Health care utilization among immigrants and native-born populations in 11 European countries. Results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe

This study examines health care utilization of immigrants relative to the native-born populations aged 50 years and older in eleven European countries. Methods. We analyzed data from the Survey of Health Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) from 2004 for a sample of 27,444 individuals in 11 European countries. Negative Binomial regression was conducted to examine the difference in number of doctor visits, visits to General Practitioners (GPs), and hospital stays between immigrants and the native-born individuals. Results: We find evidence those immigrants above age 50 use health services on average more than the native-born populations with the same characteristics. Our models show immigrants have between 6% and 27% more expected visits to the doctor, GP or hospital stays when compared to native-born populations in a number of European countries. Discussion: Elderly immigrant populations might be using health services more intensively due to cultural reasons.

Electrochemical and theoretical evaluation of the interaction between dna and amodiaquine: evidence of the guanine adduct formation

The electrochemical behavior of the interaction of amodiaquine with DNA on a carbon paste electrode was studied using voltametric techniques. In an acid medium, an electroactive adduct is formed when amodiaquine interacts with DNA. The anodic peak is dependent on pH, scan rate and the concentration of the pharmaceutical. Adduct formation is irreversible in nature, and preferentially occurs by interaction of the amodiaquine with the guanine group. Theoretical calculations for optimization of geometry, and DFT analyses and on the electrostatic potential map (EPM), were used in the investigation of adduct formation between amodiaquine and DNA.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of biaryl analogs of antitubulin compounds

This paper reports the synthesis of methanones and esters bearing different substitution patterns as spacer groups between aromatic rings. This series of compounds can be considered phenstatin analogs. Two of the newly synthesized compounds, 5a and 5c, strongly inhibited tubulin polymerization and the binding of [³H] colchicine to tubulin, suggesting that, akin to phenstatin and combretastatin A-4, they can bind to tubulin at the colchicine site.

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SPIRO[INDOLINE-3,4’-PYRANO[2,3-C:6,5-C’]DIPYRAZOL]- 2-ONES IN THE PRESENCE OF SBA-Pr-SO3H AS A NANOCATALYST

Sulfonic acid functionalized SBA-15 nanoporous material (SBA-Pr-SO3H) with a large pore size of 6 nm, a high surface area, high selectivity, and excellent chemical and thermal stability was applied as an efficient heterogeneous nanoporous acid catalyst in the reaction of isatin with pyrazolones under mild reaction conditions. A novel class of symmetrical spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrano[2,3-c:6,5-c']dipyrazol]-2-one derivatives was successfully obtained in high yields. Comparison of these results with those reported in the literature shows that the current method is efficient, and results in better reaction times and yields of the desired products. Other advantages of this new method are its operational simplicity, easy work-up procedure, and the use of SBA-Pr-SO3H as a reusable and environmentally benign nanoreactor, such that the reaction proceeds easily in its nanopores. We also tested the antimicrobial activity of the prepared compounds using the disc diffusion method, and some of the synthesized compounds exhibited the best results against B. subtilis and S. aureus.

Key performance indicators for supplier and assortement evaluation

Tutkimuksen tavoite oli selvittää suorituskyvyn mittaamista, mittareita ja niiden suunnittelua tukku- ja jakeluliiketoiminnassa. Kriittisten menestystekijöiden mittarit auttavat yritystä kohti yhteistä päämäärää. Kriittisten menestystekijöiden mittarit ovat usein yhdistetty strategiseen suunnitteluun ja implementointiin ja niillä on yhtäläisyyksiä monien strategisten työkalujen kun Balanced scorecardin kanssa. Tutkimus ongelma voidaan esittää kysymyksen muodossa. •Mitkä ovat Oriola KD:n pitkänaikavälin tavoitteita tukevat kriittisten menestystekijöiden mittarit (KPIs) toimittajan ja tuotevalikoiman mittaamisessa? Tutkimus on jaettu kirjalliseen ja empiiriseen osaan. Kirjallisuus katsaus käsittelee aikaisempaa tutkimusta strategian, toimitusketjun hallinnan, toimittajan arvioinnin ja erilaisten suorituskyvyn mittaamisjärjestelmien osalta. Empiirinen osuus etenee nykytila-analyysista ehdotettuihin kriittisten menestystekijöiden mittareihin, jotka ovat kehitetty kirjallisuudesta löydetyn mallin avulla. Tutkimuksen lopputuloksena ovat case yrityksen tarpeisiin kehitetyt kriittisten menestystekijöiden mittarit toimittajan ja tuotevalikoiman arvioinnissa.

