bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of the substrate’s stiffness on the liquid shim effect in composite-to-titanium hybrid bolted joints
Authors: Liu L
Published: February 2013

Cast in place liquid shim is usually used to fix the gap/mismatch problems, which occur during assembly process of large aircraft structures. The effect of liquid shim on performances of the assembled structures is influenced not only by thickness and mechanical properties of the shim, but also by the location where the shim is used, that is to say the stiffness of the substrates may have impact on the shim’s effect. To study the usage of shim in composite-to-titanium bolted joints, a three-dimensional finite element method is introduced, and the method incorporates the progressive damage of composite materials, elastic-plastic property of the titanium alloy, super-elastic property of the liquid shim, contact relationships between the joint elements, and real assembly conditions of the mechanical joints. After validating through comparing with the experimental results, the modeling method is adopted to simulate the tensile response of the bolted joints with shims. Furthermore, both the influence of liquid shim layer thickness on the mechanical behaviors of composite-to-titanium bolted joints and the influence of the substrate stiffness on the liquid shim effect are studied in detail. Based on the analysis of the results, it can be concluded that the maximum load, initial joint stiffness and design load of the joints decrease with the increase of liquid shim layer’s thickness; and the effect of liquid shim layer relies heavily on the stiffnesses of the substrates and will reduce when the substrates become stiffer.
A 90-day subchronic toxicity study of neem oil, a Azadirachtaindica oil, in mice
Authors: Wang C. , Cao M. , Shi D-X. , Yin Z-Q. , Jia R-Y. , Wang K-Y. , Geng Y. , Wang Y. , Yao X-P. , Yang Z-R. , Zhao J.
Published: February 2013

To determine the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of exposure and target organs of neem oil for establishing safety criteria for human exposure, the subchronic toxicity study with neem oil in mice was evaluated. The mice (10 per sex for each dose) was orally administered with neem oil with the doses of 0 (to serve as a control), 177, 533 and 1600 mg/kg/day for 90 days. After the treatment period, observation of reversibility or persistence of any toxic effects, mice were continuously fed without treatment for the following 30 days. During the two test periods, the serum biochemistry, organ weight and histopathology were examined. The results showed that the serum biochemistry and organ coefficient in experimental groups had no statistical difference compared with those of the control group. At the 90th day, the histopathological examinations showed that the 1600 mg/kg/day dose of neem oil had varying degrees of damage on each organ except heart, uterus and ovarian. After 30-day recovery, the degree of lesions to the tissues was lessened or even restored. The NOAEL of neem oil was 177 mg/kg/day for mice and the target organs of neem oil were determined to be testicle, liver and kidneys.
Is Social Capital Perceived as a Source of Competitive Advantage or Disadvantage for Family Firms? An Exploratory Analysis of CEO Perceptions
Authors: De Massis Alfredo , Kotlar Josip , Frattini Federico
Published: February 2013

Although psychological perspectives suggest that executives’ perceptions do matter when it comes to predict the outcomes of strategic processes, little research has dealt with CEO perceptions in family firms. In this article we focus on the social capital resources of family firms and investigate which resources are perceived as competitive (dis)advantages and which factors affect the differences in perceptions among family firms’ CEOs. We rely on a multiple case study that involved seven family firms operating in the transportation industry. The case study analysis shows that a number of advantages and disadvantages are commonly perceived by family business CEOs in relation to both internal and external dimensions of social capital and that difference in perceptions exist related to the social influences produced by interactions between family and business.
The Silent Story: Using Computer-Aided Text Analysis to Predict Entrepreneurial Performance
Authors: Noel Terry , Erskine Laura
Published: February 2013

To provide a naturalistic, empirical analysis of entrepreneurial decision-making through textual analysis, DICTION is used to analyse student journal entries made in conjunction with an entrepreneurship simulation used widely in teaching entrepreneurship. Concrete terms are used as a proxy for action orientation and cognition-related words as a proxy for analytical orientation. Being disposed toward cognitive activity instead of concrete action detracts from performance. To the degree that one’s use of language reflects underlying thought patterns, thinking concretely is a desirable trait for entrepreneurs. This article contributes to research conducted in a naturalistic environment and allows for a closer examination of cognitive processes by analysing the kinds of words used. The article also introduces CATA as a viable methodological tool for the entrepreneurship domain.
Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship: The Gumatj Clan Enterprise in East Arnhem Land
Authors: Pearson Cecil A. L. , Helms Klaus
Published: February 2013

Despite a continuing commitment by the Australian Federal Government to develop entrepreneurial business opportunities for Indigenous people as a strategy to reduce their socio-economic disadvantage, there is scant documentation of rigorous assessments of sustainable Aboriginal enterprises. This article delineates an Indigenous social entrepreneurial business that is gaining traction in the Gove Peninsula of East Arnhem Land of Australia. A conceptual framework focuses attention to the phenomenon of visionary leadership for fostering value creation, innovation and social capital, to create a pathway for alleviating poverty and enhancing the socio-economic environment of an Indigenous community. An appreciation of the role of existing social structures, the imperative of operating at the local level and the importance of cultural heritage are vital components in the pursuit of economic and social goals of sustainable Indigenous social entrepreneurship.
Association of Personality, Work Values and Socio-cultural Factors with Intrapreneurial Orientation
Authors: Sinha Nupur , Srivastava Kailash B.L.
Published: February 2013

