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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1977

The Monk hip arthroplasty. Preliminary report on the uncemented standard Monk prosthesis.

The Monk hip prosthesis is a one-piece block prosthesis consisting of a metal femoral component with the head enclosed in a polyethylene cup. The standard type is fixed without cement. Most of the hip movements take place between the metal and the polyethylene cup. 104 Monk arthroplasties were performed. 95 hips in 84 patients have been available for regular examination and follow-up. The follow-up period was from 12 to 30 months, an average of 19 months. Out of the 95 cases, 72 were classified as excellent, 10 as good and 13 as unchanged. The results obtained during the first year were comparable to those obtained with the Ring prosthesis, but during the following 1 1/2 years eight revisions had to be performed. The main reason for the deterioration was loosening of the femoral component, probably because in the standard type it is too short and the neck has too great a varus inclination, resulting in a rather strong tilting force. Because no cement has been used the revisions have been quite easy to perform. Another reason for failure has been wear of the polyethylene cup, in one case with a massive foreign body reaction. In spite of a short follow-up period this report illustrates the failures due to the design of the prosthesis, and therefore an improved construction is now in use.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Decreased mortality among contemplative monks in The Netherlands.

Although it is generally believed that a simple lifestyle may promote health, a recent study among Trappist and Benedictine monks in the Netherlands reported an increase in general morbidity (Am J Epidemiol 1993;138:569-73). As this increased morbidity might be the consequence of an increased life expectancy, we studied the level of mortality among these contemplative monks. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and death rates were calculated from 1,523 monks whose data were abstracted from the monastery rolls of the period 1900-1994. For this period the SMR was 0.88 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81-0.95). A lower SMR was present in almost all of the age categories and in all except one of the monasteries. There were two distinct subperiods. In the pre-World War II era, the SMR was 1.25 (95% CI 1.04-1.49), but it lowered to 0.76 (95% CI 0.69-0.85) after World War II. From 1950 on, mortality in the monasteries remained lower than in the general population, even after correction for the generally higher educational level of the monks. The death rates showed a continuing decline from 1900 to 1950. After 1950, the mortality among monks declined further at a time when the secular trend of decreasing mortality leveled off in the general male population. The higher mortality before World War II was largely unexplained. From the 1950s onward, the mortality among monks was lower, presumably because of the epidemic of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease in the general population. Taken together, the present and earlier data suggest that, among contemplative monks, a simple lifestyle is associated with an extension of life in which they suffer from nonfatal morbidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Differences in risk factors for disease and health problems between monks and the general population in The Netherlands].

The aim of this study was to determine whether the austerely living Trappist and Benedictine monks have a lower prevalence of a number of risk factors and health problems than the general Dutch population. A written questionnaire was submitted to monks of 7 monasteries. The response was 67 per cent (134 monks). The data were compared with data from the national Health Interview Survey of 1989, which used an almost identical questionnaire. Adjustment was made for differences in age and education. Monks consume less alcohol and tobacco and have a more austere diet. Their average Quetelet index is lower. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease is lower. On the other hand, monks more often report a number of other chronic diseases, physical complaints, and problems with activities of daily life. They more often have contact with general practitioners and with consultants. The lower prevalence of a number of risk factors among monks reflects their austere way of life. It is not certain whether the lower prevalence of cardiovascular diseases can be attributed to this way of life. The fact that, in general, health problems are more prevalent among monks suggests that changes in lifestyle do not necessarily lead to compression of morbidity.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Establishment, cryopreservation, and growth of 11 cell lines prepared from a juvenile Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi.

Eleven cell lines were prepared from skin, snout, liver, kidney, lung, heart, brain, spleen, thyroid, urinary bladder, and periorbital soft tissue of a juvenile Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). The cell grew at 37 degrees C in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. These cell lines have been subcultured 11-27 times since their initiation in May 1997. Growth of the monk seal cells was serum-dependent and plating efficiencies ranged from 4-24%. These monk seal cells grew well in M199, L-15 and MEM commonly used for cultivation of animal and mammalian cells and retained 87% cell viability following storage for 2.5 years in liquid nitrogen. Karyotyping indicated that these monk seal-derived cell lines remained diploid with a chromosome count of 34 at their early passage (passage 9-13). These cell lines were tested for herpesvirus by polymerase chain reaction using degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed from the highly conserved region of herpesviral DNA polymerase gene and no specific detection occurred. These newly established cell lines are currently being used for the investigation of an eye disease occurring in captive monk seal pups in Oahu and will be available for future isolation and study of monk seal viruses.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Viral susceptibility of newly established cell lines from the Hawaiian monk seal Monachus schauinslandi.

