Case studies and analysis of mine shafts incidents in Europe

International audienceEntry to mine workings is normally gained by means of vertical shafts or horizontal or inclined tunnels called adits. Other mining objects such as fan drifts and wheel pits are often associated with mine shafts. Such mining objects may or may not have been filled, wholly or partially, or otherwise sealed to prevent entry when the mine was abandoned. Nowadays mine entries are usually adequately protected on abandonment to prevent accidental ingress. Many earlier mine entries remain open, however, and may pose a threat to human safety. Within the framework of MISSTER (Mine shafts: improving security and new tools for the evaluation of risks), a European RFCS project (Research Fund for Coal and Steel), a selection of representative cases of mine shafts incidents was reviewed. This work was carried out by INERIS (France), GEOCONTROL (Spain), University of Nottingham and Mine Rescue Service Ltd (United Kingdom), Central Mining Institute and KWSA (Poland). The experience accumulated through this work will allow a fuller determination of risk scenarios associated with mine shafts

A Prospective Open Trial of Guanfacine in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Objective: A common complaint for children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) is hyperactivity. The purpose of this pilot study was to gather preliminary information on the efficacy of guanfacine in children with PDD and hyperactivity. Methods: Children with PDD accompanied by hyperactivity entered the open-label trial if there was a recent history of failed treatment with methylphenidate or the child did not improve on methylphenidate in a multisite, placebo-controlled trial. Results: Children (23 boys and 2 girls) with a mean age of 9.03 (±3.14) years entered the open-label trial. After 8 weeks of treatment, the parent-rated Hyperactivity subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) went from a mean of 31.3 (±8.89) at baseline to 18.9 (±10.37) (effect size = 1.4; p < 0.001). The teacher-rated Hyperactivity subscale decreased from a mean of 29.9 (±9.12) at baseline to 22.3 (±9.44) (effect size = 0.83; p < 0.01). Twelve children (48%) were rated as Much Improved or Very Much Improved on the Clinical Global Impressions– Improvement. Doses ranged from 1.0 to 3.0 mg/day in two or three divided doses. Common adverse effects included irritability, sedation, sleep disturbance (insomnia or midsleep awakening), and constipation. Irritability led to discontinuation in 3 subjects. There were no significant changes in pulse, blood pressure, or electrocardiogram. Conclusions: Guanfacine may be useful for the treatment of hyperactivity in children with PDD. Placebocontrolled studies are needed to guide clinical practice

Effect of a Successful Intensive Lifestyle Program on Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Tolerance in Obese Youth

OBJECTIVE—To evaluate the impact on glucose metabolism of a lifestyle program (the Yale Bright Bodies Program) for obese children

Primary Defects in β-Cell Function Further Exacerbated by Worsening of Insulin Resistance Mark the Development of Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Obese Adolescents

OBJECTIVE—Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a pre-diabetic state of increasing prevalence among obese adolescents. The purpose of this study was to determine the natural history of progression from normal glucose tolerance (NGT) to IGT in obese adolescents

Effect of Age of Infusion Site and Type of Rapid-Acting Analog on Pharmacodynamic Parameters of Insulin Boluses in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes Receiving Insulin Pump Therapy

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of type of insulin analog and age of insertion site on the pharmacodynamic characteristics of a standard insulin bolus in youth with type 1 diabetes receiving insulin pump therapy

The Dementia Care Study (D-Care): Recruitment Strategies and Demographic Characteristics of Participants in a Pragmatic Randomized Trial of Dementia Care

INTRODUCTION: Pragmatic research studies that include diverse dyads of persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their family caregivers are rare. METHODS: Community-dwelling dyads were recruited for a pragmatic clinical trial evaluating three approaches to dementia care. Four clinical trial sites used shared and site-specific recruitment strategies to enroll health system patients. RESULTS: Electronic health record (EHR) queries of patients with a diagnosis of dementia and engagement of their clinicians were the main recruitment strategies. A total of 2176 dyads were enrolled, with 80% recruited after the onset of the pandemic. PLWD had a mean age of 80.6 years (SD 8.5), 58.4% were women, and 8.8% were Hispanic/Latino, and 11.9% were Black/African American. Caregivers were mostly children of the PLWD (46.5%) or spouses/partners (45.2%), 75.8% were women, 9.4% were Hispanic/Latino, and 11.6% were Black/African American. DISCUSSION: Health systems can successfully enroll diverse dyads in a pragmatic clinical trial

Use of SMS texts for facilitating access to online alcohol interventions: a feasibility study

A41 Use of SMS texts for facilitating access to online alcohol interventions: a feasibility study In: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2017, 12(Suppl 1): A4