This study reports on the impact of some personality factors, work values and socio-cultural factors on intrapreneurial orientation. Data were collected from 272 executives working in the manufacturing sector. Correlation and multiple regression statistics were performed to test the strength of association among measures of intrapreneurial orientation, big-five locator personality, eight work-values and four socio-cultural factors. Results showed that neuroticism significantly but negatively, and extraversion, altruism, creativity management and achievement positively predicted intrapreneurial orientation. Socio-cultural factors had significantly interacted with personality factors, but its impact on the association of work values with intrapreneurial orientation remained almost unchanged. The HR professionals can utilise this information in fostering facilitative climates for innovations in their organisations.
Developing Ethical Leaders: Is There Inconsistency between Theory and Practice?
Authors: Wright Carol S.
Published: February 2013

Today’s unstable economy puts added stress on today’s leaders. When these leaders are stressed, maintaining their values becomes more difficult. While ethics are stressed during one’s education, organizations are less likely to continue ethics training. Given the many scandals, it is essential that there are ethical leaders to guide organizations. A leader cannot be prepared for all situations, but an ethical leader will have the tools to guide himself through complex situations. The purpose of this article is to present how ethics training is often lacking once students move to the business world. However, continuous training is needed to reinforce their skills throughout their careers. This article will use a review of literature to present findings in academia and business.
Paradigms of Quality of Work Life
Authors: Ahmad Shoeb
Published: February 2013

Quality of work life (QWL) is generally associated with a series of objective organizational conditions and practices that enables employees of an organization to perceive that they are virtually safe, satisfied and have better chances of growth and development as individual human beings. QWL is nowadays drawing more attention globally as in modern society people spend about more than one-third of their lives at their workplace. Hence, the eminence and importance of QWL is unparalleled and unquestionable. This article first focuses on the definitions of QWL, followed by various paradigms of QWL, which form the basic element of QWL in any organization: health and safety, employment security, job satisfaction, occupational stress, work environment, work–life balance and human relations. Finally, the article proposes some strategies to improve QWL in organizations that focus on different areas of organizational functions: employee participation, job design and work organization, workforce awareness and career guidance, inter-group relationships, role of HR managers, self-managing work teams, rewards, alternative work schedules and supportive organizational culture. It is argued that one needs to pay attention to improve all these functions and strike a balance among them to make QWL effective.
Liberal Approaches to the Study of Interconnection between Freshwater Scarcity and Security: Case Studies of India and Malaysia
Authors: Alatas Sharifah Munirah
Published: February 2013

Since 2004, with the new premierships of Manmohan Singh, in India, and Abdullah Badawi, in Malaysia, India and Malaysia have been playing active roles in decision-making on many issues, regionally through regional blocks. Despite these positive developments, the area where there is a pressing need for the two countries to discuss and act upon concerns environmental security, mainly freshwater scarcity and security. Both India and Malaysia face worrying proportions of freshwater shortages, due to a number of reasons, including increasing individual consumption, industrialisation and poor agricultural practices. This article discusses how both India and Malaysia, as well as their roles in four regional organisations, can recognise the problem of freshwater scarcity and security and propose solutions for adaptation and mitigation. The theoretical framework within which this discussion is couched in is liberalism.
Book Review: Ahmed, Ishtiaq, The Punjab Bloodied, Partitioned and Cleansed: Unravelling the 1947 Tragedy through Secret British Reports and First-person Accounts
Authors: Malik Dipak
Published: February 2013

Ahmed, Ishtiaq, The Punjab Bloodied, Partitioned and Cleansed: Unravelling the 1947 Tragedy through Secret British Reports and First-person Accounts (New Delhi: Rupa & Co., 2011/Oxford University Press, 2012). Pp. 759/592. Price `995/PKR 2100.
Book Review: Slate, Nico, Colored Cosmopolitanism: The Shared Struggle for Freedom in the United States and India
Authors: Kumar Arvind
Published: February 2013

Slate, Nico, Colored Cosmopolitanism: The Shared Struggle for Freedom in the United States and India (USA: Harvard University Press, 2012). Pp. 321. Price $39.95.
Serving the State and the private sector: The paradoxical effects of the reconstruction of public action on the career paths of Sports Ministry agents in France
Authors: Honta Marina , Julhe Samuel
Published: February 2013

Faced with the problems of governing high-level sports policy in France caused by the mobilisation of various categories of private actors, and with the downgrading of France in the ranking of leading sports nations, the Sports Ministry instigated a reform of this policy based on the principles of New Public Management. While some studies have shown that neo-managerial reforms provoke opposition among public agents, or even a decline in certain professions, the results of the survey conducted on Technical Sports Advisors ( Conseillers Techniques Sportifs – CTS), Sports Ministry agents who ‘report to’ the sports federations, instead reveal that they heighten the uncertainty of these agents’ careers and exacerbate the segmentation of this professional group. These observations can also be explained by the now recurrent tensions between the State and the French sports movement, tensions which confirm that the conduct of public action is above all a matter of power and institutional legitimacy.
A Framework for Understanding Grocery Purchasing in a Low-Income Urban Environment
Authors: Zachary Drew A. , Palmer Anne M. , Beckham Sam Wilson , Surkan Pamela J.
Published: February 2013

