bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Steroid Withdrawal Regimen Prevents New‐Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Old‐Age Recipients After Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Authors: Kim Young‐Kyu , Lee Kwang‐Woong , Kim Seong Hoon , Cho Seong Yeon , Han Sung‐Sik , Park Sang‐Jae 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundSteroid use after liver transplantation is known to increase the risk of new‐onset diabetes mellitus (NODM). In this study, we tried to identify a patient subgroup who would benefit with regard to NODM by an early steroid withdrawal regimen (ESWR) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT)MethodsAmong 100 adult LDLT patients, 65 were on a conventional immunosuppressive regimen (CIR), and 35 were on an ESWR. With the ESWR, the steroid was tapered off mostly within 7 days with induction of basiliximab in combination with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). The CIR was a combination of tacrolimus and steroid. MMF was added in selected patients. Steroid was tapered off 2–6 months after LT. The presence of NODM was investigated cross‐sectionally 6 months after LT.ResultsThere was no significant difference in terms of acute cellular rejection, sepsis, or death during follow‐up. NODM had developed in 13 patients (13 %). Old recipient age (≥55) and pretransplant history of hypertension were significant risk factors for NODM. The type of immunosuppression was the single risk factor for NODM in subgroup of old‐age recipients (≥55 years) on the CIR (hazard ratio 13.34, p = 0.04).ConclusionsESWR can safely reduce the incidence of NODM after LDLT in old‐age recipients. Therefore, ESWR should be considered first in old‐age recipients undergoing LDLT.
Synthesis, Surface, Thermodynamic Properties of Some Biodegradable Vanillin‐Modified Polyoxyethylene Surfactants
Authors: Sayed Galal Hosni , Ghuiba Ferial Mohamed , Abdou Mahmoud Ibrahim , Badr Emad Abdel Aatty , Tawfik Salah Mahmoud , Negm Nabel Abdel Moneem 
Published: June 2012

AbstractFour water‐soluble non‐ionic ethoxylated surfactants based on vanillin were synthesized (VE15, VE20, VE40, and VE60). The chemical structures of these surfactants were confirmed using FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR spectra. The molecular weights of the compounds were determined using viscosity measurements and gel permeation chromatography. Surface tension as a function of the concentration of the surfactant in aqueous solution was measured at 25, 40 and 55 °C. From these measurements, the critical micelle concentration (CMC), effectiveness (πcmc), efficiency (pC20), maximum surface (Γmax) excess and minimum surface area (Amin), were calculated. The surface activity measurements showed their high tendency towards adsorption and micellization and their good surface tension reduction, and low interfacial tension. The emulsion stability measurements showed the applicability of these surfactants as emulsifying agents. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization (ΔGmic, ΔHmic, ΔSmic) and adsorption (ΔGads, ΔGads, ∆Sads) showed their tendency towards adsorption at the interfaces and also micellization in the bulk of their solutions. The biodegradability of the prepared surfactants was tested in river water using die‐away method and showed their readily biodegradation in the open environment.
OF APPLES AND ORANGES (AND HORMONES IN BEEF): SCIENCE AND THE STANDARD OF REVIEW IN WTO DISPUTES UNDER THE SPS AGREEMENT
Authors: Peel Jacqueline 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe standard of review applied by WTO decision-makers in disputes under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Agreement plays a critical role in determining the scope of SPS risk regulatory authority afforded WTO Members by governing the degree to which such measures must be science-based. The standard of review question in SPS jurisprudence finds resonances in international environmental legal adjudication of highly technical disputes, as well as in comparative law concerning judicial review of science-based risk regulation in the United States and European Union. This article considers recent case law of the WTO Appellate Body inContinued SuspensionandAustralia–Applesand the extent to which these decisions permit a more deferential approach on the part of WTO decision-makers in evaluating the scientific underpinnings of Members' disputed SPS measures. It is argued that the case law has failed to articulate a strong normative rationale for the current interpretation of the standard of review applied in SPS disputes. Drawing on social scientific findings regarding the limitations of science-based risk assessment in diverse risk settings, the article contends that a more coherent and principled approach to application of the standard of review would allow for its adjustment according to the nature of the risk situation under consideration.
The ‘dark’ side of normative argumentation – The case of counterterrorism policy
Authors: HELLER REGINA , KAHL MARTIN , PISOIU DANIELA 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAfter 9/11 state actors in different parts of the world and to various degrees decided to give security and counterterrorism measures priority over human rights and fundamental freedoms. In order to legitimize their policy choices, governmental actors used normative argumentation to redefine what is ‘appropriate’ to ensure security. We argue that, in the long run, this may lead to a setback dynamic hollowing out established human and civil rights norms. In this article, we develop a theoretical and analytical framework, oriented along the model of the life cycle of norms, in order to trace ‘bad’ norm dynamics in the field of counterterrorism. We conceptualize the norm erosion process, particularly focusing on arguments such as speech acts put forward by governmental norm challengers and their attempts to create new meaning and understanding. We also draw on convergence theory and argue that when a coalition of norm challengers develops, using the same or similar patterns of arguments, established international normative orders protecting human rights and civil liberties might be weakened over time and a more fundamental process of norm erosion may take place.
Global distributive justice? State boundaries as a normative problem
Authors: FOLLESDAL ANDREAS 
Published: June 2012

