Hugo Claus als meervoud. Pleidooi voor een wetenschappelijke documentaire varianteneditie van Claus’ verzamelde poëzie

The selection of a base text for textual edition is not only a matter of literary-historical data or a consideration based on the genetic process or the publishing history of a work of art. Also the poetics or aesthetics of the editor are in some cases decisive for that (final/fundamental) choice. Depending on the poetical ideas of an editor one or another authorized text is chosen for the final edition. In that way the editor’s choice determines the image of a literary work for a cultural community and does so for several years, if not for ever. In some cases we deal with a variety of text versions in a literary archive. Each of these texts is written from an aesthetic point of view and represents a stage in the development of an author. From that perspective it is not only relevant but also necessary to present all full text versions and for instance not only the variants in a specific apparatus. For my article I want to consider the collected poems by Hugo Claus (1929–2008). Four years after his death it becomes necessary to discuss the way in which scientific editors will present the collected works of the Flemish author. I want to suggest an edition with all complete versions of the poems. Claus was a legendary re-writer of his own (and even other’s) literary texts. For instance, when he presented a new collection of his poems in the sixties and the nineties, he worked on a different version. From this point of view, each version represents another or a slightly different poetical vision by the author. The digital medium can provide an environment to present all full text (versions). Also in a published edition I would like to consider a publication of all different versions. Perhaps we have to make a difference between a scholarly edition, intended for researchers who work on the complete works by Claus, and an edition for an interested public (of non-scholars). Although these readers also deserve a complete works by Claus, including all versions of texts Claus worked on during different periods in his writing career.Keywords: textual scholarship, textual variants, Flemish poetry, Hugo Claus.Article text in Dutc

Hugo Claus als meervoud. Pleidooi voor een wetenschappelijke documentaire varianteneditie van Claus’ verzamelde poëzie

The selection of a base text for textual edition is not only a matter of literary-historical data or a consideration based on the genetic process or the publishing history of a work of art. Also the poetics or aesthetics of the editor are in some cases decisive for that (final/fundamental) choice. Depending on the poetical ideas of an editor one or another authorized text is chosen for the final edition. In that way the editor’s choice determines the image of a literary work for a cultural community and does so for several years, if not for ever. In some cases we deal with a variety of text versions in a literary archive. Each of these texts is written from an aesthetic point of view and represents a stage in the development of an author. From that perspective it is not only relevant but also necessary to present all full text versions and for instance not only the variants in a specific apparatus. For my article I want to consider the collected poems by Hugo Claus (1929–2008). Four years after his death it becomes necessary to discuss the way in which scientific editors will present the collected works of the Flemish author. I want to suggest an edition with all complete versions of the poems. Claus was a legendary re-writer of his own (and even other’s) literary texts. For instance, when he presented a new collection of his poems in the sixties and the nineties, he worked on a different version. From this point of view, each version represents another or a slightly different poetical vision by the author. The digital medium can provide an environment to present all full text (versions). Also in a published edition I would like to consider a publication of all different versions. Perhaps we have to make a difference between a scholarly edition, intended for researchers who work on the complete works by Claus, and an edition for an interested public (of non-scholars). Although these readers also deserve a complete works by Claus, including all versions of texts Claus worked on during different periods in his writing career

‘Koloniseren is een smaak die je moet leren’ – Hugo Claus en Het leven en de werken van Leopold II (1970)

The première of Claus’ play Het leven en de werken van Leopold II (The Life and Works of Leopold II), in November 1970 (by the company Nederlandse Comedie), was directed by the author himself. After a second and again rather unsuccessful run (1972–1973, Arena, director: J. Tummers) it disappeared from the stage for nearly thirty years: there was no other production of Claus’ play in the Low Countries until the autumn of 2002 (KVS, director: R. Ruëll). Undoubtedly Het leven en de werken van Leopold II is one of the lesser-known plays by the Flemish author Hugo Claus (1929–2008). While writing it, at the end of the sixties, Claus was simultaneously working on two poetry collections. Van horen zeggen contains accessible poems, sometimes rather anecdotal, with many references to the contemporary political situation. These poems show a clear affinity with the neo-realistic poetry that was dominant in Dutch-language literature in the sixties. Also in 1970, on the same day as Van horen zeggen, Claus published Heer Everzwijn (Lord Wild Boar), manneristic poetry showing another poeta faber. Given Claus’ interest in the history of the Congo Free State (see also the novel De geruchten [The rumours]) and the way he caricatures King Leopold II and his government in Het leven en de werken, it is worth investigating the political and social perspectives articulated in both his drama and his poetry. What are the similarities between the poet and the playwright? How can we explain his interest in the way Leopold mistreated the people of the Congo? In this essay I present the ideological and social points of view adopted by Claus in a broad literary and political context, studying his play on Leopold’s atrocities in what would later (in 1908) become a Belgian colony, alongside the poetry he produced in the same period.&nbsp

