bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Player Pricing and Valuation of Cricketing Attributes: Exploring the IPL Twenty20 Vision
Authors: Rastogi Siddhartha K , Deodhar Satish Y
Published: January 2017

The Indian Premier League (IPL), a professional Twenty20 cricket tournament, was launched in April 2008 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Modelled along the lines of the National Basketball Association (NBA) of USA and the English Premier League of England, the IPL franchisee rights of the participating eight teams were sold through competitive bidding. Importantly, the franchisee team owners bid for the services of cricketers for a total of US$ 42 million. However, not much is known about the process of valuation of the cricketers' services. Given the data on final bid prices, cricketing attributes of the players, and other relevant information, this paper tries to understand which attributes seem to be important and what could be their relative valuations. It employs the bid and offer curve concept of hedonic price analysis and econometrically establish a relation between IPL-2008 final bid prices and the player attributes. Following are the major observations: Non-cricketing attributes such as fame and popularity are rewarded with a very high premium; the premium depends upon the associated glamour or the controversy surrounding the player. Franchisee fixed effects in the final bid price of the players are significant for two teams — Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians. On an average, Indian players command a premium of about US$ 2,57,557. Among the cricketing attributes, batting average in Twenty20, batting strike rate in One Day Internationals, and number of half-centuries, stumpings, and wickets taken in all forms of the game are important determinants of the final bid price. Increase in the batting average for Twenty20 matches by a run raises the final bid price by US$ 5,430. Increase in the One Day International batting strike rate by a run raises the final bid price by US$ 4,709. An additional half-century, an additional stumping, and an additional wicket taken in any form of the game raises the final bid price by US$ 2,762, US$ 2,767, and US$ 335 respectively. Ceteris paribus, a player loses out US$ 28,518 in the final bid price by being older by a year relative to other players. No significant premium is attached to assigning an ICON status to a player.

With the commencement of the second IPL season, it is hoped that the analysis carried out in this study would facilitate a better understanding of the player price formation and underscore the predictive value of such data-driven analysis. The study can also be used to create a payment benchmark in other forms of the game such as Test Cricket, and could be extended to other sports as well.
Estimating Inefficiencies in Banking: A Survey
Authors: Ashton John , Hardwick Philip
Published: January 2017

This paper presents a review of the extensive literature concerned with estimating production and cost inefficiencies in banks. The meaning of inefficiency in this context is outlined, alternative estimation techniques are summarised and the problems of modelling the activities of banks and measuring their inputs and outputs are discussed. By including more non-US studies than previous surveys, the paper produces a more comprehensive summary and comparison of inefficiency results than has previously been attempted. The paper ends with a set of recommendations for future researchers in the area.
Diverse Groups Agreeing on a System of Justice in Distribution: Evidence from the Philippines
Authors: Cruz-Doña Rena dela , Martina Alan
Published: January 2017

Can unanimous (or nearly so) agreement be reached by members of a diverse community on a system of justice in distribution used to guide the re-distribution of endowments within this community? Arrow’s impossibility result suggests that this question will receive a negative answer if certain conditions are imposed on the procedures that a community employs in the attempt to make important community decisions. These conditions are reconsidered by allowing for various types of under-insured risk and uncertainty that face members of communities—especially communities in developing countries. Next, two types of uncertainty are allowed for in the designs of various game-theoretic experiments to determine if groups of individuals can come to agree unanimously on a single system of justice in distribution. (These experiments are based on those devised by Frohlich, Oppenheimer and Eavey, and Frohlich and Oppenheimer.) The participants in these experiments are asked to choose one out of four reasonable alternative systems of justice. As for the participants, they are drawn from various sections of Filipino society. The experimental results obtained indicate that groups of individuals, who possess certain characteristics (but nevertheless who hold diverse views on matters of social importance) do agree unanimously to choose a single system of justice in distribution under relevant conditions of uncertainty. The system of justice agreed upon is a version of Rawls’s first principle of justice and the priority rule—a principle that is related to Popper’s principle of minimising avoidable suffering. The participants also explain their decisions in language that reflects that they have an understanding of the uncertain economic and social realities that members of their community face. In the light of these experimental results it is indicated what alternative conditions should be used, in place of some of the Arrovian conditions, in order to generate possibility results. It is also emphasised that this possibility result need not be satisfied in all communities. This is so since the moral intuition of members of a community probably will be influence by the cultural and other relevant circumstances to be found in this community, yet these cultural and other relevant circumstances vary across communities.
Multistate Conflicts in Antitrust Law: the American-Japanese Case
Authors: Spiegel Nico
Published: January 2017

Accusations of unfair behaviour in the field of antitrust law have been at all times on the agenda of American-Japanese conflicts. There is a continuous battle in the court rooms and on political forums about the range of application of American antitrust provisions. Japanese as well as European enterprises are confronted with a more and more aggressive and far-reaching assertion of American jurisdiction, even on acts commited outside the United States.

