bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender‐affirming hormone therapy and the risk of sex hormone‐dependent tumours in transgender individuals—A systematic review
Authors: McFarlane Thomas , Zajac Jeffrey D. , Cheung Ada S. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundCancers are a leading cause of death worldwide, and transgender individuals are no exception. The effects of gender‐affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on sex hormone‐dependent tumours are unclear. Therefore, this review seeks to determine whether tumour risk in transgender individuals differs from the general population, to guide clinical screening recommendations.MethodsWe performed a systematic review based on the PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies examining tumour incidence, prevalence or cancer‐related mortality in transgender individuals. All English peer‐reviewed publications were included if histological type and temporal relation to GAHT were reported. Case reports were included if there were ≥2 cases of the same histological type.ResultsThe search strategy identified 307 studies. Excluding those that did not meet inclusion criteria, 43 studies (7 cohort studies, 2 cross‐sectional studies and 34 case reports) were reviewed. Retrospective cohort studies suggest no increase in risk of tumour development in transgender individuals receiving GAHT compared to the general population. Notably, the mean ages of cohorts were young and were treated with GAHT for insufficient durations to assess tumour risk. Case reports raise potential associations between high‐dose oestradiol and anti‐androgen therapy with prolactinoma and meningioma, respectively.ConclusionsFurther longitudinal studies are required to assess the risk of GAHT and hormone‐dependent tumour development. Until further evidence is available, tumour screening should be based on guidelines for the general population and the presence of organs in transgender individuals rather than gender identity or hormonal therapy status.
Effect of calcium citrate vs calcium carbonate on elevated parathyroid hormone after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. A double‐blinded, randomized trial
Authors: Ring Madsen Lene , Espersen Rasmus , Rejnmark Lars , Richelsen Bjørn 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectiveFollowing Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB), elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels potentially harmful to bone health are commonly observed. Owing to assumed superior absorption, calcium citrate is often recommended over calcium carbonate following RYGB for the treatment of elevated PTH. We aimed to investigate the impact of either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate (1200 mg elementary calcium) in patients with elevated PTH levels following RYGB.DesignClinical, double‐blinded, randomized controlled trial of a 12‐week duration at a Danish University Hospital.Patients and MeasurementsThirty‐nine (no drop out) RYGB operated patients with elevated PTH levels (PTH > 6.9 pmol/L) and normal plasma levels of calcium and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D were randomized to either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate (1200 mg elementary calcium/daily). We assessed change in PTH as the primary outcome.ResultsThe effect of the two calcium formulations on change in PTH was comparable and neutral: −1.9% (calcium citrate) vs +0.9% (calcium carbonate), P = 0.680. Compared to the carbonate‐treated group, the following bone turnover markers decreased significantly in the citrate‐treated group: procollagen I N‐terminal propeptide (−16.6% vs −3.2%, P = 0.021), osteocalcin (−17.2% vs −4.3%, P = 0.007) and bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (−5.9% vs 3.7%, P = 0.027) and remained significantly decreased after multivariable adjustment.ConclusionIncreasing the dose of calcium supplementation in RYGB operated patients with slightly elevated PTH levels does not normalize PTH levels, regardless of the type of supplement. Our results do not support recommending supplementation with calcium citrate over calcium carbonate in RYGB patients.
Influence of custom‐made and stock mouthguard thickness on biomechanical response to a simulated impact
Authors: Tribst João Paulo Mendes , de Oliveira Dal Piva Amanda Maria , Borges Alexandre Luiz Souto , Bottino Marco Antonio 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground/AimsMouthguards (MGs) are devices that can reduce the risks of facial trauma. However, the large variety of MG types and thicknesses raises the question of which type is the most effective and beneficial for the athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate stress distribution in the skull, teeth, and jaws as a consequence of a direct impact.Material and MethodsUsing modeling software, a human skull was modeled and a human jaw was created with all teeth inserted into the respective alveolus. The models were divided according to the MG type (custom‐made or stock) and thickness (1, 2, and 4 mm). Two models without MG were evaluated with and without teeth contact. The geometries were exported to analysis software and the materials were considered ideal. Fixation occurred at the base of the foramen magnum. The load (500 N) was applied on the canine tooth with a ball. Maximum principal (MPa) and Von‐Mises results were obtained.ResultsWithout any protection, the generated tensile stress was of greater magnitude causing more damage in the absence of teeth contact. The presence of a MG significantly reduced the generated stress in all structures, and the customized/individualized type was more efficient than stock MGs.ConclusionsIn extreme situations when it is impossible to use a MG, keeping the teeth in maximum intercuspal position is less harmful. Despite this, the use of any MG is beneficial and assists in dampening the generated stress. The thicker the device, the greater the capacity for decreasing the damage in all structures. The use of individual protectors for each patient is even more beneficial for preventing trauma during at‐risk activities of impact.
