bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Augmenting clinical trial economic analysis by linking cancer trial data to administrative data: current landscape and future opportunities
Authors: Wilson Brooke E , Hay Annette E , Chan Kelvin Kar-Wing , Cheung Matthew C , Hanna Timothy P 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundEconomic analyses based on clinical trial data are costly and time consuming, and alternative methods for performing economic analyses should be explored.Objective and methodsIn this perspective, we examine the emerging role of administrative data for economic analyses in cancer.ResultsCompared with routinely collected clinical trial data, routinely collected administrative data have several strengths including high capture rates for healthcare encounters, less resource utilisation, low rates of misclassification, long follow-up periods and the opportunity to collect data points not traditionally captured in clinical trials. However, there are also limitations including the need for accurate data linkage across multiple databases and systems, the costs and time associated with data linkage, the potential time lag between trial data collection and the availability of administrative data, and limited data on quality of life, toxicity and indirect costs. In this perspective, we identify important barriers and potential solutions to performing economic analyses for oncology using administrative data, and outline strategies to increase research in this field.ConclusionThe use of routinely collected administrative data sets for economic analyses of clinical trials presents a unique opportunity that could complement and validate economic analyses based on trial-level data.
Pleural mesothelioma risk in the construction industry: a case–control study in Italy, 2000–2018
Authors: Stella Simona , Consonni Dario , Migliore Enrica , Stura Antonella , Cavone Domenica , Vimercati Luigi , Miligi Lucia , Piro Sara , Landi Maria Teresa , Caporaso Neil E , Curti Stefania , Mattioli Stefano , Brandi Giovanni , Gioscia Carmela , Eccher Silvia , Murano Stefano , Casotto Veronica , Comiati Vera , Negro Corrado , D'Agostin Flavia , Genova Carlo , Benfatto Lucia , Romanelli Antonio , Grappasonni Iolanda , Madeo Gabriella , Cozzi Ilaria , Romeo Elisa , Tommaso Staniscia , Carrozza Francesco , Labianca Michele , Tallarigo Federico , Cascone Giuseppe , Melis Massimo , Marinaccio Alessandro , Binazzi Alessandra , Mensi Carolina 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesWorkers in the construction industry have been exposed to asbestos in various occupations. In Italy, a National Mesothelioma Registry has been implemented more than 20 years ago. Using cases selected from this registry and exploiting existing control data sets, we estimated relative risks for pleural mesothelioma (PM) among construction workers.DesignCase–control study.SettingCases from the National Mesothelioma Registry (2000–2018), controls from three previous case–control studies.MethodsWe selected male PM incident cases diagnosed in 2000–2018. Population controls were taken from three studies performed in six Italian regions within two periods (2002–2004 and 2012–2016). Age-adjusted and period-adjusted unconditional logistic regression models were fitted to estimate odds ratios (OR) for occupations in the construction industry. We followed two approaches, one (primary) excluding and the other (secondary) including subjects employed in other non-construction blue collar occupations for >5 years. For both approaches, we performed an overall analysis including all cases and, given the incomplete temporal and geographic overlap of cases and controls, three time or/and space restricted sensitivity analyses.ResultsThe whole data set included 15 592 cases and 2210 controls. With the primary approach (4797 cases and 1085 controls), OR was 3.64 (2181 cases) for subjects ever employed in construction. We found elevated risks for blue-collar occupations (1993 cases, OR 4.52), including bricklayers (988 cases, OR 7.05), general construction workers (320 cases, OR 4.66), plumbers and pipe fitters (305 cases, OR 9.13), painters (104 cases, OR 2.17) and several others. Sensitivity analyses yielded very similar findings. Using the secondary approach, we observed similar patterns, but ORs were remarkably lower.ConclusionsWe found markedly increased PM risks for most occupations in the construction industry. These findings are relevant for compensation of subjects affected with mesothelioma in the construction industry.
