bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Review article: therapeutic bile acids and the risks for hepatotoxicity
Authors: Ashby K. , Navarro Almario E. E. , Tong W. , Borlak J. , Mehta R. , Chen M. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundBile acids play important roles in cholesterol metabolism and signal through farnesoid X receptor and G protein‐coupled receptors. Given their importance in liver biology, bile acid therapy enables therapeutic applications beyond the treatment of cholestatic liver disease. However, predicting hepatotoxicity of bile acids in humans is obscured due to inconsistent extrapolations of animal data to humans.AimTo review the evidence that could explain discordant bile acids hepatotoxicity observed in humans and animals.MethodLiterature search was conducted in PubMed using keywords “bile acid,” “transporter,” “hepatotoxicity,” “clinical study,” “animal study,” “species difference,” “mechanism,” “genetic disorder.” Relevant articles were selected for review.ResultsClinically significant hepatotoxicity was reported in response to certain bile acids, namely chenodeoxycholic acid, which was given a boxed warning for potential hepatotoxicity. The chemical structure, specifically the number and orientation of hydroxyl groups, significantly affects their hydrophobicity, an important factor in bile acid toxicity. Experimental studies show that hydrophobic bile acids can lead to liver injury through various mechanisms, such as death receptor signalling, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation. Although animal studies play a central role in investigating bile acid safety, there are considerable differences in bile acid composition, metabolism and hepatobiliary disposition across species. This does not allow appropriate safety inference, especially for predicting hepatotoxicity in humans. Exploring evidences stemming from inborn errors, genetic models of disease and toxicology studies further improves an understanding of bile acid hepatotoxicity.ConclusionSpecies differences should be considered in the development of bile acid related therapeutics. Although the mechanism of bile acid hepatotoxicity is still not fully understood, continued mechanistic studies will deepen our understanding.
ISA 570: Italian Auditors’ and Academics’ Perceptions of the Going Concern Opinion
Authors: Bava Fabrizio , Gromis di Trana Melchior 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis study aims to identify which of the indicators used to assess whether an entity may not be able to continue as a going concern are regarded by Italian partners in auditing firms and Italian accounting and finance academics as being the most important. The indicators and ratios are those pursuant to auditing standard ISA 570 Going Concern, the literature and professional practice. ISA 570 does not suggest a hierarchy of these indicators, because they are only examples of events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the entity's ability to continue as a going concern (GC), nor does it suggest specific ratios. To this end, an online survey was administered to partners in auditing firms and to the university faculty of Accounting and Finance. The paper contributes to enriching previous literature by providing insights into how Italian auditors and Italian financial reporting scholars prioritise GC indicators suggested by ISA 570. The results have the potential to help auditors and directors focus on the most relevant indicators in a GC assessment.
THE WELFARE CONSEQUENCES OF A QUANTITATIVE SEARCH AND MATCHING APPROACH TO THE LABOR MARKET
Authors: Kashiwagi Masanori 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the quantitative impact on welfare of different parametric assumptions about bargaining power in a standard search and matching model of the labor market. This study computes the welfare loss if social efficiency is not attained and finds that, for a broad range of bargaining power, the welfare loss is less than 1 percent of the social optimum. This paper also investigates which aspects of the parameterization are important for welfare consequences. Further, I investigate how the welfare consequences are altered in the presence of a fixed matching cost and increasing returns to scale in the matching function.
