bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“There are ways … drug companies will get into DTC decisions”: How Australian drug and therapeutics committees address pharmaceutical industry influence
Authors: Parker Lisa , Bennett Alexandra , Mintzes Barbara , Grundy Quinn , Fabbri Alice , Karanges Emily A. , Bero Lisa 
Published: October 2020

AimsOne tool for protecting quality use of medicines in hospitals is a drug and therapeutics committee (DTC) that oversees medicines availability. Pharmaceutical industry marketing to prescribers is associated with less appropriate prescribing and increased costs. There is little data on decision‐making practices of DTCs so it is unknown whether or how they might be vulnerable to pharmaceutical industry influence. This project explores DTC decision‐making with a focus on how pharmaceutical industry influence on access and use of medicines is identified and managed.MethodsWe used a qualitative methodology with individual interviews of 29 participants who were current or recent members of public hospital DTCs across New South Wales, Australia. Participants included medical, pharmacy and nursing staff and 1 citizen. Committees were linked to specific hospitals or regions, and some were affiliated with paediatric, neonatal, rural or mental health services.ResultsDrug committee processes for oversight of medicines in public hospitals are vulnerable to pharmaceutical industry influence at several points. Applications for formulary additions are sometimes initiated and completed by company representatives. Conflict of interest disclosures among applicants and committee members may be incomplete. In some institutions, medicines are available from pharmaceutical companies without committee review, including through free samples and industry‐supported medicines access programmes. Participants noticed the presence and impact of pharmaceutical company marketing activities to local clinicians, resulting in increased prescriber demand for products.ConclusionImproved DTC practices and review of hospital policies concerning pharmaceutical marketing activities might preserve the independence of evidence‐based decision‐making for safe, cost‐effective prescribing.
Socially responsible consumption in Russia: Testing the theory of planned behavior and the moderating role of trust
Authors: Petrovskaya Irina , Haleem Fazli 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper adopts a multilevel approach to explore how socially responsible consumer behavior (SRCB) is shaped by a combination of micro‐level psychological drivers and specifics of the institutional context in which the behavior is performed. The model first applies the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to test the effects of TPB‐based behavioral predictors on the SRCB. Broad‐scope trust in business (BST) is then applied to the model as a variable that characterizes quality of an informal institutional environment, hypothesizing that BST moderates the relationship between TPB‐based behavioral antecedents and SRCB. The paper is based on a survey of 466 Russian consumers. Data were collected by self‐administered questionnaires completed by students and alumni of a large public university in Moscow. Results show that BST moderates the effects of TPB‐based predictors on SRCB. This implies that consumers who believe that the business is overall trustworthy are more likely to take company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) into account when making purchasing decisions. This study contributes to the multilevel research on SRCB and CSR and adds to the literature on public trust in business as a nascent area of study. Its findings are especially relevant for companies operating in low‐trust environments, including postsocialist economies.
Identifying individual predictive factors for treatment efficacy
Authors: Alonso Ariel , Van der Elst Wim , Sanchez Lizet , Luaces Patricia , Molenberghs Geert 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGiven the heterogeneous responses to therapy and the high cost of treatments, there is an increasing interest in identifying pretreatment predictors of therapeutic effect. Clearly, the success of such an endeavor will depend on the amount of information that the patient‐specific variables convey about the individual causal treatment effect on the response of interest. In the present work, using causal inference and information theory, a strategy is proposed to evaluate individual predictive factors for cancer immunotherapy efficacy. In a first step, the methodology proposes a causal inference model to describe the joint distribution of the pretreatment predictors and the individual causal treatment effect. Further, in a second step, the so‐called predictive causal information (PCI), a metric that quantifies the amount of information the pretreatment predictors convey on the individual causal treatment effects, is introduced and its properties are studied. The methodology is applied to identify predictors of therapeutic success for a therapeutic vaccine in advanced lung cancer. A user‐friendly R library EffectTreat is provided to carry out the necessary calculations.
