bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost‐effectiveness of guideline‐based care provision for patients with diabetes‐related foot ulcers: A modelled analysis using discrete event simulation
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Carter Hannah E. , Lazzarini Peter A. , Cramb Susanna , Pacella Rosana , van Netten Jaap J. , Cheng Qinglu , Derhy Patrick H. , Kinnear Ewan M. , McPhail Steven M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAimsThe provision of guideline‐based care for patients with diabetes‐related foot ulcers (DFU) in clinical practice is suboptimal. We estimated the cost‐effectiveness of higher rates of guideline‐based care, compared with current practice.MethodsThe costs and quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) associated with current practice (30% of patients receiving guideline‐based care) were compared with seven hypothetical scenarios with increasing proportion of guideline‐based care (40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%). Comparisons were made using discrete event simulations reflecting the natural history of DFU over a 3‐year time horizon from the Australian healthcare perspective. Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios were calculated for each scenario and compared to a willingness‐to‐pay of AUD 28,000 per QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to incorporate joint parameter uncertainty.ResultsAll seven scenarios with higher rates of guideline‐based care were likely cheaper and more effective than current practice. Increased proportions compared with current practice resulted in between AUD 0.28 and 1.84 million in cost savings and 11–56 additional QALYs per 1000 patients. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses indicated that the finding is robust to parameter uncertainty.ConclusionsHigher proportions of patients receiving guideline‐based care are less costly and improve patient outcomes. Strategies to increase the proportion of patients receiving guideline‐based care are warranted.
Pharmacological potential of ants and their symbionts – a review
Authors: Agarwal Surbhi , Sharma Garima , Verma Kavita , Latha Narayanan , Mathur Vartika 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAnts (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) play an important role in the pharmacological and food industry due to their therapeutic and nutritional properties. Being the most abundant eusocial insects in the world, ants also serve as a repository of bioactive compounds, which are utilized for their ecological interactions and defense. Ants have been used for the treatment of various diseases including asthma, cancer, arthritis, and other microbial infections in both modern and ethnic medicine. This is attributed to various compounds, such as antimicrobial peptides, biogenic amines, alkaloids, and flavonoids obtained from ant venom as well as whole‐body extracts. However, most of these compounds have not been characterized till date. Ant endosymbionts are also known to contribute to some of these properties and to play a crucial role in digestion, protection from enemies, nutritional upgrading, nitrogen recycling, and reproductive manipulation of their host. Hence, they have been used in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries due to their ability to produce various bioactive compounds. In contrast, ectosymbionts specifically help in pathogen defense. However, the potential of ant symbionts in the welfare and production of therapeutic compounds is not extensively studied. This review mainly focuses on the role of ants and their symbiotic microbes as a potential source of bioactive compounds in therapeutic interventions for exploring future possibilities in drug development research.
Three perspectives on the prediction of chemical effects in ecosystems
Authors: Schneeweiss Anke , Juvigny‐Khenafou Noël P. D. , Osakpolor Stephen , Scharmüller Andreas , Scheu Sebastian , Schreiner Verena C. , Ashauer Roman , Escher Beate I. , Leese Florian , Schäfer Ralf B. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe increasing production, use and emission of synthetic chemicals into the environment represents a major driver of global change. The large number of synthetic chemicals, limited knowledge on exposure patterns and effects in organisms and their interaction with other global change drivers hamper the prediction of effects in ecosystems. However, recent advances in biomolecular and computational methods are promising to improve our capacity for prediction. We delineate three idealised perspectives for the prediction of chemical effects: the suborganismal, organismal and ecological perspective, which are currently largely separated. Each of the outlined perspectives includes essential and complementary theories and tools for prediction but captures only part of the phenomenon of chemical effects. Links between the perspectives may foster predictive modelling of chemical effects in ecosystems and extrapolation between species. A major challenge for the linkage is the lack of data sets simultaneously covering different levels of biological organisation (here referred to as biological levels) as well as varying temporal and spatial scales. Synthesising the three perspectives, some central aspects and associated types of data seem particularly necessary to improve prediction. First, suborganism‐ and organism‐level responses to chemicals need to be recorded and tested for relationships with chemical groups and organism traits. Second, metrics that are measurable at many biological levels, such as energy, need to be scrutinised for their potential to integrate across levels. Third, experimental data on the simultaneous response over multiple biological levels and spatiotemporal scales are required. These could be collected in nested and interconnected micro‐ and mesocosm experiments. Lastly, prioritisation of processes involved in the prediction framework needs to find a balance between simplification and capturing the essential complexity of a system. For example, in some cases, eco‐evolutionary dynamics and interactions may need stronger consideration. Prediction needs to move from a static to a real‐world eco‐evolutionary view.
