International Literature Data Research Articles

Development of Evaluation Checklist for Personal Office Furniture and Apparatus and Fact-Finding Survey

Objective:The objective of this research is to develop evaluation checklist for personal office furniture and apparatus to shape comfortable and efficient worksite for welfare improvement, productivity enhancement and labor force preservation, and to identify office work environment by applying the checklist. Background: Because most office workers work using computers in a sitting posture, the ratio of office workers among total musculoskeletal disorders patients is forecast to increase. In this regard, an effort to prevent and manage such musculoskeletal disorders is required. Method: This research developed evaluation checklist for personal office furniture and apparatus by examining 25 domestic and international ergonomic literature and anthropometric data. This research carried out a fact-finding survey targeting the A Office and B Office of one public agency using the checklist. Results: Although, the checklist items on desks, chairs, computers and other goods conformed to the checklist standards, the following items did not conformed: desk height adjustment, seat board depth adjustment, lumbar support depth, foot rest, wrist rest, mouse tray, headset, speaker phone and Bluetooth. Conclusion: The evaluation checklist for personal office furniture and apparatus and fact-finding survey results are considered to be used as basic data for office work environment and welfare improvement. Application: The information drawn from this research can be helpful to manufacturers design and manufacture of ergonomic furniture and apparatus.

Perspectives in the management of congenital heart defects in adult patients

Due to improving results in congenital heart surgery, the number of adult patients with congenital heart defect is increasing. The question is: what kind of problems can be managed in this patient-group? The authors review the different problems of management of congenital heart defects in adults based on national and international literature data. Simple defects recognised in adults, postoperative residual problems, changing of small grafts and valves, correction of primary or operated coarctation aortae can be usually managed without problems. A very close follow-up is necessary to establish the correct period for heart transplantation in patients with transposition of great arteries with Senning/Mustard operation, and univentricular heart corrected with "Fontan-circulation" type surgical procedure. The authors conclude that although the number of patients increases, only a few congenital heart diseases may cause problems. It seems important (1) to monitor asymptomatic patient who underwent operation (Fallot-IV, Ross procedure, etc.), (2) follow up regularly patients who underwent Senning/Mustard procedure (magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, brain natriuretic peptide measurement), (3) define the proper period of preparation for heart transplantation of patients with a univentricular heart, with special attention to the possibility of multiorgan (lung, liver, etc.) failure. Due to the improvement of foetal diagnosis of congenital heart defects, the number of patients with complex congenital heart defects is decreasing. The standard management of these patients could be primary heart transplantation in infancy.

Cannabis social clubs in Belgium: Organizational strengths and weaknesses, and threats to the model

BackgroundCannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) are private organizations or clubs of users that produce cannabis for non-profit distribution to adult members to meet their personal needs without having to turn to the black market. CSCs can be found in many countries, but the term often covers very different empirical realities. Inspired by the Spanish CSCs and similarly taking advantage of a grey area in the Belgian cannabis legislation, Belgian cannabis activists set up the first Belgian CSC in 2006, and there are now at least 5 Belgian CSCs. The paper's main objective is to analyse the (internal) strengths and weaknesses and the (external) opportunities and threats of the model, as it exists today. MethodsThe paper draws on a review of international literature and qualitative data on the Belgian cannabis social clubs. Field visits and interviews were conducted with each club. We analysed membership application forms, cultivation protocols and contracts with growers, cannabis ownership certificates of members, information leaflets, the clubs’ websites, and all media articles and documentaries on the clubs in the Belgian media. ResultsThe paper describes the membership criteria and house rules, the members’ profile, the organization and protocols for cannabis production, the distribution of cannabis through ‘exchange fairs’, the administrative features of the clubs and their contacts with other CSCs and with local authorities, the drug sector and the media. Belgian CSCs seem not profit-driven, and operate as a system in which cannabis is not too easily available. The clubs have fairly direct control over the quality and the potency of the cannabis they distribute. The model offers important potential opportunities, in terms of economic advantages and monitoring consumption patterns. The main threats to Belgian CSCs consist of attempts to criminalize the model, the emergence of profit-driven clubs and systemic violence from criminal entrepreneurs. Weaknesses of the model relate to the unstable or transient nature of the clubs, the transparency of their operational procedures, the superficiality of their quality control strategies, and the risk of morphing into marketing enterprises. ConclusionsThe CSC model could be a safe and feasible option for policymakers to move a meaningful distance along the spectrum towards legally regulated cannabis markets without crossing over to full commercial availability. Governmental regulation could convert weaknesses and threats to the model into strengths and opportunities to ensure best practice. If authorities refrain from action, the model might dilute and evolve in a similar way as the Spanish CSCs did recently, with the establishment of large, commercial clubs.

