Terms Of Demographic Profile Research Articles

Dexmedetomidine as an Additive to Spinal Anaesthesia in Orthopaedic Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Surgeries: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Two Different Doses of Dexmedetomidine.

Use of dexmedetomidine as an additive to spinal anaesthesia is gaining popularity; but there seems to be no clear consensus on the ideal dose to be used. Because of dose related prolongation of duration of motor blockade along with increase in the incidence of side effects of dexmedetomidine namely hypotension and bradycardia, use of higher doses is not recommended. To evaluate the efficacy of two different doses of dexmedetomidine (3 μg and 5 μg) given in combination with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine via intrathecal route with regard to the quality of anaesthesia namely the time to attain highest sensory and motor blockade, side effects of dexmedetomidine and time to first rescue analgesia. Sixty American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) Grade I and II orthopaedic patients undergoing lower limb surgeries between the ages of 20-60 years and height >150 cm were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients each: Group D3 to receive 3 μg of Inj. Dexmedetomidine (0.5 ml, reconstituted using normal saline) along with 12.5 mg (2.5 ml) of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and Group D5 to receive 5 μg of inj. Dexmedetomidine (0.5 ml, reconstituted using normal saline) along with 12.5 mg (2.5 ml) of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine keeping the total volume of study drug constant in all 60 patients (3 ml). Data recordings were done for time to reach best sensory and motor block, intraoperative haemodynamic changes and time to first postoperative rescue analgesia. Statistical analysis was done using student's t-test and Chi-square test with p-value of <0.05 considered to be significant. The two groups analysed were similar in terms of demographic profile, time to reach highest sensory block (T10) dermatome, time to reach Bromage scale 4, time to surgical incision after spinal and the total duration of surgery (p>0.05). The change in haemodynamics was similar (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference (p<0.001) was observed in time to first rescue analgesia after skin closure with Group D3 having 206.47 minutes while in Group D5 the time was 271.33 minutes. Used in a dose of 5 μg (in 0.5 ml volume) as an additive in spinal anaesthesia maximal beneficial effect of dexmedetomidine can be obtained without any side effects.

Comparison of Absorbable Versus Nonabsorbable Tackers in Terms of Long-term Outcomes, Chronic Pain, and Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair: A Randomized Study.

Laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair (LIVHR) has been associated with a high incidence acute and chronic pain due to use of nonabsorbable tackers. Several absorbable tackers have been introduced to overcome these complications. This randomized study was done to compare 2 techniques of mesh fixation, that is, nonabsorbable versus absorbable tackers for LIVHR. Ninety patients admitted for LIVHR repair (defect size <15 cm) were randomized into 2 groups: nonabsorbable tacker fixation (NAT group, 45 patients) and absorbable tacker fixation (AT group, 45 patients). Intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Patients in both the groups were comparable in terms of demographic profile and hernia characteristics. Mesh fixation time and operation time were also comparable. There was no significant difference in the incidence of immediate postoperative and chronic pain over a mean follow-up of 8.8 months. However, cost of the procedure was significantly higher in AT group (P<0.01) and NAT fixation was more cost effective as compared with AT. Postoperative quality of life outcomes and patient satisfaction scores were also comparable. NAT is a cost-effective method of mesh fixation in patients undergoing LIVHR with comparable early and late postoperative outcomes in terms of pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction scores.

Clinico-pathological profile of liver abscess: a prospective study of 100 cases

Background: Liver abscess is a constant source of mortality and morbidity in general and tropical countries. India has second highest incidence of Liver abscess. This study were planned to identify the clinical profile of liver abscess in terms of demographic profile, clinical presentation, etiology, evaluation of different modalities of investigations, effectiveness of various treatment modalities and to study influence of alcohol and diabetes. Methods: This study was carried out in a tertiary care centre in Northern India between the period of January 2013 to June 2014. An attempt was made in this study to define the various symptoms complex, treatment options and complications occurring in cases of liver abscess. Results: In our study highest incidence occurred in 31-60 years age group (71%). Males were more commonly affected (92%). Abdominal pain (98%) was the most common symptom. Alcohol was the single most common etiological factor in 84% of cases of Liver abscess. Laboratory investigations were leucocytosis (72%), anaemia (23%), Raised B. Urea (21%), RBS >200mgm% (29%), raised alkaline phosphatase (83%), hypoalbuminemia (84%), PT >20sec (29%), raised SGOT (52%), SGPT (45%). Aspirated pus culture from liver abscess was sterile in 59.45% cases suggestive of amoebic etiology. Ultrasonography revaled solitary abscess in 78%. Isolated Right Lobe abscess was seen in 74%.72% of patients were subjected to percutaneous aspiration in abscess >100 ml or >3 cm; Recurrences were noted in 8% of cases in conservative management group. Conclusions: Amoebic abscess is much more common than pyogenic liver abscess. Lack of proper sanitary condition, DM and addiction to alcohol are the most important predisposing condition for liver abscess. Ultrasound is simple, inexpensive and quick to perform, with a diagnostic accuracy of 90%.

