bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing rates and characteristics of ambulance attendances related to extramedical use of pharmaceutical opioids in Victoria, Australia from 2013 to 2018
Authors: Nielsen Suzanne , Crossin Rose , Middleton Melissa , Lam Tina , Wilson James , Scott Debbie , Martin Catherine , Smith Karen , Lubman Dan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and aimsDespite increases in opioid prescribing and related morbidity and mortality, few studies have comprehensively documented harms across opioid types. We examined a population‐wide indicator of extramedical pharmaceutical opioid‐related harm to determine if the supply‐adjusted rates of ambulance presentations, the severity of presentations or other attendance characteristics differed by opioid type.DesignRetrospective observational study of coded ambulance patient care records related to extramedical pharmaceutical opioid use, January 2013 to September 2018.SettingAustraliaCasesPrimary analyses used Victorian data (n = 9823), with available data from other Australian jurisdictions (n = 4338) used to determine generalizability.MeasurementsWe calculated supply‐adjusted rates of attendances using Poisson regression, and used multinomial logistic regression to compare demographic, presentation severity, mental health, substance use and other characteristics of attendances associated with seven pharmaceutical opioids.FindingsIn Victoria, the highest rates of attendance [per 100 000 oral morphine equivalent mg (OME)] were for codeine (0.273/100 000) and oxycodone (0.113/100 000). The lowest rates were for fentanyl (0.019/100 000) and tapentadol (0.005/100 000). Oxycodone–naloxone rates (0.031/100 000) were lower than for oxycodone as a single ingredient (0.113/100 000). Fentanyl‐related attendances were associated with the most severe characteristics, most likely to be an accidental overdose, most likely to have naloxone administered and least likely to be transferred to hospital. In contrast, codeine‐related attendances were more likely to involve suicidal thoughts/behaviours, younger females and be transported to hospital. Supply‐adjusted attendance rates for individual opioids were stable over time. Victorian states were broadly consistent with non‐Victorian states.ConclusionsIn Australia, rates and characteristics of opioid‐related harm vary by opioid type. Supply‐adjusted ambulance attendance rates appear to be both stable over time and unaffected by large changes in supply.
Moral hazard and subsidized crop insurance
Authors: Wu Shenan , Goodwin Barry K. , Coble Keith 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAlong with adverse selection, moral hazard is one of the major hurdles that private and public insurance plans must contend with. Moral hazard occurs if risks are endogenous to a producer's behavior and if the insurer is unable to properly monitor the insured. We review the role of moral hazard in the US crop insurance program. We conduct an empirical analysis of one important aspect of the US crop insurance program—prevented planting. This provision provides indemnity payments if conditions are not suitable for planting. The program has been the subject of considerable controversy, especially during 2019, when the rate of claims is expected to be especially high. Because loss adjustors may encounter difficulties in assessing the weather conditions associated with prevented planting claims, the program is susceptible to moral hazard. We consider the extent to which prevented planting claims may be endogenous to prices. We find significant evidence of moral hazard. The likelihood of prevented planting claims increases as the expected market price decreases or as fertilizer costs increase for corn and soybeans in the Prairie Pothole Region and for grain sorghum and cotton in all states.
The Corporate Production of Nationalism
Authors: Koch Natalie 
Published: November 2019

AbstractStates, government officials, cultural elites, and ordinary citizens are typically the leading characters in academic treatises on nationalism—cast as the primary producers and consumers of nationalist ideology. Yet this conventional focus obscures the manycorporateaspects of nationalism. Drawing from the literature on “commercial nationalism”, this article examines the corporate production of nationalism surrounding National Day holiday celebrations in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Pairing participant observation and textual analysis of advertising landscapes, I illustrate how domestic and foreign corporations are key actors in (re)producing nationalist discourse—and state power—in the Gulf states. By situating this comparative case study in the broader literature on commercial nationalism, I argue that Qatar and the UAE are in fact typical of how corporate actors around the world routinely reinforce scripts that essentialise the “nation” by drawing upon and, in effect,producingnationalism—and their own commercial interests.
