Mindfulnesstraining en kwaliteit van leven van mantelzorgers. De rol van ervaren druk, ervaren grip op het leven, sociaal functioneren, hulp vragen en sociale steun.

Samenvatting Verschillende maatschappelijke gevolgen hebben tot gevolg dat mantelzorgers een steeds grotere rol spelen in de huidige samenleving. Veel studies laten zien dat een groot deel van de mantelzorgers overbelast is en stressklachten ervaart. Dit onderzoek richt zich op een mogelijkheid om mantelzorgers te ondersteunen met als doel mantelzorgers langer te laten participeren. In dit onderzoek is gekeken naar de rol die ervaren druk, ervaren grip op het leven, sociaal functioneren, hulp vragen en sociale steun spelen op de kwaliteit van leven bij mantelzorgers die een mindfulnesstraining volgen. Hiervoor vulden 63 mantelzorgers een vragenlijst in voor de mindfulnesstraining (T1) en na de mindfulnesstraining (T2). Uit de analyses blijkt dat alle vijf factoren, dus zowel ervaren druk, ervaren grip op het leven, sociaal functioneren, hulp vragen als ook sociale steun verbeterd zijn na de mindfulnesstraining. Voor de training blijken ervaren grip en sociaal functioneren van invloed te zijn op kwaliteit van leven en na de training blijken ervaren druk en ervaren grip op het leven van invloed te zijn op kwaliteit van leven. De verschilscores in kwaliteit van leven kunnen vooral verklaard worden door een vermindering in pijn en door het sociaal functioneren voor de training

Differences in Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Lower Saxony (Germany) and Groningen Province (Netherlands):Potential Impact of Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequent cancer among men in Europe. Differences in PCa incidence around the world can be partly explained by variations in recommendations for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), particularly for early detection. For example, the PSA testing policy is more conservative in the Netherlands than in Germany. To better understand the relationship between PSA testing recommendations and PCa incidence, stage distribution, and mortality, we compared these variables over time between Lower Saxony in northwestern Germany and the neighboring province of Groningen in the Netherlands. METHODS: Population data, tumor stage- and age group-specific PCa incidence (ICD-10 C61) and mortality rates for Lower Saxony and Groningen were obtained from the Lower Saxony Epidemiological Cancer Registry, the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization, and Statistics Netherlands for 2003–2012. Incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 person-years were age-standardized (ASR, old European standard). Trends in age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) and mortality rates (ASMR) for specific age groups were assessed using joinpoint regression. RESULTS: The mean annual PCa ASIR between 2003 and 2012 was on average 19.9% higher in Lower Saxony than in Groningen (120.5 vs. 100.5 per 100,000), while the mean annual ASMR was on average 24.3% lower in Lower Saxony than in Groningen (21.5 vs. 28.4 per 100,000). Between 2003 and 2012, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in PCa incidence rates did not change significantly in either Lower Saxony (−1.8%, 95% CI −3.5, 0.0) or Groningen (0.2%, 95% CI −5.0, 5.7). In contrast, the AAPC in mortality rate decreased significantly during the same time period in Lower Saxony (−2.5%, 95% CI −3.0, −2.0) but not in Groningen (0.1%, 95% CI −2.4, 2.6). CONCLUSIONS: Higher PCa incidence and lower PCa-related mortality was detected in Lower Saxony than in Groningen. Although recommendations on PSA testing may play a role, the assessed data could not offer obvious explanations to the observed differences. Therefore, further investigations including data on the actual use of PSA testing, other influences (e.g., dietary and ethnic factors), and better data quality are needed to explain differences between the regions

General practitioners' approaches to prostate-specific antigen testing in the north-east of the Netherlands

BACKGROUND: There is wide variation in clinical practice for the early detection of prostate cancer, not least because of the ongoing debate about the benefits of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. In this study, we aimed to assess the approaches, attitudes, and knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) regarding PSA testing in primary care in the Netherlands, particularly regarding recommendations for prostate cancer. METHODS: Questionnaire surveys were sent to 179 GPs in the north-east of the Netherlands, of which 65 (36%) were completed and returned. We also surveyed 23 GPs attending a postgraduate train-the-trainer day (100%). In addition to demographic data and practice characteristics, the 31-item questionnaire covered the attitudes, clinical practice, adherence to PSA screening recommendations, and knowledge concerning the recommendations for prostate cancer early detection. Statistical analysis was limited to the descriptive level. RESULTS: Most GPs (95%; n = 82) stated that they had at least read the Dutch GP guideline, but just half (50%; n = 43) also stated that they knew the content. Almost half (46%; n = 39) stated they would offer detailed counseling before ordering a PSA test to an asymptomatic man requesting a test. Overall, prostate cancer screening was reported to be of minor importance compared to other types of cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical PSA testing in primary care in this region of the Netherlands seems generally to be consistent with the relevant guideline for Dutch GPs that is restrictive to PSA testing. The next step will be to further evaluate the effects of the several PSA testing strategies

Mindfulnesstraining en kwaliteit van leven van mantelzorgers. De rol van ervaren druk, ervaren grip op het leven, sociaal functioneren, hulp vragen en sociale steun.