Antibiotic prophylaxis in neutropenic children with acute leukemia: Do the presently available data really support this practice?
Authors: Calitri Carmelina , Ruberto Eliana , Castagnola Elio 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAntibiotics are frequently administered for prophylaxis of fever in neutropenic children with cancer. This strategy is mainly derived from adults’ data, and various pediatric studies evidenced the effectiveness of antibiotics (eg, fluoroquinolones) in the prevention of febrile neutropenia. However, only two pediatric randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials have been performed, with a total of 262 leukemic children enrolled, and no other one was ever powered for analyzing effectiveness over other infectious complications. In an era of increasing antibiotic resistance, the widespread use of antibiotic prophylaxis in neutropenic leukemic children needs to be strongly supported.
Indications for root canal treatment in a Swedish county dental service: patient‐ and tooth‐specific characteristics
Authors: Wigsten E. , Jonasson P. ,   EndoReCo, Kvist T. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimTo study patient‐ and tooth‐specific characteristics of teeth indicated for root canal treatment, in the public dental service of the county of Västra Götaland, Sweden.MethodologyDuring a designated 8‐week period, general dental practitioners working at 20 different public dental clinics consecutively registered indications for undertaking root canal treatment. The patients’ subjective level of pain was also registered (visual analogue scale) at the very first appointment. The following information was retrieved from computerized dental records and radiographs: gender, age, number of remaining teeth, tooth group, previous restoration, number of restored surfaces, dental caries and tooth substance loss. Gender and age were compared using both descriptive and analytical statistics.ResultsThe material comprised 243 teeth in 243 patients: 128 (52.7%) women and 115 (47.3%) men, mean age 48.3 years. Molar teeth predominated (47.7%). Most of the teeth (83.5%) had previously been restored and exhibited significant loss of tooth substance, more than a third of the crown (71.3%). Dental caries was present in 127 teeth (62.9%). Dental trauma was implicated in only seven cases (2.9%). Initial treatment was frequently undertaken at an emergency visit, for relief of symptoms (64.9%). The most commonly registered indication was pulpal necrosis with apical periodontitis (38.1%), followed by pulpitis (37.7%). Retreatment of a root filled tooth was reported in 18 teeth (7.4%).ConclusionsIn the general Public Dental Service of Sweden, root canal treatment is most frequently undertaken in molars. The primary indication is relief of symptoms. Retreatment of root filled teeth is uncommon.
Sex hormones, erectile dysfunction, and psoriasis; a bad friendship!
Authors: Eltaweel Abd El Aziz I. , Mustafa Amany I. , El‐Shimi Ola S. , Algaod Fatma A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundSex hormones may play a major role in psoriasis pathogenesis due to their biological and immunological effects on skin. Psoriasis also has a significant impact on patients’ sexual function and thus their quality of life.AimIn the present study, we investigated serum sex hormones and erectile function in male psoriasis patients compared with healthy controls and correlated these findings with various disease parameters.MethodsSerum total testosterone and estradiol were measured by an ELISA technique in 50 male patients with psoriasis and 30 healthy controls. The erectile function of all subjects was assessed by the international index of erectile function version‐5.ResultsPatients with psoriasis showed a significant lower serum level of total testosterone, higher level of estradiol, and impaired erectile function relative to healthy controls.ConclusionThe detected hormonal disturbance in male psoriasis patients may be a cause of the associated erectile dysfunction beside the known effect of chronic systemic disease on patients’ erectile function.
The glycerol and ethanol production kinetics in low‐temperature wine fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains
Authors: Gao Yu‐Ting , Zhang Yu‐Shu , Wen Xiang , Song Xiao‐Wan , Meng Dan , Li Bing‐Juan , Wang Mei‐Yan , Tao Yong‐Qing , Zhao Hui , Guan Wen‐Qiang , Du Gang 
Published: August 2018

SummaryIncreasing glycerol production in low‐temperature wine fermentation is of concern for winemakers to improve the quality of wines. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 10 different Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the kinetics of production of glycerol, ethanol and the activities of glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in low‐temperature fermentation. Ethanol production was influenced by temperature, and it was slightly higher at 13 °C than at 25 °C. Glycerol yields were significantly affected by both temperature and strains. More glycerol was produced at 25 °C than at 13 °C because the activity of GPD was higher at 25 °C than at 13 °C. Glycerol production of the different yeast strains was up to 3.19 and 3.18 g L−1 at 25 and 13 °C, respectively. Therefore, isolating the yeast strains with high glycerol production and adaptation to low‐temperature fermentation is still the best method in winemaking.
