Search

Introduction: Marine environments offer a wealth of opportunities to improve understanding and treatment options for cancers, through insights into a range of fields from drug discovery to mechanistic insights. By applying One Health principles the knowledge obtained can benefit both human and animal populations, including marine species suffering from cancer. One such species is green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), which are under threat from fibropapillomatosis (FP), an epizootic tumor disease (animal epidemic) that continues to spread and increase in prevalence globally. In order to effectively address this epizootic, a more thorough understanding is required of the prevalence of the disease and the approaches to treating afflicted turtles. Methods: To identify knowledge gaps and assess future needs, we conducted a survey of sea turtle FP experts. The survey consisted of 47 questions designed to assess general perceptions of FP, the areas where more information is needed, local FP trends, the disease status, and mitigation needs, and was voluntarily completed by 44 experts across a broad geographic range. Results: Over 70% of respondents both recognized FP as a cancerous panzootic disease, and reported that FP is increasing in prevalence. They report several factors contributing to this increase. Nearly all of the respondents reported that FP research, patient treatment and rehabilitation required more funding in their area, and reported inadequate facilities and capacity for dealing with FP patients. Treatment approaches varied: just over 70% of the medical experts that responded surgically remove FP tumors, either using laser or scalpel. Just under half of respondents use anti-cancer drugs in their treatment of FP. Internal tumors were reported as justification for euthanasia by 61.5% of respondents, and 30.8% reported severe external tumors to be sufficient grounds for euthanasia. Most medical respondents (93.3%) routinely perform necropsy on deceased or euthanized FP-afflicted turtles. Over 80% of respondents considered large-scale multidisciplinary collaboration 'extremely important' for advancing the field of FP research. Discussion: The survey responses provide a valuable insight into the current status of FP in sea turtles, FP treatment, rehabilitation and research, and help to identify critical FP-related areas most in need of attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Methods and results Conclusions Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with poor outcomes, regardless of anaemia status. Iron supplementation has been demonstrated to improve exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with HF with an ejection fraction <50% and ID. This survey aimed to provide data on real‐world practices related to ID screening and management.We designed and distributed an online survey (23 questions) regarding ID screening and management in the HF setting. Overall, 256 cardiologists completed the survey (59.8% male, mostly between 30 and 50 years). The majority of physicians defined ID according to the most recent HF recommendations (98.4%) and reported screening for ID in more than half of their patients (68.4%). However, only 54.3% of the respondents performed periodic screening (every 6 months to 1 year). A total of 93.0% of participants prescribed and/or administered iron supplementation, using intravenous iron as the preferred method of administration (86.3%). After iron supplementation, 96.1% of the respondents reassessed ID, most frequently at 3–6 months (67.6%). Most physicians (93.8%) perceived ID as an underestimated comorbidity in HF. Cardiologists' age, training status, subspecialty and work setting (academic vs. non‐academic hospitals) were associated with heterogeneity in the answers.The results of this survey highlight the need for more consistent strategies of ID screening and treatment for patients with HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The literature concerning the management of antiplatelet (AP) and anticoagulation (AC) medication in the perioperative phase of craniotomy remains scarce. The aim of this international survey was to investigate the current practice among neurosurgeons regarding their perioperative management of AP and AC medication. Methods We distributed an online survey to neurosurgeons worldwide with questions concerning their perioperative practice with AP and AC medication in patients undergoing craniotomy. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results A total of 130 replies were registered. The majority of responders practice neurosurgery in Europe (79%) or high-income countries (79%). Responders reported in 58.9 and 48.8% to have institutional guidelines for the perioperative management of AP and AC medication. Preoperative interruption time was reported heterogeneously for the different types of AP and AC medication with 40.4% of responders interrupting aspirin (ASA) for 4 to 6 days and 45.7% interrupting clopidogrel for 6 to 8 days. Around half of the responders considered ASA safe to be continued or resumed within 3 days for bypass (55%) or vascular (49%) surgery, but only few for skull base or other tumor craniotomies in general (14 and 26%, respectively). Three quarters of the responders (74%) did not consider AC safe to be continued or resumed early (within 3 days) for any kind of craniotomy. ASA was considered to have the lowest risk of bleeding. Nearly all responders (93%) agreed that more evidence is needed concerning AP and AC management in neurosurgery. Conclusion Worldwide, the perioperative management of AP and AC medication is very heterogeneous among neurosurgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a multiorgan disorder with increased vulnerability to cancer. Despite this increased cancer risk, there are no widely accepted guidelines for cancer surveillance in people affected by A-T. We aimed to understand the current international practice regarding cancer surveillance in A-T and agreed-upon approaches to develop cancer surveillance in A-T. DESIGN/METHODS: We used a consensus development method, the e-Delphi technique, comprising three rounds. Round 1 consisted of a Delphi questionnaire and a survey that collected the details of respondents professional background, experience, and current practice of cancer surveillance in A-T. Rounds 2 and 3 were designed based on previous rounds and modified according to the comments made by the panellists. The pre-specified consensus threshold was ≥75% agreement. RESULTS: Thirty-five expert panellists from 13 countries completed the study. The survey indicated that the current practice of cancer surveillance varies widely between experts and centres. Consensus was reached that evidence-based guidelines are needed for cancer surveillance in people with A-T, with separate recommendations for adults and children. Statements relating to the tests that should be included, the age for starting and stopping cancer surveillance and the optimal surveillance interval were also agreed upon, although in some areas, the consensus was that further research is needed. CONCLUSION: The international expert consensus statement confirms the need for evidence-based cancer surveillance guidelines in A-T, highlights key features that the guidelines should include, and identifies areas of uncertainty in the expert community. This elucidates current knowledge gaps and will inform the design of future clinical trials.

IntroductionMarine environments offer a wealth of opportunities to improve understanding and treatment options for cancers, through insights into a range of fields from drug discovery to mechanistic insights. By applying One Health principles the knowledge obtained can benefit both human and animal populations, including marine species suffering from cancer. One such species is green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), which are under threat from fibropapillomatosis (FP), an epizootic tumor disease (animal epidemic) that continues to spread and increase in prevalence globally. In order to effectively address this epizootic, a more thorough understanding is required of the prevalence of the disease and the approaches to treating afflicted turtles.MethodsTo identify knowledge gaps and assess future needs, we conducted a survey of sea turtle FP experts. The survey consisted of 47 questions designed to assess general perceptions of FP, the areas where more information is needed, local FP trends, the disease status, and mitigation needs, and was voluntarily completed by 44 experts across a broad geographic range.ResultsOver 70% of respondents both recognized FP as a cancerous panzootic disease, and reported that FP is increasing in prevalence. They report several factors contributing to this increase. Nearly all of the respondents reported that FP research, patient treatment and rehabilitation required more funding in their area, and reported inadequate facilities and capacity for dealing with FP patients. Treatment approaches varied: just over 70% of the medical experts that responded surgically remove FP tumors, either using laser or scalpel. Just under half of respondents use anti-cancer drugs in their treatment of FP. Internal tumors were reported as justification for euthanasia by 61.5% of respondents, and 30.8% reported severe external tumors to be sufficient grounds for euthanasia. Most medical respondents (93.3%) routinely perform necropsy on deceased or euthanized FP-afflicted turtles. Over 80% of respondents considered large-scale multidisciplinary collaboration ‘extremely important’ for advancing the field of FP research.DiscussionThe survey responses provide a valuable insight into the current status of FP in sea turtles, FP treatment, rehabilitation and research, and help to identify critical FP-related areas most in need of attention.

