safety of amikacin use. Methods: This is a one-year retrospective observational chart review study, which evaluates amikacin dose, serum drug level, development of adverse effects in patients on amikacin with or without CP TDM consultation. Results: Amikacin was prescribed for 393 complex patients, with median age 83. Amikacin group (AG) included 140 (32%) courses with CP consultation (AG1) and 292 (68%) courses without CP consultation (AG2). The distribution of most study characteristics in both groups was similar including amikacin dose (9-10 mg/kg/day), renal failure (14%) and mortality (12%). Acceptance for CP consultation was in 46% of amikacin courses and dose changes were done in 63% after CP intervention. Prolonged antibiotic course (4.6 ± 1.5 vs 3.8 ± 1.6 days, p < 0.0001) and the patient’s hemodynamic instability (15% vs 7%, p = 0.01) were more frequent in the AG1 compared to the AG2. There was a strong association between CP consultation and prolonged hospitalization (p = 0.005), while no association between it and amikacin adverse effects, renal failure or mortality. Conclusions: There was no trend to reducing amikacin toxicity, days of hospitaliza tion or mortality in patients with CP consultation. CP TDM intervention was more in the management of complicated clinical situations. However, it is necessary to optimize it.

Examination of the Appropriateness of Teaching Materials for Preventing Dangers during Ablution and Bathing of Infants by Mothers and Family Members

Purpose: This study aimed to develop teaching materials to prevent the dangers of ablution and bathing infants, based on the dangerous experiences of mothers and family members, and examine their appropriateness. Methods: A total of 20 midwives and public health nurses were selected as participants. Teaching materials and anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed, and the participants were asked to view the teaching materials and fill in the questionnaires. Retrieval was done by mail. The teaching materials included digital content, such as videos, sounds, and characters, which incorporated dangerous situations, preventions, and innovations in ablution and bathing procedures. The analysis was conducted by simple tabulation for each survey item. The free description was coded to preserve anonymity. This study was conducted with the approval of the Research Ethics Review Board of the authors’ affiliated university. Results: The teaching materials were found to be appropriate in terms of suitability to purpose, degree of difficulty of content, ease of viewing the videos, validity of time, appropriateness of expression, and usability. Conclusions: Ablution teaching materials that are used at the present time do not focus on dangers, and to date, no resources on bathing have been used as teaching materials. The created teaching materials in this study can be viewed multiple times, and mothers and family members who are unfamiliar with ablution and bathing can acquire knowledge regarding dangers and danger prevention. The addition of specific preventive measures and countermeasures for the occurrence of danger, along with practice, would result in the development of further appropriate teaching materials to reduce danger and alleviate anxiety.

Transforming Molecules into Medicines: Role of CDMOS in Phase-Appropriate Technology Transfers in Advancing Pharmaceutical Innovation

CDMOs are emerging as critical drivers of innovation within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see CDMOs play an increasingly important role in drug development and manufacturing. Many companies within these sectors are now leveraging the expertise of CDMOs through technology transfers to foster innovation and enhance the development of new drug products. In the extensive field of drug development, technology transfer plays a crucial role at multiple stages, ranging from preclinical phases to commercialization. By working closely with drug developers, CDMOs can ensure that technologies are transferred seamlessly between phases of drug development, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective development process. CDMOs also bring a wealth of experience in various areas of drug development, including process development, analytical testing, quality control, and manufacturing. This expertise, combined with a focus on innovation, can help drug developers to overcome technical challenges and optimize their drug development programs. CDMOs can provide drug developers with various manufacturing capabilities, from small-scale clinical trials to large-scale commercial production. This flexibility allows drug developers to focus on their core competencies while relying on CDMOs to provide the necessary infrastructure and support for drug manufacturing. The critical role of CDMOs in advancing pharmaceutical innovation in phase-appropriate technology transfer where there will be a lot of effort and patience with strong technical expertise is required. This article explores the various types of Technology transfer from preclinical to commercial stages and successful strategies to foster innovation.

Appropriate Garden Design of Primitive Ecology Based on the Indigenization of Environmental Ethics

The accelerating urbanization process leads to aggravated environmental problems, thus garden design which is a creative activity connecting human and nature has attracted much attention, and also garden designers have had to rethink about environmental ethics and morals. This study, from the perspective of environmental ethics, duly proposed the brand-new concept of 'appropriate garden of primitive ecology', proceeded from the orientation, form, value, theoretical basis, realistic significance, culture and consumption psychology of 'garden of primitive ecology', fully developed outstanding ecological wisdoms and morals in traditional Chinese garden culture, boosted garden designs to the environmental ethics level of eco-justice, to seek for the approach to 'garden of primitive ecology' with indigenous Chinese environmental ethic characteristics.