Patients with COVID‐19 share their experiences of recovering at home following hospital care transitions and discharge preparation
Authors: Ganton Joanne , Hubbard Amberley , Kovacs Burns Katharina 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIntroductionPatients discharged following hospitalization for COVID‐19 require clear discharge protocols, information resources and communications to adequately prepare them to safely and successfully transition from hospital to home. Our study focuses on the patients' transition to recovering at home including their hospital discharge preparation and hospital experiences.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study design involved interviewing patients who had been hospitalized for COVID‐19 in one urban Alberta, Canada centre. Purposive sampling was used to select patients from a centralized COVID‐19 hospital patient database stratified by month between March 2020 and February 2021. Other inclusion criteria (e.g., sex and age) were also considered. Semi‐structured interviews with patients were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Data sufficiency and saturation were determined.ResultsTwelve patients shared their lived experiences and recovery journey from COVID‐19. Themes were reported under three main areas as framed by the study aim—the current status of patients recovering at home, including the supports they used to manage; their discharge process and preparation to go home; and their various hospital‐related experiences. Suggestions for improving aspects of the patient journey were also captured.ConclusionFindings provided details of the needs, information gaps and what matters most to patients when they are recovering from COVID‐19 at home, including their preparation to safely and successfully transition from hospital to home (i.e., feeling well prepared to go home, including being adequately assessed and having clear discharge protocols and communication). Key learnings were applied to improve or develop patient discharge and transition resources.Patient or Public ContributionA patient/family advisor and patient experience partners were involved throughout the study, codeveloping all aspects, from the study design to the reporting and application of the findings. Leading into the study, patient experiences and feedback regarding the home from hospital recovery journey informed multiple aspects, including the codevelopment of the interview guide.
Pilot evaluation of PrEP EmERGE – A novel digital health innovation designed to support sexual health clinics and HIV‐PrEP users
Authors: Fitzpatrick Colin , Richardson Daniel , Sherriff Nigel , Whetham Jennifer 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a co‐designed mobile health (mHealth) application (PrEP‐EmERGE) within a digital health pathway to support HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study to evaluate the usability and acceptability of the PrEP‐EmERGE app. Data were collected via an online survey sent to all PrEP EmERGE users in September 2021. Usability was assessed with a validated usability tool, the System Usability Scale (SUS). Acceptability was assessed using modified patient‐reported experience measures (PREMs). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and/or inferential statistics and qualitative data (free text responses) using thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 81/133 (61%) active PrEP EmERGE users completed the online survey, which was available directly from their PrEP EmERGE app: 78/81 (96%) identified as cis‐male, 74/81 (91%) reported their ethnicity as ‘white’, 69/81 (85%) reported daily PrEP use, 7/81 (9%) reported using an event‐based dosing schedule, and 5/81 (6%) were switching between dosing schedules. Overall, the median SUS score was 78/100 (interquartile range: 70–92). There were no differences in median SUS scores by PrEP dosing schedules (p = 0.78) or months of experience of using the app (p = 0.31). Overall, 73/81 (90%) would recommend the PrEP EmERGE app to a friend and 78/81 (96%) rated their satisfaction of the app as excellent, good or satisfactory. The free text responses generated three key themes: accessibility (for results and information); autonomy [taking responsibility for their (sexual) health] and functionality (including technical recommendations for app development and the digital health pathway).ConclusionsInnovative, co‐designed digital health pathways, such as PrEP EmERGE can help sexual health services to manage increasing numbers of people accessing PrEP – ensuring that they retain access for those who need to be seen face‐to‐face. We report high levels of acceptability and usability during the first 4 months of this novel pathway.
Sex difference in fatty acid composition of six marine teleosts
Authors: Zhang Feiran , Liu Jiahao , Bi Qingzhu , Ma Qiang , Wei Yuliang , Liang Mengqing , Xu Houguo 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the sex difference in fatty acid (FA) composition of six wild marine fish species, namely, Cleisthenes herzensteini, Platichthys bicoloratus, Pseudosciaena polyactics, Platycephalus indicus, Alosa sapidissima and Scomberomorus niphonius. The coefficient of distance value between sexes (Dsex) and multi‐variate similarity of percentages analysis (SIMPER) revealed universal existence of sex difference in FA composition, particularly in gonad, intestine and liver. Nonetheless, this sex difference was highly dependent on fish species. In general, DHA, 18:1n‐9, 16:1n‐7, 16:0 and EPA appeared to be the TOP FAs differentially abundant between sexes.
