bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative PDE5i use is a prognostic metric for poor postoperative erectile function in men undergoing radical prostatectomy: An addition to patient counseling
Authors: Akinola Oluwaseun , Ginsburg Lauren , Welliver Charles , Mechlin Clay W , Fisher Hugh AG , Mian Badar M , Kaufman Ronald P , McCullough Andrew R 
Published: December 2015

Objective: In patients scheduled for radical prostatectomies (RP), preoperative (pre-op) erectile function (EF) characterization may be complicated by social and medical factors. We investigated pre-op use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) as a simple metric for predicting long-term postoperative EF. Materials and methods: Electronic medical records (EMRs) for consecutive men who underwent RP between January 2004 and March 2009 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Data extracted included demographics, pre-op PDE5i use, cancer treatment details, post-op EF and ED treatment. Predictor variable data were categorical pre-op PDE5i use (pre-op PDE5i use vs. pre-op PDE5i naïve). ANOVA and Chi squared test were used. Results: A total of 250 individuals out of 436 charts met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up length was 4.2 years (range 2–7). Thirty-seven men (15%) used PDE5i preoperatively. There were no differences in mean age at RP, type of nerve-sparing surgery (NSS), or medical comorbidities between groups. No men with pre-op PDE5i use regained unassisted EF but 37% regained PDE5i-assisted EF after bilateral nerve sparing (BNS). No men with pre-op PDE5i use regained unassisted or PDE5i-assisted EF after unilateral (UNS) or non-nerve-sparing surgery (NNS). Conclusions: Pre-op PDE5i use predicts poor long-term EF outcomes after RP and should be included in pre-op patient counseling.
Impact of Microfinance on Poor Women: Lessons from Sabarkantha, Gujarat
Authors: Amarnani Arpita , Amarnani Neeraj 
Published: December 2015

Microfinance, in simple terms, can be defined as financial services for the poor. Currently, the policy-makers all over the globe are increasing their emphasis on microfinance. At this point of time, considering the energy and money being channelized to this sector, one of the issues that need to be addressed is that of effectiveness of the various models of microfinance delivery. With this backdrop in mind, the present study is an attempt at carrying out an impact assessment of microfinance. This cross-sectional research has been conducted in the Sabarkantha district of the state of Gujarat among the women living below the poverty line (BPL), where the control group comprises new entrants, while the treatment group has old participants of the programme. The study involves both quantitative and qualitative data analysis at the household level and the individual level. The study found that microfinance increases the income of the poor clients who are into the programme for more than two years. It also found that consumption expenditure came down during the initial period of participation as the participants learnt financial prudence, and after that, the change was negative but insignificant. At the individual level, it was found that participation in the programme improved the financial security for the clients and the proportion of daughters attending school to those eligible for schooling. However, there was no significant change in the financial decision-making process. The impact assessment concluded that microfinance does impact the poor women positively, but in order to improve the quality of their lives and to sustain this improvement over a period of time, further interventions at the social and human level are required.
Offloading treatment is linked to activation of proinflammatory cytokines and start of bone repair and remodeling in Charcot arthropathy patients
Authors: Folestad Agnetha , Ålund Martin , Asteberg Susanne , Fowelin Jesper , Aurell Ylva , Göthlin Jan , Cassuto Jean 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundProinflammatory cytokines are an integral part of the osteolytic activity of Charcot arthropathy but are also central to normal bone healing. As there are no previous longitudinal studies investigating their role during the recovery phase of Charcot, we set out to monitor systemic levels of proinflammatory cytokines from Charcot presentation until a clinically and radiographically documented chronic state has been reached.MethodsTwenty‐eight consecutive Charcot patients were monitored during 2 years by repeated foot radiographs, MRI and plasma levels of interleukin [IL]‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β, Tumor Necrosis Factor [TNF]‐α, and IL‐1 receptor antibody (IL‐1RA). Charcot patients were treated with total contact cast (TCC) on the first day of inclusion. Neuropathic diabetic controls (n = 20) and Healthy subjects (n = 20) served as reference.ResultsPlasma IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β and TNF‐α in the acute and chronic phase of Charcot were below or at the level of diabetic controls and healthy, whereas IL‐1RA/IL‐1β ratio was continuously higher in Charcot patients. IL‐6, TNF‐α and IL‐1RA began to increase one week after offloading to reach a peak after 4 months before gradually receding.ConclusionsA sustained increase of IL‐6 and TNF‐α starting shortly after offloading and paralleled by accelerated bone healing on radiographs, suggest that offloading, by activating the inflammatory stage, has a key role to play in the onset of coupled bone remodeling. High IL‐1RA/IL‐1β ratio in Charcot patients at presentation supports a counter‐balancing anti‐inflammatory role for IL‐1RA in the acute phase whereas a high ratio after two years, possibly due to renewed weight‐bearing on a deformed foot, signal need for continued anti‐inflammatory activity and contradicts a “cold” biological state in the chronic phase.
Role of ABCA7 loss-of-function variant in Alzheimer's disease: a replication study in European–Americans
Authors: Del-Aguila Jorge L. , Fernández Maria Victoria , Jimenez Jessica , Black Kathleen , Ma Shengmei , Deming Yuetiva , Carrell David , Saef Ben ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Howells Bill , Budde John , Cruchaga Carlos 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Introduction
A recent study found a significant increase of ABCA7 loss-of-function variants in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases compared to controls. Some variants were located on noncoding regions, but it was demonstrated that they affect splicing. Here, we try to replicate the association between AD risk and ABCA7 loss-of-function variants at both the single-variant and gene level in a large and well-characterized European American dataset.