The Experimental Research on the Classroom Teaching Mode of Appropriate Combination of Traditional Methods with the Multimedia Overhead Projector

Based on the constructivism, using the College English（new edition） CD-ROMs for classroom teaching as main media, this paper explores the feasibility of the classroom teaching mode of appropriate combination of traditional methods with the multimedia overhead projector. The new teaching mode proves to be successful in that it has greatly improved the students＇ ability to use English in an all-round way and has obvious advantages over the only traditional method.

Better Than You Think—Appropriate Use of Implantable Cardioverter-Defi brillators at a Single Academic Center:A Retrospective Review

Background:Implantable cardioverter-defi brillators(ICDs)can be life-saving devices,although they are expensive and may cause complications.In 2013,several professional societies published joint appropriate use criteria(AUC)assessing indications for ICD implantation.Data evaluating the clinical application of AUC are limited.Previous registry-based studies estimated that 22.5%of primary prevention ICD implantations were“non-evidence-based”implantations.On the basis of AUC,we aimed to determine the prevalence of“rarely appropriate”ICD implantation at our institution for comparison with previous estimates.Methods:We reviewed 286 patients who underwent ICD implantation between 2013 and 2016.Appropriateness of each ICD implantation was assessed by independent review and rated on the basis of AUC.Results:Of 286 ICD implantations,two independent reviewers found that 89.5%and 89.2%,respectively,were appropriate,5.6%and 7.3%may be appropriate,and 1.8%and 2.1%were rarely appropriate.No AUC indication was found for 3.5%and 3.4%of ICD implantations,respectively.Secondary prevention ICD implantations were more likely rarely appropriate(2.6%vs.1.2%and 3.6%vs.1.1%)or unrated(6.0%vs.1.2%and 2.7%vs.0.6%).The reviewers found 3.5%and 3.4%of ICD implantations,respectively,were non-evidence-based implantations.The difference in rates between reviewers was not statistically signifi cant.Conclusion:Compared with prior reports,our prevalence of rarely appropriate ICD implantation was very low.The high appropriate use rate could be explained by the fact that AUC are based on current clinical practice.The AUC could benefi t from additional secondary prevention indications.Most importantly,clinical judgement and individualized care should determine which patients receive ICDs irrespective of guidelines or criteria.

Appropriate Listening Materials in Business English Teaching

Business English is a branch of ESP(English for specific Purpose),which determines its vocational and professional orient and its focus on learning for reality,work and professions,so applying real and authentic content in Business English teaching is suggested to be helpful both in theory and in practice.However,compared with other L2 skills teaching,to some points,listening input turns out to be problematic and uncertain in terms of utilization and selection of authentic listening materials currently.This article tries to present the problems and analyze to what extent these problems can be tackled by suggesting some appropriate listening materials.

Ways to Develop College Students' Awareness of Appropriateness in Oral Communication

Appropriateness is very important in oral communication.By analyzing the problems in oral communication,this article puts forward some efficient ways to raise college students’awareness of appropriateness in oral communication.

Appropriate Strategies for Rural Houses In Northwest China

To avoid the old road of urban development with high consumption and high pollution,this paper took the houses in a village near Yinchuan(a typical city of Northwest China)as an exemplary project to explore the appropriate strategies in the arid cold climate for the sustainable development in rural undeveloped areas Northwest China.Firstly,all houses were designed according to the principles of passive solar heating.Secondly,optimized biomass energy technologies such as biogas pit and straw gasification stove were utilized for cooking or heating.Last but not the least important,the ecological building materials such as earth,straw bale,fly ash were used to construct houses,which improves the indoor thermal comfort and meanwhile lowers the negative impact on the environment.Low costs,easy accessibility and habitants' inclination were taken into account in the process of design.

Appropriate empirical antibiotic use and 30-d mortality in cirrhotic patients with bacteremia

AIM: To analyze whether prompt and appropriate empirical antibiotic(AEA) use is associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients with bacteremia. METHODS: A total of 102 episodes of bacteremia in 72 patients with cirrhosis were analyzed. AEA was defined as a using or starting an antibiotic appropriate to the isolated pathogen at the time of bacteremia. The primary endpoint was 30-d mortality. RESULTS: The mortality rate at 30 d was 30.4%(31/102 episodes). Use of AEA was associated with better survival at 30 d(76.5% vs 46.9%, P = 0.05), and inappropriate empirical antibiotic(IEA) use was an independent factor associated with increased mortality(OR = 3.24; 95%CI: 1.50-7.00; P = 0.003, adjusted for age, sex, ChildPugh Class, gastrointestinal bleeding, presence of septic shock). IEA use was more frequent when the isolated pathogen was a multiresistant pathogen, and when infection was healthcare-related or hospital-acquired. CONCLUSION: AEA use was associated with increased survival of cirrhotic patients who developed bacteremia. Strategies for AEA use, tailored according to the local epidemiological patterns, are needed to improve survival of cirrhotic patients with bacteremia.

