bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF CUTANEOUS MARKERS OF AGING IN CHRONIC HEMODIALYZED PATIENTS
Authors: TERCEDOR JESÚS , LÓPEZ‐HERNÁNDEZ BEGOÑA , RÓDENAS JOSÉ M. , DELGADO‐RODRÍGUEZ MIGUEL , CEREZO SEBASTIAN , SERRANO‐ORTEGA SALVIO
Published: May 2007

Background. Although hemodialysis has been associated with lesions of cutaneous aging, no controlled studies have been done in patients with chronic renal failure under periodic hemodialysis. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of several clinical parameters of cutaneous aging and their relationship with hemodialysis.

Methods. One hundred fourteen patients on chronic hemodialysis were investigated for the presence of several cutaneous aging markers in a cross‐sectional study, using multivariate analysis to minimize the confounding effect of age.

Results. Skin cancer was diagnosed in 3 patients (2.6%), actinic keratoses in 12 (10.5%), senile lentigo in 22 (20%), senile purpura in 15 (13%), and Favre‐Racouchot disease in 6 (5%). There was no association with skin types or facial wrinkles with any other of the skin‐aging features studied. Multivariate analysis, controlling for age as a confounding variable, indicated that the degree of facial wrinkles and the decrease in stratum corneum hydration (capacitance) correlated significantly with the length of time on hemodialysis (P = 0.012 and P = 0.012, respectively). Favre‐Racouchot disease (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.23, P = 0.055, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.99–1.52) and actinic keratoses (OR = 1.15, P = 0.076, Cl 0.98–1.34) became increasingly frequent with the duration of chronic hemodialysis.

Conclusions. These data show a high prevalence of cutaneous aging lesions in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Acceleration of cutaneous aging is associated with time on hemodialysis.
TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS AT A DEAD SEA DERMATOLOGY CLINIC
Authors: ABELS DAVID J. , ROSE THEODORE , BEARMAN JACOB E.
Published: May 2007

Background. The Dead Sea, with its unique optical, chemical, and atmospheric properties, provides an effective alternative treatment for psoriasis.

Methods. The records of 1448 consecutive psoriasis patients treated at a Dead Sea psoriasis clinic were retrospectively evaluated concerning their treatment response and demographic characteristics.

Results. Clearing of 80–100% was observed in 88% of the patients treated, including almost 58%, who had complete clearing. The demographic data studied that included gender, previous treatment at the Dead Sea, prior history of hospitalization for psoriasis, prior PUVA treatment, or a history of arthritis did not reveal any significant relationships, although overseas patients responded considerably better than Israelis.

Conclusions. The overall response in a large cohort of psoriasis patients treated at the Dead Sea was excellent. Further prospective studies and basic investigations ate essential to understand the mechanism(s) involved and the relationships between other demographic data and the treatment response.
MIXED DIQUAT/PARAQUAT‐INDUCED BURNS
Authors: RONNEN MEIR , KLIN BARUCH , SUSTER SAUL
Published: May 2007

Background. Ducatalon is a bipyridylium herbicide containing a mixture of diquat and paraquat, and is used in agriculture. Adverse reactions due to contact of this compound with the skin have rarely been described.

Case Reports. Two men were seen for severe pain due to extensive chemical burns in the perineal and scrotal regions, caused by leaking of Ducatalon from defective equipment used for spraying the herbicide. The lesions responded well to treatment with topical silver sulfadiazine, combined with systemic antibiotics. The damaged skin healed without scarring within a few days. The lesions have not recurred after the faulty spraying apparatus was replaced.

Conclusion. Direct contact of the skin with Ducatalon may lead to severe chemical burns. Proper precautions should be taken by the personnel handling this compound, with particular attention to the integrity of the equipment used for spraying the herbicide.
SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF CHROMOBLASTOMYCOSIS DUE TO FONSECAEA PEDROSOI BY THE COMBINATION OF ITRACONAZOLE AND CRYOTHERAPY
Authors: KULLAVANIJAYA PREYA , ROJANAVANICH VIBOON
Published: May 2007

Background. Many methods and medications had been tried for the treatment of chromoblastomycosis with unsatisfactory results. Recently, there were several reports showing a good response of chromoblastomycosis to itraconazole, but it took as long as 18–30 months for lesions to heal.

Methods. Itraconazole, 200 to 400 mg/day alone or in combination with monthly liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, was tried on 10 cases of chromoblastomycosis, caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi in order to increase the potency of the drug and shorten the duration of treatment.

Results. The 10 cases included five newly diagnosed and five recalcitrant cases. Two patients were cured by 200 mg/ day alone within 3 months. Seven patients required itraconazole, 400 mg/day, with combined cryotherapy to cure the lesions within 5 to 10 months. One case showed marked improvement but no cure. After the period of 1‐year follow‐up, only one case had a recurrent infection.

Conclusions. Itraconazole was highly effective and may be useful in the treatment of chromoblastomycosis. A high dose is indicated in chronic fibrotic lesions in combination with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, with higher efficacy and quicker healing than with medication alone.
MALIGNANT HEMANGIOENDOTHELIOMA
Authors: IHDA HAZUKI , TOKURA YOSHIKI , FUSHIMI MISAO , YOKOTE RYUICHI , HASHIZUME HIDEO , SHIRAHAMA SHIGEHO , IWATSUKI KEIJI , MURAKAMI KYOKO , TAKIGAWA MASAHIRO
Published: May 2007

Background. The administration of interleukin‐2 (il‐2) has recently been reported to be favorable for treating malignant hemangioendothelioma (mhe).

