bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new 2% testosterone gel formulation: a comparison with currently available topical preparations
Authors: Arver S. , Stief C. , de la Rosette J. , Jones T. H. , Neijber A. , Carrara D. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryTestosterone gel formulations have become a popular testosterone replacement therapy in patients with hypogonadism since their advent in the year 2000. The gel formulations restore testosterone levels to mid‐normal physiological levels (14–17.5 nmol/L) as early as within 24 h, and help alleviate the signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency, thereby leading to an improved quality of life. Although testosterone gels have a favourable efficacy and safety profile as compared to injectable and patch formulations, risk of secondary exposure poses a challenge. Approved testosterone topical formulations include Tostrex® (Tostran®, Fortesta®), Androgel® (Testogel®), Testim® and Axiron® (solution), which have a favourable efficacy profile and positively impacted patient‐reported outcome(s). Besides, Testavan, which is a 2% testosterone gel, is under registration in Europe and already approved in Australia in May 2017. Testavan uses a novel hydroalcoholic and highly viscous topical formulation. This product comes with a metered dose dispenser and a cap applicator that allows a hands‐free application for precise dispensing and application. The present article provides a comprehensive review of pharmacokinetic, tolerability and safety profile of the testosterone gels available in the market along with the new 2% testosterone gel, Testavan.
Wang's Forceps‐Assisted Percutaneous Insertion and Fixation of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter
Authors: Wang Huiming , Wang Yujuan , Zhu Jili , Chen Xinghua , Chen Cheng , Xiang Cuizhi , Jia Houjun , Ding Guohua 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPercutaneous insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters is theoretically most preferred by nephrologists because of the advantages of bedside performing, surgery independence, and minimal injury over other procedures of catheter placement such as open surgical dissection or laparoscopic operation. However, blindly placing catheters in the percutaneous procedure brings the risk of catheter malposition or bowel perforation; this largely retarded it's implementation. We had previously developed a novel technique termed “Wang's forceps‐assisted catheter insertion and fixation,” which had been successfully applied in the open surgical catheter insertion and displaced catheter reposition in our center. In this study, we further explored the possibility of applying the Wang's forceps in the procedure of percutaneous catheter insertion both in porcine model and patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). A total of three miniature pigs successfully received percutaneous catheter insertion using Seldinger's technique with Wang's forceps assistance. The catheters were all placed in the right position and functioning well in dialysate drainage. This novel method of percutaneous catheter insertion was then performed on 20 ESRD patients. The procedure showed effective time‐saving with the average operating time of 29.2 ± 3.53 min and was well tolerated by patients with minimal pain and injury. During a follow‐up time of 6 months, no complications of catheter displacement, leakage, or blockade occurred. Our preliminary observation demonstrates that utilization of Wang's forceps in a percutaneous procedure conferred benefits of accurately placing and fixing catheters while preserving the merits of minimal invasion and simple performance.
Perspectives on periviability counselling and decision‐making differed between neonatologists in the United States and the Netherlands
Authors: Schrijvers Ninke M. , Geurtzen Rosa , Draaisma Jos M.T. , Halamek Louis P. , Yamada Nicole K. , Hogeveen Marije 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimAmerican guidelines suggest that neonatal resuscitation be considered at 23 weeks of gestation, one week earlier than in the Netherlands, but how counselling practices differ at the threshold of viability is unknown. This pilot study compared prenatal periviability counselling in the two countries.MethodsIn 2013, a cross‐sectional survey was sent to 121 Dutch neonatologists as part of a nationwide evaluation of prenatal counselling. In this pilot study, the same survey was sent to a convenience sample of 31 American neonatologists in 2014. The results were used to compare the organisation, content and decision‐making processes in prenatal counselling at 24 weeks of gestation between the two countries.ResultsThe survey was completed by 17 (55%) American and 77 (64%) Dutch neonatologists. American neonatologists preferred to meet with parents more frequently, for longer periods of time, and to discuss more intensive care topics, including long‐term complications, than Dutch neonatologists. Neonatologists from both countries preferred shared decision‐making when deciding whether to initiate intensive care.ConclusionNeonatologists in the United States and the Netherlands differed in their approach to prenatal counselling at 24 weeks of gestation. Cross‐cultural differences may play a role.