Three‐year outcomes of macular buckling for macular holes and foveoschisis in highly myopic eyes
Authors: Zhao Xiujuan , Ma Wei , Lian Ping , Tanumiharjo Silvia , Lin Ying , Ding Xiaoyan , Stewart Jay M. , Liu Bingqian , Lu Lin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundTo assess the functional and structural outcomes of macular buckling using a silicone sponge‐titanium exoplant for the treatment of foveoschisis (FS) and full‐thickness macular holes (FTMHs) in highly myopic eyes.MethodsForty‐nine consecutive patients with high myopia who underwent macular buckling for the treatment of FS and FTMHs were included. The outcomes measured included the anatomical success rate with FS resolution, retinal reattachment, MH closure, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL) and complications of surgery. Moreover, the correlations between the BCVA at year three and series of factors, including age, duration of symptoms, baseline BCVA, AL, surgical type, preoperative macular status and severity of myopic maculopathy, were analysed.ResultsThis study involved 28 patients (28 eyes) with FS and 21 patients (21 eyes) with FTMHs with macular detachment. Retinal reattachment was achieved in 100% of cases, while MH closure was achieved in 76.19% of cases. The BCVA significantly improved one year after macular buckling in the FS cases and two years after macular buckling in the FTMH cases, and it remained stable throughout the rest of the follow‐up period. The mean AL decreased by 2.09 mm postoperatively. No major perioperative complications were observed, although one patient needed to explant the buckling device due to intolerable diplopia.ConclusionMacular buckling with a silicone sponge‐titanium exoplant may represent a safe and effective surgical option for the treatment of FS and FTMH in highly myopic eyes. Macular buckling showed a high closure rate and virtually no tendency to recur.
Serum pro‐inflammatory factors as predictors of persistent diabetic macular oedema with limited anatomic response to anti‐VEGF: association with intravitreal injection treatment profiles in real‐world setting
Authors: Brito Pedro , Costa Jorge , Gomes Nuno , Costa Sandra , Correia‐Pinto Jorge , Silva Rufino 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPurposeTo study the role of serum levels of pro‐inflammatory factors in the identification of persistent diabetic macular oedema (DME) cases with limited anatomic response to anti‐VEGF. Additionally, possible predictive associations between serum factors and intravitreal treatment profiles were analysed.MethodsCases with DME were treated with monthly bevacizumab (BVZ). After the sixth month of follow‐up, if the change in central foveal thickness (CFT) was <20% of baseline, combination treatment with triamcinolone was initiated. All cases underwent a baseline laboratory workup including inflammatory, metabolic and prothrombotic factors. The following outcome parameters were evaluated: percentage of CFT change from baseline, occurrence of persistent DME with <20% change in CFT, achieving CFT <330 μm with ≤6 BVZ injections, total number of intravitreal injections (IVI), number of IVI after the 6th month and number of triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) injections.ResultsA total of 58 cases were included receiving a mean of 7.23 ± 1.55 IVI in 12 months, resulting in a significant improvement of visual acuity (VA) and CFT. No significant differences were found for baseline CFT, baseline LogMAR VA, diabetic retinopathy grade, age or duration of DM2 between cases initiating TCA and those treated only with anti‐VEGF. Significant correlations were found between total number of IVI and the following serum factors: high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) (p = 0.004, r = 0.395), creatinine (p = 0.023, r = 0.338) and homocysteine (p = 0.037, r = 0.309). Regression analysis revealed that hsCRP was a significant predictor of TCA treatment (p = 0.028, r2 = 0.350). Cases requiring ≤6 IVI had significantly lower values of hsCRP (1.33 ± 1.07 versus 2.46 ± 2.18 mg/l, p = 0.016) and creatinine (0.71 ± 0.28 versus 0.94 ± 0.19 mg/dl, p = 0.003).ConclusionsSerum markers of microvascular damage (hsCRP, homocysteine and creatinine) were associated with a higher frequency of IVI due to persistent DME, suggesting a role for such biomarkers in the identification of limited responders to anti‐VEGF monotherapy.