Methods. Two patients with mhe responded well to intra‐lesional injections of recombinant il‐2 (ril‐2) without major side effects. The purpose of this study was to characterize cells infiltrating the regressing tumor following ril‐2 treatment. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on biopsy specimens taken from ril‐2‐injected lesional skin.

Results. It was shown that CD8+ lymphocytes and CD56+ natural killer (nk) cells infiltrated at the ril‐2‐injection sites, suggesting that these cells contributed to the tumor regression. In addition, MHE cells bore intercellular adhesion mole‐cule‐1 (icam‐1) whose expression was augmented by rn‐2 injections.

Conclusions. These findings suggested, that ril‐2 not only induces lymphokine‐activated killer (lak) cells and nk cells, but also facilitates these cytotoxic cells to adhere to MHE cells by enhancing icam‐1 expression of tumor cells.
STEROID‐PULSE THERAPY IN PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS LONG TERM EOLLOW‐UP
Authors: CHRYSSOMALLIS FOTIS , DIMITRIADES ATHANASSIOS , CHAIDEMENOS GEORGE C. , PANAGIOTIDES DESPINA , KARAKATSANIS GEORGE
Published: May 2007

Background. Patients with pemphigus vulgaris may occasionally present the highly active, widespread form of the disease, and/or maybe resistant to conventional oral steroid therapy, and/or manifest significant side effects from the prolonged use of high oral prednisone dosage. Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of steroid “pulse” therapy (PT) in these patients.

Methods. Eight patients were given alternate‐day, one hour, infusions of 8, 9, or 10 mg/kg methylprednisolone Na succinate. Oral prednisone and a second immunosuppressive agent were simultaneously administered; these were rapidly decreased when control of the disease was achieved.

Results. All patients initially responded well to therapy. The disease recurred in four patients after 3, 4, 9, and 16 months of remission, respectively. Three of these patients were treated again with pt and went into remission. None of the patients who received cyclophosphamide had a recurrence. One patient died of cardiac arrest, 12 days after pt. On a follow‐up of 59 ± 25 months since the last relapse, patients continue in remission.

Conclusions. Pulse therapy is recommended as an adjunct to the total management plan of severely affected patients with pemphigus vulgaris. The addition of cyclophosphamide may prevent the disease from recurring. Alternate‐day small‐quantity bolus infusions over 16–20 days, may be equally effective as the administration of 15 mg/kg/daily for 3–5 days. The risk of cardiac arrest exists even with this, less aggressive form of pt therapy. A medical history of supraventricular arrhythmias may be considered a risk factor.
DIAGNOSIS OF CUTANEOUS TUBERCULOSIS BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION USING A SPECIES‐SPECIEIC GENE
Authors: FAIZAL MICHEL , JIMENEZ GUIELERMO , BURGOS CESAR , DEL PORTILLO PATRICIA , ROMERO ROSA E. , PATARROYO MANUEL ELKIN
Published: May 2007

Background. Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), especially cutaneous TBC, by conventional microbiologic methods is still a very laborious process and the results are usually inconclusive. Our purpose was to identify M. tuberculosis bacilli in uncultured clinical samples from skin lesions by means of the rapid, specific, and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Methods. The PCR, using a set of species‐specific primers, was performed on biopsies and fluid secretions from lesions.

Results. A positive amplification reaction was observed in three of the four samples studied. For one of the samples, the result was confirmed by a positive culture in Lowenstein‐Jensen medium and for the other two, by molecular hybridization and the clinical course of the patients after treatment. Samples obtained from a patient with panniculitis of Christian‐Weber and a normal skin biopsy were included as negative controls.

Conclusions. We propose the PCR method as a tool for the diagnosis of cutaneous TBC. The presence of the M. tuberculosis in an erythema induratum of Bazin suggests a revision of the concept of this disease as a tuberculide reaction.
HEPATITIS C VIRUS ANTIBODY (ANTI‐HCV): PREVALENCE IN PSORIASIS
Authors: CHOUELA EDGARDO , ABELDAÑO ALEJANDRA , PANETTA JOSEFINA , DUCARD MARIANA , NEGEIA VINCENTA , SOOKOIAN SILVIA , KINA MIRTA , CASTAÑO GUSTAVO , VEREYTOU FERNANDO , FRIDER BERNARDO
Published: May 2007

Background. In cases of psoriasis (PS), the etiology of the underlying liver disease is occasionally unknown. To investigate antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV), their prevalence and clinical significance, 118 unselected outpatients with PS were studied prospectively.

Methods. Anti‐HCV was assayed in serum by second‐generation enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), considering a serum anti‐HCV (+), when the optical density ratio was equal to or greater than three times the cut‐off value, in duplicate determinations, whereas anti‐HBc, anti‐HBs, HBsAg, anti‐HBe, and HBeAg were also evaluated by ELISA, as were the transaminases. As controls we took the 1.2% anti‐HCV prevalence found in 60,000 blood donors from Buenos Aires city.

