4,706 research outputs found
Infliximab for Crohn's disease in the Swiss IBD Cohort Study: clinical management and appropriateness
No full textOBJECTIVE: Antitumor necrosis factor a agents have significantly improved the management of Crohn's disease (CD), but not all patients benefit from this therapy. We used data from the Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study and predefined appropriateness criteria to examine the appropriateness of use of infliximab (IFX) in CD patients.
METHODS: EPACT II (European Panel on the Appropriateness of CD Therapy, 2007; www.epact.ch) appropriateness criteria have been developed using a formal explicit panel process combining evidence from the published literature and expert opinion. Questionnaires relating to EPACT II criteria were used at enrollment and follow-up of all Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study patients. A step-by-step analysis of all possible indications for IFX therapy in a given patient allowed identification of the most appropriate indication and final classification in a single appropriateness category (appropriate, uncertain, inappropriate).
RESULTS: Eight hundred and twenty-one CD patients were prospectively enrolled between November 2006 and March 2009. IFX was administered to 146 patients (18%) at enrollment and was most frequently used for complex fistulizing disease and for the maintenance of remission induced by biological therapy. IFX therapy was considered appropriate in 44%, uncertain in 44%, and inappropriate in 10% of patients.
CONCLUSION: In this cohort, 9 out of 10 indications for IFX therapy were clinically generally acceptable (appropriate or uncertain) according to EPACT II criteria. Uncertain indications resulted mainly from the current more liberal use of IFX in clinical practice as compared with the EPACT II criteria
Robust automated detection of microstructural white matter degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease using machine learning classification of multicenter DTI data
No full textDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) based assessment of white matter fiber tract integrity can support the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The use of DTI as a biomarker, however, depends on its applicability in a multicenter setting accounting for effects of different MRI scanners. We applied multivariate machine learning (ML) to a large multicenter sample from the recently created framework of the European DTI study on Dementia (EDSD). We hypothesized that ML approaches may amend effects of multicenter acquisition. We included a sample of 137 patients with clinically probable AD (MMSE 20.6±5.3) and 143 healthy elderly controls, scanned in nine different scanners. For diagnostic classification we used the DTI indices fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) and, for comparison, gray matter and white matter density maps from anatomical MRI. Data were classified using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) and a Naïve Bayes (NB) classifier. We used two cross-validation approaches, (i) test and training samples randomly drawn from the entire data set (pooled cross-validation) and (ii) data from each scanner as test set, and the data from the remaining scanners as training set (scanner-specific cross-validation). In the pooled cross-validation, SVM achieved an accuracy of 80% for FA and 83% for MD. Accuracies for NB were significantly lower, ranging between 68% and 75%. Removing variance components arising from scanners using principal component analysis did not significantly change the classification results for both classifiers. For the scanner-specific cross-validation, the classification accuracy was reduced for both SVM and NB. After mean correction, classification accuracy reached a level comparable to the results obtained from the pooled cross-validation. Our findings support the notion that machine learning classification allows robust classification of DTI data sets arising from multiple scanners, even if a new data set comes from a scanner that was not part of the training sample
Effectiveness of brief schema group therapy for borderline personality disorder symptoms : a randomized pilot study