Accurate and fast neonatal heart rate assessment with a smartphone‐based application – a manikin study
Authors: Myrnerts Höök Susanna , Pejovic Nicolas J. , Marrone Gaetano , Tylleskär Thorkild , Alfvén Tobias 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimThis study determined the accuracy and speed of the NeoTapLifeSupport (NeoTapLS), a free smartphone application that aims to assess a neonate's heart rate.MethodsWe asked 30 participants with a variety of backgrounds to test the NeoTapLS, which was developed by our own nonprofit organisation Tap4Life, to determine a randomly selected heart rate by auscultation or palpation. The study was carried out in 2014 at Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Sweden, using a Laerdal SimNewB manikin that simulates true values. The NeoTapLS calculates the heart rate based on the user's last three taps on the smartphone screen.ResultsA total of 1200 measurements were carried out. A high correlation was found between measured and true values by auscultation (correlation coefficient 0.993) as well as by palpation (correlation coefficient 0.986) with 93.5% of the auscultations and 86.3% of the palpations differing from the true value by five beats or fewer. The mean time to the first estimated heart rate was 14.9 seconds for auscultation and 16.3 seconds for palpation.ConclusionHeart rates could be accurately and rapidly assessed using the NeoTapLS on a manikin. A globally accessible mobile health system could offer a low‐cost alternative to expensive medical equipment.
Survival benefit of lymph node dissection in surgery for colon cancer in elderly patients: A multicenter propensity score‐matched study in Japan
Authors: Takahashi Makoto , Niitsu Hiroaki , Sakamoto Kazuhiro , Hinoi Takao , Hattori Minoru , Goto Michitoshi , Bando Hiroyuki , Hazama Shoichi , Maeda Kiyoshi , Okita Kenji , Horie Hisanaga , Watanabe Masahiko ,   the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionIn surgery for elderly patients with colorectal cancer, it is unclear whether radical lymph node (LN) dissection safely offers a survival benefit. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the LN yield in elderly patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.MethodsThe subjects were selected from a surgical database of 2065 patients aged ≥80 years old who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer at 41 hospitals in Japan between 2003 and 2007. The patients were divided into groups according to the number LN harvested: <12 and ≥12. Propensity scores were subsequently matched to balance the baseline characteristics.ResultsOf the 954 patients initially selected, 331 were in the <12 LN and 623 were in the ≥12 LN group. After cases were matched, 293 patients were allocated to each group, and all covariates were balanced. For short‐term outcomes, the time for surgery was longer in the ≥12 LN group, but there was no significant difference in morbidity between the groups. Overall, relapse‐free and cancer‐specific survival rates were higher in the ≥12 LN group (P = 0.004, 0.001, and 0.02).ConclusionsIn patients aged ≥80 years old with stage II–III colon cancer, harvesting ≥12 LN provides a survival benefit, and therefore, limited LN dissection is not recommended in these patients.
Laparoscopic sigmoidectomy in a case of sigmoid colon cancer with situs inversus totalis
Authors: Takeda Takashi , Haraguchi Naotsugu , Yamaguchi Ayumi , Uemura Mamoru , Miyake Masakazu , Miyazaki Michihiko , Ikeda Masataka , Sekimoto Mitsugu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSitus inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare anatomic anomaly in which organs in the chest and abdomen exist in a mirror image reversal of their normal positions. SIT can complicate surgical procedures, and few reports have described laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in patients with SIT. Here, we report a case of successful laparoscopic surgery in a patient with SIT and sigmoid colon cancer. Laparoscopic sigmoidectomy involved colonic mobilization with high ligation of the inferior mesenteric vessels and complete mesocolic excision. The operating surgeon stood on the patient's left side, opposite the normal location for sigmoidectomy. By placing a 12‐mm trocar in the left iliac fossa and using an automatic endoscopic linear stapler, the operating surgeon was able to perform left‐handed colon resection without having to change position or move the laparoscopic monitor mid‐procedure. An automatic endoscopic linear stapler is useful for laparoscopic left‐side colon surgery in a patient with SIT.
