bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitization to cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants in relation to alcohol consumption
Authors: Gonzalez‐Quintela A. , Garrido M. , Gude F. , Campos J. , Linneberg A. , Lojo S. , Vidal C.
Published: November 2007

Background
Alcohol consumption is associated with increased serum IgE of unknown specificity.

Objective
To investigate the prevalence of specific IgE to cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) in adults, and its relation to alcohol consumption.

Methods
Population‐based survey of 457 adults (218 abstainers, 195 light‐to‐moderate drinkers, 44 heavy drinkers). Specific IgE determinations included a CCD (MUXF3, the N‐glycan of bromelain), pollens (Lolium perenne and Olea europaea), Hymenoptera venoms (Apis mellifera and Vespula spp.), and a mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus). We replicated these studies in an additional sample of alcoholics (n=138). Inhibition assays were performed in selected cases.

Results
In the general population, 5.6% of individuals (95% confidence interval 3.5–7.6%) showed positive (0.35 kU/L) CCD‐specific IgE. The levels of CCD‐specific IgE were particularly high in heavy drinkers, who also showed a high prevalence of positive IgE to pollens and Hymenoptera venoms, doubling (at least) the prevalence found in alcohol abstainers and light‐to‐moderate drinkers. The presence of IgE to pollens and Hymenoptera venoms was closely correlated with the presence of CCD‐specific IgE. These features were confirmed in the additional sample of alcoholics. Inhibition studies indicated a role of CCD interference in IgE positivity to pollen and Hymenoptera allergens in alcoholics.

Conclusions
CCD‐specific IgE is prevalent in heavy drinkers, and is associated with positive IgE to pollens and Hymenoptera venoms. Specific IgE results should be interpreted with caution in heavy drinkers.
Assessment of ecological status in U.K. rivers using diatoms
Authors: KELLY MARTYN , JUGGINS STEVE , GUTHRIE ROBIN , PRITCHARD SARAH , JAMIESON JANE , RIPPEY BRIAN , HIRST HEIKE , YALLOP MARIAN
Published: November 2007

1. The European Union's Water Framework Directive requires all water bodies to achieve ‘good ecological status’ by 2015 and this paper describes a rationale for defining ‘good ecological status’ based on diatoms, a significant component of the biological quality element ‘macrophyte and phytobenthos’.

2. A database of benthic diatom samples collected over the past 20 years was assembled. New sampling, specifically for this project, was undertaken during 2004 to supplement these data. In total 1051 samples were included in the database with matching environmental data.

3. ‘Reference sites’, relatively unimpacted by human activity, were selected from this database by a series of screening steps and these sites were used to develop a site‐specific reference typology.

4. Environmental variables not related to the pressure gradient were used to predict the ‘expected’ Trophic Diatom Index (TDI) values at each site. Site‐specific TDI predictions were used to generate ecological quality ratios (EQRs) ranging from ≥1, where the diatom assemblage showed no impact, to (theoretically) 0, when the diatom assemblage was indicative of major anthropogenic activities.

5. The boundary between ‘high’ and ‘good’ status was defined as the 25th percentile of EQRs of all reference sites. The boundary between ‘good’ and ‘moderate’ status was set at the point at which nutrient‐sensitive and nutrient‐tolerant taxa were present in equal relative abundance. An ecological rationale for this threshold is outlined in the paper.
Pathogenicity of T helper 2 T‐cell clones from T‐cell receptor transgenic non‐obese diabetic mice is determined by tumour necrosis factor‐α
Authors: He Jing , Haskins Kathryn
Published: November 2007

Autoimmune diabetes is predominated by a T helper 1 (Th1) response at the expense of an impaired Th2 response. Although T cells producing Th2 cytokines are generally thought to counter a Th1 response, there have been reports of Th2 T‐cell clones with pathogenic activity, including one previously reported by us in which the Th2 T‐cell clone was derived from a T‐cell receptor transgenic (TCR‐Tg) mouse bearing pathogenic TCR. In this study, our goal was to determine whether Th2 T‐cell clones derived from a TCR‐Tg in which the autoantigen was absent would be pathogenic and if so, to investigate possible mechanisms by which the Th2 T‐cell clone could promote disease. We found that a Th2 T‐cell clone derived from the 6·9 TCR‐Tg/non‐obese diabetic (NOD).C6 mouse in which 6.9 T cells do not encounter autoantigen, produced Th2 cytokines but not interferon‐γ. This Th2 T‐cell clone, like the previous one we had isolated from the 2.5 TCR‐Tg/NOD mouse, also turned out to be pathogenic. Intracellular staining revealed that these Th2 T‐cell clones produce low levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in vitro, and after adoptive transfer, they migrate to the pancreas where they produce TNF‐α as well as Th2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10). Induction of disease was prevented by administration of soluble TNF‐α receptor to recipient mice, suggesting that the diabetogenicity of these Th2 T‐cell clones is caused by their low level production of TNF‐α.
Innate immunity in insects: surface‐associated dopa decarboxylase‐dependent pathways regulate phagocytosis, nodulation and melanization in medfly haemocytes
Authors: Sideri Maria , Tsakas Sotiris , Markoutsa Eleni , Lampropoulou Maria , Marmaras Vassilis J.
Published: November 2007

