bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prospective study of anaesthesia for quinsy tonsillectomy
Authors: FAGAN J. J. , JAMES M. F. M.
Published: February 2007

A prospective study of 50 adult quinsy tonsillectomy anaesthetics was performed. There were no significant anaesthetic or surgical complications and the mean intra‐operative blood loss was 176 ml. The Mallampati score did not correlate with the Cormack and Lehane glottic view and there were no difficult intubations. Pre‐operative trismus resolved completely during induction in 77.4% of cases. We concluded that the Mallampati grading system is not applicable in quinsies and in cases with palatopharyngeal arch distortion, that trismus in quinsies is due to muscle spasm and resolves completely during induction in most cases and that pre‐anaesthetic drainage of the abscess together with rehydration and antibiotics are important contributing factors to safe anaesthesia for quinsy.
The effect of different end‐tidal volatile agent and carbon dioxide concentrations upon the incidence of postoperative shivering
Authors: HARWOOD R. J. , SINGH P. , CARTWRIGHT D. P. , CROSSLEY A. W. A.
Published: February 2007

Sixty patients (47 female) undergoing surgical excision of three or more wisdom teeth were randomly allocated into three groups with differing end‐tidal carbon dioxide and volatile agent concentrations during maintenance of anaesthesia. The anaesthetic techniques employed were identical in all other respects. All patients were observed for 10 min after arrival in the recovery area to assess the presence and severity of shivering, axillary temperature and oxygen saturation. There were no significant differences in axillary temperatures between groups or between shivering and non‐shivering patients, although there was a significant difference (p = 0.001) in duration of anaesthesia between shivering and non‐shivering patients. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to the incidence of shivering (p = 0.96)
An evaluation of the Universal PAC and Oxford Miniature Vaporizers for paediatric field anaesthesia
Authors: CRAIG G. R. , BERRY C. B. , YEATS M. J.
Published: February 2007

A laboratory study has demonstrated that the Universal PAC and Oxford Miniature Vaporizers can be used for paediatric anaesthesia in drawover mode at varying ambient temperatures. Changes in tidal volume have minimal effect on the delivered concentration of halothane from either vaporizer but varying ambient temperature significantly affects the output of the Oxford Miniature Vaporizer. The Oxford performs well in continuous flow mode, which is of particular use for T‐piece anaesthesia, whereas the Universal PAC does not perform adequately in this way.
Case reports Toxic epidermal necrolysis with adult respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Wallis C. , McClymont W.
Published: February 2007

A severe case of drug‐induced toxic epidermal necrolysis is described in which the adult respiratory distress syndrome developed, requiring a prolonged period of mechanical ventilation and intensive care. The importance of early transfer to the intensive care unit for monitoring and prompt treatment of complications of this rare condition is emphasised.
An assessment of morphine requirement after wisdom tooth extraction under general anaesthesia
Authors: Tighe K. E. , Gillan G. , Korczak P. K. J. , Crossley A. W. A.
Published: February 2007

The use of morphine delivered by a patient‐controlled analgesia system was studied in 20 patients who had undergone surgical extraction of three or four wisdom teeth as inpatients. Whilst 64.3% of the patient requests were made in the first 8 postoperative hours, use of the system continued throughout the night in the majority of patients. The implications for analgesic regimens in day‐case surgery are discussed.
What changes drug metabolism in critically ill patients?—II Serum inhibits the metabolism of midazolam in human microsomes
Authors: PARK G. R. , MILLER E. , NAVAPURKAR V.
Published: February 2007

Serum samples from fire critically ill patients were incubated with microsomes prepared from three human livers. The activity of cytochrome P450 3A4 was assessed by measuring the disappearance of midazolam and the appearance of 1‐hydroxy midazolam in the incubates. Significant inhibition of the ability of this enzyme to metabolise midazolam was seen. This occurred in incubates containing serum samples from critically ill patients and not in those containing serum from two normal volunteers. The mechanism of this inhibition is unknown, but several possibilities are discussed.
Re‐establishment of paralysis using mivacurium following apparent full recovery from mivacurium‐induced neuromuscular block
Authors: KOPMAN A. F. , MALLHI M. U. , NEUMAN G. G. , JUSTO M. D.
Published: February 2007

Recent published data suggest that despite apparently satisfactory recovery from nondepolarising block (train‐of‐four ratios in excess of 0.90), even very small doses of additional relaxant may re‐establish significant paralysis. We sought to verify this observation and quantify its magnitude. Twelve adult patients were studied under nitrous oxide‐propofol‐opioid anaesthesia and neuromuscular block was monitored electromyographically. Train‐of‐four stimuli were delivered to the ulnar nerve every 20s throughout the period of observation. After baseline stabilisation, an initial bolus of mivacurium 25 μg.kg‐1 was administered and the twitch depression noted. When the twitch was stable for two consecutive stimuli, a second bolus, calculated to produce approximately 90% twitch depression, was administered. Recovery was then allowed to proceed spontaneously until the train‐of‐four ratio reached 0.95. At that time a second 25 μg.kg ‐1 dose was administered and the effect on twitch height recorded. Using the slope for the log‐dose/logit dose‐response relationship of mivacurium (5.5), it was possible to estimate any change in the ED50 of mivacurium. The control ED50 of mivacurium (calculated from the initial dose of mivacurium) averaged 43 μg.kg‐1. When the same dose of drug was given at 95% recovery of the train‐of‐four ratio, the ED50 was reduced to 19 μg.kg ‐1 (p < 0.0001). Hence, there remains a considerable reduction in the neuromuscular margin of safety even at a train‐of‐four ratio of 0.95.
Analysis of 1500 laryngeal mask uses by one anaesthetist in adults undergoing routine anaesthesia
Authors: Brimacombe J.
Published: February 2007

