Export and import of timber in selected member states of the European Union

The aim of this work was to assess the rate of the changes in roundwood export and import in selected countries of the European Union during the period of 2003−2012. The data published in the FAO statistical yearbooks and concerning exported and imported timber amounts and values in the majority of the EU member states was analyzed. Based on the study, it can be concluded that international trade of wood is increasingly important in the development of the timber sector in different European countries. Import and export of raw timber changed both in terms of volume and value. In the years 2003−2012, the largest volume of timber export was recorded in Germany (55 mio m3). Compared to other countries, the extensive export of raw timber was also found in France (52 mio m3) and Latvia (44 mio m3). The greatest value of the exported roundwood in the analyzed decade was found in Germany (4,922 mio US$), France (3,482 mio US$) and the Czech Republic (2,690 mio US$). In the analyzed period, the largest importers of the roundwood material included Finland (106 mio m3), Austria (85 mio m3) and Sweden (76 mio m3). The highest value of imports of roundwood was recorded in Austria (7,224 mio US$). List of the countries characterized by high financial value of imported raw timber included Finland (6,771 mio US$) and Sweden (5,170 mio US$). Many countries (e.g. Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland), that recorded a negative rate of volume change in raw timber export also, experienced an increase in the value of the change. In countries, which experienced the highest growth rate of raw timber import (i.e. Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania), one can see beneficial processes to support the development of the enterprises engaged in the processing of roundwood

Evaluating the impact of silvicultural treatments and forest habitat type on the cost of timber harvest in cleanings and thinnings

Integrating the economic aspects of forest management (cost) with ecological elements of timber production (habitat type) significantly contributes to a better understanding of forest growth and utilisation. The type of silvicultural treatments and forest habitat types determine number of economic activities carried out in the stands and have an important impact on the associated costs. The aim of the study was to describe the impact of silviculture treatments and types of forest habitat on unit timber harvesting cost. We summarised the cost of timber logging depending on the harvest practices and types of habitats. In total, costs of treatments performed on the 2.5 thousand ha area were analysed. Obtained results were combined in relation to average unit costs of raw timber logging from individual habitats and silviculture treatments such as late cleanings and thinnings. The studied impact was assessed with standard deviation (SD) based on the assumption that the higher its value, the more important role of silvicultural treatments and forest habitats in defining the cost of raw timber harvesting. Our study showed that both factors (type of forest habitat and silvicultural treatment) had an effect on variability of timber logging costs. Comparing deciduous and coniferous habitats, higher costs were reported for the latter one. The highest unit cost of timber logging was found on the fresh coniferous habitat, while the lowest on the wet mixed forest. Moreover, the highest cost was reported for timber raw material harvested from late cleanings and the lowest from late thinnings. SD of the average cost of timber harvest ranged from 12.67 to 13.53 PLN depending on the silviculture treatments and from 0.68 to 2.39 PLN depending on the forest type. Our findings are important preliminary steps in broader study regarding revenues generated from forest stands growing on different habitats. Eventually it would help in assessing the profitability of economic activity that depends on environmental conditions of forest management

Health outcomes and unmet needs in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis attending tertiary care in Greece: A cohort study

Background: No previous studies have characterized a patient's experience of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management in Greece and unmet needs may exist despite a broad range of available treatments. Therefore, we assessed quality of life (QoL), functional ability, and healthcare resource utilization in patients with established RA and receiving treatment in a tertiary care setting in Greece. Methods: This was a prospective, observational cohort of patients aged ≥18 years, receiving any type of treatment for RA, and followed for 12 months at 7 rheumatology referral centers across mainland Greece (NCT01001182). Patient data were collected at the initial visit and 3, 6, and 9 months. QoL was evaluated using the Euro Quality of Life-5 dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) and functional ability was evaluated using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Results: A total of 210 patients with RA were enrolled (76.7% women, mean ± standard deviation [SD] age: 59.1 ± 12.6 years, median [interquartile range] disease duration: 11.9 [5.0-16.0] years). Baseline mean ± SD EQ-5D and HAQ scores were 0.57 ± 0.32 and 0.75 ± 0.63, respectively, and remained largely unchanged throughout the study. Post-hoc comparison showed that patients receiving non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (non-bDMARDs) had significantly higher EQ-5D and lower HAQ-DI scores compared with those receiving biologic DMARDs. A majority of patients reported having difficulty doing housework or other duties (61.4 and 61.9%, respectively), and 55.2% reported needing external support for these tasks. Positive correlation was observed between QoL and functional ability. Hospitalization at least once during the study occurred in 9.5% of the patients, and 12.5% of these cases were due to exacerbation of RA. At baseline, 52.4% of the patients were retired, with 38.5% of retirees having retired early due to RA. Among the patients who were retired at baseline, the mean ± SD period from actual retirement to expected retirement age was 12.1 ± 8.1 years. Conclusion: QoL and functional ability were positively correlated in patients with long-standing RA, with a large proportion showing impairments in both. Timely, target-oriented treatment initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis may help to improve patient-reported outcomes and limit the burden of RA. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01001182. Registered 23 October 2009. © 2019 The Author(s)