Ten of 11 cell lines, recently established from the snout (MS-SN), periorbital soft tissue (MS-EY), liver (MS-LV), kidney (MS-KD), lung (MS-LG), spleen (MS-SP), heart (MS-HT), thyroid (MS-TY), brain (MS-BR) and urinary bladder (MS-UB) of a juvenile Hawaiian monk seal Monachus schauinslandi, were evaluated in vitro for their susceptibility to 5 mammalian viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), reovirus type 3 (Reo-3), poliovirus type 1 (Polio-1) and vaccinia virus (Vac); 5 fish viruses: channel catfish herpesvirus (CCV), infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), fish rhabdovirus carpio (RC) and viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV); and 2 marine mammal morbilliviruses: phocine distemper virus (PDV) and dolphin distemper virus (DMV). Four well-established continuous cell-lines of nonhuman primate (Vero) and fish (EPC, CHSE-214 and BB) origin served as controls to standardize the virus infectivity assays. Virus yields were quantified as 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) ml(-1) on Day 7 post-inoculation. Results of the viral challenge assays revealed that the monk seal cell lines shared a similar pattern of susceptibility to the mammalian viruses. Despite their different tissue origins, all monk seal cells were sensitive to HSV-1, Vac, VSV and Reo-3, but were refractory to Polio-1. A characteristic viral-induced cytopathic effect was noted with VSV and Reo-3, and distinct plaques were observed for HSV-1 and Vac. Monk seal cell lines were also susceptible to PDV and DMV, 2 morbilliviruses isolated from seals and dolphins, respectively. By contrast, these cell lines were generally resistant to VHSV, IHNV and IPNV, with varying susceptibility to RC and CCV. The wide range of viral susceptibility of these monk seal cell lines suggests their potential value in studying viruses of monk seals and other marine mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Buddhist monks as community health workers in Thailand.

In Thailand, Buddhist monks and temples are scattered throughout the country even in the rural poor. There are approximately one temple and four monks for every two villages of about 1000 people. If Buddhist monks are able to expand their roles to health care and education, Buddhist temples will automatically become community health posts and 'Health for All by The Year 2000' will be achieved within 5-10 years in Thailand. Therefore, a volunteer monk-training program has been carried out and about 2000 graduates have returned to their community to disseminate primary health care. However, a systematic and 'industrialized' approach is necessary to get some visible impact on the health of the rural Thai population.

Buddhism↗
PubMed2004

Organochlorines in the free-ranging Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) from French Frigate Shoals, North Pacific Ocean.

The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is an endangered species found only in the Hawaiian Island chain. The largest subpopulation, at French Frigate Shoals, has been in decline since 1989. In order to assess organochlorine (OC) levels in the Hawaiian monk seals, whole blood and blubber samples were collected in 1999 from 46 free-ranging Hawaiian monk seals at French Frigate Shoals, and were analyzed for eight dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as well as six other PCB congeners, DDT and DDT metabolites. Average levels of the total PCBs in blood samples from adult male, juvenile and reproductive female groups were 4800, 4000 and 3000 ng/g lipid wt., respectively, whereas 3200, 1300 and 1200 ng/g, respectively, in blubber from the three corresponding groups. p,p'-DDE was the only DDT detected in blubber samples, and no DDTs were detected in blood samples. Concentrations of the total PCBs in adult males were significantly higher than the levels measured in either reproductive females or juveniles. There were significant correlations between age and blubber p,p'-DDE, estimated mass and total blood PCBs or blubber p,p'-DDE, and body condition and total blood PCBs. Although it is clear that the Hawaiian monk seal has been exposed to OCs, it is unclear what biological effects, if any, these xenobiotics may have on the animals.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Reproductive morphology and status of female Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) fatally injured by adult male seals.

Female Hawaiian monk seals at Laysan Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands seasonally risk aggressive mating attempts by groups of adult male monk seals. These attacks, which also target immature female and male seals at a lower frequency, result in injuries that are often fatal and are termed mobbings. This study was undertaken to assess the reproductive status of nine female seals that died after mobbing attacks and to obtain basic morphological data of reproductive tracts from ten females. Reproductive morphology of the seals indicated that the lengths of the uterine body and both uterine horns were significantly shorter in nulliparous than in parous seals. Seven of the nine seals were periovulatory, on the basis of gross morphology of the ovaries at death. The ovaries of the other two seals possessed immature follicles. Histological studies of the vagina and uterus confirmed the reproductive status of the seals. When the reproductive status at the time of first injury was estimated, all seals were in the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. At least four of these seals were estimated to be in oestrus at the time of their first injury, and seven of the seals sustained at least one injury during the estimated period of oestrus (2-6 days). These results support the hypothesis that most adult female Hawaiian monk seals that die following an attack by male monk seals are periovulatory, and that the majority of the attacks occur during oestrus.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

A study of glucose handling by Buddhist monks.

