Predictive exposure modelling for pesticide registration purposes

The health risk to the agricultural worker using pesticides is important for registration procedures since during mixing, loading and application he or she handles undiluted as well as diluted pesticide formulations. Furthermore, exposure may occur during daily activities in the crop (e.g. harvesting). Possible exposure may reach levels that...

The cost-effectiveness of 10 selected applications in minimally invasive therapy

In this article, evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the following procedures is reviewed: (1) laser treatment of bladder tumors; (2) extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy; (3) laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis; (4) laparoscopic removal of ovarian cysts; (5) laparoscopic cholecystectomy; (6)...

Diffusion of minimally invasive therapy in Europe

This paper considers the diffusion of the 10 cases presented in this issue. Most of the cases have diffused relatively slowly. This slow diffusion can be explained by a number of factors, including budgetary restraints, financial incentives, physician conservatism, and lack of appropriate training. A consistent thread in the cases is the...

Implications of minimally invasive therapy

The field of minimally invasive therapy (MIT) raises many important issues for the future of health care. It seems inevitable that MIT will replace much conventional surgery. This trend is good for society and good for patients. The health care system, however, may find the change disruptive. The need for hospital beds will shrink. Day surgery...

Quality assurance issues and PACS

Quality assessment and assurance is a growing concern in all areas of health care. The concern is fueled by a body of evidence that indicates that quality of care is not optimal, and in many instances, is unacceptably low. Although different standards for quality have been proposed, health outcome is the ultimate standard, since improving health...

Beta-carotene supplementation in smokers reduces the frequency of nnicronuclei in sputum

beta-carotene has been hypothesised to reduce lung cancer risk. We studied the effect of 14 weeks of beta-carotene supplementation (20 mg d-1) on the frequency of micronuclei in sputum in 114 heavy smokers in a double-blind trial. Micronuclei reflect DNA damage in exfoliated cells and may thus provide a marker early-stage carcinogenesis. Pre...

In vitro diagnosis of fibrinolysis: Present status and desired improvements

Chemicals/CAS: Biological Markers; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Tissue Plasminogen Activator, EC 3.4.21.68.

TPD-TNO koördineert Solar storage testing group

Eén van de aktiviteiten van de Technisch Physische Dienst (TPD) van TNO op het gebied van onderzoek naar de thermische benutting van zonne-energie betreft het beproeven van uiteenlopende soorten van voorzieningen voor de tijdelijke opslag van de ingevangen zonnewarmte. In de loop der jaren groeide de behoefte om de opgedane ervaringen op dit...