Plasma glutathione suggests oxidative stress is equally present in early‐ and late‐onset bipolar disorder
Authors: Singh Nisha , McMahon Hannah , Bilderbeck Amy , Reed Zoe E , Tunbridge Elizabeth , Brett Daniel , Geddes John R , Churchill Grant C , Goodwin Guy M 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesWe previously demonstrated oxidative stress in bipolar patients and a relationship between the age of illness onset and total glutathione, a principal antioxidant. In this study, we sought to replicate these findings in a new cohort of patients.MethodsWe recruited bipolar patients from Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK, of similar age and grouped them according to age of onset of illness. The early‐onset group comprised patients with onset at <23 years, and the late group comprised patients with onset at >30 years. A third group, comprising age‐matched healthy volunteers, was also included. Reduced and oxidized glutathione, cysteine, and cystine were determined in plasma, using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Mitochondrial DNA copy number, measured in whole blood, was also compared between patients and healthy controls.ResultsSignificant increases in oxidative stress were observed in the patient groups, compared with the control group; however, no differences in glutathione‐related oxidative stress measures were detected between the early‐ and late‐onset bipolar patient groups. No differences were observed in the amount of mitochondrial DNA, and there was no correlation with mood state.ConclusionUsing a more accurate method to quantify oxidative stress than in our previous study, we show that oxidative stress is a consistent feature of bipolar disorder. Although we did not reproduce our finding correlating age of onset of illness to oxidative stress, we have shown, once again, that oxidative stress is a consistent feature of bipolar disorder.
The shortened Corporate Ethical Virtues scale: Measurement invariance and mean differences across two occupational groups
Authors: Huhtala Mari , Kangas Maiju , Kaptein Muel , Feldt Taru 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSo far, the field of business ethics lacks validated measures for assessing virtues at the organizational level. The aim of this study is to investigate the measurement invariance of a shortened Corporate Ethical Virtues scale. In this manner, we contribute to validating an instrument that is both psychometrically sound and efficient to use. We conducted two survey studies of two independent groups (managers and school psychologists). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the eight‐factor model of the scale, and we found it to be invariant in two different occupational groups. The managers gave higher appraisals of ethical culture than the psychologists did in seven out of the eight dimensions. We found that despite the contextual differences, the shortened scale measures the eight dimensions of organizational ethical virtues, as intended. Thus, the use of this more compact scale can be recommended for future studies, which will hopefully stimulate more research on ethical culture in various work contexts.
Nonparametric Estimation of Transition Probabilities for a General Progressive Multi-State Model Under Cross-Sectional Sampling
Authors: de Uña-Álvarez Jacobo , Mandel Micha 
Published: March 2018

Summary
Nonparametric estimation of the transition probability matrix of a progressive multi-state model is considered under cross-sectional sampling. Two different estimators adapted to possibly right-censored and left-truncated data are proposed. The estimators require full retrospective information before the truncation time, which, when exploited, increases efficiency. They are obtained as differences between two survival functions constructed for sub-samples of subjects occupying specific states at a certain time point. Both estimators correct the oversampling of relatively large survival times by using the left-truncation times associated with the cross-sectional observation. Asymptotic results are established, and finite sample performance is investigated through simulations. One of the proposed estimators performs better when there is no censoring, while the second one is strongly recommended with censored data. The new estimators are applied to data on patients in intensive care units (ICUs).
