HR Must Study Personal Economics - A Behavioral Economics Approach

Organizations in both the public and private sectors are increasingly using behavioural economics techniques to address a range of problems, including mechanism design and incentive architecture. Yet, there hasn't been much attention paid to how behavioural economics' experimental techniques might assist businesses in learning more about their (current or potential) workforce, and particularly about the preferences and tendencies of their employees. This has significant ramifications for overall organisational performance because certain designs or incentives may only influence people who share a certain disposition (such as those who are risk-averse or fairness-oriented), but not others, or they may even have the opposite effect on people who have different sets of preferences. In this post, we highlight a variety of intriguing directions for using a behavioural economics lens to comprehend and control employees. Also, a thorough case study is given.

Occult neurovesical dysfunction with anorectal malformations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate for the occurrence of occult NVD in children with anorectal malformations (ARM) using urodynamic evaluation. METHODS: This prospective study was carried out on children with ARM prior to and following definitive procedure. Urodynamic studies were performed on the Phoenix Griffon machine (Albyn Medical) using Phoenix plus software. RESULT: Nineteen children in the age range of 3 months to 156 months (mean = 19.2) were included in this study. Among these 19 children 13 underwent re-evaluation after definitive surgery for ARM. There were 11(57.9%) males and 8(42.1%) females. Of the 19 children 14 (73.7%) were cases of high anorectal malformation (HARM) and 5 (26.3%) were cases of low anorectal malformation (LARM). Baseline evaluation done in 19 children revealed seven urodynamic patterns: Normal capacity, compliant without uninhibited contractions (UIC) (21.1%); Normal capacity, compliant with UIC (5.3%); Normal capacity, poorly compliant without UIC (5.3%); Normal capacity, poorly compliant with UIC (10.5%); small capacity, compliant with UIC (5.3%); Small capacity, poorly compliant with UIC (26.3%) and large capacity, complaint with UIC (26.3%). Thirteen patients were evaluated post operatively also and in only 23% (3 of 13) no change in urodynamic pattern were observed. In the remaining 76.9% (10 of 13) some changes in urodynamics pattern were observed. The deleterious changes observed were appearance of UIC in 30.8% (4 of 13), decrease in the bladder capacity in 23% (3 of 13) and decrease in bladder compliance in 15.4% (2 of 13). CONCLUSION: Only 9 of of the 19 patients had normal urodynamics pre-operatively and post-operatively 3 more patients worsened. Incidence of occult NVD is high in patients with ARM even in the absence of clinical and radiological evidence of vertebral or lower urinary tract abnormalities. Though there seems to be a high incidence of changes in the neurovesical functions of these patients following definitive corrective surgery for ARM only time will show whether this has any deleterious effect on the upper tracts.

Anorectal malformations and their impact on survival.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, types and the effect on outcome of associated anomalies in neonates with anorectal malformations (ARM). METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out on all neonates with ARM admitted to the neonatal surgical intensive care unit (NSICU) from 1998 through 2003. RESULTS: Of the 754 neonates admitted to the NSICU during the study period of 6 years, there were 124 (16.4%) neonates with anorectal malformations. Of these 110 were included in the study. 73 % were male and 27% female. 86% of these were high ARM (HARM) while only 14% were low ARM (LARM). Associated anomalies were seen in 68% of patients. The incidence was 72% for HARM and 50% for LARM. The major associated anomalies consisted of esophageal (13%), gastrointestinal (GIT) (11%), genitourinary (GUT) (32%), skeletal (26%), cardiac (33%) and miscellaneous 26%. The overall survival rate was 84% (82% for HARM and 94% for LARM). The survival among those with associated esophageal anomalies was 43%, GIT 67%, GUT 80%, cardiac 61%, skeletal 76% and miscellaneous 79% respectively. This difference in survival was significant only for those with esophageal (p=0.004) and cardiac anomalies (p=0.0026). The survival rates among those with one, two or more than two organ systems involved with associated anomalies were 88%, 82% and 58% respectively. This difference was significant only for more than two organ systems involvement (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Associated anomalies are common in neonates with ARM, the incidence being similar for HARM and LARM. The survival depends upon the number and severity of associated anomalies both in patients with LARM and HARM. Neonates with more number of organ systems involved have a poorer survival specially when associated with esophageal and cardiac anomalies. All neonates with ARM merit a meticulous search for associated anomalies so that the management can be tailored for each baby.

