scholarly journals Is Flexible Cystoscopy Necessary in the Investigation of Non-visible Haematuria?

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e7-e12
Author(s):  
Jennifer Nowers ◽  
Mark Kitchen ◽  
Sneha Rathod ◽  
Sharbathana Nageswaren ◽  
Caroline Lipski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Public Information ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Flexible Cystoscopy ◽  
Muscle Invasive ◽  
Age Range

Background: Historic evidence suggests up to 16% (approximately) of non-visible haematuria (NVH) referrals result in Urological cancer diagnosis. The majority are bladder cancers, for which flexible cystoscopy is regarded the “gold standard” diagnostic procedure. Recent changes to suspected cancer referral guidelines, public information campaigns and reduced smoking prevalence may have changed this percentage. We retrospectively calculated cancer detection rates from NVH referrals to assess whether flexible cystoscopy,an invasive and morbid procedure, remains necessary.Patients and methods: All patients referred to our University teaching hospital on a suspected (“two-week”) cancer pathway with NVH over a 16-week period were included. Clinical and demographic data were collected for a series of 200 patients (96 male, age range 27–92, median 68).Results: Only eight patients had urological malignancy found (two renal and six bladder cancers). Both renal, and four bladder cancers, were identified on imaging prior to flexible cystoscopy. Only two bladder cancers were therefore detected by cystoscopy; one low-risk non-muscle invasive (patient has already been discharged) and one in a patient that was unfit for treatment (died of heart failure). Only seven (3.5%) of the patients were offered the option of not undergoing flexible cystoscopy.Conclusion: Our analyses suggest that flexible cystoscopy is rarely of benefit in patients with NVH. We suggest that patients should be given an accurate risk of bladder cancer diagnosis during the consent process. We advocate that flexible cystoscopy can be avoided for the majority of NVH referrals, particularly in patients without strong risk factors for urothelial cell carcinoma. Avoidance of flexible cystoscopy would reduce patient risks from procedural morbidity, reduce risks of acquiring coronavirus from hospital attendance, and there could be huge reductions in financial and service delivery demands in an overstretched secondary-care service.

scholarly journals Variational-LSTM Autoencoder to forecast the spread of coronavirus across the globe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed R. Ibrahim ◽  
James Haworth ◽  
Aldo Lipani ◽  
Nilufer Aslam ◽  
Tao Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Public Information ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
School Closing ◽  
Public Events ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Spatio Temporal

AbstractModelling the spread of coronavirus globally while learning trends at global and country levels remains crucial for tackling the pandemic. We introduce a novel variational LSTM-Autoencoder model to predict the spread of coronavirus for each country across the globe. This deep spatio-temporal model does not only rely on historical data of the virus spread but also includes factors related to urban characteristics represented in locational and demographic data (such as population density, urban population, and fertility rate), an index that represent the governmental measures and response amid toward mitigating the outbreak (includes 13 measures such as: 1) school closing, 2) workplace closing, 3) cancelling public events, 4) close public transport, 5) public information campaigns, 6) restrictions on internal movements, 7) international travel controls, 8) fiscal measures, 9) monetary measures, 10) emergency investment in health care, 11) investment in vaccines, 12) virus testing framework, and 13) contact tracing). In addition, the introduced method learns to generate graph to adjust the spatial dependences among different countries while forecasting the spread. We trained two models for short and long-term forecasts. The first one is trained to output one step in future with three previous timestamps of all features across the globe, whereas the second model is trained to output 10 steps in future. Overall, the trained models show high validation for forecasting the spread for each country for short and long-term forecasts, which makes the introduce method a useful tool to assist decision and policymaking for the different corners of the globe.

scholarly journals Variational-LSTM autoencoder to forecast the spread of coronavirus across the globe