An analysis of 1500 laryngeal mask airway uses by one anaesthetist using the standard insertion technique was conducted to determine successful insertion rates, position by fibreoptic laryngoscopy, complication rates and whether there is a long‐term learning curve. The correlation between laryngeal mask airway placement and modified Mallampati grade was also determined. The first time insertion rate was 95.5% with an overall failure rate after three attempts of 0.4%. One hundred and fifteen patients were Mallampati III or IV. All failed placements were Mallampati I or II. Problems occurred in 94 patients (6.27%), but oxygen saturation decreased below 90% on only ten occasions and below 80% on one occasion. There were no episodes of regurgitation. The vocal cords were visible from the mask aperture bars in 97.1%. Comparison of insertion rates, fibreoptic position and complications for the first and second 750 insertions provides evidence for a‘long’term learning curve. These data could he used as a guide for‘optimal’or expected successful laryngeal mask airway insertion rates in adults undergoing routine anaesthesia.
The effect of extradural ketamine on onset time and sensory block in extradural anaesthesia with bupivacaine
Authors: Yanli Y. , Eren A.
Published: February 2007

In a randomised, double blind study of 30 patients, we have compared two regimens for extradural anaesthesia: 20 ml bupivacaine 0.5%, 25mg (0.5ml) ketamine, 1 in 200 000 adrenaline; and 20 ml bupivacaine 0.5%, 0.5 ml 0.9% saline, 1 in 200 000 adrenaline. The main outcome measures were onset time to acceptable bilateral anaesthesia and postoperative analgesic duration. The time to onset of anaesthesia was reduced by 8 min in the bupivacaine‐ketamine group compared with the bupivacaine alone group. In addition, the anaesthetic levels were two segments higher in the bupivacaine‐ketamine group (T7 versus T9). Side effects were similar in both groups and there was no significant difference in postoperative analgesic requirements between the two groups. The addition of ketamine to bupivacaine given epidurally appears to be useful in the reduction of onset time to blockade.
Enhancement of pressor response to ephedrine following clonidine medication
Authors: TANAKA M. , NISHIKAWA T.
Published: February 2007

We studied pressor responses and changes in plasma catecholamine concentrations following two consecutive doses of ephedrine 0.1 mg.kg‐1 with (n = 20) and without (n = 20) clonidine 5 μg.kg‐1 premedication in patients presenting for a variety of major surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured at 1 min intervals for 10 min, and plasma catecholamines were measured before and 3 min after each dose of ephedrine. Mean blood pressure changes from the baseline values were greater in the clonidine than in the control group 3–8 min and 4–9 min following the first and the second doses of ephedrine, respectively (p < 0.05). Plasma catecholamine concentrations tended to be lower in the clonidine group throughout the study. The augmented pressor response to ephedrine in clonidine‐treated patients can be attributed to enhanced cardiovascular response rather than clonidine‐induced accumulation and subsequent increased release of catecholamine.
Evaluation of two electrochemical monitors for measurement of inhaled nitric oxide
Authors: STRAUSS J. M. , KROHN S. , SüMPELMANN R. , SCHRöDER D. , BARNERT R.
Published: February 2007

Inhaled in low concentrations, nitric oxide (NO) acts as a potent pulmonary vasodilator, but when inhaled in high concentrations NO and its metabolite NO2 are potentially toxic molecules. Thus, an accurate and reproducible measurement of both NO and NO2 is necessary, and changes in NO concentration need to be detected instantly to avoid lung damage (high concentrations) or failure of NO therapy (low concentrations; unnoticed interruption of NO supply). We investigated two electrochemical NO monitors (Sensor Stik 4586 and Dräger PAC II)for accuracy and time constants. Both provided accurate and reproducible results at different NO concentrations. Known NO concentrations (standards: 10, 50, 75ppm) were detected within a 3% tolerance, and acceptable time constants were seen when NO concentration was abruptly increased from zero to 50 ppm. The display read the final value within 60s with the Sensor Stik and lls with the Dräger PAC II. Significant differences were seen when the NO concentration was rapidly reduced from 50 ppm to zero. The Sensor Stik took more than 2 h to reach zero, whereas the PAC II took 60s.
Cricoid pressure: are two hands better than one?
Authors: COOK T. M.
Published: February 2007

