Spectro-dosemeter-based gamma dose rate network in Germany.

As a consequence of the Chernobyl accident in 1986 the Integrated Measurement and Information System (IMIS) was established (Weiss and Leeb, 1993) which includes on-line monitoring networks for the surveillance of radioactivity in Germany. Today, the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) operates a gamma dose rate network with 1800 ambient dose equivalent rate H*(10) (ADER) stations almost equally distributed over the German territory. The ADER network integrates Geiger-Müller (GM) based detectors which, if low and high dose rate tubes are combined, are known to have excellent long-term stability and an extended dose rate range from environmental background level (20 nSv/h) up to several Sv/h.

Analytical and Clinical Sample Performance Characteristics of the Onclarity Assay for the Detection of Human Papillomavirus.

The objective of this study was to determine the result reproducibility and performance of the BD Onclarity human papillomavirus (HPV) assay (Onclarity) on the BD Viper LT platform using both contrived and clinical specimens. Reproducibility was assessed in BD SurePath liquid-based cytology (LBC) medium (SurePath) using contrived panels (HPV genotype 16 [HPV16] positive, HPV18 positive, or HPV45 positive) or clinical specimens (HPV16, -18, -31, -33/58, -45, or -52 positive or HPV negative). In addition, specimens from 3,879 individuals from the Onclarity trial were aliquoted prior to or following cytology processing and tested for HPV.

THE GERMAN DOSE RATE MONITORING NETWORK AND IMPLEMENTED DATA HARMONIZATION TECHNIQUES.

Environmental radiation monitoring networks have been established in Europe and world-wide for the purpose of protecting population and environment against ionizing radiation. Some of these networks had been established during the cold war period and were improved after the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Today, the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) operates an early warning network with roughly 1800 ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER) stations equally distributed over the German territory.

Comparison of cervical cancer screening results among 256,648 women in multiple clinical practices.

Background: In the United States, human papillomavirus (HPV) and Papanicolaou (Pap) testing (cotesting) for cervical screening in women ages 30 to 65 years is the preferred strategy, and cytology alone is acceptable. Recently, a proprietary automated test for identifying high-risk HPV types for primary cervical screening was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The objective of the current study was to document extensive cervical screening among these screening options.

From dose rate to websites: making measurements accessible, understandable and helpful to the lay public.

The key role of public information in emergency preparedness has more recently been corroborated by the experience of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and the subsequent nuclear accident at the Fukushima NPP. Information should meet quality criteria such as openness, accessibility and authenticity. Existing information portals of radiation monitoring networks were frequently used even in Europe, although there was no imminent radiation risk.

Open-source hardware and software and web application for gamma dose rate network operation.

The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection operates a network of about 1800 gamma dose rate stations as a part of the national emergency preparedness plan. Each of the six network centres is capable of operating the network alone. Most of the used hardware and software have been developed in-house under open-source license.

Factors affecting residents' sleep in care homes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to undertake a detailed exploration of sleep in the context of 24 hours in a care home environment, exploring the subjective experience of residents and the perceptions of staff.

Method: Qualitative research in four care homes for older people consisting of semi-structured interviews and ethnographic observations. Interviews were conducted with 38 residents and 39 staff, and were analysed using a grounded theory approach.

The Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology Standardization project for HPV-associated lesions: background and consensus recommendations from the College of American Pathologists and the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.

The terminology for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract has a long history marked by disparate diagnostic terms derived from multiple specialties. It often does not reflect current knowledge of HPV biology and pathogenesis. A consensus process was convened to recommend terminology unified across lower anogenital sites.

The Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology Standardization Project for HPV-Associated Lesions: background and consensus recommendations from the College of American Pathologists and the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.

The terminology for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract has a long history marked by disparate diagnostic terms derived from multiple specialties. It often does not reflect current knowledge of HPV biology and pathogenesis. A consensus process was convened to recommend terminology unified across lower anogenital sites.

The Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology Standardization Project for HPV-Associated Lesions: background and consensus recommendations from the College of American Pathologists and the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.

The terminology for human papillomavirus(HPV)–associated squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract has a long history marked by disparate diagnostic terms derived from multiple specialties. It often does not reflect current knowledge of HPV biology and pathogenesis. A consensus process was convened to recommend terminology unified across lower anogenital sites.

Striking the balance: night care versus the facilitation of good sleep.

This article presents the key findings from an extensive research project aiming to identify the determinants of poor sleep in care homes. A mixed methods study was conducted in 10 care homes in South East England. This included 2-week daily diaries completed by 145 older residents and interviews with 50 care-home staff.

