bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Superiority of dutasteride 0.5 mg and tamsulosin 0.2 mg for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe benign prostatic hyperplasia in Asian men
Authors: Haque Nazneen , Masumori Naoya , Sakamoto Sadaaki , Ye Zhangqun , Yoon Sang‐Jin , Kuo Hann‐Chorng , Brotherton Betsy , Wilson Timothy , Muganurmath Chandra , McLaughlin Megan , Manyak Michael 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness and safety of dutasteride 0.5 mg + tamsulosin 0.2 mg combination compared with tamsulosin 0.2 mg in Asian men with moderate‐to‐severe benign prostatic hyperplasia.MethodsA 4‐week, single‐blind, placebo, run‐in was followed by a 2‐year double‐blind randomized controlled trial in men age ≥50 years with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, International Prostate Symptom Score ≥12, prostate volume ≥30 cc, prostate‐specific antigen ≥1.5 and ≤10 ng/mL, peak urinary flow >5 and ≤15 mL/s, and voided volume of ≥125 mL. Participants were randomized to oral daily dutasteride 0.5 mg + tamsulosin 0.2 mg combination or tamsulosin 0.2 mg. The primary efficacy end‐point was change in International Prostate Symptom Score at year 2.ResultsData from 607 participants showed a significant reduction in International Prostate Symptom Score (P < 0.05) at month 24, along with greater improvements (P ≤ 0.006) in peak urinary flow at every assessment and significant prostate volume reduction at months 12 and 24 (P < 0.001) in the combination group. Combination therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of acute urinary retention or benign prostatic hyperplasia‐related surgery (P = 0.012), primarily due to a significant reduction in the risk of acute urinary retention (P = 0.005). The safety and tolerability profile of combination therapy was consistent with the known profiles for the individual monotherapies.ConclusionsDutasteride 0.5 mg + tamsulosin 0.2 mg combination therapy showed better clinical outcomes than tamsulosin 0.2 mg monotherapy, making it an effective and safe treatment option for Asian men with moderate‐to‐severe benign prostatic hyperplasia.
When Optimism Fails: Liberal Intergovernmentalism and Citizen Representation*
Authors: Hix Simon 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLiberal Intergovernmentalism has a particular set of assumptions about the relationship between voters and governments. Either voters are content to trust their governments, because issues have low salience, or governments react to voters’ preferences. How far is this ‘supply side’ of the theory still valid in the newly politicized world of EU politics? This article discusses the assumptions about representation in the theory, and looks at the conditions under which the assumptions might still hold and what this means for EU politics today. If the representational assumptions still hold in this highly politicized EU world, then the theory would predict policy gridlock. On the other hand, if there is a growing gap between publics and elites, then the assumptions, and the related propositions about the democratic deficit, no‐longer hold. Either way, the inherent optimism of the theory is undermined.
Assessment of mycotoxins co‐occurrence in Italian dried figs and in dried figs‐based products
Authors: Di Sanzo R. , Carabetta S. , Campone L. , Bonavita S. , Iaria D. , Fuda S. , Rastrelli L. , Russo Mt. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe possible contamination by aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisin B1 (FB1), fusaric acid (FA), and beauvericin (BEA), was investigated in 55 samples of dried figs and dried figs‐based products purchased from the South Italy (Calabria) market. A total of 41 samples showed contamination by at least one of the mycotoxins investigated. Aflatoxin B1 was found in six samples (0.19 — 8.41 μg/kg) total aflatoxins were found in 13 samples (0.5–17.12 μg/kg), OTA was found in 21 samples (<LOQ—158.58 μg/kg), FB1 was found in eight samples (153.81–5,412.96 μg/kg), BEA was found in 12 samples (<LOQ—5,708.49 μg/kg), and FA was found in 28 samples (<LOQ—74,520.20 μg/kg). The analyzed samples were contaminated with one (41.8%), two (7.3%), three (5.5%), four (10.9%), and five (5.5%) mycotoxins. To the best of our knowledge, the incidence of contamination by FA and BEA has been shown for the first time in dried figs.Practical applicationsThe present work was focused on mycotoxin mixtures contamination levels of dried figs and dried figs‐based products. It is known that the co‐occurrence of mycotoxins leads to additive or synergistic effects. For some analyzed samples the AFB1, aflatoxins, and ochratoxin A (OTA) levels exceed the European Union countries legal limit. In addition, the simultaneous presence of FB1, FA, and BEA can be a potential threat to the health of consumers. Although different studies examined AFs, OTA, and Fusarium toxins as single mycotoxins in dried figs, to our knowledge, the co‐occurrence of AFs, OTA, FB1, FA, and BEA in dried figs and in dried figs‐based products samples has not been reported previously. Therefore, to prevent mycotoxins contamination, the employment of good practices in all the processing steps is necessary. Furthermore, the quality control of the ingredients used in figs preparations (spices, other dried fruits, cocoa, etc.), usually not adequately, is essential. Finally, it is of importance to establish more stringent rules to ensure food safety, even if no legal limit was still set for Fusarium toxins in dried fruit.