Spatial heterogeneity in pH, body size and habitat size generates ecological opportunity in an evolutionary radiation
Authors: Smith Carl , Zięba Grzegorz , Spence Rowena , Przybylski Mirosław 
Published: September 2022

AbstractMuch of the biological diversity we see today is thought to be the product of evolutionary radiation, the rapid proliferation of species from a single ancestor into multiple discrete forms. Spatial heterogeneity in environmental variables has been proposed as creating the necessary ecological opportunity to stimulate evolutionary radiation. Nonetheless, the ecological mechanisms generating and maintaining diversity in spatially heterogeneous environments are not fully understood. The authors investigated the role of strong spatial heterogeneity in generating ecological opportunity in an evolutionary radiation of freshwater populations of the three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatusL.) on the island of North Uist using a spatially explicit Bayesian model. The authors identified pH, loch surface area and body size as predictors of variance in the number of lateral plates that comprise anti‐predator armour inG. aculeatus. An East–West gradient of pH, a product of the distinctive environment of North Uist, generates a robust selective environment facilitatingG. aculeatusevolutionary radiation. Larger lochs were associated with atypical phenotypes, possibly related to larger population sizes and greater selection efficiency. An association between pH and lateral plate number is likely an effect of body size, with a positive relationship between body size and lateral plate number that is mediated by swimming efficiency inG. aculeatus.
How does air pollution affect corporate information environment?
Authors: Xiao He 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn this article I examine the causal impact of air pollution on the corporate information environment. My empirical findings indicate that firms located in cities with severe air pollution tend to experience higher information asymmetry. The economic mechanisms behind this casual association come from the negative impact of air pollution on corporate governance and managerial human capital. Specifically, the positive causal association between air pollution and corporate information asymmetry is less pronounced for firms with stronger corporate governance and better managerial ability. In addition, firms exposed to more severe air pollution tend to have fewer board meetings. All main empirical findings are robust to a system generalized method of moments estimation, two‐stage least squares tests using thermal inversions as an instrumental variable, regression discontinuity tests based on the Huai River policy, and difference‐in‐difference estimations based on the 2013 Clean Air Action Plan in China. Furthermore, all main findings are confirmed by robustness tests, such as alternative proxies of air pollution and information asymmetry, and the exclusion of first‐tier cities.
Fast Rises, Slow Declines: Asymmetric Unemployment Dynamics with Matching Frictions
Authors: FERRARO DOMENICO 
Published: September 2022

AbstractI argue that the textbook search‐and‐matching model cannot generate the observed cyclical asymmetry in the unemployment rate. In the United States, the unemployment rate rises quickly and abruptly at the onset of recessions and declines slowly and gradually during expansions. This pattern produces positive skewness in the distribution of unemployment rate changes, while the model generates a counterfactually negative skewness. Moreover, I show that the model's inability to replicate the cyclical asymmetry in the data stands regardless of its ability to generate realistic volatility in unemployment rate fluctuations.
Usefulness of screening for Candida auris colonisation in international patients admitted to a large university hospital
Authors: Heindel Judith , Zweigner Janine , Fuchs Frieder , Hamprecht Axel 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIntroductionCandida auris is an emerging pathogen in health care‐associated infections. In contrast to many other countries with rising numbers of C. auris, only seven cases have been reported in Germany from 2015 to 2017, mostly from patients who received prior medical treatment abroad. We therefore established a mandatory screening for C. auris colonisation at our tertiary care centre for all patients who were admitted as international patients or previously hospitalised in a foreign country within the past 6 months.MethodsColonisation of patients was assessed using a previously established screening protocol for multidrug resistant bacteria. Since 2017, all screening samples were additionally analysed for C. auris using CHROMagar Candida (CHROMagar, Paris, France). Yeast isolates were identified using matrix‐assisted laser ionisation time‐of‐flight (MALDI TOF), except for C. albicans (identified by the typical green colour on chromogenic agar). Data were analysed retrospectively.ResultsOur study cohort included 655 patients and an overall number of 1399 samples. Fifty‐three patients were colonised with Candida species (C. albicans, n = 37; C. glabrata, n = 14; others n = 9). No case of C. auris was detected. Candida spp. were mainly detected from respiratory samples (5.4% positive) and gastrointestinal specimen (5.2%). Laboratory costs were 14,689 € and analyses resulted in 98.7 h of additional technician's work.ConclusionNo colonisation with C. auris was detected among patients with previous hospitalisation abroad. Universal C. auris screening of patients with any contact to foreign health care does not seem to be cost‐effective in our setting and more targeted screening strategies have to be developed.
