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The source of ideas and information on medicines most important to journalists in the Netherlands, and most commonly consulted by them, is known to be the scientific medical literature. In this study we therefore, explored the relation between the kind of medicines discussed in the scientific medical literature and those discussed in newspapers. A content analysis of scientific medical journals was combined with a content analysis of Dutch daily newspapers. The results show an agreement in the main groups of medicines discussed in the scientific medical literature and newspapers. In both the newspapers and the professional journals antiinfective medication and drugs for the central nervous system are the groups of medicines most frequently discussed. Although it has been suggested that 'bad news' is more newsworthy then 'good news', the negative consequences of the use of medicines received proportionally more attention in the professional literature than in the newspapers. Key words - scientific and medical literature, newspapers, medicines

In this article we describe from which sources science writers who write about medicines in daily newspapers get their ideas and information. This study was undertaken because mass media, and therefore newspapers, can play an important role in the diffusion of information about medicines. Two approaches, interviews and a content analysis, were used to answer the research questions. Both methods show the importance of professional medical journals and information from universities and their hospitals as sources of ideas and information. Although the pharmaceutical industry did not seem to play a role as source of ideas and information according to the journalists, it is the third most frequently cited source of information in the newspaper articles. To gain a better insight in the role of the pharmaceutical industry as source of ideas and information for newspaper journalists further research is necessary.

The Netherlands and Denmark are the two biggest pig meat exporters in Europe, both with a strong focus on the German market. The structure of pig farms is very different: an average Danish pig farm has 3500 pigs, 170 ha of agricultural land on which a major part of the feed cereals are grown, whereas a typical Dutch pig farm has 2500 pigs with only 10 ha. As a consequence, Dutch pig farmers have to purchase all feedstuff and need to dispose nearly all the manure off-farm. A literature based study revealed that the main factors for the contrasting development were a stronger competition for land, resulting in higher land prices, and stimulation of intensive animal husbandry in the Netherlands, while in Demark environmental policies more strongly coupled manure production to land area. As a result the Dutch pig farmers have focused on intensification of livestock production on small holdings using external sources of feed supply, and Danish farmers on efficient production of feed cereals on large holdings. Due to a gradual lowering of manure and fertiliser application standards, Dutch farmers increasingly have to process manure and export manure, further increasing the total costs of pig production. Manure disposal costs per kg of slaughter weight in 2011 were on average 3.5 times higher in the Netherlands than in Denmark. Manure is exported mainly to Germany and France, which also supply the feed cereals. Therefore manure export contributes to closure of nutrient cycles. Danish pig farmers are less sensitive to nutrient policies and feed prices than those in the Netherlands, but the high debt rate makes the sector vulnerable to low pig prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of "subacromial impingement syndrome" of the shoulder has changed drastically in the past decade. The anatomical explanation as "impingement" of the rotator cuff is not sufficient to cover the pathology. "Subacromial pain syndrome", SAPS, describes the condition better. A working group formed from a number of Dutch specialist societies, joined by the Dutch Orthopedic Association, has produced a guideline based on the available scientific evidence. This resulted in a new outlook for the treatment of subacromial pain syndrome. The important conclusions and advice from this work are as follows: (1) The diagnosis SAPS can only be made using a combination of clinical tests. (2) SAPS should preferably be treated non-oper-atively. (3) Acute pain should be treated with analgetics if necessary. (4) Subacromial injection with corticosteroids is indicated for persistent or recurrent symptoms. (5) Diagnostic imaging is useful after 6 weeks of symptoms. Ultrasound examination is the recommended imaging, to exclude a rotator cuff rupture. (6) Occupational interventions are useful when complaints persist for longer than 6 weeks. (7) Exercise therapy should be specific and should be of low intensity and high frequency, combining eccentric training, attention to relaxation and posture, and treatment of myofascial trigger points (including stretching of the muscles) may be considered. (8) Strict immobilization and mobilization techniques are not recommended. (9) Tendinosis calcarea can be treated by shockwave (ESWT) or needling under ultrasound guidance (barbotage). (10) Rehabilitation in a specialized unit can be considered in chronic, treatment resistant SAPS, with pain perpetuating behavior. (11) There is no convincing evidence that surgical treatment for SAPS is more effective than conservature management. (12) There is no indication for the surgical treatment of asymptomatic rotator cuff tears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The goal of this article is to consolidate the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) Upper Extremity Committee's (UEC's) current knowledge on rotator cuff disease and management, as well as highlight key unresolved issues. The rotator cuff is an anatomically complex structure important for providing glenohumeral function and stability as part of a closed chain system. Current consensus suggests rotator cuff injuries are most accurately diagnosed, at levels similar to diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging, with a combination of