Questions and dilemmas in the management of hypospadias

Hypospadias is the second most common congenital malformation in males. Etiology remains unknown in about 70% of the cases. Distal hypospadias is considered not only developmental abnormality of the urethra in males, but it may also constitute a mild form of sexual development disorder in 46,XY males. Most urologists and endocrinologists consider that it is necessary to perform a detailed investigation of children presenting with proximal hypospadias associated with a small phallus or poorly developed scrotum and undescended testes. Currently, there is no generally accepted recommendation for the preoperative evaluation of hypospadias and, therefore, masculinizing surgery without preoperative evaluation is performed in these children. The authors summarize the international literature data and their own experience for the assessment and management of hypospadias concerning questions and problems related to preoperative investigation, masculinizing surgery and additional surgery. A detailed algorithm is presented for preoperative evaluation of both proximal and distal hypospadias.

Group B streptococci in pregnant women: current situation

This article presents current data of international and Russian literature in respect of Group B streptococcus as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of newborns. The review summarizes Cochrane’s database, recommendations of the American society of obstetricians and gynecologists (АСОG,2002), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP,2001), the centers for disease control (CDC,2010) on terminology, epidemiology, basic concepts of pathogenesis and methods of prevention of the infection in newborn infants.

Pediatric Portal Vein Thrombosis

To the Editor: We read with much interest the article by Ferri et al (1) published in the June 2012 issue of JPGN. They had reported interesting original personal and international (Brazil, Egypt, Germany, Israel, United Kingdom, and Turkey) literature data on the presence of thrombophilia in children with the diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) without liver disease. As correctly pointed out by them, studies on old and novel thrombophilic risk factors in pediatric PVT are still fragmentary, and sometimes controversial or unexpected. In this regard, the authors had particularly underlined the possible role played by ethnic/geographical variations, and the surprisingly apparent lack of involvement of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2-VS17). This is a novel mutated protein kinase protagonist in adult series of splanchnic venous thrombosis and/or myeloproliferative disorders (2), which has still been seldom investigated in pediatric population. The authors had concluded that even after investigation of hereditary and acquired thrombophilia, PVT remains without a defined cause in the majority of the evaluated patients. We believe that this conclusion may be useful to the journal readership, urging them to also focus on a recent study of our group on genetic risk factors in 19 similar cases of Italian origin with PVT (3). We also did not find the JACK2-VS17 mutation in any of the studied patients. In our own series, among 12 of 19 patients (63%) with neonatal history of umbilical vein catheterization, a genetic variant (factor V Leyden, n = 1; prothrombin G20210A mutation, n = 2) tended to be more frequent (ie, 25%) than in the remaining 7 of 19 of the idiopathic group (factor V Leyden, n = 1; 14.3%). We believe that the data from the study by Ferri et al (1), along with those quoted in their references, and our personal results as well (3), call for a meta-analytical study of literature evidences and prospective larger studies, assessing these and also other thrombophilic markers, to gain a better insight into the mechanisms underlying pediatric PVT. This information will possibly be useful for better establishment of the real need for timely prophylactic anticoagulation strategies when indicated.

Metal levels in organically and conventionally produced animal and vegetable products in Turkey

Lead, cadmium, copper, zinc and iron levels were determined in organically and conventionally produced wheat, green lentils, flower honey and eggs that are supplied on different markets in Ankara, Turkey. Their toxicological and nutritional values were compared with national and international limits and literature data. The levels of cadmium and lead in conventionally and organically produced wheat, green lentils, honey and egg were below the limit of detection (LOD), whereas the level of copper was only below LOD in honey and eggs. The levels of Zn and Cu were found to be higher in conventionally produced wheat samples than organically produced ones; whereas the level of Fe in organic products was found to be higher than the conventional products.

E-toile: arrêt sur image à mi-chemin

eHealth constitutes a very complex field which will probably induce structural, organic and cultural major modifications in many activities related to the human health. It is even probable that one can speak here about singularity, that means the moment when technological change becomes so rapid and profound, it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history. E-toile is a community medical electronic network centered on the patient with universal vocation developed in Geneva, which passed from the state of project to that of pilot in 2011. The objective of this presentation is to confront the data of the international literature with the first experiments carried out in the framework of the doctor's offices, solo or group, with an aim of drawing the preliminary conclusions, identifying and priorising the necessary innovations and initializing the essential cultural changes.