One hundred and twenty patients were studied to compare the view of the larynx at laryngoscopy with one ‐ or two‐handed cricoid pressure applied. A blinded crossover technique was employed. When the grade of laryngeal view achieved with either type of cricoid pressure was compared using a 4‐point scale there was no significant difference. However, when the views were compared with greater discrimination the laryngeal view achieved with one‐handed cricoid pressure was significantly better than that seen with two‐handed cricoid pressure. There was no significant difference between the groups in the need for a gum elastic bougie to facilitate intubation. A two‐handed technique has been advocated to improve intubation conditions when cricoid pressure is required. It has several disadvantages, its efficacy has not been proven and this study suggests it does not improve the view at laryngoscopy. Two‐handed cricoid pressure should no longer be advocated unless an advantage over one‐handed cricoid pressure can be shown.
Acid aspiration prophylaxis for emergency Caesarean section
Authors: STUART J. C. , KAN A. F. , ROWBOTTOM S. J. , YAU G. , GIN T.
Published: February 2007

Over a 3.5 year period, 384 patients requiring emergency Caesarean section under general anaesthesia received at random one of six acid aspiration prophylaxis regimens as soon as the decision was made for surgery. In the first phase of the study, sodium citrate administered orally 0.3 M, 30 ml (group C, n = 120) was compared with metoclopramide 10 mg administered intravenously and sodium citrate (group MC, n = 65). In the second phase, all patients received sodium citrate, and either intravenous administration of ranitidine 50 mg (group RC, n = 50), omeprazole 40 mg (group OC, n = 50), ranitidine 50 mg with metoclopramide 10 mg (group RMC, n = 50) or omeprazole 40 mg with metoclopramide 10 mg (group OMC, n = 49). Gastric contents were aspirated using a 16 FG Salem sump tube and acidity measured with a pH meter. Non‐parametric tests were used for comparisons. There was no difference in gastric volume or pH between groups C and MC, or among OC, RC, OMC and RMC. After pooling the data, median (range) gastric volume in groups C and MC (55(0–360) ml) was greater than in groups OMC and RMC (40(3–270) ml, p < 0.05). Median (range) pH was lower in groups C and MC (4.97(0.76–6.99)) than in groups OC, RC, OMC and RMC (5.76(1.11–7.5), p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with pH < 3.5 and volume > 25 ml in the C and MC groups (43/185) was greater than that in the OC, RC, OMC and RMC groups (18/199, p < 0.001). Ranitidine and omeprazole administered intravenously were equally effective adjuncts to sodium citrate in reducing gastric acidity for emergency Caesarean section. Compared with sodium citrate alone, the addition of either ranitidine, omeprazole or metoclopramide alone did not reduce gastric volume while small reductions in gastric volume were seen with the addition of metoclopramide and either ranitidine or omeprazole.
The addition of tenoxicam to prilocaine for intravenous regional anaesthesia
Authors: JONES N. C. , PUGH S. C.
Published: February 2007

The analgesic effects of tenoxicam 20 mg added to prilocaine in a standard Bier's block (group 2) was studied in 45 patients who had their Colles’fractures reduced under intravenous regional anaesthesia, and compared both to a control group (group 1), and to a group who received a standard Bier's block combined with the same dose of tenoxicam given intravenously into the contralateral arm (group 3). Patients in group 2 obtained significantly better analgesia than group 1, as judged by a longer time before first additional analgesia was required (p < 0.05), less total analgesic consumption (p < 0.01), and lower pain scores (p < 0.01). These benefits were not obtained by patients in group 3.
Akathisia following low‐dose droperidol for antiemesis in day‐case patients
Authors: Foster P. N. , Stickle B. R. , Laurence A. S.
Published: February 2007

Akathisia has been described following the use of droperidol for antiemetic prophylaxis. In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, we investigated both the incidence of akathisia and its relationship to the dose of droperidol (0.5 or 1 mg). One hundred and twenty healthy women undergoing day‐case gynaecological surgery were anaesthetised with propofol, fentanyl, isoflurane and droperidol according to group. Patients were assessed by structured telephone interview at 24 h. There was an increasing incidence of both restlessness (p = 0.01) and unpleasant restlessness (p = 0.02) between the groups on Chi‐squared testing. Compared to the control group, those women given droperidol 1 mg suffered more restlessness (p = 0.001) and unpleasant restlessness (p < 0.01). No statistical difference could be demonstrated between the two droperidol groups. We conclude that droperidol may commonly cause akathisia and may not, therefore, be an appropriate prophylactic antiemetic for day‐case anaesthesia.
Improvements in anaesthetic care resulting from a critical incident reporting programme
Authors: SHORT T. G. , O'REGAN A. , JAYASURIYA J. P. , ROWBOTTOM M. , BUCKLEY T. A. , OH T. E.
Published: February 2007

The rôle of an anaesthetic incident reporting programme in improving anaesthetic safety was studied. The programme had been running for 4 to 5 years in three large hospitals in Hong Kong and more than 1000 incidents have been reported. The number of reports being made and frequency of the various categories of incident reported, did not alter during the study period. Sixty nine percent of incidents were considered to be preventable. Human error contributed to 76% of incidents and violations of standard practice to 30% of incidents. The programme was effective in its ability to detect latent errors in the anaesthesia system and when these were corrected, incidents did not recur. The frequency with which various contributing factors were cited did not decrease with time. With the exception of problems dealt with by specific protocol development, the study found no evidence that an increasing awareness of the problem of human error was effective in reducing this kind of problem.
The use of a non‐invasive method to measure intrapulmonary shunt during one‐lung anaesthesia
Authors: DINGLEY J. , HOPE D. A. , VAUGHAN R. S.
Published: February 2007

