South African Economy

What are the macroeconomic prospects for South Africa until the new millennium? Two methods of macroeconomic modelling, associated with the World Bank and IMF, are used here to generate three scenarios, based on moderately optimistic projections. The methodology used can be applied to other developing countries

Obiteljska hipokalciurična hiperkalcemija i receptor osjetljiv na kalcij

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH ) is a lifelong, benign autosomal dominant disease characterized by hypercalcemia, normal to increased parathyroid hormone level, and a relatively low renal calcium excretion. Inactivation of the calcium-sensing receptor in heterozygous patients results in FHH , while in homozygous patients as well as in compound heterozygous or dominant negative heterozygous patients, it may result in neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT ). Parathyroid surgery is not indicated in FHH and does not lower plasma calcium unless total parathyroidectomy is performed, in which case hypocalcemia ensues. There is currently no definitive medical treatment available, although pamidronate can be used to stabilize these patients before parathyroidectomy. Some NSHPT patients are asymptomatic subsequently in their lives. In this paper, clinical characteristics of this relatively rare disorder are presented.Obiteljska hipokalciurična hiperkalcemija je relativno čest uzrok asimptomatske hiperkalcemije. Obiteljska hipokalciurična hiperkalcemija je autosomno dominantni poremećaj obilježen umjerenom hiperkalcemijom i relativnom hipokalciurijom. Obiteljska hipokalciurična hiperkalcemija nastaje uslijed inaktivirajuće mutacije gena za CaSR, receptor osjetljiv na kalcij. Najčešće ovaj poremećaj ne zahtijeva kirurško liječenje, kako je to slučaj s drugim oblicima primarnog hiperparatireoidizma. Pokušaji da se hiperkalcemija liječi lijekovima nisu bili uspješni i nisu snizili razinu kalcija u serumu. Studije pokazuju da sinakalcet (MimparaR) može zaustaviti nenormalno prepoznavanje serumskog kalcija od strane paratireoidnih žlijezda, tako da dođe do normalne sekrecije paratireoidnog hormona. U ovom radu opisane su kliničke manifestacije ove relativno rijetke bolesti

Obiteljska hipokalciurična hiperkalcemija i receptor osjetljiv na kalcij

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH ) is a lifelong, benign autosomal dominant disease characterized by hypercalcemia, normal to increased parathyroid hormone level, and a relatively low renal calcium excretion. Inactivation of the calcium-sensing receptor in heterozygous patients results in FHH , while in homozygous patients as well as in compound heterozygous or dominant negative heterozygous patients, it may result in neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT ). Parathyroid surgery is not indicated in FHH and does not lower plasma calcium unless total parathyroidectomy is performed, in which case hypocalcemia ensues. There is currently no definitive medical treatment available, although pamidronate can be used to stabilize these patients before parathyroidectomy. Some NSHPT patients are asymptomatic subsequently in their lives. In this paper, clinical characteristics of this relatively rare disorder are presented.Obiteljska hipokalciurična hiperkalcemija je relativno čest uzrok asimptomatske hiperkalcemije. Obiteljska hipokalciurična hiperkalcemija je autosomno dominantni poremećaj obilježen umjerenom hiperkalcemijom i relativnom hipokalciurijom. Obiteljska hipokalciurična hiperkalcemija nastaje uslijed inaktivirajuće mutacije gena za CaSR, receptor osjetljiv na kalcij. Najčešće ovaj poremećaj ne zahtijeva kirurško liječenje, kako je to slučaj s drugim oblicima primarnog hiperparatireoidizma. Pokušaji da se hiperkalcemija liječi lijekovima nisu bili uspješni i nisu snizili razinu kalcija u serumu. Studije pokazuju da sinakalcet (MimparaR) može zaustaviti nenormalno prepoznavanje serumskog kalcija od strane paratireoidnih žlijezda, tako da dođe do normalne sekrecije paratireoidnog hormona. U ovom radu opisane su kliničke manifestacije ove relativno rijetke bolesti

A Simple Macroeconomic Framework for South Africa

This paper presents a number of policy experiments carried out within a modelling framework, which can be characterized as a merger of the financial programming and the revised minimum standard models, associated with respectively the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The baserun underlying the policy simulations is a six- year projection of the South African economy based on moderately optimistic assumptions about economic growth and the inflow of foreign capital. It clearly transpires that the choice of financing source of expanded government activity can matter a great deal for economic outcomes, and also changes in the composition of government spending can affect real output and other macroeconomic variables. Yet, the framework is ill-suited to analyze policies for export promotion

A Simple Macroeconomic Framework for South Africa

This paper presents a number of policy experiments carried out within a modelling framework, which can be characterized as a merger of the financial programming and the revised minimum standard models, associated with respectively the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The baserun underlying the policy simulations is a six- year projection of the South African economy based on moderately optimistic assumptions about economic growth and the inflow of foreign capital. It clearly transpires that the choice of financing source of expanded government activity can matter a great deal for economic outcomes, and also changes in the composition of government spending can affect real output and other macroeconomic variables. Yet, the framework is ill-suited to analyze policies for export promotion

Vitamin D with Calcium reduces mortality: patient level pooled analysis of 70,528 patients from eight major vitamin D trials

Introduction: Vitamin D may affect multiple health outcomes. If so, an effect on mortality is to be expected. Using pooled data from randomized controlled trials, we performed individual patient data (IPD) and trial level meta-analyses to assess mortality among participants randomized to either vitamin D alone or vitamin D with calcium. Subjects and Methods: Through a systematic literature search, we identified 24 randomized controlled trials reporting data on mortality in which vitamin D was given either alone or with calcium. From a total of 13 trials with more than 1000 participants each, eight trials were included in our IPD analysis. Using a stratified Cox regression model, we calculated risk of death during 3 yr of treatment in an intention-to-treat analysis. Also, we performed a trial level meta-analysis including data from all studies. Results: The IPD analysis yielded data on 70,528 randomized participants (86.8% females) with a median age of 70 (interquartile range, 62–77) yr. Vitamin D with or without calcium reduced mortality by 7% [hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88–0.99]. However, vitamin D alone did not affect mortality, but risk of death was reduced if vitamin D was given with calcium (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84–0.98). The number needed to treat with vitamin D plus calcium for 3 yr to prevent one death was 151. Trial level meta-analysis (24 trials with 88,097 participants) showed similar results, i.e. mortality was reduced with vitamin D plus calcium (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88–0.99), but not with vitamin D alone (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.91–1.06). Conclusion: Vitamin D with calcium reduces mortality in the elderly, whereas available data do not support an effect of vitamin D alone