bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of the Mental Capacity Act: a national observational study comparing resultant trends in place of death for older heart failure decedents with or without comorbid dementia
Authors: Beattie James M. , Higginson Irene J. , McDonagh Theresa A. , Gao Wei 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Heart failure (HF) is increasingly prevalent in the growing elderly population and commonly associated with cognitive impairment. We compared trends in place of death (PoD) of HF patients with/without comorbid dementia around the implementation period of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) in October 2007, this legislation supporting patient-centred decision making for those with reduced agency.

Methods
Analyses of death certification data for England between January 2001 and December 2018, describing the PoD and sociodemographic characteristics of all people ≥ 65 years registered with HF as the underlying cause of death, with/without a mention of comorbid dementia. We used modified Poisson regression with robust error variance to determine the prevalence ratio (PR) of the outcome in dying at home, in care homes or hospices compared to dying in hospital. Covariates included year of death, age, gender, marital status, comorbidity burden, index of multiple deprivation and urban/rural settings.

Results
One hundred twenty thousand sixty-eight HF-related death records were included of which 8199 mentioned dementia as a contributory cause. The overall prevalence proportion of dementia was 6.8%, the trend significantly increasing from 5.6 to 8.0% pre- and post-MCA (Cochran-Armitage trend test p < 0.0001). Dementia was coded as unspecified (78.2%), Alzheimer’s disease (13.5%) and vascular (8.3%). Demented decedents were commonly older, female, and with more comorbidities. Pre-MCA, PoD for non-demented HF patients was hospital 68.2%, care homes 20.2% and 10.7% dying at home. Corresponding figures for those with comorbid dementia were 47.6%, 48.0% and 4.2%, respectively. Following MCA enforcement, PoD for those without dementia shifted from hospital to home, 62.5% and 17.2%, respectively; PR: 1.026 [95%CI: 1.024–1.029]. While home deaths also rose to 10.0% for those with dementia, with hospital deaths increasing to 50.4%, this trend was insignificant, PR: 1.001 [0.988–1.015]. Care home deaths reduced for all, with/without dementia, PR: 0.959 [0.949–0.969] and PR: 0.996 [0.993–0.998], respectively. Hospice as PoD was rare for both groups with no appreciable change over the study period.

Conclusions
Our analyses suggest the MCA did not materially affect the PoD of HF decedents with comorbid dementia, likely reflecting difficulties implementing this legislation in real-life clinical practice.
Molecular mechanism of benzo [a] pyrene regulating lipid metabolism via aryl hydrocarbon receptor
Authors: Lou Wei , Zhang Meng-di , Chen Qi , Bai Tu-Ya , Hu Yu-Xia , Gao Feng , Li Jun , Lv Xiao-Li , Zhang Qian , Chang Fu-Hou 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Benzo [a] pyrene (BaP), a potent carcinogen, has been proved that it has toxicological effects via activation the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. AhR can participate in regulating lipogenesis and lipolysis. This topic will verify whether BaP regulates lipid metabolism via AhR.

Methods
(1) C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with BaP for 12 weeks to detect serum lipids, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance. Morphological changes in white adipose tissue (WAT) were detected by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. The mRNA expression levels of adipogenesis-related factors included recombinant human CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) and inflammatory factors included nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were detected using PCR. (2) Neutral lipid content changes in differentiated 3 T3-L1 adipocytes treated with BaP with and w/o AhR inhibitor were detected by Oil red staining. The protein expression levels of adipogenesis- and decomposition-related factors included PPARγ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), and peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) were detected using western blotting. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors were detected using PCR.

Results
(1) BaP inhibited body weight gain, decreased lipid content, increased lipid levels, and decreased glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance in mice; (2) BaP reduced the expressions of C/EBPα, PPARγ, FABP4, PGC-1α, and PPARα and increased the expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1, and TNF-α by activating AhR.