Perceived health system facilitators and barriers to integrated management of hypertension and type 2 diabetes in Kenya: a qualitative study
Authors: Otieno Peter , Agyemang Charles , Wainaina Caroline , Igonya Emmy Kageha , Ouedraogo Ramatou , Wambiya Elvis Omondi Achach , Osindo Jane , Asiki Gershim 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveUnderstanding the facilitators and barriers to managing hypertension and type 2 diabetes (T2D) will inform the design of a contextually appropriate integrated chronic care model in Kenya. We explored the perceived facilitators and barriers to the integrated management of hypertension and T2D in Kenya using the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care.DesignThis was a qualitative study using data from a larger mixed-methods study on the health system response to chronic disease management in Kenya, conducted between July 2019 and February 2020. Data were collected through 44 key informant interviews (KIIs) and eight focus group discussions (FGDs).SettingMultistage sampling procedures were used to select a random sample of 12 study counties in Kenya.ParticipantsThe participants for the KIIs comprised purposively selected healthcare providers, county health managers, policy experts and representatives from non-state organisations. The participants for the FGDs included patients with hypertension and T2D.Outcome measuresPatients’ and providers’ perspectives of the health system facilitators and barriers to the integrated management of hypertension and T2D in Kenya.ResultsThe clinical integration facilitators included patient peer support groups for hypertension and T2D. The major professional integration facilitators included task shifting, continuous medical education and integration of community resource persons. The national referral system, hospital insurance fund and health management information system emerged as the major facilitators for organisational and functional integration. The system integration facilitators included decentralisation of services and multisectoral partnerships. The major barriers comprised vertical healthcare services characterised by service unavailability, unresponsiveness and unaffordability. Others included a shortage of skilled personnel, a lack of interoperable e-health platforms and care integration policy implementation gaps.ConclusionsOur study identified barriers and facilitators that may be harnessed to improve the integrated management of hypertension and T2D. The facilitators should be strengthened, and barriers to care integration redressed.
Systematic review of validated case definitions to identify hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in administrative healthcare databases
Authors: Johnston Amy , Dancey Sonia R , Tseung Victrine , Skidmore Becky , Tanuseputro Peter , Smith Graeme N , Coutinho Thais , Edwards Jodi D 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundAdministrative data are frequently used to study cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Little is known about the validity of case-finding definitions (CFDs, eg, disease classification codes/algorithms) designed to identify HDP in administrative databases.MethodsA systematic review of the literature. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and grey literature sources for eligible studies. Two independent reviewers screened articles for eligibility and extracted data. Quality of reporting was assessed using checklists; risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool, adapted for administrative studies. Findings were summarised descriptively.ResultsTwenty-six studies were included; most (62%) validated CFDs for a variety of maternal and/or neonatal outcomes. Six studies (24%) reported reference standard definitions for all HDP definitions validated; seven reported all 2×2 table values for ≥1 CFD or they were calculable. Most CFDs (n=83; 58%) identified HDP with high specificity (ie, ≥98%); however, sensitivity varied widely (3%–100%). CFDs validated for any maternal hypertensive disorder had the highest median sensitivity (91%, range: 15%–97%). Quality of reporting was generally poor, and all studies were at unclear or high risk of bias on ≥1 QUADAS-2 domain.ConclusionsEven validated CFDs are subject to bias. Researchers should choose the CFD(s) that best align with their research objective, while considering the relative importance of high sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and/or positive predictive value, and important characteristics of the validation studies from which they were derived (eg, study prevalence of HDP, spectrum of disease studied, methodological rigour, quality of reporting and risk of bias). Higher quality validation studies on this topic are urgently needed.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021239113.
Clinical Frailty Scale as a predictor of adverse outcomes following aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Prendiville Tadhg , Leahy Aoife , Gabr Ahmed , Ahmad Fayeza , Afilalo Jonathan , Martin Glen Philip , Mamas Mamas , Casserly Ivan P , Mohamed Abdirahman , Saleh Anastasia , Shanahan Elaine , O’Connor Margaret , Galvin Rose 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesAssessment of frailty prior to aortic valve intervention is recommended in European and North American valvular heart disease guidelines. However, there is a lack of consensus on how it is best measured. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a well-validated measure of frailty that is relatively quick to calculate. This meta-analysis sought to examine whether the CFS predicts mortality and morbidity following either transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).MethodsNine electronic databases were searched systematically for data on clinical outcomes post-TAVI/SAVR, where patients had undergone preoperative frailty assessment using the CFS. The primary endpoint was 12-month mortality. TAVI and SAVR data were assessed and reported separately. For each individual study, the incidence of adverse outcomes was extracted according to a CFS score of 5–9 (ie, frail) versus 1–4 (ie, non-frail), with meta-analysis performed using a random effects model.ResultsOf 2612 records screened, nine were included in the review (five TAVI, three SAVR and one which included both interventions). Among 4923 TAVI patients, meta-analysis showed 12-month mortality rates of 19.1% for the frail cohort versus 9.8% for the non-frail cohort (RR 2.53 (1.63 to 3.95), p<0.001, I2=83%). For the smaller cohort of SAVR patients (n=454), mortality rates were 20.3% versus 3.9% for the frail and non-frail cohorts, respectively (RR 5.08 (2.31 to 11.15), p<0.001, I2=5%).ConclusionsFrailty, as determined by the CFS, was associated with an increased mortality risk in the 12 months following either TAVI or SAVR. These data would support its use in the preoperative assessment of elderly patients undergoing aortic valve interventions.
