bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rollover risk and managerial cost adjustment decisions
Authors: Li Wu‐Lung , Zheng Kenneth 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRollover risk is the risk that a firm may not be able to refinance its debt when it becomes due. We investigate whether managers’ resource adjustment decisions are influenced by rollover risk and find that cost stickiness is decreasing in rollover risk. Additionally, the negative relationship between rollover risk and cost stickiness is stronger for firms with higher financial constraints and fewer financing sources. These results suggest that, when faced with elevated rollover risk, managers are willing to forego the benefits from a sticky cost behaviour. Finally, the use of an alternative firm‐specific measure of cost stickiness corroborates our main finding.
Identification of strategic corridors for restoring landscape connectivity: application to the Iberian lynx
Authors: Blazquez‐Cabrera S. , Ciudad C. , Gastón A. , Simón M. Á. , Saura S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe conservation or creation of ecological corridors is a key to support species persistence in fragmented landscapes. However, little guidance exists on where to concentrate the restoration measures to improve corridor quality and functionality. Focusing on the emblematic Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus as the target species, and using a resistance surface parameterized through detailed telemetry data for the species, we applied a modeling approach that identifies corridors whose restoration would be more beneficial for enhancing landscape connectivity. Connectivity benefits were quantified, first, as the increase in the Probability of Connectivity metric (dPC) that results for the entire population network after reducing the effective distance along a particular corridor to its minimum possible value through restoration, and second, as dPC normalized by a proxy of the total restoration effort that would be required in each corridor. Results showed that the corridor restoration benefits were related to their effective distance (accumulated cost of movement along the corridor) and network centrality (potential frequency of use by dispersing individuals) in the current landscapes. Two corridors in which restoration efforts may be more desirable for the Iberian lynx were highlighted: the one linking the Doñana‐Aljarafe population with other populations and reintroduction areas further north, and a west‐east axis connecting the different populations in Sierra Morena. In general, the applied approach is a valuable tool to estimate how landscape connectivity may be affected when changes in the landscape are planned or can be predicted. This approach can be applied to potential corridors linking future reintroduction areas of the Iberian lynx, to case studies focusing on other landscapes and animal species, or to evaluate the impacts of corridor degradation or loss due to land use changes and other pressures.
Effect of instrumentation systems on endotoxin reduction from root canal systems: A systematic review of clinical studies and meta‐analysis
Authors: Neelakantan Prasanna , Ahmed Hany Mohamed Aly , Chang Jeffrey Wen Wei , Nabhan Mohamed Shady , Wei Xi , Cheung Gary Shun Pan , Gomes Brenda P. F. A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis systematic review assessed the effect of different root canal instrumentation systems on endotoxin reduction from the root canal system. The literature search was conducted in two electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) using specific key words. The search strategy followed the PRISMA guidelines. Qualitative synthesis and quantitative synthesis of the data were performed and data interpretation was done based on the guidelines in the Cochrane Handbook. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane criteria. The initial search yielded 600 citations, of which three papers met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Studies showed a significant reduction in endotoxin following rotary and reciprocating instrumentation, with no significant differences between them. The meta‐analysis showed no statistical significant difference between reciprocation and rotary files (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the instrumentation techniques compared in this review decrease endotoxin content from root canals, with no significant difference between them.
Phase I/II study of dasatinib and exploratory genomic analysis in relapsed or refractory non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Umakanthan Jayadev M. , Iqbal Javeed , Batlevi Connie L. , Bouska Alyssa , Smith Lynette M. , Shostrom Valerie , Nutsch Heather , William Basem M. , Gregory Bociek R. , Lunning Matthew , Bierman Philip , Younes Anas , Armitage James O. , Vose Julie M. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryRelapsed or refractory non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) often carry poor prognosis and pose management challenges. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of dasatinib, a broad‐spectrum multi‐kinase inhibitor in relapsed/refractory NHL with correlative genomic analysis in a Phase I/II trial. The study included 33 patients with various sub‐types of NHL who had received at least one prior therapy. The most common sub‐types were diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (24%), follicular lymphoma, grade 1/2 (21%) and peripheral T‐cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS; 21%). Most patients were heavily pre‐treated, including 42% with more than four prior therapies, 67% with rituximab exposure and 24% with prior autologous transplant. In this cohort, dasatinib showed modest activity in evaluable patients with an objective response rate of 29% (7/24) and clinical benefit rate of 71% (17/24). In 32 patients with outcome data, median progression‐free survival was 3 months and median overall survival was 22·4 months. There were two patients with sustained complete responses, both with PTCL‐NOS histology. The side effect profile was consistent with prior studies, with pleural effusion being the most common non‐haematological toxicity. Exploratory genomic analysis showed two cases of PTCL‐NOS with sustained response had a common mutation in LRRK2 and high prevalence of FOXO1 mutation in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma.
