Computer-assisted spine surgery (CASS) is a new discipline involving application of computer engineering and mechanical engineering to spine surgery. The tools used most commonly include preoperative surgical simulation, intraoperative navigation, and robot-assisted surgery. Surgical simulation has been utilized for both clinical and basic research. Navigation in spine surgery has focused on guidance of screw placement, however, due to limited accuracy and high cost, its use is somewhat sparse. CASS may be combined with minimal invasive spine surgery in the near future. Further validation of clinical accuracy issues and surgical outcomes as well as cost-benefit analysis is required.
Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Spine*

Objectives: This research study aims to conduct a systematic review and critical appraisal of the quality of the existing peer-reviewed journal literature looking into the economic evaluation of control strategies used in parasitic diseases (i.e., STH and schistosomiasis).

Methods: Database searches were conducted in Embase, Science Direct, Medline, CINAHL, Econ Lit, and Academic Search Elite, by using search keywords or phrases. Using the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, a review of published online articles between January 1990 and December 2012 was conducted. Aside from the set of good practice guidelines in conducting economic evaluations, assessment of the quality of economic evaluations was also carried out following the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist.

Results: Given the inclusion and exclusion criteria set by this review, we systematically reviewed thirteen shortlisted samples of economic analysis studies. The current systematic review shows a wide variety of methodological approaches across studies, including differences in the type of economic evaluation, perspective, time horizon, approach, and adjustments for timing and certainty used.

Conclusions: In general, the economic evaluation studies that have been examined in this review have complied with the set of criteria of good practice in conducting an economic evaluation and that it can be considered helpful in making decisions and in understanding the economics of controlling these parasitic diseases.

This study was carried out to analyse the economic feasibility of EPR. A hospital with 500 beds under the construction was selected for this study. The economic effect was performed with cost-benefit analysis for 5 years from the year 1998 to 2002. The results of this study were as follows; The economic effect of EPR was classified into direct benefit, value acceleration, and value linking. Each factor was applied and analyzed step by step. In the analysis including only direct benefit, the net present value and the ratio of benefit to cost were minus 82,920,000 won and 0.8. With this traditional cost-benefit analysis alone, the EPR in hospital can be regarded as very unprofitable. However, when value acceleration was added, the net present value and the ratio of benefit to cost rose to 748,637,000 won and 2.7 respectively. Moreover, when value linking was added, the net present value and the ratio of benefit to cost were 1,473,162,000 won and 4.3, respectively. In the results of this study, as EPR has only direct benefit, EPR can be regarded as unprofitable project. However, when value acceleration and value linking were added, EPR can be profitable project.
Acceleration ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Humans

Discrete event simulation (DES) model is based on individual data, by which discrete events over time are simulated to reflect disease progression. The effects of individual characteristics on disease progression could be considered in the DES model. Moreover, unlike state-transition models, DES model without setting of fixed cycle can contribute to more accurate estimation of event time, especially in the evaluation of the long-term effectiveness of screening strategies for complex diseases in which time dimension needs to be considered. This article introduces the general principles, construction steps, analytic methods and other relevant issues of the DES model. Based on a research case of estimating the cost-effectiveness of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in women aged 65 years and above in the United Kingdom, key points in applications of the DES model in analysis on effectiveness of complex disease screening are discussed in detail, including model construction and analysis and interpretation of the results. DES model can predict occurring time of discrete events accurately by establishing the distribution function of their occurring time and is increasingly used to evaluate the screening strategies for complex diseases in which time dimension needs to be considered. In the construction of DES model, it is necessary to pay close attention to the clear presentation of model structure and simulation process and follow the relevant reporting specification to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis to ensure the transparency and repeatability of the research.
Humans ; Female ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Cost-Effectiveness Analysis ; Disease Progression

