Athetic validity

Starting from the analysis of three conceptual paradigms formulated by Theodor Geiger, this paper elaborates the concept of the athetic validity of a norm, in contrast to the concept of thetic validity. Thetic validity is the deontic validity that is the product of a thetic act of position, of an act of thésis, such as the enactment of a norm; athetic validity is conversely the deontic validity that is not the product of a thetic act of position. The concept of athetic validity sheds a light on the distinction between subsistent norms and deontic sentences and explains how a norm can exist and be valid independently of any act of position, and even independently of any linguistic formulation of that norm in a deontic sentence. It also makes it possible to dissolve a seeming paradox implied in Geiger’s notion of declarative deontic sentences, which ascertain the athetic validity and at the same time constitute the thetic validity of a subsistent norm

Renal glomerular response to the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis and protein loading after the relief of unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Purpose: We investigated glomerular filtration rate and renal function reserve after the surgical relief of partial obstruction. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 4 boys and 1 girl 9 to 14 years old who underwent pyeloplasty because of unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Contralateral normal kidneys served as controls. The glomerular filtration rate (inulin clearance), and urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and endothelin were determined at baseline and after a meal of 4 gm./kg. cooked unsalted red meat on day 4 postoperatively. Tests were repeated the following day 1 hour after the oral administration of 20 mg./kg. aspirin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Urine was collected separately through a bladder catheter and another catheter placed in the upper renal pelvis at surgery. Results: Glomerular filtration rate at baseline was significantly greater in normal than in surgically treated kidneys (77.2 ml. per minute, range 60 to 98 versus 63.6, range 43 to 78, p = 0.04). Aspirin did not change baseline inulin clearance in normal kidneys but it significantly decreased the glomerular filtration rate in operated renal units (-4% versus -26.4%, p = 0.04). The concentration of all vasoactive compounds was not significantly different in the urine specimens of normal and operated kidneys. The administration of aspirin resulted in a significant decrease in mean urinary prostaglandin E2 excretion plus or minus standard error in operated but not in normal renal units (0.64\ub10.12 ng. per minute versus 0.27\ub10.06, p = 0.04). When expressed as mean versus baseline values, protein induced glomerular hyperfiltration seemed lower in operated than in contralateral intact kidneys (6.9% and 12.4%, respectively). Conclusions: In the immediate postoperative period previously obstructed kidneys maintain renal function via mechanisms that depend on the activation of prostaglandin, mimicking normal renal function. This effect is decreased by drugs that inhibit prostaglandin E2 production. Therefore, renal damage may be present when the glomerular filtration rate appears normal