Cytokine expression profile in the bone‐anchored hearing system: 12‐week results from a prospective randomized, controlled study
Authors: Calon Tim George Ate , van Tongeren Joost , Omar Omar , Johansson Martin Lars , Stokroos Robert‐Jan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo study the effect of implanting the percutaneous bone‐anchored hearing system (BAHS) itself and inflammation of the peri‐abutment skin warrant clarification. In this study, we aimed to acquire further insight into the immune responses related to BAHS surgery and peri‐implant skin inflammation.Materials and MethodsDuring surgery and 12 weeks post‐implantation, skin biopsies were obtained. If applicable, additional biopsies were taken during cases of inflammation. The mRNA expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNFα, IL‐17, IL‐10, TGF‐ß, MIP‐1α, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, COL1α1, VEGF‐A, FGF‐2 TLR‐2, and TLR‐4 was quantified using qRT‐PCR.ResultsThirty‐five patients agreed to the surgery and 12‐week biopsy. Twenty‐two patients had mRNA of sufficient quality for analysis. Ten were fitted with a BAHS using the minimally invasive Ponto surgery technique. Twelve were fitted with a BAHS using the linear incision technique with soft‐tissue preservation. Five biopsies were obtained during episodes of inflammation. The post‐implantation mRNA expression of IL‐1β (P = .002), IL‐8 (P = .003), MMP9 (P = .005), TIMP‐1 (P = .002), and COL1α1 (P < .001) was significantly up‐regulated. IL‐6 (P = .009) and FGF‐2 (P = .004) mRNA expression was significantly down‐regulated after implantation. Within patients, no difference between post‐implantation mRNA expression (at 12 weeks) and when inflammation was observed. Between patients, the expression of IL‐1β (P = .015) and IL‐17 (P = .02) was higher during cases of inflammation compared with patients who had no inflammation at 12‐week follow‐up.ConclusionsAs part of a randomized, prospective, clinical trial, the present study reports the molecular profile of selected cytokines in the soft tissue around BAHS. Within the limit of this study, the results showed that 12 weeks after BAHS implantation the gene expression of some inflammatory cytokines (IL‐8 and IL‐1β) is still relatively high compared with the baseline, steady‐state, expression. The up‐regulation of anabolic (COL1α1) and tissue‐remodeling (MMP‐9 and TIMP1) genes indicates an ongoing remodeling process after 12 weeks of implantation. The results suggest that IL‐1β, IL‐17, and TNF‐α may be interesting markers associated with inflammation.
UVA‐1 phototherapy for the management of atopic dermatitis: a large retrospective study conducted in a low‐middle income country
Authors: Ordóñez Rubiano María F. , Arenas Claudia M. , Chalela Juan G. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundMedium‐dose ultraviolet light A – 1 (UVA‐1) phototherapy, given in short courses, has shown efficacy in atopic dermatitis flares; little is known about its use, efficacy, and side effects in prolonged exposure used in the chronic disease despite its extensive use.MethodsA descriptive retrospective study was conducted; convenience sampling of patients with atopic dermatitis treated with UVA‐1 phototherapy was made; evaluation of clinical response by SCORAD, adverse effects, and protocols used in each patient were evaluated.ResultsPatients exposed to UVA‐1 phototherapy showed a decrease in the SCORAD (30.1 points) – total cumulative dose‐dependent (P < 0.0001) – regardless of multiple variables studied. There were low rates of relapse and adverse effects. The most frequent doses were 30 and 60 J/cm2, three times per week; patients had similar clinical responses and adverse effects in these groups independent of the other variables studied (P = 0.057).ConclusionUVA‐1 phototherapy can be an alternative for patients with severe atopic dermatitis even at lower doses than those described in other series (30 J/cm2) and not only for acute flares. Cumulative total dose is a variable that affects the clinical response directly. Large prospective studies are needed.