This article sketches the development of the position adopted by the American courts and its legal backgrounds, presenting some leading cases. It describes the conflict of jurisdiction opposing the United States by its most important trade partners. This political and economic conflict represents a special virulence in the American-Japanese relationship. In spite of the textual similarities of the American and Japanese antitrust statutes there are striking differences in the practical attitude towards their enforcement. This paper outlines these differences and tries to explore their reasons.

Finally, the author presents various attempts to bridge the gap between the American and the Japanese antitrust practice. A solution for the legal and political dispute requires on both sides responsible, conflict-avoiding legislative and judicial behaviour.
Product Origin and Anti-Dumping: Europe versus Japan and Korea
Authors: Choi Chong Ju
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this paper is to analyze from a law and economics perspective, two issues that have become increasingly prominent in Europe and East Asian relations. The first is that of product origin, and includes the issue of Japanese automobile “transplants” in Europe. The second is that of the European Community’s recent new legislation on “unfair” trading practices in services, which can also be seen as a type of anti-dumping policy towards services; a Korean company has been the first to suffer from this new legislation. In our paper, we focus on these two cases, one Japanese, and the other Korean, to better analyze the law and economics of future Europe-East Asian relations.
The Adsorption Isobar of Dioxygen on Rhodium Powders
Authors: Ho Yung-Sheng , Yeh Chuin-Tih
Published: January 2017

Isobar oxidations of rhodium powders with dioxygen in the temperature range 77–473 K have been studied gravimetrically. The uptake of oxygen was found to increase with oxidation temperature. However, levelling off of the O/Rhs stoichiometry at a value of 1.0 was found between 232 K and 300 K, indicating monolayer chemisorption of oxygen on the rhodium surface. At higher temperatures, the stoichiometry increased above unity because of sublayer and bulk oxidations. Dioxygen chemisorption at 300 K was subsequently used to estimate the dispersion of rhodium catalysts assuming O/Rhs = 1.0, the value obtained agreeing well with that evaluated from measurements of the broadening of the X-ray diffraction line for a 10 wt.% Rh/Al2O3 catalyst and for the modified deuterium uptake of a 1.5 wt.% Rh/Al2O3 sample. Such agreements suggest that dioxygen chemisorption provides a direct and dependable method for estimating the particle size of supported rhodium catalysts over a wide dispersion range.
Effect of Cation Exchange on the Sorption Properties of Zeolites
Authors: El-Nabarawy Th. , Samra S.E.
Published: January 2017

The sodium ions in Na-Y zeolites were partially exchanged with Li, K, Ba, Mg and Ca ions. The adsorption of benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methanol and water vapour at 30°C has been measured on Ba-Y zeolite, while the adsorption of carbon tetrachloride and water vapour was followed on Na-Y and all its cation-exchanged forms. The observed adsorption characteristics have been related to the dielectric constant of the adsorbate molecule and to the electrostatic field strength of the zeolite sample. The amount of adsorbate irreversibly adsorbed may also be related to these parameters.
Training auditory discrimination: a single case study
Authors: Crosbie Sharon , Dodd Barbara
Published: January 2017

This paper presents a case study of a 7-year-old girl with severe language disorder. It explores her input language processing skills using theoretically motivated questions derived from a psycholinguistic framework. It compares her performance on experimental tasks to age matched controls (n = 28). This exploration revealed multiple processing deficits, including auditory discrimination problems. The second phase of the study was a treatment period targeting auditory discrimination. The child’s auditory discrimination improved but these gains did not generalize to other language processes. The paper discusses the results with reference to a developing system.
Teacher/therapist collaboration policy: an analysis
Authors: Forbes Joan C.
Published: January 2017

This paper addresses and analyses changing notions of professionalism arising from recent Scottish policy documents. Attention is given to the concepts of ‘policy’ and ‘professional’. It is argued that the effects of statements in the documents are differentiated and should be set within a complex model of the interplay of the individual professional’s responses with government policy. It is suggested that individual practitioners should seek to make personal sense of policy.
The case for Dynamic Assessment in speech and language therapy
Authors: Hasson Natalie , Joffe Victoria
Published: January 2017

This paper highlights the appeal of dynamic assessment (DA) for speech and language therapists (SLTs), and describes the usefulness of various DA models and methods. It describes the background to DA, and the uses to which DA has been put, by educational psychologists in the UK, and by SLTs in the USA. The research and development of methods of DA are described, and the case for developing DA methods for use in a) research and predictive applications, and b) clinical applications to inform interventions by SLTs and in collaborative practice, is made. Implications for future research are presented.
A Summary Survey of Prefabricated Spatial Frame Systems
Authors: Hanaor Ariel
Published: January 2017

This article contains a summary of the characteristics of a large number of currently available commercial systems. The summary is presented in tabular form, corresponding to the hierarchical classification scheme presented in the second article in this issue. Features included in the summary table relate primarily to aspects of geometry, statical analysis and response, and assembly methods.
Ultimate Load Test and Analysis of a Retrofitted Model Steel Dome
Authors: Li Hewen , Schmidt Lewis C.
Published: January 2017