Subaxial cervical spine injury classification system: is it most appropriate for classifying cervical injury?

The cervical spine injury represents a potential devastating disease with 6% associated in-hospital mortality （lain et al., 2015）. Neurological deterioration ranging from complete spinal cord injury （SCI） to incomplete SCI or single radiculopathy are potential consequences of the blunt trauma over this region. The subaxial cervical spine accounts the vast majority of cervical injuries, making up two thirds of all cervical fractures （Alday, 1996）. Few classifications （Holdsworth, 1970; White et al., 1975; Mien et al., 1982; Denis, 1984; Vaccaro et al., 2007） have been proposed to describe injuries of the cervical spine for several reasons. First, to delineate the best treatment in each case; second, to determinate an accurate neurological prognosis, and third, to establish a standard way to communicate and describe specific characteristics of cervical injuries patterns. Classical systems are primarily descriptive and no single system has gained widespread use, largely because of restrictions in clinical relevance and its complexity.

Appropriateness of indication and diagnostic yield of colonoscopy: First report based on the 2000 guidelines of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

AIM: To assess the appropriateness of referrals and to determine the diagnostic yield of colonoscopy according to the 2000 guidelines of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).METHODS: A total of 736 consecutive patients (415males, 321 females; mean age 43.6±16.6 years)undergoing colonoscopy during October 2001-March2002 Were prospectively enrolled in the study. The 2000ASGE guidelines were used to assess the appropriateness of the indications for the procedure. Diagnostic yield was defined as the ratio between significant findings detected on colonoscopy and the total number of procedures performed for that indication.RESULTS: The large majority (64%) of patients had colonoscopy for an indication that was considered'generally indicated'; it was 'generally not indicated' for20%, and it was 'not listed' for 16% in the guidelines.The diagnostic yield of colonoscopy was highest for the 'generally indicated' (38%) followed by 'not listed'(13%) and 'generally not indicated' (5%) categories.In the multivariable analysis, the diagnostic yield was independently associated with the appropriateness of indication that was 'generally indicated' (odds ratio=12.3) and referrals by gastroenterologist (odds ratio = 1.9).CONCLUSION: There is a high likelihood of inappropriate referrals for colonoscopy in an open-access endoscopy system. The diagnostic yield of the procedure is dependent on the appropriateness of indication and referring physician's specialty. Certain indications 'not listed' in the guidelines have an intermediate diagnostic yield and further studies are required to evaluate whether they should be included in future revisions of the ASGE guidelines.

Appropriateness of outpatient gastrointestinal endoscopy in a non-academic hospital

AIM:To assess the appropriate use and the diagnostic yield of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy in this subgroup of patients.METHODS:In total,789 consecutive outpatients referred for gastrointestinal(GI) endoscopy [381 for esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD) and 408 for colonoscopy] were prospectively enrolled in the study.The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy(ASGE) guidelines were used to assess the relationship between appropriateness and the presence of relevant endoscopic f indings.RESULTS:The overall inappropriate rate was 13.3%.The indications for EGD and colonoscopy were,respectively,appropriate in 82.7% and 82.6% of the exams,uncertain in 5.8% and 2.4% and inappropriate in 11.5% and 15%.The diagnostic yield was signif icant higher forEGDs and colonoscopies judged appropriate and uncertain when compared with those considered inappropriate(EGD:36.6% vs 36.4% vs 11.4%,P = 0.004;Colonoscopy:24.3% vs 20.0% vs 3.3%,P = 0.001).Of the 25 malignant lesions detected,all but one was detected in exams judged appropriate or uncertain.CONCLUSION:This study shows a good adherence to ASGE guidelines by the referring physicians and a significant increase of the diagnostic yield in appropriate examinations,namely in detecting neoplastic lesions.It underscores the importance that the appropriateness of the indication assumes in assuring high-quality GI endoscopic procedures.

