Radiotherapy in small countries

AimTo examine the availability of radiotherapy in small countries.MethodsA small country was defined as a country with a population less than one million persons. The economic status of each country was defined using the World Bank Classification. The number of cancers in each country was obtained from GLOBOCAN 2012. The number of cancer cases with an indication or radiotherapy was calculated using the CCORE model.ResultsThere were 41 countries with a population of under 1 million; 15 were classified as High Income, 15 Upper Middle Income, 10 Lower Middle Income and one Low Income. 28 countries were islands. Populations ranged from 799 (Holy See) to 886450 (Fiji) and the total number of cancer cases occurring in small countries was 21,043 (range by country from 4 to 2476). Overall the total number of radiotherapy cases in small countries was 10982 (range by country from 2 to 1239). Radiotherapy was available in all HIC islands with 80 or more new cases of cancer in 2012 but was not available in any LMIC island. Fiji was the only LMIC island with a large radiotherapy caseload. Similar caseloads in non-island LMIC all had radiotherapy services. Most non-island HIC did not have radiotherapy services presumably because of the easy access to radiotherapy in neighbouring countries.ConclusionThere are no radiotherapy services in any LMIC islands.     

Hemovigilance in developing countries

Hemovigilance like quality systems and audits has become an integral part of the Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) in the developed world and has contributed greatly to the development of the blood service. However developing countries are still grappling with donor recruitment and efforts towards sufficiency and safety of the blood supply. In these countries the BTS is generally fragmented and a national hemovigilance program would be difficult to implement. However a few developing countries have an effective and sustainable blood program that can deliver equitable, safe and sufficient blood supply to the nation. Different models of hemovigilance program have been introduced with variable success. There are deficiencies but the data collected provided important information that can be presented to the health authorities for effective interventions.Hemovigilance program modeled from developed countries require expertise and resources that are not available in many developing countries. Whatever resources that are available should be utilized to correct deficiencies that are already apparent and obvious. Besides there are other tools that can be used to monitor the blood program in the developing countries depending on the need and the resources available. More importantly the data collected should be accurate and are used and taken into consideration in formulating guidelines, standards and policies and to affect appropriate interventions. Any surveillance program should be introduced in a stepwise manner as the blood transfusion service develops.     

Fungal research in ASEAN countries

A preliminary survey on the mycological activities and areas of research in ASEAN countries was conducted. This survey was carried out through a literature search and correspondence with some ASEAN mycologists. The results of the survey showed that there is a high level and standard of mycological research in various ASEAN countries. These include research on fungal flora and taxonomy, physiology and development, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, fungal-plant interactions, bioconversion, biodeterioration, and edible mushrooms. Compilation and publication of works of ASEAN mycologists is important for the promotion of contacts and collaborative research. This short paper is a preliminary step towards this objective.     

Reproductive technologies in developing countries

Are there any ethical concerns about reproductive technologies that are specific or unique to developing countries? Three ethical concerns often mentioned specifically in regard to developing countries are (1), the "overpopulation argument"; (2) the limited resources argument; and (3) the ethical problem of poorly trained practitioners offering their services to unsuspecting and uninformed infertile individuals or couples. Each argument is explored in some detail, with the conclusion that ethical problems do, in fact, exist but are not unique to developing countries. Nevertheless, the difficulties relating to reproductive technologies are likely to be greater in developing countries than in developed ones because of limited resources and a larger number of poor people residing there.     

Animal housing in hot countries

In high producing European-type cattle defence mechanism against over-heating, increased evaporation of moisture from the skin and the respiratory tract, may come into operation at environmental temperatures as low as 20C. In hot climates, where animals are not only subjected to high environmental temperatures, but also to intensive solar radiation, it may therefore be necessary to reduce heat stress by providing protective structures, cooling devices, or both. Under most circumstances adequate climatic protection is achieved with the aid of simple sunroofs which eliminate heat gain from direct solar radiation, at the same time offering minimal interference with convective and evaporative heat loss from the animals by natural air movement. Only in exceptional cases is it economically feasible to provide animals with air conditioning.

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Zusammenfassung Rinder europÄischer Hochleistungsrassen beginnen bereits bei Umgebungstemperaturen von etwa 20C durch eine Erhöhung der feuchten WÄrmeabgabe von der Haut und den Atmungswegen eine UeberwÄrmung des Körpers zu bekÄmpfen. In heissen Zonen, wo die Tiere nicht nur hohen Umgebungstemperaturen, sondern auch intensiver Sonnenstrahlung ausgesetzt sind, ist es deshalb notwendig mit Hilfe von baulichen Strukturen, Kühlungsvorrichtungen oder durch kombination von beiden, eine Verminderung der thermischen Belastung der Tiere herbeizuführen. Unter den meisten Bedingungen lÄsst sich ein ausreichender Klimaschutz erzielen durch die Erstellung einfacher SonnendÄcher, welche die Aufnahme direkter Sonnenstrahlung durch das Tier eliminiert, und welche gleichzeitig die, durch die natürliche Luftbewegung begünstigte WÄrmeabgabe durch Konvektion und Wasserverdunstung minimal beeintrÄchtigt. Nur in speziellen FÄllen ist es wirtschaftlich tragbar, landwirtschaftliche Nutztiere in luftkonditionierten StÄllen zu halten.

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Resume Le bétail européen de haute productivité réagit contre un échauffement préjudiciable du corps à partir de 20 C de température ambiante. Cette réaction se traduit par l'émission de chaleur humide tant par la peau que par les voies respiratoires. Dans les régions chaudes où les bÊtes sont exposées non seulement à des températures élevées, mais encore à un rayonnement solaire intense, il est indispensable de diminuer l'indispositions thermique du bétail par une structure adéquate des constructions ou des installations de réfrigération, voire la combinaison de ces deux moyens. Dans la plupart des cas, on obtient une protection suffisante contre les effets nuisibles du climat en établissant des abris sommaires. Ces abris consistent en de simples toits qui protègent les bÊtes des rayons directs du soleil sans pour autant diminuer les pertes de chaleur par convection et évaporation, pertes favorisées par les courants d'air naturels. Ce n'est qu'exceptionnellement qu'il est rentable d'élever du bétail dans des étables dont l'air est conditionné.