Italian guidelines for primary headaches: 2012 revised version

The first edition of the Italian diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for primary headaches in adults was published in J Headache Pain 2(Suppl. 1):105–190 (2001). Ten years later, the guideline committee of the Italian Society for the Study of Headaches (SISC) decided it was time to update therapeutic guidelines. A literature search was carried out on Medline database, and all articles on primary headache treatments in English, German, French and Italian published from February 2001 to December 2011 were taken into account. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses were analysed for each drug. If RCT were lacking, open studies and case series were also examined. According to the previous edition, four levels of recommendation were defined on the basis of levels of evidence, scientific strength of evidence and clinical effectiveness. Recommendations for symptomatic and prophylactic treatment of migraine and cluster headache were therefore revised with respect to previous 2001 guidelines and a section was dedicated to non-pharmacological treatment. This article reports a summary of the revised version published in extenso in an Italian version

Determination of land and tree values of hybrid poplar plantations: A case study for turkey

Valuation of poplar plantations is important in condemnation, taxation, loan, insurance, inheritance, and purchase-sale cases. In general, for the appraisal ofland value of poplar plantations, sales comparison and income capitalization approaches can be used. In appraisal of tree values sales comparison, income capitalization, and cost approaches are used. The approach to be used may vary according to the purpose of appraisal, age of the establishment, obtainable data, and according to the current regulations. In this study, approaches that could be applied in valuation of hybrid poplar plantations (PopulusxEuramericana Guiner cv. 1-214) are theoretically examined and a survey has been done in a selected region. © 2003, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.This study was supported by The Research Fund of Ege University. Several poplar producers helped in collection of data for this study. The help of the producers and other colleagues who provided assistance is appreciated. -

Economic analysis of soilless and soil-based greenhouse cucumber production in Turkey [Estudo econômico da produção de pepino em cultivos com e sem solo em casas de vegetação na Turquia]

Since the onset of the commercial application of soilless culture, this production approach has evoluted at a fast pace, gaining popularity among growers throughout the world. As a result, a lot of information has been developed by growers, advisors, researchers, and suppliers of equipment and substrate. This study aimed to determine the cost and return of soilless greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production and to prepare a sample budget for growers. Soilless cultivation is an alternative production method for Turkish growers and it is being practised on a commercial basis on 180 ha. Cost and return budgets can be useful for growers because they allows growers to compare total production cost and revenue varying grower type, production time, geographical location, operation size, and cost structure. Growers can identify items in their budget that have a greater effect on profitability, and make adjustments. In this study, economic aspects of soilless and soil-based greenhouse cucumber production was analysed as comparative. Total costs were subtracted from total gross revenue to calculate the net return of soilless and soil-based greenhouse cucumber production. The cost items of soilless and soil-based greenhouse cucumber production were initial investment costs, variable costs, and fixed costs. Net return obtained from cucumbers grown in a mixture of perlite and zeolite was determined as € 1.84 m-2, whereas it was € 1.48 m-2 in conventional soil-based production. Production and market risks both affect profitability and economic viability of soilless grown vegetables

Can closed substrate culture be an alternative for small-scale farmers?

8th International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates -- FEB 19-24, 2006 -- Agadir, MOROCCOWOS: 000250706700007Closed soilless culture systems have gained importance since they increase water and fertilizer use efficiency, and decrease environmental pollution; however, they require further monitoring of nutrient solution with regard to its elemental composition and potential for infection with pathogens. Automatic systems have been used for circulation of nutrient solution in large commercial firms. Besides, use of technology is limited at small-scale farmers' level. We carried out demonstration and training studies with regard to developing a simple closed system for small-scale farmers in Tahtah Dam preservation area in Izmir. Eight growers who had no experience on soilless culture participated in this project. These growers developed their own systems under the supervision of the staff of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs with the collaboration of Ege University. They used locally available volcanic tuff as growing medium. Data collected from the most successful grower from a yield point of view were analysed in this study to expose the economical aspect of soilless vegetable production under small growers' conditions. Average total net return for pilot greenhouse (980 m(2)) was calculated as US $2727 and 217 in cucumber and in lettuce productions, respectively. Annual net return (cucumber + lettuce) varied between US$ 2009 and 3390.Int Soc Hort Sc

Frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder among relief force workers after the tsunami in Asia: Do rescuers become victims?

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the participants of the Turkish Red Crescent Disaster Relief Team after the Tsunami in Asia.Methods: The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-1 (CAPS-1) was administered to 33 of 36 team members one month after their Disaster Relief Team duty. Along with the CAPS-1 interview, demographic features, profession, previous professional experience, previous experience with traumatic events and disasters also were recorded. To be classified as present, a symptom must have a frequency score of "1" and an intensity score of "2" at the CAPS-1 interview. For a diagnosis of PTSD, at least one re-experiencing, three avoidance and numbing, and two increased arousal symptoms should be present.Results: The PTSD was diagnosed in eight of the 33 (24.2%) participants. No significant difference was detected in the distribution of PTSD diagnosis according to gender, age, profession, professional experience, previous disaster experience, and/or previous experience of traumatic events. However, the severity of PTSD symptoms as measured by the CAPS-1 score was significantly higher in women, nurses, and participants with <3 previous disaster duty experiences.Conclusion: Post-traumatic stress disorder is prevalent within disaster teams and healthcare workers, and measures should be taken to prevent PTSD within this group. © 2006 World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine