bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacogenetics as part of recommended precision medicine for tuberculosis treatment in African populations: Could it be a reality?
Authors: Oelofse Carola , Ndong Sima Carene Anne Alene , Möller Marlo , Uren Caitlin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGlobally, tuberculosis (TB) is the second most lethal infectious disease. However, in sub‐Saharan Africa, TB has the largest disease burden, with drug‐resistant TB increasingly becoming a concern. The social and economic impact of TB should not be overlooked, especially in areas where healthcare systems are overburdened, and resources need to be allocated judiciously. The aim of pharmacogenetics (PGx) is to improve therapeutic response and to minimize adverse drug reactions by selecting the most optimal drug and dosage for the individual patient. Implementation of PGx into routine clinical care has been slow, especially in resource‐limited settings, because of perceived high costs relative to uncertain benefit. Given the impact of TB on the disease and disability burden in these regions, a better understanding and optimization of TB treatment in understudied African populations is vital. The first weeks of treatment are the most crucial for treatment success, and a point‐of‐care pre‐emptive PGx test could start patients on the most bactericidal and least toxic drug combination. This may potentially reduce the number of patients returning to clinical care and streamline the use of limited resources across the healthcare system. This review explores the status of TB PGx in Africa, the utility of existing TB PGx testing panels, and the economic feasibility in developing a clinically valuable, cost‐effective, pre‐emptive PGx test to guide optimized, new dosing regimens specifically for African population groups. TB is a disease of poverty, but investment in PGx research in African populations could ensure improved treatments and long‐term cost savings.
Does corruption rule the auditor's soul? Examining the auditors' attitude toward accepting corruption behaviors
Authors: Mardawi Zeena , Tormo‐Carbó Guillermina , Seguí‐Mas Elies , Al‐Koni Saed 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis study investigates individual auditors' attitudes toward various corrupt behaviors in Palestine, an underexplored context. We examine the perception and determinants of auditors toward corruption and introduce the link between gender, job position, exposure to other cultures, age, and level of education as factors affecting attitudes toward corruption perception. Our findings reveal that auditors' perception of corruption differs across corrupt behaviors. In most surveyed behaviors, age is negatively associated with acceptance of corruption, and female auditors exhibit a higher attitude toward accepting corruption across various forms. Additionally, the auditor's position and outside education significantly impact their attitude toward accepting corruption. Our work fills an existing literature gap and provides valuable information for targeted regulators and professional bodies aiming to reduce corruption.
Did the 2016 election cause changes in substance use? An intersectional approach
Authors: Perry Teresa 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of the 2016 election on substance use. One of Donald Trump's major campaign initiatives was to build a wall at the American/Mexican border, and he frequently made negative comments about various underrepresented groups. I hypothesize that this unorthodox rhetoric, coupled with Donald Trump's proposed policies during his campaign, created an exogenous shock of discrimination for women, and ethnic and racial minority groups when he was elected. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset, which has a variety of health measures and demographic information compiled at the individual level, is utilized to empirically examine the hypothesis. I examine the average treatment effects of the election using a difference‐in‐differences estimation strategy. The results indicate that there has been an increase in cigarette use for Hispanic individuals. These results highlight the impact that discriminatory rhetoric by political leaders and public figures has on marginalized groups within society. Policy implications include new ways to target substance use by targeting discrimination.
Digital Module 32: Understanding and Mitigating the Impact of Low Effort on Common Uses of Test and Survey Scores
Authors: Soland James 
Published: June 2023

AbstractMost individuals who take, interpret, design, or score tests are aware that examinees do not always provide full effort when responding to items. However, many such individuals are not aware of how pervasive the issue is, what its consequences are, and how to address it. In this digital ITEMS module, Dr. James Soland will help fill these gaps in the knowledge base. Specifically, the module enumerates how frequently behaviors associated with low effort occur, and some of the ways they can distort inferences based on test scores. Then, the module explains some of the most common approaches for identifying low effort, and correcting for it when examining test scores. Brief discussion is also given to how these methods align with, and diverge from, those used to deal with low respondent effort in self‐report contexts. Data and code are also provided such that readers can better implement some of the desired methods in their own work.
