Reviews of "Best of Times? The Social Impact of the Celtic Tiger"

Review Symposium of "Best of Times? The Social Impact of the Celtic Tiger" Edited by Tony Fahey, Helen Russell, Christopher T. Whelan, Institute of Public Administration, Dublin, 2007, re-released in 2008 as Quality of Life in Ireland: Social Impact of Economic Boom, Springer.

Animal models of cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms of schizophrenia: focus on NMDA receptor antagonism

YesCognitive deficits in schizophrenia remain an unmet clinical need. Improved understanding of the neuro- and psychopathology of these deficits depends on the availability of carefully validated animal models which will assist the development of novel therapies. There is much evidence that at least some of the pathology and symptomatology (particularly cognitive and negative symptoms) of schizophrenia results from a dysfunction of the glutamatergic system which may be modelled in animals through the use of NMDA receptor antagonists. The current review examines the validity of this model in rodents. We review the ability of acute and sub-chronic treatment with three non-competitive NMDA antagonists; phencyclidine (PCP), ketamine and MK801 (dizocilpine) to produce cognitive deficits of relevance to schizophrenia in rodents and their subsequent reversal by first- and second-generation antipsychotic drugs. Effects of NMDA receptor antagonists on the performance of rodents in behavioural tests assessing the various domains of cognition and negative symptoms are examined: novel object recognition for visual memory, reversal learning and attentional set shifting for problem solving and reasoning, 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time for attention and speed of processing; in addition to effects on social behaviour and neuropathology. The evidence strongly supports the use of NMDA receptor antagonists to model cognitive deficit and negative symptoms of schizophrenia as well as certain pathological disturbances seen in the illness. This will facilitate the evaluation of much-needed novel pharmacological agents for improved therapy of cognitive deficits and negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Obesity in adults: a 2022 adapted clinical practice guideline for Ireland

This Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the management of obesity in adults in Ireland, adapted from the Canadian CPG, defines obesity as a complex chronic disease characterised by excess or dysfunctional adiposity that impairs health. The guideline reflects substantial advances in the understanding of the determinants, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment of obesity. It shifts the focus of obesity management toward improving patient-centred health outcomes, functional outcomes, and social and economic participation, rather than weight loss alone. It gives recommendations for care that are underpinned by evidence-based principles of chronic disease management; validate patients' lived experiences; move beyond simplistic approaches of "eat less, move more" and address the root drivers of obesity. People living with obesity face substantial bias and stigma, which contribute to increased morbidity and mortality independent of body weight. Education is needed for all healthcare professionals in Ireland to address the gap in skills, increase knowledge of evidence-based practice, and eliminate bias and stigma in healthcare settings. We call for people living with obesity in Ireland to have access to evidence-informed care, including medical, medical nutrition therapy, physical activity and physical rehabilitation interventions, psychological interventions, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. This can be best achieved by resourcing and fully implementing the Model of Care for the Management of Adult Overweight and Obesity. To address health inequalities, we also call for the inclusion of obesity in the Structured Chronic Disease Management Programme and for pharmacotherapy reimbursement, to ensure equal access to treatment based on health-need rather than ability to pay

Un nouveau regard sur les "crises de subsistances" : les caractéristiques des crises démographiques en France dans la première moitié du 19e siècle

International audienceSelon l'historiographie traditionnelle, la France a subi une crise sérieuse en 1846. Cette crise serait due à un énorme déficit dans la production agricole. L'étude des fluctuations des prix, où les accroissements de prix sont tenus pour proportionnels aux déficits de la production, a conduit à caractériser cette crise comme une crise de subsistances. Certains historiens ont même constaté des répercussions démographiques fortes, en particulier dans l'accroissement de la mortalité. L'article se propose de réévaluer l'importance de cette crise. Il réexamine aussi les différentes variables économiques et démographiques et les relations entre elles au niveau national et régional. En fait, les statistiques démographiques montrent la très faible amplitude de cette crise, particulièrement quand on la compare aux crises dues au choléra. Cette première observation conduit à une évaluation de l'importance réelle des déficits de production. Contrairement aux famines de la fin du 17e siècle, cette crise, bien que qualifiée de crise de subsistances, est caractérisée par un déficit plutôt faible de la production céréalière. Des substituts tels que les pommes de terre, le sarrasin, le maïs et des importations limitèrent l'effet de la crise. Les fluctuations des prix apparaissent comme non proportionnelles aux déficits de production : les deux variables n'étant pas corrélées