Research demonstrates that food desert environments limit low-income shoppers’ ability to purchase healthy foods, thereby increasing their likelihood of diet-related illnesses. We sought to understand how individuals in an urban American food desert make grocery-purchasing decisions, and specifically why unhealthy purchases arise. Analysis is based on ethnographic data from participant observation, 37 in-depth interviews, and three focus groups with low-income, primarily African American shoppers with children. We found participants had detailed knowledge of and preference for healthy foods, but the obligation to consistently provide food for their families required them to apply specific decision criteria which, combined with structural qualities of the supermarket environment, increased unhealthy purchases and decreased healthy purchases. Applying situated cognition theory, we constructed an emic model explaining this widely shared grocery-purchasing decision process and its implications. This context-specific understanding of behavior suggests that multifaceted, system-level approaches to intervention are needed to increase healthy purchasing in food deserts.
Judicial Autonomy in Central America
Authors: Bowen Rachel E.
Published: February 2013

Judicial autonomy from societal actors is argued herein to be a critical aspect of the rule of law and to have been overlooked by the dominance within comparative judicial politics of the role of interbranch judicial independence. These distinct concepts are parsed and then interrelated to form a typology of four “judicial regime types”: liberal regimes, partisan control regimes, clandestine control regimes, and government control regimes. These regime types are then traced in five Central American countries.
Associations Between MMPI-2-RF Validity Scale Scores and Extra-Test Measures of Personality and Psychopathology
Authors: Forbey Johnathan D. , Lee Tayla T. C. , Ben-Porath Yossef S. , Arbisi Paul A. , Gartland Diane
Published: February 2013

The current study explored associations between two potentially invalidating self-report styles detected by the Validity scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), over-reporting and under-reporting, and scores on the MMPI-2-RF substantive, as well as eight collateral self-report measures administered either at the same time or within 1 to 10 days of MMPI-2-RF administration. Analyses were conducted with data provided by college students, male prisoners, and male psychiatric outpatients from a Veterans Administration facility. Results indicated that if either an over- or under-reporting response style was suggested by the MMPI-2-RF Validity scales, scores on the majority of the MMPI-2-RF substantive scales, as well as a number of collateral measures, were significantly affected in all three groups in the expected directions. Test takers who were identified as potentially engaging in an over- or under-reporting response style by the MMPI-2-RF Validity scales appeared to approach extra-test measures similarly regardless of when these measures were administered in relation to the MMPI-2-RF. Limitations and suggestions for future study are discussed.
Cross-cultural management of money
Authors: Tung Rosalie L , Baumann Chris , Hamin Hamin
Published: February 2013

This study examines the interplay between ethnicity, religious affiliation, and income levels to understand differences in managing money. Asset allocation decisions among 730 Caucasian and ethnic Chinese were examined. Respondents in Australia, Canada, and China revealed their monetary decisions in an online survey. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine differences and interaction effects between ethnic, religious, and income groups. The study found that for the higher-income respondents, asset allocation decisions converged despite differences in ethnic and religious background. In the lower-income segment, asset allocation decisions varied along ethnic lines. These differences were further compounded by their religious background. The implications of this study of management are twofold: the high-income group can be treated as one segment, for example, from the international marketing segmentation perspective. On the other hand, respondents in the low-income bracket diverged in their investment strategies on the basis of ethnicity and religion. As such, they ought to be treated separately according to their values.
Left Ventricular Mass and Global Function in Essential Hypertension after Antihypertensive Therapy
Authors: Yakabe K , Ikeda S , Naito T , Yamaguchi K , Iwasaki T , Nishimura E , Yoshinaga T , Furukawa K , Matsushita T , Shikuwa M , Miyahara Y , Kohno S
Published: February 2013

This study compares left ventricular global function in 55 patients (25 with hypertrophy and 30 without hypertrophy) with essential hypertension, whose blood pressure had been stable for longer than 1 year, with that in 35 healthy subjects. Left ventricular global function was calculated using the echocardiographic Doppler index as described by Tei et al. (Tei index). No significant differences were observed in echocardiographic left ventricular systolic function between the three groups. Left ventricular global function differed significantly between the three groups, however, suggesting impaired left ventricular global function even in the absence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Similar changes were observed in the ratio of peak velocity of atrial systole to peak velocity of early diastole during left ventricular inflow waveform (A/E), indicating that this disorder mainly reflects impaired left ventricular diastolic function. Unlike A/E, the Tei index is not affected by increasing age, and, therefore, is appropriate for evaluating left ventricular global function in hypertensive patients, most of whom are middle-aged or older. This index may be useful for determining treatment strategy and evaluating treatment effects.
Relationship between Changes in Volume of the Oviductal Fluid in the Ampulla and the Descent of Ovulated Eggs from the Ampulla to the Isthmus in Mice
Authors: Kanayama K , Osada H
Published: February 2013