Conforming to the Trend at An Appropriate Time——My Thoughts on the Building of the Silk Road Economic Belt

During his state visit to Kazakhstan this September,President Xi Jinping made a concrete proposal to build a Silk Road Economic Belt(SREB for short in the following paragraphs)from the aspects of policy communication,road connectivity,

Utility, Appropriateness of Request and Report of Computed Tomography Scan for the Diagnosis of Paranasal Sinuses Pathologies in a Sub-Saharan Africa Urban Setting

Background: Computed tomography (CT) Scan is the imaging of choice for the diagnosis of sino nasal (SN) pathologies in sub-Saharan African setting. However, it is often requested by non experienced practitioners. We aimed to describe the utility and the appropriateness of CT Scan request forms and results in the diagnosis of SN pathologies. Method: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in four health facilities in Yaoundé, Cameroun, from October 2018 to September 2019. All patients to whom SN CT Scan was performed were called for an appointment. After informed consent, data on the appropriateness and conformity of the request form were collected and compared to the guidelines of the French society of radiology. CT Scan results were also collected and the quality of the report was evaluated. Results: A total of 206 SN CT Scan request forms and reports were included, with a mean patient age of 37.7 ± 16.1 years. The request form was conformed to guidelines in 8.3% of cases and was found appropriate in 62.6% of cases. No CT Scan report had all the items required, and 159 (77.2%) reports were useful. The most common diagnosis in patients with abnormal results was chronic sinusitis (49.5%) and SN polyp or polyposis (19.4%). Conclusion: Most of SN CT Scan requested were appropriate and useful. However, the conformity of request forms and reports to the guidelines is low. Suggesting the need for capacity building for the diagnosis of SN pathologies especially for non specialists like general practitioners and nurses.

Application of appropriate use criteria for percutaneous coronary intervention in Japan

The aim of this review was to summarize the concept of appropriate use criteria(AUC) regarding percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) and document AUC use and impact on clinical practice in Japan, in comparison with its application in the United States. AUC were originally developed to subjectively evaluate the indications and performance of various diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, including revascularization techniques. Over the years, application of AUC has significantly impacted patient selection for PCI in the United States, particularly in non-acute settings. After the broad implementation of AUC in 2009, the rate of inappropriate PCI decreased by half by 2014. The effect was further accentuated by incorporation of financial incentives(e.g., restriction of reimbursement for inappropriate procedures). On the other hand, when the United States-derived AUC were applied to Japanese patients undergoing elective PCI from 2008 to 2013, about one-third were classified as inappropriate, largely due to the perception gap between American and Japanese experts. For example, PCI for low-risk non-left atrial ascending artery lesion was more likely to be classified as appropriate by Japanese standards, and anatomical imaging with coronary computed tomography angiography was used relatively frequently in Japan, but no scenario within the current AUC includes this modality. To extrapolate the current AUC to Japan or any other region outside of the United States, these local discrepancies must be taken into consideration, and scenarios should be revised to reflect contemporary practice. Understanding the concept of AUC as well as its perception gap between different counties will result in the broader implementation of AUC, and lead to the quality improvement of patients' care in the field of coronary intervention.

Differential Impact of Appropriate Use Criteria on the Association between Age and Abnormal Stress Myocardial Perfusion SPECT

Background:The diagnostic and prognostic value of appropriate use criteria(AUC)for coronary artery disease(CAD)is well established.Whether the diagnostic yield of AUC for predicting CAD is preserved among the elderly is not known.Methods:We analyzed a multisite prospective cohort of 1511 consecutive patients(age 59±13 years,57%males)who underwent outpatient,community-based single-photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)myocardial perfusion imaging(MPI).Appropriateness of the studies was determined on the basis of the 2013 multimodality AUC for detection and risk assessment of stable ischemic heart disease.Abnormal SPECT MPI was defi ned by either a summed stress score of 4 or greater or a summed difference score of 2 or greater.Results:Abnormal SPECT MPI was present in 190 patients(12.5%),while ischemia on MPI alone was present in 122 patients(8%).In multivariate logistic regression analysis,age of 60 years or greater,male sex,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,and known CAD were independent predictors of abnormal SPET MPI,while appropriate indication for testing was not.Age of 60 years or greater was also an independent predictor of inducible myocardial ischemia,while appropriate indication for testing was not.Among the elderly(≥60 years),regardless of appropriateness of testing,there was no difference in the prevalence of abnormal SPECT(19 vs.14%,P=0.14)or prevalence of SPECT ischemia(11 vs.11%,P=1.00).Among younger patients,however,appropriate testing predicted a greater prevalence of abnormal SPECT(12 vs.7%,P=0.013).Conclusion:In this multisite cohort,testing based on AUC did not discriminate the risk of abnormal SPECT MPI among the elderly.Caution is advised when relying on AUC for referral of elderly patients for SPECT MPI.

Appropriate schemata and building blocks

Appropriate schemata as a novel concept to characterize building blocks are introduced, and then, the traits of appropriate schemata are presented. The effects of building blocks by search operators are analyzed. Hence, the experiments on RR-8X8 are employed to verify that appropriate schemata construct the building blocks. The validity of appropriate schemata and building blocks from the views of theory and practice is presented.