Intra-abdominal extralobar pulmonary sequestration presenting antenatally as a suprarenal mass.

Extralobar pulmonary sequestration is a rare pulmonary parenchymal anomaly which rarely may be present in an intra-abdominal location. The authors report a case of intra-abdominal extralobar pulmonary sequestration which presented to us as an antenatally diagnosed suprarenal mass and was worked up as such. The diagnosis was revealed only at laparotomy. Intra-abdominal extralobar pulmonary sequestration should also be kept in differential diagnosis in cases of masses in the suprarenal location, especially on the left side.

Diffuse intra-abdominal fibromatosis-report of a new entity with review of literature.

Fibromatosis, arare non-neoplastic spindle cell proliferation of unknown aetiology, can occur anywhere in the body. Though extra-abdominal sites are commonly involved, intra-abdominal fibromatosis has also been described. Described herein is an unusual case of diffuse intra-abdominal fibromatosis in a 9-year-old boy, who could not be salvaged despite extensive medical management.

Urinary citrate excretion in idiopathic nephrolithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine urinary citrate excretion in children with nephrolithiasis and normal controls. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: Tertiary care center in New Delhi. METHODS: This study was done on 50 children, below the age of 12 years, with idiopathic urinary calculi and 150 age and weight matched controls. The children were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (1-4 years), Group 2 (5-8 years) and Group 3 (9-12 years). Urinary citrate was estimated in a 24-hour urine sample using colorimetric method. The stones removed from these children were also analysed. RESULTS: There was a preponderance of urinary stones in males; the highest incidence being in Group 1. Excretion of citrate in 24-hour urine sample was significantly lower in patients compared to controls, for males in all age groups and for females in Group 3. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the urinary citrate value between males and females in a given age group for either controls or patients. The urinary citrate excretion increased with age in patients and controls, but the levels in patients were lower. Depending upon the constituents, four types of stones were identified, calcium phosphate, calcium oxalate, uric acid and magnesium ammonium phosphate. Nine stones had at least more than one major constituent. Hypocitraturia was detected in 43 percent cases. The incidence was 76 percent for calcium phosphate, 87 percent for calcium oxalate, 40 percent for uric acid stones and 50 percent for magnesium ammonium phosphate. CONCLUSION: This study shows that low urinary citrate is associated with urinary stones in children, especially in endemic areas, in the absence of obvious etiological factors. Urinary citrate excretion should be determined in all children with nephrolithiasis.

Cholelithiasis in thalassaemia major.

The incidence of gall stones in thalassaemia is less than that in sickle cell anaemia or hereditary spherocytosis. With adequate blood transfusions, the incidence is as low as 2%. There are not many reports on cholelithiasis in thalassaemia. A case of 24-year-old female with thalassaemia major and gall stone is reported here.

Effect of metronidazole on spermatogenesis and FSH, LH and testosterone levels of pre-pubertal rats.

Metronidazole, a 5-nitroimidazole drug has been reported to decrease testicular weight, testicular and epididymal spermatid counts and causes abnormal sperm morphology with degeneration of seminiferous tubules with 6 weeks treatment of metronidazole (400 mg/kg, day). In contrast to DNA flow cytometry (FCM), the histological and gravimetric parameters do not allow a rapid, sensitive, objective and multiparameteric evaluation of reproductive toxicants on spermatogenesis. Moreover, the exact mechanisms for such an effect are not entirely clear. The present study was therefore undertaken to assess the effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of metronidazole 400 mg/kg daily for 30 days on testicular germ cell changes assessed by DNA (FCM) and hormone levels of testosterone, FSH and LH in pre-pubertal rats. A significant reduction in the haploid cell population in metronidazole treated groups as compared to saline treated controls was observed. The mean serum FSH, LH and testosterone value were also lowered in treated animals. Thus, the spermatotoxic effects of metronidazole were probably mediated by decrease in the circulating hormones responsible for spermatogenesis.

Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament causing cervical cord compression.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is an uncommon cause of compressive myelopathy outside Japan. A case of cervical cord compression in a female whose MRI showed OPLL is reported. T2 weighted MRI images are the most effective to evaluate both spinal cord compression due to ossification and abnormal signal intensity of the cord. OPLL should be included in the differential diagnosis of cervical radiculomyelopathy.

Association between lower hair zinc levels and neural tube defects.

Though folic acid supplementation has reduced the incidence of Neural Tube Defects (NTD), NTD still constitutes one of the important congenital malformations having wide medical, social and ethical implications. Zinc deficiency has been reported to produce NTD in animals. This study was designed to evaluate zinc status of the newborn babies with NTD and their mothers. Eighty newborn babies with NTD and their mothers served as cases. Eighty apparently normal newborn babies and their mothers served as controls. Serum and scalp hair zinc levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean (+/- SD) serum and hair levels in normal mothers were 74.1 +/- 4.1 micrograms/dl and 142.3 +/- 8.0 micrograms/g respectively. The mean (+/- SD) serum and hair levels of the mothers who delivered NTD babies were 75.7 +/- 5.6 micrograms/dl and 129.9 +/- 5.3 micrograms/g respectively. The mean (+/- SD) serum and hair levels in normal newborn babies were 77.8 +/- 5.3 micrograms/dl and 188.8 +/- 6.2 micrograms/g respectively. The mean (+/- SD) serum and hair levels in NTD babies were 80.1 +/- 12.9 micrograms/dl and 174.2 +/- 10.7 micrograms/g respectively. The hair zinc levels of the affected babies and their mothers were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than the controls. This study has found association between NTD and decreased hair zinc levels and large population based studies are recommended to confirm the association between zinc and NTD and to investigate whether zinc supplementation would reduce the overall incidence of NTD.

Duplications of the alimentary tract in children.

This study was conducted to assess the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic approach in patients with alimentary tract duplication and review the relevant literature. A retrospective analysis of 28 patients of alimentary tract duplications treated between January 1990-December 1999 was carried out. There was a male preponderance (25:3); 71% of the patients were under 2 years of age. The presenting features were related to the anatomic location. Three patients were diagnosed antenatally. Real time ultrasonography and CT scan was undertaken for preoperative evaluation in the majority of patients. In selected cases a 99m-Tc-pertechnetate scan and barium meal follow through examination were also performed. Majority of duplications were in the jejunum and ileum. Twenty percent of our patients had thoracoabdominal duplication as compared to 2% reported in literature. Four patients required to be operated upon in the emergency for related complications. In the remaining patients complete excision of the cyst was done in 21 and only mucosectomy in 3 patients. Because these lesions are rare and can present with a wide range of clinical manifestations or may even be encountered intraoperatively, the appropriate surgical management requires the surgeon to be familiar with the anatomy and clinical characteristics of these lesions.

The liver in choledochal cyst.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hepatic changes due to choledochal cyst have not been given due emphasis in the published literature. In this study the gross and microscopic appearance of the liver in patients with choledochal cyst have been correlated with clinical features, liver function tests and postoperative complications. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of patients treated for choledochal cysts between January 1989-December 1998 was undertaken. The case records were reviewed and liver biopsies taken at surgery were analysed. RESULTS: The case records of 22 patients were reviewed (16 girls, 6 boys; mean age 4.6 years, range 1 month-10 years). The presenting features included jaundice (59%; 85.7% in < 1 year), abdominal pain (59%; 86.7% in > 1 years) and fever in 40.9% cases. A palpable abdominal mass and hepatomegaly was present in 32% cases. A type IV cyst was present in 1 case; all others had type I cysts (14 cystic and 7 fusiform). The liver looked grossly 'normal' in 16 and 'cirrhotic' in 6 cases. Liver biopsies were available for review from 5 of the 'cirrhotic' and 7 of the 'normal' looking livers. All the liver biopsies showed varying degrees of bile duct proliferation, cholestasis, parenchymal damage, inflammatory cell infiltration and pericentral fibrosis. Histological features of cirrhosis were evident in 6 cases (4 'cirrhotic' and 2 'normal' looking livers), 4 of these cases were infants. Liver function tests were deranged in 5 cases with histological features of cirrhosis and hepato-biliary scintigraphy showed obstructive features in 3 of these cases. There was an increased risk of postoperative complications in the cases with histological features of cirrhosis, 2 died from hepatic insufficiency and one each had transient ascitic and biliary leak. CONCLUSION: Liver histology showed significant changes in all the cases of choledochal cyst in whom it was studied; even normal looking livers showed evidence of significant changes. Presence of cirrhosis, more common in infants, correlated with jaundice, deranged liver function tests, obstructive features on hepatobiliary scintigraphy and a greater risk of postoperative complications.