Minimally Invasive Video-assisted Thyroidectomy vs Conventional Open Hemithyroidectomy in Asian Patients

ABSTRACT Introduction Although the technique of minimally invasive video assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) is well established in continental Europe, data on it's role in Asian patients is limited. We compared the results of MIVAT with conventional open hemithyroidectomy in Asian patients. Materials and methods Over a 1-year period, patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy for benign symptomatic goiters were selected. Inclusion criteria for MIVAT were benign colloid goiters, recurrent cysts or follicular lesions and neoplasms with lobe volume of less than 40 cc or nodule diameter less than 35 mm. Larger goiters underwent conventional open surgery. Patients with previous neck surgery and proven malignancy were excluded. Operative time, complications, postoperative pain score, incision length and cosmetic satisfaction at 6 months were recorded. Results Thirty-six patients (MIVAT-21, Conventional-15) were included. Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic profile and co-morbidities. The mean operating time for both groups showed no significant difference (MIVAT = 111.67 ± 19.4 min, Conventional = 112.40 ± 25.06 min; p = 0.925). Minimally invasive video assisted thyroidectomy patients had significantly less pain in the immediate postoperative period (mean pain score 2.38 vs 4.8, p &lt; 0.001). Mean incision length at end of surgery was significantly smaller in the MIVAT group (2.58 vs 6.3 cm; p &lt; 0.001). Neck scar satisfaction at 6 months was excellent in 71.4% of MIVAT cases vs 26.6% of conventional hemithyroidectomy cases. There were no complications in any of the treatment groups. Conclusion In selected cases, MIVAT is as safe as conventional open surgery with distinct advantages of better postoperative pain control and cosmesis. How to cite this article Rao AD, Singaporewalla RM, Majumder A. Minimally Invasive Video-assisted Thyroidectomy vs Conventional Open Hemithyroidectomy in Asian Patients. World J Endoc Surg 2016;8(3):189-192.

Quality perception and acceptability of chicken breast meat labeled with sustainability claims vary as a function of consumers’ label-understanding level

Consumers in marketplaces usually view a variety of sustainability-related labels displayed on chicken-meat products. However, it is questionable whether consumers understand such label claims and whether their label-understanding level can be effective with respect to quality perception and sensory aspects of the products. This study aimed to determine whether the impacts of sustainability-related labels on quality perception and acceptability of chicken breast meat differ by consumers’ label-understanding level. Among 110 participants who attended a prior educational intervention regarding label claims, the 33 top-scorers of a survey examining knowledge about label claims participated as a “High Label-Understanding (HLU)” group. Thirty-three counterparts who experienced no educational intervention regarding label claims participated as a “Control (CNTL)” group; both groups were matched in terms of demographic profiles and purchase frequency of chicken-meat products. Participants in both groups evaluated the same four chicken-meat samples labeled with four different label-claims, i.e., “USDA Organic”, “No Hormones Added”, “USDA Process Verified”, and a no-label condition. For the HLU group, perceptions of chicken meat with respect to overall quality, trust in quality, freshness, overall liking, and juiciness differed significantly among the four label-claim conditions. However, no significant differences in this regard were observed in the CNTL group. The label claims-induced intensities of tenderness, juiciness, and chicken flavor of chicken-meat samples did not differ between the two groups. In conclusion, the findings demonstrated that the effects of sustainability-related label claims on quality perception and acceptability of chicken meat became significantly more pronounced when consumers understood and trusted the label claims.