The status of gender equity at universities is often evaluated via statistical data such as the proportions of women faculty members and students. However, given that women are still a minority in decision-making positions while gender parity has been achieved in most countries for students, simply increasing the proportion of women alone is not enough to ensure a truly gender-neutral (gender bias-free) academic climate on campuses, i.e., continuous efforts are required to create an environment that promotes the active participation of women. In particular, when the environment for cutting-edge advanced research in STEM fields is considered, despite the necessity for a gender perspective in science and technology innovation, the establishment of a gender-neutral academic climate has yet to be achieved. To solve this problem, a new indicator that accurately and quantitatively reflects the status of the gender-neutral academic climate on campuses is urgently needed.On the basis of this idea, this paper proposes a new method for quantitatively assessing the gender-neutral academic climate at each school/division/department of a university by analyzing scholarly output by gender. We created a bubble chart called the Academic Gender Equity Index (Academic_GEI), which consists of scholarly output and the proportion and absolute number of women faculty members, and used it as an indicator of human resource initiatives for gender equality within disciplines. We conducted a survey using this methodology in several countries (Japan/USA/EU). The Academic_GEI, along with other existing indicators, can be used to foster a gender-neutral academic climate for the next generation.

Population aging calls for a thorough understanding of how age impacts subjective wellbeing. Resource theories posit that people need resources, such as health and social relations, to produce subjective wellbeing. Since losing resources is more likely at older age, we examined whether the availability of resources indeed changes with age, and how this affects subjective wellbeing.We analysed data from 75,895 individuals aged 50 and older participating in two or more waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. We analysed, separately for women and men, fixed effect regression models, estimating main and interaction effects of age and indicators of health, financial and social resources on two indicators of subjective wellbeing, i.e., life satisfaction and quality of life.We found that the contribution of health to subjective wellbeing does not diminish in later life, and is not different for women and men. Also, having some close others is important for both women and men to maintain subjective wellbeing at every age. However, having a wider social network contributes more to the subjective wellbeing of women than of men at older age. Furthermore, having limited financial means and being widowed might get a bit easier to endure with advanced age, though there is no threshold of age after which any of these resources becomes irrelevant.Health and social policies are needed to strengthen older people's resources, to help maintain subjective wellbeing up to very old age. Gender differences should be taken into account when developing these policies.

Background and Objectives: The effective management of chronic diseases, particularly hereditary and rare diseases and thalassaemia, is an important indicator of the quality of healthcare systems. We aimed to assess healthcare services in different countries for thalassaemia patients by using publicly available health indicators and by surveying thalassaemia patients and their caregivers. Materials and Methods: We reviewed official worldwide databases from the WHO, World Bank, and scientific resources, and we used a structured patient-tailored self-completed questionnaire to survey thalassaemia patients and their caregivers in 2023. Results: A total of 2082 participants were surveyed (mean age, 27 years; males, 42%). About 1 in 4 respondents did not complete high-school education, while 24% had a bachelor's degree. About a third of respondents were married and were in either full- or part-time employment. The vast majority (~80%) had initiated transfusion therapy between 1 and 4 years of age. Only 42% reported no delays in receiving blood transfusion, while 47% reported occasional delays and 8% serious delays. About half of patients reported being very satisfied (11%) or satisfied (38%) with the quality of services provided, while 1 in 3 patients reported being unsatisfied or very unsatisfied, and that their access to treatment was difficult or very difficult due to traveling expenses and the high cost of treatment. Conclusions: Important improvements in the care of thalassaemia patients have been documented during the past few decades. Nevertheless, additional focus is required through national healthcare systems to effectively address the many unmet needs revealed by our recent survey, as well as to achieve satisfactory patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the high perioperative risk profile, international guidelines for anesthesia and intensive care unit (ICU) care in pediatric kidney transplantation do not exist. Optimizing hemodynamics can be challenging in these patients, while scientific data to guide decisions in hemodynamic monitoring, hemodynamic targets, and perioperative fluid management are lacking. The limited annual number of pediatric kidney transplantations, even in reference centers, necessitates the urge for international collaboration to share knowledge and develop research and guidelines. The aim of this study was to collect data on current perioperative anesthesia and ICU care practices in pediatric kidney transplantation. Methods: An international survey with an anonymized link was sent from a validated electronic data capture system (Castor). Inclusion criteria were: medical doctor in anesthesia, (ICU), or pediatric nephrology working in a pediatric kidney transplantation specialized center; and signed informed consent. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Thirty‐three records were analyzed. Responders were anesthesiologists (58%), pediatric nephrologists (30%), and pediatric intensivists (12%), representing 13 countries worldwide. About half of the centers (48%) performed more than 10 pediatric kidney transplantations a year. Perioperative hemodynamic support was guided by intra‐arterial blood pressure (88%), central venous pressure (CVP; 88%), and cardiac output (CO; 39%). The most variation was seen in the hemodynamic targets CVP and CO, fluid administration, and inotrope/vasopressor use. The protocolized use of furosemide (46%) and mannitol (61%) also varied between centers. Postoperative care for the youngest recipients occurred in the pediatric intensive care unit at all centers. Conclusion: The results of this survey reveal a large variation in anesthesia and ICU care in pediatric kidney transplantation centers worldwide, particularly in CVP and CO targets, hemodynamic therapy, and the use of furosemide and mannitol. These data identify areas for further research and can be a starting point for international research collaboration and guideline development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitchaya Nualdaisri,1,2 Sarah A Corlett,2,3 Immaculate Akaso,4 Barbra Katusiime,5 Freddy Eric Kitutu,4 Siew Siang Chua,6 Janet Krska2 1Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand; 2Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK; 3Pharmacy Department, Medway Foundation NHS Trust, Kent, UK; 4Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 5School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Kingston University, London, UK; 6School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, MalaysiaCorrespondence: Pitchaya Nualdaisri, Email pitchaya.n@psu.ac.thBackground: Verbal and written medicine information are available to the public but the quality, ease of access, ease of understanding and use of these resources varies greatly between countries. Timely access to quality medicine information is essential to support patient safety.Objective: This international cross-sectional survey, conducted in low-to high-income countries, aimed to compare experiences of and preferences for medicine information sources among respondents with recent medicine use.Methods: The survey was originally developed in England (Kent), then adapted and translated for use in southern Thailand (Songkhla), Malaysia (Klang Valley), and central Uganda (Kampala). Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests.Results: A total 1588 respondents were involved in the study. Community pharmacies were the primary source of medicines in all four countries (40.7 to 65.3%). Most respondents (1460; 92%) had received at least one form of information with their medicine, but provision of written medicine information (WMI) varied between countries. A manufacturer’s leaflet was the most frequent information source for patients in England, while verbal information was common in Thailand, Malaysia and Uganda. There was commonality across countries in the desire for verbal information with or without WMI (1330; 84.8%); aspects of medicine information wanted most frequently were instructions on medicine use (98.3%), indication (98.2%), name (94.4%) and possible side effects (94.3%); and the importance of providing leaflets with all medicines (87.5%). Fewer than 10% in Uganda would use internet based WMI, compared to between 20% and 55% elsewhere.Conclusion: Preferences for medicine information are similar across countries: verbal information is seen as most desirable, and the most wanted aspects of information are common internationally. Accessibility and understandability are key influences on preferred information sources. In-country regulations and practices should ensure that all medicine users can access the information necessary to maximise safe medicine use.Keywords: medicine information sources, patient information leaflets, patient preference, cross-country comparison, international survey

