Diagnosis, prevalence estimation and burden measurement in population surveys of headache: presenting the HARDSHIP questionnaire

The global burden of headache is very large, but knowledge of it is far from complete and needs still to be gathered. Published population-based studies have used variable methodology, which has influenced findings and made comparisons difficult. The Global Campaign against Headache is undertaking initiatives to improve and standardize methods in use for cross-sectional studies. One requirement is for a survey instrument with proven cross-cultural validity. This report describes the development of such an instrument. Two of the authors developed the initial version, which was used with adaptations in population-based studies in China, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Zambia and 10 countries in the European Union. The resultant evolution of this instrument was reviewed by an expert consensus group drawn from all world regions. The final output was the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire, designed for application by trained lay interviewers. HARDSHIP is a modular instrument incorporating demographic enquiry, diagnostic questions based on ICHD-3 beta criteria, and enquiries into each of the following as components of headache-attributed burden: symptom burden; health-care utilization; disability and productive time losses; impact on education, career and earnings; perception of control; interictal burden; overall individual burden; effects on relationships and family dynamics; effects on others, including household partner and children; quality of life; wellbeing; obesity as a comorbidity. HARDSHIP already has demonstrated validity and acceptability in multiple languages and cultures. Modules may be included or not, and others (eg, on additional comorbidities) added, according to the purpose of the study and resources (especially time) available

Original Article

Abstract Objectives: To observe if there is any connectivity between oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Materials and methods: Patients suffering from different cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, ischemic heart disease, rheumatic heart disease) attending Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara and strictly matched controls were selected for this study. Oxidative stress (OS) was measured by plasma thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) where as antioxidant status was measured by estimating vitamin E, vitamin C and total antioxidant activity (TAA) in plasma. Results: The mean level of TBARS, TAA, vitamin C and E were 2.20+0.43 nmol/ml, 547+98 µmol/l, 0.88+0.15 mg/dl and 0.75+0.20 mg/dl respectively in patients. The respective values in controls were 1.86+0.43 nmol/ml, 859+139 µmol/l, 0.94+0.15 mg/dl and 1.10+0.30 mg/dl. Although the OS seems to be raised in patients, is practically insufficient to oxidize biomolecules and induce CVDs. Despite vitamin C and E levels being well within normal limits, the TAA was significantly and considerably lower in patients. This is a highly interesting observation suggesting that dietary antioxidants other than these vitamins were preferentially consumed to control OS because procedure for TAA used in this study practically measures only total dietary antioxidants. Conclusion: OS does not appear to be an etiological factor for the cardiovascular diseases; rather slightly raised OS in patients seems to be a consequence. Further the raised OS was not due to lower nutrient antioxidant (vit. C and vit. E) in the local population studied herein

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]

The hidden impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on endometrial receptivity and implantation

Increasing infertility rates represent a growing medical challenge in modern societies resulting from a complex interplay of sociocultural trends, lifestyle factors, exposure to environmental toxins, and underlying health problems. Women's fertility is particularly vulnerable to these shifts. The obesogenic lifestyle not only accelerates weight gain, but also disrupts ovulation driving the rise in infertility. Among several medications used for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) show promising improvement in female fertility most likely by stimulating ovulation. However, the effects of GLP-1RAs on the endometrium remain unclear. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of GLP-1RAs on endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation and early development. The aim of this study is to address the knowledge gap regarding the effects of GLP-1RAs on human reproduction, with special focus on the endometrium. Understanding these mechanisms may help to develop new strategies for improving fertility treatment, reduce implantation failure and address potential safety concerns regarding teratogenicity and adverse developmental outcomes for children born to women conceiving during or soon after GLP-1RA treatment

A study of The professionalism of Administrative Personnel at SMK Country 7 Bulukumba, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

ABSTRACT Professionalism is a very important aspect of supporting the quality of school administration management. This research is a research that aims to determine the implementation of professionalism of the administrative workforce at SMK Country 7 Bulukumba. In this study using a qualitative descriptive study. The informants in this study were the principal, vice-principal, head of administrative staff, and administrative staff. The technique of collecting data through observation methods, interview methods, and documentation methods. The technique of data analysis in this study uses data collection techniques, data presentation, reduction, and conclusions. The results showed that the professionalism of the administrative staff at SMK Country 7 Bulukumba in their proficiency in using equipment and attitudes in school administrative services can be said to be good and quite satisfying. This is evident in the proficiency of administrative staff in operating all the equipment that supports their work and the friendly and polite attitude of administrative staff in providing services, especially in school administrative services. However, from the readiness, responsibility, and disciplinary attitude in implementing school administrative services, it is considered that they are still not good because there is still administrative staff who have not carried out their duties and responsibilities professionally. This will affect the quality and performance of the administrative staff on the professionalism of their work at SMK Country 7 Bulukumba

Development of Smart Character Education Through Learning “Higt-Touch And Higt-Tech” (School Studies in Makassar City)

Abstract The dynamics of student character formation through learning that is how the contents of learning, activities of educating, teaching, training, and guiding. From the perspective of the content of learning the success of a learning process is seen from the formation of character. The learning that has taken place in educational institutions in the city of Makassar has so far emphasized self-actualization. Indicators of success can be seen from individual excellence to beat competitors. This is the reference in this study that education is so important for intelligent character in learning. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the application of intelligent character learning through learning “Higt-Touch and Higt-Tech” in Makassar City, (2) the problem of learning smart character through learning “Higt-Touch and Higt-Tech” in the City Makassar. This type of research is a type of qualitative research with a phenomenological approach. The type of data in this study consists of primary and secondary data, with data collection techniques namely interview, documentation and observation techniques. The data analysis technique used is descriptive qualitative technique. The results of this study indicate that (1) the application of intelligent character learning through learning “Higt-Touch and Higt-Tech” in Makassar can be known with three parameters: learning that is able to increase competence in the form of understanding (knowledge), skills, and the values of Pancasila as the nation’s character. (2) the problems of intelligent character learning through learning “Higt-Touch and Higt-Tech” in Makassar City are: students are not comfortable and lack enthusiasm to be and learn in the school environment, learning is felt as a difficult activity, the practice of violence and punishment, learning management, schools allow for discrimination, and lack of closeness between students and educators