scholarly journals Wikipedia and the National Cancer Institute Website Appear to Offer Similar Osteosarcoma Information for Patients

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Kate Kelly

A Review of: Leithner, A., Werner, M., Glehr, M., Friesenbichler, J., Keithner, K., & Windhager R. (2010). Wikipedia and osteosarcoma: A trustworthy patients' information? Journal of the Medical Informatics Association, 17(4), 373-374. Objective – To compare the completeness and accuracy of information about osteosarcoma in Wikipedia to information found on the patient and health professional versions of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) website. Design – Comparative study, test against 20 item questionnaire and expert opinion. Setting – n/a. Subjects – n/a. Methods – The authors developed a 20-item questionnaire to test the completeness and accuracy of information on osteosarcoma in Wikipedia and on the “patient version and the health professional version of the National Cancer Institute’s website as ‘official’ reference websites” (p. 373). Three independent observers, two surgeons specializing in musculoskeletal tumour surgery and a medical student, tested the English language version of Wikipedia and the NCI “websites” on April 3, 2009. Answers to the 20 questions found on the websites were scored from zero to three and were discussed with a member of the “German board for guidelines in musculoskeletal surgery” (p. 373) and verified against international guidelines published by the World Health Organization. Data was analyzed using SPSS and group comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U test with p-values of less than 0.05 significance. Main Results – The quality of information about osteosarcoma found in the English language version of Wikipedia was good but inferior to the patient information from NCI. Out of a total of 60 points Wikipedia scored 33, NCI patient information 40 and NCI professional information 50. There was no significant difference between the NCI patient information and Wikipedia but a significant difference (p=0.039) between Wikipedia and NCI professional information. Conclusion – Non-peer reviewed websites providing health information, such as Wikipedia, should include links to sites such as NCI and other more definitive sources such as professional and international organizations. Frequent checks should be used to ensure external links are of the highest quality.

Author(s):  
Linnea Laestadius ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Ziyad Ben Taleb ◽  
Mohammad Ebrahimi Kalan ◽  
Young Cho ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The rapid global spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has compelled national governments to issue guidance on the use of face masks for members of the general public. To date, no work has assessed how this guidance differs across governments. OBJECTIVE This study seeks to contribute to a rational and consistent global response to infectious disease by determining how guidelines differ across nations and regions. METHODS A content analysis of health agency mask guidelines on agency websites was performed in late March 2020 among 25 countries and regions with large numbers of COVID-19 cases. Countries and regions were assigned across the coding team by language proficiency, with Google Translate used as needed. When available, both the original and English language version of guidance were reviewed. RESULTS All examined countries and regions had some form of guidance online, although detail and clarity differed. Although 9 countries and regions recommended surgical, medical, or unspecified masks in public and poorly ventilated places, 16 recommended against people wearing masks in public. There were 2 countries that explicitly recommended against fabric masks. In addition, 12 failed to outline the minimum basic World Health Organization guidance for masks. CONCLUSIONS Online guidelines for face mask use to prevent COVID-19 in the general public are currently inconsistent across nations and regions, and have been changing often. Efforts to create greater standardization and clarity should be explored in light of the status of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.


10.2196/19501 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e19501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linnea Laestadius ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Ziyad Ben Taleb ◽  
Mohammad Ebrahimi Kalan ◽  
Young Cho ◽  
...  

Background The rapid global spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has compelled national governments to issue guidance on the use of face masks for members of the general public. To date, no work has assessed how this guidance differs across governments. Objective This study seeks to contribute to a rational and consistent global response to infectious disease by determining how guidelines differ across nations and regions. Methods A content analysis of health agency mask guidelines on agency websites was performed in late March 2020 among 25 countries and regions with large numbers of COVID-19 cases. Countries and regions were assigned across the coding team by language proficiency, with Google Translate used as needed. When available, both the original and English language version of guidance were reviewed. Results All examined countries and regions had some form of guidance online, although detail and clarity differed. Although 9 countries and regions recommended surgical, medical, or unspecified masks in public and poorly ventilated places, 16 recommended against people wearing masks in public. There were 2 countries that explicitly recommended against fabric masks. In addition, 12 failed to outline the minimum basic World Health Organization guidance for masks. Conclusions Online guidelines for face mask use to prevent COVID-19 in the general public are currently inconsistent across nations and regions, and have been changing often. Efforts to create greater standardization and clarity should be explored in light of the status of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.


