bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Switching statins in Norway after new reimbursement policy – a nationwide prescription study
Authors: Sakshaug Solveig , Furu Kari , Karlstad Øystein , Rønning Marit , Skurtveit Svetlana 
Published: April 2007

What is already known about this subject • Use of statins is growing worldwide and costs represent a burden to public budgets.• The introduction of simvastatin generics, generic substitution and price regulations have contributed to price reductions and resulted in overall cost reductions of statin use in Norway. What this study adds • New reimbursement regulations for statins in Norway in June 2005, making simvastatin the drug of choice, had a great impact on physicians' prescribing of statins.• Nearly 40% of the atorvastatin users switched to simvastatin during the 13‐month period after implementation of the new regulations.• Among the new users of statins the proportion receiving simvastatin increased from 48% in May 2005 to 92% in June 2006.• The new regulations have reduced costs of statins, even though the prevalence of statin use has increased.AimsTo assess the changes in prescribing of statins in Norway after implementation of the new reimbursement regulations for statins in June 2005.MethodsData were retrieved from the Norwegian Prescription Database covering the total population in Norway (4.6 million). Outcome measures were the proportion of atorvastatin users switching to simvastatin and changes in the proportion of new statin users receiving simvastatin. Based on retail costs for all statin prescriptions dispensed in Norway, expenditure was measured in Norwegian currency.ResultsOne‐year prevalences of statin use increased from 6.3 to 6.8% for women and from 7.5 to 8.1% for men from the year before to the year after the new statin regulations. Of atorvastatin users (N = 131 222), 39% switched to simvastatin during the 13‐month period after the implementation. The proportion of switching was higher in women (41%) than in men (36%). In May 2005, 48% of the new statin users received simvastatin. The proportion of new users receiving simvastatin increased rapidly after implementation of the new regulations to 68% in June 2005 and reached 92% in June 2006. Expenditure was reduced from €120 million to €95 million when comparing the year before with the year after the new statin regulations.ConclusionsThe new reimbursement policy for statins has had a great impact on physicians' prescribing of statins in Norway. Physicians in Norway acknowledge the importance of contributing to cost containment.
Biology, distribution and impacts of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.)*
Authors: Mekki M. 
Published: April 2007

Silverleaf nightshade, Solanum elaeagnifolium, is listed as a noxious weed in its native range (Americas) and as an invasive alien plant in many countries across the world. Its local pattern of distribution in the EPPO region indicates that it is still in an establishment phase. S. elaeagnifolium invasiveness could be related to several biological traits: copious production of sexual and asexual propagules, its facility for long‐distance dispersion, its ability to endure considerable drought and to dominate shallow‐rooted vegetation, especially during summer dry periods, and its capacity to suppress more valuable species because it is unpalatable and toxic to cattle. Invasion of the Mediterranean semi‐arid region by S. elaeagnifolium was mainly facilitated by irrigation and animal production. Low moisture stress may favour this invasive species and sheep are an important pathway for its long‐distance dispersal. Once established, it is one of the most difficult weeds to eradicate because of its network of creeping horizontal and deep vertical roots. Its phenotypic plasticity enables it to adopt a rosette‐like growth pattern to escape control by repeated slashing. Thus, S. elaeagnifolium monitoring in the EPPO region is vital in order to contain established populations and prevent invasion.
Solanum elaeagnifolium, a potential source of Potato virus Y (PVY) propagation*
Authors: Boukhris‐Bouhachem S. , Hullé M. , Rouzé‐Jouan J. , Glais L. , Kerlan C. 