Fourteen Buddhist monks and comparable male subjects were studied in relation to their handling of glucose after a meal (consisting of 1190 kcal, 29 g protein, 21 g fat and 221 g carbohydrate) and afterwards subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT). The time course of blood glucose levels after the meal indicated that the monks had enhanced absorption and utilization of glucose. The monks were also found to have increased tolerance to glucose on oGTT. In addition the mean total serum cholesterol level in the monks (157.2 +/- 5.53 mg/dl) was found to be significantly higher than that of the control subjects (117.4 +/- 2.85 mg/dl).

Adult↗
PubMed2026

ERGA-BGE reference genome of the Mediterranean monk seal ( Monachus monachus), an IUCN Vulnerable species.

The Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus, is the only pinniped that lives in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. The species was recently classified as "vulnerable" by the IUCN, considering an improvement in its overall status. However, the species' populations have undergone severe bottlenecks due to systematic persecution by humans over the past centuries. Today, the global population of M. monachus is estimated to be no more than 1,000 individuals. The Mediterranean monk seal is mainly using marine caves as resting and pupping sites. It is an opportunistic apex predator and as a result its role is considered important for maintaining the structure and function of marine ecosystems. Nowadays, the species is threatened mainly by the destruction of its habitat (due to coastal development, mass tourism, and pollution) and by the depletion of its prey due to overfishing. The Mediterranean monk seal is an emblematic species; its ecological importance and its vulnerable status render its protection and effective management necessary. The entirety of the genome sequence of a female specimen was assembled into 16 contiguous chromosomal pseudomolecules, one sex chromosome (X), and one mitochondrial genome. This chromosome-level assembly encompasses 2.4 Gb, composed of 316 contigs and 275 scaffolds, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 90.9 Mb and 157 Mb, respectively.

Biodiversity Genomics Europe↗
PubMed1998

Use of a GnRH agonist to suppress testosterone in wild male Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi).

A gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, d-Trp6-LHRH, was evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing circulating testosterone concentrations in wild Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi). Twenty-eight adult male seals were randomly divided into three groups: 10 were captured and treated with 7.5 mg of the GnRH agonist, 9 were captured but did not receive the agonist, and 9 were captured near the end of the study to serve as handling controls. Blood samples were taken from all 28 seals. From 14 to 58 days after initial capture, 8 of the treated seals and 8 of the untreated seals were recaptured and a second sample of blood was taken. For comparison, blood was also collected from 4 captive adult male seals during the same months as the field study. In the treated group, the agonist induced a significant decline in mean circulating testosterone concentrations, from 1.01 ng/ml (first sample) to 0.21 ng/ml (second sample, taken approximately 38 days later). In the untreated group, mean testosterone concentrations of the first and second samples were statistically indistinguishable (1.11 vs 1.16 ng/ml). The mean concentration of the untreated group (second sample) was also indistinguishable from the mean concentration of seals in the control group (1.16 vs 0.82 ng/ml). Also, mean testosterone concentration in the initial samples from the four captive seals was not statistically different from that of untreated wild seals (1.38 vs 1.11 ng/ml). These results suggest that (1) the GnRH agonist suppresses the production of testosterone in wild adult male Hawaiian monk seals, (2) a single handling of adult male seals does not affect their testosterone levels, and (3) testosterone concentrations in captive male seals appear to be consistent with concentrations in wild seals. Further evaluation of this GnRH agonist is necessary before it is used in the management of this endangered species, but these results suggest it may be a useful tool for reducing mortality of monk seals from adult male aggression related to reproduction and mating behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The Monk hard-top endoprosthesis for intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck.

The Monk hard-top hip prosthesis has an acetabular cup of polyethylene, covered by a metal cap. The femoral stem is of two types, for insertion with or without acrylic cement. One hundred and sixteen patients of an average age of 78.5 years, who has sustained intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck of Garden type 3 of 4, were treated by Monk hard-top arthroplasty. After a mean follow-up time of 23.9 months (range 9-47 months), 73 survivors were re-examined clinically and radiologically. Using Love's classification it was found that in 34 cases (48 per cent) the result was excellent and in 21 cases (30 per cent) it was good. In 12 cases (17 per cent) the result was fair and in 4 cases (5 per cent) it was poor. The poor result in this latter-mentioned group was mainly due to medical diseases that interfered with walking. There was clinical and radiological evidence of an increased tendency of loosening of the uncemented prosthesis. Our numbers were, however, too small to draw definite conclusions about this. Our experience with the Monk hard-top endoprosthesis is satisfactory, but a longer time of observation will be required to establish whether this prosthesis is better than the conventional type for intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Nutrient, fatty acid, amino acid and mineral analysis of natural prey of the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi.