Primary cervico‐uterine anastomosis in a patient with agenesis of the uterine isthmus: A case report and review
Authors: Richards Amy , Phy Jennifer L. , Huang Jaou‐Chen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractArrested caudal extension of the fused Müllerian ducts, either complete or segmental, causes obstruction of the outflow tract. We describe a case of agenesis of the uterine isthmus and the procedure to establish the continuity of the outflow tract. A 15‐year‐old girl with cyclic pelvic pain and amenorrhea was found to have a 3‐cm gap between the uterine body and the cervix. After cervico‐uterine anastomosis via laparotomy she menstruated normally and was pain‐free. Selected cases of arrested Müllerian duct extension can be corrected by primary anastomosis, which establishes anatomical continuity and restores menstruation and, possibly, future fertility.
Outcomes of infants born at borderline viability (23–25 weeks gestation) who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation at birth
Authors: Goel Dimple , D'cruz Daphne , Jani Pranav 
Published: September 2018

AimThe practice of providing advanced resuscitative measures to infants born at borderline viability (23–25+6 weeks gestation) varies among clinicians due to perception of futility. The aim of our study was to compare mortality and major morbidities in infants born at borderline viability who did not receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the delivery room (No DR‐CPR) as compared to those who did (DR‐CPR).MethodsA retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of infants born between 23 and 25+6 weeks gestation who were resuscitated at birth at the study centre or admitted to neonatal intensive care unit from peripheral hospitals, over 8 years (2007–2014). The primary outcome was survival, free of disability at 2 years corrected age and secondary outcomes were survival at discharge and neonatal morbidities.ResultsOf 123 infants in the study cohort, 21 received DR‐CPR. In unadjusted analysis, there was increased mortality rate in the DR‐CPR group which was statistically insignificant (26.5 vs. 42.9%, P = 0.15). After adjustment for potential confounders, there was no significant difference in the mortality rate with odds ratio of 1.10 (confidence interval: 0.34–3.53, P = 0.86). Among infants who received DR‐CPR for >2 min, the mortality rate was significantly higher (25.2 vs. 56.3%, P = 0.01). Survival free of disability was similar in two groups (50.9 vs. 47.6%, P = 0.78).ConclusionsAmong infants born at borderline viability, the vast majority of infants did not receive CPR and, if CPR was prolonged for >2 min, mortality was increased. Among survivors of the small DR‐CPR group, early neurodevelopmental outcomes were comparable to the No DR‐CPR group.
