bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dementia specific care structures in nursing homes—Study protocol of a telephone‐based survey study in a nationwide random sample
Authors: Hoffmann Anna Louisa , Bergmann Johannes Michael , Mueller‐Widmer René , Palm Rebecca 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimTo describe a study protocol for a survey study in German nursing homes that (1) plans to enhance a typology of care units (2) and investigates the association between different care unit types and the provision of dementia‐specific interventions based on a stratified randomized sample.BackgroundMany nursing homes in Germany provide Dementia Special Care Units. Existing definitions often do no justice to the complexity of their context. In this study, we define context as structural and organizational variables. It is necessary to define an empirical based set of indicators to characterize care units with respect to dementia care.DesignObservational survey study with a cross‐sectional design.MethodsWe will use a stratified random nationwide sample of 160 German nursing homes. Stratification variables are federal state and the existence of a Dementia Special Care Unit. The sampling frame from which the participating nursing homes are selected is a list with the total population of German nursing homes (n = 11.658). Data will be gathered on the level of the nursing homes and one of their care units via computer‐assisted telephone interviews with a standardized questionnaire. The distribution of the assessed variables (contextual characteristics) will be described in absolute and relative frequencies for the whole sample in the first step in order to describe dementia‐specific care structures. In the second step, factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) with hierarchical clustering (HC) will be applied to analyze relationships between variables. The study was ethically approved in October 2018.DiscussionThe typology can be used in future studies to define the context of care units in nursing homes. This may improve the interpretation of findings from future studies that investigated interventions in nursing homes.ImpactThe typology will visualize and describe the complexity of contextual characteristics of several care units.
Similarity bias in credit decisions for entrepreneurs on the brink of bankruptcy
Authors: Strohmaier Niek , Adriaanse Jan , van den Bos Kees , Pluut Helen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFor entrepreneurs in financial distress, it is of vital importance that investors and bankers accurately assess the viability of their business, free of unwanted biases that bear no relevance to the assessment of the chance of survival. Despite the prevalence of entrepreneurs facing financial distress, little research has yet investigated the role of cognitive biases in funding decisions in this important context. The current research attends to this issue and investigated whether entrepreneurs who are perceived by a banker as more similar are more likely to receive capital to save their business from bankruptcy than entrepreneurs who are perceived as less similar to the banker. Additionally, we investigated whether similarity bias affected bankers' attributions of what caused the financial distress as well as their perceptions of entrepreneurs' trustworthiness. Using an experimental research design, we found a similarity bias in bankers' causal attributions and trustworthiness judgments, but not in their credit decisions. We contrast our findings with similarity bias research among equity investors and discuss the implications for theory and practice.
microRNA‐125b and its downstream Smurf1/KLF2/ATF2 axis as important promoters on neurological function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury
Authors: Zhao Kunchi , Li Ran , Ruan Qing , Meng Chunyang , Yin Fei , Zhu Qingsan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the role of microRNA‐125b (miR‐125b) and its mechanism in spinal cord injury (SCI) by targeting Smurf1. After loss‐ and gain‐function approaches were conducted in SCI rat models and neural stem cells (NSCs) isolated from foetal rats, the Basso‐Beattie‐Bresnahan (BBB) score was calculated, and related protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis and cell apoptosis by TUNEL staining. NSC viability was detected by CCK‐8, migration abilities by Transwell assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry. The relationship between miR‐125b, Smurf1 and KLF2 was evaluated by dual‐luciferase reporter gene experiments, Co‐IP and in vivo ubiquitin modification assays. Inhibition of miR‐125b and KLF2 and the up‐regulation of Smurf1 and ATF2 were observed in SCI rats. BBB scores were elevated, the expression of Nestin, NeuN, GFAP, NF‐200 and Bcl‐2 protein was enhanced but that of Bax protein was reduced, and cell apoptosis was inhibited in SCI rats after up‐regulating miR‐125b or silencing ATF2. Smurf1 was a target gene of miR‐125b, which promoted KLF2 degradation through its E3 ubiquitin ligase function, and KLF2 repressed the expression of ATF2 in NSCs. The results in vivo were replicated in vitro. miR‐125b overexpression promotes neurological function recovery after SCI.
