Cases of ethical violation in research publications: through editorial decision making process

Purpose – To improve and strengthen existing publication and research ethics, KODISA has identified and presented various cases which have violated publication and research ethics and principles in recent years. The editorial office of KODISA has been providing and continues to provide advice and feedback on publication ethics to researchers during peer review and editorial decision making process. Providing advice and feedback on publication ethics will ensure researchers to have an opportunity to correct their mistakes or make appropriate decisions and avoid any violations in research ethics. The purpose of this paper is to identify different cases of ethical violation in research and inform and educate researchers to avoid any violations in publication and research ethics. Furthermore, this article will demonstrate how KODISA journals identify and penalize ethical violations and strengthens its publication ethics and practices. Research design, data and methodology – This paper examines different types of ethical violation in publication and research ethics. The paper identifies and analyzes all ethical violations in research and combines them into five general categories. Those five general types of ethical violations are thoroughly examined and discussed. Results – Ethical violations of research occur in various forms at regular intervals; in other words, unethical researchers tend to commit different types of ethical violations repeatedly at same time. The five categories of ethical violation in research are as follows: (1) Arbitrary changes or additions in author(s) happen frequently in thesis/dissertation related publications. (2) Self plagiarism, submitting same work or mixture of previous works with or without using proper citations, also occurs frequently, but the most common type of plagiarism is changing the statistical results and using them to present as the results of the empirical analysis; (3) Translation plagiarism, another ethical violation in publication, is difficult to detect but occurs frequently; (4) Fabrication of data or statistical analysis also occurs frequently. KODISA requires authors to submit the results of the empirical analysis of the paper (the output of the statistical program) to prevent this type of ethical violation; (5) Mashup or aggregator plagiarism, submitting a mix of several different works with or without proper citations without alterations, is very difficult to detect, and KODISA journals consider this type of plagiarism as the worst ethical violation. Conclusions – There are some individual cases of ethical violation in research and publication that could not be included in the five categories presented throughout the paper. KODISA and its editorial office should continue to develop, revise, and strengthen their publication ethics, to learn and share different ways to detect any ethical violations in research and publication, to train and educate its editorial members and researchers, and to analyze and share different cases of ethical violations with the scholarly community

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 with Multiple Leiomyomas Linked to a Novel Mutation in the MEN1 Gene

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominantly inherited syndrome. MEN1 is characterized by the presence of functioning and nonfunctioning tumors or hyperplasia of the pituitary gland, parathyroid glands, and pancreatic islet cells. In addition, MEN1 carriers can have adrenal or thyroid tumors and non-endocrine tumors, such as lipomas, angiofibromas, and leiomyomas. Although leiomyoma is not a major component of MEN1, it is thought to occur more frequently than expected. However, there has been no report of a case of MEN1 with leiomyoma in Korea so far. This report describes a patient with multiple leiomyomas in MEN1. A 50-year-old woman was referred for further evaluation of elevated calcium levels and osteoporosis. Biochemical abnormalities included hypercalcemia with elevated parathyroid hormone. There was hyperprolactinemia with pituitary microadenoma in sella MRI. An abdominal MRI demonstrated adrenal nodules and leiomyomas in the bladder and uterus. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated esophageal leiomyoma and pancreatic islet cell tumor. A subtotal parathyroidectomy with thymectomy was performed. Sequencing of the MEN1 gene in this patient revealed a novel missense mutation (D350V, exon 7). This is the first case of MEN1 accompanied with multiple leiomyomas, parathyroid adenoma, pituitary adenoma, pancreatic tumor, and adrenal tumor

Comparison of Monthly Ibandronate Versus Weekly Risedronate in Preference, Convenience, and Bone Turnover Markers in Korean Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women