Published: April 2007

In the context of an epidemiological study on Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato crops, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. was included in the weeds prospected. Surveys were carried out in four seed potato areas: Cap Bon, Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan. S. elaeagnifolium was found in all areas, except Cap Bon. Virus‐like symptoms were observed on some S. elaeagnifolium plants in the field, i.e. leaf mottling and curling. Aphids were collected on these plants and were identified as Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae, both known to colonize potatoes and to transmit the standard PVYN isolate with transmission efficiencies of 95% and 43%, respectively. Forty‐seven plant samples were tested with ELISA for the presence of PVY. Positive reactions were obtained from 2/6, 5/18, 8/23 samples collected in Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan, respectively. Virus transmission was carried out using M. persicae as vector from two samples of each region onto plantlets of Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi. All inoculated plantlets displayed typical symptoms of the PVYN strain group, confirmed by serological testing using specific antibodies. This is the first report of a PVY natural infection on S. elaeagnifolium in Tunisia. The abundance of this weed, its over‐wintering status and the high rate of PVY‐infected plants (31.9%) allow us to deduce that S. elaeagnifolium must be considered a reservoir species of PVY under natural conditions in Tunisia and probably in other Mediterranean countries. The presence of efficient aphid vectors of PVY on this weed in crops is additional evidence that S. elaeagnifolium may become a problem by acting as a source plant for PVY spread in potato crops.
Revue des moyens de lutte contre la morelle jaune (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) au Maroc
Authors: Ameur A. , Baye Y. , Bouhache M. , Taleb A. 
Published: April 2007

Cette revue présente les méthodes de lutte contre la morelle jaune explorées au Maroc. Concernant la lutte culturale, l’emploi d’une culture étouffante comme la luzerne (Medicago sativa L.) en début de rotation réduit sensiblement l’infestation de cette adventice grâce aux fréquentes coupes, à la grande compétition et à l’effet allélopathique qu’exerce cette culture sur la morelle jaune. En lutte mécanique, trois méthodes ont démontré leur efficacité : le labour profond à la charrue à trois disques, le sweep (outil de 2,5 m de largeur composé de trois lames en V) et la sape (outil manuel qui coupe la plante au niveau du sol). Le labour profond (> 30 cm) et le sweep sont préconisés en début d’été et en post‐récolte des cultures. L’intervention à la sape, utilisée 2 à 3 fois par an au stade initiation florale dans différents biotopes, permet l’affaiblissement progressif de l’adventice à moyen terme. La luzerne, le labour profond et le sweep sont conseillés pour les infestations moyennes àélevées. En outre, les interventions mécaniques combinées aux herbicides (le glyphosate, le sulfosate, l’aminotriazole et les phytohormones) donnent souvent de bonnes efficacités. La combinaison de ces méthodes est vivement souhaitable pour les grandes superficies où l’infestation est moyenne à forte.
Challenges faced by the IR‐4 Programme and US specialty crop growers
Authors: Holm R. E. , Baron J. J. , Kunkel D. L. 
Published: April 2007

The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) was enacted in August 1996 and required the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reassess all existing and new crop protection active substances using a new set of health and environmental standards to further protect infants and children. The initial fear that many minor or specialty crop use registrations would be lost without adequate replacements has largely been overcome by an aggressive programme by the International Research Project no. 4 (IR‐4) in partnership with the EPA and the crop protection industry to register new, safer, reduced risk products for specialty crop pest control needs. Since the FQPA, the EPA has approved over 5600 new specialty crop uses resulting from IR‐4 residue programmes. This amounts to about 56% of the over 10 000 clearances received by the IR‐4 programme in its 43 year history and about 50% of all new uses granted by the EPA since FQPA. The positive outcomes from these efforts have been partially negated by the lack of tolerances or Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in countries to which US produce is exported. This has forced some US specialty crop growers to continue to use older, less desirable products. IR‐4 has been addressing this challenge by cooperating in the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) countries with Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada's Pest Management Centre and Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency to harmonize MRLs through joint projects and regulatory reviews. IR‐4 has also provided leadership for the International Crop Grouping Consulting Committee to harmonize specialty/minor crop groupings and representative crops for residue studies with the long‐term goal being to globally harmonize MRLs.