Cardiac rehabilitation for heart failure and atrial fibrillation: a propensity- matched study
Authors: Alhotye Munyra , Evans Rachael , Ng Andre , Singh Sally J 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is common in individuals with heart failure (HF). Individuals with HF and AF may have a reduced functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) which leads to hospital admission and burden on clinical services. Evidence supported the effect of exercise training in individuals with HF. However, there is no existing data on the effectiveness of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in individuals with coexisting HF and AF.AimTo explore the effect of CR in individuals with HF and AF compared with those with HF and no-coexisting AF.MethodsUsing CR database, individuals with HF and AF were identified and propensity matched to those with no coexisting AF. The change in incremental shuttle walking test, Heart Disease Quality of Life questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scores were compared between groups pre-CR and post-CR.Results149 individuals were propensity matched from each group. The mean±SD age of the matched sample was 73.4±8 years, body mass index 29±5.5 kg/m2, left ventricular ejection fraction 35.2±9.8% and 56% were male.A statistically significant improvements in exercise capacity, heart disease QoL, anxiety and depression scores were observed within each group. There were no significant differences between groups for any of these outcome measures.ConclusionsIndividuals with HF and AF gain a similar improvement in exercise capacity and health related QoL outcomes as individuals with no coexisting AF following CR. The presence of AF did not compromise the effectiveness of CR.
Thermodynamic product formulae for Finslerian Kiselev black hole
Authors: Nekouee Z. , Narasimhamurthy S. K. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe main goal of this paper is to solve the Finslerian Kiselev black hole and investigate its thermodynamic characteristics surrounded by dust, radiation, quintessence, and the cosmological constant. Since these black holes have multiple horizons, thus we calculate thermodynamic quantities, including area, horizon radius, Bekenstein–Hawking entropy, Hawking temperature, surface gravity, and Komar energy products. In addition, we study all universal relations of these black holes and discuss the role and effect of the Finslerian Ricci scalar $$(\eta )$$

(
η
)

on Finslerian Kiselev black holes and their stability.
Analyzing image-based political propaganda in referendum campaigns: from elements to strategies
Authors: Wang Ming-Hung , Chang Wei-Yang , Kuo Kuan-Hung , Tsai Kuo-Yu 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDue to the increasing prominence of social network services, political communication has experienced a paradigm shift. To communicate with internet users, politicians, candidates, and political organizations create fan pages. Initially, they provide text-only material on their pages; later, to increase engagement, they include photos, images, and videos. This paper investigates image-based political images in Taiwan for the first time during a nationwide referendum. Unlike an election, a referendum is a policy-based vote. We evaluate over 2000 Facebook images shared by the two most prominent political parties in order to comprehend the aspects of images and the tactics of political organizations. In addition, we examine the textual content, objects, and colors of the collected data. We find that the characteristics of propaganda materials vary between political groups. Nonetheless, the color strategies employed by both sides are equivalent, with each side utilizing its own representative colors for consolidation and the opponent’s colors for attacking.
The Origin of Highly Elevated Cell-Free DNA in Healthy Individuals and Patients with Pancreatic, Colorectal, Lung, or Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Mattox Austin K. , Douville Christopher , Wang Yuxuan , Popoli Maria , Ptak Janine , Silliman Natalie , Dobbyn Lisa , Schaefer Joy , Lu Steve , Pearlman Alexander H. , Cohen Joshua D. , Tie Jeanne , Gibbs Peter , Lahouel Kamel , Bettegowda Chetan , Hruban Ralph H. , Tomasetti Cristian , Jiang Peiyong , Chan K.C. Allen , Lo Yuk Ming Dennis , Papadopoulos Nickolas , Kinzler Kenneth W. , Vogelstein Bert 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentrations from patients with cancer are often elevated compared with those of healthy controls, but the sources of this extra cfDNA have never been determined. To address this issue, we assessed cfDNA methylation patterns in 178 patients with cancers of the colon, pancreas, lung, or ovary and 64 patients without cancer. Eighty-three of these individuals had cfDNA concentrations much greater than those generally observed in healthy subjects. The major contributor of cfDNA in all samples was leukocytes, accounting for ∼76% of cfDNA, with neutrophils predominating. This was true regardless of whether the samples were derived from patients with cancer or the total plasma cfDNA concentration. High levels of cfDNA observed in patients with cancer did not come from either neoplastic cells or surrounding normal epithelial cells from the tumor's tissue of origin. These data suggest that cancers may have a systemic effect on cell turnover or DNA clearance.