Photobiomodulation therapy promotes the ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1‐dependent cholesterol efflux in macrophage to ameliorate atherosclerosis
Authors: Yin Qianxia , Chang Haocai , Shen Qi , Xing Da 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease related to a massive accumulation of cholesterol in the artery wall. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been reported to possess cardioprotective effects but has no consensus on the underlying mechanisms. Here, we aimed to investigate whether PBMT could ameliorate atherosclerosis and explore the potential molecular mechanisms. The Apolipoprotein E (ApoE)−/− mice were fed with western diet (WD) for 18 weeks and treated with PBMT once a day in the last 10 weeks. Quantification based on Oil red O‐stained aortas showed that the average plaque area decreased 8.306 ± 2.012% after PBMT (P < .05). Meanwhile, we observed that high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level in WD + PBMT mice increased from 0.309 ± 0.037 to 0.472 ± 0.038 nmol/L (P < .05) compared with WD mice. The further results suggested that PBMT could promote cholesterol efflux from lipid‐loaded primary peritoneal macrophages and inhibit foam cells formation via up‐regulating the ATP‐binding cassette transporters A1 expression. A contributing mechanism involved in activating the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinases/protein kinase C zeta/specificity protein 1 signalling cascade. Our study outlines that PBMT has a protective role on atherosclerosis by promoting macrophages cholesterol efflux and provides a new strategy for treating atherosclerosis.
Position statement: The need for EU legislation to require disclosure and labelling of the composition of medical devices
Authors: Herman A. , Uter W. , Rustemeyer T. , Matura M. , Aalto‐Korte K. , Duus Johansen J. , Gonçalo M. , White I.R. , Balato A. , Giménez Arnau A.M. , Brockow K. , Mortz C.G. , Mahler V. , Goossens A. ,   the ESCD, EECDRG, EADV Contact Dermatitis Task Force, EAACI
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn recent years, skin reactions secondary to the use of medical devices (MD), such as allergic contact dermatitis have increasingly been observed (e.g. to continuous blood sugar monitoring systems, insulin pumps, wound dressings, medical gloves, etc.): this is regarded as a developing epidemic. Lack of labelling of the composition of MD, as well as frequent lack of cooperation of manufacturers to disclose this relevant information, even when contacted by the clinician for the individual case of an established adverse reaction, significantly impede patient care.ObjectivesTo advocate for full ingredient labelling in the implementation of EU regulation for MD.MethodsThis position paper reviews the scientific literature, the current regulatory framework adopted for MD to date, and the likely impact, including some costs data in case of the absence of such labelling.ResultsEfforts made by several scientific teams, who are trying to identify the culprit of such adverse effects, either via asking for cooperation from companies, or using costly chemical analyses of MD, can only partly, and with considerable delay, compensate for the absence of meaningful information on the composition of MD; hence, patient management is compromised. Indeed, without knowing the chemical substances present, physicians are unable to inform patients about which substances they should avoid, and which alternative MD may be suitable/tolerated.ConclusionThere is an urgent need for full and accurate labelling of the chemical composition of MD in contact with the human body.