Follicular growth and ovulation were induced in mice by administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) followed 2 days later by human chorionic gonadotrophin; the day of PMSG injection was designated as day 0. The volume of the ampulla was measured and the location of the ovulated eggs determined at 06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 and 22:00 on day 3, and at 02:00 and 06:00 on day 4. The volume of the ampulla and hence oviductal fluid, peaked at 14:00 on day 3 and then declined. In all oviduct samples taken up to 14:00 on day 3, eggs were found exclusively in the ampulla. Thereafter, an increasing number of eggs were observed in the isthmus. Thus, the migration of eggs from the ampulla to the isthmus was concurrent with the decrease in oviductal fluid volume. The peak in the volume of oviductal fluid seen at day 3 is likely to coincide with the opening of the ampullary-isthmic junction of the oviduct.
Extensive Cell Death in Thymocytes in Colon 26-Induced Cachectic Mice
Authors: Otsuka S , Iwagaki H , Yoshino T , Nitta Y , Takeuchi Y , Uomoto M , Gouchi A , Nishibori M , Tanaka N
Published: February 2013

Extensive atrophy has been reported to occur in the thymus in a cancer-burden state but the mechanisms of this atrophy have not been fully elucidated. We investigated changes in the thymus in tumour-bearing mice inoculated with two subclones of the murine colon 26 adenocarcinoma cell line: clone 5 (non-cachectic) and clone 20 (cachectic). In clone 20 mice, body weights and thymocyte numbers decreased significantly compared with controls. Flow cytometric analysis of the thymocytes demonstrated that the frequency of single positive cells (CD4+ CD8− and CD4− CD8+) was significantly increased and that of double positive cells (CD4+ CD8+) was significantly decreased in clone 20 mice and, to a lesser extent, in clone 5 mice compared with controls. Serum levels of interleukin 6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were significantly elevated. These results suggested that thymocyte apoptosis was accelerated in the cancer-cachectic state, and increased GM-CSF might be partly responsible for thymic atrophy.
Use of [123I]-BMIPP Myocardial Scintigraphy for the Clinical Evaluation of a Fatty-Acid Metabolism Disorder of the Right Ventricle in Chronic Respiratory and Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Authors: Matsushita T , Ikeda S , Miyahara Y , Yakabe K , Yamaguchi K , Furukawa K , Iwasaki T , Shikuwa M , Fukui J , Kohno S
Published: February 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether or not right ventricle (RV) uptake of iodine-123-labelled-β-methyliodophenylpentadecanoic acid ([123I]-BMIPP) correlated with the degree of right ventricular pressure overload (RVPO). Myocardial scintigraphy of [123I]-BMIPP and thallium-201 (201Tl) was performed on 46 patients with RVPO. We determined the right ventricle (RV)/left ventricle (LV) ratio = (radioactivities of RV)/(radioactivities of LV), and the RV metabolic index (RVMI) = (RV/LV ratio of [123I]-BMIPP)/(RV/LV ratio of 201Tl). We also evaluated the correlation between RVMI and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), and between RVMI and total pulmonary resistance (TPR). Significant correlations were found between the RV/LV ratio of [123I]-BMIPP and mPAP and between the RV/LV ratio of [123I]-BMIPP and TPR. In addition, a significant negative correlation was observed between RVMI and mPAP and between RVMI and TPR. RVMI declined as RVPO increased, suggesting the presence of a fatty-acid metabolism disorder of the RV. Moreover, [123I]-BMIPP myocardial scintigraphy could be useful for evaluating a disorder of the fatty-acid metabolism of the RV with RVPO.
Long-Term Granular Diet May Lead to Declined Resistance to Trauma of the Temporomandibular Joint
Authors: Kawata T , Kohno S , Fujita T , Sugiyama H , Tokimasa C , Kaku M , Tanne K
Published: February 2013

This study was carried out to determine the effect of food texture on the response to trauma of the temporomandibular joint in mice. Animals were fed either a solid or granular diet after weaning. At 8 weeks old, condylar hypermobility was induced by forcing the mouth wide open ten times under ether anaesthesia. This procedure was repeated 10 times once daily for 10 consecutive days. The temporomandibular joint tissues were observed microscopically on day 0 and then 2 days, 5 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 5 weeks after the last forced opening. Eighteen male mice were used in total, three for each timepoint. A proliferation in synovial surface cells and an increased number of capillaries were seen at day 2 in the mice fed a granular diet, but not in those fed a solid diet. Multiple cell layers of the synovial membrane, dilated capillaries and fibrin deposits were expanded further between day 2 and week 5 in the mice fed a granular diet, but not until day 5 to week 5 in the mice that had been fed a solid diet. At week 3, the mice fed a granular diet showed erosion of the anterior articular disc. This was observed in both dietary groups at week 5. This study suggests that, in advanced countries, people who habitually eat easily chewable food should be advised that such practice may lead to a decline in the resistance to trauma of the masticatory system.
Pharmacokinetics of Orally and Intravenously Administered Telmisartan in Healthy Young and Elderly Volunteers and in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Stangier J , Su CAPF , Roth W
Published: February 2013

