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At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Positron emission tomography using(18)F-fluoro-deoxyglucose and euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp: optimal criteria for the prediction of recovery of post-ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction. Results from the European Community Concerted Action Multicenter study on use of(18)F-fluoro-deoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography for the Detection of Myocardial Viability.

AIMS: To assess the accuracy of positron emission tomography to predict recovery of global cardiac function after revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-eight patients (157 male, 58+/-10 years) with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction (mean ejection fraction 39+/-14%) were enrolled in six European centres. They underwent a common protocol for the assessment of viability using(18)F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography during a standardized euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp before revascularization by either surgery (n=140) or angioplasty (n=38). Seven patients were excluded because of incomplete revascularization of a dysfunctional region. Based on the recovery of global ejection fraction 2-6 months after revascularization, patients were classified into two groups: 82 patients who had a >5% improvement in ejection fraction postoperatively, and 89 patients without postoperative ejection fraction improvement. Optimal cut-off points for postoperative improvement of global cardiac function were computed, using receiver operating curve analysis. The highest sensitivity (79%) and specificity (55%) for predicting postoperative ejection fraction improvement by positron emission tomography was found when three or more dysfunctional segments had a relative FDG uptake >45% of normal remote myocardium (overall accuracy 67%). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of coronary patients with impaired ejection fraction, FDG positron emission tomography demonstrated high sensitivity and moderate specificity to predict improvement of cardiac function after coronary revascularization.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Vascular wall thickness in hypertension: the Perindopril Regression of Vascular Thickening European Community Trial: PROTECT.

A high prevalence of increased intima/media thickness of the arterial wall has been documented in hypertension. These alterations in vascular wall structure may be potent determinants for the promotion of the development of atherosclerosis. Direct histologic data from animal models of hypertension, and indirect data from hypertensive patients, have demonstrated a marked regression of increased intima/media thickness by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Long-term effects of ACE inhibition on structural wall changes in humans have not been examined. Therefore, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind European trial was designed to compare the effects of the ACE inhibitor perindopril and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide in slowing or reversing progression of increased intima/media thickness of carotid and femoral arteries in hypertensive patients. A total of 800 patients at 17 clinical centers in 7 European countries, aged 35-65 years, with hypertension and ultrasonographically proven intima/media thickness > or = 0.8 mm of the common carotid artery will be randomly assigned to receive in a double-blind fashion either perindopril or hydrochlorothiazide and will be followed for 24 months. High resolution duplex sonography will be used to quantify intima/media thickness at baseline and twice a year during follow-up. A change of 0.1 mm of intima/media thickness from baseline is considered to be detectable, and the standard deviations of the changes from baseline are expected not to be higher than 0.2 mm. The primary endpoint of the study is the comparison of changes in intima/media thickness of the common carotid artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Compensation of occupational diseases and particularly of asbestos-related diseases among the European Community (EEC) countries.

The aim of the paper is to present some of the characteristics of the compensation systems in EEC countries and to focus on the compensation of asbestos-related diseases: for each country the diseases admitted for compensation, the date of introduction into the schedule, the number of compensations awarded and a comparison between compensations for mesothelioma and mortality are presented. The data have been collected in 1990-91 by asking for information to the Compensation Institutes. The results suggest that the objective of harmonisation of the compensation systems among European countries is far from being achieved and needs re-vitalisation. The gap between knowledge and public health action has been considerable in the compensation of asbestos-related diseases, especially in the compensation of cancers. The results confirm, therefore, from a different perspective the validity of considering asbestos as a case study in public health. Finally, the Authors stress the serious situation in Italy with respect to updating the list of prescribed diseases as epidemiological data are available and to compensating occupationally related asbestos diseases.

Asbestosis↗
PubMed1986

[Control of the European hog cholera with regard to new European Community regulations. Changes in state preventive measures relating to district vaccinations].