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is not regulated by testosterone in transmen

Brain morphology significantly differs between the sexes. It has been shown before that some of these differences are attributable to the sex-specific hormonal milieu. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in myriads of neuroplastic processes and shows a sexual dimorphism. Transsexual persons may serve as a model to study sex steroid-mediated effects on brain plasticity. We have recently demonstrated that serum levels of BDNF are reduced in transwomen following 12 months of cross-sex hormone treatment. We now wanted to look at the effects of testosterone treatment on BDNF in transmen. In contrast to our initial hypothesis, BDNF levels did not significantly change, despite dramatic changes in the sex-hormonal milieu. Our data indicate that testosterone does not seem to play a major role in the regulation of BDNF in females

Endocrinology of transgender medicine

Gender affirming treatment for transgender people requires a multidisciplinary approach in which endocrinologists play a crucial role. The aim of this paper is to review recent data on hormonal treatment of this population and its effect on physical, psychological and mental health. The Endocrine Society guidelines for transgender women include estrogens in combination with androgen lowering medications. Feminizing treatment with estrogens and anti-androgens has desired physical changes, such as enhanced breast growth, reduction of facial and body hair growth and fat redistribution in a female pattern. Possible side effects should be discussed with patients, particularly those at risk of venous thromboembolism. The Endocrine Society guidelines for transgender men include testosterone therapy for virilization with deepening of the voice, cessation of menses plus increase of muscle mass, facial and body hair. Due to the lack of evidence, treatment for gender non-binary people should be individualized. Young people may receive pubertal suspension, consisting of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogs, later followed by sex steroids. Options for fertility preservation should be discussed before any hormonal intervention. Morbidity and cardiovascular risk with cross-sex hormones is unchanged among transgender men and unclear among transgender women. Sex steroid-related malignancies can occur, but are rare. Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety have been found to reduce considerably following hormonal treatment. Future studies should aim to explore the long-term outcome of hormonal treatment in transgender people and provide evidence as to effect of gender affirming treatment in the non-binary population

Epigenetics Is Implicated in the Basis of Gender Incongruence: An Epigenome-Wide Association Analysis

[Abstract] Introduction: The main objective was to carry out a global DNA methylation analysis in a population with gender incongruence before gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT), in comparison to a cisgender population. Methods: A global CpG (cytosine-phosphate-guanine) methylation analysis was performed on blood from 16 transgender people before GAHT vs. 16 cisgender people using the Illumina© Infinium Human Methylation 850k BeadChip, after bisulfite conversion. Changes in the DNA methylome in cisgender vs. transgender populations were analyzed with the Partek® Genomics Suite program by a 2-way ANOVA test comparing populations by group and their sex assigned at birth. Results: The principal components analysis (PCA) showed that both populations (cis and trans) differ in the degree of global CpG methylation prior to GAHT. The 2-way ANOVA test showed 71,515 CpGs that passed the criterion FDR p < 0.05. Subsequently, in male assigned at birth population we found 87 CpGs that passed both criteria (FDR p < 0.05; fold change ≥ ± 2) of which 22 were located in islands. The most significant CpGs were related to genes: WDR45B, SLC6A20, NHLH1, PLEKHA5, UBALD1, SLC37A1, ARL6IP1, GRASP, and NCOA6. Regarding the female assigned at birth populations, we found 2 CpGs that passed both criteria (FDR p < 0.05; fold change ≥ ± 2), but none were located in islands. One of these CpGs, related to the MPPED2 gene, is shared by both, trans men and trans women. The enrichment analysis showed that these genes are involved in functions such as negative regulation of gene expression (GO:0010629), central nervous system development (GO:0007417), brain development (GO:0007420), ribonucleotide binding (GO:0032553), and RNA binding (GO:0003723), among others. Strengths and Limitations: It is the first time that a global CpG methylation analysis has been carried out in a population with gender incongruence before GAHT. A prospective study before/during GAHT would provide a better understanding of the influence of epigenetics in this process. Conclusion: The main finding of this study is that the cis and trans populations have different global CpG methylation profiles prior to GAHT. Therefore, our results suggest that epigenetics may be involved in the etiology of gender incongruence.Xunta de Galicia; ED431 B 019/02 (EP) Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; PGC2018-094919-B-C21 (AG) e PGC2018-094919-B-C22 (RF and EP) Ghent University.; BOF interdisciplinary project (IOP003-18