Вестник ГГТУ имени П. О. Сухого

Научно-практический журнал.Журнал включен в Перечень научных изданий Республики Беларусь для опубликования результатов диссертационных исследований по техническим наукам (приказ ВАК РБ № 101 от 04.06.2005 г.

Dupuytren's disease presentation, referral pathways and resource utilisation in Europe: regional analysis of a surgeon survey and patient chart review.

We explored the management of Dupuytren's disease (DD) using a surgeon survey and patient chart review

Surgical management of Dupuytren's contracture in Europe: regional analysis of a surgeon survey and patient chart review

Aim We explored regional variations in the surgical management of patients with Dupuytren's contracture (DC) in 12 European countries using a surgeon survey and patient chart review. Methods Twelve countries participated: Denmark, Finland, Sweden (Nordic region); Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland (East); France, Germany, the Netherlands, UK (West); Italy, Spain (Mediterranean). For the survey, a random sample of orthopaedic/plastic surgeons (n=687) with 330years' experience was asked about DC procedures performed during the previous 12months. For the chart review (n=3357), information from up to five consecutive patients was extracted. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results Ninety-five per cent of all surgeons used fasciectomy for DC, followed by fasciotomy (70%), dermofasciectomy (38%) and percutaneous needle fasciotomy (35%). Most surgeons were satisfied with fasciectomy over other procedures. Recommended time away from work and duration of physical therapy increased with the invasiveness of the procedure. The intra-operative complication rate was 4.0%; the postoperative complication rate was 34%. Overall, 97% of the procedures were rated by surgeons as having a positive outcome. Across all regions, 54% of patients had no nodules or contracture after the procedures. Only 2% of patients required retreatment within the first year of surgery. Important inter- and intraregional differences in these aspects of patient management are described. Conclusions Understanding current regional treatment patterns and their relationships to country-specific health systems may facilitate earlier identification of, and intervention for, DD and help to optimise the overall treatment for patients with this chronic condition

Surface functionalization for a new illumination /sensing platform

International audienc

Longterm Drug Survival of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To evaluate longterm drug survival (proportion of patients still receiving treatment) and discontinuation of etanercept (ETN), infliximab (IFX), adalimumab (ADA), certolizumab pegol (CZP), and golimumab (GOL) using observational data from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Following a systematic literature review, drug survival at 12 and 12–24 months of followup was estimated by summing proportions of patients continuing treatment and dividing by number of studies. Drug survival at ≥ 36 months of followup was estimated through Metaprop. Results: There were 170 publications included. In the first-line setting, drug survival at 12 months with ETN, IFX, or ADA was 71%, 69%, and 70%, respectively, while at 12–24 months the corresponding rates were 63%, 57%, and 59%. In the second-line setting, drug survival at 12 months with ETN, IFX, or ADA was 61%, 69%, and 55%, respectively, while at 12–24 months the corresponding rates were 53%, 39%, and 43%. Drug survival at ≥ 36 months with ETN, IFX, or ADA in the first-line setting was 59% (95% CI 46–72%), 49% (95% CI 43–54%), and 51% (95% CI 41–60%), respectively, while in the second-line setting the corresponding rates were 56% (95% CI 52–61%), 48% (95% CI 40–55%), and 41% (95% CI 36–47%). Discontinuation of ETN, IFX, and ADA at 36 months of followup was 38–48%, 42–62%, and 38–59%, respectively. Data on CZP and GOL were scarce. Conclusion: After > 12 months of followup, more patients with RA receiving ETN remain on treatment compared with other tumor necrosis factor inhibitors