Surprisingly long survival of premature conclusions about naked mole‐rat biology
Authors: Braude Stan , Holtze Susanne , Begall Sabine , Brenmoehl Julia , Burda Hynek , Dammann Philip , del Marmol Delphine , Gorshkova Ekaterina , Henning Yoshiyuki , Hoeflich Andreas , Höhn Annika , Jung Tobias , Hamo Dania , Sahm Arne , Shebzukhov Yury , Šumbera Radim , Miwa Satomi , Vyssokikh Mikhail Y. , von Zglinicki Thomas , Averina Olga , Hildebrandt Thomas B. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTNaked mole‐rats express many unusual traits for such a small rodent. Their morphology, social behaviour, physiology, and ageing have been well studied over the past half‐century. Many early findings and speculations about this subterranean species persist in the literature, although some have been repeatedly questioned or refuted. While the popularity of this species as a natural‐history curiosity, and oversimplified story‐telling in science journalism, might have fuelled the perpetuation of such misconceptions, an accurate understanding of their biology is especially important for this new biomedical model organism. We review 28 of these persistent myths about naked mole‐rat sensory abilities, ecophysiology, social behaviour, development and ageing, and where possible we explain how these misunderstandings came about.
The role of interleukin-18 in the diagnosis and monitoring of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome – a systematic review
Authors: Krei J M , Møller H J , Larsen J B 
Published: October 2020

Summary
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening, hyperinflammatory disorder, characterized by multiorgan failure, fever and cytopenias. The diagnosis of HLH and its subtype Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) remains a challenge. Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is emerging as a potential biomarker for HLH/MAS but is currently not a part of diagnostic criteria. This systematic review aimed to assess the potential role of IL-18 in the diagnosis and monitoring of HLH and MAS, and was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed and Embase were searched on 30 January 2020. Studies included all subtypes of HLH and a range of underlying disorders in both children and adults. A total of 14 studies were included. Generally, serum IL-18 was elevated in both primary and secondary HLH (&gt; 1000 pg/ml) compared with other inflammatory conditions and with healthy individuals; thus, serum IL-18 may be able to discriminate between HLH and other inflammatory conditions. Significantly increased IL-18 (&gt; 10 000 pg/ml) was also consistently described in MAS compared with other subtypes of HLH. The ability of IL-18 to distinguish MAS from systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is less unambiguous, as IL-18 levels &gt; 100 000 pg/ml were described in sJIA patients both with and without MAS. IL-18 may help to differentiate between HLH subtypes and other inflammatory conditions. As HLH and MAS are rare disorders, only few and relatively small studies exist on the subject. Larger, prospective multi-center studies are called for to assess the diagnostic precision of IL-18 for HLH and MAS.
The severity of obstructive sleep apnoea does not influence ambient IGF‐I levels
Authors: Lynch Julie , Kyriakakis Nikolaos , Seejore Khyatisha , Nix Mitchell , Watts Sue , Ghosh Dipansu , Murray Robert D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is reported to have effects on a number of hormone systems including the hypothalamo‐pituitary axis. We aimed to determine the impact of OSA severity on insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) levels.Design and MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study performed between November 2014 and May 2017. IGF‐I was measured on serum samples, and data were collected on demographics, BMI and parameters of OSA.Results611 participants were recruited (202 female, 53.5 ± 12.5 years; mean BMI 36.2 ± 8.0 kg/m2). 26.2% had mild OSA; 27.3%, moderate OSA; and 44.5%, severe OSA. 15.2% of IGF‐I values were below the age‐related reference range. Increasing BMI correlated with greater AHI (r = .28, p < .001), ODI (r = .30, p < .001), severity of OSA (r = .17, p < .001), duration with oxygen saturation (SaO2) <90% (r = .29, p = .001) and reduced median SaO2 levels (r = .19, p < .001). IGF‐I levels correlated negatively with age (r = −.13, p = .001), BMI (r = −.16, p < .001), diabetes (r = −.108, p = .009), AHI (r = ‐0.10, p = .043) and severity of OSA (r = −.10, p = .013). No association of IGF‐I was observed with ODI, median SaO2 levels or duration of SaO2 < 90%. Regression analyses were used to examine determinants of IGF‐I, all of which contained the independent variables of age, gender and BMI. All models showed IGF‐I to be predicted by age and BMI (p < .05); however, none of the parameters of OSA were significant within these models.ConclusionInsulin‐like growth factor‐I levels in OSA are dependent on age and BMI; however, no additional effect of any OSA parameter was observed, supporting the hypothesis that OSA effects on IGF‐I are indirect through concomitant body composition and metabolic parameters.