Since the end of 1982 classical swine fever has again occurred in the Federal Republic of Germany. There was an increasing trend until the middle of 1984. The number of cases increased above all in the northwest of the Federal Republic, the area with a high pig density. In mid-1984 it was decided in the Federal Republic to carry out for the first time a large-scale systematic vaccination of all pigs in a certain heavily affected area--similar to what is done in the Netherlands--apart from the traditional classical measures of epizootic disease control including stamping out and quarantine; i.e. not only fattening herds (Second Regulation for the amendment of the Regulation on Classical Swine Fever of 20 June 1984--Bundesgesetzblatt I, page 766). The reasons are: in the areas with a high pig density and a high degree of infection classical measures only did no longer suffice. In addition there were trends in the EEC to bar the entire Federal Republic of Germany from exports of pigs and fresh pigmeat. Furthermore there was the danger of excluding the Federal Republic from the current EEC eradication programme, under which the Federal Republic receives considerable funds. Since it has been started to carry out systematic large-scale vaccinations of herds in infected areas in the northwest of the Federal Republic there was a clear decline in the number of new outbreaks in these areas. There are still individual cases in other regions of the Federal Republic of Germany (new outbreaks during the first half of 1984: 738 cases, the second half of 1984: 277 cases, the first half of 1985: 301 cases). Special conditions for systematic large-scale vaccination in infected areas were uniformly set up within the entire EEC. These provisions as well as other new provisions resulting from Community law were translated into national law by further amendments to the Regulation on Classical Swine Fever. Tables contain, among other things, details about pig husbandry, and the number of cases of classical swine fever in EEC member countries.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Observations on "Cost containment and new priorities in the European community" by Brian Abel-Smith.

A commentary on the article by Brian Abel-Smith briefly explores why the United States lags behind Europe in controlling health care costs. Three important factors are, first, that until recently the real cost of health insurance was not apparent to U.S. workers and political leaders; second, Americans prefer to try competition before resorting to other strategies; and third, responsibility for financing health care is divided among a large number of independent entities, while government regulation is split between the state and federal levels. At the same time, governments and private insurers in the United States have developed new health delivery structures and reimbursement mechanisms that the Europeans may find useful. A convergence of the two systems would be to the benefit of both.

Budgets↗
PubMed1993

Effects of the European Community directive on lifting and handling practice.

The new legislation on lifting and handling requires the application of ergonomic principles to manual handling operations. A written assessment is required for all unavoidable manual handling operations which involve the risk of injury to employees. Employers are now expected to provide equipment to enable staff to avoid lifting heavy loads.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enforcement of European Community legislation at the national level.

The Dutch system for screening food contact materials, in which global migration no longer has any function, has been applied. An extensive investigation of baby soothers and bottle teats is described and the daily practice of the enforcement of the Dutch Packaging and Food Utensils Regulation is illustrated by an investigation of food contact materials sampled from the Dutch market.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2002

Guidelines for visualization of cutaneous blood flow by laser Doppler perfusion imaging. A report from the Standardization Group of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis based upon the HIRELADO European community project.

This report reviews how to set up a laser Doppler perfusion imaging system intended for visualization of skin blood perfusion, capture images and evaluate the results obtained. A brief summary of related papers published in the literature within the areas of skin irritant and allergy patch testing, microdialysis and skin tumour circulation is presented, as well as early applications within other fields such as diabetology, wound healing and microvascular research.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Fat distribution and gender differences in serum lipids in men and women from four European communities.

We studied male/female differences in serum lipids in randomly selected 38-year-old men (n = 337) and women (n = 342) from various cities in The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, and Poland. Overall, men had higher triglycerides and total cholesterol levels and lower HDL-levels compared to women (P less than 0.001). Adjustment for smoking habits, city, and body mass index did not remove the gender difference. Further adjustments for waist circumference alone and waist/hip and waist/thigh circumference ratio removed the gender differences in serum triglycerides and total cholesterol. Only adjustment for waist/thigh ratio removed the gender difference in HDL-cholesterol but linear relationships were different in men and women. The average male/female difference in serum lipids, particularly for total and LDL-cholesterol varied considerably among centers. In analyses of the data from the separate centers we found that sex differences in serum triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol in all 4 centers disappeared when adjusted for waist circumference alone and for waist/hip and waist/thigh ratio. For total and LDL-cholesterol, however, adjustment for circumference ratios tended to increase the male/female difference in 2 of the 4 centers. It is concluded that, in European men and women, fat distribution may be responsible for male/female differences in serum triglycerides but that such conclusions are less clear for HDL-, total- and LDL-cholesterol.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

European Community controls for high temperature testing of food contact materials.