A series of studies was conducted in healthy young males and healthy elderly males or females to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of telmisartan. In addition, two phase-II clinical trials assessed the pharmacokinetics and the safety of telmisartan in mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients. Telmisartan was given as a single oral (1–160 mg) or intravenous (10–160 mg) dose to young males. In another multiple-dose study, telmisartan 320 mg was administered orally once daily for 7 days to healthy young male subjects. Elderly subjects received oral telmisartan (20 and 120 mg) once daily for 7 days. Telmisartan doses of 10, 20, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg were taken once daily by mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients for 7 days. Additionally, oral telmisartan (40, 80 or 120 mg) was administered once daily for 28 days to hypertensive subjects. Following oral dosing, median time to maximum plasma telmisartan concentration was 0.5–2 h, with maximum plasma concentrations increasing disproportionately with dose. By contrast, plasma concentrations were directly related to the intravenous dose. Steady state was observed after 5–7 days of once-daily administration, and there was no clinically relevant accumulation at 28 days. The plasma concentration-time profiles were similar in all study groups and were characterized by fast absorption and a rapid biexponential decline after the peak plasma concentration, with a prolonged terminal elimination phase (> 20 h in healthy and hypertensive subjects). Telmisartan was well tolerated, with a low incidence of drug-related adverse events. The most frequent event was headache, which also occurred in placebo-treated control subjects. No changes in heart rate, electrocardiograms or clinical chemistry were detected following receipt of telmisartan. The study thus shows that high systemic levels of telmisartan, which are well tolerated, can be attained in healthy adults of any age and in hypertensive subjects. The long terminal elimination half-life makes telmisartan suitable for once-daily dosing and contributes to the sustained efficacy over the full 24-h dosing interval.
Vacuolar Hepatocyte Degeneration Induced by Infusion of 20% Glucose Solution with Insulin after Hepatopancreatectomy in Rats
Authors: Kawata N , Tsuge H , Gouchi A , Nakagou R , Naomoto Y , Tanaka N
Published: February 2013

To investigate the causes of hepatic dysfunction after extensive resection of the liver together with pancreatectomy, rats were subjected to sham operation, to 68% hepatectomy alone, to 90% pancreatectomy alone, or to 68% hepatectomy combined with 90% pancreatectomy (hepatopancreatectomy). Solutions of 5% or 20% glucose were infused post-operatively for 48 h at a constant rate (250 ml/kg body weight/day) under fasting conditions. To improve the survival rates of pancreatectomized and hepatopancreatectomized rats given 20% glucose, it was necessary to use insulin. In hepatopancreatectomized rats, infusion of 20% glucose with insulin (1 U/5 g glucose) induced prominent hepatocyte vacuolar degeneration and mitochondrial swelling, associated with reduced hepatic protein content. The severity of histological changes was proportional to the insulin dose and the activity of hepatic glucokinase, a key glycolytic enzyme. These histological changes were observed in pancreatectomized rats albeit in a milder form, but not in sham-operated or hepatectomized rats given 20% glucose nor in any rats given 5% glucose. Our results suggest that hepatopancreatectomy followed post-operatively by a high glucose load and exogenously administered insulin enhances the development of hepatocyte swelling.
Predominant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from Various Skin Diseases
Authors: Higaki S , Kitagawa T , Kagoura M , Morohashi M , Yamagishi T
Published: February 2013

We examined predominant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from lesions of various skin diseases, and during the past 3 years, 113 methicillin-sensitive and 31 methicillin-resistant S. aureus have been isolated. The predominant species isolated from almost all of the primary bacteriological cultures was S. aureus. The skin diseases from which cultures were most frequently prepared were atopic dermatitis, followed by ulcers. S. aureus was the predominant species in two-thirds or more of cases of all of the different skin diseases examined. The predominant species identified, other than S. aureus included Streptococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Evaluation of the predominance of S. aureus is important to the determination of the severity of skin lesions and, if needed, appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Case of Ulcerative Colitis Associated with Oesophageal Ulcer
Authors: Asakawa A , Kojima Y , Fujii E , Ohtaka M , Shimazaki R , Sato T , Nakamura T , Morozumi A , Akahane Y , Fujino MA
Published: February 2013

A case of ulcerative colitis complicated by oesophageal ulcers is reported. A woman was admitted to our hospital because of exacerbations of ulcerative colitis both in 1992 (aged 15 years) and 1995 (aged 18 years). When she was admitted in 1995 she complained of bloody diarrhoea, sore throat and pain on swallowing. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed oesophageal ulcers. Oesophageal pH monitoring (24-h) showed no evidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. After the patient was treated with oral prednisolone she showed considerable improvement clinically and endoscopically. Initial dosage was 60 mg/day, and 1 week later, the dosage was gradually dropped since the patient responded favourably. The improvement of the oesophageal lesions coincided with the remission of ulcerative colitis. The oesophageal ulcers are, therefore, thought to be an extracolonic manifestation of ulcerative colitis.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of a New Weight-Reducing Agent of Natural Origin
Authors: Thom E
Published: February 2013

