bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reviewing the cost‐effectiveness of long‐acting reversible contraceptive methods in an Australian context
Authors: Lynch Matthew , De Abreu Lourenco Richard , Flattery Martin , Haas Marion 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundRelative to the oral contraceptive pill, uptake of long‐acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARCs) in Australia continues to be lower than might be suggested by the evidence on their clinical and economic benefits.AimTo undertake a critical appraisal of published economic evaluations of LARCs to assess the generalisability of their results to the Australian healthcare context.Materials and MethodsA search of the literature was conducted to identify studies of economic evaluations of LARCs using the Medline, Embase and PubMed databases. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist.ResultsA total of 1009 citations were screened, from which 20 papers, typically reporting the cost per pregnancy avoided, were reviewed. The overall quality of the studies varied but was generally poor (average score of 62/100). To aid comparisons, results have been grouped under the headings IUS (all hormonal intrauterine systems), IUDs (all non‐hormonal intrauterine devices), injectables (all contraceptive injections) and implants (all subdermal contraceptive implants). Overall, the results indicated that LARCs were more effective and less costly than oral contraceptives.ConclusionsDespite evidence that LARCs represent value for money, limitations in study quality and approaches must be taken into account when applying these results to Australia. Differences in healthcare settings aside, LARCs may also have benefits beyond their effect on pregnancy that might be captured in broader analyses, such as cost‐benefit analyses using willingness to pay methods. These would capture benefits beyond health, which seem to be particularly relevant to contraception.
Understanding pro‐environmental intentions by integrating insights from social mobility, cosmopolitanism, and social dominance
Authors: Leung Angela K.‐y. , Koh Brandon 
Published: October 2018

To offer an integrative account bridging individuals’ sociocultural orientations with pro‐environmentalism, the current research tested the mediating and moderating relationships among pro‐environmental intentions and three person‐level factors: perceived social mobility, cosmopolitan orientation, and social dominance orientation (SDO). With a Singaporean college student sample (N = 220), we found support for the hypothesized second‐stage moderation model that perceived social mobility positively predicts cosmopolitan orientation, and in turn, cosmopolitan orientation is moderated by SDO to positively predict pro‐environmental intentions. Specifically, lower levels of SDO strengthen the pro‐environmental advantages of endorsing higher levels of cosmopolitan orientation. These findings add novel knowledge to the environmental psychology literature by advancing an integrative approach that demonstrates how the interplay of people's perceptions about the social, cultural, and group standing impacts their likelihood to engage in pro‐environmental actions. We discuss the implications that an egalitarian worldview toward other cultures, social groups, and human–nature relations might be the key to addressing the global challenge of climate change.
Evidence‐based Danish guidelines for screening of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Grauslund Jakob , Andersen Nis , Andresen Jens , Flesner Per , Haamann Per , Heegaard Steffen , Larsen Michael , Laugesen Caroline Schmidt , Schielke Katja , Skov Jesper , Bek Toke 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPurposeDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is among the leading causes of visual loss in the working‐age population. It is generally accepted that screening of DR is cost‐effective and can detect DR before it becomes sight‐threatening to allow timely treatment.MethodsA group of retinal specialists was formed by the Danish Ophthalmological Society with the aim to formulate contemporary evidence‐based guidelines for screening of DR in order to implement these in the Danish screening system.ResultsWe hereby present evidence for DR‐screening regarding (1) classification of DR, (2) examination techniques, (3) screening intervals and (4) automated screening. It is our recommendation that the International Clinical Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale should be used to classify DR. As a minimum, mydriatic two‐field disc‐ and macular‐centred images are required. In the case of suspected clinically significant diabetic macular oedema, supplementary optical coherence tomography can increase the diagnostic accuracy. There is solid evidence to support a flexible, individualized screening regimen. In particular, it is possible to prolong screening intervals to 24–48 months for patients with no or mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), but it is also possible to use extended intervals of 12–24 months for patients with moderate NPDR given that these are well‐regulated regarding glycaemic control (HbA1c ≤ 53 mmol/mol) and blood pressure (≤130/80 mmHg). Automated screening of DR is encouraging but is not ready for implementation at present.ConclusionDanish evidenced‐based guidelines for screening of DR support high‐quality imaging and allow flexible, individualized screening intervals with a potential for extension to patients with low risk of DR progression.
Designing humans: A human rights approach
Authors: Liao S. Matthew 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAdvances in genomic technologies such as CRISPR‐Cas9, mitochondrial replacement techniques, and in vitro gametogenesis may soon give us more precise and efficient tools to have children with certain traits such as beauty, intelligence, and athleticism. In this paper, I propose a new approach to the ethics of reproductive genetic engineering, a human rights approach. This approach relies on two claims that have certain, independent plausibility: (a) human beings have equal moral status, and (b) human beings have human rights to the fundamental conditions for pursuing a good life. I first argue that the human rights approach gives us a lower bound of when reproductive genetic engineering would be permissible. I then compare this approach with other approaches such as the libertarian, perfectionist, and life worth living approaches. Against these approaches, I argue that the human rights approach offers a novel, and more plausible, way of assessing the ethics of reproductive genetic engineering.