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0246120
Author(s):  
Mohamed R. Ibrahim ◽  
James Haworth ◽  
Aldo Lipani ◽  
Nilufer Aslam ◽  
Tao Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Public Information ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
School Closing ◽  
Public Events ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Modelling the spread of coronavirus globally while learning trends at global and country levels remains crucial for tackling the pandemic. We introduce a novel variational-LSTM Autoencoder model to predict the spread of coronavirus for each country across the globe. This deep Spatio-temporal model does not only rely on historical data of the virus spread but also includes factors related to urban characteristics represented in locational and demographic data (such as population density, urban population, and fertility rate), an index that represents the governmental measures and response amid toward mitigating the outbreak (includes 13 measures such as: 1) school closing, 2) workplace closing, 3) cancelling public events, 4) close public transport, 5) public information campaigns, 6) restrictions on internal movements, 7) international travel controls, 8) fiscal measures, 9) monetary measures, 10) emergency investment in health care, 11) investment in vaccines, 12) virus testing framework, and 13) contact tracing). In addition, the introduced method learns to generate a graph to adjust the spatial dependences among different countries while forecasting the spread. We trained two models for short and long-term forecasts. The first one is trained to output one step in future with three previous timestamps of all features across the globe, whereas the second model is trained to output 10 steps in future. Overall, the trained models show high validation for forecasting the spread for each country for short and long-term forecasts, which makes the introduce method a useful tool to assist decision and policymaking for the different corners of the globe.

scholarly journals The Impact of Policy Measures on Human Mobility, COVID-19 Cases, and Mortality in the US: A Spatiotemporal Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 996
Author(s):  
Yun Li ◽  
Moming Li ◽  
Megan Rice ◽  
Haoyuan Zhang ◽  
Dexuan Sha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
The Us ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

Social distancing policies have been regarded as effective in containing the rapid spread of COVID-19. However, there is a limited understanding of policy effectiveness from a spatiotemporal perspective. This study integrates geographical, demographical, and other key factors into a regression-based event study framework, to assess the effectiveness of seven major policies on human mobility and COVID-19 case growth rates, with a spatiotemporal emphasis. Our results demonstrate that stay-at-home orders, workplace closures, and public information campaigns were effective in decreasing the confirmed case growth rate. For stay-at-home orders and workplace closures, these changes were associated with significant decreases (p < 0.05) in mobility. Public information campaigns did not see these same mobility trends, but the growth rate still decreased significantly in all analysis periods (p < 0.01). Stay-at-home orders and international/national travel controls had limited mitigation effects on the death case growth rate (p < 0.1). The relationships between policies, mobility, and epidemiological metrics allowed us to evaluate the effectiveness of each policy and gave us insight into the spatiotemporal patterns and mechanisms by which these measures work. Our analysis will provide policymakers with better knowledge regarding the effectiveness of measures in space–time disaggregation.

scholarly journals Research on Organizational Communication

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catrin Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Public Information ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Wide Definition ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Swedish research on organizational communication is characterized by empirical, qualitative research. The tradition of holistic and profound case studies is strong. In this article, a wide definition of organizational communication is employed, including research focusing on both internal and external communication. Research themes and methods are reviewed and discussed. The majority of the studies concern public information, including health communication and crisis communication. Particularly, scholars have studied planning and evaluation of information campaigns concerning health, traffic and environment; and more recently, authority communication during major crises in society. Research focusing on organizations’ internal communication includes topics such as superior-subordinate communication, organizational learning, sensemaking, communication strategies and communication efficiency. Strengths and weaknesses following from this empirical case study research tradition are highlighted. Finally, the contribution of Swedish research in an international perspective is discussed.