Proximate nutrients, gross energy content, mineral, amino acid and fatty acid composition were determined for teleost, cephalopod and crustacean prey of the Hawaiian monk seal. Crude protein was highest in the octopus, Octopus cyanea (80.0%), crude fat was highest in the Muraenid teleost, Gymnothorax eurostus (14.1%), whereas crude ash was highest in the lobster, Panulirus marginatus (11.6%). Gross energies ranged from 4.0 +/- 0.01 kcal g-1 in the Labrid teleost Bodianus bilulunatus to 6.0 +/- 0.12 kcal g-1 in the moray eel, Gymnothorax undulatus. Essential amino acids occurred in lower concentrations as a percentage of the total amino acids (35.8 +/- 2.6%) than non-essential amino acids (64.2 +/- 2.6%), but the ratio of individual amino acids to total amino acid concentrations were similar to those required by some monogastric terrestrial species and fingerling salmon. The fatty acid concentrations varied widely among species (range = 1.2-16.5 mg 100 mg-1); however, the teleosts had higher total fatty acids than the non-teleosts. This study indicates that, from a nutritional standpoint, some prey may be more beneficial to the Hawaiian monk seal; however, these prey are not necessarily the most abundant or available to some populations of the monk seal.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1993

A Thai monk: an agent for smoking reduction in a rural population.

Monks in a rural community in northern Thailand were observed to conduct anti-smoking activities. To evaluate the effects of the monks' efforts on change of people's smoking behaviour and attitudes, we conducted a survey of adults > or = 15 years of age in this village (intervention village sample) and a randomly selected village (control village sample) in the same subdistrict. Between March and April 1991, we interviewed 372 individuals in the intervention village and 664 in the control village. The two villages were of similar socioeconomic status. The proportion of ever smokers who had tried to quit was greater in the intervention sample (79.6%) than in the control sample (72.0%) (P = 0.048). The proportion of former smokers who had stopped smoking for > or = 1 year was significantly greater in the intervention sample (25.5% of ever smokers) than in the control sample (16.6%) (P = 0.011). Of current smokers in the intervention village, 45.8% reported smoking less tobacco during the year preceding the survey than in the previous 1-year period compared with 35.2% in the control village (P = 0.034). Many former smokers (80.3%) in the intervention village cited the suggestion of a monk as one important reason for quitting compared with 25.6% in the control village (P = 0.000). The proportion of individuals who were well aware of the harmful effects of smoking on health was greater in the intervention village than in the control village. Religious leaders may be helpful in a community-based smoking prevention programme.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Self-reported morbidity and disability among Trappist and Benedictine monks.

Studies of religious groups that impose prudent lifestyles on their members show low mortality rates in these groups, but it is unclear whether their morbidity rates are also low. The authors studied the prevalence of self-reported morbidity and disability among Trappist and Benedictine monks in the Netherlands. A health interview survey was administered in seven monasteries; the response rate was 67% (n = 134). Rates of morbidity and disability among monks were compared with those among all Dutch males by calculation of standardized morbidity ratios, adjusting for age and (in the case of morbidity) education. Self-reported morbidity among monks was similar to that in the general population (e.g., for one or more chronic conditions: standardized morbidity ratio = 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.89-1.26), but rates of disability related to activities of daily living were much higher (e.g., for any trouble sitting down and getting up from a chair: standardized morbidity ratio = 2.21, 95% confidence interval 1.44-3.32). The authors hypothesize that a prudent lifestyle may prolong life, but at the expense of a higher prevalence of disability.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

An epidemiological study of headache among the Monks of Athos (Greece).

The Monks of Athos in Greece constitute a particular group with unusual sleep schedule and specific diet. In order to study the frequency of headache among them, a special questionnaire was designed. Four hundred forty-nine monks below the age of 50 were approached, 39 of whom suffered from frequent (more than one episode per month, in the last 6 months) headaches (8.68%). The prevalence of migraine was 1.78% (0.66% with aura and 1.11% without) and of tension-type headache 3.34% (1.33% chronic and 2% episodic). Furthermore, 1.87% of monks suffered from mixed headaches (tension-type and migraine attacks as well). Cluster headache was not traced.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The concentration of serum lipids in Zen monks and control males in Japan.

The concentrations of total, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride and apoprotein B have been examined in Zen monks whose intake of animal products was almost negligible for 2 to 8 years, and in age-matched (24 to 35 years) control Japanese males who eat Western style food. The mean levels of total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, and apoprotein B were 135.1 +/- 16.7, 73.0 +/- 11.6, 50.4 +/- 9.6, and 70.6 +/- 15.6 mg/dl, respectively in Zen monks. These levels were 28.5, 32.8, 18.8, and 23.9% lower in Zen monks than in control Japanese males. These values are statistically significant compared to those of the controls (p less than 0.01). There were no significant changes in the level of triglyceride in both groups.

Adult↗