The research question 'How do fertility professionals worldwide perceive the issue of payment for egg donation and does this view change under different circumstances?' was addressed. A worldwide online survey was conducted between January and March 2023, focusing on the views of fertility providers concerning egg donor payments. From the 3,790 IVF-Worldwide.com members invited, 532 (14%) from 88 countries responded. The majority of participants, primarily from Europe (38.9%) and Asia (20.1%), were fertility specialists, embryologists, and fertility nurses. Most (60.3%) favoured regulated donor compensation, with only 13% advocating for unrestricted amounts. Compensation opposition (22.4%) was often rooted in concerns about donors' best interests. When considering egg donation from low-resource to high-resource countries, 38.5% were opposed. When asked about compensating women who underwent elective, non-medical egg freezing should they choose to donate their unused oocytes, most responders supported it to some degree, with only 28.4% opposing any compensation. The survey revealed that a significant majority of fertility professionals worldwide are supportive of some form of compensation for egg donors. However, perspectives diverge depending on the specific scenario and the country of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The best nonoperative or operative anal fissure (AF) treatment is not yet established, and several options have been proposed. Aim is to report the surgeons' practice for the AF treatment. Thirty-four multiple-choice questions were developed. Seven questions were about to participants' demographics and, 27 questions about their clinical practice. Based on the specialty (general surgeon and colorectal surgeon), obtained data were divided and compared between two groups. Five-hundred surgeons were included (321 general and 179 colorectal surgeons). For both groups, duration of symptoms for at least 6 weeks is the most important factor for AF diagnosis (30.6%). Type of AF (acute vs chronic) is the most important factor which guide the therapeutic plan (44.4%). The first treatment of choice for acute AF is ointment application for both groups (59.6%). For the treatment of chronic AF, this data is confirmed by colorectal surgeons (57%), but not by the general surgeons who prefer the lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) (31.8%) (p = 0.0001). Botulin toxin injection is most performed by colorectal surgeons (58.7%) in comparison to general surgeons (20.9%) (p = 0.0001). Anal flap is mostly performed by colorectal surgeons (37.4%) in comparison to general surgeons (28.3%) (p = 0.0001). Fissurectomy alone is statistically significantly most performed by general surgeons in comparison to colorectal surgeons (57.9% and 43.6%, respectively) (p = 0.0020). This analysis provides useful information about the clinical practice for the management of a debated topic such as AF treatment. Shared guidelines and consensus especially focused on operative management are required to standardize the treatment and to improve postoperative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background/Objectives Ataxia telangiectasia (A‐T) is a multiorgan disorder with increased vulnerability to cancer. Despite this increased cancer risk, there are no widely accepted guidelines for cancer surveillance in people affected by A‐T. We aimed to understand the current international practice regarding cancer surveillance in A‐T and agreed‐upon approaches to develop cancer surveillance in A‐T. Design/Methods We used a consensus development method, the e‐Delphi technique, comprising three rounds. Round 1 consisted of a Delphi questionnaire and a survey that collected the details of respondents' professional background, experience, and current practice of cancer surveillance in A‐T. Rounds 2 and 3 were designed based on previous rounds and modified according to the comments made by the panellists. The pre‐specified consensus threshold was ≥75% agreement. Results Thirty‐five expert panellists from 13 countries completed the study. The survey indicated that the current practice of cancer surveillance varies widely between experts and centres'. Consensus was reached that evidence‐based guidelines are needed for cancer surveillance in people with A‐T, with separate recommendations for adults and children. Statements relating to the tests that should be included, the age for starting and stopping cancer surveillance and the optimal surveillance interval were also agreed upon, although in some areas, the consensus was that further research is needed. Conclusion The international expert consensus statement confirms the need for evidence‐based cancer surveillance guidelines in A‐T, highlights key features that the guidelines should include, and identifies areas of uncertainty in the expert community. This elucidates current knowledge gaps and will inform the design of future clinical trials.

Objective:Mammographic screening and management of breast cancer (BC) in elderly women are controversial and continue to be an important health problem. To investigate, through members of the Senologic International Society (SIS), the current global practices in BC in elderly women, highlighting topics of debate and suggesting perspectives.Materials and Methods:The questionnaire was sent to the SIS network and included 55 questions on definitions of an elderly woman, BC epidemiology, screening, clinical and pathological characteristics, therapeutic management in elderly women, onco-geriatric assessment and perspectives.Results:Twenty-eight respondents from 21 countries and six continents, representing a population of 2.86 billion, completed and submitted the survey. Most respondents considered women 70 years and older to be elderly. In most countries, BC was often diagnosed at an advanced stage compared to younger women, and age-related mortality was high. For this reason, participants recommended that personalized screening be continued in elderly women with a long life expectancy.In addition, this survey highlighted that geriatric frailty assessment tools and comprehensive geriatric evaluations needed to be used more and should be developed to avoid undertreatment. Similarly, multidisciplinary meetings dedicated to elderly women with BC should be encouraged to avoid under- and over-treatment and to increase their participation in clinical trials.Conclusion:Due to increased life expectancy, BC in elderly women will become a more important field in public health. Therefore, screening, personalized treatment, and comprehensive geriatric assessment should be the cornerstones of future practice to avoid the current excess of age-related mortality. This survey described, through members of the SIS, a global picture of current international practices in BC in elderly women.

This paper aims to identify the factors which affect the consumption of organic foods such as natural milk and olive oil on an international scale. It should be mentioned that the factors examined are gender, age, nationality, educational level, and occupation of consumers. The study was explored through an online survey between January-November 2022 among 155 respondents from 14 countries; most of them are from Turkey, Algeria, Pakistan, Georgia, and India. Then, the results were analysed through SPSS software V26. As results, the independence between the consumption of organic food and the demographics variables is confirmed. It means that all corposants of each variable are related to the consumption of organic product. Indeed, the limit of this study is in the number of sampled population (155), besides, some countries such as Libya, France, Mali; Italy; and Ethiopia are represented by one participant for each country. Consequently, the result obtained can’t be generatedd all worldwide. The same observation for some occupations (Judge, Nurse, Pharmacist and dentist), are not fully sufficient to be analysed further.