Results. Nine of 118 serum samples (7.6%) proved to be anti‐HCV (+) (P < 0.001). There were no differences between positive and negative cases as regards gender, age, history of hepatitis, transfusions, or parenteral exposure, disease duration, or psoriasis type, and prior treatment with methotrexate and etretinate. Fifteen percent (17/113) were anti‐HBc (+), 64.7% anti‐HBs (+) (11/17) and 2.5% HBsAg (+) (3/17), whereas 3/17 (2.5%) showed isolated anti‐HBc positivity. Liver biopsies in six anti‐HCV patients disclosed four with chronic active hepatitis, one with cirrhosis, and one with steatosis.

Conclusions. In the presence of liver disease in PS patients, an HCV infection should be considered as an alternative diagnosis. The high anti‐HCV prevalence in this series is attributable to infection by inapparent parenteral routes, through minute skin abrasions, as reported for hepatitis B virus in PS.
RECURRENT NONMELANOMA SKIN CANCER IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA
Authors: CZARNECKI D. , STAPLES M. , MAR A. , GILES G. , MEEHAN C.
Published: May 2007

Background and Objective. In retrospective studies of nonmelanoma skin cancers, the recurrence rates were relatively high. This study had as its aim to determine the recurrence rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and prospectively, risk factors for recurrence in southern Australia.

Study Design. This is a prospective study of outpatients with histologically confirmed NMSC. All patients seen by a dermatologist between November 1988 and November 1989 were entered into the study and followed for at least 3 years. Any recurrent NMSCS were removed and recorded.

Results. Four hundred and eighty‐one patients were entered and 420 followed for at least 3 years. A recurrent NMSC developed in 8% (adjusted for losses). A multivariate analysis determined that the main risk factor for recurrence within the first 3 years of follow‐up was the number of NMSC a patient had when entering into the study. Those with 3 to nine NMSC were five times more likely to develop a recurrence than those with less than three NMSC. Those with 10 or more NMSC were 25 times more likely to develop a recurrence. Age, sex, and types of skin cancers removed were not risk factors within the first 3 years of follow‐up.

Conclusions. Patients who have had multiple skin cancers require careful follow‐up because of the risk of developing recurrences.
CRYOGLOBULINEMIA AND CUTANEOUS LEUKOCYTOCLASTIC VASCULITIS WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION
Authors: BUEZO GAUDALUPE F. , GARCÍA‐BUEY MARISA , RIOS‐BUCETA LUIS , BORQUE MARÍA JESÚS , ARAGÜES MAXIMILIANO , DAUDÉN ESTEBAN
Published: May 2007

Background. Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is a systemic disorder, characterized by a typical clinical triad: purpura, weakness, and arthralgias, with visceral complications such as liver and renal involvement. The objective was to study the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC).

Patients and Methods. Markers of HCV infection in 11 patients with cryoglobulinemia were examined and hepatitis C virus (HCV) was detected in eight of them. These patients were included in a clinical and histologic study. Anti‐HCV antibodies were determined by a second‐generation enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA‐2) in sera and cryoprecipitates. Studies on HCV‐RNA were performed by a two‐stage polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the serum. A control group, consisting of 28 patients with other cutaneous disorders, was studied for HCV infection using ELISA‐2 and PCR.

Results. All patients had liver dysfunction, arthralgias, and purpura. Three patients had involvement of the peripheral nervous system, two had renal involvement, and one patient had Sjögren's syndrome. Cryocrits ranged from 3% to 20%. Six patients had type III cryoglobulinemia and the remaining two had type II. Markers for hepatitis B virus (HBV) were negative in all serum samples. Anti‐HCV antibodies and HCV‐RNA were positive in the serum of all the cases with MC. Anti‐HCV antibodies were positive in all cases except for one of the cryoprecipitates tested. Four patients received recombinant interferon alfa. In two of them, serum aminotransferases became normal and cryoglobulins disappeared.

Conclusions. The results strongly suggest that HCV infection is responsible for the cryoglobulinemia and vasculitis in patients with MC and that treatment with interferon alfa is presently the treatment of choice for such patients.
TRICHOHYALIN EXPRESSION IN SKIN TUMORS: RETRIEVAL OF TRICHOHYALIN ANTIGENICITY IN TISSUES BY MICROWAVE IRRADIATION
Authors: MANABE MOTOMU , YAGUCHI HITOSHI , BUTT KHALID IQBAL , O'GUIN W. MICHAEL , LOOMIS CINTHIA A. , SUNG TUNG‐TIEN , OGAWA HIDEOKI
Published: May 2007

Background. The antitrichohyalin antibody AE 15 is effective for identifying the cell lineage that undergoes the pathway of inner root sheath‐type differentiation. Unfortunately, the AE 15 does not react with trichohyalin in tissue that is formalin‐fixed and embedded in paraffin according to routine procedures.

Methods. We attempted to retrieve the trichohyalin antigenicity in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded biopsy specimens that included normal skin as well as skin tumors such as trichofolliculoma and pilotricoma.

Results. We found that the use of a metal solution in combination with microwave oven heating improves the trichohyalin immunoreactivity substantially. Further, trichohyalin was found to be expressed not only in the secondary hair structure in trichofolliculoma but also in a certain cell lineage that differentiates to squamoid cells in pilomatricoma.