European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and European Academy of Neurology consensus on vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis: Improving immunization strategies in the era of highly active immunotherapeutic drugs
Authors: Otero‐Romero Susana , Lebrun‐Frénay Christine , Reyes Saúl , Amato Maria Pia , Campins Magda , Farez Mauricio , Filippi Massimo , Hacohen Yael , Hemmer Bernhard , Juuti Rosa , Magyari Melinda , Oreja‐Guevara Celia , Siva Aksel , Vukusic Sandra , Tintoré Mar 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackground and purposeWith the new highly active drugs available for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), vaccination becomes an essential part of the risk management strategy. We aimed to develop a European evidence‐based consensus for the vaccination strategy of pwMS who are candidates for disease‐modifying therapies (DMTs).MethodsThis work was conducted by a multidisciplinary working group using formal consensus methodology. Clinical questions (defined as population, interventions and outcomes) considered all authorized DMTs and vaccines. A systematic literature search was conducted and quality of evidence was defined according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. The recommendations were formulated based on the quality of evidence and the risk–benefit balance.ResultsSeven questions, encompassing vaccine safety, vaccine effectiveness, global vaccination strategy and vaccination in subpopulations (pediatric, pregnant women, elderly and international travelers) were considered. A narrative description of the evidence considering published studies, guidelines and position statements is presented. A total of 53 recommendations were agreed by the working group after three rounds of consensus.ConclusionThis first European consensus on vaccination in pwMS proposes the best vaccination strategy according to current evidence and expert knowledge, with the goal of homogenizing the immunization practices in pwMS.
Predator‐induced plasticity in relation to prey body size: A meta‐analysis of Daphnia experiments
Authors: Nagano Mariko , Sakamoto Masaki , Chang Kwang‐Hyeon , Doi Hideyuki 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Predator‐induced plasticity is an adaptive response inprey to predation risks. Considering that size‐selective predation affects the body‐size distribution of prey populations, we hypothesised that the body size of species determines their expression of predator‐induced plasticity. However, as a result of variations in expression among species, an integrated understanding of the relationships between traits remains lacking. We considered the predator‐induced plasticity of Daphnia species separately for their body size, defensive morphology and life‐history traits. The aim of this study was to compare the predator‐induced plasticity of Daphnia against size‐selective predators: phantom midge Chaoborus larvae and fish.

This meta‐analysis included 75 studies and nine plasticity traits for 15 Daphnia species. Daphnia were analysed separately according to phylogeny (subgenera Ctenodaphnia, Daphnia and Hyalodaphnia) and body size (large >3.0 mm, medium 2.0 mm and small 1.0 mm).

Size‐dependent analyses showed that at least three of the nine plasticity traits were expressed in Daphnia against fish. Among the three subgenera, Daphnia induced the greatest plasticity against both predators (five key traits against Chaoborus and four against fish).

The relationship between size and age at first reproduction showed that Daphnia exhibited different degrees of plasticity against Chaoborus and fish. Daphnia had only one set of life‐history response to fish, namely, decreased size at maturity and early reproduction. By contrast, Daphnia exhibited three sets of life‐history responses to Chaoborus larvae: decreased size and delayed reproduction, increased size and delayed reproduction, and increased size and early reproduction. Overall, predator‐induced plasticity was expressed well in small and medium‐sized Daphnia, and was more evident in small Daphnia than would be expected from size‐selective predation.