Methods
We genotyped the GWAS common variant and four rare variants previously reported for ABCA7 in 3476 European–Americans.

Results
We were not able to replicate the association at the single-variant level, likely due to a lower effect size on the European American population which led to limited statistical power. However, we did replicate the association at the gene level; we found a significant enrichment of ABCA7 loss-of-function variants in AD cases compared to controls (P = 0.0388; odds ratio =1.54). We also confirmed that the association of the loss-of-function variants is independent of the previously reported genome-wide association study signal.

Conclusions
Although the effect size for the association of ABCA7 loss-of-function variants with AD risk is lower in our study (odds ratio = 1.54) compared to the original report (odds ratio = 2.2), the replication of the findings of the original report provides a stronger foundation for future functional applications. The data indicate that different independent signals that modify risk for complex traits may exist on the same locus. Additionally, our results suggest that replication of rare-variant studies should be performed at the gene level rather than focusing on a single variant.
A Diet Rich in Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Improves Systolic Function and Alters the Lipidomic Profile in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Airhart Sophia , Cade W. Todd , Jiang Hui , Coggan Andrew R. , Racette Susan B. , Korenblat Kevin , Spearie Catherine Anderson , Waller Suzanne , O'Connor Robert , Bashir Adil , Ory Daniel S. , Schaffer Jean E. , Novak Eric , Farmer Marsha , Waggoner Alan D. , Dávila-Román Víctor G. , Javidan-Nejad Cylen , Peterson Linda R. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractContext:Excessive cardiac long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) metabolism/storage causes cardiomyopathy in animal models of type 2 diabetes. Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are absorbed and oxidized efficiently. Data in animal models of diabetes suggest MCFAs may benefit the heart.Objective:Our objective was to test the effects of an MCFA-rich diet vs an LCFA-rich diet on plasma lipids, cardiac steatosis, and function in patients with type 2 diabetes.Design:This was a double-blind, randomized, 2-week matched-feeding study.Setting:The study included ambulatory patients in the general community.Patients:Sixteen patients, ages 37–65 years, with type 2 diabetes, an ejection fraction greater than 45%, and no other systemic disease were included.Intervention:Fourteen days of a diet rich in MCFAs or LCFAs, containing 38% as fat in total, was undertaken.Main Outcome Measures:Cardiac steatosis and function were the main outcome measures, with lipidomic changes considered a secondary outcome.Results:The relatively load-independent measure of cardiac contractility, S′, improved in the MCFA group (P &lt; .05). Weight-adjusted stroke volume and cardiac output decreased in the LCFA group (both P &lt; .05). The MCFA, but not the LCFA, diet decreased several plasma sphingolipids, ceramide, and acylcarnitines implicated in diabetic cardiomyopathy, and changes in several sphingolipids correlated with improved fasting insulins.Conclusions:Although a diet high in MCFAs does not change cardiac steatosis, our findings suggest that the MCFA-rich diet alters the plasma lipidome and may benefit or at least not harm cardiac function and fasting insulin levels in humans with type 2 diabetes. Larger, long-term studies are needed to further evaluate these effects in less-controlled settings.
Willingness to Compete: Family Matters
Authors: Almås Ingvild , Cappelen Alexander W. , Salvanes Kjell G. , Sørensen Erik Ø. , Tungodden Bertil 
Published: December 2015