Methodological assessment of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on COVID‐19: A meta‐epidemiological study
Authors: Rosenberger Kristine J. , Xu Chang , Lin Lifeng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRationale, aims, and objectivesCOVID‐19 has caused an ongoing public health crisis. Many systematic reviews and meta‐analyses have been performed to synthesize evidence for better understanding this new disease. However, some concerns have been raised about rapid COVID‐19 research. This meta‐epidemiological study aims to methodologically assess the current systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on COVID‐19.MethodsWe searched in various databases for systematic reviews with meta‐analyses published between 1 January 2020 and 31 October 2020. We extracted their basic characteristics, data analyses, evidence appraisal, and assessment of publication bias and heterogeneity.ResultsWe identified 295 systematic reviews on COVID‐19. The median time from submission to acceptance was 33 days. Among these systematic reviews, 73.9% evaluated clinical manifestations or comorbidities of COVID‐19. Stata was the most used software programme (43.39%). The odds ratio was the most used effect measure (34.24%). Moreover, 28.14% of the systematic reviews did not present evidence appraisal. Among those reporting the risk of bias results, 14.64% of studies had a high risk of bias. Egger's test was the most used method for assessing publication bias (38.31%), while 38.66% of the systematic reviews did not assess publication bias. The I2 statistic was widely used for assessing heterogeneity (92.20%); many meta‐analyses had high values of I2. Among the meta‐analyses using the random‐effects model, 75.82% did not report the methods for model implementation; among those meta‐analyses reporting implementation methods, the DerSimonian‐Laird method was the most used one.ConclusionsThe current systematic reviews and meta‐analyses on COVID‐19 might suffer from low transparency, high heterogeneity, and suboptimal statistical methods. It is recommended that future systematic reviews on COVID‐19 strictly follow well‐developed guidelines. Sensitivity analyses may be performed to examine how the synthesized evidence might depend on different methods for appraising evidence, assessing publication bias, and implementing meta‐analysis models.
Presumptive probiotic bacteria from traditionally fermented African food challenge the adhesion of enteroaggregative E. coli
Authors: Agbemavor Wisdom Selorm Kofi , Buys Elna Maria 
Published: May 2021

AbstractColonization of intestinal tract with the potential to exclude, displace, and inhibit enteric pathogens is principally dependent on the adhesion ability of probiotics. Therefore, probiotic efficacy is considered to be mainly determined by their adhesion ability. The current study reports the antagonistic effect of four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the adhesion profile of four diarrhoeagenic and one non‐diarrhoeagenic enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC). All the bacterial strains investigated adhered to the Caco‐2 cells. All the LAB tested competitively excluded, displaced, and inhibited at least three (non‐) diarrhoeagenic EAEC strains from adhesion (p < 0.05). In all, Lactobacillus plantarum, FS2 exhibited the strongest adhesion to the Caco‐2 cells, competitive exclusion (CE), displacement, and inhibition against most of the EAEC strains. Additionally, the competence to exclude, displace, and inhibit the EAEC from adhesion depended on both the pathogens and the LAB strains tested; signifying the participation of several mechanisms. Contrary to all the EAEC strains, gastro‐intestinal stress factors such as low pH (2.5) had no effect on the adhesion of the LAB. Unlike the gastro‐intestinal acidic conditions, bile salt conditioning (at pH 6.5) had no effect on the adhesion of both EAEC and LAB. In conclusion, all the LAB tested showed specific anti‐adherence effects including CE, displacement, and inhibition against the selected EAEC. The results indicate that all the LAB, particularly, the L. plantarum, FS2 had a good ability for exerting antagonistic effects against the selected EAEC for the prevention of gastrointestinal infection.
Bacteriophages for detection and control of foodborne bacterial pathogens—The case of Bacillus cereus and their phages
Authors: Abraha Haftom Baraki , Kim Kwang‐Pyo , Sbhatu Desta Berhe 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBacillus cereus is among the primary food‐poisoning pathogenic bacterium that causes diarrhea and emetic types of diseases throughout the world. Recent advances show that bacteriophages become important tools in detection and control of foodborne bacterial pathogens in foods. They gain the interest of researchers for the food industries mainly because they are host‐specific and harmless to humans. Studies showed that bacteriophages could be employed as natural or engineered, whole or part, and temperate or virulent type in designing a range of tools for the detection and control of foodborne bacterial pathogens. This article discusses the recent methods and advances in the utilization strategies of bacteriophages in detection and control of foodborne pathogens, with particular focus on B. cereus pathogen. Moreover, the article presents the latest and relevant information of B. cereus‐infecting phages with respect to their potential applications in foods to address food safety issues. It also reflects future research directions by indicating gap of studies on the area.