Agility in responding to disruptive digital innovation: Case study of an SME
Authors: Chan Calvin M.L. , Teoh Say Yen , Yeow Adrian , Pan Gary 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDisruptive digital innovation (DDI) often creates hypercompetitive market environment that forces firms to be agile to survive and remain competitive. Whereas most studies have focused on larger firms' effort to be agile, few have looked at how small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) respond to DDI. The study attempts to answer the research question of how SMEs achieve agility to respond to DDI. Drawing on a case study of an innovative SME, our study develops a framework on agility based on the processes of mitigating organizational rigidity, developing innovative capabilities, and balancing the tension of organizational ambidexterity. Specifically, our findings show that for SMEs, mitigating organizational rigidity is enabled by the mechanism of achieving boundary openness while developing innovative capability is enabled by the mechanism of achieving organizational adaptability. At the same time, given the inherent challenges of resource constraints, SMEs also need to balance the tension of organizational ambidexterity.
Rethinking the Purpose of the Corporation
Authors: Waitzer Edward J. 
Published: August 2018

For about forty years, corporate governance and corporate law focused on minimizing “agency costs” by aligning the interests of shareholders and managers through a series of techniques, including regulatory standards, independent directors, take‐overs and activist shareholders.These means, combined with implicit acceptance of the “Efficient Market Hypothesis” (EMH) reinforced belief that share prices reflected objective corporate performance and that maximizing shareholder wealth was the purpose of the corporation.This author, however, argues that proper corporate governance requires more than just faith in efficient equity markets and strong managerial incentives. Despite the desire for simplicity, there is no one “right” governance model. Governance is highly contextual and, ironically, the existing corporate law and regulation have tended to frustrate dynamic adaption and have led to governance systems that underperform.The author offers Systems Theory as a better way to think about corporate purpose and governance. Systems are more than the sum of their parts, they are comprised of subsystems which in turn are comprised of other subsystems on so on, and the overall health of the system depends on the continued health of each of its essential subsystems, as well as of the larger system.Systems theory counsels against focusing on any single metric (and in favor of the need for new ones — the relevance of metrics inevitably run down over time). Metrics such as profits, employee turnover, and customer satisfaction are not ends in themselves. Rather, they are a source of information about whether the corporation is relevant, resilient and sustainable. The systems challenge is to bring about a paradigm shift that restores connectivity between investors, employees, management, other corporate stakeholders and governments. This will require thinking differently about how the constituent elements interact and produce results.
“Big Data” Analysis: Putting the Data Cart Before the Modelling Horse?
Authors: Barr Graham D. , Stewart Theodor J. , Kantor Brian S. 
Published: August 2018

The statistical analysis of very large data sets, so‐called Big Data or Data Analytics, has become enormously popular in Statistical Analysis and Operations Research. In some cases, such as research into the buying habits of online consumers, the results have come quickly and been very significant. Analysis of other data sets, however, is questionable. For example, time‐series based statistical analysis, often under the descriptive envelope of “neural networks” and “data mining,” of stock market and futures prices, sometimes in combination with historical accounting figures such as earnings and cash flows.The appeal is understandable given the availability of share price data and cheap computer processing power. Nevertheless, the notion that historical data form some sort of repeatable pattern over time, and that complex time series or neural network techniques can be then be used to forecast future prices is hard to justify.Economic modeling necessarily needs to factor in human behavior, unlike modeling in the pure sciences. The authors cite Lancaster University Professor Michael Pidd who summarizes six relevant principles:
Model simple, think complicated
Be parsimonious, start small and add
Divide and conquer, avoid mega models
Use metaphors, analogies and similarities
Do not fall in love with data
Model building may feel like muddling through.
Economic modeling must recognize three key components:
(i) the incorporation of human cognitive understanding and experience of the underlying systems,
(ii) the use of data to validate emerging models, and
(iii) the role of mathematics to ensure internal coherence and logic.
Decision‐makers ought to be very skeptical of models which skimp on any one of these three components. The authors emphasize that, rather than Big Data adding value, per se, people add value by creating models that use it.