Set‐up and statistical validation of a new scoring system for obstructed defaecation syndrome
Authors: Altomare D. F. , Spazzafumo L. , Rinaldi M. , Dodi G. , Ghiselli R. , Piloni V. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjective  There is no objective means to assess the obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS), to allow evaluation of outcome or to compare the efficacy of treatment including surgery. The study aimed to validate a disease‐specific index to quantify severity to allow assessment of the results of treatment in clinical trials, to permit comparison between them.Method  Seventy‐six patients with ODS and 30 healthy controls entered the study after proctologic and ano‐rectal physiological investigation. Hirschsprung's disease and slow transit constipation were excluded. An eight‐item questionnaire with four or five possible answers was administered by two independent researchers at two different times. The ODS score was the sum of all points with a maximum possible of 31 points. Agreement between the two operators was evaluated by the Kappa coefficient for each single item. The coefficient of repeatability (CR) was assessed by the Bland and Altman plot. The internal consistency was evaluated by the Crohnbach‐alpha test. A cluster analysis was carried out on each clinical finding. The Mann–Whitney U‐test was used to compare median ODS score between patients and controls.Results  The ODS score of the two operators was normally distributed and strongly correlated (r = 0.89). The correlation coefficient between the score assigned to each item by two operators ranged from 0.79 to 0.98. The degree of agreement between the operators was good and the two methods were reproducible (CR = 3.13). There was a significant difference between the mean ODS score for patients and controls (t = 20.70, P < 0.001). The Crohnbach alpha value for internal reliability was +0.513. Cluster analysis showed a different profile between cluster 1 (a nonhomogenous group including rectocoele, intussusception or perineal descent), and cluster 2 (pelvic dysynergia).Conclusion  The ODS score offers a validated severity of disease index in grading the severity of disease and monitoring the efficacy of therapy.
A Model of Reputation in Cheap Talk*
Authors: Frisell Lars , Lagerlöf Johan N. M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe study a dynamic game of advice where the sender's preferences are unknown to the receiver. The novel feature of the model is that there is more than one type of biased sender. We show that the more equal the proportions of different biases in the sender population, the greater the credibility of the information transmitted. Somewhat surprisingly, however, we also find that the receiver does not benefit from this equality. We discuss our results in the context of political lobbying and show that institutions that increase transparency lower lobbyists' incentives for truthtelling, but unambiguously promote the policymaker's welfare.
Sisters organising in Japan and Korea: the development of women‐only unions
Authors: Broadbent Kaye 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTIn this article, I explore the development of women‐only unions in Japan and Korea. Women‐only unions, which organise women workers across enterprises and employment status boundaries in both countries, have appeared only recently and are new areas of research. While the strategy to form autonomous women‐only unions in Japan and Korea is a recent phenomenon, women workers in both countries are continuing a tradition of women's activism that has challenged both management and the male domination of the union movement. By taking a broad scope and by organising the growing non‐full‐time workforce and women employed in small workplaces, the formation of women‐only unions in Japan and Korea is a positive development for both non‐unionised women workers and for the broader workers' movement in general.
Narrowband UVB therapy for vitiligo: does the repigmentation last?
Authors: Sitek JC , Loeb M , Ronnevig JR 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground  Since 1997, a number of trials have shown promising results in treating generalized vitiligo with narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) both in adults and children. However, there is little knowledge concerning the duration and permanency of the treatment‐induced repigmentation.Objective  Our main objective was to perform a follow‐up trial of successfully treated patients receiving narrowband UVB for generalized vitiligo.Methods  We have investigated to what degree the treatment‐induced repigmentation remains stable for up to 2 years post‐treatment. We performed an initial open trial including 31 patients with generalized vitiligo. They received narrowband UVB thrice weekly for up to 12 months. Patients experiencing > 75% repigmentation were defined responders and were included in the follow‐up trial. Responders were followed every 6 months for up to 2 years after cessation of treatment. We observed the pigmentation status and registered any changes indicating loss of pigmentation and relapse.Results  Eleven of the 31 treated patients were included in the follow‐up trial. Six patients had relapse and five patients had stable response 24 months after cessation of treatment. Four out of six relapses were within 6 months post‐treatment.Conclusion  In our study population of 31 patients with generalized vitiligo, five patients (16%) experienced > 75% stable repigmentation 2 years after cessation of a treatment programme of up to 1 years narrowband UVB therapy.