The efficacy and tolerability of a new weight-reduction agent, based on natural ingredients, was investigated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The product reduces the absorption of different types of sugar from the gastrointestinal tract. Forty obese volunteers were included in the 12-week study. Body weight, body composition and blood pressure were recorded at baseline and every month during the study. The results show a significant difference in weight reduction in favour of the active group (3.5 kg versus 1.2 kg). Body composition measurements showed that > 85% of the reduction in the active group is fat loss. The tolerability was similar and good in both groups. This product shows promising results and should be studied more extensively at different dose levels.
Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis at the University Hospital in Gaziantep, South-Eastern Turkey
Authors: Balci I , Dikensoy O , Bayram A , Filiz A
Published: February 2013

We aimed to determine the present status of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the Gaziantep University Hospital in south-east Turkey. Data for 1995 to 1999 were retrospectively evaluated with respect to smear-positive cases, first positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis for each patient and drug-susceptibility tests for the major antituberculous drugs. Cultures were done using the Bactec 460 TB method. A total of 106 (40.2%) strains were resistant to at least one drug. Single drug resistance was observed in 47 strains (17.8%) and resistance to two or three drugs was found in 28 and 29 strains (10.6 and 11.0%), respectively. Two strains (0.8%) were resistant to all four drugs. While multidrug resistance was observed in 52 (19.7%) strains, resistance to isoniazid + rifampin was observed in 20 (7.6%) strains. This retrospective study showed that combined drug resistance of M. tuberculosis is highly prevalent in southeastern Turkey. Possible reasons for the failure of current control policies were considered.
Results of Conversion Total Hip Prosthesis Performed following Painful Hemiarthroplasty
Authors: Bilgen ÖF , Karaeminogullari O , Külekçlioglu A
Published: February 2013

Fifteen of 18 cases who underwent conversion total hip prosthesis due to painful hemiarthroplasty, between 1992 and 1997, were investigated retrospectively. The 13 (86.6%) women and two (13.4%) men (mean age, 59 years) were followed up for an average of 32 months. Pre-operative and post-operative Harris hip scores were 36.4 (28–42) and 85.9 (69–98), respectively. In all cases the femoral component had more than 2 mm radiolucency in Gruen zones I, IV and VII, and five cases had acetabular protrusion; other cases had cartilage erosion. In the last follow-up of conversion total hip prosthesis, there was no radiolucency in either femoral or acetabular components. Comparing our results of conversion total hip prosthesis with primary total hip prosthesis results for femoral neck fractures in the literature we conclude that, in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures, primary total hip prosthesis has better results.
Efficacy of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors versus Nootropics in Alzheimer's Disease: A Retrospective, Longitudinal Study
Authors: Tsolaki M , Pantazi T , Kazis A
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of nootropics (piracetam, aniracetam, nimodopine and dihydroergicristine) versus acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE-Is) (tacrine and donepezil) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This is a retrospective study of 510 patients with Alzheimer's disease. To determine clinical efficacy of treatment, we used the mean change over time in scores for the following tests: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); Accepted the Cambridge Cognitive Examination for the Elderly; Accepted and the Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms of Dementia. In all patients and in patients with severe Alzheimer's disease (baseline MMSE < 11), no significant differences were seen in the neuropsychological test scores between the two treatment groups. In patients with moderate dementia (baseline MMSE between 11 and 20), however, there was a significantly greater deterioration, as shown on the CAMCOG scale, after 12 months' treatment for patients receiving AChE-Is compared with those receiving nootropics (–4.38 for AChE-Is group versus 1.48 for nootropics group). For patients with mild dementia (baseline MMSE score between 21 and 26), there was a significantly greater deterioration on the MMSE scale for each time-point in the nootropics group compared with the AChE-Is group. In conclusion, we did not find any strong evidence that a difference in efficacy exists between AChE-Is and nootropics in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Effects of Telmisartan on Renal Excretory Function in Conscious Dogs
Authors: Schierok H , Pairet M , Hauel N , Wienen W
Published: February 2013

The present study investigated the effects of telmisartan, a selective AT1 receptor antagonist, on renal function in dogs. Conscious female dogs were treated with (i) vehicle (controls) and three doses of telmisartan (0.03 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg) administered intravenously; (ii) vehicle and three doses of telmisartan (0.3 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg) administered orally; or (iii) 1.0 mg/kg per day telmisartan orally for 12 days. Eight dogs were used for each experiment. Each of the four treatments in (i) and (ii) was administered 7 days apart. During the 6 h after intravenous administration, urine volume was significantly higher in dogs treated with telmisartan 0.1 mg/kg (8.5 ± 1.6 ml/kg) and 0.3 mg/kg (7.0 ± 0.9 ml/kg) than controls (2.7 ± 0.3 ml/kg; P < 0.05), and renal sodium excretion was increased significantly with telmisartan 0.03 mg/kg (803 ± 124 μmol/kg), 0.1 mg/kg (1039 ± 213 μmol/kg) and 0.3 mg/kg (966 ± 161 μmol/kg) versus controls (159 ± 21 μmol/kg; P < 0.05). Oral telmisartan at doses of 1.0 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg also produced significant increases in urine volume (7.2 ± 1.1 ml/kg and 6.6 ± 1.2 ml/kg, respectively) and renal sodium excretion (599 ± 146 μmol/kg and 555 ± 131 μmol/kg, respectively) compared with controls (2.8 ± 0.5 ml/kg and 80 ± 33 μmol/kg; P < 0.05) over the 6-h post-dose period. Telmisartan at all intravenous doses and at 3.0 mg/kg orally increased the urinary excretion of chloride significantly over the 6-h post-dose period compared with vehicle alone. The excretion of potassium and creatinine were unchanged by any treatment. Telmisartan 1.0 mg/kg administered orally for 12 days produced similar results. In conclusion, acute intravenous or oral as well as subchronic oral administration of telmisartan to conscious dogs promotes diuresis and natriuresis without affecting potassium or creatinine excretion.
Immunomodulation Based on a Two-Way Paradigm with Deoxyspergualin Alleviates Graft-versus-Host Reaction in Small-Bowel Transplantation in Rats
Authors: Kimura Y , Yagi T , Iwagaki H , Watanabe K , Kai K , Yamamura M , Inagaki M , Tanaka S , Tanaka N
Published: February 2013