This paper concerns the test and analysis of a retrofitted post-tensioned and shaped steel dome that failed in an original loading test. The post-tensioned and shaped steel dome was formed by a post-tensioning operation from a planar layout constituted of hexagonal grids. After its first loading to failure, the dome was retrofitted in situ. The retrofitting method and the results of a subsequent ultimate load test and nonlinear finite element analyses of the retrofitted dome are presented. It is found that the retrofitted dome has a much greater ultimate load capacity than the original dome. The results of finite element analyses show that the prestress member forces caused during shape formation can cause a reduction of ultimate load capacity, and that the post-tensioned and shaped steel dome investigated here is sensitive to geometrical imperfections. It is also noted that the retrofitting process can be used to erect a domic structure from a near flat layout. The proposed method of considering prestress forces can be useful in nonlinear analysis of structures involving prestress forces.
Development of Structural Forms for Bulk Material Storage
Authors: Ivanov G.P. , Trushchov A.G. , Makarov Y.D. , Ivanova N.G.
Published: January 2017

The paper presents research results for improving the shape of civil engineering structures that will be used to store bulk materials. It gives detailed discussion of new structural forms of bunkers and silos which result in more strength and better unloading of bulk materials. The paper demonstrates the advantages of designing the engineering structures as a system of plates and shells. The descriptions of the proposed structural designs are demonstrated with figures. The paper provides the experimental results for large reinforced concrete bunkers of pyramidal/prismatic form.
Effect of polidocanol foam administration into rat peripheral veins on pulmonary parenchyma
Authors: de Moraes Silva Melissa A , Ferreira Rimarcs G , de Jesus-Silva Seleno G , Cardoso Rodolfo S , Miranda Fausto
Published: January 2017

Background

Sclerotherapy has been gaining increased acceptance and popularity as an effective therapy for the treatment of varicose veins. This attention has fed growing interest into the safety and potential complications of this procedure. There is no evidence of pulmonary complications from foam sclerotherapy in humans; however, animal studies have shown possible damage. The aim of this study is to show the changes in rat pulmonary parenchyma after the injection of 1% polidocanol Tessari foam into the peripheral vein using histological analysis of the inflammatory and fibrosis processes.

Methods

Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: 24 h polidocanol, seven-day polidocanol, 28-day polidocanol, and control group. After the foam was injected into the lateral saphenous vein, the lungs of the rats were removed for histological analysis.

Results

Alveolar edema was observed in only the 24 h group (P < 0.005). Vessel thickening was observed in the seven-and 28-day groups (P < 0.001). Interstitial fibrosis was found in only the 28-day group (P = 0.006). There was no evidence of venous or arterial thrombosis in either group.

Conclusion

Polidocanol Tessari foam injection into rat peripheral veins causes alveolar edema, vessel thickening, and interstitial fibrosis.
Impact of UK NICE clinical guidelines 168 on referrals to a specialist academic leg ulcer service
Authors: Davies Huw OB , Popplewell Matthew , Bate Gareth , Kelly Lisa , Darvall Katy , Bradbury Andrew W
Published: January 2017

Background

Leg ulcers are a common cause of morbidity and disability and result in significant health and social care expenditure. The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Clinical Guideline (CG)168, published in July 2013, sought to improve care of patients with leg ulcers, recommending that patients with a break in the skin below the knee that had not healed within two weeks be referred to a specialist vascular service for diagnosis and management.

Aim

Determine the impact of CG168 on referrals to a leg ulcer service.

Methods

Patients referred with leg ulceration during an 18-month period prior to CG168 (January 2012–June 2013) and an 18-month period commencing six months after (January 2014–June 2015) publication of CG168 were compared.

Results

There was a two-fold increase in referrals (181 patients, 220 legs vs. 385 patients, 453 legs) but no change in mean age, gender or median-duration of ulcer at referral (16.6 vs. 16.2 weeks). Mean-time from referral to specialist appointment increased (4.8 vs. 6 weeks, p = 0.0001), as did legs with superficial venous insufficiency (SVI) (36% vs. 44%, p = 0.05). There was a trend towards more SVI endovenous interventions (32% vs. 39%, p = 0.271) with an increase in endothermal (2 vs. 32 legs, p = 0.001) but no change in sclerotherapy (24 vs. 51 legs) treatments. In both groups, 62% legs had compression. There was a reduction in legs treated conservatively with simple dressings (26% vs. 15%, p = 0.0006).

Conclusions

Since CG168, there has been a considerable increase in leg ulcer referrals. However, patients are still not referred until ulceration has been present for many months. Although many ulcers are multi-factorial and the mainstay of treatment remains compression, there has been an increase in SVI endovenous intervention. Further efforts are required to persuade community practitioners to refer patients earlier, to educate patients and encourage further investment in chronically underfunded leg ulcer services.
Cerebral schistosomiasis: diffusion-weighted imaging helps to differentiate from brain glioma and metastasis
Authors: Huang Jinbai , Luo Jing , Peng Jie , Yang Tao , Zheng Huanghua , Mao Chunping
Published: January 2017

Background

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was introduced into clinical use some years ago. However, its use in the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis has not been reported.

Purpose

To investigate the ability of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of DWI in the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis, and to differentiate it from brain high-grade gliomas and metastasis.