The Non Invasive Virtual Shunt computer program has previously been described and validated. The system has subsequently been developed to give a real time, continuous trace of virtual shunt. A portable computer connected to routine monitoring equipment displays a plot of virtual shunt updated every 10 s. A practical use of this device in the clinical setting of one‐lung anaesthesia is described. The equipment was used to monitor shunt before, during and after surgery in three patients. In one case, a displaced double lumen bronchial tube was detected before there was any other indication of the problem.
A study of the brightness of laryngoscope light
Authors: SKILTON R. W. H. , PARRY D. , G. J. ARTHURS, FRCA  , HILES P.
Published: February 2007

We have measured the brightness (luminance) of the light spot produced by 105 Macintosh 3 laryngoscope blades (33 bulb, 72 fibrelight) using a Hagner photometer. An estimate of the minimum luminance required for laryngoscopy (circa. 100cd.m‐2), was determined using a laryngoscope adapted to provide a variable light output. Five (15%) of bulb blades and 24 (33%) of the fibrelight blades failed to meet this minimum level. A new bulb blade produced brighter lighting conditions (maximum 700cd.m‐2) than a new fibrelight blade (max. 500cd.m‐2). In total, 61 (84%) of the fibrelight blades and three (9%) of the bulb blades were found to provide a light spot that encompassed areas of luminance below 30cd.m‐2, which is a level for comfortable reading. The light spot from a mains‐powered fibreoptic bronchoscope was found to be four times brighter (2000cd.m‐2) than a new battery‐powered fibrelight laryngoscope.
Hydrogen peroxide: an unusual cause of arterial and venous gas embolism
Authors: Neff S. P. W. , Zulueta L. , Miller R.
Published: February 2007

A patient undergoing minor orthopaedic surgery suffered from unexpected arterial and venous gas embolism caused by hydrogen peroxide. We describe our management of the case and emphasise the need for continued vigilance during the use of hydrogen peroxide.
Iatrogenic vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Stock U. , Link J. , P. Dütschke MD
Published: February 2007

Arteriovenous fistulae originating from the vertebral artery are rare. We report a patient in whom a vertebral artery‐jugular venous fistula developed following insertion of a central venous catheter via the internal jugular vein. The fistula was successfully occluded surgically.
A comparison of the recovery characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane in children
Authors: SURY M. R. J. , BLACK A. , HEMINGTON L. , HOWARD R. , HATCH D. J. , MACKERSIE A.
Published: February 2007

The recovery characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane anaesthesia were compared in 40 children aged 6 months to 6 years undergoing day case surgery. The mean time taken to open eyes after surgery had ended was appreciably and significantly shorter after sevoflurane than after halothane (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 7 min 52s (5 min 46s), halothane, mean time (SD) 15 min 50 s (9 min 2 s), t = 3.32, p = 0.002). The time taken to be ready, for discharge from the recovery unit to the ward was also significantly shorter after sevoflurane than after halothane (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 12 min 46s (4 min 11 s), halothane, mean time (SD) 19 min 13 s (9 min 48 s), t = 2.7, p < 0.01). However, more children were in pain and given analgesia after sevoflurane (p < 0.01) and the mean time to reach the criteria for discharge home was similar in both groups (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 2h 9 min (17 min), halothane, mean time (SD) 2h 4 min (8 min)). There were no major complications in either group.
Analgesia for day surgery
Authors: Chan A. , Doré C. J. , Ramachandra V.
Published: February 2007

One hundred patients undergoing breast lump excision using a standard anaesthetic technique in the Day Care Unit were randomly divided into five groups. Groups A and B received either saline or diclofenac in a double blinded, fashion before and at the end of the procedure, with both groups receiving 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine infiltration at the end. Groups C and D also received saline or diclofenac before and after surgery but had no bupivacaine infiltration at the end. Group E did not receive any injections but had bupivacaine infiltration at the end of surgery. In the postoperative period, pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale at 30 min intervals until discharge. All patients were requested to complete a pain relief questionnaire over the 48 h following surgery. There were highly significant differences between those who received bupivcaine and those who did not in the visual analogue scale scores at 30min (p < 0.001), 60 min (p < 0.001), 120 min postoperatively (p = 0.02) and at discharge (p = 0.03). Pain scores were lower in those who received bupivacaine and they were less likely to request rescue medication, although this did not reach significance (p = 0.07). There were significant differences between the groups who received bupivacaine and diclofenac injection and those who received bupivacaine alone, for visual analogue scale scores at 60 min following surgery (p = 0.05) and at 48 h (p = 0.002). Pain relief was better in those patients who received both bupivacaine and diclofenac injection. Although not significant (p = 0.22). fewer patients required rescue medication when diclofenac was given before surgery (10%) rather than after surgery (22.5%). Fewer patients had a fair amount or a great deal of pain in the 48 h following surgery when diclofenac was injected before (7.5%) rather than after surgery (12.5%). The mean number of oral analgesics taken in the 48 h after surgery was also lower in those patients who had the diclofenac before the surgery rather than after.
An investigation of the potential morphine sparing effect of midazolam
Authors: GILLILAND H. E. M. , PRASAD B. K. , MIRAKHUR R. K. , FEE J. P. H.
Published: February 2007