Policy activism with and for youth in transition through public education

This paper provides an analysis of international literature and focus group data arising from a three-year critical ethnographic study with 795 young people, educators and parents speaking about transitions through public education in Canada. It fills fissures in qualitative and process-based sociological work on youth transitions and redresses school transitions as critical, nested social ensembles. Moving from elementary to secondary school evokes emotional, social and academic paradoxes for young people. Policy and practice shifts are required and a policy activist stance begins to cut through embedded ideological and practical goings-on surrounding youth. The paper takes particular aim at that which continues to encourage individualised and pathologised treatment of this social transition, including the continued use and abuse of ‘at-risk’ labels, and the need to support transitions teams with and for youth living through complex resiliency.

Uncertainties of stormwater characteristics and removal rates of stormwater treatment facilities: Implications for stormwater handling

Stormwater runoff is a major contributor to the pollution of receiving waters. This study focuses at characterising stormwater in order to be able to determine the impact of stormwater on receiving waters and to be able to select the most appropriate stormwater handling strategy. The stormwater characterisation is based on determining site mean concentrations (SMCs) and their uncertainties as well as the treatability of stormwater by monitoring specific pollutants concentration levels (TSS, COD, BOD, TKN, TP, Pb, Cu, Zn, E.coli) at three full scale stormwater treatment facilities in Arnhem, the Netherlands. This has resulted in 106 storm events being monitored at the lamella settler, 59 at the high rate sand filter and 132 at the soil filter during the 2 year monitoring period.The stormwater characteristics in Arnhem in terms of SMCs for main pollutants TSS and COD and settling velocities differ from international data. This implies that decisions for stormwater handling made on international literature data will very likely be wrong due to assuming too high concentrations of pollutants and misjudgement of the treatability of stormwater. The removal rates monitored at the full scale treatment facilities are within the expected range, with the soil filter and the sand filter having higher removal rates than the lamella settler. The full scale pilots revealed the importance of incorporating gross solids removal in the design of stormwater treatment facilities, as the gross solids determine operation and maintenance requirements.

National Cancer Information Service in Italy: An information points network as a new model for providing information for cancer patients

The international literature data report that good information and communication are fundamental components of a therapeutic process. They contribute to improve the patient-health care professional relationship, to facilitate doctor-patient relationships, therapeutic compliance and adherence, and to the informed consent in innovative clinical trials. We report the results of a multicentric national initiative that developed a 17-information-structure network: 16 Information Points located in the major state-funded certified cancer centers and general hospitals across Italy and a national Help-line at the nonprofit organization AIMaC (the Italian oncologic patients, families and friends association), and updated the already existing services with the aim to create the National Cancer Information Service (SION). The project is the result of a series of pilot and research projects funded by the Italian Ministry of Health. The Information Service model proposed is based on some fundamental elements: 1) human interaction with experienced operators, adequately trained in communication and information, complemented with 2) virtual interaction (Help line, Internet, blog, forum and social network); 3) informative material adequate for both scientific accuracy and communicative style; 4) adequate locations for appropriate positioning and privacy (adequate visibility); 5) appropriate advertising. First results coming from these initiatives contributed to introduce issues related to "Communication and Information to patients" as a "Public Health Instrument" to the National Cancer Plan approved by the Ministry of Health for the years 2010-2012.

Elimination of Micro-organisms by Drinking Water Treatment Processes: A Review

The overall aim of this book is to present default values for the micro-organisms elimination or inactivation credit of universally used processes in water treatment (MEC or MIC). These MEC or MIC values have been calculated from international literature data which revealed a high variation in capacities or logremoval. The parameters and process control parameters affecting the presented capacities are described.This new edition describes the state-of-the-art progress in research on conventional treatment, coagulation and flocculation, rapid granular filtration, slow sand filtration and UV disinfection.This title belongs to KWR Watercycle Research Institute Series.ISBN: 9781843393733 (Print)ISBN: 9781780401584 (eBook)

Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in Hungary. Study conducted in a representative Hungarian population

In an earlier publication, authors have already reported the result of a survey conducted in a representative Hungarian population, where joint complaint prevalence data were presented, including those of the knee joint. Following the above mentioned publication, in the current study authors aimed to determine the clinical and radiological prevalence of knee osteoarthritis using internationally accepted scoring methods for evaluation. 2422 patients with complaints and consent were invited for a clinical follow up. 682 people (244 male; 438 female) came to participate in the study. After recording case history, and anthropometric parameters, a thorough musculoskeletal examination was carried out. Using these data Knee Society Score, Functional score and visual analogue pain scale values were calculated. On the AP and lateral view X-rays joint space width was measured, Kellgren-Lawrence radiological evaluation was performed and osteoarthritis prevalence was defined. radiological evaluation was possible in 676 cases. Knee osteoarthritis was found in 91 people (13.3%), severe osteoarthritis in 20 people (2.9%). Functional parameters of radiologically negative and positive cases were compared. Knee Society Score, functional score and visual analogue scale values were significantly worse in people with defined osteoarthritis (p<0.05). Regarding Body Mass Index, significantly higher values were found in those with osteoarthritis as well. Authors presented radiographic knee osteoarthritis prevalence data for the first time in the Hungarian literature. According to their observations, age and higher BMI values play a significant role in the development of knee osteoarthritis. After discussing the details of the survey, an overview and comparison with data of international literature is given.