Background and Objectives: The effective management of chronic diseases, particularly hereditary and rare diseases and thalassaemia, is an important indicator of the quality of healthcare systems. We aimed to assess healthcare services in different countries for thalassaemia patients by using publicly available health indicators and by surveying thalassaemia patients and their caregivers. Materials and Methods: We reviewed official worldwide databases from the WHO, World Bank, and scientific resources, and we used a structured patient-tailored self-completed questionnaire to survey thalassaemia patients and their caregivers in 2023. Results: A total of 2082 participants were surveyed (mean age, 27 years; males, 42%). About 1 in 4 respondents did not complete high-school education, while 24% had a bachelor’s degree. About a third of respondents were married and were in either full- or part-time employment. The vast majority (~80%) had initiated transfusion therapy between 1 and 4 years of age. Only 42% reported no delays in receiving blood transfusion, while 47% reported occasional delays and 8% serious delays. About half of patients reported being very satisfied (11%) or satisfied (38%) with the quality of services provided, while 1 in 3 patients reported being unsatisfied or very unsatisfied, and that their access to treatment was difficult or very difficult due to traveling expenses and the high cost of treatment. Conclusions: Important improvements in the care of thalassaemia patients have been documented during the past few decades. Nevertheless, additional focus is required through national healthcare systems to effectively address the many unmet needs revealed by our recent survey, as well as to achieve satisfactory patient outcomes.

Objective: Mammographic screening and management of breast cancer (BC) in elderly women are controversial and continue to be an important health problem. To investigate, through members of the Senologic International Society (SIS), the current global practices in BC in elderly women, highlighting topics of debate and suggesting perspectives. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was sent to the SIS network and included 55 questions on definitions of an elderly woman, BC epidemiology, screening, clinical and pathological characteristics, therapeutic management in elderly women, onco-geriatric assessment and perspectives. Results: Twenty-eight respondents from 21 countries and six continents, representing a population of 2.86 billion, completed and submitted the survey. Most respondents considered women 70 years and older to be elderly. In most countries, BC was often diagnosed at an advanced stage compared to younger women, and age-related mortality was high. For this reason, participants recommended that personalized screening be continued in elderly women with a long life expectancy. In addition, this survey highlighted that geriatric frailty assessment tools and comprehensive geriatric evaluations needed to be used more and should be developed to avoid undertreatment. Similarly, multidisciplinary meetings dedicated to elderly women with BC should be encouraged to avoid under- and over-treatment and to increase their participation in clinical trials. Conclusion: Due to increased life expectancy, BC in elderly women will become a more important field in public health. Therefore, screening, personalized treatment, and comprehensive geriatric assessment should be the cornerstones of future practice to avoid the current excess of age-related mortality. This survey described, through members of the SIS, a global picture of current international practices in BC in elderly women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery is a common treatment for hydrocephalus in children and adults, making it one of the most common procedures in neurosurgery. Children being treated with a VPS often require several revisions during their lifetime with a lifetime revision rate of up to 80%. Several different techniques exist for inserting the distal catheter, while mini-laparotomy, trocar, or laparoscopy is traditionally used. As opposed to adults, only few studies exist, comparing the outcome of the different distal catheter placement techniques in children. This international survey aims to investigate the current daily practice concerning distal shunt placement techniques in children. Material and methods: An online questionnaire investigating the different techniques used to place the distal catheter in pediatric VPS surgery was distributed internationally. All results were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics. Results: A total of 139 responses were obtained. Mini-laparotomy was reported to be the most frequently used technique (n = 104, 74.8%) for distal shunt placement in children, while laparoscopic or trocar-assisted placements were only used by 3.6% (n = 5) and 21.6% (n = 30) of all respondents, respectively. Over half (n = 75, 54.0%) of all respondents do not believe that laparoscopic placement improves the outcome. Conclusion: This international survey shows that mini-laparotomy is the most frequently used technique for distal VPS placement in children all over the world. Further randomized trials are needed to elucidate this matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results from an international online survey on simplification efforts in environmental assessment (EA) and other types of impact assessments (IAs) are presented. The survey, which was conducted between July and October 2022, captured responses from 45 participants who reported on developments in a total of 26 EA/IA systems. Whilst in about three quarters of these systems simplification efforts are either currently underway or planned, in particular with regards to reducing costs and time necessary for EA/IA, opposite developments were also reported on in two-thirds of the systems, including an extension of existing requirements, such as the consideration of further aspects in EA/IA and the coverage of additional actions subject to assessment. The findings are a reflection of the increasing complexities of the contexts within which EAs/IAs are applied and highlight the need for further empirical research on simplification efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the diversity of university mathematics teachers' perspectives and experiences in relation to the secondary-tertiary transition (STT). Data for this study consist of responses of 310 university mathematics teachers from 30 countries to a survey. The survey design and data analysis are informed by an adaptation of a theory of improvement for education and by four idealized approaches for improving STT as identified in the literature: jump-oriented, enculturation-oriented, diversity-oriented, and cross-community-oriented. We characterize the diversity of perspectives and experiences in the data and examine ideas for future projects in light of these four approaches. We conclude that while jump-oriented approaches for improving STT are still the most prevalent, in part due to a persistent perspective of STT as a "deficit," university mathematics teachers' discourse on STT is becoming more diverse and nuanced. We find it particularly promising that participants' suggestions for future action are aligned with the four approaches, and most notably, with the cross-community approach expressing the emergent need for greater communication between the secondary and tertiary mathematics education communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background To describe the key findings and lessons learned from an international pilot study that surveyed spinal cord injury programs in acute and rehabilitation facilities to understand the status of spinal cord injury care. Methods An online survey with two questionnaires, a 74-item for acute care and a 51-item for rehabilitation, was used. A subset of survey items relevant to the themes of specialized care, timeliness, patient-centeredness, and evidence-based care were operationalized as structure or process indicators. Percentages of facilities reporting the structure or process to be present, and percentages of indicators met by each facility were calculated and reported separately for facilities from high-income countries (HIC) and from low and middle-income countries (LMIC) to identify “hard to meet” indicators defined as those met by less than two-thirds of facilities and to describe performance level. Results A total of 26 acute and 26 rehabilitation facilities from 25 countries participated in the study. The comparison of the facilities based on the country income level revealed three general observations: 1) some indicators were met equally well by both HIC and LMIC, such as 24-hour access to CT scanners in acute care and out-patient services at rehabilitation facilities; 2) some indicators were hard to meet for LMIC but not for HIC, such as having a multidisciplinary team for both acute and rehabilitation settings; and 3) some indicators were hard to meet by both HIC and LMIC, including having peer counselling programs. Variability was also observed for the same indicator between acute and rehabilitation facilities, and a wide range in the total number of indicators met among HIC facilities (acute 59–100%; rehabilitation 36–100%) and among LMIC facilities (acute: 41–82%; rehabilitation: 36–93%) was reported. Conclusions Results from this international pilot study found that the participating acute and rehabilitation facilities on average adhered to 74% of the selected indicators, suggesting that the structure and processes to provide ideal traumatic spinal cord injury care were broadly available. Recruiting a representative sample of SCI facilities and incorporating regional attributes in future surveys will be helpful to examine factors affecting adherence to indicators.