Exploring the impact of teacher emotions on their approaches to teaching: A structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Chen Junjun 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundResearch into teacher emotion has attracted increasing attention in the last two decades. The relevance of teacher emotion in education has been highlighted. However, evidence of how teacher emotions impact their teaching approaches is rather limited.AimsThis study investigated the relationship between two self‐report instruments – the Teacher Emotion Inventory and the Approach to Teaching.SampleThere were 1,830 teachers were approached from 43 primary schools in China and 12 primary schools in Hong Kong.MethodsExploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling were utilized in the analysis procedure.ResultsAs a result, a five‐factor TEI model was identified with two positive factors (Joy and Love) and three negative factors (Sadness, Anger, and Fear). A ATI model involved was confirmed with three factors (Knowledge Transmission, Student‐Teacher Interaction, and Student Focus). Structural equation modelling demonstrated that more student‐centred approaches are the consequence of positive teacher emotions while a teacher‐centred approach is the consequence of negative teacher emotions although there are two surprising links.ConclusionsIdentifying this pattern of relationships will contribute to understanding the reasons why new teaching strategies are often not adopted despite well‐designed professional programs and educational reform and will provide implications for teaching improvement through teacher emotion.
INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING: RURAL‐URBAN MIGRANT'S TRAINING COSTS AND HETEROGENEOUS LABOR MIGRATION
Authors: Li Xiaochun , Ge Yang , Zhou Jing 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTThis article uses H‐T model to analyse economic effects of training costs and heterogeneous labour migration from the prospect of short and long terms. We build a general equilibrium model with three sectors and apply comparatively static methods in discussing economic effects of decreasing training cost for migrants when developing countries are going through industrial upgrading. The main conclusions are: a decrease in training costs reduces rural employment in the short run; there is a threshold in the long term: when rural wage is lower than this value, reducing training cost could increase rural employment, while decrease industrial employment with lower unemployment.
Increased centrosome number in BRCA‐related breast cancer specimens determined by immunofluorescence analysis
Authors: Watanabe Gou , Chiba Natsuko , Nomizu Tadashi , Furuta Akihiko , Sato Kaolu , Miyashita Minoru , Tada Hiroshi , Suzuki Akihiko , Ohuchi Noriaki , Ishida Takanori 
Published: March 2018

BRCA‐related breast carcinoma can be prevented through prophylactic surgery and an intensive follow‐up regimen. However, BRCA genetic tests cannot be routinely performed, and some BRCA mutations could not be defined as deleterious mutations or normal variants. Therefore, an easy functional assay of BRCA will be useful to evaluate BRCA status. As it has been reported that BRCA functions in the regulation of centrosome number, we focused on centrosome number in cancer tissues. Here, 70 breast cancer specimens with known BRCA status were analyzed using immunofluorescence of γ‐tubulin (a marker of centrosome) foci. The number of foci per cell was higher in cases with BRCA mutation compared to wild‐type cases, that is, 1.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5‐2.3) vs 0.5 (95% CI, 0.2‐0.8) (P < .001). Specifically, foci numbers per cell in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation cases were 1.2 (95% CI, 0.6‐1.8) and 2.2 (95% CI, 1.7‐2.6), respectively, both higher than those in wild‐type cases (P = .042 and P < .0001, respectively). The predictive value of γ‐tubulin foci as determined by area under the curve (AUC = 0.86) for BRCA status was superior to BRCAPRO (AUC = 0.69), Myriad Table (AUC = 0.61), and KOHBRA BRCA risk calculator (AUC = 0.65) pretest values. The use of γ‐tubulin foci to predict BRCA status had sensitivity = 83% (19/23), specificity = 89% (42/47), and positive predictive value = 77% (20/26). Thus, γ‐tubulin immunofluorescence, a functional assessment of BRCA, can be used as a new prospective test of BRCA status.
