bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of 25‐hydroxy‐cholecalciferol on the development of osteochondrosis in swine
Authors: Sugiyama Toshie , Kusuhara Seiji , Chung Thau Kiong , Yonekura Hiroshi , Azem Elisabeth , Hayakawa Takehiko 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe principal objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of 25‐hydroxy‐cholecalciferol (25‐OH‐D3) on the development of osteochondrosis in 6‐ to 110‐kg castrated male pigs. The growth rate and serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels neither increased nor decreased in response to supplementation of 25‐OH‐D3. However, supplemental 25‐OH‐D3significantly increased serum levels of 25‐OH‐D3and 1α,25‐hydroxy‐cholecalciferol without any influence on bone mineral density. The 25‐OH‐D3‐treated group had significant (P < 0.05) reduced incidence of osteochondrotic lesions compared to the control group as evidenced by macroscopically examining the articular cartilage of the distal humerus (32.4% vs. 59.3%) and distal femur (47.1% vs. 87.5%). Likewise, supplemental 25‐OH‐D3significantly reduced osteochondrotic lesions over the control when histologically examining humerus (20.6% vs. 43.8%) and femur (52.9% vs. 87.5%). The results of this experiment suggested that 25‐OH‐D3supplementation in pig diets had a tendency to promote normal endochondral ossification, inhibit osteochondrosis progression and possibly regenerate destroyed cartilage tissue.
The preventive effect of Bacillus subtilus strain DB9011 against experimental infection with enterotoxcemic Escherichia coli in weaning piglets
Authors: Tsukahara Takamitsu , Tsuruta Takeshi , Nakanishi Nobuo , Hikita Chie , Mochizuki Masami , Nakayama Keizo 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPorcine edema disease (ED) is caused by Shiga toxin 2e‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Post‐weaned piglets often suffer from ED as a result of intestinal infection with STEC, which causes impaired growth performance and high mortality. Antimicrobial therapy is a curative treatment for piglets infected with STEC, but the emergence of antimicrobial‐resistant STEC has become a serious problem for Japanese pig farmers. Therefore, an alternative strategy other than antimicrobial therapy is needed for the prevention or treatment of ED. In this study, we evaluated the effect of oral administration of Bacillus subtilis DB9011 (DB9011) to prevent the experimental infection of STEC in weaning piglets. Eight 21‐day‐old piglets were divided into two groups: STEC challenge with the basal diet, and STEC challenge with DB9011 supplemented diet. The challenge was carried out when the animals were 25, 26 and 27 days old using STEC contained in capsules resistant against gastric digestion. All pigs were euthanized at 36 days of age. DB9011 improved the symptoms of ED and decreased the number of STEC in the ileal digesta and feces. Accordingly, oral administration of DB9011 in weaned piglets prevents ED through the suppression of the growth of STEC in the ileum.
One year weight loss in the TRAMOMTANA study. A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tur Juan Jesús , Escudero Antonio Jorge , Alos María Micaela , Salinas Ramón , Terés Emma , Soriano Joan B. , Nicola Gabriela , Urgelés Juan Ramón , Pagán Alberto , Cortes Baltasar , González Xavier , Burguera Bartolomé 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundMorbid obesity is a major health problem and bariatric surgery is currently the most effective therapy available to induce weight loss in these patients. This report describes 1‐year changes in weight and metabolic parameters, in a trial designed to examine the effects of a nonsurgical approach, Intensive Life style Intervention (ILI) on the therapy of morbid obesity.MethodsThe primary outcome was change in body weight. Patients were randomized to ILI (n = 60) or conventional obesity therapy (COT) (n = 46). The ILI group received behavioural therapy and nutritional/physical activity counselling. The COT group received the standard medical treatment available for these patients. A third group consisted of the patients already included in our bariatric surgery waiting list (n = 37).FindingsWe present here 1‐year data showing that patients who received ILI with no restrictions in calorie intake had a greater percentage of weight loss than patients receiving COT (−11·58% vs −0·4%; P < 0·001). Importantly, 31·4% of patients included in the ILI group were not morbidly obese after 6 months of intervention. This number increased to 42·8% after 12 months of intervention.InterpretationILI was associated with significant weight loss compared with COT in a group of morbidly obese patients. The weight loss effect was already obtained after 6 months of ILI intervention. These results seriously question the efficacy of the COT approach to morbid obesity. Furthermore, they underscore the use of ILI programmes in the hospital setting to effectively treat morbidly obese patients and might help to reduce the number of candidate patients for bariatric surgery.