Ultrasonography‐guided radiofrequency ablation vs. surgery for the treatment of solitary T1bN0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma: A comparative study
Authors: Xiao Jing , Zhang Yan , Zhang Mingbo , Lan Yu , Yan Lin , Luo Yukun , Tang Jie 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveUltrasonography‐guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been used to treat low‐risk small papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and yielded promising results. However, little research has been conducted on the application of RFA for the management of T1bN0M0 PTC. Therefore, this study was to compare the midterm outcome of RFA with that of surgery for the treatment of clinical solitary T1bN0M0 PTC.DesignThis is a retrospective study.PatientsIn total, 182 patients with solitary T1bN0M0 PTC between April 2014 and May 2019 were treated with RFA or surgery (n = 91/group).MeasurementsThe primary end points were local tumour progression and complication rates. Local tumour progression were defined as: (a) new or persistent PTC confirmed by core needle biopsy; (b) cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) confirmed by core needle biopsy or surgery; (c) ablation zone increased in the RFA group.ResultsIn the RFA group, local tumour progression was seen in four patients (4.4%, three persistent PTC and one LNM). In the surgery group, two patients (2.2%) developed LNM; no new or persistent PTC was confirmed. There was no significant difference between the two groups in local tumour progression. Permanent hypoparathyroidism was observed in four patients (4.4%) in the surgery group, while no major or minor complications were observed in the RFA group.ConclusionsUltrasonography‐guided RFA is feasible and safe for treating solitary T1bN0M0 PTC, so it may be considered an alternative to surgery in select patients, especially those who are ineligible for or refusal of surgery.
Prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes is associated with anxiety and physical inactivity in children during COVID‐19
Authors: Alves Jasmin M. , Yunker Alexandra G. , DeFendis Alexis , Xiang Anny H. , Page Kathleen A. 
Published: October 2020

SummaryBackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is associated with adverse child mental health outcomes and reduced physical activity. Moreover, prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with increased risk for adverse psychological outcomes in children.ObjectivesAssess prenatal exposure to GDM on anxiety levels and physical activity in children during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsSixty‐five children age 9 to 15 reported their physical activity and anxiety levels using the 24‐hours physical activity recall and the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children via phone or video meetings. Prenatal exposure to GDM was obtained from maternal electronic medical records.ResultsThe 38 GDM‐exposed children reported significantly higher anxiety levels and were less likely to engage in any vigorous physical activity (VPA) (5% vs 30%) compared to the 27 GDM‐unexposed children. Lower levels of physical activity were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety. Less engagement in VPA explained 75% of the association between GDM exposure and anxiety levels.ConclusionsEngaging in physical activity during the COVID‐19 pandemic may be beneficial for reducing anxiety, particularly amongst GDM‐exposed children.