Conclusions. Our findings established that surgical specimens processed under routine procedures can be successfully investigated with AE 15 using the microwave irradiation method. Studies of epidermal diseases expressing trichohyalin should provide valuable insights into our understanding the functional significance of trichohyalin during abnormal keratinization.
INTRADERMAL NODULAR FASCIITIS PRESENTING AS AN EYELID MASS
Authors: MEFFERT JEFFREY J. , KENNARD CHARLES D. , DAVIS THOMAS L. , QUINN BRIAN D.
Published: May 2007

Background. Nodular fasciitis is a fibroblastic proliferation in which nodules, most commonly appearing on the extremities, develop suddenly and rapidly. Although excisional biopsy is curative, the nodules will often resolve spontaneously; however, the histologic appearance of a pleomorphic spindle cell neoplasm with frequent mitotic figures may raise concern of a more malignant neoplasm and lead to unnecessary and overly aggressive therapy.

Methods. A case of nodular fasciitis presenting in an unusual location, intradermally at the lateral canthus, is discussed.

Results. Review of the recent literature from other disciplines reveals new insights into the etiology and diagnostic options (fine needle aspiration, tomography, other imaging techniques) for this puzzling disease.

Conclusions. When nodular fasciitis occurs in an unusual location, such as on the head and neck or at an intradermal location, it will not present as the deep, mobile, nontender nodule described in the dermatologic literature. Fine‐needle aspiration and modern imaging techniques may help in the diagnosis and prevent unnecessary surgery for a self‐limited condition.
HUMAN DIROFILARIASIS
Authors: JELINEK TOMAS , SCHULTE‐HILLEN JAN , LOSCHER THOMAS
Published: May 2007

Background. Subcutaneous and pulmonary dirofilariasis in humans appears to be a frequent disease in endemic areas, notably the Mediterranean region. Following increased air travel in recent years, the incidence of human dirofilariasis has increased in tourists as well.

Methods. The clinical and parasitologic aspects in a series of six patients with cutaneous and pulmonary dirofilariasis, seen in a German unit for infectious and tropical diseases, are reviewed.

Results. Four patients presented with subcutaneous tumors due to infection with Dirofilaria repens, whereas two patients had pulmonary infiltrates due to the canine heartworm, D. immitis. All infections were acquired in the Mediterranean region. Symptoms were only slight and nonspecific. Eosinophilia in the blood was absent in all patients. The serum IgE levels were normal and signs of a specific humoral response to antigens of Dirofilaria spp. were absent, although slightly elevated antibody levels to antigens of Onchocerca volvulus could be demonstrated in all patients. The diagnosis was established in all patients by the surgical removal of adult worms from the lesions. Oral treatment with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) (2 mg per kg t.i.d.) over a period of 4 weeks was added to the surgical treatment in all patients. In one patient this therapy was preceded by oral ivermectine (150 mg per kg).

Conclusions. Dirofilariasis has to be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with subcutaneous or pulmonary tumors after travels to endemic areas within the last few years. Effective therapy is possible by surgical removal of the adult worms and oral ivermectine plus diethylcarbamazine.
Setting the absolute tempo of biodiversity dynamics
Authors: Allen Andrew P. , Savage Van M.
Published: May 2007

Neutral biodiversity theory has the potential to contribute to our understanding of how macroevolutionary dynamics influence contemporary biodiversity, but there are issues regarding its dynamical predictions that must first be resolved. Here we address these issues by extending the theory in two ways using a novel analytical approach: (1) we set the absolute tempo of biodiversity dynamics by explicitly incorporating population‐level stochasticity in abundance; (2) we allow new species to arise with more than one individual. Setting the absolute tempo yields quantitative predictions on biodiversity dynamics that can be tested using contemporary and fossil data. Allowing incipient‐species abundances greater than one individual yields predictions on how these dynamics, and the form of the species‐abundance distribution, are affected by multiple speciation modes. We apply this new model to contemporary and fossil data that encompass 30 Myr of macroevolution for planktonic foraminifera. By synthesizing the model with these empirical data, we present evidence that dynamical issues with neutral biodiversity theory may be resolved by incorporating the effects of environmental stochasticity and incipient‐species abundance on biodiversity dynamics.
Assessing the attitudes to prostate cancer treatment among European male patients
Authors: Schulman Claude
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVES  To understand the attitudes of patients with prostate cancer toward the disease in general and to the use of hormone therapy as treatment; to assess unmet needs in the management of prostate cancer; and to gauge patient receptivity to a potential 6‐month formulation of a luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.

PATIENTS AND METHODS  Face‐to‐face interviews, lasting 50 min on average, were conducted during January and February 2007 with 200 European men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

RESULTS  Most patients were very satisfied with their physician, particularly with specialists, with 94% of men being satisfied with their expertise and 67% fully trusting the recommended treatment. Therapeutic efficacy was considered the most crucial aspect of treatment, although maintaining their lifestyle during treatment was also considered important (83% of patients). In all, 67% of patients believed that consideration should be given to lifestyle needs when selecting treatment; however, over half (55%) had never raised lifestyle issues with their physicians. Most patients would prefer fewer injections, with 68% (135/200) preferring 6‐monthly injections over 3‐ or 1‐monthly depots. Perceived advantages of 6‐monthly injections include less discomfort/pain, more quality of life, fewer reminders of the disease and more ability to undertake activities without restriction.