Increased prolidase activity and oxidative stress in PCOS
Authors: Hilali Nese , Vural Mehmet , Camuzcuoglu Hakan , Camuzcuoglu Aysun , Aksoy Nurten 
Published: November 2012

SummaryAimMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been considered to have a role in various pathological processes, including inflammatory response, cardiovascular disease and recently also in ovarian dysfunction. Since prolidase could be accepted as a matrix metalloproteinase, on the biochemical level, we aimed to evaluate serum prolidase activity and oxidative–antioxidative status in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy individuals.Materials and methodsThirty‐three PCOS patients and 28 healthy nonhyperandrogenic women were studied. Levels of prolidase activity, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL) were calculated.ResultsLevels of prolidase activities, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, LH, PRL, and T were significantly higher in PCOS group than in the control group. Total antioxidant status levels were lower in PCOS group than healthy group, but it was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between PCOS and control groups in term of FSH.ConclusionWomen with PCOS have increased serum prolidase activity and oxidative stress. It might be hypothesized that elevated serum prolidase activity and oxidative stress may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk in PCOS and/or menstrual irregularities associated with this syndrome.
Utility of quantitative 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake measurement to identify occult tonsillar carcinoma in patients with cervical metastasis of unknown primary tumours: a retrospective case–control study
Authors: Lee H.J. , Kim J.S. , Roh J.‐L. , Lee J.H. , Cho K.‐J. , Park G.C. , Choi S.‐H. , Nam S.Y. , Kim S.Y. 
Published: November 2012

ObjectivesDue to relatively high 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation in the tonsillar region, the detection of occult tonsillar cancers by 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerised tomography remains controversial. Therefore, we assessed the usefulness of quantitative tonsil 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in identifying occult tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.DesignA case–control study of retrospective cohorts.SettingUniversity Teaching Hospital.Main outcome measuresWe assessed all patients diagnosed with tonsillar cancers or cervical lymph node metastasis of unknown primary tumours between 2005 and 2010 who underwent 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerised tomography. The subjects were grouped into A (apparent early pT‐stage tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma; n = 27), B (occult tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma, primary tumours were found by surgery; n = 21), C (cervical metastasis of unknown primary tumour, primary tumours were not found by surgery and for follow‐up; n = 16) and D (33 healthy controls). Tonsillar maximum standardised uptake values were bilaterally measured and compared between groups.ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of qualitative assessment of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerised tomography for detection of occult tonsillar cancers were 67% and 69%, respectively. Mean maximum standardised uptake values of tonsils with cancer were 11.19 ± 5.46 in group A and 8.12 ± 4.52 in group B, which were significantly higher than that of group C (4.62 ± 1.76) or group D (4.57 ± 1.62) (P < 0.01). The mean maximum standardised uptake value differences of groups A (6.35) and B (3.11) were significantly greater than those of groups C (0.32) and D (0.59) (P < 0.01). Similarly, the mean maximum standardised uptake value ratios of groups A (2.47) and B (1.73) were significantly greater than those of groups C (1.06) and D (1.16) (P < 0.01).Conclusion18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerised tomography with tonsil SUVmax measurement is useful to identify occult tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.