Compliance with the “Baby‐friendly Hospital Initiative for Neonatal Wards” in 36 countries
Authors: Maastrup Ragnhild , Haiek Laura N. ,   The Neo‐BFHI Survey Group
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn 2012, the Baby‐friendly Hospital Initiative for Neonatal Wards (Neo‐BFHI) began providing recommendations to improve breastfeeding support for preterm and ill infants. This cross‐sectional survey aimed to measure compliance on a global level with the Neo‐BFHI's expanded Ten Steps to successful breastfeeding and three Guiding Principles in neonatal wards. In 2017, the Neo‐BFHI Self‐Assessment questionnaire was used in 15 languages to collect data from neonatal wards of all levels of care. Answers were summarized into compliance scores ranging from 0 to 100 at the ward, country, and international levels. A total of 917 neonatal wards from 36 low‐, middle‐, and high‐income countries from all continents participated. The median international overall score was 77, and median country overall scores ranged from 52 to 91. Guiding Principle 1 (respect for mothers), Step 5 (breastfeeding initiation and support), and Step 6 (human milk use) had the highest scores, 100, 88, and 88, respectively. Step 3 (antenatal information) and Step 7 (rooming‐in) had the lowest scores, 63 and 67, respectively. High‐income countries had significantly higher scores for Guiding Principles 2 (family‐centered care), Step 4 (skin‐to‐skin contact), and Step 5. Neonatal wards in hospitals ever‐designated Baby‐friendly had significantly higher scores than those never designated. Sixty percent of managers stated they would like to obtain Neo‐BFHI designation. Currently, Neo‐BFHI recommendations are partly implemented in many countries. The high number of participating wards indicates international readiness to expand Baby‐friendly standards to neonatal settings. Hospitals and governments should increase their efforts to better support breastfeeding in neonatal wards.
Interference between arsenic‐induced toxicity and hypoxia
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Vogelsang Lara , Seidel Thorsten , Schmidt Romy , Weber Michael , Reichelt Michael , Meyer Andreas , Clemens Stephan , Sharma Shanti S. , Dietz Karl‐Josef 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPlants often face combinatorial stresses in their natural environment. Here, arsenic (As) toxicity was combined with hypoxia (Hpx) in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana as it often occurs in nature. Arsenic inhibited growth of both roots and leaves, whereas root growth almost entirely ceased in Hpx. Growth efficiently resumed, and Hpx marker transcripts decreased upon reaeration. Compromised recovery from HpxAs treatment following reaeration indicated some persistent effects of combined stresses despite lower As accumulation. Root glutathione redox potential turned more oxidized in Hpx and most strongly in HpxAs. The more oxidizing root cell redox potential and the lowered glutathione amounts may be conducive to the growth arrest of plants exposed to HpxAs. The stresses elicited changes in elemental and transcriptomic composition. Thus, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous amounts decreased in rosettes, but the strongest decline was seen for potassium. The reorganized potassium‐related transcriptome supports the conclusion that disturbed potassium homeostasis contributes to the growth phenotype. In a converse manner, photosynthesis‐related parameters were hardly affected, whereas accumulated carbohydrates under all stresses and anthocyanins under Hpx exclude carbohydrate limitation. The study demonstrates the existence of both synergistic since mutually aggravating effects and antagonistic effects of single and combined stresses.
Genetics of periodontitis: Discovery, biology, and clinical impact
Authors: Schaefer Arne S 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis review provides an update on genome‐wide association studies in periodontitis. Studies in populations with European ancestry have dominated the landscape of periodontitis genetics studies but, increasingly, studies in Asian populations are being reported. The review also summarizes evidence for suggested associated genetic variations. The loci associated with genome‐wide association studies consist of noncoding variations, many of which are predicted to modulate levels of gene expression. In this article, the biological functions of the genes that are nearest to the associations and their implications for disease etiology are also examined. A major challenge in the genetics of periodontitis is identification of the causal variant(s) underlying associations with periodontitis, elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that are potentially affected by the associated variants, and understanding how they contribute to disease phenotypes and traits. This will allow emerging medical initiatives to make clinical use of genetic discoveries. Large collaborative studies, across research centers and across subspecialties and disciplines, will be required to realize the promise of genetic discovery in periodontitis.