AbstractShould state borders matter for claims of distributive justice? The article explores, only to reject, the best reasons for an ‘Anti-Cosmopolitan’ position which grants some minimum international obligations, including social and economic human rights. At the same time this Anti-Cosmopolitanism rejects distinctlydistributiveprinciples of justice, familiar from discussions of justice among compatriots: There are no further limits on permissible global inequalities. ‘Anti-Cosmopolitans’ do not deny that the tangled web of domestic and international institutions has a massive impact on individuals, their life plans and opportunities, albeit often indirectly and surreptitiously. What they deny is that claims to equality or limits to inequality should apply across state borders. The article explores what it is about states that can justify such a disjunct in the normative claims individuals have against each other. Several arguments about such alleged salient aspects of states and their constitutions are considered, but are found lacking. The main conclusion is to challenge the reasons Anti-Cosmopolitans offer against bringing distributive principles to the ‘Global Basic Structure’.
Insights into the nature of northwest‐to‐southeast aligned ionospheric wavefronts from contemporaneous Very Large Array and ionosonde observations
Authors: Helmboldt J. F. 
Published: June 2012

The results of contemporaneous summer nighttime observations of midlatitude medium scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) with the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico and nearby ionosondes in Texas and Colorado are presented. Using 132, 20‐minute observations, several instances of MSTIDs were detected, all having wavefronts aligned northwest to southeast and mostly propagating toward the southwest, consistent with previous studies of MSTIDs. However, some were also found to move toward the northeast. It was found that both classes of MSTIDs were only found when sporadic‐E (Es) layers of moderate peak density (1.5​ < ​ foEs​ < ​3 MHz) were present. Limited fbEs data from one ionosonde suggests that there was a significant amount of structure within the Es layers during observations when foEs > ​3 MHz that was not present when 1.5​ < foEs < ​3 MHz. No MSTIDs were observed either before midnight or when the F‐region height was increasing at a relatively high rate, even when these Es layers were observed. Combining this result with AE indices which were relatively high at the time (an average of about 300 nT and maximum of nearly 700 nT), it is inferred that both the lack of MSTIDs and the increase in F‐region height are due to substorm‐induced electric fields. The northeastward‐directed MSTIDs were strongest post‐midnight during times when the F‐region was observed to be collapsing relatively quickly. This implies that these two occurrences are related and likely both caused by rare shifts in F‐region neutral wind direction from southwest to northwest.
Quantitative analysis of the influence of dust sea surface forcing on the primary production of the subtropical Atlantic Ocean using a ten‐year time series of satellite observations
Authors: Chami Malik , Mallet Marc , Gentili Bernard 
Published: June 2012

Dust aerosols that are not deposited over oceans are able to significantly reduce the solar energy available at the sea surface. Here, the impact of dust aerosols on the photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) at the sea surface and on the associated oceanic primary production (PP) is quantified over the subtropical Atlantic Ocean based on a ten‐year time series of satellite observations. The ten‐year average value of the attenuation of bothPAR and PP due to dust aerosols is high (∼15%). The comparisons with predictions suggested that the decrease of PP might be ∼35% in the case of intense episodic events (i.e., dust aerosols optical depth > 0.6). Therefore, dust aerosol events could significantly alter the organic carbon budget of the underlying oceanic ecosystems. The analysis of the interannual variations of the relative reduction of primary production (ΔPP/PP) due to dust aerosols showed that the evolution of ΔPP/PP does not exhibit any major trend of variation within the entire study area over the decade. However, a significant tendency (0.22% per year) is found near Africa in summer. Thus, dust aerosol events might induce a major decrease of the marine productivity the next centuries. The radiative forcing of dust aerosols on the sea surface needs to be accounted for in coupled atmosphere–ocean models for calculating correctly the primary production. A more extensive analysis of the aerosol radiative budget is also required to better understand the link between the atmospheric and oceanic processes driving the primary production over dust aerosol areas.
Seasonal sea level cycle in the Caribbean Sea
Authors: Torres R. Ricardo , Tsimplis Michael N. 
Published: June 2012