Prevalence of positive reactions in intradermal and IgE serological allergy tests in dogs from South Australia, and the subsequent outcome of allergen‐specific immunotherapy
Authors: Han C , Chan WY , Hill PB 
Published: November 2019

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of positive allergen reactions in intradermal and IgE serological tests in dogs presenting to a dermatology referral centre in South Australia and the clinical efficacy of subsequent allergen‐specific immunotherapy.DesignRetrospective study.MethodsResults from 108 intradermal allergy tests, 25 IgE serological assays and immunotherapy outcomes in 37 dogs were retrospectively analysed. Immunotherapy outcomes were determined as excellent, good, modest or failure using a global assessment of efficacy matrix which incorporated pruritus scores, lesion severity, medication requirements, and owner and clinician opinion.ResultsThe most common positive reactions in intradermal allergy tests were Red clover (59%), Dermatophagoides farinae (29%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (28%), Yellow dock (25%) and Malassezia pachydermatis (24%). In the IgE serological tests, Yorkshire fog grass (40%), Yellow dock (36%), Kentucky bluegrass (36%) and T. putrescentiae (36%) were the most commonly reported positive results. The outcome of allergen‐specific immunotherapy was judged to be excellent in 20% of dogs, good in 15%, modest in 18% and a failure in 47%.ConclusionAs has been reported in other geographical areas, environmental mites and plant pollens frequently gave positive reactions in allergy tests in South Australia. However, the prevalence of individual allergen reactions differed between intradermal and IgE serological tests, with M. pachydermatis being identified as a common cause of hypersensitivity in intradermal tests but not in IgE serological assays. Immunotherapy was judged to be a beneficial treatment in 35% of dogs but was essentially unsuccessful in 65%.
Severe poisoning with naproxen causing coagulopathy
Authors: Lelièvre Bénédicte , Drouillard Isabelle , Thill Chloé , Le Roux Gaël , Bruneau Chloé , Mahé Julien , Deguigne Marie , Boels David 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNon‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are well known for their most frequent side effects (digestive, renal and metabolic disorders) but are lesser known for other effects, such as coagulation disturbances. In this issue, we report the case of a 58‐year‐old woman who ingested 26 g of naproxen in a suicidal attempt and developed cardiovascular shock, hypocoagulability and thrombopenia. Her outcome was positive (extubation 3 days after admission [D3], correction of haemostatic disruptions on D5 and of thrombopenia on D6). Naproxen plasma concentration was at a toxic concentration of 1320 mg/L at 6 hours after drug ingestion. Only few cases of hypocoagulopathy are reported with the NSAIDs, and this is the first case that can be attributed to naproxen. A possible explanation of this phenomenon following naproxen ingestion is an inhibition of thromboxane A2, usually attributed to NSAIDs, combined with an inhibition of activation of downstream the cascade.
A prospective study of fatigue trajectories among in‐centre haemodialysis patients
Authors: Picariello Federica , Norton Sam , Moss‐Morris Rona , Macdougall Iain C , Chilcot Joseph 
Published: November 2019

ObjectivesFatigue is common and debilitating among dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to understand the longitudinal trajectory of fatigue and consider sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors that are related to variation in fatigue levels over time.DesignA prospective study of fatigue with yearly assessments over 3 years among prevalent in‐centre haemodialysis (HD) patients.MethodsFatigue severity was measured using the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire and fatigue‐related functional impairment using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale. The trajectories of fatigue outcomes were examined using piecewise growth models, using length of time on dialysis as time. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological predictors of fatigue were assessed using linear growth models, using follow‐up time.ResultsOne hundred and seventy‐four prevalent HD patients completed baseline measures, 118 at 12 months, 84 at 24 months, and 66 at 36 months. Fatigue severity scores decreased by 0.15 each year. Fatigue‐related functional impairment increased by 1.17 each year. In adjusted linear growth models, non‐white ethnicity was a significant predictor of lower initial fatigue severity (B = −2.95, 95% CI −5.51 to −0.40) and a greater reduction in fatigue severity of 1.60 each year (95% CI 0.35–2.36). A one‐point increase in damage beliefs was associated with a 0.36 increase in fatigue‐related functional impairment each year (95% CI −0.61 to −0.01).ConclusionDamage beliefs predicted an increase in fatigue‐related functional impairment over time. However, the data strongly suggested that fatigue outcomes vary by length of time on dialysis.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?At least 1 in 2 haemodialysis (HD) patients are clinically fatigued.Growing evidence is available on the important role of psychological factors in fatigue across chronic conditions.The contribution of psychological factors, beyond distress, to fatigue in HD has not been examined to date.What does this study add?Ethnicity played a role in the initial level of fatigue severity and over time.Damage beliefs predicted an increase in fatigue‐related impairment over time.Data strongly suggested that fatigue outcomes vary by length of time on dialysis.