Eosinophilic, polymorphic and pruritic eruption associated with radiotherapy (EPPER) in two patients with breast tumour
Authors: García‐Donoso C , Tardío JC , Arias D , Romero A , Borbujo JM 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEosinophilic polymorphic and pruritic eruption associated with radiotherapy (EPPER) is a rare entity that appears in oncological patients after radiotherapy. We describe two patients with breast tumour who presented with EPPER in a different area from the one that had been irradiated. One of them needed different types of treatment, topical and systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines and narrowband ultraviolet B. The other one responded to the application of topical corticosteroids. We suggested that this eruption could be more frequent than has been reported.
Walkley–Black analysis of forest soil organic carbon: recovery, limitations and uncertainty
Authors: De Vos B. , Lettens S. , Muys B. , Deckers J. A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOrganic carbon levels of 542 soil samples from temperate lowland forest were determined by the original and modified Walkley–Black (WB) dichromate methods and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. The performance and the lower and upper quantification limits of the WB method were assessed. Variable recovery rates were related to laboratory and field conditions and to the sample composition. The percentage carbon recovered by the original WB method was found to be systematically lower than commonly accepted, and the correction factor was estimated at 1.58 instead of 1.30–1.35. However, a good linear relationship with TOC enabled acceptable prediction of soil organic carbon which was most precise when using the original WB method. Texture class and pedogenetic horizon showed significant differences in recovery. Depending on the modifications of the WB method, recoveries varied significantly between laboratories, explaining up to 29% of the total variation of the topsoil carbon assessment of a site. Low recovery from samples was partly attributed to charcoal and resistant elementary carbon particles. No interference was found to be caused by iron or manganese compounds. In order to use WB carbon data of forest soils, laboratory‐ and method‐specific determination of the recovery rate using a total analyser is strongly recommended. The original WB method was unable to predict reliably forest soil carbon contents higher than 8% TOC.
The American Enlightenment
Authors: Reid‐Maroney Nina 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe American Enlightenment is enjoying a revival of scholarly interest. While still mindful of the rich associations between their work and the history of the American Revolution, historians of the Enlightenment have moved beyond the traditional focus on political history, joining scholars of the Enlightenment elsewhere in exploring new theoretical terrain, and the place of the American Enlightenment in the Atlantic community of letters.
Assessment of Hairline EEG as a Screening Tool for Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus
Authors: Kolls Brad J. , Husain Aatif M. 
Published: April 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Because of the high incidence of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), the attraction of a “quick and easy” screening electroencephalogram (EEG) is obvious. Previous studies have shown utility of hairline EEG in diagnosing epilepsy. However, this technique has not been evaluated as a screening tool for NCSE. We wanted to provide proof of principle that a screening hairline EEG has sufficient sensitivity to use as a screening tool for diagnosing NCSE. Methods: A total of 120, 2‐ to 3‐min EEG samples of normal and various abnormal digital EEG studies were reformatted in three six‐channel montages (A, longitudinal bipolar; B, referential to ipsilateral ear; C, referential to contralateral ear) that mimicked a hairline recording and were interpreted by five neurophysiologists. The test data interpretation was compared with the original EEG interpretation. Results: Performance was best with montages A and B; 71% and 70.5% of the samples were interpreted correctly by using these montages. Only 65% of the samples were correctly interpreted by using montage C. With the best montage (A), the sensitivities ranged from 91% for normal EEG to 54% for periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs). The sensitivity for seizures was only 72%. Seizures were frequently misinterpreted as more benign patterns such as normal and diffuse slowing. Conclusions: EEG data reformatted to resemble a hairline EEG had low sensitivity for detecting seizures. As a result, we do not recommend further pursuit of hairline EEG as a “quick and easy” screening tool for NCSE.
The Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Penicillin‐induced Epileptiform Activity in Rats
Authors: Ayyildiz Mustafa , Coskun Sule , Yildirim Mehmet , Agar Erdal 
Published: April 2007

Summary: Purpose:Epileptic seizure results from excessive discharge in a population of hyperexcitable neurons. A number of studies help to document the effects of active oxygen free radical scavengers such as α‐tocopherol or ascorbic acid (vitamin C). In the present study, we examined the effects of ascorbic acid, at the six different doses, on penicillin‐induced epileptiform activity.Methods:A single microinjection of penicillin (2.5 μl, 500 units, intracortically) into the left sensorimotor cortex induced epileptiform activity within 2–5 min, progressing to full seizure activity lasting ∼3–5 h. In the first set of experiments, 30 min after penicillin injection, six different doses of ascorbic acid (25, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally (IP). The other group of animals received the effective dose of ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg, IP) for 7 days. Ascorbic acid administration was stopped 24 h before penicillin treatment. Another group of rats received the effective dose of ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg, IP) 30 min before penicillin treatment. In the second set of experiments, the lipid peroxidation (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels of brain were measured in the control, control + ascorbic acid, penicillin, and penicillin + ascorbic acid groups.Results:Ascorbic acid, at the low dose (50, 100 mg/kg, 30 min after penicillin injection), decreased both the frequency and amplitude of penicillin‐induced epileptiform activity in rats. Ascorbic acid, at intermediate doses (200, 400 mg/kg, 30 min after penicillin injection), decreased the frequency of epileptiform activity without changing the amplitude. Ascorbic acid, at the lowest dose (25 mg/kg) and highest dose (800 mg/kg) (30 min after penicillin injection), did not change either the frequency or amplitude of epileptiform activity. Ascorbic acid, at the low dose (100 mg/kg) was the most effective dose in changing the frequency and amplitude of penicillin‐induced epileptiform activity. Pretreatment with ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg) 30 min before penicillin treatment caused a significant delay in the onset of penicillin‐induced epileptiform activity. Pretreatment with ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg) for 7 days did not change the latency of epileptiform activity. The most effective dose of ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg) prevented both the decrease in GSH level and the increase in lipid peroxidation level (MDA) occurring after penicillin‐induced epileptiform activity.Conclusions:These data indicate that ascorbic acid has neuroprotective activity against penicillin‐induced epileptiform electrocorticogram activity.
Autonomic Status Epilepticus in Panayiotopoulos Syndrome and Other Childhood and Adult Epilepsies: A Consensus View
Authors: Ferrie Colin D , Caraballo Roberto , Covanis Athanasios , Demirbilek Veysi , Dervent Aysin , Fejerman Natalio , Fusco Lucia , Grünewald Richard A. , Kanazawa Osamu , Koutroumanidis Michael , Lada Christina , Livingston John H , Nicotra Alessia , Oguni Hirokazu , Martinovic Zarko , Nordli Douglas R , Parisi Pasquale , Scott Rod C. , Specchio Nicola , Verrotti Alberto , Vigevano Federico , Walker Matthew C. , Watanabe Kazuyoshi , Yoshinaga Harumi , Panayiotopoulos Chrysostomos P 
Published: April 2007

Summary: Purpose:To discuss and propose a definition of autonomic status epilepticus (SE), describe its clinical and EEG features, and review what is known about its epidemiology, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and management.Methods:An international consortium of established researchers in the field was identified from their published work, agreed the purpose of the project, searched the literature, and, by use of e‐mail communication, agreed the consensus document.Results:Autonomic SE is a condition lasting at least 30 min and characterized by epileptic activity causing altered autonomic function of any type at seizure onset or in which manifestations consistent with altered autonomic function are prominent (quantitatively dominant or clinically important) even if not present at seizure onset. It is best described, and probably most commonly encountered in children, with Panayiotopoulos syndrome. However, it also occurs in children with symptomatic epilepsies and, exceptionally, in adults. Its pathogenesis and most appropriate management are poorly understoodConclusions:It is hoped that this document will help clinical recognition of Autonomic SE, reduce misdiagnosis, and promote further interest and studies into what has been a relatively neglected area.