CONCLUSIONS  Patients with prostate cancer are generally very satisfied with their physicians and the information they receive, yet find it difficult to communicate their lifestyle needs. Most patients would prefer 6‐monthly LHRH agonist therapy due to the many advantages associated with fewer injections, including its efficacy in reducing testosterone levels. Improving patients’ willingness to raise lifestyle issues with their physicians, providing more effective patient‐physician communication and less frequent injections might assist in achieving both optimal control of testosterone and optimal management of prostate cancer.
Is Exchange Rate Pass‐Through in Pork Meat Export Prices Constrained by the Supply of Live Hogs?
Authors: Gervais Jean-Philippe , Khraief Naceur
Published: May 2007

The impact of lags in the production and marketing of agricultural products on the degree of exchange rate pass‐through in export prices is investigated. The predictions of the theoretical model are tested by investigating Canadian pork export prices in the United States and Japan. The empirical methodology accounts for unit root and cointegration using the dynamic seemingly unrelated regression framework and a minimum distance estimator. Predetermined hog supplies have a statistically significant impact on export prices of two out of three Canadian provinces. The degree of misspecification involved with standard pass‐through models that do not account for production lags is also illustrated.
Is Risk Aversion Really Correlated with Wealth? How Estimated Probabilities Introduce Spurious Correlation
Authors: Lybbert Travis J. , Just David R.
Published: May 2007

Economists frequently focus on correlations between wealth and risk preferences but rarely observe the probabilities needed to test this relationship empirically. These unobserved probabilities are typically estimated via profit or production functions conditioned on wealth correlates, which may leave statistical fingerprints on subsequently‐estimated risk aversion coefficients and confound correlations between wealth and risk preferences. Using data from an experiment with observable probabilities, we compare risk aversion coefficients based on true probabilities with those based on probabilities estimated using standard approaches and show how estimated probabilities can change risk aversion coefficients substantially and introduce spurious correlation between risk aversion and wealth.
LOCATION OF PUBLIC FIRM IN THE PRESENCE OF MULTINATIONAL FIRM: A MIXED DUOPOLY APPROACH*
Authors: OGAWA HIKARU , SANJO YASUO
Published: May 2007

By incorporating a multinational private firm into the mixed duopoly model with Hotelling‐type spatial competition, we show that the private firm's nationality is a matter of the public firm's location. As the share of foreign capital increases in the private (multinational) firm, the public firm moves to a central place. The effects of price regulation and sequential location choice are also discussed.
A Curriculum for the ‘Educated Man’?
Authors: Dyson Alan
Published: May 2007

Vocationalism is irrelevant to the education of children with special educational needs, writes Alan Dyson, special coordinator, Benfield School, Newcastle‐upon‐Tyne.
Backlash Let's Stop ‘Statementing’ Children
Authors: Smith Colin J.
Published: May 2007

‘Statementing’ is an ugly, clumsy and depersonalising word, which has become established in the vocabulary of special education. It is not too late to root it out, before it permanently damages the more flexible approach to the assessment of special educational needs for which the 1981 Education Act provides an opportunity, writes Colin J. Smith, lecturer in education, Department of Special Education, Birmingham University.
Microcomputer Software Aids to Communication
Authors: Southgate Tim
Published: May 2007

Microtechnology is providing powerful new tools for special needs children and those who work with them. For children with physical handicaps and communication problems, the micro can significantly enhance learning opportunities both by providing better access to the curriculum and also through adaptation of the curriculum to individual needs, writes Tim Southgate, head of Ormerod School, Oxford.
What Help From Swann?
Authors: Dummett Ann
Published: May 2007

The Report of the Committee of Enquiry into the Education of Children from Ethnic Minority Groups, which came out in March, is criticised by Ann Dummett, director of The Runnymede Trust.
Planning for Mastery in Maths
Authors: Turnbull Joanna
Published: May 2007

Joanna Turnbull describes how her Maths Links materials can help low attainers in ordinary and special schools.
A Teacher Support Group in School
Authors: Gersch Irvine S. , Rawkins Patricia
Published: May 2007

A behaviour management support group comprising a psychologist, teaching and other staff has been formed at Grosvenor House School to help deal with children presenting behaviour problems. An evaluation study revealed that the support group was felt by school staff to be a valuable school resource and that video recordings of pupils being discussed were a useful input to the group meetings. The project is described by Irvine S. Gersch, acting principal educational psychologist, and Patricia Rawkins, assessment teacher, Grosvenor House School, London Borough of Waltham Forest.
Maths to Make Things Happen
Authors: Haylock Derek , Morgans Helen
Published: May 2007

Mathematics can have meaning for low attainers if they apply their mathematical and problem solving skills to the organisation of school events, suggest Dr Derek Haylock, lecturer in mathematics education, School of Education, University of East Anglia, and Helen Morgans, primary school teacher with responsibility for children with special educational needs, William Wordsworth School, Sennelager, West Germany. They follow up some of the points made by Alec Williams in his article in the June issue.
Backlash: Integration ‐ or Bandwagon Hypocrisy?
Authors: Florek Antoni
Published: May 2007

What do schools mean by ‘integration’? Just another subject in the curriculum, leading nowhere, or a planned and speedy progression into full time, mainstream education? Antoni Florek is tutor in special needs at the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education, Wrexham, on secondment from Connahs Quay High School, Clwyd, where he was coordinator, special needs.
Research Supplement: Speed of Information Processing and the Visually Handicapped Child
Authors: Mason Heather , Tobin Michael
Published: May 2007