No full textBackground and objectives Schema group therapy is a potentially cost-effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). We piloted the feasibility and effectiveness of a 20-session schema group therapy without individual therapy among psychiatric BPD outpatients in a randomized pilot study registered as a clinical trial (ISRCTN76381242). Methods Altogether 42 psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with BPD were randomized 2:1 to a 20-session weekly schema group therapy plus treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 28) vs. a control group with TAU alone (n = 14). The primary outcome was decline of BPD symptoms in the short Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23) score. Secondary outcomes were decline in symptoms of anxiety, depression, alcohol use, and improvement in functioning and schema modes. Two external experts evaluated validity of the intervention based on videotaped sessions. Results Overall, 23 schema group therapy patients (82%) and 12 controls (86%) completed their treatment. Treatment validity good or very good. However, no significant differences emerged in the primary outcome mean BSL-23 decline (6.95 [SE 5.91] in group schema therapy vs. 12.55 [4.85] in TAU) or in any of the secondary outcome measures. Limitations Despite randomization, the TAU subgroup had non-significantly higher baseline scores in most measures. Small sample size predisposing to type II errors; reliance on self-reported outcomes. Conclusions Schema group therapy was feasible for psychiatric outpatients with BPD. However, in this small pilot study we did not find it more effective than TAU. Effectiveness of this short intervention remains open.Peer reviewe
Appropriate management of special situations in Crohn's disease (upper gastro-intestinal; extra-intestinal manifestations; drug safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding) : results of a multidisciplinary international expert panel--EPACT II
No full textINTRODUCTION: High-grade evidence is lacking for most therapeutic decisions in Crohn's disease. Appropriateness criteria were developed for upper gastro-intestinal, extra-intestinal manifestations and drug safety during conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding in patients with Crohn's disease, to assist the physician in clinical decision making. METHODS: The European Panel on the Appropriateness of Crohn's Disease Therapy (EPACT II), a multidisciplinary international European expert panel, rated clinical scenarios based on evidence from the published literature and panelists' own clinical expertise. Median ratings (on a 9-point scale) were stratified into three categories: appropriate (7-9), uncertain (4-6 with or without disagreement) and inappropriate (1-3). Experts were also asked to rank appropriate medications by priority. RESULTS: Proton pump inhibitors, steroids, azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine and infliximab are appropriate for upper gastro-duodenal Crohn's disease; for stenosis, endoscopic balloon dilation is the first-line therapy, although surgery is also appropriate. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the only appropriate treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis. Infliximab is appropriate for Pyoderma gangrenosum, ankylosing spondylitis and uveitis, steroids for Pyoderma gangrenosum and ankylosing spondylitis, adalimumab for Pyoderma gangrenosum and ankylosing spondylitis, cyclosporine-A/tacrolimus for Pyoderma gangrenosum. Mesalamine, sulfasalazine, prednisone, azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine, ciprofloxacin, and probiotics, may be administered safely during pregnancy or for patients wishing to conceive, with the exception that male patients considering conception should avoid sulfasalazine. Metronidazol is considered safe in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters whereas infliximab is rated safe in the 1st trimester but uncertain in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Methotrexate is always contraindicated at conception, during pregnancy or during breastfeeding, due to its known teratogenicity. Mesalamine, prednisone, probiotics and infliximab are considered safe during breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: EPACT II recommendations are freely available online (www.epact.ch). The validity of these criteria should now be tested by prospective evaluation
Appropriate maintenance treatment for Crohn's disease : results of a multidisciplinary international expert panel--EPACT II
No full textThe importance of comparison in a phenomenological study of clients' experience on an assessment group for group psychotherapy
No full textUsing a grounded theory approach, this study explored the experiences of eight clients who attended a group assessment group (GAG) within a UK adult psychotherapy service. The aim of the GAG was to give clients a one off experience of group therapy to enable them to make a more informed decision about the suitability of analytic group therapy. The qualitative analysis revealed comparison to be a key theme for 7 of the 8 clients. Comparison with others was experienced in terms of similarity and dissimilarity of problems and issues and of the behaviour of the group members. These experiences related to issues such as deserving to be there and stigma and this influenced their decisions to opt for group work. Comparisons were also made between the GAG and subsequent group therapy. The issue of social comparison is discussed with reference to previous theory and research and the implications of the study for group therapy and group assessment groups are explored