This study shows that the body size of Daphnia is a key trait influencing its plasticity expression and evolution. We detected novel pattern among life‐history traits, but found no strong associations between morphological defences and life‐history traits. We suggest that prey size, predation preference and body size are important factors for understanding and explaining the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
Extraradical hyphae exhibit more plastic nutrient‐acquisition strategies than roots under nitrogen enrichment in ectomycorrhiza‐dominated forests
Authors: Zhu Xiaomin , Lambers Hans , Guo Wanji , Chen Dongdong , Liu Zhanfeng , Zhang Ziliang , Yin Huajun 
Published: June 2023

AbstractEctomycorrhizal (ECM) functional traits related to nutrient acquisition are impacted by nitrogen (N) deposition. However, less is known about whether these nutrient‐acquisition traits associated with roots and hyphae differentially respond to increased N deposition in ECM‐dominated forests with different initial N status. We conducted a chronic N addition experiment (25 kg N ha−1 year−1) in two ECM‐dominated forests with contrasting initial N status, that is, a Pinus armandii forest (with relatively low N availability) and a Picea asperata forest (with relatively high N availability), to assess nutrient‐mining and nutrient‐foraging strategies associated with roots and hyphae under N addition. We show that nutrient‐acquisition strategies of roots and hyphae differently respond to increased N addition. Root nutrient‐acquisition strategies showed a consistent response to N addition, regardless of initial forest nutrient status, shifting from organic N mining toward inorganic N foraging. In contrast, the hyphal nutrient‐acquisition strategy showed diverse responses to N addition depending on initial forest N status. In the Pinus armandii forest, trees increased belowground carbon (C) allocation to ECM fungi thus enhancing hyphal N‐mining capacity under increased N availability. By comparison, in the Picea asperata forest, ECM fungi enhanced both capacities of P foraging and P mining in response to N‐induced P limitation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that ECM fungal hyphae exhibit greater plasticity in nutrient‐mining and nutrient‐foraging strategies than roots do in response to changes of nutrient status induced by N deposition. This study highlights the importance of ECM associations in tree acclimation and forest function stability under changing environments.
HRQoL and psychosocial aspects of burden on caregivers to children with moderate or severe von Willebrand disease
Authors: Olsson Anna , Petrini Pia , Engman Grahn Emma , Myrin Westesson Linda 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionVon Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most widespread congenital bleeding disorder. Caregivers are highly involved in its treatment, and from the time of the child's bleeding diagnosis, they face new demands such as recognition of bleeds and treatment options.AimThe aim of this study was to assess Health related quality of life (HRQoL) in caregivers of children with moderate and severe VWD in Sweden, and to describe the impact of psychosocial aspects on the burden.MethodsA multicentre, cross‐sectional study. The Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF‐36) was used to assess HRQoL. Caregiver burden was measured using The HEMOphilia associated Caregiver Burden scale (HEMOCAB). Children´s clinical data were collected from the Swedish national registry for bleeding disorders.ResultsSeventy caregivers of children with moderate or severe VWD were included. Caregivers of children with moderate VWD scored significantly lower in the mental health domains on SF‐36, compared to matched normative data. Psychosocial aspects that significantly impacted the caregiver burden negatively measured by HEMOCAB total score were: if the caregiver reported that VWD affected their life in general (p = .001), if the child was absent from preschool/school ≥2 day/12 months due to VWD (p = .002) or that VWD had a financial impact on the family (p = .001).ConclusionThis study contributes to knowledge about caregivers’ HRQoL and highlights the situation of caregivers of children with moderate VWD. Furthermore, the caregiver burden was negatively affected by psychosocial aspects. Clinical follow‐ups should include assessment of psychosocial aspects to identify caregivers that are at risk of high burden.