Heather Mason is deputy head of the Priestley Smith School, Birmingham, and Mike Tobin is director of the Research Centre for the Education of the Visually Handicapped at Birmingham University. They present a preliminary report from a more extensive study of speed of processing visual information by visually handicapped children.
Microcomputer Software: Computers in a Special Needs Unit
Authors: Watts Irevor
Published: May 2007

Trevor Watts, headteacher, Kinder School, Bassetlaw District General Hospital, Worksop ‐ formerly Kilton Hospital ‐ describes ways in which the staff use computers with profoundly and multiply handicapped children at his hospital school. Many of the children have the additional handicaps of being deaf, blind, cerebral palsied, or otherwise physically impaired. Most cannot walk and all are doubly incontinent and unable to speak.
Research Supplement: Handwriting: One Measure of Orthofunction in Conductive Education
Authors: Aubrey Carol , Sutton Andrew
Published: May 2007

Carol Aubrey has recently joined the Department of Education, University College, Cardiff; Andrew Sutton is honorary research fellow in the Department of Psychology, Birmingham University. They report a survey of handwriting attainment in children following the Conductive Education regime in Hungary.
Learning how to ‘Count us in’
Authors: Woolgar Janine
Published: May 2007

Can parents learn how to help their children with mathematics through programmes like those for raising reading skills? Janine Woolgar, educational psychologist, London Borough of Bexley, describes a pilot study which may encourage teachers and parents to work together and which was completed while the author was a trainee on the educational psychology course at North East London Polytechnic.
CDT in the ‘Special Curriculum’
Authors: Lund David
Published: May 2007

Getting craft, design and technology into the curriculum for children with special educational needs is often beset with difficulties, but it is well worth trying to overcome them suggests David Lund, who is deputy head of the Rhyl Adjustment Unit, Clwyd, North Wales.
‘But I Wouldn't Want to go Back’
Authors: Askew Hilary , Thomas David
Published: May 2007

Reflections on the re‐integration of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties into mainstream schools are offered by Hilary Askew, teacher in a day school for maladjusted children, and David Thomas, senior lecturer in the Department of Education, Liverpool University.
The Music Circus Comes to School
Authors: Horner Judith
Published: May 2007

With the help of staff and parents, profoundly handicapped children in Northamptonshire appeared as clowns and circus animals in a festival/workshop. Judith Horner, who works as advisory teacher, Music for Children with Special Needs, Northamptonshire Education Department, describes the event.
How Education Guidance Centres Can Help
Authors: Green Fiona , Bayley John
Published: May 2007

Fiona Green, director, and John Bayley, deputy director, Southwark Education Guidance Centre, describe the work of two education guidance centres run for the Inner London Education Authority. They explain some of the underlying assumptions and show how the centres' approach can be applied to mainstream schools in order to help children with severe conduct disorders.
Policy and Provision under the 1981 Act
Authors: Wedell K. , Welton J. , Evans J. , Goacher B.
Published: May 2007

This paper is an account of a research project on ‘The 1981 Education Act: Policy and Provision for Special Educational Needs’. It was carried out at the Institute of Education, London University, and funded by the Department of Education and Science. The research was directed by Dr J. Welton and Professor K. Wedell. Brian Goacher was the senior research officer and Jennifer Evans, the research officer.
Visitors are Welcome but…
Authors: Farrar Mel
Published: May 2007

Some reflections are offered from a special school for physically handicapped children in Lancashire on ways of managing visitors. A school policy on visitors is advisable.
Glue Sniffers with Special Needs
Authors: O'Connor Denis
Published: May 2007

Glue sniffing and the misuse of solvents by children and teenagers have seriously affected school populations throughout the United Kingdom during the last 10 years. Children with special educational needs seem more likely to indulge in solvent abuse than other children because some tend to suffer from anxieties, frustrations and inferiority feelings generated by the stresses arising both from their conditions and the attitudes of other people towards them, writes Dr Denis O'Connor, lecturer and director of the Counselling Clinic for adolescents, School of Education, Newcastle University.
Bringing Life and Energy into Schools
Authors: Dillon Patrick , Nichols Ruth
Published: May 2007

The Interactive Video in Schools Project (IVIS) has been funded by the Department of Trade and Industry to investigate the educational potential of interactive video. Patrick Dillon, head, science division, Bulmershe College of Higher Education, Reading, director, Life and Energy project, and Ruth Nichols, adviser for special education, Berkshire, introduce the medium.
No Longer Deaf to their Needs
Authors: Flaxbeard Richard , Toomey Wendy
Published: May 2007

The difficulties which may be experienced by the hearing children of deaf parents as they approach puberty are not often discussed in print although, for instance, the Open University course E241 (1982) does include a case study on such a family. The following description of a group of such children and the experimental help they received is given by Richard Flaxbeard, formerly senior educational psychologist, Bedfordshire County Council, now principal educational psychologist with the London Borough of Barnet, and by Wendy Toomey, senior social worker for the deaf, Bedfordshire. It may alert readers to the potential problems faced by hearing children of deaf parents and to possible ways of responding.
Assessment of Vision in Multiply Impaired Children
Authors: Buultjens Marianna , Aitken Stuart
Published: May 2007

