Structuring research on conformal antennas a European collaboration

Abstract Objective To provide an assessment of the quality of the most frequently used self-reported, generic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children against the good research practices recommended by ISPOR task force for the pediatric population. Method Literature search was conducted on OvidSP database to identify the generic pediatric PROMs used in published clinical studies. The quality of PROMs used in more than ten clinical studies were descriptively evaluated against the ISPOR task force’s good research practices. Results Six PROMs were evaluated, namely Pediatric Quality-of-Life inventory 4.0 (PedsQL), Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ), KIDSCREEN, KINDL, DISABKIDS and Child Health and Illness Profile (CHIP). All PROMs, except KIDSCREEN, had versions for different age ranges. Domains of physical, social, emotional health and school activities were common across all the instruments, while domains of family activities, parent relations, independence, and self-esteem were not present in all. Children’s input was sought during the development process of PROMs. Likert scales were used in all the instruments, supplemented with faces (smileys) in instruments for children under 8 years. KIDSCREEN and DISABKIDS were developed in a European collaboration project considering the cross-cultural impact during development. Conclusion The comparison of the instruments highlights differences in the versions for different pediatric age groups. None of the PROMs fulfill all the good research practices recommended by the ISPOR task force. Further research is needed to define which age-appropriate domains are important for older children and adolescents.

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Prospects for fast reactors

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Section B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0269727000009532 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 92 (1-2) ◽

pp. 57-71

Author(s):

C. W. Blumfield

Keyword(s):

Fast Reactor ◽

High Energy ◽

High Energy Density ◽

Fast Reactors ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Reactor Technology ◽

European Collaboration ◽

Fast Reactor Fuel ◽

Fuel Reprocessing ◽

Planned Activities

SynopsisThe background to recent major advances in the construction and operation of fast reactors is outlined with particular reference to the Dounreay Prototype Fast Reactor. The advantages and disadvantages of sodium as a coolant of the high energy density assembly are discussed and an account given of the consequences of a leak and the precautions taken against this eventuality. Attention is drawn to the safety aspects of the system. The economics of the plans for fuel reprocessing are explained and an account given of the progress in the fabrication of fast reactor fuel pins. Finally the environmental impact of present and planned activities on the Dounreay site is presented in the context of participation in the European Collaboration on Fast Reactor Technology and attention drawn to the importance of the planning inquiry in progress at Dounreay.

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Leukocytosis as a major thrombotic risk factor in patients with polycythemia vera

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2006-08-042515 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 109 (6) ◽

pp. 2446-2452 ◽

Cited By ~ 228

Author(s):

Raffaele Landolfi ◽

Leonardo Di Gennaro ◽

Tiziano Barbui ◽

Valerio De Stefano ◽

Guido Finazzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Polycythemia Vera ◽

White Blood Cell Count ◽

White Blood Cell ◽

Vascular Risk ◽

Blood Cell Count ◽

Thrombotic Risk ◽

European Collaboration ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract In polycythemia vera, vascular risk assessment is based on age and thrombotic history, while the role of other potential predictors of this risk is still uncertain. Thus, we exploited the large database collected by the observational study of the European Collaboration on Low-Dose Aspirin in Polycythemia Vera (ECLAP) to investigate the association of hematologic variables and cardiovascular risk factors with the thrombotic risk. Among 1638 polycythemic patients followed for 2.7 ± 1.3 years, there were 205 thromboses. Subjects with hypertension had a mild nonsignificant increase in the risk of arterial thrombosis, while this risk was significantly increased by smoking (hazard ratio [HR], 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-3.14; P = .012). The time-dependent analysis adjusted for potential confounders showed that patients with a white blood cell count above 15 × 109/L, compared with those with a white blood cell count below 10 × 109/L, had a significant increase in the risk of thrombosis (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.10-2.65; P = .017), mainly deriving from an increased risk of myocardial infarction (HR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.25-6.46; P = .013). Thus, leukocyte count may help in defining the vascular risk of polycythemic subjects.

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