Adherence, persistence, glycaemic control and costs among patients with type 2 diabetes initiating dulaglutide compared with liraglutide or exenatide once weekly at 12‐month follow‐up in a real‐world setting in the United States
Authors: Mody Reema , Huang Qing , Yu Maria , Zhao Ruizhi , Patel Hiren , Grabner Michael , Landó Laura Fernández 
Published: December 2018

AimsTo evaluate adherence, persistence, glycaemic control and costs at 12‐month follow‐up for patients initiating dulaglutide versus liraglutide or exenatide once weekly.Materials and methodsThe present retrospective observational claims study included patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and ≥ 1 pharmacy claim for dulaglutide, liraglutide or exenatide once weekly from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database. Adherence was defined as proportion of days covered ≥80%, and persistence was measured by time to discontinuation of index therapy. Change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration was assessed in a subset with pre‐ and post‐index HbA1c results. Propensity scores were used to match the cohorts.ResultsThe baseline characteristics were balanced for the matched cohorts, dulaglutide versus liraglutide (n = 2471) and dulaglutide versus exenatide once weekly (n = 1891). Among those initiating dulaglutide there was a significantly higher proportion of adherent patients compared with the groups initiating liraglutide (51.2% vs. 38.2%; P < 0.001) and exenatide once weekly (50.7% vs. 31.9%; P < 0.001). At 12 months, 55% of patients in the dulaglutide group versus 43.8% in the liraglutide group (P < 0.001), and 54.9% in the dulaglutide versus 34.4% in the exenatide once‐weekly group (P < 0.001) were persistent. The dulaglutide group had a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c than the liraglutide group (−34.24 vs. −31.94 mmol/mol; P = 0.032), and a greater, but nonsignificant, reduction in HbA1c than the exenatide once‐weekly group (−34.46 vs. −31.94 mmol/mol; P = 0.056). The diabetes‐related total costs were not significantly different between the dulaglutide and the liraglutide group ($16,174 vs. $16,694; P = 0.184), and were significantly higher for dulaglutide than for exenatide once weekly ($15,768 vs. $14,615; P = 0.005).ConclusionsAdherence and persistence are important considerations in patient‐centric treatment selection for patients with T2D. Higher adherence and persistence for dulaglutide compared with liraglutide or exenatide once weekly are relevant criteria when choosing glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist treatment for patients with T2D.
Comparative effect of saxagliptin and glimepiride with a composite endpoint of adequate glycaemic control without hypoglycaemia and without weight gain in patients uncontrolled with metformin therapy: Results from the SPECIFY study, a 48‐week, multi‐centre, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Gu Tianwei , Ma Jianhua , Zhang Qiu , Zhu Liangying , Zhang Hong , Xu Lan , Cheng Jinluo , Shi Bimin , Li Dongmei , Shao Jiaqing , Sun Zilin , Zhong Shao , Bi Yan , Zhu Dalong 
Published: December 2018

AimsTo compare the efficacy and safety of saxagliptin and glimepiride in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients who are inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy.Materials and methodsIn this 48‐week, multi‐centre, open‐label, randomized, parallel trial (NCT02280486, clinicaltrials.gov), a total of 388 T2D patients were randomized 1:1 to saxagliptin or glimepiride groups. The primary endpoint was achievement of HbA1c <7.0%, without hypoglycaemia, defined as blood glucose <3.9 mmol/L and weight gain <3.0% after 48 weeks of treatment.ResultsOver 48 weeks, a greater proportion of patients achieved the primary endpoint with saxagliptin compared with glimepiride (43.3% vs 31.3%; odds ratio, 1.38, 95% CI, 1.05‐1.82; P = 0.019), especially among patients with baseline HbA1c <8.0%, duration <5 years or baseline BMI ≥25 kg/m2. Mean reduction in HbA1c was similar in the two treatment groups at Week 48 (−0.94% with saxagliptin vs −0.98% with glimepiride; P = 0.439). Bodyweight decreased with saxagliptin, but increased with glimepiride over the treatment period, and the treatment difference was −1.6 kg (P < 0.001) at Week 48. The proportion of patients experiencing hypoglycaemia was much lower with saxagliptin vs glimepiride (3.1% vs 12.8%; P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that, compared to glimepiride, saxagliptin more effectively achieves a composite endpoint of adequate glycaemic control without hypoglycaemia and without weight gain in T2D patients who are inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy, especially in overweight patients with moderate hyperglycaemia and a relatively short duration of diabetes.