School choice considerations and the role of social media as perceived by computing students: Evidence from one University in Manila

This descriptive study utilized a validated questionnaire that gathered data from freshmen of two different school years. Demographic profile, marketers (i.e., source of information of students about the school), influencers (i.e., significant others that persuaded them to enroll in the school), level of school choice, and level of consideration in deciding to enroll in the university in terms of different institutional image indicators were gathered from the two sets of respondents. The study aimed to determine whether there were similarities and differences in the data collected from the respondents. It was revealed that there were similarities and differences in the data in terms of demographic profile, marketers, influencers, level of school choice, and level of consideration in deciding to enroll in the university. Thus, the first null hypothesis stating that there is no significant difference in the level of consideration of the previous and current freshmen in terms of level of preference was rejected. The second null hypothesis stating that there is no significant difference in the level of consideration of the previous and current freshmen in deciding to enroll in the two Universities in terms of the institutional image indicators was partially rejected. It was also revealed that social media served as popular and effective marketers. However, its influence to persuade the respondents to enroll in a school was minimal. Recommendations were also presented.

PREVALENCE AND DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF LOW BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN TIRANA, THE CAPITAL OF ALBANIA

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with low bone mineral density in Tirana, the capital city of Albania, a transitional former communist country in South Eastern Europe. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Tirana city in 2010 including a population-based sample of 549 women aged 35 years and over (overall response rate: 92%). The presence of low bone mineral density (osteopenia and/or osteoporosis defined as a bone mineral density T-score less than -1) among study participants was assessed with a bone ultrasound device which is simple and easy to use for screening of bone mineral density in population-based studies. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of low bone mineral density with demographic characteristics and socioeconomic factors among study participants. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of osteopenia and/or osteoporosis in this representative sample of women in Tirana was 28.4% (N=156). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, low bone mineral density was significantly related to older age of women (OR=3.7, 95%CI=2.2-6.3, P CONCLUSION: Our findings provide important evidence about the prevalence and demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with low bone mineral density among adult women residing in Tirana. Vulnerable participants in terms of demographic profile (older age), and a lower socioeconomic status (lower education and unemployment) had a significantly higher prevalence of low bone mineral density in this representative sample of women in Tirana. Keywords: Albania, bone ultrasound, bone mineral density, osteopenia, osteoporosis, Tirana Normal 0 21 false false false RO X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection: A sample from the Victorian Children’s Court

Summary This article reports on a comparison of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) and non-ATSI children involved in the child protection system sampled from the Victorian Children’s Court. Groups were compared in terms of demographic profile, the types and grounds for protection applications and the types of abuse proven in court. Findings Our results highlight similarities between ATSI and non-ATSI children in the child protection system, a finding that indicates similar children, regardless of background, are being found to be at increased risk of abuse. The over-representation of ATSI children in the sample indicates a continued social and economic disadvantage associated with this group, requiring ongoing public health preventive measures. Our study also highlighted the longer term involvement of ATSI children with child protection services before reaching court. This may be explained by differences in case management policies affecting ATSI children in the child protection system as well as the ongoing legacy of the Stolen Generation. Applications In addition to addressing underlying inequalities, advancing the ATSI people towards self-determination in child protection may reduce the over-representation and longer term involvement with the child protection system. Importantly, alternative approaches must be considered as the potential trauma associated with longer term child protection involvement is greater in children of ATSI background.

The Many Faces of Prosecution

A quick read through the bulky legal literature about criminal prosecution in the US might lead a reader to conclude that individual prosecutors, and the offices where they work, are very much the same. All prosecution professionals seem to fit the mold, regardless of the region where they work, the size of their office, or their years of experience on the job. This generic portrait of prosecution, and of prosecutors, misses the mark. If one were to look beneath the surface to examine the professionals who work in the more than 2,500 individual prosecutor’s offices in this country, diversity would drive the story—diversity in terms of demographic profile, career plans, office policies, quality of work, and more. The point applies both to individuals and to institutions. At the individual level, one is bound to find some bad apples and some good eggs who work in the prosecutor’s office. As for the institutional setting, there are bad incentives and corrosive cultures that overcome even the best of intentions from the individuals who work there; offices elsewhere create good incentives, with a lot of institutional variation in between. Traditional sources for legal scholarship—cases, statutes, court outcome data, and the secondary literature built upon these sources—allow only a faraway and obstructed view of the pretrial “office” work of prosecutors: their decisions to decline, charge, investigate, and offer terms for plea bargains. It is therefore difficult, using these methodological tools, to appreciate the many faces of prosecution, either in the institutional or the individual sense. These research methods offer a glimpse of single prosecutors working on single cases, or the aggregate post-conviction results of an entire office. Too often, scholars overstate or underestimate a trend, treating one news event or one point in the criminal process as the key to understanding prosecution. They reinforce an essentialist view of prosecutors.