Phagocytosis, melanization and nodulation in insects depend on phenoloxidase (PO) activity. In this report, we demonstrated that these three processes appear to be also dependent on dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) activity. Using flow cytometry, RNA interference, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence, we demonstrated the constitutive expression of Ddc and its strong association with the haemocyte surface, in the medfly Ceratitis capitata. In addition, we showed that Escherichia coli phagocytosis is markedly blocked by small interfering RNA (siRNA) for Ddc, antibodies against Ddc, as well as by inhibitors of Ddc activity, namely carbidopa and benzerazide, convincingly revealing the involvement of Ddc activity in phagocytosis. By contrast, latex beads and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not require Ddc activity for their uptake. It was also shown that nodulation and melanization processes depend on Ddc activation, because antibodies against Ddc and inhibitors of Ddc activity prevent haemocyte aggregation and melanization in the presence of excess E. coli. Therefore, phagocytosis, melanization and nodulation depend on haemocyte‐surface‐associated PO and Ddc. These three unrelated mechanisms are based on tyrosine metabolism and share a number of substrates and enzymes; however, they appear to be distinct. Phagocytosis and nodulation depend on dopamine‐derived metabolite(s), not including the eumelanin pathway, whereas melanization depends exclusively on the eumelanin pathway. It must also be underlined that melanization is not a prerequisite for phagocytosis or nodulation. To our knowledge, the involvement of Ddc, as well as dopa and its metabolites, are novel aspects in the phagocytosis of medfly haemocytes.
Ethos, Agonism and Populism: William Connolly and the Case for Radical Democracy
Authors: Howarth David R.
Published: November 2007

This article explores William Connolly's call for a pluralist ethos and a politics of becoming as an antidote to the current malaise of liberal democratic governance. Evaluating Connolly's theoretical approach alongside Ernesto Laclau's logic of populism and Chantal Mouffe's advocacy of agonistic pluralism, it endeavours to synthesise these various post-structuralist interventions into a more encompassing proposal for radical democracy.
Connolly's Democratic Pluralism and the Question of State Sovereignty
Authors: Newman Saul
Published: November 2007

This article will explore William Connolly's notion of democratic pluralism—his attempt to develop a notion of agonistic democracy that is compatible with pluralism and difference, and that does not found itself on totalising ideas and essentialist identities. As part of the pluralisation of democracy, Connolly hints at the possibility of a democratic politics no longer confined to the nation state. However, this point is not sufficiently developed and contains a number of ambiguities. Here I will explore what I see as a central tension between the principle of democracy (collective autonomy) and the principle of state sovereignty. I will draw on the radical tradition of classical anarchism, as well as Jacques Derrida's notion of the democracy to come, to try to think democratic ethics and politics outside the framework of the nation state.
English in Norwegian academia: a step towards diglossia?
Authors: LJOSLAND RAGNHILD
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT:  This paper examines the role of English in relation to Norwegian in the higher education and research sector in Norway. English has gained influence in this sector at the expense of Norwegian, something which is described as a “domain loss”. Two main questions are asked: (1) Can domain loss be explained as a consequence of the linguistic actions of individual speakers? That is, the paper attempts to bridge the gap between individual actions and domain loss on a societal level. And (2) Is English perceived to have higher prestige than Norwegian, and is this a reason to use it in academia? Further, are the roles of English and Norwegian so clearly defined that the distribution can be said to be diglossic? The paper presents interview material; and a theoretical model is presented in order to link individual linguistic acts to domain loss on a societal level. The paper concludes by discussing the concept of diglossia, and whether this can be used to characterize the Norwegian situation.
Transition as a process of large‐scale institutional change
Authors: Dewatripont Mathias , Roland Gérard
Published: November 2007

After several years of transition experience the theory is very poorly developed except in regard to macroeconomtc stabilization. Another key dimension of transition is institutional change to provide the organizational infrastructure for a market economy. Such issues are analysed here through a series of models focusing on: uncertainty of outcomes, complementarities and interactions between reforms, and political constraints. The choice between “big bang” and more gradualist strategies is studied under various conditions and the paper also examines specific incentive and allocative aspects of the transition from socialism to capitalism.
Complementarities and the managerial challenges of state enterprise restructuring: evidence from two shipyards
Authors: Johnson Simon , Kotchen David , Loveman Gary W.
Published: November 2007

The authors examine detailed organizational changes in two similar Polish state enterprises over the past five years. Effective restructuring requires a coherent package of complementary change in at least eight aspects of the business. The requirements on management are formidable and suggest that state enterprise restructuring will be more difficult than is widely believed.
Regulatory reform in telecommunications in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Armstrong Mark , Vickers John
Published: November 2007