Material and Methods

Conventional brain MRI with pre-contrast, post-contrast, and DWI was performed on 50 cases of cerebral schistosomiasis, high-grade glioma, and brain metastasis. The ADC values of the three lesions, the proximal and the distal perifocal edema were measured. In order to remove the individual difference effect of ADC values, relative ADC (rADC) values were calculated through dividing the ADC value of the lesion area by that of the contralateral normal white matter. rADC values were used to evaluate the differences among cerebral schistosomiasis, brain high-grade gliomas, and metastasis.

Results

rADC of cerebral schistosomiasis was significantly lower than rADC of brain metastasis ( P < 0.05), without any significant differences when compared with high-grade gliomas. rADC of proximal perifocal edema in cerebral schistosomiasis was significantly higher than in high-grade gliomas ( P < 0.010), but not different compared with brain metastasis.

Conclusion

DWI examination with ADC values of lesions and proximal perifocal edema might be helpful in the exact diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis.
Steady-State Serum Concentrations of Dothiepin and Northiaden after Two Dosage Regimens of Dothiepin Hydrochloride (Prothiaden)
Authors: Nakra B R S , Glass R C , Rees J A
Published: January 2017

Five healthy volunteers took part in a crossover study which examined the serum concentrations of dothiepin and northiaden after a 25 mg three times a day and a 75 mg once a day dosage regimen of Prothiaden.

The inter-individual variation of serum levels was large after either schedule which is to be expected with this group of drugs.

The minimum steady-state level of dothiepin tended to be lower after the single daily dose, but the differences were small and not statistically significant. The approximate maximum steady-state levels of dothiepin showed large intra- and inter-subject variation and no obvious trend. The values of the desmethylated metabolite, northiaden, tended to follow the dothiepin concentrations but were lower than the parent drug.

Average steady-state levels tended, with one exception, to be very similar after both regimens with no evidence of any trend when comparing the two regimens.

The study showed that the two regimens yielded similar steady-state serum concentrations both of drug and metabolite but inter-individual differences were large.
Pain Relief in the Post-Operative Period: A Comparative Trial of Morphine and a New Analgesic Buprenorphine
Authors: Hovell B C , Ward A E
Published: January 2017

In a comparative trial, buprenorphine 0.3 mg or morphine 10 mg was administered intramuscularly to patients post operatively. The new drug buprenorphine produced more pain relief than morphine and appeared to have a longer duration of action. The side-effects produced by the two drugs were similar, as were the effects on respiratory and cardiovascular measurements.
Single-Dose Treatment of Trichomonal Vaginitis: A Comparison of Tinidazole and Metronidazole
Authors: Anjaneyulu R , Gupte S A , Desai D B
Published: January 2017

A randomized, comparative trial was carried out in 100 patients with trichomonal vaginitis to compare the efficacy and toleration of a single 2 g dose of tinidazole and metronidazole. Tinidazole produced parasitological cure in 94% of patients (47/50) and a satisfactory clinical response in 96% of patients (48/50); for metronidazole the figures were 64% (32/50) and 72% (36/50) respectively. Side-effects were reported by 52% of patients (26/50) on tinidazole and 82% of patients (41/50) on metronidazole. Severity of side-effects and their frequency per patient were significantly less (p<0.05 to 0.01) with tinidazole than with metronidazole. Statistical evaluation of the results showed that tinidazole was significantly better than metronidazole with respect to parasitological cure (p<0.01) and clinical improvement (p<0.01) and also with regard to the incidence and intensity of side effects (p<0.01).
Gentamicin in the Treatment of Salmonella Infections
Authors: Bassetti D , Ciravegna B , Navone C , Roscioli B
Published: January 2017

Changes in the ecology of Salmonella organisms impose the use of highly specific chemotherapeutic agents both in animals and in attempts to combat Salmonella typhi in man. An examination of the inhibition achieved by the use of a number of antibiotics against strains isolated from 52 hospitalized patients in our clinic, over the past three years, has shown the majority of strains to be sensitive to gentamicin (78%), followed by nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol (44%) and other chemotherapeutic agents, including the combination of sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim (28%) and ampicillin (11%).
Effect of Vaporub and Petrolatum on Skin and Rectal Temperature in Children with Acute Bronchitis
Authors: Berger H , Orgler W , Jarosch E , Madreiter H
Published: January 2017

Fifty-six children, suffering from acute bronchitis were studied. Skin temperature and rectal temperature were simultaneously recorded over a period of 90 minutes after 3-minute rub therapy on chest and back with either Vaporub® or its base Petrolatum. A statistically significant increase in skin temperature as compared to the pre-treatment was observed; with Vaporub®, however, the increase was 1.1°C on average at the highest point of a large plateau reaching from 30 to 90 minutes after the treatment. Rubbing Petrolatum alone showed 0.2°C on average on the top of the temperature plateau. Rectal temperature did not show significant changes with either therapy.