Use of neck circumference as a predictor of cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney patients undergoing haemodialysis who are candidates for transplantation
Authors: Torres Medeiros Lívia , Caldas Sales Andressa Eslayne , da Silva e Sousa Francisca Isabelle , Vieira Moreira Tyciane Maria , Vital Batista Ana Clara , Marques Braga Ribanna Aparecida , Camacho Santos Daltro Ana Filomena , Costa de Oliveira Claudia Maria 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionPatients undergoing haemodialysis are at great cardiovascular risk. Neck circumference (NC) is a simple and low‐cost measure for estimating this risk precociously. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the cardiovascular risk obtained by NC is associated with the main cardiometabolic risk factors in patients on haemodialysis treatment who are on a waiting list for transplantation.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted including 96 patients in a single transplantation centre. Socio‐demographic, clinical‐laboratory and anthropometric data were collected. NC was considered as a dependent variable and the independent variables were body mass index (BMI), fasting glycaemia and lipid profile, triglyceride and high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (TGL/HDL‐C) ratio, and triglyceride and glycaemia (TyG) index. For the comparison of averages, we used Mann–Whitney and Student’sttests, as well as one‐way analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed for the association between NC and cardiometabolic risk factors.p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThere were higher BMI averages, blood glucose, triglycerides (TGL), TGL/HDL‐C ratio and TyG index in the tertile 3 of the NC, whereas the HDL‐C decreased as the tertile increased. There was a statistically significant risk of cardiovascular disease that was asscoiated, according to NC, with being overweight, high levels of TGL, TGL/HDL‐C, TyG index and low HDL‐C.ConclusionsNC is shown to be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in kidney patients undergoing haemodialysis who are on a transplant waiting list.
Dinoprostone pessary for labor induction in Chinese patients with premature rupture of membranes at term: A retrospective cohort
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Yin Huifen , Zhang Huan , Zhu Hao , Hu Rong , Gu Weirong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimWhether the use of dinoprostone pessary increased the vaginal delivery rate of labor induction in Chinese nulliparous women with term premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and unfavorable cervices?MethodsPROM women at term with singleton pregnancies and Bishop scores ≤4 who needed labor induction were enrolled in this retrospective study. They received either the dinoprostone pessary followed by oxytocin infusion if necessary (n = 102, PGE2 group) or oxytocin infusion alone (n = 103, oxytocin group).ResultsCompared with oxytocin infusion alone, vaginal delivery within 12 h and total vaginal delivery were higher in the PGE2 group (28.4% vs 7.8%, p = 0.0001; 79.4% vs 62.1%, p = 0.009, respectively). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of maternal and neonatal outcomes, such as postpartum hemorrhage, endometritis, third‐ and fourth‐degree vaginal lacerations and neonatal weight, 1‐ and 5‐min Apgar score ≤7, neonatal jaundice, and neonatal unit admission (p > 0.05). However, there was a higher rate of uterine hyperstimulation in the PGE2 group (20.6% vs 3.9%, p < 0.0001). The effective rate of cervical ripening increased in the PGE2 group at 8 and 12 h of labor induction (p < 0.001).ConclusionsDespite higher rates of uterine hyperstimulation, the use of dinoprostone was associated with higher rates of vaginal deliveries in Chinese nulliparous women with term PROM and Bishop scores ≤4, compared with use of oxytocin only.