Targeting the extracellular matrix for delivery of bioactive molecules to sites of arthritis
Authors: Schultz Christopher 
Published: October 2018

Modifications to the extracellular matrix (ECM) can be either causal or consequential of disease processes including arthritis and cancer. In arthritis, the cartilage ECM is adversely affected by the aberrant behaviours of inflammatory cells, synoviocytes and chondrocytes, which secrete a plethora of cytokines and degradative proteases. In cancer, the ECM and stromal cells are linked to disease severity, and metalloproteinases are implicated in metastasis. There have been some successes in the field of targeted therapies, but efficacy depends upon the type and stage of disease. ECM targets are becoming increasingly attractive for drug delivery, owing to changes in ECM structure and composition in the diseased state, and the long in vivo half‐life of its components. This review will highlight various strategies for targeting therapeutics to arthritic joints, including antibody and peptide‐mediated drug delivery platforms to aid delivery to the ECM and retention at disease sites.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Translating the Matrix. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.1/issuetoc
Integrated profiling identifies caveolae‐associated protein 1 as a prognostic biomarker of malignancy in glioblastoma patients
Authors: Guo Qing , Guan Ge‐Fei , Cheng Wen , Zou Cun‐Yi , Zhu Chen , Cheng Peng , Wu An‐Hua 
Published: October 2018

SummaryAimsGlioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal disease of the central nervous system with high mortality, and novel therapeutic targets and strategies for GBM are urgently needed. Caveolae‐associated protein 1 (CAVIN1) is an essential caveolar component‐encoding gene and has been poorly studied in glioma. To this end, in this study, we evaluated CAVIN1 expression in glioma tissue as well as the correlation between CAVIN1 expression and prognosis in glioma patients using the data collected from clinical samples or from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), Rembrandt, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data sets.MethodsSurvival analysis was performed with the Kaplan‐Meier curve and log‐rank test. The predictive role of CAVIN1 in progressive malignancy in glioma was evaluated by using a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Gene ontology (GO), Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) methods were used to interpret the functions of CAVIN1 in GBM.ResultsCAVIN1 expression was elevated in GBM compared with that in low‐grade glioma and nontumor brain samples and was correlated with unfavorable outcomes in glioma patients. Additionally, CAVIN1 could serve as an independent predictive factor for progressive malignancy in GBM. Furthermore, CAVIN1 was associated with disrupted angiogenesis and immune response in the tumor microenvironment of GBM.ConclusionsWe identified CAVIN1 as a prognostic biomarker and potential target for developing novel therapeutic strategies against GBM.
Entrepreneurship in Higher Education: The impact of competition‐based policy programmes exemplified by the German Excellence Initiative
Authors: Lehmann Erik E. , Stockinger Sarah A. E. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCompetition‐based policy programmes are an external steering mechanism to create beneficial outcomes for societies that are entering the Continental European Higher Education landscape. The Excellence Initiative in Germany aimed to enhance research quality, international visibility and support peak performing universities. We want to study if there was a side effect of the Initiative on academic entrepreneurial activity and if so, whether or not it was a system‐wide and/or a winners effect. We measure entrepreneurial activity by the patenting activity and industry collaboration of a university. The analysis is based on 73 German universities observed from 2004 to 2011. Employing a difference‐in‐differences estimation, we find that the Initiative created an advantage for the whole of Germany while being an Excellence University does not have an impact on academic entrepreneurship with regards to patenting activity. However, we find a Matthew effect concerning rewards in industry collaboration. We conclude that the Initiative had positive side effects for the system and partly also for the winners of the competition.
Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Migration on Union Dissolution
Authors: Davis Jason , Jennings Elyse A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis investigation uses data from Nicaragua to evaluate the temporal and geographic influences of migration on union dissolution. We investigate the impact of three migration types: internal (within Nicaragua), South‐South international (to Costa Rica), and South‐North international (to the United States). We perform event history analyses using data from the Latin American Migration Project (LAMP) to test whether longer migrations (time) and migration to international and more distant locations (place), and the combination of these two factors, is associated with increased rate of union dissolution among return migrants. Results suggest that total migration duration and internal migration (relative to non‐migration) are associated with an increased rate of union dissolution. Moreover, a longer duration of migration to any one of the three destinations increases this rate. In order to understand the familial risks associated with migration, then, we must consider both the time and place associated with the migration event.