Micro‐ and macrovascular cardiac allograft vasculopathy in relation to 91 cardiovascular biomarkers in heart transplant recipients—An exploratory study
Authors: Bjerre Kamilla Pernille , Clemmensen Tor Skibsted , Poulsen Steen Hvitfeldt , Hvas Anne‐Mette , Holm Niels Ramsing , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Bouchelouche Kirsten , Kristensen Steen Dalby , Eiskjær Hans 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundCardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) limits survival after heart transplantation (HTx), and the pathogenesis is not fully clarified. We aimed to investigate a wide range of biomarkers and their correlation with micro‐ and macrovascular CAV and major adverse cardiac events in HTx patients.MethodsWe evaluated 91 cardiovascular disease‐related proteins in 48 HTx patients using a novel proteomic panel. Patients were dichotomized according to micro‐ and macrovascular CAV burden determined by coronary angiography, optical coherence tomography, and 15O‐H2O positron emission tomography imaging. Major adverse cardiac events included significant CAV progression, heart failure, treated rejection, and cardiovascular death.ResultsWe found consistent differences in two proteins involved in cholesterol homeostasis: significantly increased proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) (p < .05) and significantly decreased paraoxonase 3 (PON3) (p < .05). N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) was significantly increased in patients with microvascular CAV (p < .05) and borderline significantly increased in patients experiencing major adverse cardiac events (p = .10) and patients with macrovascular CAV (p = .05).ConclusionsWe identified consistent changes in two proteins involved in cholesterol homeostasis which may be important players in the pathogenesis of CAV: PON3 and PCSK9. NT‐proBNP also showed consistent changes across all groups but only reached statistical significance in patients with microvascular CAV. Our results warrant further validation in future studies.
Incidence and risk factors of primary non‐function after liver transplantation using grafts from uncontrolled donors after circulatory death
Authors: Justo Iago , Nutu Anisa , García‐Conde María , Marcacuzco Alberto , Manrique Alejandro , Calvo Jorge , García‐Sesma Álvaro , Caso Óscar , Martín‐Arriscado Carmen , Andrés Amado , Paz Estela , Jiménez‐Romero Carlos 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundGraft primary non‐function (PNF) is the most severe complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and is frequently associated with livers from uncontrolled circulatory death (uDCD).MethodsWe reviewed retrospectively the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of patients showing PNF after receiving uDCD liver grafts. The series comprises 75 OLT performed during 11 years.ResultsThe incidence of PNF using uDCD livers was 8%. We compared patients who developed PNF (n = 6) vs. patients without PNF (n = 69). Mean pump flow of donors during normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) was significantly lower in PNF (p = .032). Day 1 post‐OLT levels of transaminases and the incidence of renal complications and postoperative mortality were also significantly higher in the PNF group, but 5‐year patient survival was similar in both groups (66.7% in PNF and 68.5% in non‐PNF). All PNF patients underwent re‐OLT, and 2 died. PNF incidence has decreased in the last 5‐years. Binary logistic regression analysis confirmed final ALT value >4 times the normal value as risk factor for PNF, and median donor pump flow >3700 ml/min as protective effect.ConclusionsAdequate donor pump flow during NRP was a protective.
Toker cell hyperplasia in Zuska disease: A tricky association
Authors: Torre‐Castro Juan , Haya‐Martínez Lara , Ruffin‐Vicente Belen , Moya‐Martínez Cristina , Núñez‐Hipólito Lucía , Díaz de la Pinta Javier , Cullen‐Aravena Daniella , Jo‐Velasco Margarita , Requena Luis 
Published: October 2020

AbstractToker cells (TCs) are sometimes present in the nipple epidermis as oval cells with pale cytoplasm and roundish nuclei. In most cases, TCs may be easily distinguished from cancerous cells of Paget disease of the nipple (PCs). Especially in TC hyperplasia, in which mild‐to‐moderate atypia may be present, it may be challenging to distinguish between TCs and PCs. The combination of chronic inflammatory changes in the nipple, in the context of Zuska disease, and TC hyperplasia, may easily lead to an erroneous diagnosis of mammary Paget disease.