Author(s):  
Kirti Sundar Sahu ◽  
Arlene Oetomo ◽  
Niloofar Jalali ◽  
Plinio P. Morita

The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. To inhibit the spread of COVID-19, governments around the globe, including Canada, have implemented physical distancing and lockdown measures, including a work-from-home policy. Canada in 2020 has developed a 24-Hour Movement Guideline for all ages laying guidance on the ideal amount of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep (PASS) for an individual in a day. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes on the household and population-level in lifestyle behaviours (PASS) and time spent indoors at the household level, following the implementation of physical distancing protocols and stay-at-home guidelines. For this study, we used 2019 and 2020 data from ecobee, a Canadian smart Wi-Fi thermostat company, through the Donate Your Data (DYD) program. Using motion sensors data, we quantified the amount of sleep by using the absence of movement, and similarly, increased sensor activation to show a longer duration of household occupancy. The key findings of this study were; during the COVID-19 pandemic, overall household-level activity increased significantly compared to pre-pandemic times, there was no significant difference between household-level behaviours between weekdays and weekends during the pandemic, average sleep duration has not changed, but the pattern of sleep behaviour significantly changed, specifically, bedtime and wake up time delayed, indoor time spent has been increased and outdoor time significantly reduced. Our data analysis shows the feasibility of using big data to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the household and population-level behaviours and patterns of change.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Dereń ◽  
Justyna Wyszyńska ◽  
Serhiy Nyankovskyy ◽  
Olena Nyankovska ◽  
Marta Yatsula ◽  
...  

Overweight and obesity, as well as underweight in children and adolescents, pose a significant public health issue. This study aimed to investigate the secular trend of the incidence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in children from Ukraine in 2013/2014 and 2018/2019. The studies were conducted in randomly selected primary and secondary schools in Ukraine. In total, 13,447 children (6468 boys and 6979 girls) participated in the study in 2013/2014 and 18,144 children (8717 boys and 9427 girls) participated in 2018/2019. Measurements of body weight and height were performed in triplicate. Underweight, overweight, and obesity were diagnosed according to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). In the group of girls, a significant difference between 2013/2014 and 2018/2019 measurements was found only among 7-year-olds. The percentage of girls at this age exceeding the body mass index (BMI) norm was lower in the 2018/2019 study. In boys, a significant difference was also found in 7-year-olds, and, as in girls, a lower share of overweight and obesity was found in 2018/2019. But for the ages of 12, 13, and 15, the significant differences had a different character—more overweight or obese boys were found in the 2018/2019 study. The proportion of underweight children was similar for the majority of age groups in both genders and did not differ in a statistically significant way.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-1-158
Author(s):  
Andrea Marks ◽  
Martin Fisher

The "medical checkup," like hot dogs and apple pie, has become an American tradition. Adolescents have checkups requested by schools, summer camps, sports teams, employers, parents, and, less frequently, themselves. At such times, a cursory chat between the teenager and health professional, followed by a quick physical examination, is unlikely to detect the most prevalent and significant health problems of young people today. The very nature of such an interaction may even serve to alienate the teenager from the health care system or provider. Alternatively, if properly focused and thorough, a checkup may not only uncover important areas of disease or dysfunction, but also should initiate a meaningful dialogue and relationship between the adolescent patient and health professional. A checkup generally occurs when an individual feels well and visits a medical professional without complaint or a checkup may be had in conjunction with medical attention to a specific problem. In either case, the primary purpose of a checkup is health assessment and screening. Health screening has been defined by the World Health Organization as ". . . the presumptive identification of unrecognized disease or defect by the application of tests, examinations, or other procedures which can be applied rapidly." The purpose of health screening is to detect a problem (or problems) before it would usually become apparent or before medical attention is sought, with the intent of initiating treatment at an earlier and more optimal time, so as to prevent or favorably alter its course and consequences. Screening is not in itself diagnostic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 371-376
Author(s):  
Šuhreta Delibašić ◽  
Jasna Huremović ◽  
Sabina Žero ◽  
Sabina Gojak-Salimović

The present study was conducted to investigate the water quality of the Trstionica River, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The physicochemical properties (temperature, pH, conductivity, total solids after evaporation at 105 °C), content of metals (calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn)), and anions (chloride (Cl–), and phosphate (PO43–)) were determined in water samples collected at seven locations during two sampling periods: unstable weather conditions (precipitation), and stable weather conditions (without precipitation). There was a significant difference in the content of individual parameters in the river water depending on the sampling time. For determination of metals concentrations, which were below the limit of detection, a preconcentration method using an ion-exchange resin was applied. The metals concentrations during the rainy day were in the order Ca > Mg > Na > Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb > Mn with mean values of 343, 6.03, 1.94, 0.18, 0.20, 0.03, 0.02, 0.01 mg dm–3, respectively, and during stable weather conditions: Ca > Mg > Na > Cu > Fe > Mn > Zn with mean values of 288, 7.62, 2.38, 0.11, 0.10, 0.01, 0.01 mg dm–3, respectively. Cd, Cr, and Ni concentrations were below limit of detection in both cases. Obtained values were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) regulations. The results showed that the Trstionica River in the investigated part of the stream meets most of the parameters required by the regulations. The correlation between analysed parameters was assessed, as well. Based on the calculated water quality index values, the water of Trstionica River falls into the category of excellent water.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
asli cetinkaya yaprak ◽  
Mustafa Unal