A rocky road but worth the drive: A longitudinal qualitative study of patient innovators and researchers cocreating research
Authors: Wannheden Carolina , Riggare Sara , Luckhaus Jamie L. , Jansson Hanna , Sjunnestrand My , Stenfors Terese , Savage Carl , Reinius Maria , Hasson Henna 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundPartnership research practices involving various stakeholder groups are gaining ground. Yet, the research community is still exploring how to effectively coproduce research together. This study describes (a) key programme developments in the creation of a 6‐year partnership research programme in Sweden, and (b) explores the hopes, expectations, and experiences of patient innovators (i.e., individuals with lived experience as patients or caregivers who drive health innovations) and researchers involved in the programme during the first years.MethodsWe conducted a prospective longitudinal qualitative study spanning the first 2 years of the programme. Data consisted of meeting protocols and interviews with 14 researchers and 6 patient innovators; 39 interviews were carried out in three evenly‐spaced rounds. We identified significant events and discussion themes in the meeting protocols and analyzed the interviews using thematic analysis, applying a cross‐sectional recurrent approach to track changes over time.FindingsMeeting protocols revealed how several partnership practices (e.g., programme management team, task forces, role description document) were cocreated, supporting the sharing of power and responsibilities among programme members. Based on the analysis of interviews, we created three themes: (1) paving the path to a better tomorrow, reflecting programme members' high expectations; (2) going on a road trip together, reflecting experiences of finding new roles and learning how to cocreate; (3) finding the tempo: from talking to doing, reflecting experiences of managing challenges and becoming productive as a team.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that sharing, respecting, and acknowledging each other's experiences and concerns helps build mutual trust and shape partnership practices. High expectations beyond research productivity suggest that we need to consider outcomes at different levels, from the individual to society, when evaluating the impact of partnership research.Patient or Public ContributionThe research team included members with formal experiences as researchers and members with lived experiences of being a patient or informal caregiver. One patient innovator coauthored this paper and contributed to all aspects of the research, including the design of the study; production of data (as interviewee); interpretation of findings; and drafting the manuscript.
Simultaneous enhancement of dielectric properties and temperature stability in BaTiO3‐based ceramics enabling X8R multilayer ceramic capacitor
Authors: Xiao Yizhou , Yang Yuanbo , Yang Shuai , Li Jinglei , Liu Dan , Wu Jie , Wang Mingwen , Li Chunchun , Li Fei 
Published: June 2023

AbstractModified BaTiO3 ceramics that possess high dielectric permittivity and acceptable temperature stability have been widely utilized as multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for high‐frequency bypass and power filtering in automotive applications. However, since the increasing demand for high‐capacity and small‐size, high‐permittivity materials that can serve as dielectric layers in MLCCs are urgently required. In this work, we design and fabricate a special BaTiO3‐0.03Mg‐0.02Y‐0.02CaZrO3 ceramic with a high dielectric permittivity of 3000 and the dielectric variation below ±13% in the temperature range of ‐55–150°C, fulfilling the requirements of X8R capacitors. To achieve these results, we employed grain size engineering and cation doping, using BaTiO3 precursors with a particle size of 240 nm to prepare the BaTiO3‐based ceramics with fine grains, while Mg and Y co‐doping was used for improving the temperature stability due to dielectric dispersion. Utilizing these high‐permittivity BaTiO3‐based materials, we fabricated MLCCs that satisfy the X8R criterion, possessing a high dielectric constant of 2950 and a high breakdown field (410 kV/cm).
Location choice with asymmetric data in the Hotelling model
Authors: Liu Shuaicheng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper analyzes the location choices of firms in the Hotelling model, in which one firm has consumer data and can practice price discrimination, while the other firm without data can only set uniform price. The equilibrium results show medium differentiation. The location choices of firms can alleviate the inhibition of data asymmetry on competition and increase consumer surplus. And we consider the consumers' transportation costs as an exponential function of distance. When this exponent increases, horizontal differentiation increases, but market prices fall, benefiting consumers.
Outcomes of de‐prescribing proton pump inhibitors during acute admissions in a general medical unit: a pilot study
Authors: Luc Michael T. K. , Adi‐Pranoto Edward , Lau David , Anpalahan Mahesan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe study describes the feasibility and short‐to‐medium‐term efficacy of an evidence‐based proton pump inhibitor (PPI) de‐prescribing initiative undertaken as part of routine clinical care during acute admissions in a general medical unit. Of the 44 (median (IQR) age 75.5 (13.75) years; females 25 (57%)) who participated in the study, de‐prescription was maintained in 29 (66%) and 27 (61%) patients at 12 and 26 weeks respectively.