Patient preferences, convenience, and bone turnover markers were evaluated for the monthly ibandronate over the weekly risedronate regimen in Korean postmenopausal osteoporotic women. This was a 6-month, prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter study with a two-period and two-sequence crossover treatment design. After a 30-day screening period, eligible participants with postmenopausal osteoporosis were randomized to receive either monthly oral ibandronate 150 mg for 3 months followed by weekly oral risedronate 35 mg for 12 weeks (sequence A) or the same regimen in reverse order (sequence B). Patient preference and convenience were evaluated by questionnaire. The changes in serum C-telopeptide after 3 months of treatment were analyzed. A total of 365 patients were enrolled in this study (sequence A 182, sequence B 183). Of patients expressing a preference (83.4%), 74.8% preferred the monthly ibandronate regimen over the weekly regimen (25.2%). More women stated that the monthly ibandronate regimen was more convenient (84.2%) than the weekly regimen (15.8%). There was no significant difference in the change in bone turnover marker between the two treatments. The two regimens were similarly tolerable. There were fewer adverse events in the monthly ibandronate group compared to the weekly risedronate group in terms of gastrointestinal side effects (nausea and abdominal distension). This study revealed a strong preference and convenience for monthly ibandronate over weekly risedronate in Korean postmenopausal osteoporotic women. There was no significant difference in change of bone turnover marker and safety profile between the two regimens

Age and Diet Affect Gene Expression Profiles in Canine Liver Tissue

BACKGROUND: The liver plays a central role in nutrient and xenobiotic metabolism, but its functionality declines with age. Senior dogs suffer from many of the chronic hepatic diseases as elderly humans, with age-related alterations in liver function influenced by diet. However, a large-scale molecular analysis of the liver tissue as affected by age and diet has not been reported in dogs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Liver tissue samples were collected from six senior (12-year old) and six young adult (1-year old) female beagles fed an animal protein-based diet (APB) or a plant protein-based diet (PPB) for 12 months. Total RNA in the liver tissue was extracted and hybridized to Affymetrix GeneChip® Canine Genome Arrays. Using a 2.0-fold cutoff and false discovery rate <0.10, our results indicated that expression of 234 genes was altered by age, while 137 genes were differentially expressed by diet. Based on functional classification, genes affected by age and/or diet were involved in cellular development, nutrient metabolism, and signal transduction. In general, gene expression suggested that senior dogs had an increased risk of the progression of liver disease and dysfunction, as observed in aged humans and rodents. In particular for aged liver, genes related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and glycolysis were up-regulated, whereas genes related to regeneration, xenobiotic metabolism, and cholesterol trafficking were down-regulated. Diet-associated changes in gene expression were more common in young adult dogs (33 genes) as compared to senior dogs (3 genes). CONCLUSION: Our results provide molecular insight pertaining to the aged canine liver and its predisposition to disease and abnormalities. Therefore, our data may aid in future research pertaining to age-associated alterations in hepatic function or identification of potential targets for nutritional management as a means to decrease incidence of age-dependent liver dysfunction

Gene Expression Profiles of Colonic Mucosa in Healthy Young Adult and Senior Dogs

Background: We have previously reported the effects of age and diet on nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and large intestinal fermentation patterns in healthy young adult and senior dogs. However, a genome-wide molecular analysis of colonic mucosa as a function of age and diet has not yet been performed in dogs. Methodology/Principal Findings: Colonic mucosa samples were collected from six senior (12-year old) and six young adult (1-year old) female beagles fed one of two diets (animal protein-based vs. plant protein-based) for 12 months. Total RNA in colonic mucosa was extracted and hybridized to Affymetrix GeneChipH Canine Genome Arrays. Results indicated that the majority of gene expression changes were due to age (212 genes) rather than diet (66 genes). In particular, the colonic mucosa of senior dogs had increased expression of genes associated with cell proliferation, inflammation, stress response, and cellular metabolism, whereas the expression of genes associated with apoptosis and defensive mechanisms were decreased in senior vs. young adult dogs. No consistent diet-induced alterations in gene expression existed in both age groups, with the effects of diet being more pronounced in senior dogs than in young adult dogs. Conclusion: Our results provide molecular insight pertaining to the aged canine colon and its predisposition to dysfunction and disease. Therefore, our data may aid in future research pertaining to age-associated gastrointestinal physiologica