On comparing temperature data of the same type in healthy children, the time course of the temperature elevation (which also was observed in healthy children after Vaporub® treatment), was different from that of bronchitic children. In the bronchitic children the temperature rise was still 0.9°C 60 minutes after eatment. In the healthy children after 60 minutes, the temperature eievation was only 0.4°C above the pre-treatment value.
Zinc Gluconate and the Common Cold: A Controlled Clinical Study
Authors: Godfrey J C , Sloane B Conant , Smith D S , Turco J H , Mercer N , Godfrey N J
Published: January 2017

A report in 1984 on the success of zinc gluconate against common cold symptoms could not be confirmed in three subsequent studies, which are now known to have used formulations that inactivated zinc. A non-chelating formulation including glycine, which releases 93% of contained zinc into saliva, was tested in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in 73 young adults. Efficacy was recorded in symptom diaries using a symptom severity rating. Patients' symptoms first appeared 1.34 days prior to entry to the study in both groups. Disappearance of symptoms occurred after an additional 4.9 days for zinc-treated patients versus 6.1 days for placebo-treated patients. A difference was noted in the efficacy of treatment if it was started 1 day after symptom onset: cold duration was an additional 4.3 days in zinc-treated patients compared with 9.2 days for placebo-treated patients. Cough, nasal drainage and congestion were the symptoms most affected, and only mild side-effects were noted.
Inhibitory Effect of Gabexate Mesilate on Human Neutrophil Function
Authors: Mikawa K , Akamatsu H , Maekawa N , Nishina K , Obara H , Niwa Y
Published: January 2017

Neutrophils accumulated in the lung are thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of adult respiratory distress syndrome and interstitial pneumonia following bone-marrow transplantation. The effects of gabexate mesilate on several aspects of human neutrophil function have been investigated. Gabexate mesilate significantly decreased both the generation of reactive oxygen species (O2−, H202, OH·) by neutrophils and neutrophil chemotaxis. In contrast, the drug did not affect the levels of reactive oxygen species generated by a cell-free reactive-oxygen-species generating system. Intracellular calcium concentrations in neutrophils stimulated by f-Met-Leu-Phe were decreased in the presence of gabexate mesilate. These data suggest that the reduction in reactive-oxygen-species production and neutrophil chemotaxis by gabexate mesilate may contribute to the effectiveness of the drug in adult respiratory distress syndrome and interstitial pneumonia after bone-marrow transplantation. The suppression of the increase in intracellular calcium concentration may at least be responsible for the inhibition of these neutrophil functions by gabexate mesilate.
Patient Compliance with Once-Daily and Twice-daily Oral Formulations of 5-Isosorbide Mononitrate: A Comparative Study
Authors: Brun J
Published: January 2017

This study compares patient compliance with once- and twice-daily formulations of 5-isosorbide mononitrate. A total of 31 patients (20 men and 11 women) with stable angina pectoris were randomized to receive either 60 mg 5-isosorbide mononitrate in a controlled release formulation once daily, or 20 mg 5-isosorbide mononitrate twice daily. The results indicated that compliance assessed using the electronic Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS®) was better with the once-daily than with the twice-daily formulation; patients on the once-daily regimen performed better with respect to the total number of bottle openings, the number of openings per day, the timing of openings and the intervals between openings. The apparently superior compliance with the once-daily regimen appeared to be reflected in better efficacy; patients on the once-daily regimen experienced fewer angina attacks (a mean of 1.7 per 7 days, compared with 3.3 per 7 days for patients on the twice-daily regimen) and used fewer nitroglycerin tablets than those on the twice-daily regimen.
Patient Compliance and Therapeutic Coverage: Amlodipine versus Nifedipine (Slow-Release) in the Treatment of Angina Pectoris
Authors: Detry J-M R , Block P , De Backer G , Degaute J-P , Six R ,   The Belgian Collaborative Group
Published: January 2017

Patient compliance with therapy is often poor and overestimated by the treating physician; it is particularly important in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and angina pectoris. Compliance was studied in an open parallel study in out-patients with stable angina pectoris, given either amlodipine (5 mg, once daily) or slow-release nifedipine (20 mg, twice daily) for 12 weeks. Compliance was assessed using pill counting and using an electronic device, the medication event monitoring system, to record the time and date of each opening and closure of the pill container. There was no difference between the two groups in pill count or taking ‘in compliance’ (the percentage of prescribed doses taken as indicated by the monitoring system). Compliance was significantly better ( P < 0.001) with amlodipine, however, for ‘correct dosing’ (the percentage of days on which the correct dose was taken) and for ‘timing compliance’ (the percentage of doses taken at the prescribed time interval after the last dose). ‘Therapeutic coverage’ (the estimated proportion of treatment time for which the drug was active) was also significantly better for amlodipine ( P < 0.001). There was no difference in reported side-effects between the two therapies.
Intra-Articular Use of Tenoxicam in Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint
Authors: Papathanassiou N P
Published: January 2017