In this paper we discuss public policy towards the telecommunications sector in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), focusing primarily on the need to ensure adequate capital investment. The analysis falls into two main parts: the regulation of monopoly, and policy on liberalization. Concerning regulation, we discuss how policy credibility is likely to be a problem in the region, and how reputational considerations, the design of regulatory institutions, and methods of price control can help to ameliorate this problem. Concerning liberalization, we consider the effects of potential competition on investment incentives, and construct a simple model to analyse the different effects of liberalization and regulatory risk on investment. Some preliminary policy conclusions are drawn, and we argue that in the CEE region – in contrast to more well developed countries – a reasonable case can be made for allowing a temporary period of monopoly for basic services.
Complementarities in economic reform
Authors: Friedman Eric J. , Johnson Simon
Published: November 2007

The authors report on technical work which examines the implications of combining complementarities and convex adjustment costs in a model of economic reform. The main results are that the optimal pace of reform is higher if there is a larger initial crisis, stronger pro‐reform institutions, and greater immediate potential entrepreneurship. This supports the argument that radical reform was appropriate for most countries in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, while gradualism was more appropriate for a country like China.
Foreign direct investment in economic transition: the changing pattern of investments
Authors: Lankes Hans‐Peter , Venables A. J.
Published: November 2007

Foreign direct investment into transition economies is reviewed in detail, both from aggregate data and from a survey of senior managers in 117 western manufacturing companies. It is found that host country transition progress, political stability and perceived risk influence FDI inflows as well as the predominant type of investment.
Restructuring outcomes and the evolution of ownership patterns in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Carlin Wendy , Aghion Philippe
Published: November 2007

This paper begins from the proposition that ‘deep restructuring’ requires both finance and managerial expertise. It addresses the question of how this second stage of enterprise restructuring will come about in the majority of state‐owned or former state‐owned firms that are not owned by foreigners. In particular, it seeks to identify how the initial post‐privatization ownership and control structure impinges on the likelihood that deep restructuring takes place. Conclusions for the design of privatization policy are drawn. The initial post‐privatization ownership structures in the Visegrad countries and Russia are surveyed along with evidence of the transfer of ownership from insiders to outsiders.
Enterprise restructuring and adjustment in the transition to market economy: lessons from the experience of Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Dobrinsky Rumen
Published: November 2007

Some aspects of the process of enterprise restructuring and adjustment in the Central and Eastern European countries are analysed on the basis of evideance from recent empirical research on microeconomic performance in these transition economies. The paper outlines a stylized picture of some types of enterprise behaviour which occur in this period and highlights a number of issues related to the process of enterprise restructuring and adjustment such as the problem of micro budget constraints, the motivation for enterprise restructuring, the issues of corporate governance. Some of the current impediments to enterprise restructuring as well as some of the determinants of enterprise performance in the transition periód are also featured in the paper.
Enterprise restructuring and social benefits
Authors: Commander Simon , Schankerman Mark
Published: November 2007

Soviet era firms provided generous social benefits, including health and child care. Despite recent cuts, firm survey data show that benefits have remained a major component of total compensation. With benefits largely firm‐specific and firms dominated by insiders, continuing attachment of workers as well as widespread informal sector participation has resulted. This has impeded restructuring, in part by generating significant set‐up costs for new private firms. We simulate the effects of a cut in subsidies to benefits provision. We show that while this leads to falls in benefits and employment and an increase in wages, the outcome critically depends on the availability of alternative providers. The key to cushioning these adverse consequences is the stimulation of a market in benefits provision. Given initial conditions, rapid removal of benefits supports will require transitional income support scheme of transitional support and show that it can be financed from the savings from removal of current subsidies to benefits.
Old and new problems in the estimation of national accounts in transiton economies1
Authors: Bartholdy Kasper
Published: November 2007

The paper discusses the measurement and interpretation of real GDP in transition economies. It argues that the statistical offices in Eastern Europe, the Baltics and the CIS should place emphasis in the years ahead on improving the mechanism by which estimates of output, consumption, investment and foreign trade are balanced to ensure compliance with standard accounting identities. Improvements to this ‘balancing mechanism’may substantially strengthen the reliability of national accounts data and would not necessarily require a major further financial outlay for the statistical offices. In its discussion of the interpretation of real GDP data, the paper demonstrates that the use of the measured change in output at constant prices as a proxy for the evolution of ‘social welfare’may be particularly problematic in the context of transition economies.
The paradox in the privatization of Hungary's public housinhg: a national gift or a bad bargain?1
Authors: Dániel Zsuzsa
Published: November 2007