Comparison of Left Atrial Mechanical Function in Nondipper versus Dipper Hypertensive Patients: A Speckle Tracking Study
Authors: Açar Göksel , Bulut Mustafa , Arslan Kursat , Alizade Elnur , Ozkan Birol , Alici Gokhan , Tanboga Ibrahim Halil , Yazicioğlu Mehmet Vefik , Akcakoyun Mustafa , Esen Ali Metin 
Published: November 2012

Aim: Nondippers are known to carry a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dipper and nondipper status of hypertension on longitudinal systolic and diastolic functions of left atrial (LA) myocardial tissue by means of two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography in treated hypertensive patients. Methods: A total of 78 outpatients treated with antihypertensive drugs for at least 1 year were included in the study. The patients were classified as nondippers if their daytime ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not decrease by at least 10% during the night. Global longitudinal LA strain/strain rate data were obtained by two‐dimensional speckle imaging with automated software and compared between the groups. Results: LA volume index, left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and mass index as well as filling pressure (E/E′) were significantly higher in nondippers (all P < 0.001), whereas systolic tissue velocity (S′) was significantly lower in nondippers. They also had decreased values of mean peak LA strain (dippers = 27.6 ± 5.5% vs. nondippers = 21.5 ± 4.5%, P < 0.001), strain rate during reservoir (dippers = 1.27 ± 0.4/sec vs. nondippers = 0.98 ± 0.3/sec, P = 0.001), and conduit period (dippers = 1.41 ± 0.4/sec vs. nondippers = 1.06 ± 0.3/sec, P < 0.001). Moreover, we found that LA mechanical dysfunction was closely associated with LV mass, filling pressure, and regional LV contractility. Conclusion: Nondipping in treated hypertensive patients was associated with an adverse cardiac remodeling and impaired LA mechanical function. Further studies are warranted to demonstrate the long‐term prognostic significance of these findings.
Relationship between Endoscopic and Histologic Gastric Atrophy and Intestinal Metaplasia
Authors: Quach Duc Trong , Le Huy Minh , Hiyama Toru , Nguyen Oanh Thuy , Nguyen Trung Sao , Uemura Naomi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe severity of endoscopic gastric atrophy (EGA), high‐stage Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment (OLGA) gastritis (i.e., stage III or IV), and extensive intestinal metaplasia (IM) with incomplete subtype have been separately reported as high‐risk factors of gastric cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between these endoscopic and pathologic characteristics.Materials and methodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted on 280 patients with functional dyspepsia at the University Medical Center at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Biopsies were taken according to the updated Sydney System. EGA was assessed according to the Kimura–Takemoto classification, and gastritis stage was assessed according to the OLGA system.ResultsAll of patients with high‐stage OLGA gastritis (i.e., stage III or IV) clustered in the subgroup of patients with moderate‐to‐severe EGA: 13/126 (10.3%) in patients with moderate‐to‐severe EGA versus 0/154 (0%) in patients with none‐to‐mild EGA (p < .001). Moderate‐to‐severe EGA was also significantly associated with extensive IM (p < .001, OR = 28.1 (CI 95% 6.4–173.3)) and incomplete IM subtype (p < .001, OR = 36.7 (CI 95% 5.1–742.1). Extensive IM was also associated with incomplete IM subtype (p = .01).ConclusionsHigh‐stage OLGA gastritis, extensive IM with incomplete subtype clustered in patients with moderate‐to‐severe EGA. Assessing the severity of EGA could potentially help to identify patients who should be taken systemic biopsy for evaluating GC risk.
Oral health condition and treatment needs among young athletes with intellectual disabilities in Indonesia
Authors: Trihandini Indang , Wiradidjaja Adiwoso Adiningrum , Erri Astoeti Tri , Marks Luc 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundData on the oral situation of young people with intellectual disabilities are scarce, especially data of children from a developing country.AimTo describe and to evaluate the oral treatment needs of Special Olympics Special Smiles Athletes in Indonesia between 2004 and 2009.DesignA cross‐sectional study data were collected through interviews and clinical examinations using the Special Olympics Special Smiles CDC protocol.ParticipantsIndonesian Special Smiles athletes; their mean age was 13.46 years ± 2.97.ResultsMore than 70% of athletes had visible untreated decay. Almost 30% (29.8%) of the athletes had gingival inflammation. Pain in the oral cavity was reported by 28.6%. Athletes who had untreated decay reported 6.67 times (95% CI OR; 4.00–11.14) more pain compared to those who did not have untreated decay. Athletes living in provinces on Java Island had 1.54 times (95% CI OR; 1.15–2.07) more untreated decay compared to the athletes who live in provinces in outer Java Island. 21.63% of the screened athletes were referred to the dentist for urgent treatment.ConclusionThe results suggest that there is an elevated oral treatment need in Indonesian Special Smiles population.