Synthesis and characterization of (Pr, Ce)‐ZrSiO4 ceramic pigments: The properties of the pigments and the effect of Ce
Authors: Guo Dazhi , Xie Minggui , Ma Ning , Yang Qing , Luo Zhikun , Chu Yanhui , Zhang Yi , Rao Pinggen 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA series of (Pr, Ce)‐ZrSiO4 ceramic pigments were synthesized and characterized using XRD, SEM, EDS, XPS, XRF, colorimeter, and a UV‐VIS‐NIR spectrometer. The prepared pigments were mainly composed of the zircon phase and were well crystallized. Only a specific amount of Pr was incorporated into the ZrSiO4 lattice. Compared with Pr, Ce was almost completely incorporated into the ZrSiO4 lattice and was homogeneously distributed within the pigment particles. The dopant Ce reduced the amount of Pr dissolved in the ZrSiO4 lattice and thus caused the b* values of the samples to decrease slightly. Meanwhile, the presence of Ce induced an apparent increase in red tone in the samples. The enhanced red tone resulted primarily from an increase in the absorption of light with wavelengths between 500 and 565 nm. High‐temperature stability analysis demonstrated that it is feasible to improve the tone of Pr‐ZrSiO4 pigment by doping with Ce.
Metabolic syndrome increases cardiovascular risk in a population with prediabetes: A prospective study in a cohort of Chinese adults
Authors: Chen Zekai , Wu Shouling , Huang Jianhuan , Yuan Jinhuan , Chen Haojia , Chen Youren 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe prevalence of prediabetes has become a global epidemic, and prediabetes is often accompanied with metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the association between MS and cardiovascular (CV) risk among individuals with prediabetes in China remains unknown. The present study aimed to identify the relationship of MS with CV risk in Chinese adults with prediabetes.Materials and MethodsAltogether, 19,464 participants with prediabetes were enrolled at baseline and were followed up prospectively. Prediabetes is defined as a fasting plasma glucose level between 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L, and with neither a history of diabetes nor current use of hypoglycemic drugs. Participants were classified on the basis of the presence of MS, according to the definition of the International Diabetes Federation. Main outcomes include major CV events. Incidence rates were expressed in cumulative incidence and person‐years incidence. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to estimate the risk of major CV events.ResultsAt baseline, the mean age was 51.9 ± 11.4 years, and 85.6% (n = 16,663) were men. During a median follow‐up period of 10.0 years, a total of 1,169 major CV events occurred, including 921 strokes and 273 cases of myocardial infarction. The cumulative incidences were 9.0% (8.1–10.0%), 6.8% (6.0–7.6%) and 2.5% (2.0–3.0%) for total CV events, strokes and myocardial infarction. Regardless of the risk of total CV events, or the risk of stroke or myocardial infarction, the number of prediabetes individuals with MS was higher than those without, and the hazard ratio was 1.50 (95% confidence interval 1.31–1.73), 1.42 (95% confidence interval 1.21–1.67), 1.78 (95% confidence interval 1.34–2.36), respectively.ConclusionsAmong the Chinese population with prediabetes, the risk for major CV events was significantly higher in those with MS than those without.
Encapsulation of structured lipids containing medium‐ and long chain fatty acids by complex coacervation of gelatin and gum arabic
Authors: Yüksel Alev , Şahin‐Yeşilçubuk Neşe 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this research, structured lipids (SLs) containing 78% of long‐chain fatty acids (FAs) at sn‐2 position and medium chain FAs at sn‐1,3 positions were encapsulated by complex coacervation method using gelatin and gum Arabic as wall materials in order to obtain protein–carbohydrate complexes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of experimental parameters such as wall material concentration (1–2%), core : wall ratio (1:1 and 2:1) and homogenization rate (7,400, 10,000, and 15,000 rpm) on encapsulation process of the SL. The highest microencapsulation efficiency (84.11 ± 0.77%) was obtained in gelatin 2% (w/v), gum arabic 2% (w/v), 1:1 core : wall ratio (w/w), and at 15,000 rpm homogenization rate. In addition, particle size for the coacervates ranged from 19 to 263 nm. Moreover, the samples had smaller polydispersity index (PDI) values, which mean that they showed homogeneous size distribution pattern. Besides, morphological characteristics and thermal behavior of the capsules were determined via scanning electron microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively.Practical applicationsStructured lipids (SLs) with medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs, C6‐C10) at sn‐1 and sn‐3 positions, and long chain fatty acids (LCFAs, C12‐C24) at sn‐2 position has gained attention for food, nutritional and clinical purposes. These SLs are generally designed for special health requirements and meet the daily requirements of fatty acids, especially the long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) for their health‐enhancing and disease‐preventing properties. The addition of LCPUFAs into the product formulation may lead an increase in the stability problems of these fatty acids, thus appropriate technologies such as encapsulation of lipids should be implemented. Encapsulation technology enables SLs to be protected from possible detrimental effects of food processing and storage conditions. The use of encapsulation technology in conjunction with SL production are evolving and ongoing issues, hence there is only few studies in the literature that considered encapsulation of SLs.