Resensies

Book Review 1Book Title: Skollie: One man’s struggle to survive by telling storiesBook Author: John W. FredericksCape Town: Penguin Random House. 251 pp. ISBN: 978-1-77609-199-7.Book Review 2Book Title: A Gap in the HedgeBook Author: Johan Vlok LouwCape Town: Umuzi, 2017. 233 pp. ISBN: 978-1-4152-08915Book Review 3Book Title: Iziganeko zesizwe: Occasional Poems (1900–1943)Book Authors: S.E.K. Mqhayi. Eds. and trans. Jeff Opland and Peter T. MtuzePietermaritzburg: University of KwaZulu Natal Press, 2017. 469 pp. ISBN: 9781869143343; e-ISBN: 9781869143350.Book Review 4Book Title: Oorlog en terpentynBook Authors: Stefan Hertmans. Vertaal deur Daniel HugoPretoria: Protea Boekhuis, 2016. 335 pp. ISBN: 978-1-4853-0610-8; e-Boek: 978-1-4853-0722-8; Epub: 978-1-4853-0723-5.Book Review 5Book Title: Groen soos die hemel daarboBook Author: Eben VenterKaapstad: Tafelberg, 212 pp. ISBN: 978-0-624-08261-3.Book Review 6Book Title: Die wêreld van Charlie OengBook Author: Etienne van HeerdenKaapstad: Tafelberg, 2017. 559 pp. ISBN 978-0-624-08052-7.Book Review 7Book Title: Die diepblou seeBook Author: François LootsKaapstad: Umuzi, 2017. 239 pp. ISBN: 978-1-4152-0953-0.Book Review 8Book Title: Die derde spoelBook Author: S.J. NaudéKaapstad: Umuzi, 2017. 342 pp. ISBN: 978-1-4152-0747-5 (Druk). ISBN: 978-1-4152-0748-2 (ePub).Book Review 9Book Title: Nou, hierBook Author: Corné CoetzeeKaapstad: Human &amp; Rousseau, 2017. 107 pp. ISBN 978-0-7981-7620-0.Book Review 10Book Title: RadbraakBook Author: Jolyn PhillipsKaapstad: Human &amp; Rousseau, 2017. 68 pp. ISBN: 978-0-7981-7616-3.Book Review 11Book Title: VuurvasBook Author: Carel AntonissenNaledi, 2016. ISBN 978-0-928316-97-1.Book Review 12Book Title: Voor ek my kom kryBook Author: Pirow BekkerPretoria: Protea Boekhuis, 2017. 110 pp. ISBN: 978-1-4853-0648-1.Book Review 13Book Title: Nuwe stemme 6Book Authors: Bibi Slippers en Charl-Pierre Naudé (samenstellers)Kaapstad: Tafelberg, 2017. 176 pp. ISBN 9780624082644.Book Review 14Book Title: UittogboekBook Author: Johan MyburgPretoria: Protea, 2017. 100 pp. ISBN: 9781485307761.Book Review 15Book Title: Krap uit die seeBook Author: Fourie BothaPretoria: Protea Boekehuis, 2017. 64 pp. ISBN 9781485307570.Book Review 16Book Title: Skepelinge. Aanloop tot ‘n romanBook Author: Karel SchoemanKaapstad: Human &amp; Rousseau, 2017. 576 pp. ISBN: 978079817610.Book Review 17Book Title: Die reis gaan inwaarts: Die kuns van sterwe in kreatiewe werke van Karel SchoemanBook Author: Cas WepenerStellenbosch: Sun MeDIA MeTRO. Druknaam: SUN PRESS, 2017. 233 pp. ISBN: 978-1-928355-14-4 (Druk); ISBN: 979-1-928355-15-1 (e-boek)

Role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues in metastatic male breast cancer: Results from a pooled analysis

Background: Male breast cancer is a rare malignancy. Despite the lack of prospectively generated data from trials in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting, patients are commonly treated with hormone therapies. Much controversy exists over the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues in metastatic male breast cancer patients. We conducted this study to provide more concrete ground on the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues in this setting. Methods: We herein present results from a pooled analysis including 60 metastatic male breast cancer patients treated with either an aromatase inhibitor or cyproterone acetate as a monotherapy (23 patients) or combined with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (37 patients). Results: Overall response rate was 43.5 % in patients treated with monotherapy and 51.3 % with combination therapy (p = 0.6). Survival outcomes favored combination therapy in terms of median progression-free survival (11.6 months versus 6 months; p = 0.05), 1-year progression-free survival rate (43.2 % versus 21.7 %; p = 0.05), median overall survival (29.7 months versus 22 months; p = 0.05), and 2-year survival rate (64.9 % versus 43.5 %; p = 0.05). Conclusions: In metastatic male breast cancer patients, the combined use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues and aromatase inhibitors or antiandrogens seems to be associated with greater efficacy, particularly in terms of survival outcomes, compared with monotherapy. Collectively, these results encourage considering these agents in the metastatic setting