Comparing health system performance assessment and management approaches in the Netherlands and Ontario,Canada

Background  

Given the proliferation and the growing complexity of performance measurement initiatives in many health systems, the Netherlands and Ontario, Canada expressed interests in cross-national comparisons in an effort to promote knowledge transfer and best practise. To support this cross-national learning, a study was undertaken to compare health system performance approaches in The Netherlands with Ontario, Canada.     

Protective effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 on experimental autoimmune diseases in mice.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha are thought to contribute to the inflammatory response associated with autoimmune diseases. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) counteracts many effects of these cytokines and has various immunosuppressive properties. In the present study, it is shown that microgram amounts of TGF-beta 1, injected daily for 1-2 weeks, protect against collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (REAE), the animal models for rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, respectively. When administered during induction of the disease, TGF-beta 1 prevents CIA but only delays the onset of REAE by 2-3 days. However, when administered during a remission. TGF-beta 1 prevents the occurrence of relapses in REAE. The results suggest that TGF-beta 1 has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, mimicking in some respects the beneficial effects of immunosuppressive drugs in these experimental models of autoimmune disease, but without discernable adverse effects.     

Orbital hydatid cysts: Report of four cases

Hydatid cysts of central nervous system are rare and comprise only 2% to 3% of all hydatid cysts reported. Orbital localization is very uncommon and has been reported less than 1 % of all hydatid diseases. The primary treatment of hydatid disease is surgical. The most important complication of the surgical treatment is secondary hydatidosis due to spillage of the cyst contents. Because of the difficulties of the orbital localization, total extirpation of the cysts without rupture is almost impossible. Preventing spontaneous rupture of the cysts during surgery and postoperative antihelmintic treatment should be taken into consideration in these cases.This study includes four cases who underwent surgery for orbital hydatid cysts. Radiological characteristics, operative technique and postoperative medical therapy are discussed.     

Obstructive jaundice--an unusual complication of duodenal tuberculosis: treatment with transhepatic balloon dilatation

This is a report of a patient on treatment for duodenal tuberculosis, who developed obstructive jaundice due to a benign stricture of the terminal common bile duct. This complication of duodenal tuberculosis, to our knowledge, has not been reported before. Percutaneous, transhepatic balloon dilatation of the stricture alleviated the jaundice.     

Paraneoplastic movement disorder in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and CRMP-5 autoantibody.

The paraneoplastic autoantibody, collapsin response-mediator protein (CRMP)-5 immunoglobulin G (IgG), is specific for neuronal cytoplasmic CRMP-5, and is usually associated with small-cell lung carcinoma or thymoma. We report on details of a movement disorder that followed anti-B-cell therapy in a patient with lymphoma, and was accompanied by CRMP-5 IgG.     

Esthesioneuroblastoma in a young child. Case report

Esthesioneuroblastoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm that arises from olfactory mucosa, often with intracranial extension.A case report of the youngest victim in the literature (2-year-old boy) is presented.     

Pathological changes in testes and liver of male albino rats after dermal exposure to DDVP insecticide.

Exposure of male albino rats to DDVP insecticide at sublethal dose of 30 mg/kg/day through dermal painting for a period of 90 days didn't show any intoxication symptoms or mortality. However, cytopathological changes in testicular and liver tissues were evident. There was a positive correlation between the degree of cellular damage and the period of insecticide administration. In general, damages were prominent in rats treated for 30 days or more. Histological examination of testes showed degenerative seminiferous tubules and fewer leydig cells. Hepatic cells were congested, atrophied and showed different stages of necrobiotic changes. This suggests a great care and caution for workers during different phases of DDVP insecticide handling.