The vast majority of Hungary's publicly owned, rental housing, once heavily subsidized, has passed through privatization into owner‐occupation. Most tenants hoped to gain a financial advantage by privatization. This study sets out to discover how far such expectations have been met. Bearing in mind the cost of neglected renovation, what does a new owner gain by acquiring ownership of the dwelling and what costs does he or she incur? The study shows that privatization has presented the tenants, who had already benefitted from subsidies, with a sizeable ‘national gift’. The bigger and better the home they rented, the greater their privatization gift. However, there is a paradox to analyse: why has the gift proved a burden to many recipients? The study also looks at how the adaptation occurring in the housing sector might be improved and how the losses of those who find themselves in a predicament after privatization might be reduced.
The influence of owners on voucher provatized firms in the Czech Republic
Authors: Kenway Peter , Chlumský Jiří
Published: November 2007

This paper analyses evidence gathered via a survey of former state enterprises in the Czech Republic to investigate how far these now privatized firms have been subject to the influence and control of their new owners, principally investment privatization funds. The paper summarizes the survey evidence and sets out its findings under two broad headings: First, the extent and nature of the way these funds have sought to exercies control over the firms they own; and second, the various facets of a firm's operations that have, or have not, been altered by the change of owner. The paper discusses the reasons behing the findings, arguing particularly that Czech voucher privatization, although in itself complete, should be seen and judged as the real privatization and not the finish.
Integration of FSU/economies in transition into the World Trade Organization1
Authors: Milthorp Peter
Published: November 2007

Membership of the World Trade Organization is a goal for many transition economies. This paper discusses what is involved in WTO membership, the information required and the commitments imposed upon members. After reviewing the accession process in general, the topic is illustrated by the recent example of Bulgaira and Mongolia.
Welfare change and the elimination of the shortage economy in Russia: some representative‐household results1
Authors: Roberts Bryan W.
Published: November 2007

The welfare consequences of eliminating the shortage economy for the representative Russian household are quantitatively assessed. Before price liberalization, households either bought goods and services at state prices and paid searching and queuing costs, or they bought on parallel markets at higher monetary prices. An equation is derived that permits empirical evaluation of the extent to which welfare gains from eliminating searching and queuing costs offset welfare losses from falling real consumption. Available data suggest that when regime change was initiated in Russia in 1992, welfare gains from eliminating shortage were substantial and may have completely offset welfare losses from falling real consumption.
The volatile relationship between deficits and inflation in Ukraine, 1992‐1996
Authors: de Ménil Georges
Published: November 2007

This paper compares the annual average of inflation in Ukraine, from 1992 to 1996, with its steady‐state tendency each year. The steady‐state tendency is, in turn, computed from data on monetary velocity and on the proportion of the total public deficit financed by domestic monetary emissions. Velocity is that of the base of the inflation tax in the steady‐state, namely household M2 plus a fraction of enterprise M2. The use of this concept rather than high‐powered money corresponds to the public and quasi‐public nature of most commercial banks and many large and medium‐sized enterprises until 1996. The demonstrated rough correspondence between actual inflation and calculated, steady‐state inflation confirms the validity of the underlying monetary model.
Wages distribution in Poland: The roles of privatization and international trade, 1992‐96
Authors: Newell Andrew , Socha Mieczyslaw
Published: November 2007

This paper reports an investigation into the changes in the wage distribution in Poland in the first half of the 1990s. We concentrate on the effects of privatization and international trade. We show that the tendency towards increased dispersion in wages halted between 1992 and 1996, despite a rapid expansion in private‐sector work. We also show that, during the same period, private‐sector workers typically earned less than their state‐sector counterparts on an hourly basis, and this gap widened. However, if one controls for experience, tenure and size of workplace, then there existed a small positive private‐sector premium. On the effects of international trade, we find suggestive circumstantial evidence that the increase in trade with Western Europe raised wages and employment in manufacturing.
Altered bank and exchange volatility
Authors: Kočenda Evžen
Published: November 2007

This paper examines the behaviour of the Czech crown's exchange rate when pegged to a currency basket. The peg is supposed to limit the overall instability of the currency. The GARCH(1,1) model with a dummy variable for the volatility response is used to account for a change in the width of the fluctuation band. The results of this paper show that volatility of the exchange rate decreased after a much wider fluctuation band was introduced to limit movements of the currency basket index.
Tax awareness and reform of the welfare state: Hungarian survey results
Authors: Csontos László , Kornai János , Tóth István György
Published: November 2007

This paper reports the results of a survey on the tax awareness of the Hungarian population. Knowledge of tax types and levels is investigated, followed by questions on preferences for state expenditures. The design of the survey is aimed at a contingent evaluation of public sector involvement in health, pensions and higher education. The results show that fiscal illusions have their roots in poor knowledge of the tax cost of public expenditures. When people are provided with additional information on these factors, preferences for state involvement seem to diminish. Possible reform scenarios can be modelled with alternative formulations of institutional arrangements. Respondents tend to have most support for mixed strategies, while ‘pure state’ and ‘pure market’ solutions receive the lowest levels of support. However, since the outcome of any public sector reforms depends heavily on evaluation of the current regimes, an extensive part of the paper is devoted to the investigation of the ‘status quo effect’. The paper, though descriptive in general, provides normative evaluations and suggestions for further reforms.
The emerging Russian banking system1
Authors: Warner Andrew M.
Published: November 2007