Lifestyle and periodontitis: The emergence of personalized periodontics
Authors: Bartold P. Mark 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPersonalized medicine is a medical model that involves the tailoring of healthcare ‐ with medical decisions, practices, and/or products being customized to an individual patient. In this model, diagnostic testing is often employed for selecting appropriate and optimal therapies based on the context of a patient's genetic content or other epidemiologic, sociologic, molecular, physiologic, or cellular analyses. With the advent of major advances in periodontal medicine, including genomic discoveries and greater understanding of the multifactorial nature of periodontitis, it seems that the time is ripe to use personalized medicine as a model for personalized periodontics. This volume of Periodontology 2000 explores how new advances in our understanding of periodontitis within a medical model can evolve into new treatment strategies tailor‐made for individual patients and not merely based on wholesale treatment paradigms.
The Special Case Thesis and the Dual Nature of Law
Authors: Alexy Robert 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this article, I take up two arguments in favor of the discursive model of legal argumentation: the claim to correctness argument and the dual nature thesis. The argument of correctness implies the dual nature thesis, and the dual nature thesis implies a nonpositivistic concept of law. The nonpositivistic concept of law comprises five ideas. One of them is the special case thesis. The special case thesis says that positivistic elements, that is, statutes, precedents, and prevailing doctrines, are necessary for law in order to achieve legal certainty. Without this, law would not be as perfect as it could possibly be. But it says, at the same time, that this alone would not be enough to fulfill the claim to correctness. The claim to correctness refers not only to the real dimension of law, defined by statutes, precedents, and prevailing doctrines, but also to its ideal dimension, defined, first and foremost, by justice. The special case thesis is my oldest thesis. It has remained an essential element of my system over the years. Its connection with four other theses—the Radbruch formula, the human rights thesis, the idea of deliberative democracy, and principles theory—does not change this at all. On the contrary, this connection has lent greater strength to the special case thesis.
Theoretical Disagreement, Legal Positivism, and Interpretation
Authors: Patterson Dennis 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRonald Dworkin famously argued that legal positivism is a defective account of law because it has no account of Theoretical Disagreement. In this article I argue that legal positivism—as advanced by H.L.A. Hart—does not need an account of Theoretical Disagreement. Legal positivism does, however, need a plausible account of interpretation in law. I provide such an account in this article.
The Purity Thesis
Authors: Paulson Stanley L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHans Kelsen’s purity thesis is the basic methodological principle of the Pure Theory of Law. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that virtually everything that is peculiar to Kelsen’s legal theory stems from the purity thesis. This includes Kelsen’s normativism or non‐naturalism and his polemic against various dualisms in legal science. I set out Kelsen’s position on these issues after looking at the nomenclature of purity in his writings as well as the philosophical and contextual sources of purity as he understands them.
Is International Law a Hartian Legal System?
Authors: Pavel Carmen E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractH. L. A. Hart proposed one of the most influential accounts of law, according to which law is a union of primary rules, which guide the behavior of the law’s subjects, and secondary rules, which guide officials in recognizing, changing, and interpreting primary rules. Writing at the end of the 1950s, Hart had serious doubts about whether international law meets the necessary criteria for a legal system. But there are several reasons to reconsider his position. One is that international law has grown significantly since then, but a more important reason is that Hart provided an oversimplified description of the necessary and sufficient conditions for law provided by his account, and therefore of the nature of the international legal order. A proper understanding of Hart’s view gives us a richer and more accurate understanding of the essential features of law, but also a less precise yardstick by which to measure and characterize the various systems of rules, including international law. According to this new yardstick, international law fails to meet the criteria for a Hartian legal system, but for reasons other than those identified by Hart.
The Possibility of Interimperial Law
Authors: Dobrzeniecki Karol 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis article identifies the contemporary criteria of imperiality and then considers the normative aspects of the existence of certain great powers (empires) in international relations. It is argued that there is a body of norms valid among empires that may be referred to as interimperial law, in the sense of a normative order that is intended to lower the costs and dangers of competition between empires. The article outlines a basic theory of coexistence between the emerging interimperial law and the existing international law, derived from theoretical and historical models of the coexistence of various legal orders within one territory.