Twenty-eight patients, aged 58 years or more and with clinical and radiological evidence of degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee joint, were entered into an open 6-month pilot study. Patients received a single intra-articular injection of tenoxicam (20 mg) into the affected knee with rigid adherence to aseptic technique. Efficacy was assessed in 25 evaluable patients according to three parameters: pain, hydrarthrosis and range of joint movement. Ten days after injection, 40% of patients (10/25) had greatly improved pain, 24% (6/25) showed improvement, while 12% (3/25) experienced a worsening of their pain; the remaining patients (24%) showed no change. Ten days after injection, the percentage of patients with hydrarthrosis was reduced from 43% (12/28) to 20% (5/25). Range of movement of the affected joint 1 month after injection was increased in 60% (15/25) of patients, decreased in 16% (4/25), and unchanged in 24% (6/25). Two patients reported a slight allergic reaction to the injection; no other side-effects were detected. The results of this pilot study justify investigating the efficacy of intra-articular tenoxicam in controlled double-blind studies.
Antidepressant Pharmacotherapy: Economic Evaluation of Fluoxetine, Paroxetine and Sertraline in a Health Maintenance Organization
Authors: Sclar D A , Robison L M , Skaer T L , Galin R S , Legg R F , Nemec N L , Hughes T E , Buesching D P , Morgan M
Published: January 2017

The present study was designed to compare direct health service expenditures, for the treatment of depression, among patients enrolled in a health maintenance organization, and prescribed one of three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline. Information regarding depression-related health service use was derived from the computer archive of a network-model health maintenance organization system serving 700 000 beneficiaries. A total of 744 health maintenance organization beneficiaries were found to satisfy the study selection criteria. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the incremental influence of selected demographic, clinical, financial and provider characteristics on health service expenditures related to the treatment of depression (ICD-9-CM, or DSM-IV code 296.2) 1 year after the start of antidepressant pharmacotherapy. Multivariate findings indicate that treatment with paroxetine increases average expenditures for physician visits ($31.93; P ≤ 0.05), psychiatric visits ($19.33; NS), laboratory tests ($2.35; P ≤ 0.05), hospitalizations ($85.33; P ≤ 0.05), psychiatric hospitalizations ($82.01; P ≤ 0.05), and antidepressant pharmacotherapy ($63.72; P ≤ 0.05), for a total per capita increase in health service use of $284.68 ( P ≤ 0.05), compared with treatment with fluoxetine. Sertraline treatment increases average expenditures for physician visits ($21.74; P ≤ 0.05), psychiatric visits ($56.79; P ≤ 0.05), laboratory tests ($1.21; P ≤ 0.05), hospitalizations ($70.59; P ≤ 0.05), psychiatric hospitalizations ($95.75; P ≤ 0.05), and antidepressant pharmacotherapy ($69.85; P ≤ 0.05), for a total per capita increase in health service use of $315.96 ( P ≤ 0.05), compared with treatment with fluoxetine. Economic comparisons between paroxetine and sertraline did not demonstrate any significant differences in expenditures for the health services examined.
Immunohistochemical Analysis of Type III and IV Collagens in Tubulointerstitial Damage in Human Benign Nephrosclerosis
Authors: Razzaque M S , Cheng M , Horita Y , Nishihara M , Harada T , Taguchi T
Published: January 2017

Prolonged hypertension causes structural changes including glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial damage of the kidney, termed benign nephrosclerosis. It is generally accepted that, in benign nephrosclerosis, increased accumulation of extracellular matrix in the glomeruli results in glomerulosclerosis. Little is known, however, about the possible role of the extracellular matrix in the tubulointerstitial damage in benign nephrosclerosis. In this study, the possible roles of type IV basement-membrane collagen and type III interstitial collagen in tubulointerstitial damage caused by hypertension were explored. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to investigate the distribution of type III and type IV collagens in the kidney sections of 15 patients with benign nephrosclerosis with tubulointerstitial damage and in 10 controls. In the control renal sections strong immunostaining for type III collagen was found in the interstitium and immunostaining for type IV collagen was present in the tubular basement membrane and weakly in the interstitium. In the patients with tubulointerstitial damage there was increased immunostaining for both type III and type IV collagens in the expanded interstitium and damaged tubules than was found in the control kidney sections. These findings indicate that increased accumulation of both type III and type IV collagens might play a significant role in the tubulointerstitial damage in benign nephrosclerosis.
Can α-Glucosidase Inhibitors Reduce the Dosage of Sulphonylurea Compounds Needed by Patients with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus?
Authors: Okada S , Ishii K , Tanokuchi S , Hamada H , Ichiki K , Ota Z
Published: January 2017

The effects of treatment with an α-glucosidase inhibitor and a reduced dose of sulphonylurea were investigated in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who had previously been treated with sulphonylurea compounds but who were hypoglycaemic at times. Treatment with a daily dose of 0.6 mg α-glucosidase inhibitor and a reduced dose of the previously used sulphonylurea compound for 4 weeks did not significantly affect the glycosylated haemoglobin level. The post-prandial blood-glucose concentration of the patients was unchanged after treatment compared with its value immediately before treatment but differed significantly compared with the value 4 weeks before treatment ( P < 0.03); it was considered likely that this change was due to a seasonal increase in calorie intake at the end of the treatment period. Symptoms related to hypoglycaemia disappeared in all of the treated patients.
The Protective Effects of Long-Acting Recombinant Human Pancreatic Secretory Trypsin Inhibitor (R44S-PSTI) in a Rat Model of Cerulein-Induced Pancreatitis
Authors: Chen Y-Z , Ikei S , Yamaguchi Y , Sameshma H , Sugita H , Moriyasu M , Ogawa M
Published: January 2017

