Trade Structure, Economic Development and International Transactions in Services

The goal of this paper is to investigate the empirical significance of trade in services for countries with different levels of economic development. Data are presented that characterize the relative importance of trade in services for countries with widely differing per capita income levels, population, and growh experiences.Research Seminar in International Economics, Department of Economics, University of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100760/1/ECON224.pd

Developing Countries in the WTO Services Negotiations

The aim of this paper is to analyse developing countries' participation so far in the current round of services negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda. The paper analyses developing countries' negotiating positions, as evidenced by their multilateral negotiating proposals; their initial offers; and, to the extent allowed by the incomplete and sketchy information available, their participation in bilateral market access negotiations. A number of basic themes are raised: the essential role of services for economic development; the high costs imposed by trade protection; the benefits of liberalization; the need to make use of the WTO forum to enhance credibility and sustain domestic regulatory reform programmes; the challenges of regulatory reform and the importance of appropriate sequencing; and the benefits arising from seeking further market access overseas in those areas where developing countries have a comparative advantage

Products Facing High Tariffs in Major Developed Market Economy Countries : An Area of Priority for Developing Countries in the Uruguay Round?

Developing countries have an important stake in products which have relatively high post-Tokyo MFN tariff rates in developed market economy countries (DMECs). On the whole, their market share is greater in higher tariff imports and, consequently, reductions which cut high tariffs more than lower ones, e.g. by applying tariff ceilings or harmonization formulae, are in the interest of developing countries. They would benefit from such MFN reductions despite erosions in their existing preference margins. This is due to relatively narrower product coverage of GSP schemes and smaller preference margins in higher tariff imports - other than the schemes for the least developed countries. Therefore, complementing MFN reductions with broadening the product coverage of GSP schemes in high tariff items and deepening the preference margins in certain markets would significantly enhance the exports of developing countries. Tariff liberalization and improved GSP product coverage and margins in higher tariff items would do very little to developing countries, however, if NTMs were not relaxed to accommodate the potential gains from tariffs. The frequency and trade coverage of NTMs in DMECs affecting high tariff items are significantly greater compared to their overall imports. Furthermore, NTMs substantially discriminate imports from developing countries in high tariff products. Therefore, tariff liberalization schemes which are confined to products not currently covered by NTMs would not yield any noteworthy results for developing countries. This is to say that unless some action is taken in the field of NTMs, no significant expansion of trade can be expected through tariff reductions, not even in the high tariff items. Furthermore, if the relaxation of NTMs is only limited to the accommodation of potential trade expansion through tariff liberalization, even complete elimination of tariffs would only yield meager results. This overall picture is especially bleak for certain sectors, notably labour intensive manufactures such as textiles and clothing and miscellaneous manufactures. In some sectors, particularly in food products, the observations are diluted due to the extreme restrictiveness of some DMECs' trade regimes. Hence, the conclusion to draw is that the importance of liberalization of high tariff products for developing countries can be grossly understated as these evaluations are based on trade which is significantly curtailed by NTMs.  Published in connection with a visit at the IIES