Patients admitted to critical care (CC) are at risk of impaired swallowing and communication function. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play an important role in this context. In Ireland and internationally speech-language pathology CC guidelines are lacking, with possible variations in practice. To compare clinical practices in dysphagia, communication and tracheostomy management among SLPs working in adult CC units in Ireland and internationally, and explore their perspectives on training, skills and resources. Participants were SLPs working in CC. An international online survey sought information on (i) SLP workforce demographics and staffing levels, (ii) current dysphagia and communication assessment and management practices, (iii) practices and perspectives on training, skills and resources. 366 responses were received across 29 countries. 18.03% (66/366) of these respondents worked in Ireland. Findings showed similarities and differences in practices. Total CC SLP whole-time equivalent (WTE) at each staff grade was lower (mean difference: −0.21 to −0.65 WTE p <.001) than desired for optimal service delivery. Negative effects of under-staffing were reported. Recommendations that all tracheostomised patients receive SLP input was unmet in 66% (220/334) of services. SLP input in CC is limited in terms of dedicated posts, multidisciplinary team (MDT) involvement, consistent management approaches and training opportunities internationally. Implications of findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European aquaponic sector started to develop and professionalize in the early 2010′s. This development and the subsequent challenges faced by early practitioners were investigated in various publications between 2015 and 2020. Although most of these studies were focused on educational and research institutions, only a few included commercial entities. The present survey is aimed at defining and assessing the recent evolution of the European aquaponic activities in professional structures. One hundred and forty professional aquaponic entities (non-profit organization, educational, and commercial) having an aquaponic system with more than 1 m3 of water in their recirculating aquaculture systems were identified in Europe. Among them, 46 responded to a survey about the technical and business aspects of their structures. In comparison to previous surveys, a much higher number of entities had larger systems (up to 14,000 m2), with higher yields (up to 20 t of fish or vegetables per year), whereas 59% of them declared making profits. This revealed a clear expansion and professionalization of the sector, which was found to be highly diversified, with systems varying greatly in size, design, and technology. Business models and activities were generally diverse, and included a combination of production, education, and/or services. Most entities also combined different customer segments. At the time of the survey, the aquaponic sector was still struggling to find its economic viability, as the business model of most entities did not only rely on fish and vegetable sales, but also largely relied on free labor through volunteers or internships. Acquiring knowledge as well as optimizing production and business models were perceived as the main challenges for the steady growth of the sector. Consequently, there is a clear need to increase training, to continue the research and development work, and create public support systems for aquaponics farms to further improve and expand the commercialization of aquaponics in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several pivotal studies and international guidelines on the perioperative management of rectal cancer have been published. However, little is known about the current state of perioperative management of rectal cancer patients in clinical practice worldwide. Methods: An online survey including 13 questions focusing on key topics related to the perioperative management of patients with rectal cancer was conducted among colorectal surgeons registered within the database of the Research Institute Against Digestive Cancer (IRCAD). Results: A total of 535 respondents from 89 countries participated in the survey. Most surgeons worked in the European region (40.9%). Two hundred and fifty-four respondents (47.5%) performed less than 25% of surgical procedures laparoscopically. The most commonly used definition of the upper limit of the rectum was a fixed distance from the anal verge (23.4%). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to define the upper limit of the rectum by 258 respondents (48.2%). During total mesorectal excision (TME), 301 respondents (56.3%) used a high-tie technique. The most commonly constructed anastomosis was an end-to-end anastomosis (68.2%) with the majority of surgeons performing a leak test intraoperatively (88.9%). A total of 355 respondents (66.4%) constructed a diverting ostomy, and the majority of these surgeons constructed an enterostomy (82%). A total of 208 respondents (39.3%) closed a stoma within 8 weeks. Lastly, 135 respondents (25.2%) introduced a solid diet on postoperative day 1. Conclusion: There is considerable heterogeneity in the perioperative management of rectal cancer patients worldwide with several discrepancies between current international practice and recommendations from international guidelines. To achieve worldwide standardization in rectal cancer care, further research is needed to elucidate the cause of this heterogeneity and find ways of improved implementation of best practice recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HMD: Praxis der Wirtschaftsinformatik is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Buddha Sàsana refers to the Buddha’s Dispensation which comprise of the teachings of the Buddha, doctrine, discipline and practices (including spiritual traditions of Theravāda and Mahāyāna / Vajrayāna schools), as well as associated dissemination. As a spiritual and profoundly philosophical approach to guide effective ways out of suffering, the essence of Buddhism can be distilled as the Four Noble Truths. While seismic changes take shape withthe global transition from Information/Knowledge Age to Digital Age, most aspects of conditions for humanity have dramatically changed.Particularly in the past two years, the global Covid19 pandemic has further exacerbated suffering while fueling digital transformation. How has the Buddha Sàsana been impacted? A pioneering international survey was undertaken to gain reality check glimpses of lived experiences, and attempts to harvest prevailing perceptions from three significant dimensions of critical importance to our Buddha Sàsana. Firstly, how optimistic do practising members of the Theravāda and Mahāyāna / Vajrayāna Buddhist Traditions feel about the Buddha’s Dispensation and uncertainties of their living environment as the Buddha Sàsana undergoes ‘aniccà’ and ‘anattà’ phenomena of these challenging times? In order to appraise this, perceptions of living or receiving the 38 blessings as described in Maha Mangala Sutta (PTS: SN 258-269) are used as relevant assessment gauge in Section I of the survey. Secondly, Section II of this survey evaluate the strength of devotees’ faith in the continual efficacy of Dhamma wisdom to effectively resolve vulnerabilities of dukkha arising from complexities of current global challenges. Section III initiates a review of the type and level of customisation needed (if any) in Digital Age Buddhist Education and Training in preparing next generation Buddha Sàsana to transcend arising ambiguities on the path of wisdom development. This timely research article captures the expansive research results in clear, concise and visually self-explanatory infographics.

In order to effectively address global environmental problems, it is important that future decision-makers in society are aware of the safe operation space for humans, which is limited by the planetary boundaries. Until now, however, there has been a lack of international studies examining how the planet's boundaries are perceived. In this study, we investigated how students of environmental and sustainability studies in 35 countries (n = 4140) assess the planetary boundaries. Based on the rating, using spectral clustering, the 35 countries were assigned to five different clusters. Four indicators (Human Development Index, Legatum Prosperity Index, Natural Resources Income and Forest Area) were used to provide explanations for the clustering result. The indices allow a distinction between the clusters and provide initial explanations for the clustering. The results provide important insights for today's decision-makers, as possible measures for action in the individual countries can be derived from the findings.