Allelopathic potential and systematic evaluation of secondary compounds in extracts from roots of Canavalia ensiformis by capillary electrophoresis

Organic extracts were obtained from roots of Canavalia ensiformis and evaluated for allelopathic potential on the germination of the weed seeds: Mimosa pudica, Cassia tora and Cassia occidentalis showing a strong allelopathic potential. After that, a systematic study of these crude extracts was made using specific protocols developed in capillary electrophoresis (CE) in order to determine some classes of secondary metabolites. Capillary electrophoresis protocols were highly specific, which makes it possible to identify 5 classes of compounds using the same crude extract samples and analyze them fartly. Some of the compounds identified show activity in the inhibition of seeds germination.

Stress testing and risk evaluation of new capacity payment algorithm proposed by Market Council

In the Russian Wholesale Market, electricity and capacity are traded separately. Capacity is a special good, the sale of which obliges suppliers to keep their generating equipment ready to produce the quantity of electricity indicated by the System Operator. The purpose of the formation of capacity trading was the maintenance of reliable and uninterrupted delivery of electricity in the wholesale market. The price of capacity reflects constant investments in construction, modernization and maintenance of power plants. So, the capacity sale creates favorable conditions to attract investments in the energy sector because it guarantees the investor that his investments will be returned.

Accuracy and efficiency evaluation of point-centered quarter method variations for vegetation sampling in an araucaria forest

In order to verify Point-Centered Quarter Method (PCQM) accuracy and efficiency, using different numbers of individuals by per sampled area, in 28 quarter points in an Araucaria forest, southern Paraná, Brazil. Three variations of the PCQM were used for comparison associated to the number of sampled individual trees: standard PCQM (SD-PCQM), with four sampled individuals by point (one in each quarter), second measured (VAR1-PCQM), with eight sampled individuals by point (two in each quarter), and third measuring (VAR2-PCQM), with 16 sampled individuals by points (four in each quarter). Thirty-one species of trees were recorded by the SD-PCQM method, 48 by VAR1-PCQM and 60 by VAR2-PCQM. The level of exhaustiveness of the vegetation census and diversity index showed an increasing number of individuals considered by quadrant, indicating that VAR2-PCQM was the most accurate and efficient method when compared with VAR1-PCQM and SD-PCQM.

18F-Labeled Presynaptic Dopaminergic Tracers. Synthesis, Radiochemical Analyses, and Preclinical Evaluation of [18F]FDOPA and [18F]CFT

Dysfunction of the dopaminergic system in brain is involved in several pathological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and depression. 2β-Carbomethoxy-3β-(4-[18F] fluorophenyl)tropane ([18F]CFT) and 6-[18F]fluoro-L-dopa ([18F]FDOPA) are tracers for imaging the dopaminergic function with positron emission tomography (PET). Peripheral uptake of [18F]FDOPA is also used in the localization and diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors. [18F]FDOPA and [18F]CFT can be synthesized by electrophilic fluorodestannylation. However, the specific radioactivity (SA) in the electrophilic fluorination is low with traditional synthetic methods. In this study, [18F]FDOPA and [18F]CFT were synthesized using post-target-produced [18F]F2 as an electrophilic fluorination agent. With this method, tracers are produced with sufficient SA for neuroreceptor studies. Specific aims in this study were to replace Freon-11 in the production of [18F]FDOPA due to the ozone depleting properties of this solvent, to determine pharmacological specificity and selectivity of [18F]CFT with respect to monoamine transporters, and to compare the ability of these tracers to reflect the degree of nigral neuronal loss in rats in which the dopaminergic system in the brain had been unilaterally destroyed by 6- OHDA. Post-target-produced [18F]F2 was successfully used in the production of [18F]FDOPA and [18F]CFT. The SA achieved was substantially higher than in previous synthetic methods. Deuterated compounds, CD2Cl2, CDCl3 and C3D6O, were found to be suitable solvents for replacing Freon-11. Both [18F]FDOPA and [18F]CFT demonstrated nigrostriatal dopaminergic hypofunction and correlated with the number of nigral dopaminergic neurons in the 6-OHDA lesioned rat. However, the dopamine transporter (DAT) tracer [18F]CFT was more sensitive than the dopamine synthesis tracer [18F]FDOPA in detecting these defects because of the higher non-specific uptake of [18F]FDOPA. [18F]CFT can also be used for imaging the norepinephrine transporter (NET) because of the specific uptake into the locus coeruleus. The observation that [18F]CFT exhibits specific uptake in the pancreas warrants further studies in humans with respect to potential utility in pancreatic imaging