Value‐added in Russian banks grew by 43 per cent while GDP declined by 32 per cent in the early years of the transition in Russia. This paper offers explanations for the unusual success of the Russian banking sector and the determinants of individual bank performance. The evidence comes from balance sheet data for 563 Moscow banks and 160 regional banks on January 1, 1995 and January 1, 1996. Important factors include the Central Bank policy of channelling low‐interest directed credits to state enterprises through banks, the ability of banks to obtain large‐scale interest‐free deposits, and the resulting high interest rate spreads in an environment of high inflation, and the extent to which banks were formerly part of the Soviet system.
Foreign direct investment in Russia's regions 1993‐95. Why so little and where has it gone?
Authors: Brock Gregory J.
Published: November 2007

In this paper, foreign direct investment (FDI) into Russia's regions during the period 1993‐95 is analysed using recently available regional data. Russia's regions are shown to be much richer than China's, but much poorer than US states, though with far less FDI than either country. FDI into the regions is also low compared to both Western and Eastern European countries, but has grown substantially from very low levels. Relatively higher FDI is found to occur when crime is lower, market size is bigger and risk is less. Surprisingly, the education of the workforce is found to be important only in the two major cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow, suggesting FDI into Russia's regions is not drawn by cheap labour. Unlike other countries, no evidence for either infrastructure or privatization influencing FDI could be found. The use of tax breaks and exemptions to attract FDI may be short‐sighted as the consequent cut in budget revenues hampers the ability of the region to fight crime and to lower business risk, resulting in an implicit marginal tax increase for future foreign investors that exceeds any benefits from shortterm tax breaks.
Bank and investment fund monitoring of privatized firms in Russia1
Authors: Wright Mike , Buck Trevor , Filatotchev Igor
Published: November 2007

The active monitoring of enterprises is an important aspect of the transformation of Russian firms into efficient, commercially viable entities. This paper uses detailed case study evidence to provide insights into the mechanisms and processes adopted by investment funds, as equity holders; and banks, as debt providers, to monitor the enterprises in which they invest. The findings provide evidence of the importance of direct involvement and the development of relationships to counteract the shortcomings of the legal infrastructure and financial reporting mechanisms.
Economic reform of the electricity industries of Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Stern Jon , Davis Junior R.
Published: November 2007

The purpose of the paper is the following: firstly, to chart how much economic reform of CEE electricity industries has taken place to date; secondly, to discuss why progress has been so limited; and thirdly, to consider the prospects over the next few years. In charting economic progress to date, we will consider and discuss progress in electricity price unbundling and rebalancing; in utility commercialization, in industry and market restructuring and liberalization; and in privatization, as well as the development of economic regulation. For the reasons outlined above, we will explore the pricing issues in some detail as they are essential for understanding the difficulties in making progress in the other aspects of economic reform. The analysis concentrates on the ten countries with which the EU has and Association Agreement and who are stated candidates for EU membership (the EU 10).
Employment and wage dynamics in Estonia, 1989‐951
Authors: Noorkôiv Rivo , Orazem Peter F. , Puur Allan , Vodopivec Milan
Published: November 2007

This study monitors the effects of economic transition on wages and employment in a former Soviet Republic. Estonia's case is of particular interest because of its early adoption of relatively free labour market policies. Relative wages for the highest educated groups rose for all age groups. There were also rapid increases in returns to job experience, particularly at young ages. Increasing wage dispersion across human capital groups was accompanied by narrowing wage dispersion within human capital groups. Relative wages rose in sectors which gained relative employment, while they fell in shrinking sectors. In addition, there were large flows of labour between shrinking and growing sectors, suggesting that labour market equilibrating mechanisms developed very rapidly in Estonia.
Agricultural enlargement of the EU under Agenda 2000: Surplus of farm labour versus surplus of farm products
Authors: Pouliquen Alain
Published: November 2007

In the Commission's proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and enlargement of the EU (Agenda 2000), the agriculture of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is denied future access to compensatory payments for cuts in support prices in the EU15. To offset this, the acceding countries are promised a similar net amount of structural aid for their economy and society at large. This dual treatment aims at preventing agricultural surpluses and intersectoral distortion after accession. However, the actual situation and dynamics of agriculture in Central Europe (CE) compared to that in the EU does not support the surplus assumption globally, but only for certain products, chiefly grains. So far overlooked, but nevertheless, a key obstacle opposing competitive recovery, is the tendency of the dual, post‐communist agrarian structures, faced with high rural unemployment, to protect long‐term underproductive farm labour to the detriment of capital and land remuneration, mainly in livestock production. This configuration is supported by specific trade and land protections, and loose qualittative regulations that will be challenged by the EU enlargement. So, after accession under the Agenda 2000 schedule, it seems likely that CEE countries will achieve European competitiveness only at the cost of some recession, further deterioration of trade balances with the EU 15 and sharp decreases in farm employment levels. These factors would chiefly affect livestock production which, combined with crop intensification, is likely to result in a substantial increase in grain surpluses. Later on, the enlarged EU will have to bear the inevitable social consequences that transitional periods after accession might otherwise have postponed.
Mental Health Problems in Young People with Intellectual Disabilities: The Impact on Parents
Authors: Faust Hannah , Scior Katrina
Published: November 2007

Background  Young people with intellectual disabilities seem to be at increased risk of developing mental health problems. The present study set out to examine the impact such difficulties can have on parents.