In recent years, numerous investigations have focused on voice quality (VQ) for forensic purposes. These studies notwithstanding, we lack an international picture of how VQ is generally understood by forensic practitioners and how it contrasts with the practices of voice therapists. To fill this gap, a survey was designed and sent to both cohorts: forensicists and clinicians. A total of 45 responses from 20 countries were received. Important differences were found between groups, particularly regarding perceptual assessment. One conclusion to be drawn is that more emphasis should be placed on calibration and error measurement in forensic approaches to VQ. Further collaborations with clinicians should also be encouraged.

Here, we present the results of an online international survey concerning the adoption of good beekeeping practices and proper biosecurity measures for the management of varroosis in Apis mellifera. The survey was designed as a risk assessment tool by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Federation of Beekeepers' Association (Apimondia), the Center for Analytics Research & Education (CARE) at Appalachian State University, and Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lazio e Toscana (IZSLT). The data collected investigated the beekeeping techniques, treatments, and training beekeepers adopt concerning the varroa mite. The idea was to validate a tool able to collect and compare, in the different areas of the world, the management measures adopted by beekeepers to face this major parasitic disease of honey bees. The survey was disseminated online for a period of 14 months (January 2019–March 2020) through the FAO website. A total of 861 responses were received, most of them from the Americas (20.9%) and Europe (74.7%). Concerning the control measures useful in combating varroa, the results showed an overall awareness of the usefulness of biosecurity measures in beekeeping (BMBs), which we compare across regions. The majority of the beekeepers (89.9% in the Americas and 82.8% in Europe) were interested in additional bee health training and, at the same time, were willing to connect themselves with veterinary experts specialized in bees. This is an indication that beekeepers recognize the importance of training and experts' advice. This study revealed the efficacy of the survey adopted as a useful assessment tool that will be further disseminated, even in geographic regions heretofore not investigated, to provide useful information on the status of the beekeeping sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To describe the key findings and lessons learned from an international pilot study that surveyed spinal cord injury programs in acute and rehabilitation facilities to understand the status of spinal cord injury care. Methods: An online survey with two questionnaires, a 74-item for acute care and a 51-item for rehabilitation, was used. A subset of survey items relevant to the themes of specialized care, timeliness, patient-centeredness, and evidence-based care were operationalized as structure or process indicators. Percentages of facilities reporting the structure or process to be present, and percentages of indicators met by each facility were calculated and reported separately for facilities from high-income countries (HIC) and from low and middle-income countries (LMIC) to identify "hard to meet" indicators defined as those met by less than two-thirds of facilities and to describe performance level. Results: A total of 26 acute and 26 rehabilitation facilities from 25 countries participated in the study. The comparison of the facilities based on the country income level revealed three general observations: 1) some indicators were met equally well by both HIC and LMIC, such as 24-hour access to CT scanners in acute care and out-patient services at rehabilitation facilities; 2) some indicators were hard to meet for LMIC but not for HIC, such as having a multidisciplinary team for both acute and rehabilitation settings; and 3) some indicators were hard to meet by both HIC and LMIC, including having peer counselling programs. Variability was also observed for the same indicator between acute and rehabilitation facilities, and a wide range in the total number of indicators met among HIC facilities (acute 59–100%; rehabilitation 36–100%) and among LMIC facilities (acute: 41–82%; rehabilitation: 36–93%) was reported. Conclusions: Results from this international pilot study found that the participating acute and rehabilitation facilities on average adhered to 74% of the selected indicators, suggesting that the structure and processes to provide ideal traumatic spinal cord injury care were broadly available. Recruiting a representative sample of SCI facilities and incorporating regional attributes in future surveys will be helpful to examine factors affecting adherence to indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trend in population ageing has promoted a rapid growth in retirement village industry. However, a significant capital investment is required for developing retirement villages. Applying the concept of public private partnership (PPP) in retirement village can satisfy the increased market demand and provide affordable living options. This paper investigates the challenges associated with the development of retirement village projects through PPP. A questionnaire survey was conducted with experienced practitioners across the globe. Results show that three out of the seventeen challenges emerged as the most significant challenges in the development of PPP retirement villages. These are: 'limited understanding of developers on older people's requirements', 'complex revenue and payment model', and 'misallocation and incomplete transfer of risks'. Furthermore, the seventeen challenges are regrouped into five major categories: 'complicated contractual process and arrangement', 'poor land acquisition mechanism for projects', 'ineffective risk management', 'inadequate demand for aged care services', and 'lack of experience and knowledge in delivering retirement village PPPs'. The outputs of this study inform both government authorities and retirement village developers of the key hindrances to the successful growth of the global PPP retirement village industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Professionals working in pediatric transplantation commonly encounter complex ethical dilemmas. Most ethical research in transplantation is related to adult practice. We aimed to gain insight into ethical issues faced by transplant professionals when dealing with pediatric transplant recipients. Methods: A two‐stage study was designed; the first part was a questionnaire completed by 190 (80%) members of the International Pediatric Transplant Association (IPTA) from over 30 different countries. This was followed by a multidisciplinary focus group that explored the preliminary data of the survey. Results: A total of 38% (56 of 149) respondents of the questionnaire had experienced an ethical issue between 2016 and 2018. Surgeons were more likely to have encountered an ethical issue as compared with physicians (60% vs. 35.7%, p =.035). Clinicians from Europe were more likely to have experienced an ethical issue in living organ donation compared with those from North America (78.9% vs. 52.5%, p =.005), with common ethical concerns being psychosocial evaluation and follow‐up care of donors. The focus group highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to ethical issues. Conclusion: The results of this study can direct future research into pediatric transplantation ethics with the aim of producing educational resources, policies, and ethical guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it is widely assumed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will revolutionise healthcare in the near future, considerable progress must yet be made in order to gain the trust of healthcare professionals and patients. Improving AI transparency is a promising avenue for addressing such trust issues. However, transparency still lacks maturation and definitions. We seek to answer what challenges do experts and professionals in computing and healthcare identify concerning transparency of AI in healthcare? Here, we examine AI transparency in healthcare from five angles: interpretability, privacy, security, equity, and intellectual property. We respond to this question based on recent literature discussing the transparency of AI in healthcare and on an international online survey we sent to professionals working in computing and healthcare and potentially within AI. We collected responses from 40 professionals around the world. Overall, the survey results and current state of the art suggest key problems are a generalised lack of information available to the general public, a lack of understanding of transparency aspects covered in this work, and a lack of involvement of all stakeholders in the development of AI systems. We propose a set of recommendations, the implementation of which can enhance the transparency of AI in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is wide variation in reported rates of acute adrenal insufficiency (AI)-related adverse events (sick day episodes and adrenal crises) between centres. This study aimed to evaluate the level of consensus on criteria considered essential for defining and managing these events in children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Methods: Active users of the International Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and International Disorders of Sex Development (I-CAH/I-DSD) Registries (n = 66), non-active users of I-CAH/I-DSD (n = 35), and the EuRRECa e-Reporting Registry (n = 10) were approached to complete an online survey. Results: Fifty-six centres from 27 countries responded to the survey; the response rates for the three groups were 42 (65%), 11 (31%), and 3 (30%), respectively. Steroid management plans, one to one patient education, and contact details of health care staff were provided by over 90% of centres in high-income countries. All 56 centres advised glucocorticoid stress dosing in the event of fever. Less common indications for sick day dosing included vaccination and mild afebrile intercurrent illness, recommended by 17 (30%) and 9 (16%) centres, respectively. The most frequently reported stress dosing regimens were tripling the total daily dose of hydrocortisone