Samenvatting Verschillende maatschappelijke gevolgen hebben tot gevolg dat mantelzorgers een steeds grotere rol spelen in de huidige samenleving. Veel studies laten zien dat een groot deel van de mantelzorgers overbelast is en stressklachten ervaart. Dit onderzoek richt zich op een mogelijkheid om mantelzorgers te ondersteunen met als doel mantelzorgers langer te laten participeren. In dit onderzoek is gekeken naar de rol die ervaren druk, ervaren grip op het leven, sociaal functioneren, hulp vragen en sociale steun spelen op de kwaliteit van leven bij mantelzorgers die een mindfulnesstraining volgen. Hiervoor vulden 63 mantelzorgers een vragenlijst in voor de mindfulnesstraining (T1) en na de mindfulnesstraining (T2). Uit de analyses blijkt dat alle vijf factoren, dus zowel ervaren druk, ervaren grip op het leven, sociaal functioneren, hulp vragen als ook sociale steun verbeterd zijn na de mindfulnesstraining. Voor de training blijken ervaren grip en sociaal functioneren van invloed te zijn op kwaliteit van leven en na de training blijken ervaren druk en ervaren grip op het leven van invloed te zijn op kwaliteit van leven. De verschilscores in kwaliteit van leven kunnen vooral verklaard worden door een vermindering in pijn en door het sociaal functioneren voor de training.

Gbit/s Data Transmission on Carbon Fibres

Data transmission at the upgraded Large Hadron Collider experiments, foreseen for mid 2020s, will be in the multi Gbit/s range per connection for the innermost detector layers. This paper reports on first tests on the possible use of carbon cables for electrical data transmission close to the interaction point. Carbon cables have the potential advantage of being light, having a low activation and easy integration into the detector components close to the interaction point. In these tests commercially available carbon fibres were used, in which the filaments had a very thin nickel coating. For these cables data rates beyond 1 Gbit/s over more than 1 m with an error rate of less than 10(-12) could be reached. The characteristics of the cables have been measured in terms of S-parameters and could be converted to a SPICE model. Some outlook on potential further improvements is presented.Data transmission at the upgraded Large Hadron Collider experiments, foreseen for mid 2020s will be in the multi Gbit/s range per connection for the innermost detector layers. This paper reports on first tests on the possible use of carbon cables for electrical data transmission close to the interaction point. Carbon cables have the potential advantage of being light, having a low activation and easy integration into the detector components close to the interaction point. In these tests commercially available carbon cables were used, in which the filaments had a very thin nickel coating. For these cables data rates beyond 1 Gbit/s over more than 1m with an error rate of less than 10^{-12} could be transmitted. The characteristics of the cables have been measured in terms of S-parameters and could be reproduced with a Spice model. Some outlook on potential further improvements is presented

Validity of hospital ICD-10-GM codes to identify anaphylaxis

PURPOSE: Anaphylaxis (ANA) is an important adverse drug reaction. We examined positive predictive values (PPV) and other test characteristics of ICD-10-GM code algorithms for detecting ANA as used in a multinational safety study (PASS). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study on routine data from a German academic hospital (2004–2019, age ≥ 18). Chart review was used for case verification. Potential cases were identified from the hospital administration system. The main outcome required at least one of the following: any type of specific in-hospital code (T78.2, T88.6, and T80.5) OR specific outpatient code in combination with a symptom code OR in-hospital non-specific code (T78.4, T88.7, and Y57.9) in combination with two symptom codes. PPV were calculated with 95% confidence interval. Sensitivity analyses modified type of codes, unit of analysis, verification criteria and time period. The most specific algorithm used only primary codes for ANA (numbers added in brackets). RESULTS: Four hundred and sixteen eligible cases were evaluated, and 78 (37) potential ANA cases were identified. PPV were 62.8% (95% CI 51.1–73.5) (main) and 77.4% (58.9–90.4) (most specific). PPV from all modifications ranged from 12.9% to 80.6%. The sensitivity of the main algorithm was 66.2%, specificity 91.5%, and negative predictive value 92.6%. Corresponding figures for the most specific algorithm were 32.4%, 98.0%, and 87.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The PPV of the main algorithm seems of acceptable validity for use in comparative safety research but will underestimate absolute risks by about a third. Restriction to primary discharge codes markedly improves PPV to the expense of reducing sensitivity