Method  Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were carried out with 13 parents and one adult sibling of 11 young people with intellectual disabilities and additional mental health problems.

Results  Parents described far reaching negative consequences of the young person’s mental health problems. In many parents these re‐evoked intense past feelings of grief and triggered feelings of helplessness and despair.

Conclusions  Parents’ experiences appear to be characterized by confusion, loss and hardship. Services do not seem to be attuned to the high level of emotional and practical needs of these parents.
Information literacy in continuing professional development of medical practitioners: a Croatian example
Authors: Petrak Jelka , Markulin Helena , Matiç Tomislav
Published: November 2007

Objectives:  This paper reports on the training of medical practitioners in information literacy. The course is carried out by an academic medical library in collaboration with its parent institution and the local physicians’ licensing body.

Setting:  The University of Zagreb Medical School (UZMS) developed an extensive continuing education programme for residents and practitioners, in partnership with the Croatian Chamber of Physicians. Within this programme, the Central Medical Library (CML) offers a hands‐on course on searching and appraisal of medical information.

Description:  Continuing professional development (CPD) helps physicians update and develop the skills and knowledge they require in their everyday practice. The ability to locate, critically evaluate, and use medical information is an important component of CPD. The CML has developed a course entitled “Finding and Appraisal of Medical Information” which has been reviewed and accepted by its parent institution and the physicians’ chamber. The course has been introduced in 2005 on a half‐year base.

Outcome:  The course provides participants with the information on the most important medical information resources and with the basic skills needed for their effective usage. An evaluation questionnaire is used to assess the effectiveness of the course.
Standardization of search methods for guideline development: an international survey of evidence‐based guideline development groups
Authors: Deurenberg Rikie , Vlayen Joan , Guillo Sylvie , Oliver Thomas K. , Fervers Beatrice , Burgers Jako ,   on behalf of the SEARCH Group
Published: November 2007

Background:  Effective literature searching is particularly important for clinical practice guideline development. Sophisticated searching and filtering mechanisms are needed to help ensure that all relevant research is reviewed.

Purpose:  To assess the methods used for the selection of evidence for guideline development by evidence‐based guideline development organizations.

Methods:  A semistructured questionnaire assessing the databases, search filters and evaluation methods used for literature retrieval was distributed to eight major organizations involved in evidence‐based guideline development.

Results:  All of the organizations used search filters as part of guideline development. The medline database was the primary source accessed for literature retrieval. The OVID or SilverPlatter interfaces were used in preference to the freely accessed PubMed interface. The Cochrane Library, embase, cinahl and psycinfo databases were also frequently used by the organizations. All organizations reported the intention to improve and validate their filters for finding literature specifically relevant for guidelines.

Discussion:  In the first international survey of its kind, eight major guideline development organizations indicated a strong interest in identifying, improving and standardizing search filters to improve guideline development. It is to be hoped that this will result in the standardization of, and open access to, search filters, an improvement in literature searching outcomes and greater collaboration among guideline development organizations.
Psychological Testing in Epilepsy
Authors: FOLSOM ANGELA
Published: November 2007

I. This review indicates that:

a. There is no cognitive deficit which is characteristic of all epileptics, i.e., of seizures.

b. There is no clear–cut evidence of an impairment which differentiates deterioration in epilepsy from deterioration in other disorders.

c. The correlation of focal cerebral dysfunction with specific seizure phenomena is becoming the basis of clinical diagnosis in the epilepsies. Investigations of psychological deficit in relation to these variables suggest that different kinds of deficit may be associated with specific foci of cerebral dysfunction in epileptics.

d. Further investigation is needed to establish whether these deficits are related to deterioration in epilepsy.

2. It is recommended that:

a. Epileptics be subdivided on the basis of cerebral dysfunction and seizure phenomena.

b. Since all clinicians do not use the same criteria in differentiating between idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsy, the investigator of cognitive functioning, instead of accepting these labels at face value, should investigate what the criteria are and specify them in describing his groups.

c. A test, or battery of tests, covering a range of intellectual processes, including memory, should be used in order to evaluate patterns of cognitive deficit.

d. Control groups should be more extensively used in order to establish diagnostic value for an observed deficit.

e. Epileptic groups, defined as in a and b, when followed over a period of time, may contribute to our knowledge of deterioration in epilepsy.

f. Only by investigating cognitive deficits along with other areas of functioning– personality, and general social efficiency – can we arrive at an overall concept of the consequences of the epilepsies.
Disturbance of Conciousness in Petit Mai Epilepsy
Authors: SHIMAZONO Y. , HIRAI T. , OKUMA T. , FUKUDA T. , YAMAMASU E.
Published: November 2007

In eight patients with petit mal EEGs (approximately thirty) were taken. During the seizure patterns various external stimuli were applied. In these cases clinical and electroencc‐phalographic changes were observed simultaneously and relationships between the two were studied.