Generating finances for the chemotherapy of children with cancer.

BACKGROUND: To develop and evaluate a system of obtaining financial assistance for the treatment of children with solid tumours by involving individual members of society. METHODS: This prospective project was carried out at the Paediatric Solid Tumours Clinic of the Department of Paediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, from January 1994 to December 1998. Donor families were enlisted by talking to affluent people. Families who agreed to help in this effort were told that they could 'adopt' a child for the purpose of his/her treatment and that they should purchase the prescribed chemotherapeutic drugs and give them to the family of the affected child. Therapy was started once the drug was received at the hospital. This process was repeated at each subsequent visit. RESULTS: Of the 291 children with solid tumours registered at the clinic, 45 (15.5%) received financial assistance by this method. The proportion of children receiving financial assistance increased from 8.6% in 1994 to 23% in 1998. Of all those who received assistance, 20 (44.4%) have completed therapy and are surviving, 11 are still on therapy, 12 died and 2 decided to discontinue therapy because of progressive disease. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of this system far outweigh its disadvantages. This method of generating finances for children with cancer can be recommended to all doctors treating such children.

Acute disseminated encehalomyelitis with typhoid fever.

A 45 year old male came with fever, headache, altered sensorium pallor and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Laboratory investigations confirmed typhoid fever. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was suggestive of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

Esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula: a review.

The improved survival of neonates with esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula reflects the advancement in neonatal care and anaesthesia over the years. Chick embryo studies have given new insights in the embryopathy of esophageal atresia. It is now apparent that the various types of esophageal atresia could be explained due to selective discrepancy in the growth of the 3 folds in the region of tracheo-esophageal separation. The early disturbances in organogenesis which result in esophageal atresia also lead to other associated anomalies, the incidence of which varies from 40 to 55%. These anomalies have an important bearing on the survival outcome. The physiological aspects of esophageal atresia such as esophageal dysmotility and gastro-esophageal reflux are also vital in the long term and proper treatment of the associated defects. The criteria for an ideal esophageal substitute in long gap esophageal atresia have been determined and several options are now available with good results, such as: gastric transposition, colon, gastric tube and small intestine. IN developing countries, however, a high mortality is still attributed to late referrals, low birth weight, hypothermia and chest infection.

Congenital true pancreatic cyst: presentation and management.

Congenital true pancreatic cyst is a very rare cause of a cystic lesion of the pancreas comprising less than 1% of all pancreatic cysts. Most of these are reported in children less than 2 years of age. Described here is a case of congenital true pancreatic cyst in a 6 years old girl with the clinical, radiological and pathological details and the surgical treatment.

Endocrinological parameters in experimental unilateral undescended testis.

It is a common clinical practice to estimate FSH, LH and testosterone levels in patients with unilateral undescended testis (U/L UDT) as a prognostic pointer to fertility potential. Is this practice correct? To ascertain this aspect, new born rats were operated to create experimental U/L UDT by gubernaculectomy and anchoring the gubernaculum to anterior abdominal wall. Fertility and hormone levels were evaluated later in adult life. Though fertility of rats with U/L UDT was significantly less (p < 0.01) than the controls, no significant alterations were found in the levels of serum testosterone, FSH and LH. Even though variations in the hormone levels may be responsible, to a certain extent, for the decrease in fertility potential in U/L UDT, estimation of sex hormone levels in U/L UDT is not a sensitive indicator of fertility potential. U/L UDT may additionally be affecting fertility through non-endocrinological mechanisms.