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Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Parents as experts: the position of parents of children with profound multiple disabilities

CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2002
K. I. De Geeter
Abstract Background Parents of children with disabilities are increasingly considered as experts in the field of care. Their expertise can deliver an important contribution towards planning their child's care and education. The law is increasingly taking this factor into consideration. On the one hand, parents already possess an abundance of know-how; on the other, they still have to increase their knowledge and sometimes their skills too. Aim The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the supposition that co-operation between parents and professionals must meet certain criteria if parents are to receive a proper chance of using their existing knowledge, while at the same time adding to their skills. Design A questionnaire was sent to 723 parents of children with profound multiple disabilities enquiring about their relationship with the professionals at their child's school for special education. Subsequently, for one group of parents, a method that recognizes the parents' expertise and assigns them a formal role was introduced. For the other group, no change in method occurred. Results The results demonstrate that parents regard co-operation in a favourable light. Comparing both groups after a year, the expected effect of the method (a better rating of the co-operation by the parents) could not be demonstrated. This is probably a result of a problem with the questionnaire used in this study. Conclusion Other studies, however, appear to support our supposition. [source]

Popular Attitudes, Globalization and Risk,

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, Issue 2 2005
Marcus Noland
Popular opposition to globalization may be interpreted as xenophobia or hostility to market economics and signal country risk, including the degree of security risk , the possibility that local staff or facilities could be subject to discriminatory treatment, harassment or attack. This paper integrates the Pew Global Attitudes data into a series of economic models on foreign direct investment (FDI), sovereign ratings and local entrepreneurship, and finds that some responses correlate with economic variables of interest, conveying information beyond what can be explained through standard models. More tolerant countries attract more FDI, obtain better ratings and exhibit more entrepreneurship. [source]

Medical management of left-sided ulcerative colitis and ulcerative proctitis: Critical evaluation of therapeutic trials

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 10 2006
Miguel Regueiro MD
Abstract Background: The goal of this work was to critically evaluate the published studies on the treatment of ulcerative proctitis (UP) and left-sided ulcerative colitis (L-UC). The results of this review provided the content for the accompanying treatment guidelines, Clinical Guidelines for the Medical Management of Left-sided Ulcerative Colitis and Ulcerative Proctitis: Summary Statement. Methods: All English language articles published between 1995 and September 2005 were identified through a comprehensive literature search using OVID and PubMed. The quality of the data supporting or rejecting the use of specific therapies was categorized by a data quality grading scale. An "A+" grade was assigned to treatment supported by multiple high-quality randomized controlled trials with consistent results, whereas a "D" grade was given to therapy supported only by expert opinion. The therapeutic efficacy of a treatment was defined by its success in treating UP and L-UC compared with placebo. A medication was ranked as "excellent" if it was specifically studied for UP and L-UC and had consistently positive results compared with placebo or another agent. Quality and efficacy scores were agreed on by author consensus. Results: For the acute treatment of UP or L-UC, the rectally administered corticosteroids and mesalazine (5-ASA), either alone or in combination with oral 5-ASAs, are the most effective therapy: evidence quality, A+; efficacy, excellent. Only rectally administered 5-ASA received an A+/excellent rating for maintenance of remission. Infliximab received an A+ grade for induction and maintenance of remission but only a "good" rating because the studies were performed in all UC, not specifically UP or L-UC. Conclusions: This critical evaluation of treatment provides a "report card" on medications available for the management of patients with UP and L-UC. The guidelines should provide a useful reference and supplement for physicians treating UC patients. [source]

Clinical trial: 2-L polyethylene glycol-based lavage solutions for colonoscopy preparation , a randomized, single-blind study of two formulations

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2010
L. B. Cohen
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 637,644 Summary Background, The 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) lavage solutions provide efficacy similar to that of standard 4-L PEG formulations in spite of the reduced volume. The comparative efficacy and tolerability of two formulations of 2-L PEG solution remain unknown. Aims, To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of PEG + Bis compared with PEG + Asc, and to study the effect of bowel cleansing quality on adenoma detection rates. Methods, Patients were randomized to receive either 2-L PEG with ascorbic acid (PEG + Asc) or 2-L PEG plus bisacodyl 10 mg (PEG + Bis). The primary endpoint was overall colon cleansing score, assessed by blinded investigators using a validated four-point scale. Secondary endpoints included adenoma detection rate, patient tolerability and compliance and adverse events. Results, Fifty-two patients received PEG + Asc and 55 patients received PEG + Bis. Overall colon cleansing scores (±s.d.) were 1.40 ± 0.69 and 1.75 ± 0.70 (P < 0.003) in the PEG + Asc and PEG + Bis groups, respectively. Excellent and good ratings were recorded in 69% and 23% receiving PEG + Asc compared to 38% and 51% (P = 0.01) of patients receiving PEG + Bis. More adenomas were detected in colonoscopies performed with PEG + Asc (39%) than in those performed with PEG + Bis (20%) (P = 0.04). Patient tolerability and safety were similar with both preparations. Conclusion, The use of PEG + Asc resulted in better colon cleansing and higher adenoma detection rates compared with PEG + Bis. [source]