High temperature testing above 121 degrees C is currently in accordance with national legislation, although amended Council Directive 82/711/EEC will include a framework of temperatures and times, the most stringent of which will require 2 h testing of materials and articles at 175 degrees C with olive oil. The background debate that preceded the establishment of this proposed framework is described, as well as the difficulties that were encountered over agreeing the appropriate testing for microwave susceptors. The further work that will be required for implementation (and will need to be undertaken by groups such as CEN) is outlined as are areas such as testing above 175 degrees C that may require consideration for future EC control.

Cooking↗
PubMed1991

Bioavailability and bioequivalence requirements in the European community.

An comparative overview is given of the new EC-Note for Guidance on bioavailability and bioequivalence, which now has been sent out for consultation to interested parties. The new version gives more regulatory detail than the version of 1984. It is expected that it will come into force in the course of 1991. Some changes in the final version as compared to the present version, accepted by the CPMP, are possible. The EC-Note for Guidance on modified-release products, which came into force in July 1990, has also been discussed. In comparison with comparable guidance in other areas off the world this guidance gives much thought to the clinical aspects and especially the clinical justification of modified-release products.

Biological Availability↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modernization and geographical diffusion as explanations for regional differences in the consumption of wine and beer in the European Community.

Mediterranean and Northern countries in Europe differ strongly in drinking cultures and drinking patterns. However, since about 1960 the Mediterranean and Northern countries in Europe have converged with respect to per capital consumption and beverage choice. This paper explores whether modernization and/or geographical diffusion explain the convergence in beverage choice for countries belonging to the EC. The results show that for wine and two of the indicators of modernization, the expected results are found. The diffusion of beer is not related with the indicators of modernization used in this study. There is no or only very limited support for the relevance of geographical proximity for the diffusion of beer and wine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Development and harmonisation of the norms and parameters in biological testing protocols designed for root canal sealing materials within the European Community.

The EC has mounted the BIOMED 1 as a specific programme to facilitate cooperative research programmes in identified areas of interest throughout Europe. They have recently announced support under this programme for a joint initiative designed to evaluate in vitro and in vivo methods of biological testing of root canal sealing materials. This proposal was prepared by a group of research workers in the field. It provides a summary of the current suggested protocols for the biological testing of dental materials and then provides a detailed protocol of the studies to be carried out in the joint programme which commenced in January 1993. The authors are publishing the proposal to invite comments from colleagues and interested parties.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Seroprevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies in a young adult population sample living in Verona. European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) Verona.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae in a random population sample of 369 young adults (aged 20-44 years), living in Verona, Italy. IgG and IgM titers were measured by micro-immunofluorescence. IgG antibodies, greater or equal to 16, were found in 104/177 (58.8%) men and 76/192 (39.6%) women (p < 0.001). No relationship was found between IgG seropositivity, age, social class, education and family size. Factors positively associated with IgG seropositivity included smoking (p < 0.001), occupational status (employed vs unemployed: p = 0.02; students vs unemployed: p < 0.01) and living area (suburban [65.0%] vs urban area [45.3%]: p = 0.03). The geometric mean of IgG titers was higher in students (GM: 26.05) than in both employed (GM: 11.02) and unemployed persons (GM: 4.80) (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). IgG titres > or = 512 and/or IgM titers > or = 16 (suggestive of a recent C. pneumoniae infection) were found in 39 subjects (10.6%). Recent infection was more frequent in spring (14.9%), with no significant variation in the other seasons (mean prevalence 6.7%) (p < 0.01). Recent infection was also associated with cigarette smoking. On the other hand, no significant association was found between respiratory symptoms and serologic evidence of recent infection. IN CONCLUSION: 1) the prevalence of antibodies to C. pneumoniae in young adults from Verona is similar to that found in European countries, and therefore, in Europe, it seems not related to latitude or climate; 2) male sex, tobacco smoking, employment status and living in a suburban area are independent risk factors of infection; 3) the infection is subclinical in most cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Standardizing economic appraisal of health technology in the European Community.