Marianna Buultjens is tutor to the Diploma Course for Teachers of Visually Impaired Children, Moray House College of Education; Dr Aitken is psychologist and counsellor at the Royal Blind School, Edinburgh. They consider evidence on the assessment of vision in children with multiple impairment. Their data were obtained from educational personnel involved in placement decisions for 50 children. They point to heavy reliance on medical sources of information and a lack of confidence in the formal methods available. It seems that little practical information on visual functioning of the child is being made available for the guidance of educators.
Book Reviews
Authors: Fish John
Published: May 2007

Book reviewed in this article:

Youth Training in Europe Social Europe

Catching Up Richard Stowell

TVEI and Special Educational Needs

Getting Involved

Transition to Adulthood D. Hutshinson, C. Tennyson

A ‘Special’ Professionalism
Editorial Reflections on the First Seven Years
Authors: Phillips C.J.
Published: May 2007

Seven years ago this journal added the Research Supplement to its regular features, taking the form of eight centre pages which could be detached from the rest of the quarterly journal. The supplement began under the editorship of Professor Chris Kiernan, now director of the Hester Adrian Research Centre, Manchester University, but at that time working at the Thomas Coram Research Unit. He was succeeded by Dr Peter Gurney of Exeter University. The current editor reports on some aspects of the supplement, including an analysis of the topics of the articles it has published and the amount of space, by pages, which has been given to certain areas of special educational needs.
Launching Parent to Parent Schemes
Authors: Hornby Garry
Published: May 2007

Parent self help groups have often been arranged informally among parents of children with special educational needs, but the Parent to Parent schemes described by Garry Hornby, lecturer in the School of Education, Hull University, are more organised and include training courses for parents.
Precision Teaching … and all that!
Authors: Raybould E.C. , Solity J.E.
Published: May 2007

Doubts and questions about precision teaching continue to haunt teachers. Two exponents of the approach, E.C. Raybould, senior educational psychologist, Walsall Education Department, and Jonathan Solity, lecturer in psychology and special educational needs, Warwick University, offer their answers to questions about the principles and rationale in the first of two articles.
The New Act: A Special Need for Vigilance
Authors: Wedell Klaus
Published: May 2007

The conflict between the intentions of the Education Reform Act and those of the 1981 Education Act, the Warnock Report and related developments is discussed by Professor Klaus Wedell, Institute of Education, London University. Questions about modifying and disapplying the National Curriculum for pupils with special educational needs are also raised.
New Issues in In‐service Education
Authors: Daniels Harry , Porter Jill , Sandow Sarah
Published: May 2007

The upheaval in in‐service teacher training since the arrival of GRIST is discussed by Harry Daniels, Institute of Education, London University, and by Jill Porter and Sarah Sandow, West London Institute of Higher Education. Although their new courses in special education are only an example of a number of innovations around the country they do illustrate the wider trend towards modular courses which can be studied to gain qualifications at varying levels.
Writing with a Telling Purpose
Authors: Morris Chris , Edwards Helen
Published: May 2007

The School Curriculum Development Committee launched a three‐year National Writing Project in September 1985 and about 25 local education authorities took part. The project was a teacher‐led and classroom‐based investigation of children's writing development. Chris Morris, coordinator, National Writing Project in Dudley, and Helen Edwards, teacher at Sutton School, Dudley describe the way the project was developed with pupils with moderate learning difficulties.
Games for Promoting Communication
Authors: Mackay Margaret , Watson Judith
Published: May 2007

Although it may not be possible for pupils with severe learning difficulties to communicate fluently with other people, they can be helped to do so to the limits of their capacity. Margaret Mackay, head of Lochgelly North School in Fife and Dr Judith Watson, Professional and Curriculum Support Studies Department, Moray House College, Edinburgh, describe a series of games which have helped to improve children's communication skills.
Whole School Policies at Primary Level
Authors: Bines Hazel
Published: May 2007

The whole‐school approach in secondary schools has been the theme of a number of journal articles during recent years. This is the first, however, to concentrate on the whole‐school approach in the primary school. It comes from Dr Hazel Bines, senior lecturer in education, Oxford Polytechnic. A subsequent contribution from the head of a London infants school will look at the way in which the written policy for a whole‐school approach can be drawn up, agreed, and implemented by staff.
From Counting to Arithmetic: The Development of Early Number Skills
Authors: McEvoy John
Published: May 2007

This article reviews the evidence from the many studies of young children which together trace the sequence of development from counting to the beginnings of formal arithmetic. The author is senior psychologist at Cheeverstown House, Dublin. He proposes that knowledge of the normal progression in this area is invaluable in meeting special educational needs.
How Accessible is Level 1 Maths?
Authors: O'Toole Brian , O'Toole Pamela
Published: May 2007

Some teachers have been expressing doubts about the appropriateness of the early levels of National Curriculum mathematics targets for children with learning difficulties. Dr Brian O'Toole, lecturer in special education, and Pamela O'Toole, also at the Department of Education, Manchester University, report a study of 99 children in special and mainstream schools which supports these doubts. Many of the seven‐year‐olds were unable to succeed at Level 1 in number and will need structured preliminary programmes to do so.
Computer Use with Children with Special Educational Needs in Primary Schools
Authors: Goler Bill
Published: May 2007

The use of computers to enhance the learning of children with special educational needs has many advocates. Such children in mainstream schools, however, may be failing to obtain the full benefits of computer aided learning through limited resources and lack of teacher expertise. After a period of advisory work in this field, Bill Goler is now teaching in a special school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties. His article is based on a dissertation for the Master's degree at Manchester University.
History: Issues to Resolve
Authors: Wilson Michael D.
Published: May 2007

