Pelvic morphology differs in rotation and obliquity between developmental dysplasia of the hip and retroversion

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and acetabular retroversion represent distinct acetabular pathomorphologies. Both are associated with alterations in pelvic morphology. In cases where direct radiographic assessment of the acetabulum is difficult or impossible or in mixed cases of DDH and retroversion, additional indirect pelvimetric parameters would help identify the major underlying structural abnormality.

The Coin Rotation Task: A Valid Test for Manual Dexterity in Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Impaired manual dexterity is frequent and disabling in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Therefore, convenient, quick and validated tests for manual dexterity in MS patients are needed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate the Coin Rotation task (CRT) to examine manual dexterity in patients with MS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: 101 outpatients with MS were assessed with the CRT, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the Scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA), the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and their muscle strength and sensory deficits of the hands were noted. Concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy of the CRT were determined by comparison with the Nine Hole Peg Test (9HPT). Construct validity was determined by comparison with a valid dexterity questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was done to explore correlations of the CRT with the EDSS, SARA, MAS, muscle strength and sensory deficits. RESULTS: The CRT correlated significantly with the 9HPT (r=.73, p<.0001) indicating good concurrent validity. The cut-off values for the CRT relative to the 9HPT were 18.75 seconds for the dominant (sensitivity: 81.5%; specificity 80.0%) and 19.25 seconds for the non-dominant hand (sensitivity: 90.3%; specificity: 81.8%) demonstrating good diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, the CRT correlated significantly with the dexterity questionnaire (r=-.49, p<.0001) indicating moderate construct validity. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the EDSS was the strongest predictor for impaired dexterity. LIMITATIONS: Mostly relapsing-remitting MS patients with an EDSS up to 7 were examined. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates the CRT as a test that can be used easily and quickly to evaluate manual dexterity in patients with MS.

CAP Reform vs WTO: Crop Diversification or Crop Rotation? : Legal opinion prepared by Dr. Christian Häberli at the request of APRODEV, the Association of World Council of Churches related Development Organisations in Europe

The European Commission’s proposals for the Legislative Framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the period 2014-2020 include, inter alia, the introduction of a “strong greening component”. For the first time, all EU farmers in receipt of support are to “go beyond the requirements of cross compliance and deliver environmental and climate benefits as part of their everyday activities crop diversification as a contribution to all EU farmers in receipt of support go beyond the requirements of cross compliance and deliver environmental and climate benefits as part of their everyday activities.” In a legal opinion prepared at the request of APRODEV, the Association of World Council of Churches related Development Organisations in Europe (www.aprodev.eu), Christian Häberli examines the WTO implications of this proposal, as compared with an alternative proposal to rather link direct payments to crop rotation. The conclusions are twofold: 1. Crop rotation is at least as likely to be found Green Box-compatible as crop diversification. Moreover, it will be more difficult to argue that crop diversification is “not more than minimally production-distorting” because it entails for most farmers less cost and work. 2. Even if (either of the two cropping schemes) were to be found “amber”, the EU would not have to relinquish this conditionality. This is because the direct payments involved would in all likelihood not, together with the other price support instruments, exceed the amount available under the presently scheduled maximum.