This paper studies the role of family background in explaining differences in the willingness to compete in a cognitive task. By combining data from a lab experiment conducted with a fairly representative sample of adolescents in Norway and high-quality register data on family background, we show that family background is fundamental in two important ways. First, boys from low socioeconomic status families are less willing to compete than boys from better-off families, even when controlling for confidence, performance, risk preferences, time preferences, social preferences, and psychological traits. Second, family background is crucial for understanding the large gender difference in the willingness to compete. Girls are much less willing to compete than boys among children from better-off families, whereas we do not find any gender difference in willingness to compete among children from low socioeconomic status families. Our data suggest that the main explanation of the role of family background is that the father’s socioeconomic status is strongly associated with boys’ willingness to compete. We do not find any association between the willingness to compete for boys or girls and the mother’s socioeconomic status or other family characteristic that may potentially shape competition preferences, including parental equality and sibling rivalry. This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
How Much Is a Win Worth? An Application to Intercollegiate Athletics
Authors: Chung Doug J. 
Published: December 2015

Intercollegiate athletics in the United States have become a multibillion-dollar industry over the past several decades. In this study, we investigate the short- and long-term direct monetary effects of operating a winning athletics program for an academic institution of higher education. We construct a unique panel data set from multiple sources and utilize the latest dynamic panel data estimation methods to account for heterogeneity while also addressing endogeneity concerns. We find that success in men’s football and basketball has a significant impact on a school’s respective football and basketball revenues; however, the effect is different based on the type of school. We find that regular season wins in football account for most of the increase in revenue for established schools, whereas invitations to prestigious postseason bowl games play a big part for less-established schools. Furthermore, we find that student population and education quality dissipate the effect of athletic success on monetary payoffs. We find that success in basketball carries over more from the past than in football with additional contemporaneous marginal effects for established schools. We do find, however, that past athletic success carries over significantly to the present in both football and basketball, suggesting the significance of the long-term monetary effect of athletic success to many academic institutions in the United States. This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of an externally applied electroceutical device in managing venous leg ulcers in clinical practice in the UK
Authors: Guest J.F. , Ayoub N. , Greaves T. 
Published: December 2015

Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of treating patients with a venous leg ulcer (VLU) with an externally applied electroceutical (EAE) device, plus dressings and compression bandaging or continuing with their previous care plan, from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Method: This was a prospective, single-arm, non-blinded, clinical and economic evaluation of EAE therapy performed in 2013/14. Patients' VLUs were treated with six active units of EAE therapy (each unit for two days) plus dressings and compression bandaging over a period of 12 days. Afterwards, patients were managed with a combination of dressings and bandages. Each patient acted as their own control so that clinical outcomes, resource use and costs associated with the wound over 12 months before the start of EAE therapy were retrospectively compared with the first 12 months after the start of treatment. The relative cost-effectiveness of EAE therapy was estimated at 2013/14 prices. Results: Within 12 months of starting EAE therapy 77% of all wounds healed and the other 23% improved. This difference in effectiveness between the 12-months period before and after EAE therapy was estimated to yield a 12% improvement in health gain of 0.09 QALYs (p<0.01), a 34% reduction in the requirement for nurse visits (from a mean 50.7 to 33.3 visits per patient) and a 26% reduction in the number of dressings. This resulted in an 11% reduction in the NHS cost of VLU management over 12 months after the start of treatment when compared with the previous 12 months (from £1,981 to £1,754 per patient). Hence, use of EAE therapy was found to be a dominant treatment (i.e. improved outcome for less cost). Conclusion: Within the study's limitations, use of the EAE device potentially affords the NHS a cost-effective treatment for managing VLUs when compared with patients remaining on their previous care plan.
Successful treatment of non-healing pressure ulcers with topical n-acetyl cysteine
Authors: Ozkaya H. , Bahat G. , Tufan A. , Doğan H. , Bilicen Z. , Karan M.A. 
Published: December 2015

Objective: N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a thiol compound with antioxidant and vasodilatory properties. It has multiple potential uses—including as an aid to wound healing—supported by varying levels of evidence. Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a major problem affecting older and bed-bound patients, and are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health-care costs. We aimed to study whether topical NAC treatment may be useful in non-healing PUs in a prospective case study in two debilitated nursing home residents suffering from a total of three treatment-resistant PUs. Method: PUs were staged as described by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. The ulcers were measured at the beginning and weekly thereafter with a standard wound measuring paper ruler. Results: The first patient had a category 3 pressure ulcer and the second patient had one category 3 and one category 4 ulcer. Topical NAC vial administration significantly improved healing in all three PUs without any side effects. Conclusion: Our data indicate that NAC may be used in treatment-resistant PUs successfully.
Thixotropy of Marine Clays
Authors: Yang Shaoli , Andersen Knut H. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
A database on thixotropy strength ratio is established for marine clays in this paper. The database includes clay data from 15 offshore sites. The study indicates that the thixotropy strength ratio of marine clays has correlations with the following parameters: activity, plasticity index, liquidity index, sensitivity, and water content. Trend lines are given for the correlations between thixotropy strength ratio and liquidity index, and between thixotropy strength ratio and water content.
A transhiatalis sebészet járatlan ösvényei
Authors: Kotsis Lajos , Kostic Szilárd , Agócs László , Vadász Pál 
Published: December 2015

Absztrakt
A szerzők a transhiatalis műtétek két új, az irodalomban még nem közölt
indikációját ismertetik. Recidív bronchuscarcinoma miatti bal oldali
pulmonectomiát követő, jobb oldali spontán nyelőcsőrupturában laparotomiás
transhiatalis megoldást végeztek. A 2,5 cm-es repedést a szalagokkal lehúzott
nyelőcsövön, a mediastinumban, csomós Vicryl-öltésekkel zárták és cseplesszel
borították. A műtétet jobb mellűri és mediastinalis drénezéssel, gastro- és
jejunostomiával fejezték be. A második műtét során alsó-hátsó mediastinalis
tumort (8×5 cm), incarcerált masszív hiatusherniát, megrövidült nyelőcsövet és a
mediastinumba penetráló kisgörbületi ulcust oldottak meg. Az időskor és rossz
légzésfunkció miatt, laparotomiát követően, a kiszélesített hiatuson át, első
lépésben a környezetével szívósan összetapadt hiatussérvet és a megrövidült,
perioesophagitises nyelőcsövet tették szabaddá. Ez után a hátsó mediastinumban,
a gerincoszlop mellett magasra terjedő, kisgörbületről kiinduló, ökölnyi, jól
kapszulált képletet kifejtették, reszekálták. A kisgörbületi ulcust
kimetszették, suturázták. A műtétet Toupet szerinti fundoplicatióval fejezték
be. A transhiatalis feltárás alkalmazását szélsőséges mediastinalis és
nyelőcsőfolyamatokban vélik megfontolandónak.
Effect of Thyrotropin Suppression Therapy on Bone in Thyroid Cancer Patients
Authors: Papaleontiou Maria , Hawley Sarah T. , Haymart Megan R. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Background.
The thyroid cancer incidence is rising. Despite current guidelines, controversy exists regarding the degree and duration of thyrotropin suppression therapy. Also, its potential skeletal effects remain a concern to physicians caring for thyroid cancer patients. We conducted a review of published data to evaluate existing studies focusing on the skeletal effects of thyrotropin suppression therapy in thyroid cancer patients.