During the last four years, the pyrosequencing-based 454 platform has rapidly displaced the traditional Sanger sequencing method due to its high throughput and cost effectiveness. Meanwhile, the Sanger sequencing methodology still provides the longest reads, and paired-end sequencing that is based on that chemistry offers an opportunity to ensure accurate assembly results. In this report, we describe an optimized approach for hybrid de novo genome assembly using pyrosequencing data and varying amounts of Sanger-type reads. 454 platformderived contigs can be used as single non-breakable virtual reads or converted to simpler contigs that consist of editable, overlapping pseudoreads. These modified contigs maintain their integrity at the first jumpstarting assembly stage and are edited by fragmenting and rejoining. Pre-existing assembly software then can be applied for mixed assembly with 454-derived data and Sanger reads. An effective method for identifying genomic differences between reference and sample sequences in whole-genome resequencing procedures also is suggested.
Chimera ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Dietary Sucrose ; Genome

OBJECTIVES: We performed cost-benefit analysis to investigate the benefit of companies dispensary. METHODS: We measured the cost and benefit of running a factory dispensary. This study focused on a factory with well arranged professional health-care staff. The study was carried out during 1995-1997. All the past values of cost and benefit were converted into present value. We used net benefit and cost/benefit ratio as determinants. RESULTS: The net benefit of the object factory dispensary was -73,000,000 Won, and cost/benefit ratio was about 0.65. This result showed no profitability. CONCLUSION: There would be limitation of generalization because this study included only one factory dispensary. As we did not consider many indirect benefits. the benefit portion might be underestimated. We should also think about the possibility of profitability. If one dispensary takes charge of two or more factories. then it can produce sufficient profit. With all of those efforts we dream the days of healthy workers will come.
Cost-Benefit Analysis* ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Running

Environmental pressures from such sources an economic condition, the government and inter-institutional competition create managerial challenges. Economic pressures may be forcing dietetic dept, in hospital to utilize cost, benefit analysis to assist them in their problem solving. Cost, benefit analysis have been widely used in business, industry and many other fields with only limited application to foodservice. Due to the lack or this information the purposes of this study were to identify use of cost, benefit analysis in hospital foodservice system to evaluate the economic efficiency of alternatives, and to make recommendation for operation system change. Using the cost?benefit method, cash flows are separated into cost and benefits. For an alternative to be selected, indicators, such as NPV, benefit-cost ratio (B/C ratio) with 5% discount rate per annum. The sensitivity analysis was also conducted with difference rate 3%, 7% respectively and reduced employee payroll change. The result of this study can be summarized as follows : 1. The total cost of investment for operation system change was 390,570 thousand won and the total benefit through operation system change was 865,808 thousand won. 2. Net present value(NPV) for 5 years was 475,239 thousand won and benefit-cost ratio was 2.22. 3. In sensitivity analysis with different discount rate 3%, 7%, benefit-cost ratio was 2.25, 2.18 respectively, with total reduced employee payroll change, benefit-cost ratio was 2.86. In conclusion, total benefits were exceeded total costs. Therefore, the project of operation system change in hospital foodservice was found to be economically efficient.
Commerce ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Investments ; Problem Solving

No abstract available.
Cost-Benefit Analysis* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

To study health care for the poor in 7 districts, Lao Cai province. Both mechanisms providing health care for the poor, i.e, exemption and health insurance cards have diffculties and inappropriateness. Only have 2.6% of the poor provided with health insurance cards. Even though there have not been different and discriminated among people having health insurance cards, no health care services for people with health insurance cards provided at commune level has made difficulty in access for those people. Without financial support from central budget, it is impossible to buy health insurance cards for all the poor in Lao Cai province due to total amount of money spending for that would be too much compared to budget of the mountainous province.
Delivery of Health Care ; Almshouses ; Cost-Benefit Analysis

Interview about direct cost and record results of screening in 1451 vaccinated people at Tropical Hospital and Medic from 2001 September to 2002 May. All subjects were divided into 2 groups: 933 people in 20-39 years old group and 518 in the group of >40 years old. Results: group of 20-39 years old: the rate of HBV exposure was 55.8%, people in this group have high income and vaccinate themselves. Analysis of sensitivity showed that screening methods predominate. In >40 years old group: rate of HBV exposure was 58.4%. Cost-effective analysis showed that people in this group have to be screening before vaccination. Screening methods are predominant, and it could be chosen without consideration before vaccination
Hepatitis B ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diseases