The novel collagen matrikine, endotrophin, is associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerosis
Authors: Holm Nielsen S. , Edsfeldt A. , Tengryd C. , Gustafsson H. , Shore A. C. , Natali A. , Khan F. , Genovese F. , Bengtsson E. , Karsdal M. , Leeming D. J. , Nilsson J. , Goncalves I. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundRupture of atherosclerotic plaques is the major cause of acute cardiovascular events. The biomarker PRO‐C6 measuring Endotrophin, a matrikine of collagen type VI, may provide valuable information detecting subjects in need of intensified strategies for secondary prevention.ObjectiveIn this study, we evaluate endotrophin in human atherosclerotic plaques and circulating levels of PRO‐C6 in patients with atherosclerosis, to determine the predictive potential of the biomarker.MethodsSections from the stenotic human carotid plaques were stained with the PRO‐C6 antibody. PRO‐C6 was measured in serum of patients enrolled in the Carotid Plaque Imagining Project (CPIP) (discovery cohort, n = 577) and the innovative medicines initiative surrogate markers for micro‐ and macrovascular hard end‐points for innovative diabetes tools (IMI‐SUMMIT, validation cohort, n = 1,378). Median follow‐up was 43 months. Kaplan–Meier curves and log‐rank tests were performed in the discovery cohort. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis (HR with 95% CI) was used in the discovery cohort and binary logistic regression (OR with 95% CI) in the validation cohort.ResultsPRO‐C6 was localized in the core and shoulder of the atherosclerotic plaque. In the discovery cohort, PRO‐C6 independently predicted future cardiovascular events (HR 1.089 [95% CI 1.019 −1.164], p = 0.01), cardiovascular death (HR 1.118 [95% CI 1.008 −1.241], p = 0.04) and all‐cause death (HR 1.087 [95% CI 1.008 −1.172], p = 0.03). In the validation cohort, PRO‐C6 predicted future cardiovascular events (OR 1.063 [95% CI 1.011 −1.117], p = 0.017).ConclusionPRO‐C6 is present in the atherosclerotic plaque and associated with future cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death and all‐cause mortality in two large prospective cohorts.
Founder effects facilitate the use of a genotyping‐based approach to molecular diagnosis in Swedish patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Benedek P. , Jiao H. , Duvefelt K. , Skoog T. , Linde M. , Kiviluoma P. , Kere J. , Eriksson M. , Angelin B. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimTo investigate whether genotyping could be used as a cost‐effective screening step, preceding next‐generation sequencing (NGS), in molecular diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in Swedish patients.Methods and resultsThree hundred patients of Swedish origin with clinical suspicion of heterozygous FH were analysed using a specific array genotyping panel embedding 112 FH‐causing mutations in the LDLR, APOB and PCSK9 genes. The mutations had been selected from previous reports on FH patients in Scandinavia and Finland. Mutation‐negative cases were further analysed by NGS. In 181 patients with probable or definite FH using the Dutch lipid clinics network (DLCN) criteria (score ≥ 6), a causative mutation was identified in 116 (64%). Of these, 94 (81%) were detected by genotyping. Ten mutations accounted for more than 50% of the positive cases, with APOB c.10580G>A being the most common. Mutations in LDLR predominated, with (c.2311+1_2312‐1)(2514)del (FH Helsinki) and c.259T>G having the highest frequency. Two novel LDLR mutations were identified. In patients with DLCN score < 6, mutation detection rate was significantly higher at younger age.ConclusionA limited number of mutations explain a major fraction of FH cases in Sweden. Combination of selective genotyping and NGS facilitates the clinical challenge of cost‐effective genetic screening in suspected FH. The frequency of APOB c.10580G>A was higher than previously reported in Sweden. The lack of demonstrable mutations in the LDLR, APOB and PCSK9 genes in ~1/3 of patients with probable FH strongly suggests that additional genetic mechanisms are to be found in phenotypic FH.
Guilty pleas in children: legitimacy, vulnerability, and the need for increased protection
Authors: HELM REBECCA K. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article assesses the extent to which current guilty plea procedure is consistent with legitimations of criminal convictions, with a focus on decision making in child defendants. I argue that in the context of plea decisions in children, the criminal justice system must ensure that defendants make decisions that result in accurate convictions that are reached in a fair way that respects rights. The current system does not do this due to an almost exclusive focus on autonomy. This focus is likely to be leading to illegitimate convictions, most importantly children pleading guilty when innocent. Drawing on psychological theory, I develop a model of guilty plea decision making and draw on this model to identify relevant vulnerabilities of child defendants. Based on this analysis, I identify ways in which current procedure in England and Wales may be leading to systematic problems with the legitimacy of convictions of children, and suggest reforms to enhance such legitimacy. These reform suggestions focus on England and Wales but have implications for plea systems around the world.