The potential for malignancy from atopic disorders and allergic inflammation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Muir Amanda B. , Whelan Kelly A. , Dougherty Michael K. , Aaron Bailey , Navarre Brianna , Aceves Seema S. , Dellon Evan S. , Jensen Elizabeth T. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveWhile chronic inflammation is a well‐established risk factor for malignancy, studies evaluating the relationship between allergic inflammation and cancer have revealed conflicting results. Here, we aimed to assess the association between allergic inflammation in the lung (asthma), skin (eczema) or oesophagus (eosinophilic oesophagitis; EoE) and cancer at the organ site.DesignWe conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify observational studies (case‐control, cohort and cross‐sectional) evaluating the association between asthma and lung cancer, eczema and skin cancer, or EoE and oesophageal cancer. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed to define pooled estimates of effects.Data sourcesPubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science.Eligibility criteria for selectionIncluded studies evaluated the incidence of cancer.ResultsThirty‐two studies met the inclusion criteria, 27 in the lung, four in the skin and one in the oesophagus. Meta‐analysis of the three studies with prospective data collection of asthma diagnosis revealed a positive association with incident lung cancer (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09‐1.44); however, this result was not consistently supported by the larger dataset of retrospective studies (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.90‐1.83). Overall, studies in the lung displayed significant heterogeneity (I2 98%, P < .0001), but no significant effect modification on the association between asthma and lung cancer was identified for the variables of sex, smoking or study design. Meta‐analysis could not be applied to the four papers reviewed in the skin, but three suggested an association between eczema and non‐melanoma skin cancer, while the remaining study failed to identify an association between melanoma and eczema. A single study meeting inclusion criteria showed no association between EoE and oesophageal malignancy.ConclusionsThe current data cannot exclude the possibility of an association between atopy and malignancy the lung, skin and oesophagus. The relationship between allergy and cancer should be explored further in prospective studies that any association identified between these conditions has the potential for significant public health implications.
Amniotic fluid levels of selected trace elements and heavy metals in pregnancies complicated with neural tube defects
Authors: Ovayolu Ali , Ovayolu Gamze , Karaman Erbil , Yuce Tuncay , Ozek Murat A. , Turksoy Vugar A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe aims of this study were to determine the levels of trace elements and heavy metals, namely aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb), in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, and to investigate their relationship with neural tube defects (NTDs). The study included 36 pregnant women whose fetuses were complicated with NTDs (study group) and 39 pregnant women with unaffected healthy fetuses (control group), who were matched for body mass index and gestational weeks. The amniotic fluid levels of trace elements and heavy metals were measured using inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry and compared between the two groups. Significantly lower mean levels of Zn and Mo and significantly higher levels of Al, Sn, Sb, and Hg in the study group than in the healthy control group were observed, which implied that these elements are possibly correlated with risk factors for the occurrence of NTDs. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the levels of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb between the groups (P ≥ .05).