Les médicaments anti-infectieux non antibiotiques en urologie

International audienceObjective: To define the terms of use of pesticides, antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic treatments in urology.Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted on MEDLINE for all these treatments used in urology. The molecules were classified by family. Modes of action, indications in urology and adverse effects have been detailed. Authorisation files were consulted and then complemented by a literature analysis.Results: Although parasitic or viral diseases are uncommon in urology, their specific treatment deserves a thorough knowledge of pesticide and antiviral molecules. Antifungal treatments are regularly used in urology with special features to know to improve the efficacy/safety ratio. Antiseptics are used daily in urology and a better understanding of these molecules allows better use.Conclusion: Beyond antibiotics, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal deserve a thorough knowledge. Antiseptic although used daily have features little known.Objectif: Définir les modalités d’utilisation des antiparasitaires, des antifongiques, des antiviraux et des antiseptiques en urologie.Matériel et méthode: Une recherche bibliographique a été effectuée sur la base MEDLINE concernant tous ces traitements utilisables en urologie. Les molécules ont été classées par famille. Le mode d’action, les indications en urologie ainsi que les effets indésirables ont été détaillés. Les dossiers d’Autorisation de mise sur le marché (AMM) ont été consultés puis complétés par l’analyse de la littérature.Résultats: Même si les affections parasitaires ou virales sont peu fréquentes en urologie, leur traitement spécifique mérite une connaissance approfondie des molécules antiparasitaires et antivirales. Les traitements antifongiques sont utilisés régulièrement en urologie avec des caractéristiques spécifiques à connaître pour améliorer le ratio efficacité/sécurité. Les antiseptiques sont utilisés quotidiennement en urologie et une meilleure connaissance de ces molécules permet une meilleure utilisation.Conclusion: au-delà des antibiotiques, les antiviraux, les antiparasitaires et les antifongiques méritent une connaissance approfondie. Les antiseptiques, bien qu’utilisés quotidiennement, ont des caractéristiques peu connues

Health‐Related Quality of Life and Its Association With Outcomes in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Failure: Insight From FRESH‐ACHD Registry

Background Quality of Life (QoL) is a prognostic factor in heart failure (HF) of patients with acquired cardiac disease. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of QoL on outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) and HF. Methods and Results Quality of life of 196 adults with congenital heart disease with clinical heart failure (HF) (mean age: 44.3±13.8 years; 51% male; 56% with complex congenital heart disease; 47% New York Heart Association class III/IV) included in the prospective multicentric registry FRESH‐ACHD (French Survey on Heart Failure−Adult with Congenital Heart Disease) was assessed using the 36‐Item Short Form Survey (SF‐36), a patient‐reported survey. The primary end point was defined by all‐cause death, HF‐related hospitalization, heart transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support. At 12 months, 28 (14%) patients reached the combined end point. Patients with low quality of life experienced major adverse events more frequently (logrank P=0.013). On univariate analysis, lower score at physical functioning (hazard ratio [HR], 0.98 [95% CI, 0.97–0.99]; P=0.008), role limitations related to physical health (HR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.97–0.99]; P=0.008), and general health dimensions of the SF‐36 (HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.95–0.99]; P=0.002) were significantly predictive of cardiovascular events. However, after multivariable analysis, SF‐36 dimensions were no longer significantly associated with the primary end point. Conclusions Patients with congenital heart disease with HF and poor quality of life experience severe events more frequently, making quality of life assessment and rehabilitation programs essential to alter their trajectory

Histological and Urodynamic Effects of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction Extracted from Fat Tissue with Minimal Ex Vivo Manipulation in a Porcine Model of Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency

International audienceTo evaluate the healing abilities of autologous stem cell therapy (stromal vascular fraction) prepared from adipose tissue we used an automated system without an ex vivo culture phase in a pig model of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.A total of 15 pigs underwent endoscopic section of the urethral sphincter. Animals were then randomly assigned to 3 groups, including 1) controls without stromal vascular fraction injection, 2) early injection with stromal vascular fraction 2 to 3 days after section and 3) late stromal vascular fraction injection delivery 30 days after injury. Extraction and stromal vascular fraction injection were performed as a single procedure. The stromal vascular fraction was characterized by flow cytometry. Mesenchymal stem cell-like cells were enumerated by clonogenicity (cfu fibroblast) assay. Study end points included histological assessment of the urethral injury surface and urodynamics to determine maximum urethral pressure.Flow cytometry analysis revealed a mesenchymal stem cell-like phenotype in a mean ± SD of 47.3% ± 11.8% of stromal vascular fraction cells. The cfu fibroblast frequency was 1.3 to 6.6/100 stromal vascular fraction cells (1.3% to 6.6%). Stromal vascular fraction injection was associated with a reduction of the urethral injury surface in the early and late injection groups compared with the respective controls (7% vs 17% and 1% vs 13%, p = 0.050 and 0.029, respectively). On day 30 after injection maximum urethral pressure was significantly higher in the injected groups than in the control group, that is 64% vs 50% of maximum urethral pressure on day 0 (p = 0.04).These data demonstrate the ability of an autologous stromal vascular fraction to improve the urethral healing process in a large animal model of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency

Histological and Urodynamic Effects of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction Extracted from Fat Tissue with Minimal Ex Vivo Manipulation in a Porcine Model of Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency

International audienceTo evaluate the healing abilities of autologous stem cell therapy (stromal vascular fraction) prepared from adipose tissue we used an automated system without an ex vivo culture phase in a pig model of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.A total of 15 pigs underwent endoscopic section of the urethral sphincter. Animals were then randomly assigned to 3 groups, including 1) controls without stromal vascular fraction injection, 2) early injection with stromal vascular fraction 2 to 3 days after section and 3) late stromal vascular fraction injection delivery 30 days after injury. Extraction and stromal vascular fraction injection were performed as a single procedure. The stromal vascular fraction was characterized by flow cytometry. Mesenchymal stem cell-like cells were enumerated by clonogenicity (cfu fibroblast) assay. Study end points included histological assessment of the urethral injury surface and urodynamics to determine maximum urethral pressure.Flow cytometry analysis revealed a mesenchymal stem cell-like phenotype in a mean ± SD of 47.3% ± 11.8% of stromal vascular fraction cells. The cfu fibroblast frequency was 1.3 to 6.6/100 stromal vascular fraction cells (1.3% to 6.6%). Stromal vascular fraction injection was associated with a reduction of the urethral injury surface in the early and late injection groups compared with the respective controls (7% vs 17% and 1% vs 13%, p = 0.050 and 0.029, respectively). On day 30 after injection maximum urethral pressure was significantly higher in the injected groups than in the control group, that is 64% vs 50% of maximum urethral pressure on day 0 (p = 0.04).These data demonstrate the ability of an autologous stromal vascular fraction to improve the urethral healing process in a large animal model of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency

Histological and Urodynamic Effects of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction Extracted from Fat Tissue with Minimal Ex Vivo Manipulation in a Porcine Model of Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency

International audienceTo evaluate the healing abilities of autologous stem cell therapy (stromal vascular fraction) prepared from adipose tissue we used an automated system without an ex vivo culture phase in a pig model of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.A total of 15 pigs underwent endoscopic section of the urethral sphincter. Animals were then randomly assigned to 3 groups, including 1) controls without stromal vascular fraction injection, 2) early injection with stromal vascular fraction 2 to 3 days after section and 3) late stromal vascular fraction injection delivery 30 days after injury. Extraction and stromal vascular fraction injection were performed as a single procedure. The stromal vascular fraction was characterized by flow cytometry. Mesenchymal stem cell-like cells were enumerated by clonogenicity (cfu fibroblast) assay. Study end points included histological assessment of the urethral injury surface and urodynamics to determine maximum urethral pressure.Flow cytometry analysis revealed a mesenchymal stem cell-like phenotype in a mean ± SD of 47.3% ± 11.8% of stromal vascular fraction cells. The cfu fibroblast frequency was 1.3 to 6.6/100 stromal vascular fraction cells (1.3% to 6.6%). Stromal vascular fraction injection was associated with a reduction of the urethral injury surface in the early and late injection groups compared with the respective controls (7% vs 17% and 1% vs 13%, p = 0.050 and 0.029, respectively). On day 30 after injection maximum urethral pressure was significantly higher in the injected groups than in the control group, that is 64% vs 50% of maximum urethral pressure on day 0 (p = 0.04).These data demonstrate the ability of an autologous stromal vascular fraction to improve the urethral healing process in a large animal model of intrinsic sphincteric deficiency