a descriptive analysis of the Eurobact II study
No full textFunding Information: The Eurobact 2 study group, National coordinators, scientific committee and participating intensive care units: East Asia and Pacific: Australia —National Coordinator: A/Prof. Alexis Tabah; Scientific Committee: Prof. Jeffrey Lipman; Participating ICUs: The Prince Charles Hospital, Adult Intensive Care Services: Dr. Mahesh Ramanan. Fiona Stanley Hospital, Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Edward Litton, Ms Anna Maria Palermo, Mr Timothy Yap, Mr Ege Eroglu. Japan —National Coordinator: Dr. Yoshiro Hayashi; Participating ICUs: Hiroshima University Hospital, ICU: Dr. Koji Hosokawa. St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital, Mixed ICU: Dr. Hideki Yoshida, Prof. Shigeki Fujitani. Middle East and North Africa: Iran —National Coordinator: Prof. Farid Zand; Participating ICUs: Imam-Reza, General Icu: Prof Ata Mahmoodpoor. Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Clinical Immunology Research Center: Dr. Seyed Mohammad Nasirodin (S.M.N.) Tabatabaei. Saudi Arabia —Participating ICUs: Prince Sultan Medical Military Center, Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Omar Elrabi, Dr. Ghaleb A Almekhlafi. Latin America and The Caribbean: Argentina —National Coordinator: Dr. Gabriela Vidal; Participating ICUs: Hospital Zatti, Ucia: Dra Marta Aparicio, Microbiologa Irene Alonzo. Mexico —National Coordinator: Dr. Silvio A. Namendys-Silva; Participating ICUs: Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo: Dr. Mariana Hermosillo, Dr. Roberto Alejandro Castillo. Europe And Central Asia: Belgium —National Coordinator: Dr. Liesbet De Bus; Scientific Committee: Jan De Waele; Participating ICUs: A.S.Z., Iz: Dr. Isabelle Hollevoet. Clinique Saint-Pierre, Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Nicolas De Schryver, Dr. Nicolas Serck. Bosnia And Herzegovina —National Coordinator: Dr. Pedja Kovacevic; Participating ICUs: University Clinical Centre of The Republic Of Srpska, Medical Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Pedja Kovacevic, Dr. Biljana Zlojutro. France —National Coordinator: Prof. Marc Leone; Scientific Committee: Prof. Jean-François Timsit, Prof. Etienne Ruppe, Mr. Stephane Ruckly, Prof. Philippe Montravers; Participating ICUs: Centre Hospitalier De Bigorre, Service De Réanimation Polyvalente: Dr. Thierry Dulac, Dr. Jérémy Castanera. Centre Hospitalier De Pau, Réanimation Polyvalente: Dr. Alexandre Massri, Dr. Charlotte Guesdon. Ghef Site De Marne-La-Vallée, Réanimation Polyvalente: Dr. Pierre Garcon, Dr. Matthieu Duprey. Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph, Médecine Intensive et Réanimation: Dr. François Philippart, Dr. Marc Tran, Dr. Cédric Bruel. Hôpital De La Source, Centre Hospitalier Régional D'orléans, Médecine Intensive & Réanimation (Medical Icu): Dr. François Barbier. Hôpital Louis Pasteur, Réanimation: Dr. Pierre Kalfon, Mr Gaëtan Badre. Sorbonne Universite Pitie Salpetriere, Médecine Intensive Et Réanimation Neurologique: Dr. Sophie Demeret, Dr. Loïc Le Guennec. Italy —National Coordinator: Prof. Matteo Bassetti and Dr. Daniele Giacobbe; Participating ICUs: Città Della Salute E Della Scienza - Molinette, Anestesia E Rianimazione Universitaria: Dr. Giorgia Montrucchio, Dr. Gabriele Sales. Irccs Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Terapia Intensiva: Dr. Ivan Daroui, Dr. Giovanni Lodi. Policlino Paolo Giaccone, Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, Terapia Intensiva Polivalente: Dr. Andrea Cortegiani, Dr. Mariachiara Ippolito, Dr. Davide Bellina, Dr. Andrea Di Guardo. Sant'andrea Hospital Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Medical And Surgical Science And Translational Medicine Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Monica Rocco, Dr. Silvia Fiorelli. Poland —National Coordinator: Dr. Adam Mikstacki; Participating ICUs: Wss Im. Wl. Bieganskiego, Oddzial Anestezjologii I Intensywnej Terapii - Osrodek Pozaustrojowych Technik Wspomagania Czynnosci Nerek I Wątroby: Prof Assoc Mariusz Peichota, Dr. Iwona Pietraszek-Grzywaczewska. Portugal —National Coordinator: Prof. José-Artur Paiva; Scientific Committee: Prof. Pedro Póvoa; Participating ICUs: CHUA Faro, Smi-1: Dr. Andriy Krystopchuk, Dr. Ana Teresa. Hospital De Cascais Dr Jose De Almeida, Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos: Dr. António Manuel Pereira de Figueiredo, Dr. Isabel Botelho. Hospital Sao Francisco Xavier, CHLO, Unidade De Cuidados Intensivos Polivalente: Dr. Vasco Costa, Dr. Rui Pedro Cunha. Russian Federation —National Coordinator: Prof Alexey Gritsan; Participating ICUs: Privolzhskiy District Medical Center, Department Anesthesiology and Intensive Care: Dr. Vladislav Belskiy, Dr. Mikhail Furman. Spain —National Coordinator: Dr. Ricard Ferrer; Participating ICUs: Vall D'herbon, Intensive Care Medicine: Dr. Ricard Ferrer, Dr. Maria Martinez, Dr. Vanessa Casares. Hospital Del Mar, Critical Care Unit: Dr. Maria Pilar Gracia Arnillas, Dr. Rosana Munoz Bermudez. Hospital Punta De Europa, Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Alejandro Ubeda, Dra Maria Salgado. Hospital Universitario La Paz, Surgical Critical Care Unit: Dr. Emilio Maseda, Dr. Alejandro Suarez De La Rica. University Hospital Severo Ochoa, Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Miguel Angel Blasco-Navalpotro, Dr. Alberto Orejas Gallego. Switzerland —National Coordinator: Dr. Josef Prazak; Scientific Committee: Dr. Niccolò Buetti; Participating ICUs: Chuv, Service De Médecine Intensive Adulte: Dr. Jl Pagani, Mrs S Abed-Maillard. Turkey —National Coordinator: Prof. Akova Murat, Dr. Abdullah Tarık Aslan; Participating ICUs: Hacettepe University of Faculty of Medicine, Intensive Care Unit(ICU): Dr. Akova Murat, Dr. Abdullah Tarik Aslan, Dr. Arzu Topeli Iskit. Acibadem Kadikoy Hospital, ICU: Dr. Selcuk Mehtap, Dr. Solakoğlu Ceyhun. Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara City Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology: Dr. Bircan Kayaaslan, Dr. Ayşe Kaya Kalem. Aydin Adnan Menderes University Research Hospital, Anesthesia and Reanimation ICU: Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Kurt, Dr. (Professor) Murat Telli, Dr. (Associate Professor) Barcin Ozturk. Hitit University Erol Olcok Education and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology: Prof. Dr. Nurcan (N) Baykam, Assistant Prof. Dr. Özlem (O) Akdoğan. Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Sadi Sun ICU: Prof.Dr. Nese Saltoglu, Ass Prof.Dr. Ridvan Karaali. Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology: Prof Dr. Iftihar Koksal, Assist. Prof. Firdevs Aksoy. Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, ICU: Dr. Kemal Tolga Saracoglu, Dr. Yeliz Bilir. Kayseri City Hospital, ICU: Dr. Seda Guzeldag. Mersin University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology: Dr. Gulden Ersoz, Dr. Guliz Evik. School Of Medicine, Medipol Mega University Hospitals Complex, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation: Dr. Cem Erdogan. Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology: Dr. Yasar Bayindir, Dr. Yasemin Ersoy. The United Kingdom —National Coordinator: Dr. Andrew Conway Morris; Participating ICUs: Addenbrookes Hospital, John V Farman Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Andrew Conway Morris, Dr. Matthew Routledge. Addenbrookes Hospital, Neurocritical Care Unit (NCCU): Dr. Andrew Conway Morris, Dr. Ari Ercole. Croydon University Hospital, Critical Care Unit: Dr. Ashok Raj, Dr. Artemis Zormpa, Dr. George Tinaslanidis, Mrs Reena Khade. Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Critical Care Unit: Dr. Ashraf Roshdy Sandwell And West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Santhana Kannan, Dr. Supriya Antrolikar, Dr. Nicholas Marsden. Warwick Hospital, Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Ben Attwood, Dr. Jamie Patel. South Asia: India —National Coordinator: Prof. Mohan Gurjar; Participating ICUs: St Johns Medical College Hospital, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Micu: Dr. Carol Dsilva, Dr. Jagadish Chandran. Sub-Saharan Africa: Sudan —National Coordinator: Dr. Bashir El Sanousi; Participating ICUs: East Nile Hospital, Intensive Care Unit: Dr. Elfayadh Saidahmed, Dr. Hytham K.S. Hamid. Funding Information: The authors have disclosed that they do not have conflict of interest. Dr. Buetti received a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grant Number: P4P4PM_194449). Prof. Timsit received fees for lectures to 3M, MSD, Pfizer, and BioMérieux; he received research grants from Astellas, 3M, MSD, and Pfizer; and he participated to advisory boards of 3M, MSD, Bayer Pharma, Nabriva, and Pfizer. Dr. Barbier received consulting and lecture fees from MSD and BioMérieux. Prof. Cortegiani received fees for lectures from Gilead, MSD, Pfizer; and he participated to advisory boards of MSD, Gilead, Pfizer. Dr. Montrucchio received fees for lectures from Gilead, Pfizer, Thermofisher; and she participated to advisory boards of Gilead. Dr. Conway Morris sits on the scientific