The effect of a bolus and continuous infusion of midazolam on postoperative morphine consumption was assed in a placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, randomly allocated trial of 50 patients undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy. Patients in the trial group received a bolus dose of midazolam 5 mg.70 kg‐1 at induction followed by an infusion at a rate of 1 mg.70 kg h‐1 over the next 48h. Morphine consumption in the midazolam group was scientifically lower in the first 12 h postoperatively. (p < 0.02) but there was no significant difference between the two groups thereafter. Patients in the midazolam treated group had lower pain scores over the first 24 h. Also, a significantly greater number of patients in the midazolam group required no antiemetic medication over the 48 h study period (p < 0.05). Assessment of sedation revealed no significant difference between groups. We conclude that low dose midazolam has a significant, but short‐lived, morphine sparing effect.
Spinal needle damage during routine clinical practice
Authors: BENHAM M.
Published: February 2007

This study investigated whether the tips of spinal needles are damaged during the process of spinal anaesthesia by impact on bone, by repeated attempts at performing the block or by the use of an introducer. Used spinal needles from five different hospitals were carefully resheathed after use and a questionnaire completed. The needles were examined under a light microscope with the observer unaware of the questionnaire data. Two hundred and twenty‐two needles were examined, of which 36 were damaged. Five unused control needles of each type were also examined and all were found to be undamaged. There was no significant difference between the damaged and undamaged used needles with respect to impacts on bone or the number of attempts. Pajunk 24G Sprotte needles were significantly less likely to sustain damage when the integral introducer was used as compared to an alternative introducer.
Blue light inhibits guard cell plasma membrane anion channels in a phototropin‐dependent manner
Authors: Marten Holger , Hedrich Rainer , Roelfsema M. Rob G.
Published: February 2007

Guard cells respond to light through two independent signalling pathways. The first pathway is initiated by photosynthetically active radiation and has been associated with changes in the intercellular CO2 concentration, leading to inhibition of plasma membrane anion channels. The second response is blue‐light‐specific and so far has been restricted to the activation of plasma membrane H+‐ATPases. In a search for interactions of both signalling pathways, guard cells of Vicia faba and Arabidopsis thaliana were studied in intact plants. Vicia faba guard cells recorded in CO2‐free air responded to blue light with a transient outward plasma membrane current that had an average peak value of 17 pA. In line with previous reports, changes in the current–voltage relation of the plasma membrane indicate that this outward current is based on the activation of H+‐ATPases. However, when V. faba guard cells were blue‐light‐stimulated in air with 700 μl l−1 CO2, the outward current increased to 56 pA. The increase in current was linked to inhibition of S‐type anion channels. Blue light also inhibited plasma membrane anion channels in A. thaliana guard cells, but not in the phot1 phot2 double mutant. These results show that blue light inhibits plasma membrane anion channels through a pathway involving phototropins, in addition to the stimulation of guard cell plasma membrane H+‐ATPases.
ENGLISH AS A WORLD LANGUAGE AND AS A MOTHER TONGUE
Authors: CLOSE R. A.
Published: February 2007

The universal demand for English, and the present world dominance of it, have developed only in the last four or five decades. It has sometimes been claimed that the British Council and comparable American agencies have been responsible for this development; but in fact those Anglo‐Saxon organizations did not start it. Rather, they have accelerated a movement that had begun before they were born.
UNHAPPY PROFESSIONALISM
Authors: GEORGE H. V.
Published: February 2007

Senhor Romero, a Portuguese, and Herr Svensson, a Swede, want to exchange information. The Portuguese language is a barrier to the Swede, as Swedish is to the Portuguese. What can they do?

1. They can pay a translater/interpreter.

2. Sr. Romero can learn Swedish or Hr. Svensson can learn Portuguese.

3. They can use a third language which both know.
AN EXPERIMENT IN TEAM TEACHING
Authors: MIYAZAKI TOMOKO
Published: February 2007

The English teachers at Showa Women's University Junior and Senior High Schools, Tokyo, have been searching for a more efficient English‐teaching method for a long time. We are using a ‘team teaching’ programme to motivate the students to learn to use English in their school environment. This particular scheme involves two teachers, teaching simultaneously in these same classroom. Each team is made up of one Japanese teacher of English and one native speaker. Our students are 13 and 14 years old and are junior high school first graders.
THE SUMMARY
Authors: SMITHIES MICHAEL
Published: February 2007