Enterostomies for acute abdominal surgical condition in children: An experience in a developing country

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Keyword(s):  
Damage Control ◽  
Intestinal Atresia ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Salvage Procedure ◽  
State University ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Peritoneal Contamination ◽  
Surgical Conditions ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Surgical Condition

Background: Pediatric abdominal surgical condition that is complicated by gross peritoneal contamination may require enterostomy as a damage control or salvage procedure. Late presentations mostly seen in developing countries make creation of enterostomy a relatively common surgical procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the creation of enterostomy in children who presented with acute abdominal surgical conditions. Methods: This was a retrospective study of children that had enterostomy in the pediatric surgery unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. Medical records of pediatric patients that had enterostomy over a 10-year period were assessed. Results: There were 32 cases of enterostomies performed during the study period. There were 25 males (78.1%) and 7 females (21.9%) with a male to female ratio of 3.6:1. The age range of the patients was 3 weeks to 180 months, with a median age of 96 months. There were 1 neonate (3.1%), 10 infants (31.3%) and 21 children (65.6%) older than 1 year. The primary diagnoses were typhoid intestinal perforation in 21 patients (65.6%), intussusception 10 (31.3%) and intestinal atresia 1 (3.1%). Ileostomy was performed in 31 patients (96.9%) and jejunostomy in 1 patient (3.1%). Enterostomy was created at the time of initial laparotomy (damage control) in 21 patients (65.6%) while 11 patients (34.4%) had their enterostomy as a salvage procedure at the time of re-exploration. Peristomal skin complication was the most common complication recorded in our patients. Mortality was 12.5%. Conclusion: Enterostomy is lifesaving in the management of acute abdominal surgical condition when there is gross peritoneal contamination in severely ill children. Proper surgical technique and electrolyte derangements are important considerations when enterostomies are created.

scholarly journals Does Gender Impact Intensity of Care Provided to Older Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients?

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kathleen M. Akgün ◽  
Terrence E. Murphy ◽  
Katy L. B. Araujo ◽  
Peter H. Van Ness ◽  
Margaret Pisani
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Medical Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Health Differences ◽  
Medical Intensive Care ◽  
Gender Based

Introduction. Women receive less aggressive critical care than men based on prior studies. No documented studies evaluate whether men and women are treated equally in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). The Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28) has been used to examine gender differences in mixed ICU studies. However, it has not been used to evaluate equivalence of care in older MICU patients. We hypothesize that given nonsignificant, baseline health differences between genders at MICU admission, the level of care provided would be equivalent.Methods. Prospective cohort of 309 patients≥60 years old in the MICU of an urban university teaching hospital. Explanatory variables were demographic data and baseline measures. Primary outcomes were TISS-28 scores and MICU interventions. We compare TISS-28 scores by gender using a statistical test of equivalence.Results. Women were older and had more chronic respiratory failure at MICU admission. Using equivalence limits of±15% on gender-based scores of TISS-28, MICU interventions were equivalent. Supplementary analysis showed no statistically significant association between gender and mortality.Conclusions. In contrast with other reports from the cardiac critical care literature, as measured by the TISS-28, gender-based care delivered to older MICU patients in this cohort was equivalent.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis among Almajiri Children in Silame, Sokoto State, North-western Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
S. M. Gamde ◽  
◽  
P. J. Tongvwam ◽  
K. Hauwa ◽  
A. M. Ganau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urinary Schistosomiasis ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Age Range ◽  
North Western

Urinary schistosomiasis is a severe threat to global health with uncountable morbidities in Africa including Nigeria where control interventions focused on children in public and private schools neglecting Almajiri children. This undermined control interventions as those infected contaminate the environments with infective stages of the parasite. The objective of the study was to identify the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis amongst Almajiri children in Silame, Sokoto State, North-western Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study, socio-demographic data was collected in April 2020 on 206 consented Almajiri children in Silame and their urine samples were examined using the sedimentation method. The study showed a prevalence of 35.4% among the Almajiri children in Silame, Sokoto State, North-western Nigeria. The highest prevalence was found among children within the age range 16-20 years (63.6%) while the lowest prevalence was among those in the age range 6-10 years (24.4%). There was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of urinary schistosomiasis between the age groups (χ 2 = 11.637a , df =3, p=0.002). Urinary schistosomiasis was prevalent among Almajiri children in the study area and parasite infection was associated with the participant's socio-demographic factors such as age, level of education, and water contact activities. Hence, the National Schistosomiasis Control Programs should incorporate the Almajiri children in the control interventions Keywords: Schistosoma hematobium infection; Makarantarallo;Almajiri;Silame

scholarly journals How do the general population behave with facemasks to prevent COVID-19 in the community?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin DESCHANVRES ◽  
Thomas HAUDEBOURG ◽  
Nathan PEIFFER-SMADJA ◽  
Karine BLANCKAERT ◽  
David BOUTOILLE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
The West ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
General Populations ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