Materials and Methods.
A systematic search of the PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was conducted. The retained studies were evaluated for methodological quality, and the study populations were categorized into premenopausal women, postmenopausal women, and men.

Results.
Twenty-five pertinent studies were included. Seven studies were longitudinal and 18 were cross-sectional. Of the 25 included studies, 13 were assigned an excellent methodological quality score. Three of 5 longitudinal studies and 3 of 13 cross-sectional studies reported decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal women; 2 of 4 longitudinal studies and 5 of 13 cross-sectional studies reported decreased BMD in postmenopausal women. The remaining studies showed no effect on BMD. The only longitudinal study of men showed bone mass loss; however, cross-sectional studies of men did not demonstrate a similar effect.

Conclusion.
Studies to date have yielded conflicting results on the skeletal effects of thyrotropin suppression therapy and a knowledge gap remains, especially for older adults and men. Existing data should be cautiously interpreted because of the variable quality and heterogeneity. Identifying groups at risk of adverse effects from thyrotropin suppression therapy will be instrumental to providing focused and tailored thyroid cancer treatment.
Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Breast: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives
Authors: Inno Alessandro , Bogina Giuseppe , Turazza Monica , Bortesi Laura , Duranti Simona , Massocco Alberto , Zamboni Giuseppe , Carbognin Giovanni , Alongi Filippo , Salgarello Matteo , Gori Stefania 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast is considered a rare entity, and for this reason there are no data from prospective clinical trials on its optimal management. Early stage tumors are usually treated with the same strategy used for the other types of invasive breast cancer. Anthracycline- and taxane-based regimens represent the most frequently administered chemotherapy in neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting, as well as for metastatic disease, although combinations of platinum compounds and etoposide have been widely used, in particular for small-cell histology and tumors with a high proliferation index. For metastatic disease, a multimodality therapeutic strategy can be considered on an individual basis, with chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of the above. In the near future, a better knowledge of the biology of these tumors will hopefully provide new therapeutic targets for personalized treatment. In this review, we discuss the current evidence and the future perspectives on diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast.
Potential Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) in Bali
Authors: Sinuhaji Adrian Rizki 
Published: December 2015

<p>OTEC is a method for generating electricity which uses the temperature difference that exist between deep and shallow water with the minimal difference about 20°C. This paper aim to determine the potential and the provision of new and renewable energy in Indonesia.OTEC is very compatible build in Indonesian sea because Indonesia is placed in equator teritory, a lot of island, strain and many difference of topography especially in North Bali Sea. A calculation ocean thermal distribution in Indonesia for OTEC is doing with statistics from ocean thermal surface.The maximum efficiency of carnot engine (ηmax) is obtained in the North Bali Sea by 0.788813. Figures are better than other regions in the Indonesia. OTEC power production is renewable energy that could be a solution to produce electricity, and also can produce fresh water and cold water for agricultural and cooling purposes especially in the tourist area like Bali. </p><p><em><strong>Keywords</strong></em>: OTEC, Bali, Temperature, Renewable Energy </p>