and administering 3 times daily and doubling or tripling the largest daily hydrocortisone dose depending on the nature of the trigger and administering 3 times daily, recommended by 24 (43%) and 21 (38%) centres, respectively. Vomiting was the most common indication for intramuscular hydrocortisone injection, reported by 34 (61%) centres. Over 50% of respondents indicated that essential clinical criteria for adrenal crisis should include fatigue and nausea or vomiting and over 60% indicated that hypotension, hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia, and clinical improvement following parenteral glucocorticoids were essential criteria. In the event of an adrenal crisis, 47 (84%) reported that the majority of patients were admitted to hospital. For the management of an adrenal crisis, a bolus parenteral injection of hydrocortisone was the most frequently administered medication, reported by 50 (89%) centres. Conclusion: Although there is variation in the definition and management of AI-related adverse events in children amongst centres, there is also a good level of consensus on specific aspects that can lead to greater benchmarking of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Genetic analysis is emerging for interstitial lung diseases (ILDs); however, ILD practices are not yet standardized. We surveyed patients', relatives' and pulmonologists' experiences and needs on genetic testing in ILD to evaluate the current situation and identify future needs. Methods: A clinical epidemiologist (MT) together with members of the ERS taskforce and representatives of the European Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and related disorders Federation (EU‐IPFF) patient organisation developed a survey for patients, relatives and pulmonologists. Online surveys consisted of questions on five main topics: awareness of hereditary ILD, the provision of information, genetic testing, screening of asymptomatic relatives and clinical impact of genetic analysis in ILD. Results: Survey respondents consisted of 458 patients with ILD, 181 patients' relatives and 352 pulmonologists. Most respondents think genetic testing can be useful, particularly for explaining the cause of disease, predicting its course, determining risk for developing disease and the need to test relatives. Informing patients and relatives on genetic analysis is primarily performed by the pulmonologist, but 88% (218) of pulmonologists identify a need for more information and 96% (240) ask for guidelines on genetic testing in ILD. A third of the pulmonologists who would offer genetic testing currently do not offer a genetic test, primarily because they have limited access to genetic tests. Following genetic testing, 72% (171) of pulmonologists may change the diagnostic work‐up and 57% (137) may change the therapeutic approach. Conclusion: This survey shows that there is wide support for implementation of genetic testing in ILD and a high need for information, guidelines and access to testing among patients, their relatives and pulmonologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To assess the current approaches and perioperative treatments of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRHC) and to highlight similarities and differences with international guidelines and scientific evidence, we conducted a survey for surgeons across the globe. Methods: All digestive and colorectal surgeons registered with the database of the Research Institute against Digestive Cancer (IRCAD) were invited to take part in the survey via email and through the social media networks of IRCAD. Results: There were a total of 440 respondents from 78 countries. Most surgeons worked in the European region (38.6%) followed by the Americas (34.1%), the Eastern Mediterranean region (13.0%), the South-East Asian region (5.9%), the Western Pacific region (4.8%), and Africa (3.2%) respectively. Over half of the respondents performed less than 25% of right hemicolectomies laparoscopically where 4 ports are usually used by 68% of the surgeons. The medial-to-lateral, vessel-first approach is the approach most commonly used (74.1%). The most common extraction site was through a midline incision (53%) and an abdominal drain tube is routinely used by 52% of the surgeons after surgery. A total of 68.6% of the responding surgeons perform the majority of the anastomoses extracorporeally. Finally, we found that the majority of responders (60.7%) routinely used mechanical bowel preparations prior to LRHC. Conclusion: Regarding several topics related to LRHC care, a discrepancy was observed between the current medical practice and the recommendations from RCTs and international guidelines and significant regional differences were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Survey on control and evaluation of complexity and robustness with 126 participants. • Large inter-centre variability in assessment of complexity, robustness, and 3D dose. • Complexity mainly evaluated by number of MU, aperture shape, and PSQA measurements. • 21% of photon clinics used robust optimisation for robustness control, 98% used PTV. • Participants desired improved commercial tools for complexity and robustness. Plan complexity and robustness are two essential aspects of treatment plan quality but there is a great variability in their management in clinical practice. This study reports the results of the 2020 ESTRO survey on plan complexity and robustness to identify needs and guide future discussions and consensus. A survey was distributed online to ESTRO members. Plan complexity was defined as the modulation of machine parameters and increased uncertainty in dose calculation and delivery. Robustness was defined as a dose distribution's sensitivity towards errors stemming from treatment uncertainties, patient setup, or anatomical changes. A total of 126 radiotherapy centres from 33 countries participated, 95 of them (75%) from Europe and Central Asia. The majority controlled and evaluated plan complexity using monitor units (56 centres) and aperture shapes (38 centres). To control robustness, 98 (97% of question responses) photon and 5 (50%) proton centres used PTV margins for plan optimization while 75 (94%) and 5 (50%), respectively, used margins for plan evaluation. Seventeen (21%) photon and 8 (80%) proton centres used robust optimisation, while 10 (13%) and 8 (80%), respectively, used robust evaluation. Primary uncertainties considered were patient setup (photons and protons) and range calculation uncertainties (protons). Participants expressed the need for improved commercial tools to control and evaluate plan complexity and robustness. Clinical implementation of methods to control and evaluate plan complexity and robustness is very heterogeneous. Better tools are needed to manage complexity and robustness in treatment planning systems. International guidelines may promote harmonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As the global healthcare system evolves, diagnostic radiographers (DRs) are taking on advanced roles, constituting advanced radiography practice. This study explored the definition of ARP tasks among DRs, radiology department managers (RDMs), and National Society Officers (NSOs) on a global scale., Methods: Data collection was obtained via a self-developed online survey administered via email and social media to DRs, RDMs, and NSOs. The survey sought to collect demographic data, insights into definition of ARP tasks, and perceptions regarding global practice., Results: 206 respondents from 25 countries participated, predominantly from Norway (n = 77), Australia (n = 34), and Portugal (n = 20). 71.7 % of DR respondents defined teaching as ARP task, while RDMs (74.2) and NSOs (88.8 %) identified approving image quality independently as ARP. 53.4 % of DRs perceived their practice as ARP-aligned, with awareness reported by 44.8 % of DRs, 66.7 % of RDMs, and 77.8 % of NSOs., Conclusion: This study provides a clearer understanding of the task respondents consider ARP and the extent to which it is practiced, whereas DRs are increasingly performing advanced tasks globally. Clarifying ARP tasks in the workplace will promote a common understanding of the role and foster support for its establishment in diagnostic radiography. Further research is required to gather a more comprehensive international perspective on ARP tasks, especially given the limitations of this study, as well as the limited responses from the Americas and African regions., Implications for Practice: Clear definitions of ARP tasks are necessary for seamless integration of ARP into current practices. Additionally, advocating for official recognition, and global acknowledgement by the profession and key stakeholders are imperative for DRs to fully develop in these areas., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Studies on the job satisfaction of music therapists are needed for the growth of the profession and their findings may help to improve the well-being of practitioners. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to explore the levels of satisfaction of music therapists with their profession and to identify the factors influencing their job satisfaction in several countries where this topic is under researched (Israel, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Austria). Descriptive and inferential statistics of data obtained through an online survey of 439 practicing music therapists found the highest levels of job satisfaction were reported in Spain and the lowest levels were reported in Germany. We found significant correlations among job satisfaction, satisfaction with music therapy training, and satisfaction with the perceived status of the profession. Moreover, participants´ views on "what would need to change to improve their satisfaction" with their profession were divided into 3 categories (therapists-self, workplace, and country). Participants seemed to be highly satisfied with their profession, but less satisfied with interactions with other team members, and with the perceived status of the music therapy profession. There is an overarching need for all countries (including those where music therapy is legally established as a profession) to promote the profession inside and outside the practitioners´ work settings., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Music Therapy Association. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