MYC gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization and MYC protein expression by immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of cutaneous angiosarcoma: Systematic review and appropriate use criteria
Authors: Motaparthi Kiran , Lauer Scott R. , Patel Rajiv M. , Vidal Claudia I. , Linos Konstantinos 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundSecondary angiosarcoma (AS) most commonly follows breast cancer and includes postirradiation AS (PRAS) and lymphedema‐associated AS. The frequent amplification of MYC (8q24.21) in secondary AS and the rising incidence of PRAS and atypical vascular lesions (AVLs) have prompted interest in the diagnostic and prognostic utility of MYC in AS.MethodsRetrospective series with ≥2 cases of cutaneous AS and describing the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for MYC amplification or immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MYC overexpression were included.ResultsSixteen studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, 93% of cases evaluated by FISH and IHC were concordant. The sensitivity of FISH in primary AS was only 6.8%, and protein overexpression occurred without amplification in sun‐damaged skin. FISH and IHC were over 78% sensitive in secondary AS but negative in over 98% of AVLs. MYC amplification and FLT4 coamplification were associated with shorter overall survival in secondary AS.ConclusionFISH for MYC amplification and IHC for MYC overexpression are useful in distinguishing PRAS from AVLs and may also have prognostic value in secondary AS. In contrast, these methods have little diagnostic or prognostic value in primary AS and should not be used to distinguish primary AS from benign vascular neoplasms.
Endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk in lupus nephritis: New roles for old players?
Authors: Mancardi Daniele , Arrigo Elisa , Cozzi Martina , Cecchi Irene , Radin Massimo , Fenoglio Roberta , Roccatello Dario , Sciascia Savino 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, most of the clinical manifestation share a vascular component triggered by endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial cells (ECs) activation occurs both on the arterial and venous side, and the high vascular density of kidneys accounts for the detrimental outcomes of SLE through lupus nephritis (LN). Kidney damage, in turn, exerts a negative feedback on the cardiovascular (CV) system aggravating risk factors for CV diseases such as hypertension, stroke and coronary syndrome among others. Despite the intensive investigation on SLE and LN, the role of endothelial dysfunction, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remains to be fully understood, with no specifically targeted pharmacological treatment. It is not known, in fact, if the activation pathway(s) in venous ECs are similar to the one in arterial ECs and doubts persist on the shared manifestation of microcirculation compared to macrocirculation. In this work, we aim to review the recent literature about the role of endothelial activation and dysfunction in the development of CV complications in SLE and LN patients. We, therefore, focus on arteriovenous similarities and differences and on specific pathways of great vessels compared to capillaries. Critically summarising the available data is of pivotal importance for both basic researchers and clinicians in order to develop and test new pharmacological approaches in the treatment of basic components of SLE and LN.
Growing up in a civil war and political participation: Evidence from Guatemala*
Authors: Fuentes Cordoba Gabriel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGuatemala experienced a 36‐year‐long civil war from 1960 to 1996. I use this event to understand whether growing up in an area of political violence has any impact on future political participation. I combine data from the distribution of the number of human rights violations during Guatemala's civil war with nationally representative data on political participation from the 2001 Living Standard Measurement Survey. Results suggest that exposure to conflict during youth affects political participation in adulthood. Exposure to conflict has a small negative association with formal political engagement and it has no effect on community participation. The results also indicate a negative relationship between growing up in an area of political violence and trust in the judicial system as adults.
Public and private higher education institutions in Serbia: Legal regulations, current status and opinion survey
Authors: Franceško Mirjana , Nedeljković Jasmina , Živković Milan , Đurđić Sanja 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis article provides insight into the state of higher education in Serbia, particularly in the context of reform processes based on European Higher Education Area principles. A multidimensional approach was taken, encompassing (a) a review and analysis of legal regulations relevant to the historical context of Serbia, (b) an examination of current working conditions at accredited state and private higher education institutions, (c) and a pilot survey of attitudes among the main participants in higher education teaching. The research gauged attitudes of university professors and students with work or study experiences, respectively, at both state and private higher education institutions. Specific instruments for measuring attitudes were constructed for this study. Professors' attitudes toward state and private higher education were compared through the assessment of aspects of organisational culture including work organisation, stimulating atmosphere, innovation, and creativity. Students expressed their attitudes toward state and private higher education in terms of general atmosphere, curricula, grading criteria, and student status. The results indicate that private higher education was appreciated slightly more than state higher education; both professors and students held more positive attitudes of private higher education for all dimensions investigated.