A Longitudinal Investigation on Greek University Students’ Perceptions Towards Online Shopping

The broad Internet utilization along with the systematic progress of Information and Communication Technologies have dramatically changed the way goods are bought and sold. Nowadays, even more Internet users prefer to shop online than visiting a brick-and-mortal store. Thus, understanding who are the ones consuming and why they choose to use or avoid the Internet as a distribution channel, as well as predicting the e-consumer behavior is a vital aspect in marketing and a necessary requirement for both e-commerce managers and consumer theorists. The scope of this paper is to examine through a longitudinal survey the perceptions of university students’ adopters and non-adopters of e-shopping in terms of demographic profile and perceived advantages and problems related to online purchases. Moreover, the reasons for using or avoiding online shopping as well as the types of preferred products and services are investigated. The research provides interesting insights on the e-consumer behavior to both academia and industry.

Older adult problem drinkers: Who presents for alcohol treatment?

Objectives: To describe a treatment population of older adults (60+ years) assessed for alcohol treatment over a 20-year period. Method: Retrospective analysis of alcohol treatment assessment data relating to all older adults assessed by one UK NHS Trust Community Alcohol Team (n = 585) between April 1988 and March 2008. Results: Over the 20-year period, the number of assessments per year increased though the demographic profile of those assessed for treatment remained the same: male (62%), white ethnic origin (94%) and average age 65.7 years. The average amount of alcohol consumed per week was 102.91 units. Most were drinking alcohol on a daily basis (79%), mainly spirits (79%), at home (84%), alone (82%) and ‘to reduce tension/anxiety’ (22%). The average length of having had an alcohol problem was 9.7 years. Significant gender differences were found in terms of demographic profile and drinking patterns. Conclusions: The older adults assessed for alcohol treatment were drinking in amounts comparable to the treatment population of younger adult problem drinkers, men more so than women. The majority were not reporting problems with their drinking until they were on average in their middle-to-late 50s and were therefore considered to be late onset ‘reactors’ rather than early onset ‘survivors’ of longer term heavy drinking patterns reported in earlier studies.

Comorbid psychiatric diagnoses in suicide attempt by charcoal burning: a 10-year study in a general hospital in Taiwan

ObjectiveOver the last decade, charcoal burning has become a common method of suicide in Taiwan; however, the underlying psychiatric diagnoses and gender differences have yet to be examined. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review on inpatients after suicide attempt by charcoal burning during 2000-2010. The patients were referred to the psychiatric consultation team and diagnoses were made according to DSM-IV. We chose those who were admitted to the nephrology ward in the same period due to accidental carbon monoxide intoxication as controls. Demographic and laboratory data, psychiatric diagnoses and reasons for suicide were obtained and analyzed. ResultsAmong seventy-three patients, major depressive disorder (49.3%) and adjustment disorder (41.1%) were most frequently diagnosed. Breaking-up, financial debt and physical/mental illnesses were the top three reasons for suicide (17.8% each). The male-to-female gender ratio was 1.5:1. Female patients had higher rates of major depressive disorders, while male patients presented more adjustment disorders comorbid with alcohol use disorders. ConclusionThere were gender differences in patients of suicide attempt by charcoal burning, in terms of demographic profiles and psychiatric diagnoses. Suicide risk assessment and prevention should be tailored by gender.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) versus totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Minimal access approaches to inguinal hernia repair have added to the ongoing debate over the "best groin hernia repair." The present prospective randomized controlled trial was done to compare the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) and transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) techniques of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The present prospective randomized study was conducted between May 2007 and March, 2009 and included 100 patients suffering from uncomplicated primary groin hernia. Patients were randomized into group I (TEP) and group II (TAPP). Intraoperative variables and postoperative pain scores were recorded in a prestructured form. One hundred patients were included in the study (TEP, 53; TAPP, 47). Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic profile and hernia characteristics. The average operative time was higher in the TAPP group (p = 0.209). The pain scores at 1 h and 24 h after surgery and at 3-month follow-up were significantly higher in the TAPP group (p < 0.05). The average follow-up was 30.5 months. In the TEP group, 37.8% of patients had seroma compared to 18.3% in the TAPP group (p = 0.021). However, there was a higher incidence of scrotal edema in the TAPP group (16 vs. 9, p = 0.009). The wound infection rates were equal (2% vs. 3%). There has been no recurrence in either group during the follow-up period of 44 months. Overall, the patients were more satisfied with TEP rather than TAPP (p < 0.05). In the present study, TEP had a significant advantage over TAPP for significantly reduced postoperative pain up to 3 months, which resulted in a better patient satisfaction score. The other intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and cost were similar in both groups. In terms of results, both repair techniques seemed equally effective, but TEP had an edge over TAPP.