cuff- and impingement-specific clinical tests. Updates in the understanding of acromion morphology, the insertional anatomy of the rotator cuff, and the role of suprascapular nerve release may require changes to current classification systems and surgical strategies. Although initial management focuses on nonoperative protocols, discussion continues on whether surgery for isolated impingement is clinically more beneficial than rehabilitation. However, clear indications have yet to be established for the use of single- versus double-row repair because evidence confirms neither is clinically efficacious than the other. Biceps tenodesis, however, in non-isolated cuff tears has proven more successful in addressing the etiology of shoulder pain and yields improved outcomes over tenotomy. Data reviewing the benefits of tendon transfers, shoulder prostheses, and mechanical scaffolds, as well as new research on the potential benefit of platelet-rich plasma, pluripotential stem cells, and gene therapies, will also be presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the context of public introductions to emerging technologies, this study examined effects of priming and Web site interactivity on adolescents' attitude development and information processing. In a four (priming) by three (interactivity levels) experiment, participants (N = 273) were required to search for and process Web-based information about ecogenomics. Results showed that priming ecogenomics as biotechnology, ecology, economy, or science in general did not affect attitude development. Interactivity levels, manipulated as low, medium, and high, were found to influence adolescents' time invested in the information-processing task, perceived cognitive load, and Web site evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science centers and museums are developing new strategies to increase inclusiveness, to engage the public more actively and to respond to the need to present contemporary science and research as part of their public programs. In order to do so, they need to increase the level of public participation not only to inform the development of specific exhibitions and programs, but also to share authority in their interpretive and decision-making process. However, existing models of governance do not allow for a formal role of the public in the decision making process. We review current practices in Europe and argue that a new model of governance for science centers is needed where public participation and consultation activities are integral components alongside the board, director and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on an exploratory study among adolescents (N = 752) who were introduced to the emerging technology of ecogenomics for the first time. An online survey focused on their associations with the term ecogenomics, their planned information seeking behaviors if they were to acquire information about the new technology, and their first affective responses toward ecogenomics after having read some introductory information about it. Adolescents were found to associate ecogenomics most frequently with economy. Although the Internet was the most popular medium to be used in their planned information seeking behaviors, books and science communication professionals were judged as the most trustworthy information sources. After having read the introductory information about ecogenomics most adolescents reported positive affective responses toward the new technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dutch universities offer 18 courses in journalistic (science) writing or science journalism, attracting hundreds of students every year. These courses differ in size, theoretical content, study load and admission requirements, but they all breed satisfied participants who have written some good journalistic articles as a part of those courses, that are or could have been published in newspapers or magazines. For this reason it is difficult to conclude what is the best way of teaching journalistic writing at universities. Probably these courses in the first place provide a way to identify (and certify) science writers/science journalists among the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We describe here how medical journalists writing for Dutch daily newspapers use experts when dealing with medicines. Two approaches, interviews and content analysis, were used to answer the research questions. Both methods show that journalists can find relevant experts to give them information about various medicines. The pharmacist, however, is not one of them. Furthermore, the content analysis shows that two types of experts can be distinguished: the objective and independent experts who were often cited alone in an article, and the subjective experts who frequently were cited in combination with other experts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Family magazines can play an important role in the diffusion of medical information and information regarding drugs to a 'lay audience'. We describe what kind of drugs are discussed in the family magazines and which information regarding these drugs is given. Furthermore, we look into the information sources for journalists; special attention is paid to the role of the pharmacist: is (s)he recognized by journalists as one of the experts on drugs? Two approaches were used in order to answer the above described research questions: a content analysis of family magazines and indepth interviews of journalists. Gynaecological products as well as drugs for the central nervous system receive much attention in family magazines. The kind of information given about drugs is limited. Only part of the publications pays attention to side-effects. Patients asking questions about drugs in response to publications in family magazines know the name of a drug but are rarely informed about other aspects of the therapy, such as side-effects. In the provision of information physicians and medical specialists play an important role as sources of information for journalists. There is, however, until now no role for the pharmacist as a source of information on drugs in family magazines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]