Plos One
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Polytrauma patients nowadays tend to be older due to the growth of the elderly population and its improved mobility. The aim of this study was to compare demographics, injury patterns, injury mechanisms and outcomes between younger and older polytrauma patients. ⋯ Elderly are involved more often in polytrauma. Although injury severity did not differ between groups, the older polytrauma patients were at a higher risk of dying than their younger counterparts despite sustaining less high-energy accidents.
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Understanding modifiable determinants of full immunization of children provide a valuable contribution to immunization programs and help reduce disease, disability, and death. This study is aimed to assess the individual and community-level determinants of full immunization coverage among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study used data from the Demographic and Health Survey 2013-14 from the Democratic Republic of Congo. ⋯ The Democratic Republic of Congo has a noteworthy gap in full immunization coverage. Modifiable factors-particularly health service utilization including four ANC visits, institutional delivery, and postnatal visits-had a strong positive effect on full immunization coverage. The study underlines the importance of promoting immunization programs tailored to the poor and women with little education.
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Wound surface area measurement is important as therapeutic decisions may depend on the change of wound surface area over time. Digital planimetry is a popular technique in wound area measurement. It is accurate and repeatable when calibration is performed with 2 rulers placed at opposite sides of a wound. The aim of the current study was improving accuracy and precision of wound area measurement using capabilities of smart devices. ⋯ The Planimator app occurred to have the same accuracy and precision as measurements with digital planimetry with 2-ruler calibration and based on pictures from a compact camera or a D-SLR camera. This app showed better accuracy and precision than the Visitrak and SilhouetteMobile devices, the AreaMe software and the digital planimetry based on pictures from a smartphone camera.
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An important aim of teaching philosophy in Dutch secondary schools is to learn about philosophy (that is, the great philosophers) by doing philosophy. In an earlier study published in PLoS ONE, we focused on the relationship between student learning activities and teacher behavior by analyzing eight lessons. ⋯ We replicated this finding in the current study, using 10 new lessons, and elaborated on the relationship between the likely causes for doing philosophy effectively. The data suggest that conducting a dialogue in the form of a philosophical discussion is sufficient for achieving an effective lesson, whereas the teachers' guidance being shared with the students is a necessary but not sufficient condition for achieving an effective lesson.
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Patients aged over 90 are being admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with increasing frequency. The appropriateness of such decisions still remains controversial due to questionable outcome, limited resources and costs. Our objective was to determine the clinical characteristics and outcome in elderly patients (≥ 90 years) admitted in a medical ICU, with an additional focus on medico-economic implications. ⋯ Among critically ill elderly patients (≥ 90 years), chronological age was not an independent factor of ICU mortality. ICU care-related costs in this population should not be considered as a limiting factor for ICU admission.