Nature Relatedness of Recreational Horseback Riders and Its Association with Mood and Wellbeing.

Connectedness to nature and nature contact can provide many benefits to humans, like stress reduction, recovery from illness, and increased positive emotions. Likewise, recreational horseback riding is a widespread sports activity with the potential to enhance physical and psychological health. Yet, the influence of connectedness to nature on the wellbeing of older aged recreational horseback riders has not been investigated so far.

Pet Attachment and Wellbeing of Older-Aged Recreational Horseback Riders.

The aim of the study was to determine if and how emotional attachment to their animal of older-aged (45+) horseback riders affects their physical, psychological and social wellbeing in comparison to dog owners. Overall, 124 individuals 45+ years answered questionnaires about pet attachment and wellbeing. Comparisons were carried out using a general linear model with activity group (rider/dog owner) as the main variable of interest.

The ecology of medical care: access points to the health care system in Austria and other developed countries.

This study aimed to analyze the Austrian health care system using the ecology of care model. Our secondary aim was to compare data from Austria with those available from other countries. 3508 interviews employing a 30-item questionnaire related to the utilization of the health care system including demographic factors were conducted.

The influence of general practitioners on access points to health care in a system without gatekeeping: a cross-sectional study in the context of the QUALICOPC project in Austria.

Aim: To assess the rates of specialist visits and visits to hospital emergency departments (ED) among patients in Austria with and without concurrent general practitioner (GP) consultation and among patients with and without chronic disease.

Methods: The cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in the context of the QUALICOPC project in 2012. Fieldworkers recruited 1596 consecutive patients in 184 GP offices across Austria.

Direct coupling analysis improves the identification of beneficial amino acid mutations for the functional thermostabilization of a delicate decarboxylase.

The optimization of enzyme properties for specific reaction conditions enables their tailored use in biotechnology. Predictions using established computer-based methods, however, remain challenging, especially regarding physical parameters such as thermostability without concurrent loss of activity. Employing established computational methods such as energy calculations using FoldX can lead to the identification of beneficial single amino acid substitutions for the thermostabilization of enzymes.

On-Demand Production of Flow-Reactor Cartridges by 3D Printing of Thermostable Enzymes.

The compartmentalization of chemical reactions is an essential principle of life that provides a major source of innovation for the development of novel approaches in biocatalysis. To implement spatially controlled biotransformations, rapid manufacturing methods are needed for the production of biocatalysts that can be applied in flow systems. Whereas three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques offer high-throughput manufacturing capability, they are usually not compatible with the delicate nature of enzymes, which call for physiological processing parameters.

Clinical presentation and management of stable coronary artery disease in Austria.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in Austria. However, no systematic information exists regarding characteristics and treatments of contemporary patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) in Austria. We assembled two retrospective physicians' databases to describe demographics, clinical profiles, and therapeutic strategies in patients with stable CAD.

Sanfu acupoint herbal patching for stable asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Sanfu acupoint herbal patching (SAHP) is extensively used in people with stable asthma in China. However, the evidence available is scarce. This systematic review aims to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effect and safety of SAHP in people with stable asthma.

No common understanding of profession terms utilized in health services research : An add-on qualitative study in the context of the QUALICOPC project in Austria.

Background: Health services research, especially in primary care, is challenging because the systems differ widely between countries. This study aimed to explore the different understanding of the terminology used, particularly, regarding the professions nursing and medical secretaries.

Methods: The study was an add-on study to the Quality and Costs in Primary Care (QUALICOPC) project in Austria and designed as qualitative research.

Influenza vaccination prevalence and demographic factors of patients and GPs in primary care in Austria and Croatia: a cross-sectional comparative study in the framework of the APRES project.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare influenza vaccination coverage rates in Austria and Croatia, countries with missing data in the Eurosurveillance and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports. In addition, we assessed demographic factors of GPs and patients and calculated associations regarding vaccination rates.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted within the context of thethe appropriateness of prescribing antibiotics in primary health care in Europe with respect to antibiotic resistance (APRES) project.

Barriers to Research Utilization among Registered Nurses in Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

Background. As there might be relevant differences with regard to research utilization in the general hospitals, we aimed to study research utilization among registered nurses working in traditional Chinese medicine hospitals. Methods.

Primary health care teams put to the test a cross-sectional study from Austria within the QUALICOPC project.

Background: Multidisciplinary Primary Health Care Teams (PHCT) provide a comprehensive approach to address the social and health needs of communities. It was the aim of this analysis to assess the number of PHCT in Austria, a country with a weak PHC system, and to compare preventive activities, psychosocial care, and work satisfaction between GPs who work and those who do not work in PHCT.

Method: Within the QUALICOPC study, data collection was performed between November 2011 and May 2012, utilizing a standardized questionnaire for GPs.

Associations between the prevalence of influenza vaccination and patient's knowledge about antibiotics: a cross-sectional study in the framework of the APRES-project in Austria.

Background: This study aimed to identify associations between GP patient's knowledge about the spectrum of effectiveness of antibiotics and the probability of vaccination against influenza. The underlying hypothesis was that individuals with an understanding that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, common colds, and flu were more likely to be vaccinated than persons lacking this knowledge.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted within the context of the European APRES project in Austria.

Stressed and overworked? A cross-sectional study of the working situation of urban and rural general practitioners in Austria in the framework of the QUALICOPC project.

Aim: To assess the workload of general practitioners (GPs) in Austria, with a focus on identifying the differences between GPs working in urban and rural areas.

Methods: Within the framework of the Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC) study, data were collected from a stratified sample of GPs using a standardized questionnaire between November 2011 and May 2012. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Prevalence and resistance patterns of commensal S. aureus in community-dwelling GP patients and socio-demographic associations. A cross-sectional study in the framework of the APRES-project in Austria.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and resistance of commensal S. aureus in the nasal microbiota of community-dwelling persons in Austria, as well as to identify possible associations with socio-demographic factors. Multi-drug resistance in this population was additionally studied.

Oral contraceptives and antibiotics. A cross-sectional study about patients' knowledge in general practice.

Background: The evidence regarding oral contraceptives and its effectiveness with concomitant ingestion of antibiotics is conflicting. Until evidence becomes clearer, patients should be aware of this possible interaction. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and the source of information about this interaction in GP patients in Austria.

"Why should I have come here?"--A qualitative investigation of migration reasons and experiences of health workers from sub-Saharan Africa in Austria.

Background: There are many health professionals from abroad working in the European Union and in Austria. The situation of sub-Saharan health workers in particular has now been studied for the first time. The objective was to explore their reasons for migration to Austria, as well as their personal experiences concerning the living and working situation in Austria.

Portrayal of the human resource crisis and accountability in healthcare: a qualitative analysis of ugandan newspapers.

Background: Uganda is one of the 57 countries with a critical shortage of health workers. The aim of this study was to determine how the human resources and health service crisis was covered in Ugandan newspapers and, in particular, how the newspapers attributed accountability for problems in the health services.

Methods: We collected all articles related to health workers and health services for the calendar year 2012 in the two largest national newspapers in Uganda (collection on daily basis) and in one local newspaper (collection on weekly basis).

Unregulated access to health-care services is associated with overutilization--lessons from Austria.

The Austrian health-care system is characterized by free provider choice and uncontrolled access to all levels of care. Using primary data, the ECOHCARE study shows that hospitalization rates for the secondary and tertiary care levels in Austria are both 4.4 times higher than those reported from the USA using a similar methodology.