Radiofrequency versus cryoballoon catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: A randomized trial
Authors: Mililis Panagiotis , Kariki Ourania , Saplaouras Athanasios , Bazoukis George , Dragasis Stylianos , Patsiotis Ilias G. , Batsouli Athena , Vlachos Konstantinos , Letsas Konstantinos P. , Efremidis Michael 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionPatients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) represent a challenging population for rhythm control therapies. Catheter ablation (CA) with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective treatment option for the reduction of the arrhythmic burden. Data regarding the comparability between radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon ablation (CRYO) in persistent AF are limited.MethodsThis is a prospective, randomized, single‐center study designed to compare the efficacy in terms of rhythm control between RF and CRYO in persistent AF. Eligible participants were randomized 2:1 in two arms: RF and CRYO. The primary endpoint of the study was arrhythmia relapse in the early postprocedural period (first 3 months) and in the middle term follow‐up (3 months to 12 months). Secondary endpoints included procedure duration, fluoroscopy time, and complications.ResultsA total of 199 patients participated in the study (133 patients in the RF arm, 66 in the CRYO arm). No statistically significant difference occurred between the two groups regarding the primary endpoint (recurrences ≤3 months: 35.5% RF vs. 37.9% CRYO, p .755, recurrences >3 months: 26.3% RF vs. 27.3% CRYO, p .999). From the secondary endpoints, CRYO was a procedure of significantly shorter duration (75.15 ± 17.21 in CRYO vs. 136.6 ± 43.33 in RF group, p < .05).ConclusionCRYO and RF ablation appear to be equally effective for rhythm control in patients with persistent AF. CRYO ablation is advantageous in terms of procedure duration.
Clinical benefits of systemic amoxicillin/metronidazole may depend on periodontitis stage and grade: An exploratory sub‐analysis of the ABPARO trial
Authors: Eickholz Peter , Koch Raphael , Göde Moritz , Nickles Katrin , Kocher Thomas , Lorenz Katrin , Kim Ti‐Sun , Meyle Jörg , Kaner Doğan , Schlagenhauf Ulrich , Harks Inga , Ehmke Benjamin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAimAssessment of treatment response after systemic amoxicillin/metronidazole adjunctive to subgingival instrumentation (SI) according to stages and grades of the 2018 classification of periodontal diseases.Materials and MethodsWe carried out exploratory re‐analysis of the placebo‐controlled, multi‐centre ABPARO trial (52; 45/60 years of age; 205 males, 114 active smokers). Patients were randomized to SI with systemic amoxicillin 500 mg/metronidazole 400 mg (three times a day for 7 days, n = 205; ANTI) or placebo (n = 200; PLAC) and maintenance therapy every 3 months. Patients were reclassified according to the 2018 classification (stage/extent/grade). Treatment effect was the percentage of sites per patient with new attachment loss ≥1.3 mm (PSAL ≥ 1.3 mm) at 27.5 months post‐baseline/randomization.ResultsAll patients were assigned according to the stage (n = 49 localized stage III, n = 206 generalized stage III, n = 150 stage IV). Because of missing radiographs, only 222 patients were assigned to grades (n = 73 B, n = 149 C). Treatment (PLAC/ANTI) resulted in PSAL ≥ 1.3 mm (median; lower/upper quartile) in localized stage III (PLAC: 5.7; 3.3/8.4% vs. ANTI: 4.9; 3.0/8.3%; p = .749), generalized stage III (8.0; 4.5/14.3% vs. 4.7; 2.4/9.0%; p < .001), stage IV (8.5; 5.1/14.4% vs. 5.7; 3.3/10.6%; p = .008), grade B (4.4; 2.4/6.7% vs. 3.6; 1.9/4.7%; p = .151) and grade C (9.4; 5.3/14.3% vs. 4.8; 2.5/9.4%; p < .001).ConclusionsIn generalized periodontitis stage III/grade C, a clinically relevant lower percentage of disease progression after adjunctive systemic amoxicillin/metronidazole was observed compared to placebo (PLAC: 9.7; 5.8/14.3% vs. ANTI: 4.7; 2.4/9.0%; p < .001).