Efficacy and safety of elbasvir/grazoprevir in participants with hepatitis C virus genotype 1, 4, or 6 infection from the Asia–Pacific region and Russia: Final results from the randomized C‐CORAL study
Authors: Wei Lai , Jia Ji Dong , Wang Fu Sheng , Niu Jun Qi , Zhao Xu Min , Mu Shengmei , Liang Li Wen , Wang Zaiqi , Hwang Peggy , Robertson Michael N , Ingravallo Paul , Asante‐Appiah Ernest , Wei Bo , Evans Barbara , Hanna George J , Talwani Rohit , Duan Zhong Ping , Zhdanov Konstantin , Cheng Pin‐Nan , Tanwandee Tawesak , Nguyen Van Kinh , Heo Jeong , Isakov Vasily , George Jacob ,   on behalf of the C‐CORAL Investigators
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground and AimAlthough treatment with direct‐acting antivirals has dramatically improved morbidity and mortality attributable to chronic hepatitis C virus infection, universal access to these medicines has been slow in the Asia–Pacific region and Russia. This study evaluated efficacy and safety of elbasvir/grazoprevir in participants with hepatitis C virus infection from Asia–Pacific countries and Russia (C‐CORAL).MethodsC‐CORAL was a phase 3, randomized, placebo‐controlled study (NCT02251990). Treatment‐naive, HIV‐negative, cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic participants with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, 4, or 6 infection were randomized to elbasvir 50 mg/grazoprevir 100 mg once daily for 12 weeks (immediate‐treatment group) or placebo followed by deferred treatment with elbasvir/grazoprevir (deferred‐treatment group). The primary efficacy outcome was sustained virologic response at 12 weeks, and the primary safety outcome was a comparison between the immediate‐treatment group and placebo phase of the deferred‐treatment group.ResultsA total of 489 participants were randomized (immediate‐treatment group, n = 366; deferred‐treatment group, n = 123). Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks in the combined immediate/deferred‐treatment groups was 94.4% (459/486; 95% confidence interval = 92.4–96.5%). Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks was 98.2% in participants with genotype 1b, 91.9% with genotype 1a, and 66.7% with genotype 6 infection. Similar rates of adverse events and drug‐related adverse events were seen in the immediate‐treatment group versus placebo phase of the deferred‐treatment group (51.0% vs 50.4% and 21.4% vs 21.1%).ConclusionsElbasvir/grazoprevir for 12 weeks represents an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for treatment‐naive people with genotype 1 infection from Asia–Pacific countries and Russia.
A meta‐analysis of valve‐in‐valve and valve‐in‐ring transcatheter mitral valve implantation
Authors: Takagi Hisato , Hari Yosuke , Kawai Norikazu , Ando Tomo ,   for the ALICE (All‐Literature Investigation of Cardiovascular Evidence) Group
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesWe performed a meta‐analysis of transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) for deteriorated bioprosthetic valves (valve‐in‐valve [VIV]‐TMVI) and/or failed annuloplasty rings (valve‐in‐ring [VIR]‐TMVI), comparing observed early (30‐day) mortality with predicted operative mortality.BackgroundIt remains unclear whether VIV/VIR‐TMVI reduces mortality as compared with redo MVS.MethodsMEDLINE and EMBASE were searched current through 24 July 2018 using Web‐based search engines (PubMed and OVID) to identify studies including ≥10 patients undergoing VIV/VIR‐TMVI. For each study, data regarding observed 30‐day mortality and predicted operative mortality (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality [STS‐PROM]) were used to generate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study‐specific estimates were combined using the inverse variance‐weighted average of logarithmic RRs in the random‐effects model. One‐group meta‐analyses of 30‐day/late (including 30‐day) mortality rates were also performed in the random‐effects model.ResultsOf 270 potentially relevant articles screened initially, 17 eligible studies including a total of 1017 patients undergoing VIV/VIR‐TMVI were identified. In all but four studies, the STS‐PROM was available and varied from 7.7% to 22.0% (weighted mean, 11.5%). Pooled analyses of all VIV/VIR‐TMVI studies demonstrated the 30‐day mortality rate of 5.4% (95%CI, 4.0‐6.8%), the midterm (1‐ to 5‐year) mortality rate of 13.7% (95%CI, 9.0‐18.5%), and significantly lower observed 30‐day mortality than predicted operative mortality (RR, 0.67; 95%CI, 0.49‐0.91; P = 0.01).ConclusionsVIV/VIR‐TMVI brought about relatively low early and midterm (1‐ to 5‐year) mortality, and observed 30‐day mortality was significantly lower than predicted operative mortality.