Piscine reovirus (PRV) in wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and sea‐trout, Salmo trutta L., in Norway
Authors: Garseth Å. H. , Fritsvold C. , Opheim M. , Skjerve E. , Biering E. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis is the first comprehensive study on the occurrence and distribution of piscine reovirus (PRV) in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., caught in Norwegian rivers. PRV is a newly discovered reovirus associated with heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI), a serious and commercially important disease affecting farmed Atlantic salmon in Norway. A cross‐sectional survey based on real‐time RT‐PCR screening of head kidney samples from wild, cultivated and escaped farmed Atlantic salmon caught from 2007 to 2009 in Norwegian rivers has been conducted. In addition, anadromous trout (sea‐trout), Salmo trutta L., caught from 2007 to 2010, and anadromous Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), caught from 2007 to 2009, were tested. PRV was detected in Atlantic salmon from all counties included in the study and in 31 of 36 examined rivers. PRV was also detected in sea‐trout but not in anadromous Arctic char. In this study, the mean proportion of PRV positives was 13.4% in wild Atlantic salmon, 24.0% in salmon released for stock enhancement purposes and 55.2% in escaped farmed salmon. Histopathological examination of hearts from 21 PRV‐positive wild and one cultivated salmon (Ct values ranging from 17.0 to 39.8) revealed no HSMI‐related lesions. Thus, it seems that PRV is widespread in Atlantic salmon returning to Norwegian rivers, and that the virus can be present in high titres without causing lesions traditionally associated with HSMI.
How accurate is intraoperative frozen section in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors?
Authors: Malipatil Renuka , Crasta Julian A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section of ovarian tumors and to analyze the factors that influence the accuracy.Material and MethodsWe compared the frozen section diagnosis of 218 ovarian tumors with their final diagnosis in paraffin sections, over a period of 10 years from 1999 to 2008.ResultsResults were analyzed on two parameters: (i) status of malignancy and (ii) histological type. The overall accuracy was 95%. The sensitivity for benign, borderline and malignant tumors was 99.3%, 86.66% and 96.3%, respectively. The corresponding specificities were 92.6%, 97% and 100%. Most of the discrepant cases were of borderline category. The overall accuracy for histological diagnosis was 80.7%. The number of sections examined at frozen and paraffin had a statistically significant association with the accuracy of frozen section.ConclusionFrozen section diagnosis is of high quality at our center with a few exceptions in borderline category. The numbers of sections examined have a statistically significant influence on the accuracy of frozen section of ovarian masses.
Impact of the transobturator tape procedure on sexual function in women with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Dursun Murat , Otunctemur Alper , Ozbek Emin , Cakir Suleyman Sami , Polat Emre Can 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimStress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a serious problem in women who have delivered vaginally, and causes some sexual dysfunction. The transobturator tape (TOT) procedure is one of the most common methods for the treatment of SUI. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the TOT procedure on sexual function in women.Material and MethodsFrom June 2008 to March 2011, 117 patients underwent the TOT procedure for SUI in our clinic. Ninety‐six sexually active women participated in the study and the mean age was 49.2 (29–61) years. Before and 6 months after surgery, the patients' sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain during sexual intercourse and sexual functions were all evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire. The results were compared statistically using the Wilcoxon test.ResultsThe cure rate of the TOT procedure for SUI was 87%. Of the 96 women who were sexually active, 35 (36%) experienced urinary loss during sexual activity. Thirty‐three (95%) of these patients were cured after surgery completely. Female Sexual Function Index scores for desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and in total increased slightly after surgery but none of these improvements reached a statistically significant level. However, statistically significant improvement was determined for satisfaction and pain after surgery (P < 0.05).ConclusionSUI causes some problems affecting quality of life, including sexual dysfunction. After the TOT procedure, significant improvement was determined in sexual function affected by SUI.