advisory board of Cambridge Infection Diagnostics. Prof. Akova received grants from Pfizer and Gilead, had lecture fees paid to the institution by Pfizer and Sanofi. Dr. Ramanan acknowledges support from the Metro North Hospital and Health Services Clinician-Researcher Fellowship. Dr. Conway Morris sits on the scientific advisory board of Cambridge Infection Diagnostics. Dr. Conway Morris is supported by a Clinician Scientist Fellowship from the Medical Research Council (MR/V006118/1). Prof. José-Artur Paiva received fees for consulting, advisory boards or lectures from MSD, Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca, Gilead, Jansen, Cepheid, AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals. Funding Information: Research grants were obtained from the European society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) study Group for Infections in Critically Ill Patients (ESGCIP), the Norva Dahlia foundation and the Redcliffe Hospital Private Practice Trust Fund. Dr. Buetti received a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grant Number: P4P4PM_194449). The study was endorsed by the critically ill group of the ESCMID (ESGCIP) and by the infection group of the ESICM with scientific input of the OUTCOMEREA network. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Background: The study aimed to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HABSIs) between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 critically ill patients. Methods: We used data from the Eurobact II study, a prospective observational multicontinental cohort study on HABSI treated in ICU. For the current analysis, we selected centers that included both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 critically ill patients. We performed descriptive statistics between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 in terms of patients’ characteristics, source of infection and microorganism distribution. We studied the association between COVID-19 status and mortality using multivariable fragility Cox models. Results: A total of 53 centers from 19 countries over the 5 continents were eligible. Overall, 829 patients (median age 65 years [IQR 55; 74]; male, n = 538 [64.9%]) were treated for a HABSI. Included patients comprised 252 (30.4%) COVID-19 and 577 (69.6%) non-COVID-19 patients. The time interval between hospital admission and HABSI was similar between both groups. Respiratory sources (40.1 vs. 26.0%, p < 0.0001) and primary HABSI (25.4% vs. 17.2%, p = 0.006) were more frequent in COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 patients had more often enterococcal (20.5% vs. 9%) and Acinetobacter spp. (18.8% vs. 13.6%) HABSIs. Bacteremic COVID-19 patients had an increased mortality hazard ratio (HR) versus non-COVID-19 patients (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.49–2.45). Conclusions: We showed that the epidemiology of HABSI differed between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Enterococcal HABSI predominated in COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 patients with HABSI had elevated risk of mortality. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.org number NCT03937245. Registered 3 May 2019.publishersversionpublishe
Sitting behaviour is not associated with incident diabetes over 13 years: the Whitehall II cohort study
No full textThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Background/Aim: Although certain types of sedentary behaviour have been linked to
metabolic risk, prospective studies describing the links between sitting with incident diabetes
are scarce and often do not account for baseline adiposity. We investigate the associations
between context-specific sitting and incident diabetes in a cohort of mid-aged to older British
civil servants. Methods: Using data from the Whitehall II Study (n=4811), Cox proportional
hazards models (adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, employment grade, smoking, alcohol intake,
fruit and vegetable consumption, self-rated health, physical functioning, walking and
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and BMI) were fitted to examine associations
between total sitting and context–specific sitting time (work, television (TV), non-TV leisure
time sitting at home) at Phase 5 (1997-99) and fasting glucose-defined incident diabetes up to
2011. Results: Total sitting (HR of top compared to the bottom group: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.00
to 1.62; p=0.01) and TV sitting (1.33; 1.03 to1.88; p=0.05) showed associations with
incident diabetes; once BMI was included in the model these associations were attenuated for
both total sitting (1.19; 0.92 to 1.55; p=0.22) and TV sitting (1.31; 0.96 to 1.76; p=0.14).
