Viral hepatitis, HIV, human herpes virus and Treponema pallidum infection in haemodialysis patients from Kosovo, 2005.

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matche

D-dimer testing, with gender-specific cutoff levels, is of value to assess the individual risk of venous thromboembolic recurrence in non-elderly patients of both genders: a post hoc analysis of the DULCIS study

Male patients, especially the young, are at a higher risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (RVTE) than females. Recent scientific reports show the use of D-dimer does not help predict RVTE risk in males. In the present report, we reviewed the data obtained in the DULCIS study (main report published in Blood 2014), focusing on D-dimer results recorded in non-elderly patients of both genders included in the study, and their relationship with RVTE events occurring during follow-up. Using specifically designed cutoff values for positive/negative interpretation, serial D-dimer measurements (performed during warfarin treatment and up to 3 months after discontinuation of anticoagulation) in 475 patients (males 57.3%) aged 64 65 years were obtained. D-dimer resulted positive in 46.3% and 30.5% of males and females, respectively (p = 0.001). Following management procedure, anticoagulation was stopped in 53.7% of males and 69.5% of females, who had persistently negative D-dimer results. The rate of subsequent recurrent events was 1.7% (95% CI 0.5\u20134.5%) and 0.4% (95% CI 0\u20132.5%) patient-years in males and females, respectively, with upper limits of confidence intervals always below the level of risk considered acceptable by international scientific societies for stopping anticoagulation (< 5%). In conclusion, using sensitive quantitative assays with specifically designed cutoff values and serial measurements during and after discontinuation of anticoagulation, D-dimer testing is useful to predict the risk of RVTE and is of help in deciding the duration of anticoagulation in both male and female adult patients aged up to 65 years

L'uso dei risultati dell'indagine, health behaviour in school-aged children, il caso del veneto

Il paper presenta e discute l'uso dei risultati di HBSC rispetto alla realt\ue0 del Veneto ed allo sviluppo di politiche conseguent

L’organizzazione in Romania di un percorso di acquisizione della laurea in infermieristica per gli infermieri in possesso di un diploma di assistente medicale

Obiettivi. L’articolo descrive l’organizzazione e i risultati di un percorso accademico per l’acquisizione, presso l’Università di Padova, della Laurea in Infermieristica da parte di un gruppo di infermieri romeni, in possesso di Diploma di Assistente Medicale. Materiali e metodi. Il corso, ripetuto per due anni accademici, (2004-05, 2005-06), della durata di 15 mesi per ciclo, si è svolto prevalentemente a Timisoara; è stato organizzato attraverso una partnership di enti pubblici e privati, italiani e romeni. Risultati. Il corso è stato frequentato da 43 studenti, 42 dei quali hanno conseguito la Laurea, con buoni risultati accademici. Le lezioni sono state svolte sia in sede sia come formazione a distanza. Gli studenti hanno svolto un tirocinio guidato in Italia. Conclusioni. L’iniziativa è stata realizzata nell’ambito di un più ampio progetto di cooperazione internazionale per la diffusione della cultura infermieristica a livello universitario nell’Est-Europa, e per il riconoscimento e l’integrazione degli studi compiuti da infermieri provenienti da questi Paesi

Strengthening EU policies in support of ICT for development: Results from a survey of ICT experts

Background: There is scarce and fragmented evidence of the European Union's policies and strategies being employed in the area of ICT in support of development in LMICs. Methods: An online survey was conducted to collect feedback from experts evaluating past EU initiatives in ICT for development, and the type of approach EU institutions should pursue in ICT for LMICs in the future. Structured interviews were also carried out with ten of the respondents. Results: One hundred and twenty-one experts responded to the survey. About 30% of the respondents believe that the EU institutions' support to ICT for development has improved in the last decade. However, a similar percentage indicated that the EU's support has not improved or has even worsened. The evaluation of the EU's cooperation with international organisations was considered good or sufficient by nearly 31% of respondents. Regarding priorities to be pursued by EU policies towards the use of ICT for development, the EU should focus on reducing health inequalities and the digital divide. Concerning the approaches to promote ICT within EU development cooperation, the EU should carry out a mix of top-down and bottom-up approaches. Almost 70% believe that it is better to support an approach that integrates ICT into different areas of action, rather than having ICT as a specific priority area. Health and education were indicated as priority sectors where the EU should increase the use of ICT. Conclusions: The results of this survey can support decision-makers and ICT managers to better plan and implement ICT deployment in LMICs, making a better use of European human and financial resources in this field

A short-term intervention for the treatment of severe malnutrition in a post-conflict country: results of a survey in Guinea Bissau

Objectives: To determine (i) the extent of malnutrition and the risk factors for severe malnutrition in Guinea Bissau, a post-conflict country experiencing long-term consequences of civil war; and (ii) the feasibility and effectiveness of a short-term intervention characterized by outpatient treatment with locally produced food for the treatment of severe malnutrition during the rainy season. Design and setting: Social, clinical, nutritional information were collected for children reaching the paediatric outpatient clinic of the Hospital 'Comunita' di Sant'Egidio' in Bissau, Guinea Bissau, from 1 July to 12 August 2003. Severely malnourished children (weight-for-age <- 3SD) in poor health status were admitted for daily nutritional and pharmacological treatment until complete recovery. Social and health indicators were analysed to define risk factors of severe malnutrition. Results: In total, 2642 children were visited (age range: 1 month-17 years). Fever, cough and dermatological problems were the main reasons for access. Social data outlined poor housing conditions: 86.4% used water from unprotected wells, 97.3% did not have a bathroom at home, 78.2% lived in a mud house. Weight-for-age was <- 2SD in 23.0% of the children and <- 3SD in 10.3%; thirty-seven children (1.4%) were severely malnourished and admitted for day care. All recovered with a weight gain of 4.45 g/kg per d, none died or relapsed after 1 year. Severely malnourished children were mainly infants, part of large families and had illiterate mothers. Conclusion: Short-term interventions performed in post-conflict countries during seasons of high burden of disease and malnutrition are feasible and successful at low cost; day-care treatment of severe malnutrition with locally produced food is an option that can be tested in other settings