In summarizing a passage, the writer has to select the main points and to some extent reformulate them in coherent sentences. That sounds simple enough, but in practice it is far more difficult, particularly when dealing with tautly‐written technical prose. Yet the ability to select facts or arguments and rank them in order of importance is one of the hallmarks of an educated person, if by that is understood a manipulator rather than a regurgitator of ideas. The summary can show if the passage to be summarized has been understood as a whole, if the main points have been correctly discerned, and if they can be reassembled into meaningful prose. It is, in short, a meaningful test of linguistic comprehension and manipulation, as well as an area for the practice of logic and deduction.
HOW TO DEVELOP COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TESTS
Authors: CARROLL BRENDAN J.
Published: February 2007

It is often said that the moves towards realism and communication in the teaching of language are not being matched by developments in language testing; that we are having to test progress in ‘communicative’ learning programmes by tests built on ‘structural’ lines. Perhaps in no other area of language teaching is the ‘form versus function’ battle being more vigorously waged. And yet, in spite of the difficulty of reconciling the demands of realism and the requirements of scientific measurement, there are now several tests or examinations being developed to bring the broad ideas of functionalism into practical classroom use. I hope in a series of short articles to describe the broad ideas of communicative testing and to show how these ideas can be translated into actual test items in actual tests. One of the criticisms of my recent book Testing Communicative Performance (Pergamon Press, 1980) has gone something like this: ‘The general ideas are all very fine, but let us see the actual tests before we can judge for ourselves if those ideas are practicable.’
‘LOST IN A MAZE’: A GAME FOR ADULT LEARNERS
Authors: COOK VIVIAN J.
Published: February 2007

‘Lost in a Maze’ is a game that I have used successfully with intermediate adult students. Briefly, it requires the students to find their way out of a maze.
ON THE USE OF AN INDIGENOUS MODEL FOR TEACHING ENGLISH IN NIGERIA
Authors: EKONG PAMELA
Published: February 2007

Recent changes in social, political and educational direction within Nigeria have given rise to the need to define and describe a standard variety of Nigerian spoken English (NSE) for use as a teaching model. Old models, which existed in the form of large numbers of native English‐speaking teachers, are no longer present in the country. The functions of the English language have changed and urban drift has led to the development of new varieties of spoken English. There is now a need for a new model, relevant to and attainable by the present Nigerian learner of English, for use in the schools as well as by society at large. A variety of English taken from within the local environment can meet this need.
‘JIFFLING THE JOBBLE’, OR THE USE OF NONSENSE AND OTHER DEVICES IN THE TEACHING OF READING
Authors: O'NEILL ROBERT
Published: February 2007

The following story contains a number of words which do not exist. ‘What on earth have they to do with the development of reading skill?’, you may ask. Quite a lot, as you will discover if you try to read the whole story before deciding what the nonsense words mean.

Yesterday evening I jiffled a very bad jobble on my way home. A car in front of me was yabbling left when a car coming from the opposite boondrom jaffled into him. The driver of the car in front of me tried to kibble his brakes but there just wasn't enough time. There was a terrible hummelling and jummelling of metal when the other car ran into him. Both cars were terrible blandraggled in the jobble. I didn't stop to see if anybody had been killed. I hope not.
ADVANCED READING SKILLS
Authors: BARR PAULINE , CLEGG JOHN , WALLACE CATHERINE
Published: February 2007

Writers of texbooks published since the beginning of 1978 are invited to submit 1000 word articles discussing the principles underlying their work and accompanied by two pages from the book in question. The articles should be problem‐based, not advertisements, and the extracts should be in a form suitable for reproduction without redrawing. Writers will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions.
MAKING THE MOST OF AUTHENTIC MATERIALS
Authors: POTTER MIKE
Published: February 2007

Organising teaching materials in such a way as to maximise motivation for learning, and to do so within an effective framework, is a preoccupation familiar not only to textbook and materials writers, but to all teachers who wish to realise their full creative potential in the classroom and to engage learners actively in the learning process. There is a need to select materials which provide a challenge to the students and are relevant to the purpose for which they are learning the language, and at the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the materials concerned succeed in forming the pattern of an integrated lesson or course book unit.
ENGLISH AND ‘ENGLISHES’: THE EXPANDING TEFL/TESL MARKET
Authors: WILLMOTT MICHAEL B.
Published: February 2007

Why is English the most obviously viable candidate as a world language? Or is it? Does this opening sentence beg the question of the real position of English in the world today? What are the criteria by which one might state that English is the language of international communication, and is likely to become more rather than less important in that role?
THE SCIENCE ‘ANGLISTIK’: ENGLISH STUDIES AT WEST GERMAN UNIVERSITIES
Authors: LOVEDAY LEO
Published: February 2007

What follows is a personal analysis of some of the problems connected with the teaching of English at universities in the Federal Republic of Germany. These observations will be of interest not only to those actively engaged in the German educational system but also to those who are interested in the nature and function of university courses in English.
JAMES HAMILTON AND C.V.A. MARCEL: A REVIEW OF LANGUAGE TEACHING IN THE 1820's
Authors: TICKOO MAKHAN L.
Published: February 2007