Bone Health, Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk in Neurofibromatosis 1 - An Emphasis on Osteoclasts

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary syndrome, affecting skin, neural tissues and skeleton. Hallmarks of NF1 include benign cutaneous neurofibroma tumors, pigmentation lesions on the skin and in the iris, learning disabilities and predisposition to selected malignancies. Low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteopenia/osteoporosis are common in NF1. Osteoporosis is a systemic disorder characterized by low bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. Treatment of osteoporosis aims to prevent falls and decrease fracture risk. Osteoporosis is diagnosed in adults by measuring BMD and evaluating clinical risk factors of the patient. Bone turnover is a process of old bone resorbed by osteoclasts and new bone formed by osteoblasts. Multinuclear osteoclasts are derived from osteoclast progenitors, which can be isolated from peripheral blood. Osteoclast progenitors were isolated from 17 NF1 patients and healthy controls, and cultured in vitro to osteoclasts. NF1 osteoclasts are hyperactive, displaying increased differentiation and resorption capacity, abnormal morphology and tolerance to serum deprivation compared to control osteoclasts. These findings expanded the study to evaluate the effects of bisphosphonates, drugs designed to treat osteoporosis, in osteoclasts derived from blood samples of 20 NF1 and control persons. The number of control osteoclasts was expectedly reduced after bisphosphonate treatment. However, NF1 osteoclasts tolerated the apoptotic effect of alendronate, zoledronic acid and clodronate in vitro compared to controls. NF1-related osteoporosis was found in ~20 % of the patients, and selected laboratory parameters were measured. Patients with NF1 have increased levels of serum CTX and PINP, reflecting increased bone turnover in vivo. BMD decreases progressively in NF1 as evaluated in 19 NF1 patients 12 years after their initial BMD measurement. Patients with NF1-related osteopenia often progress to osteoporosis. This was found in patients aged 37-76.

Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol-racemic ketamine and propofol-S-ketamine: a comparative study and haemodynamic evaluation in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy

Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and ketamine proved to be very satisfactory from a clinical point of view. This blind randomised controlled trial was designed to compare induction and maintenance of anaesthesia under continuous infusion of propofol-racemic ketamine (PRK) with that of propofol-S-ketamine (PSK) and evaluate their haemodynamic, metabolic and ventilatory effects. Seven female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy were involved in each group. Anaesthesia was induced: in Group PRK, with propofol (4.0mg kg-1) and racemic ketamine (2.0mg kg-1) intravenous (i.v.), followed by i.v. infusion of propofol (initial dose of 0.5mg kg-1 min-1) and racemic ketamine (0.2mg kg-1 min-1); in Group PSK, with propofol (4.0mg kg-1) and S-ketamine (1.0 mg kg¹) i.v., followed by i.v. infusion of propofol (initial dose of 0.5mg kg-1 min-1) and S-ketamine (0.1mg kg-1 min-1). Parameters were assessed before anaesthesia and in 6 time points after induction. In both groups, heart rate increased significantly at all time points. There was a slight decrease in systemic blood pressure, cardiac output and cardiac index in both groups. The systolic index decrease significantly and intense respiratory depression was observed in all groups, making assisted ventilation necessary.

“THE PATIENT SURVIVED DESPITE THE TREATMENT”. A study of Finnish health policy and New Public Management. Case: The Government Resolution on the Health 2015 public health programme.

