Journal of General Practice

Patient referral systems are crucial for ensuring that patients receive appropriate and timely care. In South Tyrol, Italy, the implementation of Homogeneous Waiting Group (HWG) criteria aims to streamline this process by categorizing patients based on the urgency and type of care required. This article examines the views of General Practitioners (GPs) and specialists in South Tyrol regarding the function and effectiveness of HWG criteria in patient referrals, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and potential improvements.

Corporate governance plays a critical role in modern business practices, influencing transparency, accountability, and overall corporate performance. In the context of legitimacy theory, corporate governance can mediate the relationship between financial indicators such as net profit and equity, and the extent of voluntary disclosure by a company. This article explores this mediating function, examining how effective corporate governance can enhance a company's legitimacy through improved voluntary disclosure.

Biotechnology has undergone significant advancements over the past few decades, leading to the development of various generations of biological products. Fourth-generation biological products represent the latest innovations, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and advanced genetic engineering techniques. Filamentous fungi, with their diverse metabolic capabilities and ease of genetic manipulation, hold tremendous potential for producing these advanced biological products. This article explores the potential of filamentous fungi in the production of fourth-generation biological products through genetic engineering. Filamentous fungi are a group of fungi characterized by their thread-like structures called hyphae, which form a mycelium. These fungi are found in various environments and play critical roles in decomposing organic matter, nutrient cycling, and symbiotic relationships with plants. Some common examples include species from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Trichoderma.

Aesthesiometry, the measurement of sensory nerve function, has been a critical tool in assessing corneal nerve health and function. The cornea, being one of the most innervated tissues in the human body, is essential for both vision and ocular surface protection. Corneal nerve assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various ocular and systemic diseases. This article explores the history, progress, and future prospects of aesthesiometry in assessing corneal nerve function. The history of corneal nerve assessment dates back to the early 20th century. Initial methods were rudimentary and involved simple mechanical stimulation of the cornea to assess sensitivity.