The need and the answer‘I know not how it is’, said Matthew Arnold ‘but their commerce with the ancients appears to me to produce, in those who constantly practise it, a steadying and composing effect upon their judgement …’ Arnold went on to say that such people are, ‘more truly than others, under the empire of facts’.
WHY TEACH LEXIS ONLY FROM TEXTS?
Authors: RINVOLUCRI MARIO
Published: February 2007

At the RSA trainers' and examiners' meeting in Saffron Walden in September 1978 the seventy or more participants came to a general consensus that lexis teaching is an area in which the EFL profession is rather weak. The conference report says: ‘More and more teachers are becoming convinced of the central importance of vocabulary teaching. But, as the discussions at Saffron Walden showed, we are still far from the point where a majority of TEFL' specialists possess the kind of theoretical background which could sustain substantial developments in teaching method’.
USING SMALL GROUPS IN THE FOREIGN‐LANGUAGE CLASSROOM
Authors: NUNAN DAVID
Published: February 2007

Many books have been written on the value of small groups in the educational system. Most of these, using models developed in the field of social psychology, spend a great deal of time discussing group dynamics; for example, the technical problems involved in forming groups, how to handle interpersonal conflicts, the development of cooperation and the development of hierarchies, roles, etc. I propose to leave aside these theoretical issues and discuss some specific ways in which small groups may be used in the foreign‐language classroom.
READING AND COMMUNICATION: USING AUTHENTIC MATERIALS
Authors: GILLETT A. J.
Published: February 2007

Writers of textbooks published since the beginning of 1978 are invited to submit 1000 word articles discussing the principles underlying their work and accompanied by two pages from the book in question. The articles should be problem‐based, not advertisements, and the extracts should be in a form suitable for reproduction without redrawing. Writers will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions.

In the October 1981 issue of World Language English (Author's Platform), Ian Dunlop suggests that ‘guessing the meaning of words form the context’ (p. 50) is not the answer to students' reading problems. He then proceeds to give examples of how to teach reading in the classroom. I would like to suggest that guessing the meanings of words from the context is an essential part of learning a language and in particular is a necessary part of learning to read. I also think that the types of reading activity proposed by Dunlop on page 52 support my suggestion.
USING GRADED READERS
Authors: CARRIER MIKE
Published: February 2007

Graded readers have been around for some time but very often, unfortunately, they have been the poor relation in the family of English teaching aids, fitted into the lesson ‘faute de mieux’. At their worst, they are regarded as poor substitutes for real literature and at their best as gap fillers. Much of this criticism has often been the result of the content and presentation of the readers themselves, since many consist of stories and subjects which are particularly unmotivating in an age of purpose‐specific English. But a significant reason is also undoubtedly teachers' ignorance of what readers are and how they can be used very effectively. In short, graded readers have perhaps not been given a fair deal, so let us start from the beginning to establish just what they are and how they can be usefully exploited.
THE LEARNER CENTRED APPROACH: HOW CAN THE TEXTBOOK HELP?
Authors: DEAN MICHAEL
Published: February 2007

Writers of textbooks published since the beginning of 1978 are invited to submit 1000 word articles discussing the principles underlying their work and accompanied by two pages from the book in question. The articles should be problem‐based, not advertisements, and the extracts should be in a form for reproduction without redrawing. Writers will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions.
Twin perspectives and multi‐ecosystems: tradition for a commonwealth writer
Authors: THUMBOO EDWIN
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT: The use of English by writers in non‐Anglo‐Saxon areas such as India, Africa, and the West Indies is expanding and has led to an astounding growth of new literatures in English. This paper discusses the issue of multiple literary traditions, each of which is marked by particular linguistic, literary, and aesthetic preoccupations that constitute what can be conveniently called a literary ecology. In a crucial sense, the writer of the new literatures is enveloped by multi‐ecosystems. He inhabits two cultures, is exposed to twin perspectives which he has to reconcile and use creatively. To understand, appreciate and assess the new literatures in English, it is necessary to examine the differences between the total ecosystem which formed and nourished the writer and the new literary sub‐ecosystem he enters into when he enters a language such as English which is relatively new to his society. In this context, it is possible to respond appropriately to the way different writers relate to their societies and embody the texture of thought and feeling in particular ecosystems.
Target language variation and second‐language acquisition: learning English in New York City
Authors: EISENSTEIN MIRIAM R.
Published: February 2007

Abstract: The role of dialect variation in the acquisition of American English by adult second language learners was investigated. Subjects, adult learners of English as a second language in New York City, represented a range of native backgrounds, proficiency levels and socioeconomics status. Learners' reactions to standard English, New Yorkese (New York nonstandard English) and Black English were considered. First, the learners' developing ability to detect dialect differences and evaluate samples in terms of their own preferences and impressions was assessed. Results showed that learners can discriminate between dialect samples at early stages of acquisition but native norms and stereotypes are acquired as proficiency increases. Advanced‐level participants in the study paralleled native judgements of standard and nonstandard English speakers. Post hoc interviews, however, showed that learners' impressions of Black English were more clearly defined than those relating to New Yorkese and that personal experience played the crucial role in the development of dialect‐related stereotypes. A second series of experiments focused on the role of dialect intelligibility in learning English as a second‐language for middle‐and working‐class learners. Findings indicated that Black English was harder for both groups to understand while New Yorkese was more difficult for middle‐class learners than for their working‐class counterparts. The standard was the most comprehensible for all subjects. These studies show that dialect differences in a second‐language present problems for learners including variable intelligibility and negative learner attitude towards some varieties and speakers which may crucially affect second‐language input.
English and a grammarian's responsibility: the present and the future
Authors: GREENBAUM SIDNEY
Published: February 2007