Exposure to Bisphenol A and phthalates metabolites in the third trimester of pregnancy and BMI trajectories
Authors: Yang T. C. , Peterson K. E. , Meeker J. D. , Sánchez B. N. , Zhang Z. , Cantoral A. , Solano M. , Tellez‐Rojo M. M. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryBackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates metabolites are linked to a variety of adverse health consequences but studies have not explored their association with growth trajectories.ObjectiveExplore body mass index (BMI) trajectories for tertile exposures to BPA and phthalates metabolites in the third trimester of pregnancy.MethodsWe constructed BMI (kg/m2) trajectories from birth to 14 years in a birth cohort of 249 children from Mexico City using tertiles of third trimester maternal urinary concentrations of BPA and phthalates metabolites. Fractional age polynomials and mixed effects models were fit separately by sex. Predicted models were plotted for each metabolite tertile with the covariates mother's education and BMI centered at average values.ResultsHighest predicted BMI trajectories for female children were observed for third tertile exposure to the phthalate metabolite mono(2‐ethyl‐5‐carboxypentyl) phthalate. In male children, first tertile exposure to mono‐isobutyl phthalate and monobenzyl phthalate and second tertile exposure to mono(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate and mono(2‐ethyl‐5‐hydroxyhexyl) phthalate predicted the highest BMI trajectory by adolescence. There was no relationshsip between BPA and child growth trajectory.ConclusionsThese results suggest sex‐specific differences in BMI trajectories by levels of metabolite exposure. Additional studies are needed to consider growth through adolescence in assessing the association of pregnancy exposures on child's BMI.
Using a hybrid two‐stage DEA model to analyze the profitability and marketability of medical manufacturing firms
Authors: Huang Chin‐wei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to develop a modification of the model developed by Chen and Zhu in 2004. Calculating stage and overall efficiencies precisely and consistently has become a major challenge of the two‐stage DEA model. However, most other models do not calculate the optimality of intermediates. Although the model developed by Chen and Zhu measures the optimality of intermediates, the calculated efficiency scores still have some shortfalls. The modified model, named the hybrid two‐stage DEA model, fills the gap between calculating the optimality of intermediates and the consistency of overall efficiency scores. In addition to obtaining an accurate measurement for the optimality of intermediates, the model confines efficiency scores to a range from zero to one (a ratio efficiency score). In an empirical evaluation, we use data from 64 medical manufacturing firms to test the performance of the hybrid model and offer recommendations for the industry.
Non‐pharmacological therapies for sleep disturbances in people with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review
Authors: Lee JuHee , Kim Yonji , Kim Yie Lin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimTo determine the effectiveness of non‐pharmacological therapies for sleep disturbances in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).BackgroundSleep disturbances, which are common in people with PD, may diminish their quality of life. Non‐pharmacological therapies are preferred over pharmacological therapies for improving sleep quality, owing to fewer adverse effects.DesignSystematic literature review.Data sourcesA systematic search of eight databases and hand searching was conducted for papers published between 1 January 2000 – 1 January 2016.Review methodsThe Cochrane methods were followed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool.ResultsEight studies were identified for data extraction. Therapeutic domains included physical exercise, cognitive behavioural and complementary interventions. Therapies in four of the eight studies significantly improved sleep quality and the unified PD rating scale score. Other studies showed no clear effects on sleep (N = 1), limited effects on sleep (N = 1) or effects in both the intervention and control groups, indicating that the intervention had no distinctive effects (N = 2).ConclusionsThe non‐pharmacological intervention types and sleep‐related measured outcomes were heterogeneous. Most therapies had inconsistent effects on sleep. The insufficient evidence for non‐pharmacological treatments seems related to the unique motor‐associated clinical features of PD, which restrict the use of physical exercise therapy, or to individual “wearing‐off” periods, which limit group therapy. Further studies on non‐pharmacological therapies are required to identify the best interventions for improving sleep quality in people with PD.