The effects of pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) on cerulein-induced pancreatitis were studied in a rat model. Arg44 of PSTI was replaced by Ser using site-directed mutagenesis (R44S-PSTI). R44S-PSTI has a longer half-life than the natural form. Pancreatitis was induced by four intramuscular injections of cerulein (50 μg/kg at 1 h intervals). Continuous intravenous infusion of R44S-PSTI began at a dose of 20 μg/kg/h 30 min before the first cerulein injection, and was completed 3 h after the last cerulein injection. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) production by isolated peritoneal macrophages from rats with cerulein-induced pancreatitis increased following lipopolysac-charide stimulation, compared to control rats ( P < 0.01). R44S-PSTI administration significantly decreased the TNF-α production by peritoneal macrophages from rats with cerulein-induced pancreatitis ( P < 0.05). In addition, R44S-PSTI significantly reduced serum amylase activity ( P < 0.01) and pancreatic wet weight after pancreatitis induction ( P < 0.05). Histological examination revealed marked acinar cell vacuolization, interstitial oedema, and cellular infiltration in cerulein-induced pancreatitis, but a lesser degree of histological change in rats that were treated with R44S-PSTI. Prophylactic use of intravenous R44S-PSTI infusion may reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis either histologically or serologically.
Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor and Erythropoietin Therapy in Children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Zuccotti G V , Plebani A , Biasucci G , Clerici-Schoeller M , Banderali G , Decarlis S , Startari R , Riva E
Published: January 2017

To determine whether granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin are effective in the therapy of neutropenia and anaemia related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to anti-retroviral agents, we recruited 11 HIV-infected children (mean age 4 years 10 months). All the children were given granulocyte-colony stimulating factor at a dosage of 5 μ-g/kg twice or three times a week while erythropoietin was administered additionally to three patients at a dosage of 50 U/kg twice a week. Both agents were administered subcutaneously for at least 4 months. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts significantly increased during the treatment (after 1 month, P = 0.003 and P = 0.009, respectively). Erythropoietin prevented blood transfusions and increased haemoglobin levels in the three children treated. No side-effects were recorded during the administration of either agent. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin appear to be safe and useful agents in the management of HIV-infected children.
Antihypertensive and Metabolic Effects of Doxazosin in Hypertensive Patients with Concomitant Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Inoue Y , Kaku K , Kaneko T , Matsumura S , Nakayama H , Yoshizaki Y , Ando S , Inoue M , Hatao M
Published: January 2017

In this multicentre, non-randomized clinical study, 35 hypertensive patients with concomitant non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were treated with the selective α1 adrenoceptor blocker doxazosin mesilate for 24 weeks, either alone or together with existing antihypertensive therapy. The effects of the drug on blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism were examined. Daily administration of 0.5 – 8 mg doxazosin caused a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure within 2 weeks. This effect was stable and lasted the entire trial period. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 172 ± 15/90 ± 11 mmHg at the beginning, to 149 ± 19/80 ± 12 mmHg at the end of the trial. Heart rate was not affected. The plasma glucose level showed no change, whereas the haemoglobin A1c level decreased significantly from 7.4 ± 1.2% to 7.1 ± 1.2% ( P < 0.01). Total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels remained unchanged. The triglycerides level, however, decreased from 113 ± 54 mg/dl at the beginning to 98 ± 49 mg/dl at the end of the trial ( P < 0.05). In a subgroup of patients, who showed hypercholesterolaemia (≥ 220 mg/dl, n = 9) at the beginning, the total cholesterol level decreased from 252 ± 33 mg/dl to 220 ± 33 mg/dl ( P < 0.05). Two patients complained of abdominal fullness or diarrhoea, but both were easily manageable. The results indicate that doxazosin is effective and safe in the treatment of hypertension in non-insulin-dependent diabetics and does not affect glucose metabolism. As for lipid metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients, doxazosin seems to have a beneficial effect.
The Effect of Cross-Linked Hyaluronate Hydrogel on the Reduction of Post-Surgical Adhesion Reformation in Rabbits
Authors: Osada H , Takahashi K , Fujii TK , Tsunoda I , Satoh K
Published: January 2017

The effects of cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel and liquid sodium hyaluronate on post-surgical adhesion reformation were examined using a rabbit model. Primary adhesions in the ileocaecal region of Japanese white rabbits were induced by mechanical and chemical irritants during laparotomy. After 1 month the primary adhesions were lysed by microsurgery and cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel or liquid sodium hyaluronate was applied to the lysed lesions. After 10 − 14 days the area of adhesion reformation was measured to assess any inhibitory effect of the test materials. Rabbits treated with cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel showed a significant reduction in adhesion reformation area compared with liquid sodium hyaluronate or physiological saline treatment, and the area reduced to (mean ± standard deviation) 0.6 ± 1.95% of the original lesion. In a separate study, histological evaluation of rabbits treated with cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel revealed a better healing pattern and a lower inflammatory response compared with controls. All these findings suggest cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel may be a valuable anti-adhesion material to prevent post-surgical adhesion in abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Clinical Evaluation of a Haemostatic and Anti-Adhesion Preparation Used to Prevent Post-Surgical Adhesion
Authors: Osada H , Tanaka H , Fujii TK , Tsunoda I , Yoshida T , Satoh K
Published: January 2017