Retributivism and Legal Moralism
Authors: Brink David O. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis article examines whether a retributivist conception of punishment implies legal moralism and asks what liberalism implies about retributivism and moralism. It makes a case for accepting the weak retributivist thesis that culpable wrongdoing creates a pro tanto case for blame and punishment and the weak moralist claim that moral wrongdoing creates a pro tanto case for legal regulation. This weak moralist claim is compatible with the liberal claim that the legal enforcement of morality is rarely all‐thing‐considered desirable. Though weak moralism has some plausibility, it does not follow from weak retributivism if legitimate state functions are limited in certain ways.
Positivism and Plural Legal Systems
Authors: Eekelaar John 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper considers whether the positivist account of law is useful in guiding states in how they should deal with religious or customary legal orders followed by minority groups within their jurisdiction. It argues, first, that such orders can be said to exist despite the prevalence of disagreement about the grounds of law. It then argues, contrary to views advanced by Scott Shapiro and Joseph Raz, that there are good reasons for perceiving that the resolution of legal disputes by reference to moral principle involves the application of pre‐existing law. However, the paper concludes by arguing that the Social Thesis has an important role in supplying the basis upon which the application of law can be deemed to be legitimate, and that this has relevance to the way states might respond to minority legal orders.
Requirement‐Sensitive Legal Moralism: A Critical Assessment
Authors: Nielsen Morten Ebbe Juul 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRequirement‐sensitive legal moralism is a species of legal moralism in which the legitimacy of turning moral into legal demands depends on the existence of a legitimate moral requirement, producing a legitimate social requirement, which can then ground a legitimate legal requirement. Crucially, each step is defeasible by contingent or instrumental, but not intrinsic moral factors. There is no genuinely moral sphere (e.g., a private sphere) in which the law is not to interfere; only contingent, non‐moral factors can defeat this. Using William A. Edmundson's Three Anarchical Fallacies as a foil, this idea is spelled out; it is shown why considerations based on the harm principle, consent, and the fact of pluralism do not immediately defeat it, but several problems with Edmundson's account are examined to point out where the idea could be further developed.
Comparative vs. Transcendental Approaches to Justice: A Misleading Dichotomy in Sen's The Idea of Justice
Authors: Biondo Francesco 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper examines the distinction drawn by Amartya Sen between transcendental and comparative theories of justice, and its application to Rawls' doctrine. It then puts forward three arguments. First, it is argued that Sen offers a limited portrayal of Rawls' doctrine. This is the result of a rhetorical strategy that depicts Rawlsian doctrine as more “transcendental” than it really is. Although Sen deploys numerous quotations in support of his interpretation, it is possible to offer a less transcendental interpretation of Rawls. Second, the dichotomy between transcendental and comparative approaches to questions of justice is partly misleading, insofar as any plausible moral doctrine has both transcendental and comparative elements. Transcendental elements are necessary to avoid the confusion between the general acceptance of a norm, value or principle and its justification. A comparative view highlights the conditions of application of the doctrine to the real world, taking into account the possibility of moral dilemmas, evaluative disagreements and limited resources, while proposing possible provisos and caveats to the risk of the doctrine being self‐defeating. Third, although the transcendental approach is useful, it is argued that in elaborating this dichotomy Sen overlooks the merits of the third way between comparative and transcendental doctrines, what he calls “conglomerate theory,” and also the possibility that his doctrine (the capability approach) might be considered as an example of such a theory. The paper concludes with the argument that conglomerate theory does not aim to produce complete moral orderings, but rather a comparative approach with transcendental elements, as a form of weak transcendentalism.