Digestibility and Energetic Utilization of Lipids by Pigs

205 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008.Five experiments were conducted to investigate the digestibility and energetic utilization of lipids by pigs. In Exp. 1, the effect of the form of dietary fat (liquid or intact fat form) and the concentration of dietary NDF on ileal and total tract endogenous losses of fat (ELF), on true ileal (TID) and true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of fat by growing pigs were determined. Results showed the estimates of ELF were lower (P < 0.05) for liquid fat than for intact fat at the end of the ileum and over the entire intestinal tract. The TID (93.8%) and TTTD (94.2%) of liquid fat were greater (P < 0.05) than the TID (78.6%) and TTTD (84.1%) of intact fat. Increasing dietary NDF did not influence the TID and TTTD of fat. In Exp. 2, the operational NE requirement for maintenance (ONE m) for growing and finishing pigs was measured at 3 experimental locations. The experiment was conducted at the University of Illinois (UIUC), the University of Missouri (MO), and the Prairie Swine Centre (PSC). The ONEm was greater (P < 0.01) for finishing pigs (219, 123, and 270 kcal/kg BW0.6&middot;d-1 at UIUC, MO, and PSC) than for growing pigs (128, 115, and 78 kcal/kg BW0.6&middot;d -1 at UIUC, MO, and PSC). The ONEm differed (P &le; 0.05) among locations. The interaction between the stage of growth and location for ONEm was significant (P < 0.01). In Exp. 3, the effect of sources or levels of dietary lipids on the NE of diets and lipids fed to growing and finishing pigs was measured. Soybean oil (SBO) and choice white grease (CWG) were used. The NE of diets increased (linear, P < 0.01) with increasing level of SBO (2,032, 2,186, and 2,292 kcal/kg for diets containing 0, 5, or 10% SBO). The NE of the diet containing 10% CWG (2,431 kcal/kg) was greater ( P < 0.05) than the NE of the diet containing 10% SBO. The NE of SBO included at 5% (5,102 kcal/kg) was not different from the NE of SBO included at 10% (4,619 kcal/kg), but the NE of CWG (6,017 kcal/kg) was greater ( P < 0.05) than the NE of SBO. In Exp. 4, the effect of dietary lipids on the NE of corn in growing and finishing pigs was measured. The NE of corn in the diet containing supplemental lipids (2,053kcal/kg) was not different from the NE of corn in the diet containing no supplemental lipids (2,197 kcal/kg). The NE of corn was greater (P < 0.05) for finishing pigs (2,607 kcal/kg) than for growing pigs (1,643 kcal/kg). In Exp. 5, the objective for this study was to compare NE values for diets and ingredients measured in North America (NENA) and values predicted from the French (NEINRA), the Dutch (NECVB), and the Danish (PPE) energy systems. Values for NENA of most diets fed to growing pigs were lower (P < 0.05) than values predicted from NEINRA and NECVB. However, values for NENA of most diets fed to finishing pigs were more comparable with values predicted from NEINRA and NECVB. The measured NE NA values for all ingredients fed to growing pigs were also lower ( P < 0.05) than values predicted from NEINRA and NE CVB. For both growing and finishing pigs, the measured NENA values for SBO and CWG were lower (P < 0.01) than values predicted from NEINRA and NECVB. The values for NENA of SBO and CWG were also numerically lower than the PPE values of SBO and CWG. In conclusion, liquid fat induces a lower ELF and has a greater true digestibility than intact fat at the end of the ileum and over the entire intestinal tract. Experimental location interacts with stage of growth on ONEm, indicating that different values for ONEm should be used for calculating the NE of diets and ingredients measured at different stage of growth and experiment locations. The NE of lipids is not affected by the level of dietary lipids but the NE of lipid containing more saturated fatty acids may be greater than the NE of lipid containing less saturated fatty acids. The NE of corn is not influenced by the absence or presence of supplemental lipids in the diet. The NE of corn for finishing pigs is greater than for growing pigs. European energy systems better predict energy values for diets and ingredients fed to finishing pigs than those fed to growing pigs. European energy systems tend to predict greater energy values for lipids than measured energy values in North America.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Dietary soybean oil and choice white grease improve apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in swine diets containing corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles

The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of soybean oil (SBO) and choice white grease (CWG) on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) in corn-soybean meal-distillers dried grains with solubles-based diets fed to growing pigs. Three diets were prepared. The control diet contained corn, soybean meal, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), cornstarch, and no additional fat. Two additional diets were formulated by adding 5% SBO or 5% CWG to the control diet at the expense of cornstarch. Twelve growing barrows with initial body weight of 37.6 kg (standard deviation = 3.22) were equipped with a T-cannula at the end of the ileum and they were allotted to one of three dietary treatments during six experimental periods.The AID of indispensable AA (e.g., arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, and valine) and dispensable AA (e.g., alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, and proline) was improved (p<0.10) by the addition of 5% SBO or 5% CWG in the diets. The addition of SBO or CWG improved the AID of AA in a commercial-type diet containing corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles, and the extent of improvement in the AID of AA was comparable between the two sources of dietary fat.O objectivo deste experimento foi avaliar o efeito do óleo de soja (SBO) e gordura branca (de suino, CWG) sobre a digestibilidade ileal aparente (AID) de aminoácidos (AA) em dietas com adição de derivados de milho-soja solúvel de destilaria para suínos em crescimento. Três dietas foram preparadas. A dieta controle continha milho, farelo de soja, grãos secos de destilaria com solúveis (DDGS), amido de milho, e não tinha gordura adicionada. As outras duas dietas tinham uma adição de 5% SBO e a outra com 5% de GTC à custa de amido de milho. Doze suínos machos castrados, com peso inicial de 37.6 kg (DP = 3.22) foram equipados com uma cânula T no final do íleo. O núcleo do AA (por exemplo, arginina, histidina, isoleucina, leucina, fenilalanina e valina) e não-essenciais (por exemplo, alanina, ácido aspártico, cisteína e prolina) foi melhorada (p<0.10) pela adição de 5% SBO CWG ou 5%. A adição de SBO ou CWG melhorou de AA na dieta e o nível de melhora foi semelhante entre as duas fontes de gordura.El objetivo de este experimento fue medir el efecto del aceite de soya (SBO) y la grasa blanca (grasa de cerdo, CWG) sobre la digestibilidad ileal aparente (DIA) de aminoácidos (AA) en dietas maíz-soya adicionadas con derivados solubles de destilería para cerdos en crecimiento. Tres dietas fueron preparadas. La dieta control contenía maíz, harina de soya, granos secos de destilería con solubles (DDGS), almidón de maíz, y sin grasa adicionada. Dos dietas adicionales fueron formuladas adicionando 5% de SBO o de GTC a la dieta control, a expensas de la fécula de maíz. Doce cerdos machos castrados, con peso inicial de 37.6 kg (desviación estándar =3.22), fueron equipados con una cánula en T en el extremo del íleo y fueron asignados a uno de los tres tratamientos dietarios durante seis periodos experimentales. La DIA de AA esenciales (por ejemplo, arginina, histidina, isoleucina, leucina, fenilalanina y valina) y no esenciales (por ejemplo, alanina, ácido aspártico, cisteína y prolina) se mejoró (p<0.10) mediante la adición de 5% SBO o de 5% de CWG. La adición de SBO o CWG mejoró la DIA de AA en la dieta, y su nivel de mejoría fue similar entre las dos fuentes de grasa