Chest
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Results of studies that use laboratory tests are often easy to interpret, because we are familiar with the units and how to interpret them. However, this is not the case when the results are presented as ORs, relative risks, correlation, or scores on an unfamiliar scale. This article explains these various indices of effect sizes-how they are calculated, what they mean, and how they are interpreted.
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The purpose of this article is to review the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Privacy Rule, the Security Rule, and common issues encountered by researchers related to these federal privacy and security requirements. This article discusses the misconceptions that researchers may hold about HIPAA, including the process for reviewing protected health information when preparing to conduct a study, potential constraint on participant recruitment, and application of HIPAA to a researcher's clinical population. We also present ways to reframe the negative connotations associated with this regulation and provide tips for researchers about how to work with HIPAA when planning and conducting a study and reporting on study findings. Finally, we suggest that the principles of HIPAA be considered when conducting studies in international settings.
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Editorial Comment
Obstructive sleep apnea: the elephant in the cardiovascular room.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Functional and muscular effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with severe COPD: a randomized clinical trial.
The mechanisms through which neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training may improve limb muscle function and exercise tolerance in COPD are poorly understood. We investigated the functional and muscular effects of NMES in advanced COPD. ⋯ In patients with severe COPD, NMES improved muscle CSA. This was associated with a more favorable muscle anabolic to catabolic balance. Improvement in walking distance after NMES training was associated with gains in muscle strength, reduced ventilation during walking, and the ability to tolerate higher stimulation intensity. Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00874965; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.