Measuring unmet need for social care amongst older people.

Recent spending cuts in the area of adult social care raise policy concerns about the proportion of older people whose need for social care is not being met. Such concerns are emphasised in the context of population ageing and other demographic changes. For example, the increasing proportion of the population aged 75 and over places greater pressure on formal and informal systems of care and support provision, while changes in the living arrangements of older people may affect the supply of informal care within the household.

A novel approach to wound management and prosthetic use with concurrent vacuum-assisted closure therapy.

Background And Aim: Stump healing is critical to post amputation management. When healing is not optimal, immobility is prolonged and patients risk hospital acquired deconditioning. Two clinical cases with unhealed trans-femoral stump wounds are described.

Analytical performance of Cervista HPV 16/18 genotyping test for cervical cytology samples.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 are the 2 most frequent types associated with cervical cancer. Identifying their presence or absence in cervical samples may assist in triaging women for subsequent management. The Cervista HPV 16/18 genotyping test specifically detects the presence of HPV 16 and 18 in ThinPrep cervical specimens.

An actigraphic study comparing community dwelling poor sleepers with non-demented care home residents.

Sleep disturbances are a common problem among institutionalized older people. Studies have shown that this population experiences prolonged sleep latency, increased fragmentation and wake after sleep onset, more disturbed circadian rhythms, and night-day reversal. However, studies have not examined the extent to which this is because of individual factors known to influence sleep (such as age) or because of the institutional environment.

The Becton Dickinson FocalPoint GS Imaging System: clinical trials demonstrate significantly improved sensitivity for the detection of important cervical lesions.

Location-guided screening in cervical cytology offers a potentially significant advance over routine manual screening. A prospective, 2-armed, masked clinical trial of the BD FocalPoint GS Imaging System using SurePath slides (BD Diagnostics-TriPath, Burlington, NC) compared routine manual screening and quality control rescreening with computer-assisted, field-of-view screening and device-directed quality control rescreening. The results obtained in the 2 arms were compared with adjudicated reference diagnoses for each slide.

Prolonged benefit in post-polio syndrome from comprehensive rehabilitation: a pilot study.

Purpose: To report physical, psychological and functional outcomes from a pilot study of a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme for post-polio syndrome (PPS).

Method: Twenty-seven participants completed the nine-day programme and were available for re-assessment at three and six months. Physical outcome measures were muscle strength and endurance; psychological outcomes included illness perceptions (IPQ), depression and anxiety (HADS); functional outcomes were fatigue (HFS) and client-centred occupational performance and satisfaction (COPM).

The nutritional management of surgical patients: enhanced recovery after surgery.

Malnutrition has long been recognised as a risk factor for post-operative morbidity and mortality. Traditional metabolic and nutritional care of patients undergoing major elective surgery has emphasised pre-operative fasting and re-introduction of oral nutrition 3-5 d after surgery. Attempts to attenuate the consequent nutritional deficit and to influence post-operative morbidity and mortality have included parenteral, enteral and oral sip feeding.

Comparative analysis of conventional Papanicolaou tests and a fluid-based thin-layer method.

Context: A fluid-based, direct-to-vial method of thin-layer gynecologic cytology (ThinPrep Pap Test) is reported to be more effective than the conventional Papanicolaou test in the detection of squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Objective: This retrospective analysis evaluated the validity of the findings on the thin-layer method using case material at a large independent laboratory and represented a comparison of performance of both methods over an identical period.

Methods: Data for conventional and ThinPrep tests were compared for 2 periods.

ASCUS and AGUS criteria. International Academy of Cytology Task Force summary. Diagnostic Cytology Towards the 21st Century: An International Expert Conference and Tutorial.

Issues: The conference participants addressed the following issues: (1) reporting of equivocal diagnoses, (2) strategies to minimize the use of such diagnoses, (3) morphologic criteria, and (4) management of women with equivocal diagnoses.

Consensus Position: Equivocal diagnoses should be minimized, to the extent possible, by emphasizing cytologist education and training, improved specimen collection and quality assurance monitoring of individual and laboratory diagnosis rates. Cases fulfilling criteria for other diagnostic entities should not be included in the equivocal category.

Interobserver variability of cervical smears with squamous-cell abnormalities: a Philadelphia study.

The reproducibility of reporting squamous lesions by the Bethesda System (TBS) was evaluated by distributing 20 slides to be classified among 5 panelists considered experts in the field of cytopathology. Four cases were chosen for their classic morphology and the remainder were foreseen to produce possible discrepancies within one diagnostic category. For 7/20 (35%) cases there was unanimous agreement.