The article criticizes the present variability of economic appraisal methodologies and supports their standardization as a means of ensuring the comparability of the results of studies done by different researchers. Standards should be theoretically sound and feasible, and are probably best attained by consensus between the research community and users. Standardization is not without some dangers, e.g. the risk of excessive rigidity or the discouragement of further methodological research. These dangers can however be easily avoided and are likely to be overcome by the potential benefits: comparability and transferability of the results of the studies; increased credibility and, hence, broader use of economic appraisal as a regular tool for decision making. It will also ensure that if applied in regulatory or reimbursement decisions in the EC Member States, economic evaluation does not contribute to create market barriers to the free movement of products within the Single Market of health technologies.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1994

[Suitability of sampling methods for environmental studies in meat rendering and processing plants with European Community licenses].

In EC-licensed meat rendering and processing plants microbiological test results obtained through contact slides and a highly precise swab method were compared. It was revealed that when using contact slides the absolute cfu can be determined only after prior verification with a reference method. The key provided by the manufacturer for data interpretation does not always match with results obtained by swab technique. Nevertheless, contact plates are suitable to determine the microbiological status. However, their technical deficiencies must be compensated. A simple swab method is well suited for use in meat rendering and processing plants. It is very economical due to low material costs and easy to apply by plant hygienists. The use of a seven step scale listing results up to 10(3) cfu/cm2 enables even non-experts to interpret their results reasonably.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Preliminary criteria for the classification of Sjögren's syndrome. Results of a prospective concerted action supported by the European Community.

OBJECTIVE: Different sets of diagnostic criteria have been proposed for Sjögren's syndrome (SS), but none have been validated with a large series of patients or in a multicenter study. We conducted the present study involving 26 centers from 12 countries (11 in Europe, plus Israel), with the goals of reaching a consensus on the diagnostic procedures for SS and defining classification criteria to be used in epidemiologic surveys and adopted by the scientific community. METHODS: The study protocol was subdivided into two parts. For part I, questionnaires regarding both ocular and oral involvement were developed; they included 13 questions and 7 questions, respectively. For part II a limited set of diagnostic tests was selected, and the exact procedure to be followed in performing these tests was defined. Part I of the study included 240 patients with primary SS and 240 age- and sex-matched controls. Two hundred forty-six patients with primary SS, 201 with secondary SS, 113 with connective tissue diseases but without associated SS, and 133 control patients were studied in part II. RESULTS: The study resulted in (a) the validation of a simple 6-item questionnaire for determination of dry eyes and dry mouth, which showed good discriminant power between patients and controls, to be used in the initial screening for sicca syndrome; and (b) the definition of a new set of criteria for the classification of SS. The sensitivity and specificity of the criteria in correctly identifying patients with either the primary or the secondary variant of SS were also determined. CONCLUSION: Using the findings of this prospective multicenter European study, general agreement can be reached on the diagnostic procedures to be used for patients with SS. Final validation of the preliminary classification criteria for SS is underway.

Connective Tissue Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[PROCID: a project of the European Community for the study and prevention of muscular disorders in computer terminal operators].

This paper presents an EC funded concerted action aimed at studying the prevention of muscle disorders in the operation of computer input devices. About 40% the today's working population use computers in their daily work. This percentage is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years. At the same time health statistics indicate an increased incidence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among computer users. A deeper knowledge in this field may improve the health risk assessment approach, the design of computer input devices and the revision process of existing standards, norms and guidelines concerning computer work. Specific research objectives include: the development of intramuscular techniques suitable for mapping motor unit recruitment under operation of computer input devices; the evaluation of muscle fatigue and motor unit recruitment in dynamic tasks in normal subjects and in patients with pain syndromes; the experimental evaluation of stress induced muscular tension at the motor unit level, in operation of computer input devices; the formulation of recommendations for work with computer input devices.

Computer Terminals↗