In petit mal attacks there are various degrees of alteration of consciousness grading from almost no loss of consciousness to complete lapse of consciousness. Between subclinical and clinical seizures there is a transition, and it is difficult to determine a definite border line between the two.

liven in a single petit mal seizure the degree of disturbance of consciousness is not constant but is altered in various ways spontaneously or following various stimuli. This can be confirmed by applying various stimuli during die seizure.

There are often no changes in the seizure waves in spite of changes of consciousness during a petit mal seizure. Even though various responses are elicited by stimuli the petit mal waves sometimes continue unchanged. Therefore even though petit mal waves usually do show the presence of disturbance of consciousness, they do not always indicate the degree of alteration of consciousness during the seizure.
The Cortical Control of Movement A Contribution to the Surgical Physiology of Seizures
Authors: WYKE BARRY D.
Published: November 2007

1. Some general principles relating to the surgical physiology of seizures are considered, with particular reference to focal motor seizures.

2. The focal motor seizure phenomena observed in a series of cases of brain injury, brain abscess and brain tumour are analysed in relation to the anatomical location and histopathology of the respective lesions.

3. The technique of a method for automatically controlled electrical stimulation of the surface of the brain in animals and man is described briefly.

4. The peripheral muscular responses elicited by such stimulation are described with particular reference to the relation between conditions of stimulation and pattern of response.

5. The results of this combined clinical and experimental study are integrated into a theory of cortical motor function, and correlated with relevant recent studies by others.
Celontin ‐ a New Anticonvulsant
Authors: SCHOLL MARY LOUISE , ABBOTT JOHN A. , SCHWAB ROBERT S.
Published: November 2007

1. Fifty‐three epileptic patients whose seizures were resistant to numerous anticonvulsant drugs were treated with Celontin. In all cases Celontin was given in conjunction with one or more standard anticonvulsant drugs. Only one patient was withdrawn from Celontin before it could be evaluated. This patient developed a severe rash.

2. Celontin appeared to be most effective in petit mal, psychomotor and focal motor attacks. It is least effective in grand mal.

3. Thirty of the 53 patients developed some side effects. The majority of these were mild. Four patients developed generalized rash and three of these four ultimately had to discontinue using Celontin. One patient had severe anorexia which limited the use of Celontin.

4. Routine blood counts and urinalyses remained normal in all patients.
Effect of Blood Volume and Cardiac Output on the Measurement of Myoclonic Threshold
Authors: Driver M. V.
Published: November 2007

Determinations of myoclonic (photo‐Metrazol) threshold, blood volume and cardiac output were made in a group of schizophrenic patients. The threshold was found to be significantly related to both volume and output but not to body weight. On the assumption that intravenously‐injected drugs should have broadly similar concentration‐time relationships to those following the injection of measurable blood‐flow indicators the mean arterial concentration of Metrazol at threshold was calculated for each patient. Although the quantities of Metrazol needed to elicit the end‐point response were very variable, the similarity of the calculated concentrations suggested that the true variability within the group was small. It was concluded that a more precise estimate of myoclonic threshold was obtained by this method than by those in general use.

Des déterminations du seuil myoclonique (photo‐Métrazol), du volume sanguin et du débit cardiaque ont été effectuées sur un groupe de schizophrènes. On a constaté qu'il existait une relation nette entre d'une part, le seuil myoclonique et d'autre part, le volume sanguin et le débit cardiaque, mais non entre ce seuil et le poids corporel. Partant de l'hypothèse que les médicaments injectés par voie intraveineuse doivent avoir des rapports de concentration et de temps assez semblables à ceux que l'on observe après l'injection d'indicateurs mesurables du flux sanguin, la concentration artérielle moyenne du Métrazol au niveau du seuil a été calculée pour chaque patient. Bien que les quantités de Métrazol nécessaires pour déclencher la réponse limite aient été très variables, la similitude des concentrations calculées semble indiquer que le degré de variabilité effective dans ce groupe fut faible. On en conclut que cette méthode permet d'obtenir une estimation plus précise du seuil myoclonique que celle à laquelle on peut arriver avec les méthodes habituellement employées.
Paroxysmal Pain and Autonomic Disturbances of Cerebral Origin: A Specific Electro‐Clinical Syndrome
Authors: KELLAWAY PETER , CRAWLEY JAMES W. , KAGAWA NINA
Published: November 2007

A group of 459 children having episodic attacks of headache or abdominal pain, or both, associated with autonomic disturbances such as pallor, sweating, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dizziness, light‐headedness, lethargy and temperature alterations are reported. These symptoms are grouped together into a specific syndrome because of the consistent pattern of the symptoms and clinical findings and because of the consistent presence of particular electroencephalographic abnormality (the 14 and 6/sec positive spike pattern). The majority of these cases occur in children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, occasional cases being seen in younger or older children and adults. In most of the patients no etiology can be demonstrated, although a history of head injury or encephalitis is present in a significant number (37%). These symptoms respond to treatment with anticonvulsant medication, the drugs of choice being dilantin and diamox.

