Educators' working conditions in a day care centre on ownership of a non-profit organization

Background: Working conditions of nursery school teachers have not been scrutinized thoroughly in scientific research. Only a few studies have so far examined work-load and strain in this profession. Preferably, subjective perceptions should be corroborated by data that can be quantified more objectively and accurately. The aim of the present observational field study was to evaluate pedagogical staffs' workflow. Methods: In 2009 eleven educators in a day care centre were observed throughout three complete workdays. A total of 250 working hours were recorded. Results: An educators' workday lasted on average 07:46:59 h (SD = 01:01:10 h).Within this time span, an average of 02:20:46 h (30.14%, SD = 00:28:07 h) were spent on caring, 01:44:18 h on playing (22.33%, SD = 00:54:12 h), 00:49:37 h on educational work (10.62%, SD = 00:40:09), and only 00:05:38 h on individual child contact (1.21%, SD = 00:04:58 h). Conclusion: For the first time, educators' workflow in day care centres was studied in real time. Some of the educators' self-reported problems were corroborated. The results of this study form a basis upon which further investigations can be built and measures can be developed for an overall improvement of child care

Hippocampal neurons in pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease.

In a previous study of hippocampal neurons in aging and AD [Lancet 344 (1994) 769], we demonstrated that the loss of neurons in the CA1 region was disease-specific and not related to aging. In the present study, we examined for loss of hippocampal neurons in preclinical AD, a period during which there are abundant amyloid deposits in the brain but no evidence of cognitive decline. We examined the postmortem brains of 33 subjects from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Using unbiased stereology, we estimated the total number of neurons in the granule cell layer, hilus, CA3-2, CA1, and subiculum of AD (n = 14) preclinical AD (n = 8), and age-matched control subjects (n = 11). The results from the present study confirm our previous finding of significant neuronal losses in the CA1 (48%), hilus (14%), and subiculum (24%) in AD [Lancet 344 (1994) 769]. However, we did not observe a significant loss of neurons in CA1 or any of the other subdivisions of the hippocampus in preclinical AD

Hippocampal neurons in pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease.

In a previous study of hippocampal neurons in aging and AD [Lancet 344 (1994) 769], we demonstrated that the loss of neurons in the CA1 region was disease-specific and not related to aging. In the present study, we examined for loss of hippocampal neurons in preclinical AD, a period during which there are abundant amyloid deposits in the brain but no evidence of cognitive decline. We examined the postmortem brains of 33 subjects from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging and the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Using unbiased stereology, we estimated the total number of neurons in the granule cell layer, hilus, CA3-2, CA1, and subiculum of AD (n = 14) preclinical AD (n = 8), and age-matched control subjects (n = 11). The results from the present study confirm our previous finding of significant neuronal losses in the CA1 (48%), hilus (14%), and subiculum (24%) in AD [Lancet 344 (1994) 769]. However, we did not observe a significant loss of neurons in CA1 or any of the other subdivisions of the hippocampus in preclinical AD

Nonadherence consensus conference summary report

This report is a summary of a 'Consensus Conference' on nonadherence (NA) to immunosuppressants. Its aims were: (1) to discuss the state-of-the-art on the definition, prevalence and measurement of NA, its risk factors and impact on clinical and economical outcomes and interventions and (2) to provide recommendations for future studies. A two-day meeting was held in Florida in January 2008, inviting 66 medical and allied health adherence transplant and nontransplant experts. A scientific committee prepared the meeting. Consensus was reached using plenary and interactive presentations and discussions in small break-out groups. Plenary presenters prepared a summary beforehand. Break-out group leaders initiated discussion between the group members prior to the meeting using conference calls and e-mail and provided a summary afterward. Conclusions were that NA: (a) is more prevalent than we assume; (b) is hard to measure accurately; (c) tends to confer worse outcomes; (d) happens for a number of reasons, and system-related factors including the patient's culture, the healthcare provider and the setting and (e) it is not currently known how to improve adherence. This consensus report provided some roadmaps for future studies on this complicated, multifaceted problem