IMPORTANCE The appropriate use of facemasks, recommended or mandated by authorities, is critical to protect the community and prevent the spread of COVID-19. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the frequency and quality of facemask use in general populations of different socio-spatial backgrounds. DESIGN A multi-site observational study carried out from 25 June 2020 to 21 July 2020. SETTING The observations were carried out in 43 different locations in a region in the west of France, representing various areas: rural and urban, indoor and outdoor, and in areas where masks were mandated or not. An observer was positioned at a predetermined place, facing a landmark, and collected information about the use of facemasks and socio-demographic data. PARTICIPANTS All individual passing between the observer and the landmark were included. EXPOSURE The observer collected information on whether a mask was worn, the type of mask used, the quality of the positioning, gender, and the age category of each individual. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcomes were the use of a facemask and the quality of the positioning. Factors associated with these outcomes were identified. RESULTS A total of 3354 observations were recorded. A facemask was worn by 56.4% (n=1892) of individuals, varying from 49% (n=1359) in non-mandatory areas and 91.7% (n=533) in mandatory areas, including surgical facemasks (56.8%, n=1075) and cloth masks (43.2%, n=817). The facemask was correctly positioned in 75.2% (n=1422) of cases. The factors independently associated with wearing a facemask were being indoors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.44), being in a mandatory area (aOR, 0.14; 95%CI, 0.10-0.20), female gender (aOR, 0.57; 95%CI, 0.49-0.66), and age >40 years (aOR, 0.54; 95%CI, 0.46-0.63). The factors independently associated with correct mask position were rural location (aOR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.97-0.98), being in an indoor area (aOR, 0.49; 95%CI, 0.38-0.65), use of a cloth mask (aOR, 0.65; 95%CI, 0.52-0.81), and age >40 years (aOR, 0.61; 95%CI 0.49-0.76). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Information campaigns should promote the use of cloth masks. Young people in general and men in particular are the priority targets. Simplifying the rules to require universal mandatory masking seems to be the best approach for health authorities.

scholarly journals An AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC ALANALYSIS OF LABORATORY CONFIRMED CASES OF CHIKUNGUNYA, PAKISTAN, 2016-2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-156
Author(s):  
Nosheen Ashraf ◽  
Sana Habib Abbasi ◽  
Fariha Munir ◽  
Amna Ali ◽  
M. Akram Qamar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Data Entry ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Age Range

Background: Chikungunya is a vector-borne disease that is spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Disease mostly occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Recent outbreak of chikungunya was reported in 2017 in Karachi, Pakistan, after which sporadic cases were reported from different areas of Pakistan. There are very limited demographic data available for chikungunya in Pakistan and therefore, further information is required. The current study will provide latest information to assist public health professionals and policy makers in order to provide effective management of cases by means of appropriate resource. Methods: In this cross sectional study, information regarding 750 laboratory confirmed cases from Dec 2016 to Apr 2018 were collected from the virology laboratory, NIH. Data regarding age, sex, reporting facility, district and province were collected. Data entry and cleaning was done in Microsoft excel and descriptive analysis using epiInfo. The data were grouped, tabulated and represented graphically while geographical location of the cases was mapped. Results: A total of 403(53.73%) cases were male and 347 (46.27%) female with an age range from 0.6 to 80 years and the mean age was (32.5+- 17.5). The most affected age group was 20 to 29 Years. Sindh remained the most affected province with 494 (65.87%) cases reported followed by KP with 167 (22.27%) cases. The highest number of cases [148(19.7%)] were reported in May 2017. Conclusion: Provision and sharing of accurate and timely data can reduce the risk and spread of the disease.

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