Significance:
The origin of excess cfDNA in patients with cancer is unknown. Using cfDNA methylation patterns, we determined that neither the tumor nor the surrounding normal tissue contributes this excess cfDNA—rather it comes from leukocytes. This finding suggests that cancers have a systemic impact on cell turnover or DNA clearance.
See related commentary by Thierry and Pisareva, p. 2122.
This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 2109
The temporal event-based model: Learning event timelines in progressive
diseases
Authors: Wijeratne Peter A. , Eshaghi Arman , Scotton William J. , Kohli Maitrei , Aksman Leon , Oxtoby Neil P. , Pustina Dorian , Warner John H. , Paulsen Jane S. , Scahill Rachael I. , Sampaio Cristina , Tabrizi Sarah J. , Alexander Daniel C. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Timelines of events, such as symptom appearance or a change in biomarker value, provide powerful signatures that characterise progressive diseases. Understanding and predicting the timing of events is important for clinical trials targeting individuals early in the disease course when putative treatments are likely to have the strongest effect. However, previous models of disease progression cannot estimate the time between events and provide only an ordering in which they change. Here, we introduce the temporal event-based model (TEBM), a new probabilistic model for inferring timelines of biomarker events from sparse and irregularly sampled datasets. We demonstrate the power of the TEBM in two neurodegenerative conditions: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Huntington’s disease (HD). In both diseases, the TEBM not only recapitulates current understanding of event orderings but also provides unique new ranges of timescales between consecutive events. We reproduce and validate these findings using external datasets in both diseases. We also demonstrate that the TEBM improves over current models; provides unique stratification capabilities; and enriches simulated clinical trials to achieve a power of 80% with less than half the cohort size compared with random selection. The application of the TEBM naturally extends to a wide range of progressive conditions.
The Arabic Citation Index: Toward a better understanding of Arab
scientific literature
Authors: El-Ouahi Jamal 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The Arabic Citation Index (ARCI) was launched in 2020. This article provides an overview of the scientific literature contained in this new database and explores its possible usage in research evaluation. As of May 2022, ARCI had indexed 138,283 scientific publications published between 2015 and 2020. ARCI’s coverage is characterized by using the metadata available in scientific publications. First, I investigate the distributions of the indexed literature at various levels (research domains, countries, languages, open access). Articles make up nearly all the documents indexed with a share of 99% of ARCI. The Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences fields have the highest concentration of publications. Most indexed journals are published in Egypt, Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. About 8% of publications in ARCI are published in languages other than Arabic. Second, I use an unsupervised machine learning model, Latent Dirichlet Allocation, and the text mining algorithm of VOSviewer to uncover the main topics in ARCI. These methods provide a better understanding of ARCI’s thematic structure. Next, I discuss how ARCI can complement global standards in the context of a more inclusive research evaluation. Finally, I suggest a few research opportunities after discussing the findings of this study.
What Do Scientists Mean When They Talk About Research Animals “Volunteering”?
Authors: Palmer Alexandra , Greenhough Beth , Hobson-West Pru , Davies Gail , Message Reuben 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This paper examines discourses around “volunteering” in animal research. Through a qualitative textual analysis of the scientific literature using animals in behavioral and psychological research, we demonstrate that “voluntary” and related terms are used by scientists in a variety of distinct ways, which carry a range of ethical and political connotations. While any reference to volunteering might be assumed to imply free, unconstrained, and unpaid participation in an activity, in the animal research literature the term is often used simply to signal a lack of physical restraint, even though other human-imposed constraints are at play. Though truly voluntary behavior may be impossible, we nevertheless argue that there is a case for seeing use of the language of volunteering as an ethical or political move in which scientists aim to highlight a goal of minimizing human control, promoting animal welfare, or representing their research as ethically acceptable.
Cultures of Taḥqīq between the Mongols, the Mughals, and the Mediterranean
Authors: Casale Giancarlo 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Across wide-ranging areas of Islamic thought, taḥqīq is an essential “way of knowing,” an epistemology broadly rooted in independent reasoning, empirical observation, openness to allegorical interpretation, and skepticism towards “received tradition.” Over the past few years, it has attracted the attention of an increasing number of scholars of both the Islamic Mediterranean and the Indo-Persian world, who have found taḥqīq to be a richly productive frame for re-interpreting and re-invigorating the study of intellectual, cultural, scientific, and literary life during the centuries stretching, roughly speaking, from around 1300 to around 1700. As they have done so, however, Mediterraneanists and Indo-Persianists have developed ways of conceptualizing taḥqīq that are vastly divergent – in some sense, even incommensurate. Against this background, the present collection of essays proposes a new, shared history of early modern taḥqīq as an epistemology of empire, with common origins in the Mongol conquests of the thirteenth century, and with ramifications stretching well into the era of European modernity.