Debt Crisis Looming? Yes, Corporate Debt Expanded but Don't Panic Over the Prospect of BBB Downgrades
Authors: Fridson Martin 
Published: August 2018

The popular press often tends towards sensationalism and, unfortunately, the supposedly more sober financial press is not always better. It is true that many American companies have taken the opportunity to borrow large sums during recent years when interest rates were close to their all‐time lows. This has also led some media commenters to predict a large number of marginally investment grade debt issues (e.g. BBB rated on the S&P rating scale) will be downgraded to less‐than‐investment‐grade status–or to “junk”–as such bonds are commonly known.Veteran fixed income analyst Martin Fridson takes stock of the situation in mid‐2018. While emphasizing that a bear market is inevitable someday, he advises investors not to panic now. Despite the more apocalyptic scenarios offered by financial commentators making dubious connections between today's corporate bond market and possible future high‐yield events, the aggregate numbers do not add up to an end‐of‐civilization‐as‐we‐know‐it story. Some of the numbers mentioned in financial commentary are at least slightly misleading.The present market lacks the sort of structural weaknesses likely to trigger a major bear cycle in fixed income securities, such as overleveraged buyouts and early‐stage telecoms. While there are some questionable issuers in the market, these are isolated cases, rather than representatives of a vast segment of today's high‐yield universe.
Genetic evaluation of Atlantic salmon for growth traits incorporating SNP markers
Authors: Schaeffer Lawrence R. , Ang Keng Pee , Elliott Jake A. K. , Herlin Marine , Powell Frank , Boulding Elizabeth Grace 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGenetic evaluations of individual fish were calculated for growth traits in North American Atlantic salmon with and without inclusion of genetic markers. The number of SNP markers was reduced to 6,000 and further to 270 in order to reduce the problem of overparameterization. SNP genotypes were predicted for all ungenotyped animals in the pedigree. Analysis of traits used a model with polygenic effects and SNP markers together. Polygenic effects refer to the additive genetic effects that remain after accounting for SNP genotypes. SNP marker genotypes were included as covariates to evaluate fish for growth traits (weight and length) in different environments (freshwater and seawater) with genders separated. Including regressions on SNP marker genotypes reduced the sum of squares of residuals by 2.7%–12.5% and increased the variability of Mendelian sampling effects (i.e., within‐family variation) compared to traditional animal model evaluations. Genetic evaluations may be carried out with a few hundred markers which may be more affordable for genotyping large numbers of fish.
Phenotypic, molecular and pathological characterization of motile aeromonads isolated from diseased fishes cultured in Uruguay
Authors: Perretta Alejandro , Antúnez Karina , Zunino Pablo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractInformation about motile aeromonads from aquaculture systems of the Neotropical region is scarce. The aim of this study was to characterize motile Aeromonas isolated from ornamental and consumable fishes cultured in Uruguay. Biochemical and molecular methods were used for species identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence of virulence genes were evaluated. Genetic diversity was analysed by rep‐PCR, and virulence of the most representative isolates was determined by calculating the fifty lethal dose in experimentally challenged fish (Australoheros facetus). Aeromonas hydrophila and A. veronii were the most prevalent identified species (38.2% and 32.4%, respectively), whereas A. allosacharophila, A. bestiarium, A. caviae and A. punctata were less prevalent. This study constitutes the first report of these last four species in Uruguay. All isolates were resistant to at least three antimicrobials, and 82.3% of them showed multidrug resistance. Virulence genotypes were correlated with the Aeromonas species and haemolytic activity. The genotype act+/alt+/ast+/ela+/lip+ was the most prevalent (26.5%). A correlation between virulence genotypes and Aeromonas species was found. A. punctata showed a clonal structure according to rep‐PCR analysis, whereas other species showed high genetic diversity. The number of virulence genes of the isolates was related with virulence according to the experimental challenge assays.
Replacement of Urinary Catheter for Urinary Tract Infections: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Babich Tanya , Zusman Oren , Elbaz Michal , Ben‐Zvi Haim , Paul Mical , Leibovici Leonard , Avni Tomer 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesTo assess whether catheter replacement is associated with better clinical outcomes in individuals with long‐term urinary catheters.DesignProspective, noninterventional study.ParticipantsIndividuals (mean age 79.2±11.5) who had had an indwelling urinary catheter for longer than 7 days and a symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) (N=315).MeasurementsThe exposure assessed was replacement of the indwelling urinary catheter within 6 hours. The primary outcome was clinical failure at day 7. We developed a propensity score model for catheter replacement to match participants. Multivariate analysis was conducted to adjust for other risk factors.ResultsThe catheter was replaced in 98 participants and not in 217. More than half of the participants resided in long‐term care facilities and had high Charlson comorbidity scores. The rate of clinical failure on day 7 was 35.2% (108/306). The 30‐day fatality rate was 30.8% (96/315). We found no statistically significant association between catheter replacement and clinical failure (propensity‐adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.90, 95% CI=0.50–1.63) or 30‐day fatality (OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.40–1.44).ConclusionWe found no clinical benefit of replacing a long‐term catheter at the onset of the catheter‐associated UTI. Further research is needed through randomized controlled trials.