In this study, we investigated whether or not deoxyspergualin used as donor pretreatment, with and without pretreatment using bone-marrow-cell injection, could alleviate graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) following small-bowel transplantation in an unidirectional GVHR model with Lewis (LEW)-to-F1 rats. In addition, we studied the effect of deoxyspergualin plus bone-marrow-cell donor pre-operative treatment in combination with recipient post-operative treatment using deoxyspergualin. When the donor was pretreated with bone-marrow cells from recipient rats, the recipient died at 7.2 ± 1.4 days, showing significantly shorter survival compared with the control group. Deoxyspergualin, when employed either alone as recipient post-treatment or as donor pretreatment, both with and without additional pretreatment with F1 recipient bone-marrow-cell injection, did not result in significant prolongation of recipient survival. The combination of donor pretreatment with deoxyspergualin plus F1 bone-marrow-cell injection followed by postoperative deoxyspergualin administration, however, resulted in significant prolongation in recipient survival compared with control (26.1 ± 1.7 days). In addition, no severe cutaneous lesions on GVHR were seen throughout the observation period. This suggests that donor pretreatment with deoxyspergualin and recipient bone-marrow-cell injection combined with postoperative deoxyspergualin administration can lead to resistance to GVHR after parent-to-F1 small-bowel transplantation
Effect of AA-2414 on Early and Late Bronchial Responses in Actively Sensitized Guinea-Pigs
Authors: Tohda Y , Muraki M , Kubo H , Iwanaga T , Nakajima S , Fukuoka M
Published: February 2013

The effect of a new thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, AA-2414, (±)-7-(3,5,6-trimethyl-1,4-benzoquinon-2-yl)-7-phenylheptanoic acid, on dual broncho-constriction and airway hyper-reactivity in actively sensitized guinea-pigs was investigated. Immediate and late bronchial responses were seen 1–10 min and 4–7 h, respectively, after inhalation of antigen. In guinea-pigs pretreated with AA-2414, 5 mg/kg orally, the immediate bronchial response was inhibited. An administration of AA-2414 inhibited the late bronchial response. The numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils and macrophages, but not of lymphocytes, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were increased at 4 h after antigen inhalation. AA-2414 did not affect the numbers of total cells, eosinophils, neutrophils or macrophages. Sensitized guinea-pigs showed a significant airway hyper-reactivity to inhaled histamine, which was not influenced by an administration of AA-2414. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of airway-infiltrated cells from sensitized guinea-pigs stimulated with A23187 was slightly inhibited by AA-2414. These results show that AA-2414 inhibits the late asthmatic response and the production of oxygen radicals from airway-infiltrated cells
Review of Orthostatic Tests on the Safety of Tamsulosin, a Selective α1A-Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist, Shows Lack of Orthostatic Hypotensive Effects
Authors: Yasukawa K , Swarz H , Ito Y
Published: February 2013

Two phase III studies with tamsulosin, a selective α1A-adrenergic receptor antagonist, were conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the standard treatment doses of 0.4 mg/day and 0.8 mg/day in patients with symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These large-scale clinical trials were the first to include extensive testing for possible drug-induced orthostatic hypotension (OH). The frequency of positive orthostatic tests and magnitude of vital sign changes were compared among tamsulosin and placebo-treated groups. The results indicate that tamsulosin up to 0.8 mg/day does not induce higher risk of OH than that of placebo. Data from post-marketing surveillance (PMS) studies of tamsulosin indicate that the incidence of hypotension and syncope is extremely low in community-dwelling elderly men treated for BPH. From the results of the phase III studies, PMS studies and an active-controlled clinical pharmacology study, we conclude that the orthostatic test is a useful and convenient method to evaluate the risk of OH and syncope during the investigational stage
Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Adult Varicella Pneumonia Complicated by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Tokat O , Kelebek N , Türker G , Kahveci ŞF , Özcan B
Published: February 2013