The seasonal sea level cycle has been investigated in the Caribbean Sea using altimetry and tide gauge time series from 27 stations and is characterized by large spatial variability. The coastal annual harmonic has amplitudes that range from 2 cm to 9 cm, peaking between August and October and semi‐annual harmonic with maximum amplitude of 6 cm, with most stations peaking in April and October. The coastal seasonal sea level cycle contributes significantly at most areas to sea level variability and can explain the sea level variance up to 78%. The barometric effect on the coastal sea level seasonal cycles is insignificant in the annual component but dominant at 9 stations in the semi‐annual cycle. The seasonal sea level cycle from 18 years of altimetry confirm the results obtained from the tide‐gauges and allow us to identify some dominant sea level forcing parameters in the annual and semi‐annual frequencies such as the Panama‐Colombia gyre driven by the wind stress curl and the Caribbean Low Level Jet modulating the sea level in the northern coast of South America and linked to the local upwelling. The seasonal sea level cycle in the Caribbean Sea is unsteady in time, with large variations in amplitude and phase lag at most of the stations, where the 5‐year amplitude in the coastal annual cycle can change over 6 cm in a 24 year period. The seasonal sea level cycle peaks about October when the probability of coastal impacts increases, especially in the northern coast of South America where the range is larger.
Transition from Acute to Persistent Low Back Pain: Do Fear-Avoidance Beliefs, Magnification, and Helplessness Cognitions Screen Best at First Medical Consultation or Afterwards at 3-, 6-, or 12-Week Follow-Up?
Authors: Melloh M. , Käser A. , Rolli Salathé C. , Elfering A. 
Published: June 2012

Introduction There is a gap in the knowledge regarding the ideal time point to screen patients at risk of developing persistent LBP. Therefore, our research question was, “what is the best time point to identify patients with acute/subacute LBP at risk of developing persistent LBP at 6 months”? The aim of our study was to identify, in a group of patients presenting to a health practitioner with a new episode of LBP, the key time point at which those at risk of developing persistent LBP can be best detected. Materials and Methods Prospective cohort study of patients presenting to a health practitioner with a new episode of acute/subacute LBP. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12 weeks and 6 months looking at factors of “maladaptive cognition” (fear-avoidance beliefs, magnification, helplessness) as potential predictors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for all time points. Results The best time point to predict the development of persistent LBP at 6 months was the 12-week follow-up (sensitivity 52%; overall predictive value 75%). The odds ratio of predicting persistent LBP was 1.77 for the index “maladaptive cognition” (95% CI, 1.04–3.03). The 6-week follow-up assessment was the next best time point (sensitivity 43%; overall predictive value 73%). The odds of predicting persistent LBP were 1.63 for the index “maladaptive cognition” (95% CI, 1.02–2.62). Even after 3 weeks, maladaptive cognitions were predictive whereas cognitions assessed at first visit to a health practitioner were not. Conclusion Our study revealed that maladaptive cognitions at 12 and at 6 weeks are suitable predictors for a transition from acute to persistent LBP in primary care. After 3 weeks, patients were present to a health care practitioner with an episode of acute/subacute, LBP cognitions influence the development of persistent LBP. Consequently, according to our results, patients at risk of developing persistent LBP should not be screened at baseline but rather at a later time point such as the 12- or 6-week follow-up for a better overall predictive value. Furthermore, cognitive behavioral interventions should be considered as early adjuvant LBP treatment in patients at risk of developing persistent LBP. I confirm having declared any potential conflict of interest for all authors listed on this abstract Yes Disclosure of Interest None declared
Total Disk Replacement Compared to Lumbar Fusion: A Randomized Controlled Trial with 5-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Tropp H. T. , Nyqvist C. , Berg S. 
Published: June 2012

Introduction The main objective of this study is long-term evaluation of clinical outcome of total disk replacement (TDR) compared to posterior fusion in surgical treatment at chronic low back pain (CLBP) due to degenerative disk disease. Materials and Methods The study is a prospective randomized controlled trial comprising 152 patients; 80 were randomized to TDR and 72 to fusion. Mean age was 40 years (21 to 55) and 59% were women. All patients suffered from CLBP with varying degrees of leg pain and had not responded to a nonsurgical treatment program. Diagnosis was based on clinical examination, radiographs, and MRI. Primary outcome measure was global assessment (GA) of back pain and secondary outcome measures were back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EQ5D, and SF-36. All measures were collected from SweSpine, the Swedish national register for spinal surgery, at 1, 2, and 5 years. Follow-up rate at 5 years were 99.3% with no crossover. Results Both groups showed clinical improvement at 5-year follow-up. There was no deterioration over time. Regarding GA, 38% (30/80) in the TDR group was totally pain free vs. 15% (11/71) in the fusion group ( p < 0.003). Back pain and improvement of back pain were better in the TDR group (23 ± 29 vs. 31 ± 27, p = 0.008). ODI and improvement in ODI were also better in the TDR group (ODI at 5 years 17 ± 19 vs. 23 + 17, p = 0.016,) (ODI diff 5 years 25 ± 18 vs. 18 ± 19 ( p = 0.019). EQ-5D and VAS leg pain also showed significantly better improvement in the TDR group. Achievement of surgical goal (nonmobile fusions) at 2 years was not related to clinical outcome neither at 2 nor at 5 years. Achievement of surgical goal (mobile disk arthroplasties) at 2 years was related to greater improvement in back pain at 5 years. There was no difference in complications between the two groups. A difference was registered between the two groups in numbers of reoperation. A total of 16% (13/80) in the TDR group had undergone one or more reoperation compared to 31% (22/72) in the fusion group ( p = 0.365). Conclusion Global assessment of back differed between the two surgical groups at all follow-up occasions. The difference between groups concerning back pain, pain improvement and ODI had been present at 1 year, disappeared after 2 years but reappeared at the 5-year follow-up. There is no deterioration of results over time. I confirm having declared any potential conflict of interest for all authors listed on this abstract No Disclosure of Interest None declared
Association of Body Mass Index in Early Childhood with Lumbar Disk Degeneration at 21 Years
Authors: Huikari V. , Paananen M. , Takatalo J. , Kaakinen M. , Taimela S. , Niinimäki J. , Blanco Sequeiros R. , Järvelin M. R. , Tervonen O. , Karppinen J. 
Published: June 2012