Conclusions: We found limited evidence linking sitting and incident diabetes over 13 years
in this cohort of civil servants.The Whitehall II study is supported by grants from the Medical Research Council
(G0902037), British Heart Foundation (RG/07/008/23674), Stroke Association, National
Heart Lung and Blood Institute (5RO1 HL036310) and National Institute on Aging
(5RO1AG13196 and 5RO1AG034454). A National Health and Medical Research Council
(Australia) Senior Research Fellowship and a National Institute for Health Research Career
Development Fellowship (UK) supported the first author of this article during different stages
of this work. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not
necessarily those of the above funders
Rent - seeking trade policy : a time series approach
No full textUsing a time-series approach, the author analyzes the relationship between the extent of rent-seeking trade policy and both political and economic variables. For rent-seeking trade policy, the indicator he uses is the number of foreign-trade regulations passed each year for the benefit of a single firm or industry. The author uses data from Uruguay for 1925-83. Uruguay, which experienced an impressive economic decline, is an outstanding example of a rent-seeking society. After being a wealthy economy in midcentury, it suffered almost complete stagnation, which led to social and policital disintegration by the end of the 1960s. Three decades of restrictive regulations on foreign trade had created a nearly closed economy by the end of the 1960s. It was worth analyzing whether policymakers'great receptiveness to demands for protection could account for Uruguay's decline. Over the period 1925-83, the author finds almost 4,000 laws, decrees, and administrative resolutions that create, maintain, or modify a foreign-trade regulation for the benefit of a single firm or industry. About half of them explicitly identify the petitioner - usually a firm or guild. Since the size of the Uruguayan economy changed over the period studied, the author scales the annual number of regulations by output or exports to measure the extent of rent-seeking trade policy. The author shows that the extent of rent-seeking trade policy increased with discretionary policies and under dictatorship. (In the period studied, there were two stages of democracy - until 1932 and from 1943-72 - and two stages of dictatorship.) He also shows that rent-seeking trade restrictions increased under import-substitution strategies and, more unexpectedly, under active export promotion. This suggests that discretionary power leads to wasteful distribution, whether it is used to support inward- or outward-oriented policies. Finally, the author analyzes the correlation between innovations in the trade policy indicator and innovations in the growth rates of output and exports, with a lag of up to 20 years. Surprisingly, he finds a positive correlation with output growth rates after two or three years. But the correlation becomes negative some years later, particularly in the case of exports. The short-run positive impact on growth rates, together with the surprisingly long time lag before the negative impact, may account for policymakers'receptiveness to demands for protection.Trade Policy,Achieving Shared Growth,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies
Project Retrosight. Understanding the returns from cardiovascular and stroke research: Case Studies
No full textCopyright @ 2011 RAND Europe. All rights reserved. The full text article is available via the link below.This project explores the impacts arising from cardiovascular and stroke research funded 15-20 years ago and attempts to draw out aspects of the research, researcher or environment that are associated with high or low impact. The project is a case study-based review of 29 cardiovascular and stroke research grants, funded in Australia, Canada and UK between 1989 and 1993. The case studies focused on the individual grants but considered the development of the investigators and ideas involved in the research projects from initiation to the present day. Grants were selected through a stratified random selection approach that aimed to include both high- and low-impact grants. The key messages are as follows: 1) The cases reveal that a large and diverse range of impacts arose from the 29 grants studied. 2) There are variations between the impacts derived from basic biomedical and clinical research. 3) There is no correlation between knowledge production and wider impacts 4) The majority of economic impacts identified come from a minority of projects. 5) We identified factors that appear to be associated with high and low impact. This report presents the key observations of the study and an overview of the methods involved. It has been written for funders of biomedical and health research and health services, health researchers, and policy makers in those fields. It will also be of interest to those involved in research and impact evaluation.This study was initiated with internal funding from RAND Europe and HERG, with continuing funding from the UK National Institute for Health Research, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the National Heart Foundation of Australia. The UK Stroke Association and the British Heart Foundation provided support in kind through access to their archives
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