Sections 3 and 4 of the 1988 Education Reform Act include history as one of the compulsory foundation subjects in the National Curriculum and empower the Secretary of State to specify attainment targets, programmes of study, and assessment arrangements for history for children of compulsory school age. The History Working Group appointed to advise the Secretary of State on history reported in January and its recommendations for attainment targets, programmes of study and statements of attainment were published in April in its final report. Michael D. Wilson, deputy head, Carr Hill School, Kirkham, Lancashire, and author of History for Pupils with Learning Difficulties, comments on the recommendations in relation to special educational needs.
Topic Game for Creative Planning
Authors: Hammond Caroline , Read Geoffrey
Published: May 2007

A cross‐curricular planning process, with supporting materials known as the ‘Topic Game’, has been devised at Arnold Derrymount School for pupils with moderate learning difficulties in Nottingham. The authors, Caroline Hammond and Geoffrey Read, have developed it as part of the staff support programme and it has been used by other teachers both in Nottinghamshire and nationally.
A Jigsaw Approach to Group Work
Authors: Rose Richard
Published: May 2007

Using group work as a way of meeting children's individual learning needs is becoming more widespread in a variety of schools. Richard Rose, head of Wren Spinney School, Kettering, Northamptonshire LEA, and a member of the National Curriculum Development Team (SLD) at Cambridge Institute of Education, describes a strategy for promoting group work in schools for pupils with severe learning difficulties.
Severe Learning Difficulties in Northern Ireland: Leaving School
Authors: Wells Ian
Published: May 2007

Responsibility for pupils with severe learning difficulties in Northern Ireland was only recently taken by the education authorities. The findings of research into the school leaving arrangements are described by Dr Ian Wells, senior research officer with the Northern Ireland Council for Educational Research (NICER), Belfast.
PE: Movement in the Right Direction
Authors: Sugden David
Published: May 2007

The subject working group appointed to advise the Secretary of State on physical education in the National Curriculum reported in June and its recommendations for attainment targets, programmes of study and statements of attainment were published in August in its final report. Dr David Sugden, reader in education at Leeds University, comments on the relevance of the proposals for pupils with special needs.
Moving away from Specialisation
Authors: Detheridge Tina
Published: May 2007

Tina Detheridge, national co‐ordinator for special needs, National Council for Educational Technology (NCET), offers an overview of recent advances in technology for special needs.
Assessment for Differentiation
Authors: Hall Elizabeth Falconer
Published: May 2007

Elizabeth Falconer Hall, adviser for special needs, Wiltshire LEA, suggests a variety of ways of assessing the curriculum and assessing pupils so that tasks can be matched to learners. The emphasis is on formative and diagnostic assessment but summative assessment is also discussed.
Reading Recovery: Myth and Reality
Authors: Wade Barrie
Published: May 2007

Barrie Wade, School of Education, Birmingham University, describes the Reading Recovery programme, reviews the evidence for its effectiveness and concludes that it is ‘a possible way forward’.
Fragile‐X Syndrome and Education
Authors: Gibb Charles , Holliday Judith
Published: May 2007

Charles Gibb, educational psychologist, Humberside LEA, and Judith Holliday, senior teacher at Kirkella Primary School, Kirkella, near Hull, describe a condition which has, until recently, been known to only a few teachers, but which has implications for teaching and learning. They stress the value of visual learning, careful assessment of the conceptual level of material, consistency of approach and working with parents. Speech therapy can also be helpful where it permeates classroom activities.
Children with Specific Language Impairments: Curricular Opportunities and School Performance
Authors: Conti‐Ramsden Gina , Donlan Christopher , Grove John
Published: May 2007

Gina Conti‐Ramsden, Christopher Donlan and John Grove raise important issues for the curricular provision for pupils with severe language impairment in their exploratory study.
…and Reactions from Special Schools
Authors: Bangs John
Published: May 2007

While David Bartlett and Nick Peacey were conducting their survey of the 1992 standard assessment tasks (STATs) for Key Stages 1 and 3, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) carried out its own smaller scale survey of Key Stage 1. John Bangs, principal officer (special needs), Education and Equal Opportunities Department, NUT, compares and contrasts the results of the two surveys.
Getting Our Act Together
Authors: Gray Peter , Dessent Tony
Published: May 2007

Children First, Nottinghamshire's policy for children with special educational needs, emphasises corporate ‐ not competitive ‐ planning. While government policy is geared to market forces, Nottinghamshire is resisting the trend, write Peter Gray, principal educational psychologist, and Tony Dessent, senior assistant director, Nottinghamshire LEA
The 1986 Act: Opportunities Missed
Authors: Madden Phil
Published: May 2007

The arrangements for assessing school leavers under Sections 5 and 6 of the Disabled Persons Act are ‘imperfectly applied’ or unknown in many areas. Phil Madden argues for the setting up of advisory groups which would improve the way the Act works. The author is director of social work for the Home Farm Trust, a national charity for adults with learning difficulties.
A ‘Special’ Approach to Inspection?
Authors: Fish John
Published: May 2007

The Department for Education's policy for inspecting schools neglects the need ‘to develop a coherent special educational policy for an area or to develop efficient services which support schools’. John Fish, a former staff inspector for special education, HM Inspectorate, assesses the new arrangements for schools' inspection by OFSTED which begin in September.