Pneumonia is a rare but serious complication of varicella in adults. We report a case of a previously healthy 32-year-old man with varicella pneumonia that was complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. He was treated successfully with acyclovir and intravenous immunoglobulin in addition to mechanical ventilation. We conclude that intravenous immunoglobulin, in combination with acyclovir, is a safe and probably effective therapy for adult varicella pneumonia that is complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome
Effect of the Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist Valsartan on Lipid Profile and Glucose Metabolism in Patients with Hypertension
Authors: Hanefeld M , Abletshauser C
Published: February 2013

The beneficial effects of anti-hypertensive agents on the cardiovascular system can be counterbalanced by the induction of metabolic disorders, such as hyperlipidaemia. The present trial evaluated the effect of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist, valsartan, on the lipid profile and glucose metabolism in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. This was a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a 3-week dietary run-in period under placebo; thereafter, patients received either valsartan 80 mg orally once daily or placebo for 12 weeks. A total of 123 patients were randomized, of whom 112 patients completed the study. Valsartan significantly lowered systolic blood pressure by 14.1 ± 12.8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 9.0 ± 6.6 mmHg. In the placebo group, the corresponding values were 7.8 ± 14.9 mmHg and 6.2 ± 7.3 mmHg, respectively. Additionally, in the valsartan group, there was a significant decrease in levels of both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (valsartan, −6.3 ± 24.9 mg/dl; placebo, +4.2 ± 27.0 mg/dl) and total cholesterol (valsartan, −7.1 ± 28.1 mg/dl; placebo, +6.0 ± 29.4 mg/dl) in comparison with placebo. No significant changes were observed in the levels of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B after valsartan treatment. No effect of valsartan was found with respect to fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Valsartan therapy was safe and well tolerated in our patient population. In conclusion, in addition to the marked decrease in blood pressure, valsartan significantly reduces total and LDL cholesterol levels and is neutral on glucose metabolism.
Sulpiride in the Treatment of Somatoform Disorders: Results of a European Observational Study to Characterize the Responder Profile
Authors: Rouillon F , Rahola G , Van Moffaert M , Lopes R Guimaraes , Dunia J ,   The Soma-D Study Team
Published: February 2013

An open, observational study was conducted in five European countries to obtain information concerning the profile of patients responding to sulpiride. A total of 1356 patients were evaluable for analysis. The majority of patients (81.1%) had at least three principal somatic complaints; asthenia being the most common, followed by dizziness and headache. Most patients (76.0%) were rated as moderately to extremely ill according to the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) severity score. All patients received oral sulpiride for 3–6 weeks (mean dose, 175 mg/day). Sulpiride demonstrated good efficacy as shown by a reduction in the incidence and severity of somatic complaints, and an improvement in CGI severity score and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist − 58 items. Based on a CGI rating of very much or much improved, 58.2% of patients were rated as responders. Sulpiride was well tolerated. There were no serious adverse events and only 16 patients (1.2%) were withdrawn prematurely from the study due to adverse events. There were no differences between the countries regarding the patients' profile or their response to sulpiride. Thus, the prescription profile of sulpiride appears not to be culturally dependent.
Purpura Due to Aspirin-Induced Platelet Dysfunction Aggravated by Drinking Alcohol
Authors: Tsuda T , Okamoto Y , Sakaguchi R , Katayama N , Hara J , Hayashi H , Ota K
Published: February 2013

We report a rare case of prominent purpura induced by aspirin and enhanced by alcohol. A 44-year-old woman presented with a history of generalized purpura. She drank alcohol once or twice a week and regularly took an analgesic preparation, containing aspirin and acetaminophen, for alleviation of headaches. When purpura was evident the patient's liver function was within normal limits and her coagulation time was normal but her bleeding time was prolonged. Red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts were normal but a poor response to platelet agonists demonstrated platelet dysfunction. After stopping the analgesic and abstaining from alcohol for 5 days, platelet aggregation, in response to the agonists, returned to normal and purpura disappeared. When the patient took further doses of the analgesic preparation for 3 days for headache relief, but did not drink alcohol, platelet aggregation was again abnormal but purpura was only slight.
Vitamins D and K in the Treatment of Osteoporosis Secondary to Graft-versus-Host Disease following Bone-Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Hattori M , Morita N , Tsujino Y , Yamamoto M , Tanizawa T
Published: February 2013

We report a case of secondary osteoporosis treated with a combination of vitamins D3 and K2, administered orally. A 13-year-old male, diagnosed with highly differentiated acute myelogenous leukaemia, received an allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation. Chronic graft-versus-host disease persisted, thereafter, in the form of severe diarrhoea, rash and allergic conjunctivitis. Since the patient was then at risk from osteoporosis secondary to calcium malabsorption caused by the diarrhoea, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and ultrasound analysis were used to measure bone mineral density and bone stiffness, respectively. Both measurements were markedly lower than the average values from patients of matched age, gender and physical characteristics. The osteoporosis did not respond to active vitamin D3 0.1 μg/kg once daily, but when this therapy was combined with vitamin K2 15 mg once daily, an increase in bone mineral density and bone stiffness was observed. In conclusion, vitamin D3 and K2 combination therapy merits further evaluation for the treatment of various types of secondary osteoporosis, including steroid-induced osteoporosis.