Introduction There are no studies on association between early childhood body mass index and lumbar disk degeneration (DD) later. Materials and Methods The Oulu back study includes children who belong to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 and have been followed up to 21 years. Data from child health clinic records were used to derive BMI at birth, at adiposity peak (AP), and at adiposity rebound (AR). Lumbar MRI was performed using a 1.5-T scanner at the age of 21. Lumbar intervertebral disks were graded as normal (0), mildly (1), moderately (2), or severely (3) degenerated. The sum score of lumbar DD was categorized as 0, 1 to 2, or at least 3. The associations of BMI at birth, AP, and AR with DD were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression with and without adjustment for relevant confounders. All analyses were stratified by gender. Results Of the 520 scanned subjects, 46% had no DD, 38% had sum score of 1 or 2, and 16% had sum score of at least 3. In the univariate models, BMI at birth among females and BMI at AR among males were positively associated with DD sum score of at least 3 (OR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0–1.7 and OR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–2.7, respectively). In adjusted models, the results weakened among females, while among males the associations between BMI at AP and AR with DD sum score of at least 3 strengthened (OR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.7 and OR 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4–3.7). Conclusion High BMI at AP and AR in early childhood increased the likelihood of lumbar DD at the age of 21 among males. This novel finding may help to understand the pathomechanisms of DD. I confirm having declared any potential conflict of interest for all authors listed on this abstract Yes Disclosure of Interest None declared
Association of the Tag SNPs in the Human Skt Gene with Lumbar Disk Herniation
Authors: Kawaguchi Y. , Karasugi T. , Semba K. , Chiba K. , Togawa D. , Karppinen J. , Ikegawa S. 
Published: June 2012

Introduction Lumbar disk herniation (LDH) is a major cause of low back pain and unilateral leg pain. Although the etiology is unknown, it has been suggested that a genetic factor contributes to the development of LDH. Sickle tail (Skt) protein shows specific expression in mice nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. SktGt mice were established through a gene-trap mutagenesis in embryonic stem cells. Skt homozygous mutant mice showed late-onset intervertebral disk abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the human Skt gene was involved in the etiology of LDH. A case-control association study was performed in Japanese and Finnish populations. Materials and Methods On the basis of information in the International HapMap Project database, we selected SNPs with minor allele frequencies of >10%. A total of 68 tag SNPs were selected. We recruited 525 cases and 564 controls for the first screen and 337 cases and 332 controls for the replication study. The diagnosis of LDH required the following: (1) positive MRI findings for LDH; (2) treatment and monitoring for >1 year by orthopedic surgeons; and (3) a history of unilateral leg pain for a period >3 months. The Finnish population consisted of 257 patients and 249 controls. Results Three SNPs were significantly associated with LDH. The SNP rs16924573 showed the most significant association with LDH ( p = 0.0015). The association was replicated in a Finnish case-control population ( p = 0.026). The combined p value of the two population by meta-analysis is 0.00040 (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14–1.58). Conclusion Our data indicate that Skt is involved in the etiology of LDH. Skt contains a proline-rich region and a coiled-coil domain. It is possible that impaired Skt may not be capable of forming cytoskeleton complexes or interacting with other proteins. Such malfunctions of Skt could lead to LDH through NP dysfunction. I confirm having declared any potential conflict of interest for all authors listed on this abstract Yes Disclosure of Interest None declared Karasugi T, Semba K, Hirose Y, et al. Association of the tag SNPs in the human Skt gene (KIAA1217) with lumbar disc herniation. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2009;24:1537–1543