Growing pains in children: Epidemiological analysis in a Mediterranean population

ObjectivesRecurrent lower limb pains (growing pains) constitute the most frequent cause of musculoskeletal pain in children. Despite the fact that the international literature has presented numerous cases over the years, which have led to various hypotheses and theories, the disorder's exact nature and aetiology remain unclear. MethodsOur study aims to examine both the epidemiological profile of the children affected by the disorder and the measures taken by parents or medical specialists for their management. In addition, we tried to link the existing theories with the findings of our study, to ascertain whether these were verified by the epidemiological findings. This retrospective study investigated the appearance of lower limbs in the 12-month period before the visit of the children to our department. The study included a total of 532 children, aged 4–12, while the data were collected through semi-structured interviews including a mix of open and closed questions. ResultsOne hundred and thirty of these children presented growing pains, meeting Petersen's criteria. The frequency of the disorder was 24.5%. Most times, they appeared after intensive physical exercise, while their development was not linked to the children's BMI. The main therapeutic approach used by parents was massaging the painful lower limbs and, to a lesser extent, the administration of anti-inflammatory agents. ConclusionsThe data analysis proves that this is a benign disorder with an unknown pathophysiological mechanism. In addition, their presence is not strongly related to anatomic or orthopaedic disorders, a fact opposing anatomical theory. On the contrary, their appearance after intensive physical exercise at a percentage of up to 78.5% leads us to hypothesise that it is a lower local extremity overuse syndrome, which seems in accordance with many experimental data in international literature.

Costs of diabetes in Italy

Among chronic diseases, diabetes is one of the most impacting on healthcare expenditures. This impact is expected to continue growing over time, because of increasing prevalence and earlier diagnosis, with subsequent longer duration of the disease. A review of the main Italian cost of illness studies has been conducted, with a focus on papers addressing the cost structure of diabetes care and those exploring the resources determining the expenditure difference between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. According to different sources, in Italy the yearly average direct cost for diabetes management ranges from € 2,340 to 2,990 per patient. Drugs account for 22-34% of this burden, while 52-60% is due to hospitalization. Of the pharmaceutical expenditure, only 10-11% is related to oral hypoglycemic drugs. Complications account for a large share of diabetes costs: vascular complications induce a 70-100% cost increase. Several studies compared health care expenditures for diabetic patients with those for matched control patients without diabetes. These studies point out that diabetic patients have higher health costs due to an increase in the prevalence of use of health care resources and/or an increase in their prescribed amount. As expected, this gap is mainly due to the treatment of diabetes complications, as opposed to routine disease management; furthermore, some evidence showed that cost increases related to diabetes diagnosis are also caused by drugs, hospitalizations and specialist consultations required for managing disorders traditionally considered not related to diabetes. Consistently with international literature data, our review suggests that the improvement of therapy adherence, together with the adoption of strategies specifically prescribed in order to prevent or delay complications, may be able to ameliorate long term clinical and quality of life outcomes, with a marginal increment of health expenditures.

The complications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in older patients

Background Laparoscopic minimally invasive access has changed treatment of the adrenal lesions, becoming the gold standard for the treatment of secreting and non-secreting benign tumors, of rare lesions like cysts or myelolipomas, but remaining still controversial for malignant lesions. In relation to international literature data concerning complications linked to this approach, in particular with regards to over seventy-year-old patients, we have analysed our experience comparing the overall series with that of older patients.