The impact of fixed‐dose combination versus free‐equivalent combination therapies on adherence for hypertension: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Du Li‐Ping , Cheng Zhong‐Wei , Zhang Yu‐Xuan , Li Ying , Mei Dan 
Published: April 2018

Nonadherence to antihypertensive medication is considered as a reason of inadequate control of blood pressure. This meta‐analysis aimed to systemically evaluate the impact of fixed‐dose combination (FDC) therapy on hypertensive medication adherence compared with free‐equivalent combination therapies. Articles were retrieved from MEDLINE and Embase databases using a combination of terms “fixed‐dose combinations” and “adherence or compliance or persistence” and “hypertension or antihypertensive” from January 2000 to June 2017 without any language restriction. A meta‐analysis was performed to parallel compare the impact of FDC vs free‐equivalent combination on medicine adherence or persistence. Studies were independently reviewed by two investigators. Data from eligible studies were extracted and a meta‐analysis was performed using R version 3.1.0 software. A total of nine studies scored as six of nine to eight of nine for Newcastle‐Ottawa rating with 62 481 patients with hypertension were finally included for analysis. Results showed that the mean difference of medication adherence for FDC vs free‐equivalent combination therapies was 14.92% (95% confidence interval, 7.38%–22.46%). Patients in FDC group were more likely to persist with their antihypertensive treatment, with a risk ratio of 1.84 (95% confidence interval, 1.00–3.39). This meta‐analysis confirmed that FDC therapy, compared with free‐equivalent combinations, was associated with better medication adherence or persistence for patients with hypertension. It can be reasonable for physicians, pharmacists, and policy makers to facilitate the use of FDCs for patients who need to take two or more antihypertensive drugs.
The impact of a computerised test of attention and activity (QbTest) on diagnostic decision‐making in children and young people with suspected attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: single‐blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hollis Chris , Hall Charlotte L. , Guo Boliang , James Marilyn , Boadu Janet , Groom Madeleine J. , Brown Nikki , Kaylor‐Hughes Catherine , Moldavsky Maria , Valentine Althea Z. , Walker Gemma M. , Daley David , Sayal Kapil , Morriss Richard ,   the AQUA Trial Group
Published: April 2018

BackgroundDiagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) relies on subjective methods which can lead to diagnostic uncertainty and delay. This trial evaluated the impact of providing a computerised test of attention and activity (QbTest) report on the speed and accuracy of diagnostic decision‐making in children with suspected ADHD.MethodsRandomised, parallel, single‐blind controlled trial in mental health and community paediatric clinics in England. Participants were 6–17 years‐old and referred for ADHD diagnostic assessment; all underwent assessment‐as‐usual, plus QbTest. Participants and their clinician were randomised to either receive the QbTest report immediately (QbOpen group) or the report was withheld (QbBlind group). The primary outcome was number of consultations until a diagnostic decision confirming/excluding ADHD within 6‐months from baseline. Health economic cost‐effectiveness and cost utility analysis was conducted. Assessing QbTest Utility in ADHD: A Randomised Controlled Trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02209116).ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐two participants were randomised to QbOpen group (123 analysed) and 135 to QbBlind group (127 analysed). Clinicians with access to the QbTest report (QbOpen) were more likely to reach a diagnostic decision about ADHD (hazard ratio 1.44, 95% CI 1.04–2.01). At 6‐months, 76% of those with a QbTest report had received a diagnostic decision, compared with 50% without. QbTest reduced appointment length by 15% (time ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.77–0.93), increased clinicians’ confidence in their diagnostic decisions (odds ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.09–2.89) and doubled the likelihood of excluding ADHD. There was no difference in diagnostic accuracy. Health economic analysis showed a position of strict dominance; however, cost savings were small suggesting that the impact of providing the QbTest report within this trial can best be viewed as ‘cost neutral’.ConclusionsQbTest may increase the efficiency of ADHD assessment pathway allowing greater patient throughput with clinicians reaching diagnostic decisions faster without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
Integrating clinical and economic evidence in clinical guidelines: More needed than ever!
