Search

The article analyzes different types of shadow education, providers, customers and research trends, focusing on Asia, Europe and the U.S. Topics discussed include educational activities administered outside of formal schooling across countries, organisation of shadow education, and country differences in labels.

Editorial. Focuses on the issues fundamental to the social policy and social policy making in Canada. Information on the issues of federal and provincial relations in social policy making writ large; Implications of the issues for certain regions or sectors of policy in the country.

The article reports on nationalism in United States. There are scores of new States in Asia and Africa that are trying to set up free societies. It is a "new birth of freedom" on a grand scale. It is in fact freedom's greatest test, for it involves the older free regimes of Europe and the United States. If truth counts over charity, then one must point out that the new States will fail, if not all, then all but a few. Some are already succumbing to the initial perils of liberty that the last paper of the Federalist warned Americans against: "anarchy, civil war, a perpetual alienation of the States from each other, and perhaps the military despotism of a victorious demagogue." The real wonder is in believing that national unity could ever arise in freedom among the many units that nowadays arrogate to themselves the name of nation. They are nations only to the map maker. Many are areas marked off only for colonial administrative convenience; some have dozens, even hundreds, of languages, several antagonistic religions; a still uncounted welter of tribes living in mutual ignorance or traditional war; and above all there stands the great gulf between the village primitive and the urban modern.

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L) is a perennial, glabrous and strongly scented herb belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is cultivated in a temperate region of Europe, Asia, United States, India and Mediterranean countries due to their commercial value and distinct aroma. In addition to traditional food flavouring uses, M. × piperita is well recognized for their traditional use to treat fever, cold, digestive, anti-viral, anti-fungal and oral mucosa and throat inflammation. The scientific studies provide awareness on the use of M. × piperita for biological effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, biopesticidal, larvicidal, anticancer, radioprotective effect, genotoxicity and anti-diabetic activity have been ascribed. A wide spectrum of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics lignans and stilbenes and essential oils are expected to be responsible for the aroma effects. In this sense, this present review provides an extensive overview of the traditional medicinal, phytochemical and multiple biological activities of this "Peppermint." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The US National Institutes of Mental Health Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) seek to stimulate research into biologically validated neuropsychological dimensions across mental illness symptoms and diagnoses. The RDoC framework comprises 39 functional constructs designed to be revised and refined, with the overall goal of improving diagnostic validity and treatments. This study aimed to reach a consensus among experts in the addiction field on the 'primary' RDoC constructs most relevant to substance and behavioural addictions. Methods: Forty‐four addiction experts were recruited from Australia, Asia, Europe and the Americas. The Delphi technique was used to determine a consensus as to the degree of importance of each construct in understanding the essential dimensions underpinning addictive behaviours. Expert opinions were canvassed online over three rounds (97% completion rate), with each consecutive round offering feedback for experts to review their opinions. Results: Seven constructs were endorsed by ≥ 80% of experts as 'primary' to the understanding of addictive behaviour: five from the Positive Valence System (reward valuation, expectancy, action selection, reward learning, habit); one from the Cognitive Control System (response selection/inhibition); and