Value of tissue‐tracking tricuspid annular plane by speckle‐tracking echocardiography for the assessment of right ventricular systolic dysfunction
Authors: Maniwa Naoki , Hozumi Takeshi , Takemoto Kazushi , Wada Teruaki , Kashiwagi Manabu , Shimamura Kunihiro , Shiono Yasutsugu , Kuroi Akio , Matsuo Yoshiki , Ino Yasushi , Kitabata Hironori , Kubo Takashi , Tanaka Atsushi , Akasaka Takashi 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundAssessment of right ventricular (RV) function remains challenging because of its complex geometry. Application of speckle‐tracking echocardiography (STE) to the tricuspid annulus provides rapid and automated assessment of the midpoint of the tricuspid annular plane displacement (TAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the value of tissue‐tracking TAD for the assessment of RV systolic dysfunction.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 61 patients in whom RV ejection fraction (EF) measured by 3‐dimensional echocardiography was performed. STE‐derived displacement of the midpoint between the septal and lateral tricuspid annulus and its percentage of RV length at end‐diastole (MTAD) were automatically assessed. We performed comparative analyses between the RVEF ≥45% group and the RVEF <45% group in each parameter for the assessment of RV systolic function.ResultsMTAD was successfully assessed in 56 (91.2%). According to receiver operating characteristics analysis, RVEF <45% was best detected by MTAD <14.7% with area under curve (AUC) 0.97, sensitivity 93%, specificity 95%, followed by RV free wall longitudinal strain (AUC 0.86), RV fractional area change (AUC 0.84), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (AUC 0.79), and systolic peak velocity of tricuspid annulus (AUC 0.70), although there was no significant difference between MTAD and RV free wall strain (P = 0.14).ConclusionThe present study showed that MTAD was simple index and useful for the assessment of RV systolic dysfunction.
Evangelii Gaudium
Authors: Alva Reginald 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRenewal and reformation are indispensable for the growth of person or an institution. Every Christian as an individual and as a member of the church community is in need of renewal to proclaim boldly the gospel of Christ and bear witness through their lives. Secularization and depravity of moral values poses serious challenges to the faith life of a Christian. Moreover, the rise in fundamentalism, jingoism, consumerism, social and political inequity, and environmental degradation are breeding a state of hopelessness, angst, and ennui in the society. Christians and the church need spiritual renewal and transformation to be the salt of the earth and the light to the nations. The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of all genuine spiritual renewal and evangelization. Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, invites all Christians and the church itself to seek renewal in the Holy Spirit by having a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and grow in his discipleship. In this paper, I shall examine the concrete steps the church and Christians need to take for genuine renewal in the Holy Spirit to do the work of evangelization, in the light of the teachings of Evangelii Gaudium. The main source for this paper is Evangelii Gaudium and other church documents.