Internationally, Finland has been among the most respected countries during several decades in terms of public health. WHO has had the most significant influence on Finnish health policy and the relationship has traditionally been warm. However, the situation has slightly changed in the last 10-20 years. The objectives of Finnish national health policy have been to secure the best possible health for the population and to minimize disparities in health between different population groups. Nevertheless, although the state of public health and welfare has steadily improved, the socioeconomic disparities in health have increased. This qualitative case study will demonstrate why health is political and why health matters. It will also present some recommendations for research topics and administrative reforms. It will be argued that lack of political interest in health policy leads to absence of health policy visions and political commitment, which can be disastrous for public health. This study will investigate how Finnish health policy is defined and organised, and it will also shed light on Finnish health policy formation processes and actors. Health policy is understood as a broader societal construct covering the domains of different ministries, not just Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (MSAH). The influences of economic recession of the 1990s, state subsidy reform in 1993, globalisation and the European Union will be addressed, as well. There is not much earlier Finnish research done on health policy from political science viewpoint. Therefore, this study is interdisciplinary and combines political science with administrative science, contemporary history and health policy research with a hint of epidemiology. As a method, literature review, semi-structured interviews and policy analysi will be utilised. Institutionalism, policy transfer, and corporatism are understood as the theoretical framework. According to the study, there are two health policies in Finland: the official health policy and health policy generated by industry, media and various interest organisations. The complex relationships between the Government and municipalities, and on the other hand, the MSAH and National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) seemed significant in terms of Finnish health policy coordination. The study also showed that the Investigated case, Health 2015, does not fulfil all necessary criteria for a successful public health programme. There were also several features both in Health 2015 and Finnish health policy, which can be interpreted in NPM framework and seen having NPM influences.

Sperm morphological and morphometric evaluation in captive collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu)

The aim of this study was to compare different staining methods for the evaluation of sperm morphology by light microscopy and also to describe the morphometry of the entire sperm in collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu). Semen from 10 males was obtained by electroejaculation and evaluated for sperm motility, vigor, and concentration. Semen smears were prepared through three different staining methods: Bengal rose, brome-phenol blue, and eosin-nigrosin. Smears were evaluated under light microscopy and sperm morphologic alterations were determined in percentage. In addition, sperm morphometric analysis was conducted by light microscopy coupled to image analyzer software. The smears stained with Bengal Rose provide the best results for the visualization of the sperm tail, midpiece, and head. The use of eosin-nigrosin stain did not allow an adequate impregnation, and some sperm presented a few contrasts with the background. A higher incidence of bent coiled tails was verified in the use of brome-phenol blue staining (P<0.05). Through morphometric evaluation, it was observed that the tail occupies the greatest proportion (89%) of the sperm which presents a discretely elongated head. According to the results, the use of the Bengal Rose stain is recommended for the morphologic evaluation of the collared peccary sperm.

Morphological and morphometric evaluation of prepubertal gilt ovaries, uterine tubes and uterus at different oestrus cycle stages

Studies are performed in developing techniques/procedures that provide greater reproductive performance in farm animals, including pigs. In this sense, the study of gilts reproductive organs at different oestrus cycle stages for assessing the presence of abnormalities and/or other parameters that may affect the future animal fertility is important. In order to evaluate the morphological, morphometric and histomorphometric features of ovaries, uterus and uterine tubes (UTs) characteristics of prepubertal gilts at different oestrus cycle stages, reproductive tracts from 48 animals immediately after slaughter were obtained. After, the structures were dissected and removed, and the ovaries were used for classification of oestrus cycle stage of each gilt in follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (FL). Then, morphometric evaluations of ovaries, UTs, uterine horns and uterine body were performed. Besides that, medial segments of UTs and uterus were fixed in Bouin solution, processed and included in paraffin, when histological sections of 5.0 micrometers (µm) were obtained and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Histomorphometric analyzes using image capture system and specific software were performed. Afterwards, data were submitted to Student's t test for assessment the statistical differences (P<0.05) between the two different oestrus cycle stages (FP × LP) and between the placement of reproductive structures (right × left antimer). Among the gilts evaluated, 35 were in the FP and 13 in LP. There was no difference (P>0.05) between morphometric parameters of ovaries, UTs and uterus of gilts in FP and LP. Likewise, in respect to the placement of reproductive structures, both in the oestrus cycle stages, as in the general average, there was no difference (P>0.05). Regarding the histomorphometric variables, gilts classified in FP presented a higher (P<0.05) height of glandular and UT epithelium compared to animals in LP. On the other hand, the diameter of endometrial glands was higher (P<0.05) in gilts at LP compared to FP. Furthermore, gilts in LP presented a higher (P<0.05) proportion of endometrium occupied by glands, whereas animals in FP had a higher (P<0.05) proportion of connective tissue and blood vessels. In conclusion, in prepubertal gilts, the histomorphometric parameters as endometrial glands diameter, the height of glandular epithelium and of UT epithelium and the proportion of endometrium occupied by connective tissue, besides the glands and blood vessels varies through the oestrus cycle, possibly under the influence of ovarian steroids.