Mapping the Distribution of Melanin Concentration in Different Fitzpatrick Skin Types Using Hyperspectral Imaging Technique
Authors: Calin Mihaela Antonina , Manea Dragos , Savastru Roxana , Parasca Sorin Viorel 
Published: September 2022

AbstractMeasuring skin melanin concentration in order to assess skin phototype according to Fitzpatrick's classification is a constant research goal. In this study, a new approach for assessing skin melanin concentration based on hyperspectral imaging combined with an appropriate analytical model that exploits specific spectral bands to generate maps of melanin content distribution on different Fitzpatrick skin phototypes is presented. Hyperspectral images from the proximal inner side of the forearms of 51 young volunteers covering the first four classes of Fitzpatrick's phototypes were acquired using a hyperspectral imaging system. The images were analyzed using a modified Beer–Lambert law that segregates the contribution of melanin from the other constituents to the skin absorption spectrum. The performance of the model was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (r‐squared). The results revealed that the approach proposed in this study generated accurate melanin concentration distribution maps that allowed a correct classification of skin phototype. In conclusion, the proposed approach for assessing skin melanin concentration proved to be very reliable for classifying skin phototypes, and, as it provides maps that are easily read, it has the advantage of a possible extension of its applications to other research concerning skin pigmentation.
Peer‐to‐peer sharing platforms with quality differentiation: Manufacturer's strategic decision under sharing economy
Authors: Guan Huiqi , Geng Xin , Gurnani Haresh 
Published: September 2022

As peer‐to‐peer sharing platforms emerge in the downstream market, upstream product manufacturers may build their exclusive sharing platform, seeking benefits from the sharing market. To study the profit and welfare implications of the emergence of sharing economy and manufacturer's platform‐building strategy, we employ a vertically differentiated duopoly setting and consider three scenarios: no‐sharing benchmark, a single third‐party platform emerged, and manufacturer‐built platform co‐existing with the third‐party platform. Formulating and solving the game in each scenario, we compare the equilibrium outcomes, including manufacturers' profits, consumer surplus and social welfare, before and after scenario transitions. For the manufacturers' profits, no matter which manufacturer builds the platform in presence of the third‐party platform, that manufacturer will be better off, whereas the opponent manufacturer may also benefit, depending on the quality differentiation perceived by consumers in the product selling market and in the sharing market. Moreover, when comparing against the no‐sharing benchmark, the manufacturers benefit from the sharing only when the quality differentiation is large enough and the production cost is not small. For the welfare implication, if the renters derive the same usage utility as the owners in the sharing market, the consumer surplus and the social welfare will always increase as the third‐party platform emerges or a manufacturer builds its platform. Otherwise, either platform could hurt the consumer surplus and the social welfare, especially when the quality differentiation is large. Our research highlights the innovative platform‐building strategy in the presence of peer‐to‐peer sharing economy and offers important insights to all market participants.
A CD8+ T cell‐related genes prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Chang Tanjie , Yang Liangxia , Wang Xiaojing , Lu Yanda , Yang Lu , Yang Changcheng , Cai Xingrui , Li Jingquan , Zeng Jiangzheng 
Published: September 2022

AbstractImmune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is limited by low response rates. Tumour‐infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), specifically CD8+ T cells, in the tumour microenvironment (TME) are related to tumour immune responses and are potential predictors for immunotherapeutic and survival outcomes. Therefore, we established a new CD8+ T cell‐related genes prognostic index (CD8T‐RGPI) for evaluating immune responses and prognostic outcomes for HCC. Using the TCGA databases, we evaluated the RNA‐seq data of CD8+ T cell‐related genes with gene co‐expression network. Then, the CD8T‐RGPI model was built by combining univariate Cox regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses. The nomogram exhibited a good prediction ability for HCC patients' prognosis in either TCGA or ICGC databases. The CD8T‐RGPI was elevated in patients with high T, M and TNM stages. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that in CD8T‐RGPI high‐risk group, tumour‐related and immunosuppressive pathways, such as focal adhesion, aerobic glycolysis, HIF1 transcription factor pathway, IL‐4 and IL‐13 signalling were significantly enriched. Moreover, for CD8T‐RGPI high‐risk HCC patients, immune tolerance and immunosurveillance escape was associated with poor therapeutic outcomes for ICB therapy. The CD8T‐RGPI low‐risk HCC patients with elevated immune infiltration levels were associated with good immunotherapeutic responses to ICB. Our findings provide prospective prognostic biomarkers and elucidate on HCC immunotherapy.