Dermoscopic evaluation of melanocytic nevi changes after photo‐epilation techniques: a prospective study
Authors: Guicciardi F. , Ferreli C. , Rongioletti F. , Atzori L. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical and dermoscopic changes of melanocytic nevi under the effects of photo‐epilation are poorly known.ObjectiveProspective study on clinical and dermatoscopic effects of photoe‐pilation on melanocytic nevi.MethodsEighteen patients exposed to photo‐epilation gave consent to a follow‐up programme from 2008 to 2017 at the Videodermatoscopic Office of the Dermatology Clinic of Cagliari (Italy), with clinical and dermoscopic assessment.ResultsA mean 2‐year follow‐up was recorded for 73 lesions. The most frequent clinical change was nevi colour, clearer than basal pictures, sometimes with increased pigmentation at the periphery, or residual islands of pigmentation, with vanishing borders. Acute burn with crusting was noted in few cases. Only one case showed progressive growth. Corresponding dermoscopic findings were bleaching of nevi, followed by pigment network disruption, appearance of white structureless areas and grey–blue globules. Complete regression occurred in 32.8% of the lesions. The growing nevus was characterized by peripheral globules. Excision for histopathological examination showed a compound nevus with mild atypia.ConclusionsAlthough malignant modifications of nevi after photo‐epilation have not been described, the clinical and dermoscopic changes we observed suggest to extend the follow for more than 24 months, as the potential long‐term adverse effects of photo‐epilation on melanocytic nevi are unknown.
Optimization strategies for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis testing in Infectious Disease Clinic and Dermatology Unit of Modena: 7‐year results of collaboration experience
Authors: Mandel V.D. , Di Tullio F. , Rugge W. , Coppini M. , Mussini C. , Pellacani G. , Borghi V. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundScreening tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and syphilis infections performed in at‐risk population show a higher number of positive tests compared to those carried out in the general population. ‘Test & Counselling’ Ambulatory of Infectious Disease Clinic (T&C‐IDC) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Ambulatory of Dermatology Unit (STDs‐DU) of Modena began collaboration in 2010 and adopted a common diagnostic serological profile since 2013.ObjectivesThe main objective was to analyse the number of screening tests performed in the T&C‐IDC and STDs‐DU, comparing the results obtained after the adoption of the shared protocol with the previous period. The secondary aim was to evaluate the linkage to care of newly diagnosed patients.MethodsConsecutive patients referred to the T&C‐IDC and STDs‐DU from January 2010 to December 2016, with at least one performed screening test for HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis were enrolled. Referral of patients with a new infection was obtained by capture‐recapture methods in hospital databases.ResultsDuring the 7‐year observation, we collected 13 117 admittances for 9154 patients. A significant increase in the number of screening tests (P < 0.001) and ratio between tests and admissions (P = 0.002) was observed. A total of 644 (7.0%) people with at least one infection were diagnosed. Among these, the most common was syphilis (41.9%), followed by HBV (25.7%), HCV (21.4%) and HIV (10.9%). Syphilis occurred predominantly in Italians (72.5%) and males (75.7%), as like as HCV, while foreign‐born (85.5%) mainly harboured HBV infection. HIV diagnosis was detected more frequently among males (67.1%) with a similar proportion between Italians and foreign‐born. Five hundred and forty‐three out of 644 (84.3%) patients were linked to care.ConclusionThe collaboration between T&C‐IDC and STDs‐DU has proven to work well increasing the diagnosis over the time and obtaining good results in linkage to care.
Diagnostic methods for identifying different Aeromonas species and examining their pathogenicity factors, their correlation to cytotoxicity and adherence to fish mucus
Authors: Jung‐Schroers Verena , Jung Arne , Ryll Martin , Bauer Julia , Teitge Felix , Steinhagen Dieter 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAeromonas spp. are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment, acting as facultative or obligate pathogens for fish. Identifying Aeromonas spp. is important for pathogenesis and prognosis in diagnostic cases but can be difficult because of their close relationship. Forty‐four already characterized isolates of Aeromonas spp. were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, by gyrase B sequencing, by analysing their fatty acid profiles, by biochemical reactions and by MALDI‐TOF MS. To determine their pathogenicity, cytotoxicity, adhesion to mucus and the expression of 12 virulence factors were tested. The susceptibility of the isolates towards 13 different antibiotics was determined. MALDI‐TOF MS was found to be an acceptable identification method for Aeromonas spp. Although the method does not detect all species correctly, it is time‐effective and entails relatively low costs and no other methods achieved better results. A high prevalence of virulence‐related gene fragments was detected in almost all examined Aeromonas spp., especially in A. hydrophila and A. salmonicida, and most isolates exhibited a cytotoxic effect. Single isolates of A. hydrophila and A. salmonicida showed multiple resistance to antibiotics. These results might indicate the potentially pathogenic capacity of Aeromonas spp., suggesting a risk for aquatic animals and even humans, given their ubiquitous nature.