Authors: Knies Saskia , Severens Johan L. , Brouwer Werner B.F. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRationale, aims, and objectivesIn recent years, several expensive new health technologies have been introduced. The availability of those technologies intensifies the discussion regarding the affordability of these technologies at different decision‐making levels. On the meso level, both hospitals and clinicians are facing budget constraints resulting in a tension to balance between different patients' interests. As such, it is crucial to make optimal use of the available resources. Different strategies are in place to deal with this problem, but decisions on a macro level on what to fund or not can limit the role and freedom of clinicians in their decisions on a micro level. At the same time, without central guidance regarding such decisions, micro level decisions may lead to inequities and undesirable treatment variation between clinicians and hospitals. The challenge is to find instruments that can balance both levels of decision making.DiscussionClinicians are becoming increasingly aware that their decisions to spend more resources (like time and budget) on 1 particular patient group reduce the resources available to other patients. Involving clinicians in thinking about the optimal use of limited resources, also in an attempt to bridge the world of economic reasoning and clinical practice, is crucial therefore. We argue that clinical guidelines may prove a clear vehicle for this by including both clinical and economic evidence to support the recommendations made. The development of such guidelines requires cooperation of clinicians, and health economists are cooperating with each other.ConclusionThe development of clinical guidelines which combine economic and clinical evidence should be stimulated, to balance central guidance and uniformity while maintaining necessary decentralized freedom. This is an opportunity to combine the reality of budgets and opportunity costs with clinical practice. Missing this opportunity risks either variation and inequity or central and necessarily crude measures.
Re‐racialization of Addiction and the Redistribution of Blame in the White Opioid Epidemic
Authors: Mendoza Sonia , Rivera Allyssa Stephanie , Hansen Helena Bjerring 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNew York City has the largest number of opioid dependent people of U.S. cities, and within New York, Whites have the highest rate of prescription opioid and heroin overdose deaths. The rise of opioid abuse among Whites has resulted in popular narratives of victimization by prescribers, framing of addiction as a biological disease, and the promise of pharmaceutical treatments that differ from the criminalizing narratives that have historically described urban Latino and black narcotic use. Through an analysis of popular media press and interviews with opioid prescribers and community pharmacists in Staten Island—the epicenter of opioid overdose in New York City and the most suburban and white of its boroughs—we found that narratives of white opioid users disrupted notions of the addict as “other,” producing alternative logics of blame that focus on prescribers and the encroachment of dealers from outside of white neighborhoods.
Transforming Society from Theory to Practice: Celebrating the Achievements of Rubin Award Recipients from the International Association for Conflict Management
Authors: Gross Michael A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis special issue of Negotiation and Conflict Management Research celebrates the scholarship and intellectual contributions of four recipients of the Jeffrey Z. Rubin Theory‐to‐Practice Award from the International Association for Conflict Management (IACM). The IACM Rubin Award recognizes individuals whose professional contributions over the span of a career emphasize their ability to move effectively and skillfully between theory and practice in their professional activities. Each article in this special issue highlights the scholarly impact of a recipient, offers insights for building an academic career, and identifies directions for future research in conflict management.
Effects of photoperiod sensitivity genes Ppd‐B1 and Ppd‐D1 on spike fertility and related traits in bread wheat
Authors: Ramirez Ignacio A. , Abbate Pablo E. , Redi Ignacio W. , Pontaroli Ana C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIncreasing grain yield is a key breeding goal in bread wheat. Several authors have suggested that a spike fertility index (SF), that is the quotient between grain number per unit spike (GNS) and spike chaff dry weight (SCDW), could be used as a yield‐related selection criterion, especially if molecular markers were available. Here, the effects of Ppd‐B1 and Ppd‐D1 genes on SFm, GNSm and SCDWm (measured at maturity) and the relationship between these variables were analysed in field experiments carried out during three crop seasons at Balcarce, Argentina, on an association mapping population of 100 bread wheat cultivars of diverse origin released in Argentina between 1927 and 2010. Results show that both Ppd‐B1 and Ppd‐D1 are associated with SFm with similar effects. Cultivars with insensitive alleles at both genes showed a mean SFm 9.2% greater than those with sensitive alleles at both genes; at each gene, difference in SFm between insensitive and sensitive alleles was ~4.5%. In turn, each gene showed a differential effect on GNSm and SCDWm, as Ppd‐B1 was more related to SCDWm, whereas Ppd‐D1 was only related to GNSm. Although more research needs to be carried out in order to ascertain the physiological pathway by which these genes affect spike fertility, this study represents a first approximation in order to elucidate the molecular and genetic basis underlying SF and related physiological traits.