one expert‐initiated construct (compulsivity). These constructs were rated to be related differentially to stages of the addiction cycle, with some linked more closely to addiction onset and others more to chronicity. Experts agreed that these neuropsychological dimensions apply across a range of addictions. Conclusions: The study offers a novel and neuropsychologically informed theoretical framework, as well as a cogent step forward to test transdiagnostic concepts in addiction research, with direct implications for assessment, diagnosis, staging of disorder, and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant women and newborns are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Our objective was to create a global summary of maternal and newborn vitamin D status. We completed a systematic review (1959–2014) and meta‐analysis of studies reporting serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in maternal and newborn populations. The 95 identified studies were unevenly distributed by World Health Organization (WHO) region: Americas (24), European (33), Eastern Mediterranean (13), South‐East Asian (7), Western Pacific (16) and African (2). Average maternal 25(OH)D concentrations (nmol L−1) by region were 47–65 (Americas), 15–72 (European), 13–60 (Eastern Mediterranean), 20–52 (South‐East Asian), 42–72 (Western Pacific) and 92 (African). Average newborn 25(OH)D concentrations (nmol L−1) were 35–77 (Americas), 20–50 (European), 5–50 (Eastern Mediterranean), 20–22 (South‐East Asian), 32–67 (Western Pacific) and 27–35 (African). The prevalences of 25(OH)D <50 and <25 nmol L−1 by WHO region in pregnant women were: Americas (64%, 9%), European (57%, 23%), Eastern Mediterranean (46%, 79%), South‐East Asian (87%, not available) and Western Pacific (83%, 13%). Among newborns these values were: Americas (30%, 14%), European (73%, 39%), Eastern Mediterranean (60%, not available), South‐East Asian (96%, 45%) and Western Pacific (54%, 14%). By global region, average 25(OH)D concentration varies threefold in pregnant women and newborns, and prevalence of 25(OH)D <25 nmol L−1 varies eightfold in pregnant women and threefold in newborns. Maternal and newborn 25(OH)D concentrations are highly correlated. Addressing vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and newborns should be a global priority. To protect children from the adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency requires appropriate interventions during both pregnancy and childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence showing that clinicians employ different management strategies in their use of The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC). In this meta-analysis, we investigated the differences in diagnosis frequency, resection rate (RR), and risk of malignancy (ROM) between Western (ie, American and European) and Asian cytopathology practices. We searched PubMed and Web of Science from January 2010 to January 2019. Proportion and 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effect model. We used independent sample t tests to compare frequencies, RR, and ROM between Western and Asian practices. We analyzed a total of 38 studies with 145,066 fine-needle aspirations. Compared with Asian practice, Western series had a significantly lower ROM in most of TBSRTC categories, whereas the RR was not statistically different. Focusing on indeterminate nodules, the RR in Western series was significantly higher (51.3% vs 37.6%; P = .048), whereas the ROM was significantly lower (25.4% vs 41.9%; P = .002) compared with those in Asian series. The addition of Asian cohorts increased ROM for most of diagnostic categories compared with the original TBSRTC. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a difference in Western and Asian thyroid cytology practice, especially regarding the indeterminate categories. Lower RR and higher ROM suggest that Asian clinicians adopt a more conservative approach, whereas immediate diagnostic surgery is favored in Western practice for indeterminate nodules. The addition of Asian series into a meta-analysis of TBSRTC altered ROM for several categories, which should be considered in future revisions of TBSRTC., (© 2019 American Cancer Society.)