Critical review of the validity of patient satisfaction questionnaires pertaining to oral health care
Authors: Nair Rahul , Ishaque Sana , Spencer Andrew John , Luzzi Liana , Do Loc Giang 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesReview the validation process reported for oral healthcare satisfaction scales that intended to measure general oral health care that is not restricted to specific subspecialties or interventions.MethodsAfter preliminary searches, PUBMED and EMBASE were searched using a broad search strategy, followed by a snowball strategy using the references of the publications included from database searches. Title and abstract were screened for assessing inclusion, followed by a full‐text screening of these publications. English language publications on multi‐item questionnaires that report on a scale measuring patient satisfaction for oral health care were included. Publications were excluded when they did not report on any psychometric validation, or the scales were addressing specific treatments or subspecialities in oral health care.ResultsFourteen instruments were identified from as many publications that report on their initial validation, while five more publications reported on further testing of the validity of these instruments. Number of items (range: 8‐42) and dimension reported (range: 2‐13) were often dissimilar between the assessed measurement instruments. There was also a lack of methodologies to incorporate patient's subjective perspective. Along with a limited reporting of psychometric properties of instruments, cross‐cultural adaptations were limited to translation processes.ConclusionsThe extent of validity and reliability of the included instruments was largely unassessed, and appropriate instruments for populations outside of those belonging to general adult populations were not present.
Investigation of factors influencing the immunogenicity of hCG as a potential cancer vaccine
Authors: Kvirkvelia N , Chikadze N , Makinde J , McBride J D , Porakishvili N , Hills F A , Martensen P M , Justesen J , Delves P J , Lund T , Roitt I M 
Published: March 2018

SummaryHuman chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and its β-subunit (hCGβ) are tumour autocrine growth factors whose presence in the serum of cancer patients has been linked to poorer prognosis. Previous studies have shown that vaccines which target these molecules and/or the 37 amino acid C-terminal hCGβ peptide (hCGβCTP) induce antibody responses in a majority of human recipients. Here we explored whether the immunogenicity of vaccines containing an hCGβ mutant (hCGβR68E, designed to eliminate cross-reactivity with luteinizing hormone) or hCGβCTP could be enhanced by coupling the immunogen to different carriers [keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) or heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70)] using different cross-linkers [1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carboiimide (EDC) or glutaraldehyde (GAD)] and formulated with different adjuvants (RIBI or Montanide ISA720). While there was little to choose between KLH and Hsp70 as carriers, their influence on the effectiveness of a vaccine containing the BAChCGβR68E mutant was less marked, presumably because, being a foreign species, this mutant protein itself might provide T helper epitopes. The mutant provided a significantly better vaccine than the hCGβCTP peptide irrespective of the carrier used, how it was cross-linked to the carrier or which adjuvant was used when hCG was the target. Nonetheless, for use in humans where hCG is a tolerated self-protein, the need for a carrier is of fundamental importance. Highest antibody titres were obtained by linking the BAChCGβR68E to Hsp70 as a carrier by GAD and using RIBI as the adjuvant, which also resulted in antibodies with significantly higher affinity than those elicited by hCGβCTP peptide vaccine. This makes this mutant vaccine a promising candidate for therapeutic studies in hCGβ-positive cancer patients.
Re‐Weighting Firefly Samples for Improved Finite‐Sample Monte Carlo Estimates
Authors: Zirr Tobias , Hanika Johannes , Dachsbacher Carsten 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSamples with high contribution but low probability density, often called fireflies, occur in all practical Monte Carlo estimators and are part of computing unbiased estimates. For finite‐sample estimates, however, they can lead to excessive variance. Rejecting all samples classified as outliers, as suggested in previous work, leads to estimates that are too low and can cause undesirable artefacts. In this paper, we show how samples can be re‐weighted depending on their contribution and sampling frequency such that the finite‐sample estimate gets closer to the correct expected value and the variance can be controlled. For this, we first derive a theory for how samples should ideally be re‐weighted and that this would require the probability density function of the optimal sampling strategy. As this probability density function is generally unknown, we show how the discrepancy between the optimal and the actual sampling strategy can be estimated and used for re‐weighting in practice. We describe an efficient algorithm that allows for the necessary analysis of per‐pixel sample distributions in the context of Monte Carlo rendering without storing any individual samples, with only minimal changes to the rendering algorithm. It causes negligible runtime overhead, works in constant memory and is well suited for parallel and progressive rendering. The re‐weighting runs as a fast post‐process, can be controlled interactively and our approach is non‐destructive in that the unbiased result can be reconstructed at any time.