Perceptions towards Online Shopping: Analyzing the Greek University Students’ Attitude

The sharp increase of Internet usage, as well as, the systematic progress of Information Technology have transformed the way goods are bought and sold, resulting to the exponential growth in the number of online shoppers. However, a lot of differences regarding online purchases have been revealed due to the various consumers’ characteristics and the types of provided products and services. Therefore, understanding who are the ones consuming and why they choose to use or avoid the Internet as a distribution channel, is a vital issue for both e-commerce managers and consumer theorists. The scope of this paper is to examine the perceptions of Greek university students’ adopters and non-adopters of online shopping in terms of demographic profile, expectations of online stores, advantages and problems related to online purchases. Moreover, the reasons for using or avoiding online shopping, as well as, the types of preferred products were studied. The research provides interesting insights on the online consumer behaviour, as the results show significant differences between the two groups of respondents.

To buy or not to buy online: adopters and non-adopters of online shopping in Singapore

The Internet, as a dynamic virtual medium for selling and buying information, services and products, is gaining increasing attention from researchers and practitioners. In this study, we examine the perceptions of adopters and non-adopters of online shopping in terms of demographic profile, consumer expectations of online stores, advantages and problems of online shopping and transaction cost. In addition, we also examine the types of products purchased, frequency of online purchase and the extent of communication with e-commerce vendors. The findings are useful in explaining consumers' buying behaviour in the electronic marketplace. Implications of the results are discussed.

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Clinical profile of primary sclerosing cholangitis in Singapore.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare chronic disease in Singapore and its epidemiological profile has not been described previously. The present study aimed to define the demographic and clinical profile of patients with PSC in Singapore. The case records of patients with PSC seen at Changi General Hospital were analyzed in terms of demographic profile, clinical presentation, clinical course, treatment and complications. Ten cases of PSC were diagnosed over a 10-year period. The male:female ratio was 9:1. The median age of diagnosis was 49.5 years (mean: 50.9 years; range: 35-63 years). With regards to clinical presentation, seven patients had hepatobiliary sepsis, two patients had asymptomatic liver biochemistry abnormalities while one patient had cholestatic jaundice. Prevalence rate of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA) was 20%. Symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was diagnosed in 20% of PSC cases. Eight patients (80%) had intrahepatic ductal involvement while two patients (20%) had combined intrahepatic and extrahepatic ductal involvement on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The prevalence rate of recurrent cholangitis was 30% while that of recurrent liver abscess, cirrhosis and common bile duct stricture were all 10%. The mean duration of follow up was 6.6 years with one death from liver failure. The clinical profile of patients with PSC in Singapore appears to differ with other published data, with a greater number presenting with hepatobiliary sepsis and less frequent association with IBD and pANCA. It is hypothesized that this may be related to differences in environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility.

Who we are and what we do: A profile of marketing academics in UK universities

This paper explores the professional identity of marketing academics in UK universities by focusing on two aspects, i.e. (1) their background characteristics and (2) the activities typically pursued by them. Specifically, the characteristics of marketing academics are explored in terms of demographic profiles, educational background and career structures, while activity patterns provide insights into the composition and length of the working week, research record and the relative importance of outside sources of income.