Do low-priced ski pass owners perceive a higher quality of life? A case study of the Leisure Card Tirol

ObjectivesThe study investigated a potential correlation between owning a superregional low-cost ski and leisure card, namely the Leisure Card Tirol (LCT), and perceived quality of life (QOL).DesignA cross-sectional, quantitative approach (online questionnaire) was chosen.MethodsIn total, 1588 LCT users as well as 684 non-users (residents living in the Alpine region of Tyrol, Austria) were reached throughout the study period.ResultsCompared to non-users, LCT users reported significantly higher scores in all domains of QOL. However, the correlation was neither mediated nor moderated by the level of general physical activity (in contrast to alpine skiing in particular).ConclusionsAs superregional low-cost leisure cards were suggested as a way of facilitating access to skiing—at least according to its buyers—owning the LCT was associated with higher perceived QOL. Subsequent research should elaborate the extent to which this correlation is causal. If there is a causal link, such cards should be actively promoted to improve/maintain residents’ QOL.     

胶类中药的特点及现代研究分析

动物胶类药物在很多疾病的治疗和保健中发挥重要作用。许多古籍中均有以胶类入方治疗疾病的记载。近年来，胶类药物的相关研究逐渐增多，应用领域也在不断扩大。笔者通过对常用胶类药物的发展变化、药性归经、现代药理作用、临床应用、胶类新药开发前景、质量控制方法等方面的分析总结，整理出胶类中药的发展变迁及现代研究进展，为今后胶类药物的开发利用提供参考。     

瓜蒌化学、药理及临床应用探讨

总结瓜蒌已有的实验和临床研究成果,分析瓜蒌的化学成分特点,探讨综合利用瓜蒌的途径。瓜蒌含有糖苷类、色素等成分,具有抗心肌缺血、抗心肌纤维化等作用。在冠心病心绞痛、肺源性心脏病等临床方面疗效较好。     

Management of Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension

The burden of orthostatic hypotension (OH) on public health is a universally recognized enigmatic clinical condition that is associated with significant increases on morbidity and mortality rates, and can take a major toll on one's quality of life. Orthostatic hypotension is predictive of vascular deaths from acute myocardial infarction, strokes in the middle aged population, and increases mortality rates when associated with diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, and patients receiving renal dialysis. The consensus definition for OH is a fall in systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mm Hg within 3 minutes of quiet standing. Because neurogenic OH is often accompanied by supine hypertension, the treatment program should aim toward minimizing OH and the potential fall injuries related to cerebral hypoperfusion without exacerbating nocturnal hypertension that may lead to excessive cardiovascular complications.     

Parent–child mathematical interactions: examining self-report and direct observation

Variability in children’s early-learning home environments points to the need to better understand specific mechanisms of early mathematical development. We used a sample of 66 parent–preschool child dyads to describe parent-reported mathematical activities in the home and observed parent–child mathematical activities in a semi-structured play session. Data were examined to better understand the two methods of assessing the context of parent–child interactions related to mathematics. Parents reported engaging in a range of mathematical activities about 3–5 times per week, on average. Results from observed interactions indicated that parents engaged in math content/concept interactions in 32.5% of all observed intervals and children engaged in math content/concept interactions in 24.2% of all observed intervals. Although observed parent and child math content interactions were highly correlated, observed parent and child mathematical interactions were not correlated with parent-reported math activities.     

The role of social workers in addressing nonmedical needs in primary health care

Nonmedical needs are intricately linked to health. Unaddressed nonmedical needs often result in poorer health and increased healthcare costs. Although social workers are well positioned to address nonmedical needs, their role in healthcare environments to address nonmedical needs is limited. The limited role relates to a lack of reimbursement streams, which stems from poor articulation about their unique contributions. An analysis of a case study in which a social worker using AIMS, a protocolized care coordination model, was undertaken to highlight specific activities performed by social workers. Implications for patient health outcomes and healthcare costs are discussed.     

Change in quality of life of medically hospitalized patients – A one-year follow-up study

Objectives: To examine changes in quality of life (QOL) among elderly medically hospitalized patients one year after hospitalization, and to explore factors associated with the changes.

Methods: A one-year follow-up study included 363 (175 men) medical inpatients with age range 65–98 (mean 80.2, SD 7.5) years. Information was collected at baseline and follow-up using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire assessing the physical, psychological, social and environment domain of QOL as the dependent variable, and the Mini-Mental State Examination, Lawton and Brody's scales for physical self-maintenance and instrumental activities of daily living, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and assistance in living as the independent variables.

Results: The mean score of the physical domain of QOL had increased (mean change 0.6, SD 2.5; p?p? Conclusion: Good cognitive, physical and emotional health at baseline and follow-up were associated with improved QOL in previously hospitalized elderly patients independent of their need for assistance in living.