Effectiveness and efficiency of CT-colonography compared to conventional colonoscopy for the early detection and diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Health political background Colorectal cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer and cause of cancer death for both men and women in Germany. Various methods for early detection of CC exist, including conventional coloscopy which is reimbursed within the scope of cancer screening, as well as computertomography-coloscopy (CTC) which is currently not reimbursed.Scientific backgroundCTC is a mere diagnostic procedure which has a lower risk of perforation than conventional coloscopy. However, as it is an x-ray procedure, it exposes the patient to radiation. Conventional coloscopy is considered the gold standard due to its high sensitivity and specificity for locating adenomas. Furthermore, it offers the advantage that in addition to extended diagnostic measures therapeutic measures can be undertaken during the procedure. Research questionsThis HTA-report aims to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of CTC in comparison to conventional coloscopy in the early detection and diagnosis of colorectal cancer and/or its precursors and which ethical and legal aspects have to be considered. MethodsThe systematic literature search (27 international literature data bases) yielded a total of 1,713 abstracts. After a two-step selection process 36 publications remained to be assessed. ResultsThe results regarding the effectivity of CTC in diagnosis and screening for colorectal cancer and/or its precursors are partly promising, however, they are very heterogeneous. Therefore, regarding its sensitivity and specificity, CTC cannot be considered an equivalent alternative to conventional coloscopy for diagnosis and screening. The heterogeneity of results is due to technical (device type, settings), patient dependent (preparation) and operator dependent (training) factors. No economic results for a comparison of the procedures for diagnosis exist. Regarding the cost-effectiveness of a CTC-screening, international model calculations are available. According to this calculation, the CTC-screening is cost-effective compared to the option ‘no screening’; however, conventional coloscopy-screening is generally more cost-effective. DiscussionIf modern CTC-devices are used with adequate technical settings, software, appropriate patient preparation and training of the operator, better results regarding sensitivity can be expected. Basically, the fact that no therapeutic measures (polypectomy) can be taken during CTC compared to conventional coloscopy needs to be considered. Unanswered medical questions pertain to the interval of examinations for screening (considering the radiation exposure), the approach to small polyps and the significance of flat and depressed lesions. Regarding its cost-effectiveness, conventional coloscopy-screening results in greater health benefits and lower costs than CTC-screening in most model calculations. These results cannot be applied to Germany directly. An important ethical aspect is the consideration of patient preferences regarding the procedures. Legal aspects concern the stipulation and maintenance of quality standards. ConclusionsAt this time, a clear endorsement of CTC as an alternative procedure for diagnosis and screening to the current gold standard conventional coloscopy cannot be given. On the basis of the available literature this holds true for both the medical as well as the economic assessment. However, despite the numerous studies and analyses on this topic, this assessment is afflicted with uncertainties. Due to the rapid development of CTC, short term revisions of these research questions are needed.

Political Extremism in Contemporary Russia

Despite the vast research by Russian scholars on the topic of political extremism, little is known about the contemporary situation and current perspective of extreme right and left movements as well as their social support groups. The overall images that emerge from the literature are biased and politically defined. This study reveals the workings of extreme right- and left-wing movements, aimed at an international audience, through documents and literature analysis, data analysis and interviews with young participants of radical political organisations living in Volgograd and Volzhsky (South Russia). This research report outlines the evolution of extreme political movements and their impact on contemporary socio-economic and political processes within the state, and on public opinion. The interviews and data analysis add nuance to our understanding of who supports radical movements and who gains membership in right- and left-wing extreme organisations. This study is part of a growing body of research on political extremism and the new nationalism phenomenon in the Russian Federation and post-Soviet states and will contribute to future research on similar topics.

Exploring Social Care: Applying a New Construct to Young Carers and Grandparent Carers

Mainstream literature on paid care for children, frail elderly people and people with chronic illness or disability, and unpaid care provided usually by family members within households and kin networks tends to establish dichotomies: formal/informal, commodified/non‐commodified. Recent feminist literature rejects these dichotomies, developing models of social care in which the interconnections of paid and unpaid care are mapped within policy frameworks. This paper uses theoretical frameworks of ‘social care‘: care as labour; care as a relationship embedded in obligation; care incurring a range of costs; to explore two case‐studies: young carers aged up to 24 years who are most often caring for a co‐resident parent; and grandparents who are the primary carers of their grandchildren. The latter may occur under the aegis of child protection authorities, or Family Court orders, or in informal arrangements, not licensed by state authorities. This analysis of the international literature and Australian research data affirms the power of the social care framework, and also shows the influence of social policy settings on informal care provision.

Football hooliganism as a transnational phenomenon: Past and present analysis: A critique – More specificity and less generality

Despite the ongoing globalization of football culture and societies at large, there remain important cross-national and cross-local variations in the level and forms of football hooliganism. These dissimilarities thwart efforts to conceptualize and explain football hooliganism as a homogeneous phenomenon and, more specifically, seriously limit the applicability of dominant sociological theories on the subject. The author illustrates his argument with an examination of international research literature and empirical data on the social composition of one Spanish and one Dutch hooligan group. He argues that comparative research into football hooliganism should move beyond general explanations in terms of societal fault lines and towards a more detailed analysis of hooligans' subcultural identities and social interactions.