This study aims to identify and evaluate the potential risks associated with the development of retirement village through public-private partnership (PPP) approach. An international questionnaire survey was conducted with experienced practitioners. The findings show that five risk factors are very significant in the development of retirement village PPPs; these are "inexperience of private partner/developer," "high operational and maintenance cost," "inappropriate location of land for project," "lack of highly skilled operational staff," and "poor communication among stakeholders". The results will inform developers and government agencies of the potential risk factors they should consider when engaging in future retirement village PPP arrangements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical peer coaching has been associated with high rates of practice change but remains largely unutilized. The purpose of this study was to survey surgeons internationally to investigate attitudes regarding peer coaching and to identify any international differences to inform the design of future coaching programs. Methods: Practicing surgeons in general surgery or related subspecialties were eligible to participate. Invitations to complete the survey were distributed through 13 surgical associations, social media, and personal e-mail invitations. Responses were obtained between June 1st and August 31st, 2020. Results: A total of 521 surveys were collected. The majority of participants practiced in North America (263; 50%) with remaining respondents from Asia (81; 16%), Europe (34;7%), South America (21; 4%), Africa (17; 3%), and Oceania (6; 1%). Duration of practice was equally distributed across 4 intervals (0–5 years; 6–15 years; 16–25 years; > 25 years). Respondents most frequently identified as general surgeons (290; 67%) and 325 (75%) were male. Awareness of peer coaching was reported by 275 (53%) respondents, with 197 (44%) never seeking formal feedback from peers. The majority of respondents (372; 84%) would be willing to participate in a peer coaching program, with monthly interactions the most desirable frequency reported (193; 51%). Coaching in the operating room was preferred by most participants (360; 86%). Few respondents (67; 14%) would accept coaching from someone unknown to them. Participants identified key coaching program elements as: feedback kept private and confidential (267; 63%); opportunity to provide feedback to the coach (247; 59%); personalized goal setting (244; 58%); and the option to choose one's own coach (205; 49%). The most commonly cited potential barrier to participation was logistical constraints (334; 79%). Conclusion: This international survey of practicing surgeons demonstrated that peer feedback is rarely used in practice, but there is high interest and acceptance of the peer coaching model for continuous professional development. Findings regarding preferred program structure may be useful to inform the design of future peer coaching programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the broader use of ferrofluid in industry and the sciences, ferrofluid research has produced many new branches. To obtain systematic analytical results and to help researchers gain insight into the dynamics of ferrofluid research, in this review, we first track and summarize the ferrofluid research over the past 15 years to assay how ferrofluid can contribute to modern technology. We have got several important research directions (basic physics research, medical applications, and engineering applications) using keywords as an entry point by visualizing the cluster analysis. Visualization to highlight important schools and organizations. By analyzing the number of papers and citations at a given institution, we obtained a list of influential institutions and schools and indicated the current research directions of these institutions. This list greatly helps researchers to understand the authoritative papers as well as the latest results. In particular, we draw connections between publication year and novel engineering applications and show how they impact future development—the increasing use of ferrofluids in microfluidic environments and the increasing study of their soft and reshapable properties. Next, we focus on ferrofluid applications in six engineering fields and summarize the development history and research status. Finally, by analyzing the current status of each application, we summarize two challenges, that is to strengthen the research on the micromechanism of ferrofluid and to prepare a ferrofluid with better performance. The originality of this study is that it uses visualization to describe the current state of research and development patterns instead of thousands of papers, providing valuable reference information for existing researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem (or stromal) cells are a promising therapy for the treatment of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to understand awareness, knowledge, and perception of mesenchymal stem cells among gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons, with particular focus on the perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease indication. Methods: A web-based questionnaire was distributed to currently practicing and registered gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons across 15 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Results: Of 146 clinicians, 115 (79%) were aware of mesenchymal stem cells. The majority were moderately to largely interested in this therapy (87%), willing to use it in patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (82%), and believed it addresses unmet needs for these patients (93%). However, most responders reported having limited or no knowledge of this therapy (64%) or its efficacy (51%), safety (53%), and mechanism of action (65%) in perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease. Many clinicians (46%) also expressed concerns about using this therapy in these patients. Attending discussions and presentations on mesenchymal stem cells and seeing more patients with Crohn's disease were associated with increased awareness (both P < 0.001). Conclusions: Many clinicians demonstrated an interest in mesenchymal stem cells in general and a willingness to use them to treat perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease, but this survey showed suboptimal knowledge of what mesenchymal stem cells are and how they work in this indication. This may explain clinicians' concerns about use of this therapy and calls out for education activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective: to evaluate the international practice of using calcium salts when weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass after cardiac surgery in adult patients.Design: a multiple-choice survey about the current practice of calcium salts use when weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass based on the SurveyMonkey platform.Participants: cardiac surgical hospitals around the world.Estimation and main results. Totally 112 emails were sent to Russian and foreign centers inviting them to participate in the survey. 100 centers from 32 countries replied to this request. Generally, the majority of centers (88%) administer calcium salts during surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, and in 71 (71%) centers out of 100, calcium salts are used to improve hemodynamics. Among 88 centers that use calcium salts during surgery, 66% (58/88) of respondents use calcium chloride, 22% (19/88) use calcium gluconate, and 12% (11/88) use both drugs. Most centers (55 (77%) out of 71) use doses of 5 to 15 mg/kg as a bolus or infusion for 1 min.Conclusion: Our survey shows that the majority of cardiac surgery centers use calcium in adult cardiac surgery patients especially during weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. There is variability in the type of drug, dose, and route of administration.