The article reports on the review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of management interventions for the control of Spartina species. The Spartina species or cordgrasses have been introduced to the estuaries around Europe, U.S., Australia, Asia, and New Zealand as a coastal management tool to stabilize mud banks, and through accidental introductions. These species are highly-aggressive in their new environment, and become the predominant plant species which displaces native flora and fauna. The results of the analysis show the need to establish targeted control programs which are dependent upon the spartina spp.

Objectives Safer care is a strategic priority for health care organizations worldwide. Yet, the measurement and evaluation of key processes and outcomes associated with safer care remains challenging, even with existing performance measurement indicators. The multi-national Quality Indicator Project (QI Project®) data are analysed to [ 1 ] document the patterns of safety indicators used between 1999 and 2006 among hospitals in Asia, Europe and the USA; and [ 2 ] to identify trends in using both organization-level and patient-level data in hospital performance improvement. Design and setting Retrospective data are used to ascertain how the use of safety indicators has changed in comparison to other QI Project® indicators. ‘Continent’ rather than ‘hospital’ is used as the unit of analysis and P-values of the differences in use percentages across Asia, Europe and the USA are calculated. Results There was a significant increase in the use of QI Project® indicators in Asia between 1999 and 2006. Measured as the mean percentage of usage, the safety versus ‘all other’ indicators' increase in Asia was 43.7% versus 27% ( P < 0.05) and 37.2% versus 24.4% ( P < 0.05), respectively, during the study's time period. The European participants used both safety and all other indicators less frequently, 14.7% versus 18% ( P < 0.05) and 9.5% versus 19.8% ( P < 0.05), respectively. Finally, USA hospitals demonstrated a larger difference in the decrease of QI Project® indicator use than European hospitals between the ‘safety’ and ‘all other’ indicators, 12.7% decrease for safety indicators and 7.1% for all others ( P < 0.05). These findings are consistent with trends reported in a previous study. Conclusion Traditional performance measures continue to assist hospitals in identifying crucial aspects of safety in the delivery of care. Building on the findings of a previous study, there are emerging trends in the type of measures used in hospitals in Asia, Europe and the USA pursuing the improvement of overall performance. The increasing use of patient-level data specifically, in tandem with organizational level indicators, may signal the continuum of measurement strategies, now still predominately in the USA but anticipated to be adopted both in Europe and Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Psychiatry Service of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the European School of Oncology, American Italian Foundation for Cancer Research, the International Psycho-Oncology Society and the American Society of Psychiatric Oncology and AIDS, sponsored a psycho-oncology update in New York City on October 2-4, 1993. The conference entitled "Psycho-oncology V: Psychosocial Factors in Cancer Risk and Survival" was attended by over 300 participants from medical and mental health backgrounds from over 20 different countries spanning North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Objective: To examine all studies reporting prevalences of oral lichen planus (OLP) for epidemiological validity and to extract prevalence data from the valid papers., Design: Computer based literature searches were carried out using the MeSH headings 'lichen planus, oral and (prevalence or incidence)' and were supplemented by manual searching., Main Outcome Measures: Each paper was examined for five criteria: clinic-based or population study, adequate demographic description (by sex and age group) of the population, adequate demographic description of the sample (if the population was sampled), adequate demographic description of the OLP cases identified, and histological confirmation of the clinical diagnosis., Results: Forty-five relevant papers were identified, 21 clinic-based and 24 population studies. All but one of the population studies was deficient. One study, while having some defects, was probably sufficiently valid to permit the findings to be regarded as useful. An overall age-standardized prevalence of 1.27% (0.96% in men and 1.57% in women) can be calculated from this study., Conclusions: There appears to be only one usable prevalence study of OLP. Other large-scale studies are required in other populations. Such studies need to distinguish between OLP and lichenoid reactions.

This paper argues that the history of the international drug control system of the League of Nations/United Nations can be divided into three cumulative stages. The first stage, the supply stage, dates back to early part of the 20th century, and aimed to reduce the supply of drugs through careful monitoring and trade regulations. This has remained the dominant control strategy. In the middle of the century, demand control, in the form of treatment and criminalization of the individual user, began to appear. This was the least successful stage. Finally, in the 1980s, the dangers of the drug traffic assumed an important place on the international agenda and measures to reduce drug-related organized crime were enacted. To date, this has been a process of proliferation of regulatory strategies. Recently, new challenges to the international drug control system have emerged, including well-funded non-governmental organizations critical of the war on drugs, and the adoption of harm reduction measures in national policies around the world.

As difined in the first part of these papers, the distribution of MS does not really correlate well with broad geoclimatic factors. Specifically there is little evidence for a direct correlation with latitude, and such correlations, to be meaningful, need to consider longitude as well. At latitude 40 degrees north, for example, MS is high frequency in America, medium in Europe, and low in Asia. Accordingly the world-wide distribution of MS is best regarded as comprising three bands or zones of high medium, and low risk or frequency as delineated here. All the high and medium regions are at present found in Europe or in areas colonized by Europeans. It seems likely then that MS originated in western Europe and has spread from there to the United States and Canada as well as to New Zealand and Australia. The disorder may well have "taken" also in South Africa and Hawaii, but at considerably lower levels. Further attention to the character and timing of the depresion of this disease may well provide clues vital to determining its cause.