Abstract: The distinction between descriptive and prescriptive grammars is by no means as sharp as is generally assumed. Descriptive grammars need to take account of prescriptive norms in describing how the language functions since they affect choices in at least certain styles. Descriptive grammarians should indeed offer guidance on prescriptive norms, on clarity in written communication, and on linguistic morality. Descriptive grammars embody value judgments on the scope of the grammar. Grammars of English are grammars of the standard varieties of just the United States and Britain because insufficient research has been undertaken on other standard varieties. Research is particularly needed on the language in the Outer Circle of English users where new standard varieties are emerging. Grammarians in those countries have a responsibility to be language planners: to play their part in both describing and shaping standard varieties for their countries. They can thereby contribute to ensuring that their national standards will take their place as constituents of an International Standard English.
The power of words: pressure, prejudice and politics in our vocabularies and dictionaries
Authors: McARTHUR TOM
Published: February 2007

Abstract: The use, nature, impact and general potency of words—whether in their free state or as listed in dictionaries—is too large a subject to cover in a paper of this length. I have therefore limited myself to five areas that I take to be fundamental in the issue of words as tokens or counters in the various power games that we consciously or unconsciously engage in. These areas are: First, bias and centricity (ego‐, ethno‐, Anglo‐ and so forth) in our thinking, our sociocultural dispositions, and our linguistic behavior; second, the inherently arbitrary and fictional aspect of words as contrasted with their capacity to influence us for good or for ill; third, the container‐like quality of words, through which each word carries a relatively determinate fragment of our sociocultural worldview, with the result that, although technical terms like ‘xenon’ can be easily defined, many other words—such as ‘word’ itself—are virtually impossible to define in a compact and comprehensive manner: fourth, the historical, cultural and technological factors that have predisposed us to make certain (often implicit) assumptions about what words are and what they do; and fifth, the possibility that, with a humane application of the discoveries of linguistics, we can improve our perceptions of such things as sociolinguistic centricity as well as our skill in minimizing the frictions of (often unintended) ethnic, sexist and elitist slurs.
The cross‐cultural dimensions of English in religion, politics and literature
Authors: NARASIMHAIAH C. D.
Published: February 2007

Abstract: The traditional Indian view of ‘power’ is that it is temporal, and therefore, it must seek its source in ‘authority’ which is spiritual. This approach provides a wholeness and annihilates the ego. Similarly, language, ceaselessly abused in daily intercourse and spheres of influence, should be frequently purified by invoking its divine origins. Both Christianity and Hinduism have recognized it as suggested by the Biblical Word and the primeval Vedic Aum, widely cherished by the Indian peasantry in its still living proverbial wisdom: Those who know how to speak have no quarrels like those who know how to eat have no illnesses! The cross‐cultural dimensions of English in religion, politics and literature have been studied in their representative manifestations where language is seen as having the potential for enrichment of life no less than for debasement. Illustrations are included from Shakespeare, Milton, T. S. Eliot, Aurobindo and Arun Kolatkar as well as Gandhi and Nehru, with passing references to Western statesmen like Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan to exemplify the dual possibilities of language. While celebrating language, the essay salutes Silence from which all language emanates and to which it ultimately returns.
Cross‐cultural understanding and English literatures from the Other Circles
Authors: SMITH LARRY E.
Published: February 2007

Abstract: This paper reports on the effectiveness of using creative writing in English to increase cross‐cultural understanding. The study involved Japanese businessmen at the Japan America Institute of Management Science in Honolulu, Hawaii, using portions of a Japanese novel (44 pages of Balloon Top, written originally in English by Nobuko Albery) and a Thai novel (22 pages of Little Things written originally in English by Prajuab Thirabutana). The results indicate that this kind of creative writing can be an extremely valuable way to increase the interest in and understanding of other cultures outside the formal classroom.
Textual‐mapping in British legislative writing
Authors: BHATIA V. K.
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT: English legislative writing has long been criticised not only for its obscure, circumlocutious and tortuous syntax but also for its extreme linguistic conservatism. Its critics claim that, in spite of numerous governmental and social pressures, the style of legislative drafting has largely remained unchanged. However, some interesting attempts have come from within the drafting community in recent years to make their writing more readable without having to sacrifice their defensive and detailed mode of drafting. This paper examines one such trend to reduce information load at a particular point by making use of what might be called textual‐mapping devices. This helps the draftsman not only to postpone or avoid specification of complicating legal content at a particular point in the legislative provision but also to establish text‐cohering links with the preceding and preceded legislation. This paper presents a corpus‐based detailed analysis of the use of textual‐mapping devices, considering particularly their formal realization and the textual patterns they display in the expression of the legislative statement.