Analysis of customer services in Rail passenger stations using a Holistic method - application to Newcastle central station

In this paper, we look at the level of customer satisfaction as well as customer services in a passenger railway station. Specifically the objective of this paper is to develop and employ a simple method for analyzing the customer satisfaction in railway stations to help us identify ways for improving both the customer service and the station design. The method developed is applied for the purposes of Newcastle Central rail station. After having studied different approaches we used a survey to collect the necessary data for analysis. A comparison of the opinions of different categories of rail station users has been undertaken. As a result different areas for improvement have been identified. This paper can be seen as a starting point for further research on a detailed customer satisfaction analysis for Newcastle Central

Systemic and local eosinophil inflammation during the birch pollen season in allergic patients with predominant rhinitis or asthma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the study was to investigate inflammation during the birch pollen season in patients with rhinitis or asthma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects with birch pollen asthma (n = 7) or rhinitis (n = 9) and controls (n = 5) were studied before and during pollen seasons. Eosinophils (Eos), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and human neutrophil lipocalin were analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Allergic asthmatics had a larger decline in FEV1 after inhaling hypertonic saline than patients with rhinitis (median) (-7.0 vs.-0.4%, p = 0.02). The asthmatics had a lower sesonal PEFR than the rhinitis group. The seasonal increase in B-Eos was higher among patients with asthma (+0.17 × 109/L) and rhinitis (+0.27 × 109/L) than among controls (+0.01 × 109/L, p = 0.01). Allergic asthmatics and patients with rhinitis had a larger increase in sputum ECP (+2180 and +310 μg/L) than the controls (-146 μg/L, p = 0.02). No significant differences in inflammatory parameters were found between the two groups of allergic patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients with allergic asthma and rhinitis have the same degree of eosinophil inflammation. Despite this, only the asthmatic group experienced an impairment in lung function during the pollen season.</p

Diffuse duodenal nodular lymphoid hyperplasia: a large cohort of patients etiologically related to Helicobacter pylori infection

Abstract Background Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of gastrointestinal tract is a rare disorder, often associated with immunodeficiency syndromes. There are no published reports of its association with Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods From March 2005 till February 2010, we prospectively followed all patients with diffuse duodenal nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (DDNLH). Patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with targeted biopsies, colonoscopy, and small bowel video capsule endoscopy. Duodenal nodular lesions were graded from 0 to 4 based on their size and density. Patients were screened for celiac sprue (IgA endomysial antibody), immunoglobulin abnormalities (immunoglobulin levels & serum protein electrophoresis), small intestine bacterial overgrowth (lactulose hydrogen breath test), and Helicobacter pylori infection (rapid urease test, and histological examination of gastric biopsies). Patients infected with Helicobacter pylori received sequential antibiotic therapy and eradication of infection was evaluated by 14C urea breath test. Follow up duodenoscopies with biopsies were performed to ascertain resolution of nodular lesions. Results Forty patients (Males 23, females 17; mean age ± 1SD 35.6 ± 14.6 years) with DDNLH were studied. Patients presented with epigastric pain, vomiting, and weight loss. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed diffuse nodular lesions (size varying from 2 to 5 mm or more) of varying grades (mean score ± 1SD 2.70 ± 0.84) involving postbulbar duodenum. Video capsule endoscopies revealed nodular disease exclusively limited to duodenum. None of the patients had immunoglobulin deficiency or small intestine bacterial overgrowth or positive IgA endomysial antibodies. All patients were infected with Helicobacter pylori infection. Sequential antibiotic therapy eradicated Helicobacter pylori infection in 26 patients. Follow up duodenoscopies in these patients showed significant reduction of duodenal nodular lesions score (2.69 ± 0.79 to 1.50 ± 1.10; p Helicobacter pylori infection showed no significant reduction of nodular lesions score (2.71 ± 0.96 to 2.64 ± 1.15; p = 0.58). Nodules partially regressed in score in 2 patients, showed no interval change in 10 patients and progressed in 2 patients. Conclusions We report on a large cohort of patients with DDNLH, etiologically related to Helicobacter pylori infection.</p

Prevalence and risk factors of allergies in turkey (PARFAIT): Results of a multicentre cross-sectional study in adults