Rapport sur l'examen d'un groupe de 459 enfants souffrant d'accès périodiques de maux de tête ou de douleur abdominale, ou des deux à la fois, associés à des troubles autonomes tels que pâleur, transpiration, nausées, vomissements, anorexie, vertiges, sensation de légèreté dans la tête, léthargie et altérations de la température. Ces symptômes sont groupés en un syndrome spécifique à cause du type constant des symptômes et des constatations cliniques, et aussi à cause de la présence constante d'une anomalie électroencéphalographique particulière (le type positif de pointes de 14 et 6/sec). La majorité de ces cas concerne des enfants âgés de 5 à 16 ans; des cas fortuits se sont présentés chez des enfants plus jeunes ou plus âgés et chez des adultes. L'étiologie n'a pu être déterminée chez la plupart des malades, bien qu'une lésion à la tête ou une encéphalite soient mentionnées en un nombre assez important (37%). Ces symptômes réagissent au traitement par des anticonvulsivants; les médicaments à choisir sont le diphénylhydantoïnate de soude et le diamox.
Experiences with α‐Ethyl‐α‐methylsuccinimide in the Treatment of Epilepsy
Authors: HAAS A. M. LORENTZ DE , STOEL L. M. K.
Published: November 2007

Treatment of 60 epileptic patients with α‐ethyl‐α‐methylsuccinimide (PM 671) during periods of 1.5 to 29 months showed that this compound is an important acquisition to the therapy of petit mal.

In the case of patients who also suffered from generalized seizures, it was found that if the absences disappeared during treatment the generalized seizures also disappeared.

Le traitement de 60 malades épileptiques par α‐ethyl‐α‐méthylsuccinimide (PM 671) effectué pendant des périodes de 1.5 à 29 mois a révélé que cette substance est une importante acquisition dans la thérapie du petit mal.

Dans les cas où les malades souffrent aussi d'attaques de grand mal on a constaté que si les absences disparaissent au cours du traitement, les attaques de grand mal disparaissent elles‐aussi.
Problems in the Clinical Evaluation in the Use of Anticonvulsants
Authors: SCHWAB ROBERT S. , SCHOLL MARY LOUISE , ABBOTT JOHN ADAMS , GARVEY ELEANORE
Published: November 2007

In its earliest years, Dr. William G. Lennox and others associated with him in the American League against Epilepsy did a great deal to stimulate the development of the clinic. It is a pleasure to think especially of the gratification which he must feel as we report the really impressive improvement in the medical control of epilepsy – an improvement which has occurred in the brief twenty years of the Clinic's activity – and an improvement to which the Clinic which he encouraged has contributed significantly.

He encouraged open use of the word “epilepsy”. We soon found our patients did not mind coming to an Epileptic Clinic dedicated towards helping them with medicine, as well as aid in securing driver licenses, when seizures were completely controlled for two years. They were satisfied also with the general medical guidance provided whenever problems came up.

We conclude this paper with warm appreciation for twenty years of encouragement and help from Dr. Lennox. We are in full agreement with him that the epileptic patients we have cared for are as loyal and devoted a group as we have ever seen.

Le Docteur William G. Lennox et ceux qui lui furent associés ont beaucoup fait au cours des premières années de la fondation de la Ligue Américaine contre l'Épilepsie pour stimuler le développement de la clinique. Nous pensons tout spécialement, et avec plaisir, à la satisfaction qu'il doit éprouver lorsque nous témoignons du progrès vraiment impressionnant du contrôle médical de l'épilepsie – progrès qui s'est manifesté dans les courts vingt ans de l'activité clinique – et auquel la Clinique qu'il a encouragée a largement contribué.

Il a encouragé aussi le libre emploi du mot “épilepsie”. Nous avons alors rapidement constaté que nos malades venaient sans crainte à une clinique d‘épilepsie destinée à les aider par la médecine et aussi par la sûreté de conserver leur permis de conduire lorsque, pendant 2 ans, leurs crises auront été complètement maîtrisées. La direction médicale générale dont ils ont profité quand survenaient des problèmes les a de même satisfaits.

Ajoutons ici notre témoignage de grande admiration pour l'aide et les encouragements dispensés durant vingt ans par le Docteur Lennox. Nous sommes en complet accord avec lui pour dire que les malades que nous avons traités ont formé l'un des groupes les plus loyaux et les plus dévoués que nous ayons jamais vus.