Proportional data modeling via selection and estimation of a finite mixture of scaled Dirichlet distributions
Authors: Zamzami Nuha , Alsuroji Rua , Eromonsele Oboh , Bouguila Nizar 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis paper proposes an unsupervised algorithm for learning a finite mixture of scaled Dirichlet distributions. Parameters estimation is based on the maximum likelihood approach, and the minimum message length (MML) criterion is proposed for selecting the optimal number of components. This research work is motivated by the flexibility issues of the Dirichlet distribution, the widely used model for multivariate proportional data, which has prompted a number of scholars to search for generalizations of the Dirichlet. By introducing the extra parameters of the scaled Dirichlet, several useful statistical models could be obtained. Experimental results are presented using both synthetic and real datasets. Moreover, challenging real‐world applications are empirically investigated to evaluate the efficiency of our proposed statistical framework.
Assessment of the impact of isolated coronary artery ectasia on left ventricular functions with 3D speckle‐tracking echocardiography
Authors: Dogdus Mustafa , Kucukosmanoglu Mehmet , Kilic Salih 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundCoronary artery ectasia (CAE) is an angiographic definition of coronary artery pathology in which the diameter of the ectatic segment measures more than 1.5 times the diameter of an adjacent healthy reference segment. No previous study has reported on the use of 3D‐STE for assessing the left ventricular (LV) functions in patients with isolated CAE. As a result of this, we aimed to evaluate the effects of isolated CAE on LV functions using 3D‐STE in the present study.MethodsNinety‐one patients with isolated CAE and 90 controls who proved to have normal coronary angiograms were enrolled to the study. 3D‐STE was performed and GLS, GCS, GAS, and GRS were obtained for every subject after coronary angiography.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 61.75 ± 10.02 years, and 71.8% were male. GLS, GCS, GAS, and GRS were significantly depressed in the isolated CAE group than in the control group (P < .001; P < .001; P = .001; and P = .001, respectively). ROC analyses were performed to find out the ideal strain cut off values to predict the presence of isolated CAE. A GLS value of >‐16 has 92.1 % sensitivity, 88.5 % specificity; and a GCS value of >‐20 has 86.7 % sensitivity, 89.2 % specificity to detect the presence of isolated CAE.ConclusionIsolated CAE has a considerable negative effect on LV functions as evaluated by 3D‐strain parameters, and 3D‐STE could be an effective method to detect early stage myocardial impairment in patients with isolated CAE.
Effect of desiccation on mosquito oviposition site selection in Mediterranean temporary habitats
Authors: Duchet Claire , Mukherjee Shomen , Stein Meital , Spencer Matthew , Blaustein Leon 
Published: November 2019

1. Hydroperiod duration has been identified as the main factor determining the faunal composition and structure of aquatic communities in temporary habitats. It is hypothesised that desiccation will positively affect mosquito oviposition habitat selection during the post‐drought period due to the lack of antagonists.2. An experiment was carried out in outdoor mesocosms to assess whether desiccation events have post‐drought effects on community richness and mosquito oviposition.Three different treatments were randomly assigned to the mesocosms: (i) eight mesocosms were left dried for a week and then reflooded; (ii) eight mesocosms stayed dry for 4 weeks before they were reflooded; (iii) eight mesocosms were maintained at a constant water volume of 30 litres during the entire experiment as controls. Mosquito oviposition and invertebrate community richness were monitored in every mesocosm, along with environmental parameters [water temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids (TSS) and chlorophyll a concentration].3. Post‐drought mosquito oviposition and larval abundance were higher in the short‐drought and long‐drought pools than in the control. Desiccation negatively affected the biomass of the filter feeder invertebrates in both desiccation treatments. Chlorophyll a concentrations were higher in the long‐drought pools than in controls. The negative impact of desiccation on zooplankton led to a post‐drought increase in algae, associated with an increase in mosquito oviposition.4. Despite immediate negative effect on mosquitoes, pulsed disturbances can benefit mosquitoes as they favour oviposition during the post‐disturbance recovery period due to a lower abundance of mosquito antagonists and higher food resources for their offspring.