Efficacy of a polyvalent injectable vaccine against Flavobacterium psychrophilum administered to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss L.)
Authors: Hoare Rowena , Jung Sung‐Ju , Ngo Thao P. H. , Bartie Kerry L. , Thompson Kim D. , Adams Alexandra 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFlavobacterium psychrophilum is one of the most important pathogens affecting cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Recent information from UK salmonid farms showed country‐wide distribution of genetically and serologically divergent clones, which has hampered the development of a vaccine for rainbow trout fry syndrome. The current study assessed the efficacy of an injectable polyvalent vaccine containing formalin‐inactivated F. psychrophilum in rainbow trout. The vaccine was formulated with an oil adjuvant (Montanide ISA 760VG) or formalin‐killed cells alone. Duplicate groups of trout (60 ± 13 g) were given phosphate‐buffered saline or vaccine formulated with Montanide by intra‐peritoneal (i.p.) injection and challenged by intra‐muscular (i.m.) injection with a homologous and a heterologous isolate of F. psychrophilum at 525 degree days post‐vaccination (dd pv). Significant protection was achieved in vaccinated fish (p = 0.0001, RPS 76% homologous, 88% heterologous). Efficacy of the adjuvanted vaccine was also demonstrated by heterologous challenge at 1155 dd pv resulting in 100% protection, whereas survival in the un‐adjuvanted group was not significantly different from control fish. Levels of specific antibody at 1155 dd pv, as measured by ELISA, were significantly higher in the fish vaccinated with adjuvant when compared with unvaccinated fish.
International Business Cycle and Financial Intermediation
Authors: CSABAFI TAMAS Z. , GILLMAN MAX , NARAIDOO RUTHIRA 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe paper extends a standard two‐country international real business cycle model to include financial intermediation by banks of loans and government bonds. The paper contributes an explanation for both the United States relative to the Euro‐area, and the United States relative to China, of cross‐country correlations of loan rates, deposit rates, and the loan premia. It shows a type of financial retrenchment for the United States relative to both Europe and China following a negative bank productivity shock, such as during the 2008 crisis. After 2008, results suggest that the Euro‐area has been more financially integrated with the United States, and China less financially integrated.
Improvements in the perception of facial attractiveness following surgical aesthetic treatment; study based on online before and after photos
Authors: Przylipiak Mateusz , Przylipiak Jerzy , Terlikowski Robert , Lubowicka Emilia , Chrostek Lech , Przylipiak Andrzej 
Published: December 2018

SummaryBackgroundAesthetic surgery procedures such as lip augmentation, eyelid correction, face‐lifting, or Botox treatment for lines and wrinkles are an important part of cosmetic surgery.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to estimate improvement in appearance following plastic surgery using modern collective intelligence methods of validation.MethodsA total of 108 photographs showing 54 patients prior to and following cosmetic surgery were downloaded from Internet web presentations of several unnamed plastic surgeons. The same number of photographs depicted each of the four investigated areas of treatment—26 lip enhancement, 26 blepharoplasty, 26 face‐lift, 26 botulinum toxin injection. Attractiveness of depicted individuals was assessed by 167 observers. Each photograph was judged separately.ResultsBlepharoplasty produced the most remarkable improvement in attractiveness amounting to 32.79 (SD ± 26.35). Improvement following Botox treatment stood at 30.29 (SD ± 24.55), whereas face‐lifting produces improvement of 28.70 (SD ± 22.76). Improvement following lip augmentation was estimated at 12.70 (SD ± 29.8). Highest Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was obtained for face‐lift and Botox (0.24 and 0.22, respectively).ConclusionsBlepharoplasty, face‐lifting, and Botox deliver a significant improvement in facial attractiveness. Additionally, face‐lifting and Botox are distinguished by a high level of reproducibility. Our results indicate that lip augmentation is a treatment with a statistically significant, but less marked improvement in attractiveness.