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Allergies in Turkey (PARFAIT) study was planned to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for asthma and allergic diseases in Turkey. The present analysis used data from 25,843 parents of primary school children, obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. A total of 25,843 questionnaires from 14 centres were evaluated. In rural areas, the prevalences asthma, wheezing, allergic rhinitis and eczema in males were: 8.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.9-9.1%), 13.5% (95% CI 12.8-14.2%), 17.5% (95% CI 16.7-18.2%) and 10.8% (95% CI 10.211.4%), respectively; and in females were: 11.2% (95% CI 10.9-11.8%), 14.7% (95% CI 14.315.1%), 21.2% (95% CI 20.4-22.0%) and 13.1% (95% CI 2.4-13.8%), respectively. In urban areas, the corresponding prevalences in males were: 6.2% (95% CI 5.8-6.6%), 10.8% (95% CI 10.311.3%), 11.7% (95% CI 11.4-12.0%) and 6.6% (95% CI 6.2-7.0%), respectively; and in females were: 7.5 % (95% CI 7.9-7.1%), 12.0% (95% CI 11.7-12.3%), 17.0% (95% CI 16.4-17.6%) and 7.3% (95% CI 6.9-7.7%), respectively. Having an atopic first-degree relative or any other atopic diseases had significant effects on the prevalence of allergic diseases. Housing conditions, such as living in a shanty-type house, visible moulds at home and use of wood or biomass as heating or cooking material were associated with one or more allergic diseases. Although genetic susceptibility is strongly associated, country-and population-based environmental factors may contribute to increased prevalence rates of allergic diseases. Copyright © ERS Journals Ltd 2009

Analyse der Kundenservice eines Personen-Bahnhofs im ZUGVERKEHR mit einer ganzheitlichen methode – anwendung für den Hauptbahnhof von Newcastle Upon Tyne

In this paper, we look at the level of customer satisfaction as well as customer services in a passenger railway station. Specifically the objective of this paper is to develop and employ a simple method for analyzing the customer satisfaction in railway stations to help us identify ways for improving both the customer service and the station design. The method developed is applied for the purposes of Newcastle Central rail station. After having studied different approaches we used a survey to collect the necessary data for analysis. A comparison of the opinions of different categories of rail station users has been undertaken. As a result different areas for improvement have been identified. This paper can be seen as a starting point for further research on a detailed customer satisfaction analysis for Newcastle Central.In dieser Arbeit werden wir mit Blick auf die wachsende Nachfrage im Personenzugverkehr einen Bahnhof auf Kundenservice und Kundenzufriedenheit untersuchen. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit sind die Entwicklung einer vereinfachten Methode, um die Kundenzufriedenheit zu analysieren, und Optimierungspotentiale zu identifizieren. Die entwickelte Methode wird im weiteren auf die Fallstudie des Hauptbahnhofs in Newcastle upon Tyne angewandt. Nach der Verbindung und Vereinfachung verschiedener Ansätzen verwenden wir in Umfrage, um die notwendige Informationsbasis für einen Vergleich mit dem gewählten Ansatz zu gewinnen. Wir erwarten die gröβten Bereiche mit Optimierungsbedarf herauszustellen und konkrete Maβnahmen zur Verbesserung vorschlagen zu können. Diese Arbeit kann als Basis für weiterführende Forschung oder eine detailliertere Kundenumfrage am Hauptbahnhof in Newcastle upon Tyne dienen

Acute Ischaemic Hepatitis Secondary to Acute Portal System Thrombosis Triggered by Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Rare Presentation of Acute Ischaemic Hepatitis

Hypotension, hypoxia or hypotension and hypoxia together may lead to ischaemic hepatitis; hypotension is often as a result of cardiovascular diseases. Ischaemic hepatitis not due to the cirrhotic process or malignancy but due to acute thrombosis of the portal venous system is rare. In this article, we present a case of acute ischaemic hepatitis due to an acute thrombus developing after a ketoacidosis coma which was thought to have triggered this event. Other reasons which could have triggered this event, such as a thrombophilia and cirrhosis or malignancy, were excluded

Laryngeal edema due to European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) in a patient allergic to honeybee

WOS: 000182650700016PubMed ID: 1275233