TachoComb® consists of equine collagen in a sponge-like form coated on one side with human fibrinogen and bovine thrombin. This product functions as a haemostatic and physical barrier to inhibit post-surgical adhesion. In this study, we investigated TachoComb® to control oozing in 16 patients who required haemostasis. Evaluation of post-surgical adhesion by second-look laparoscopy was performed at 3 months and 7 months after initial surgery. Observation via laparotomy during Caesarean section was also performed at 13 months, 3 years and 4 years after initial surgery. In all but one patient, no macroscopic evidence of TachoComb® persistence was found. Furthermore, no de novo adhesions were detected at the TachoComb® application site. We have thus demonstrated that TachoComb® can be used to control oozing haemorrhage effectively from surgical sites and can prevent adhesion formation at the application site, and may thus be an effective method of preventing adhesion-induced infertility.
The Effect of Hyaluronic Acid-Carboxymethylcellulose in Reducing Adhesion Reformation in Rabbits
Authors: Osada H , Minai M , Tsunoda I , Fujii TK , Tsubata K , Satoh K
Published: January 2017

The effect of hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose film (Seprafilm®)* in reducing postoperative adhesion formation was examined in a rabbit induced-adhesion model. During laparotomy, the ileocaecal region was mechanically and chemically abraded to induce lesions. After a 28-day recovery period, adhesions were lysed by microsurgery and Seprafilm® was applied to the lysed lesion in 10 rabbits and six rabbits received physiological saline. A third laparotomy was performed 10 – 14 days later and the area of adhesion reformation was compared to that found prior to application of test materials. The area of adhesion reformation with Seprafilm® decreased to (mean ± standard deviation) 11.71 ± 10.97% of the originally lysed lesion and, the area was significantly reduced compared with controls treated with physiological saline. These results suggest that the use of Seprafilm® may be a valuable new anti-adhesion material for abdominal or pelvic surgery and may be superior to existing anti-adhesion materials and techniques.
The Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Ciprofloxacin in Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Ohmichi M , Hiraga Y
Published: January 2017

The efficacy and safety of intravenous ciprofloxacin 200 mg every 8 or 12 h and 300 mg every 12 h in treatment lasting 3 – 14 days were investigated in patients with lower respiratory tract bacterial infections. Patients presented with pneumonia, bronchiectasis with infection, previous pulmonary tuberculosis with infection and diffuse panbronchiolitis. Clinical efficacy was seen in six of eight patients, with apparent recovery in terms of chest radiographs, fever reduction and laboratory findings. Pharmacokinetic analysis in one patient treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin 300 mg showed that at 0.5 h after the first dose, ciprofloxacin serum and sputum concentrations were equivalent (2.45 ug/ml and 2.25 ug/ml, respectively). Adverse events were recorded in only two patients and involved a slight elevation in liver function tests and eosinophilia. This study indicates that intravenous ciprofloxacin is useful in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections.
The Histopathology of Maedi
Authors: Georgsson G. , Pálsson P. A.
Published: January 2017

The histopathology of natural and experimental maedi, a slow-viral pneumonia of sheep, was studied. The main histological features are chronic interstitial inflammation with dense cellular infiltration, hyperplasia of smooth musculature in alveolar septa, and slight fibrosis; peribronchial and perivascular lymphoid hyperplasia, and epithelial proliferation in small bronchi and bronchioles accompanied in far advanced cases by epithelialization of the alveoli.

The histopathology of maedi bears a close resemblance to pulmonary diseases of sheep reported under different terms in various parts of the world.
Choroid Plexus Papilloma in a Dog
Authors: Kurtz H. J. , Hanlon Griselda F.
Published: January 2017

A 6-year-old female Cocker Spaniel with a choroid plexus papilloma had clinical signs of disease of the central nervous system for 1 month. The neoplasm originated from the right choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle and had displaced contiguous parts of the medulla oblongata and cerebellum. It was well differentiated and was composed of papillae arranged in an arboriform pattern. The papillae were lined by a single layer of non ciliated epithelium.
Sclerosing Capillary Hemangioma in a Rhesus Monkey
Authors: Burek J. D. , Stookey J. L.
Published: January 2017

A capillary hemangioma in the gastrocnemius muscle of a Rhesus monkey is reported. It is believed to be the fourth vascular neoplasm described in Rhesus monkeys and the first to have developed in skeletal muscle. The tumor was a firm, hemorrhagic mass 5.0 × 6.5 cm. It was composed of a benign bed of proliferating capillaries. No distinct capsule separated the mass from the adjacent muscle, but collagenous trabeculae subdivided the tumor into packets of capillaries.