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the clinical outcomes and visual quality of patients undergoing cataract surgery with the implantation of two different models of diffractive trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).MethodsThis randomized prospective comparative study included 60 eyes of 15 patients who scheduled to undergo bilateral cataract surgery with the implantation of two models of diffractive trifocal IOLs (RayOne Trifocal and AcrySof IQ PanOptix IOL). Monocular and binocular corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuity (CDVA, UDVA), intermediate visual acuity (DCIVA, UIVA) at 60 and 80 cm, near visual acuity (DCNVA, UNVA), and patient satisfaction were compared over a three-month follow-up.ResultsEach group comprised 30 eyes of 15 patients. No statistically significant differences were determined between the groups in terms of CDVA, UDVA, DCNVA and UNVA. The monocular and binocular UIVA values at 60 cm were better in the PanOptix IOL group (p=0.04 and p=0.01, respectively), and the DCIVA and UIVA values at 80 cm were better in the RayOne IOL group (p=0.01, p=0.047, p<0.001, and p=0.042, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in relation to the frequency and severity of visual symptoms evaluated. Regarding discomfort, the RayOne IOL group had more bothersome halos and starbursts (p=0.026 and p=0.01, respectively).ConclusionBoth IOLs provided very good restoration of visual acuity. However, with the AcrySof IQ PanOptix IOL, the likelihood of patients experiencing bothersome halos and starbursts was less. The RayOne Trifocal IOL might be a better choice for patients who require further intermediate vision.The study was registered under the World Health Organization international clinical trials registry platform: NCT04655274, 30/11/2020, prospectively registered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512520401p1-7512520401p1
Author(s):  
Charmaine Lim ◽  
Manisha Sheth

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. The purpose of this research was to examine the efficacy of a 9-week equine-assisted program named "Horse in the Moment." Mixed-methodology research was conducted to explore the effectiveness of equine-assisted activities on quality of life (QOL) and relational skills for individuals diagnosed with dementia. Pre and post scores on World Health Organization QOL showed significant difference. Families of the participants also reported improvements in communication and socialization. Primary Author and Speaker: Charmaine Lim Additional Authors and Speakers: Manisha Sheth


2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-559
Author(s):  
Leandro Cabral Pereira ◽  
Thaísa Amorim Nogueira ◽  
Leandro Augusto de Oliveira Barbosa ◽  
Sabrina Calil-Elias ◽  
Selma Rodrigues de Castilho

The rates of breast cancer mortality remain high in Brazil. Docetaxel is a semi-synthetic taxane used to treat various tumors, particularly tumors of the breast, lung and prostate. In this study ADR that occurred in 45 docetaxel users with breast cancer were surveyed. They were identified by type, causality (Naranjo algorithm and World Health Organization categories) and, if considered probable or defined, rated for severity according to SOBRAFO proposal (2007). A total of 325 ADR were observed: 165 in the first, 137 in the second and 23 in the third cycle. Fifty seven ADR were immediate and the others, late. Fatigue and exhaustion for more than five days, classified as Grade 3 by SOBRAFO (2007), were reported as the primary late RAM. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of immediate and late ADR between cycles (p=1 and p=0.3577, respectively). The presence of a pharmacist gave the patients a better understanding of the occurrence of RAM, especially those that occur outside the hospital, between chemotherapy cycles and are often not reported to the healthcare team, creating institutional demands and reaching the goal to track, observe and correlate the RAM for each user.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Divakaruni ◽  
Mahabir ◽  
Orrett ◽  
Adidam ◽  
Venkata ◽  
...  

Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) globally and yet is not a reportable disease. Trichomonas vaginalis is an important source of reproductive morbidity and may increase risk of acquisition and transmission of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Control Disease Center (CDC) recommend various regimens of nitroimidazole s for treatment. The common nitroimidazoles used for trichomoniasis are metronidazole and tinidazole, which vary in their cost, efficacy, and side effect profile. It is relevant to study these factors for better management of the patients. This study aimed to compare and study the efficacy, compliance of various treatment regimens, their outcomes, and side-effects for trichomoniasis, among STI clinic attendees in Trinidad. A clinical trial study was designed, and after obtaining the informed consent, a routine clinical examination was conducted and the swabs for trichomoniasis tests were collected for diagnosis from the 692 participants. Out of 692 participants, 82 patients with positive diagnosis of Trichomonas infection were treated according to the patient’s choice, using different drug regimens. Compliance to treatment, side effects, and outcome were evaluated. The prevalence of trichomoniasis in the population attending our STI clinic is 11.9% and prevalence of HIV is 9%. Of the total 82 participants for the treatment, 80% were females; nearly 90% of the patients belonged to age group 15–45 years, and over 60% were below 30 years. Among those diagnosed for Trichomonas vaginalis, 14.6% had coexistent HIV infection. The compliance with respect to single dose treatment was significantly better than the long-duration oral regimen and has a significant relation with side effects of the treatment. The outcome is generally better and comparable and shows no significant difference between different treatment regimens used in the study. Metronidazole and tinidazole are commonly used drugs in various regimens. Compliance is better with those treated with tinidazole and metronidazole single dose than with other groups. Outcome is comparable between these regimens, especially when combined with other important factors like abstinence and treatment of the partners. The treatment regimens mainly differed in the compliance side effects profile and duration of therapy, which suggests that to improve the compliance of the drugs with fewer side effects, short course regimen would be a preferred choice.


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