Reference intervals for coagulation variables in healthy adult domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus)
Authors: Zersen Kristin M. , Russell Moore A , Olver Christine S. , Mathis Justin C. 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundCoagulation has not been studied extensively in adult goats, and reference intervals (RIs) for coagulation variables have not yet been established and would be clinically useful.ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to establish coagulation variable RIs in adult goats for future coagulation interpretation.MethodsBlood samples from 40 healthy adult goats were collected, and assays for PT, APTT, D‐dimers, antithrombin III, and fibrinogen were performed. Coagulation variable RIs were established using the Reference Value Advisor v2.1.ResultsThe RIs included: PT, 15.7‐19.8 seconds; APTT, 16.2‐24.3 seconds; D‐dimer, 0‐0.68 μg/mL; antithrombin III, 108.6%‐156.5%; fibrinogen, 89.5‐303.2 mg/dL.ConclusionsIn this brief communication, we report the RIs for coagulation variables in healthy adult goats. Further research will be needed to identify coagulation changes that are associated with specific disease processes of goats.
Comparison of inhibitory neuromuscular transmission in the Cynomolgus monkey IAS and rectum: special emphasis on differences in purinergic transmission
Authors: Cobine C. A. , McKechnie M. , Brookfield R. J. , Hannigan K. I. , Keef K. D. 
Published: September 2018

Key points
Inhibitory neuromuscular transmission (NMT) was compared in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and rectum of the Cynomolgus monkey, an animal with high gene sequence identity to humans.
Nitrergic NMT was present in both muscles while purinergic NMT was limited to the rectum and VIPergic NMT to the IAS. The profile for monkey IAS more closely resembles humans than rodents.
In both muscles, SK3 channels were localized to PDGFRα+ cells that were closely associated with nNOS+/VIP+ nerves. Gene expression levels of P2RY subtypes were the same in IAS and rectum while KCNN expression levels were very similar.
SK3 channel activation and inhibition caused faster/greater changes in contractile activity in rectum than IAS. P2Y1 receptor activation inhibited contraction in rectum while increasing contraction in IAS.
The absence of purinergic NMT in the IAS may be due to poor coupling between P2Y1 receptors and SK3 channels on PDGFRα+ cells.
AbstractInhibitory neuromuscular transmission (NMT) was compared in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and rectum of the Cynomolgus monkey, an animal with a high gene sequence identity to humans. Electrical field stimulation produced nitric oxide synthase (NOS)‐dependent contractile inhibition in both muscles whereas P2Y1‐dependent purinergic NMT was restricted to rectum. An additional NOS‐independent, α‐chymotrypsin‐sensitive component was identified in the IAS consistent with vasoactive intestinal peptide‐ergic (VIPergic) NMT. Microelectrode recordings revealed slow NOS‐dependent inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) in both muscles and fast P2Y1‐dependent IJPs in rectum. The basis for the difference in purinergic NMT was investigated. PDGFRα+/SK3+ cells were closely aligned with nNOS+/VIP+ neurons in both muscles. Gene expression of P2RY was the same in IAS and rectum (P2RY1>>P2RY2‐14) while KCNN3 expression was 32% greater in rectum. The SK channel inhibitor apamin doubled contractile activity in rectum while having minimal effect in the IAS. Contractile inhibition elicited with the SK channel agonist CyPPA was five times faster in rectum than in the IAS. The P2Y1 receptor agonist MRS2365 inhibited contraction in rectum but increased contraction in the IAS. In conclusion, both the IAS and the rectum have nitrergic NMT whereas purinergic NMT is limited to rectum and VIPergic NMT to the IAS. The profile in monkey IAS more closely resembles that of humans than rodents. The lack of purinergic NMT in the IAS cannot be attributed to the absence of PDGFRα+ cells, P2Y1 receptors or SK3 channels. Rather, it appears to be due to poor coupling between P2Y1 receptors and SK3 channels on PDGFRα+ cells.