Suchergebnisse

This article investigates the degree to which the East Germans have acted on the freedoms they gained after the fall of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Initially, many observers expected that the East Germans would quickly take advantage of their political, religious, and economic freedoms to become as entrepreneurial, partisan, and religious as their Western counterparts. Over the past decade, however, social scientists have discovered the persistence of 'Leninist legacies,' arguing that the East Europeans' socialization under communism will make them reluctant to act on the before-mentioned freedoms. Contrary to both of these expectations, we find considerable variation in the Easterners' behavior. In the economic sphere, while the Easterners have been willing to engage in legal market activity, they have been reluctant to get involved with gray market activity. In the political realm the elites have embraced partisan politics more thoroughly than have ordinary citizens. Finally, the Easterners have flocked neither to the Catholic and Protestant churches nor to new religious movements like Scientology. These results suggest that the combination of Western rights and Eastern Leninist legacies has created a unique incentive structure in East Germany. The Easterners face a different cost-benefit calculus than do the Westerners and, as a result, at times are less willing to act on their positive freedoms.

Urticaria is a frequent disease. The lifetime prevalence for urticaria is approximately 20%. Urticaria not only causes a decrease in quality of life, but also affects performance at work and school and, as such, is a member of the group of severe allergic diseases. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors, and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based approaches to economical diagnosis for different subtypes of urticaria. The correct management of urticaria, which is of paramount importance for patients, is very complex and is consequently covered in a separate guideline. This German language guideline was prepared on the basis of the international English language guideline, which was acknowledged by UEMS (European Union of Medical Specialists), taking into account medical conditions in the German language area. This guideline, together with its sister guideline on the management of urticaria, is the result of a consensus reached during a panel discussion at the 3rd International Consensus Meeting on Urticaria, "Urticaria 2008", a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the EAACI (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology), the EU-funded network of excellence GA(2)LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network), the EDF (European Dermatology Forum) and the WAO (World Allergy Organization). For the first time, given that evidence was sufficient, the Grading-of-Recommendations-Assessment- De vel opment-and- Evaluation-(GRADE)-Method was used here as far as possible.

Urticaria is a frequent disease. The lifetime prevalence for urticaria is approximately 20%. Urticaria not only causes a decrease in quality of life, but also affects performance at work and school and, as such, is a member of the group of severe allergic diseases. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors, and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based approaches to economical diagnosis for different subtypes of urticaria. The correct management of urticaria, which is of paramount importance for patients, is very complex and is consequently covered in a separate guideline. This German language guideline was prepared on the basis of the international English language guideline, which was acknowledged by UEMS (European Union of Medical Specialists), taking into account medical conditions in the German language area. This guideline, together with its sister guideline on the management of urticaria, is the result of a consensus reached during a panel discussion at the 3rd International Consensus Meeting on Urticaria, Urticaria 2008, a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the EAACI (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology), the EU-funded network of excellence GA(2)LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network), the EDF (European Dermatology Forum) and the WAO (World Allergy Organization). For the first time, given that evidence was sufficient, the Grading-of-Recommendations-Assessment- De vel opment-and- Evaluation-(GRADE)-Method was used here as far as possible.