Conclusion
BaP inhibit fat synthesis and oxidation while inducing inflammation by activating AhR, leading to WAT dysfunction and causing metabolic complications.
Acute exposure to gold nanoparticles aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury by amplifying apoptosis via ROS-mediated macrophage-hepatocyte crosstalk
Authors: Yang Yongjun , Fan Shijun , Chen Qian , Lu Yongling , Zhu Yuanfeng , Chen Xiaoli , Xia Lin , Huang Qianying , Zheng Jiang , Liu Xin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundGold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are increasingly utilized in industrial and biomedical fields, thereby demanding a more comprehensive knowledge about their safety. Current toxicological studies mainly focus on the unfavorable biological impact governed by the physicochemical properties of AuNPs, yet the consequences of their interplay with other bioactive compounds in biological systems are poorly understood.ResultsIn this study, AuNPs with a size of 10 nm, the most favorable size for interaction with host cells, were given alone or in combination with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice or cultured hepatic cells. The results demonstrated that co exposure to AuNPs and LPS exacerbated fatal acute liver injury (ALI) in mice, although AuNPs are apparently non-toxic when administered alone. AuNPs do not enhance systemic or hepatic inflammation but synergize with LPS to upregulate hepatic apoptosis by augmenting macrophage-hepatocyte crosstalk. Mechanistically, AuNPs and LPS coordinate to upregulate NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2)-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activate the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in hepatic macrophages. Extracellular ROS generation from macrophages is then augmented, thereby inducing calcium-dependent ROS generation and promoting apoptosis in hepatocytes. Furthermore, AuNPs and LPS upregulate scavenger receptor A expression in macrophages and thus increase AuNP uptake to mediate further apoptosis induction.ConclusionsThis study reveals a profound impact of AuNPs in aggravating the hepatotoxic effect of LPS by amplifying ROS-dependent crosstalk in hepatic macrophages and hepatocytes.Graphical Abstract
A comprehensive insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the effects of Propolis on preserving renal function: a systematic review
Authors: Anvarifard Paniz , Anbari Maryam , Ostadrahimi Alireza , Ardalan Mohammadreza , Ghoreishi Zohreh 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
The present systematic review is conducted, focusing on the existing evidence of Propolis's effects due to its various health benefits, mainly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on preserving renal function.

Methods
A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, and Google Scholar was undertaken for relevant papers published from the start until January 2021.

Results
This review revealed that Propolis affects fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood glucose, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) concentrations, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, urinary concentrations of reactive oxygen metabolites (Tbars), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) formation favorably. The findings on hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), β-cell function (HOMA-β), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and lipid profile were controversial. Moreover, a significant reduction in renal nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), serum immunoglobulins, renal ED-1+ cells, and urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) following Propolis supplementation has been reported, while the results on interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were controversial. Furthermore, included studies showed its anti- proteinuria and kidney restoring effects.

Conclusion
In this review, both human and animal studies provide us evidences that Propolis could potentially improve the glycemic status, oxidative stress, renal tissue damage, and renal function. Further studies are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms.
Coal dust exposure triggers heterogeneity of transcriptional profiles in mouse pneumoconiosis and Vitamin D remedies
Authors: Mu Min , Li Bing , Zou Yuanjie , Wang Wenyang , Cao Hangbing , Zhang Yajun , Sun Qixian , Chen Haoming , Ge Deyong , Tao Huihui , Hu Dong , Yuan Liang , Tao Xinrong , Wang Jianhua 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Coal dust particles (CDP), an inevitable by-product of coal mining for the environment, mainly causes coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP). Long-term exposure to coal dust leads to a complex alternation of biological processes during regeneration and repair in the healing lung. However, the cellular and complete molecular changes associated with pulmonary homeostasis caused by respiratory coal dust particles remain unclear.

Methods
This study mainly investigated the pulmonary toxicity of respirable-sized CDP in mice using unbiased single-cell RNA sequencing. CDP (< 5 μm) collected from the coal mine was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Mass Spectrometer. In addition, western blotting, Elisa, QPCR was used to detect gene expression at mRNA or protein levels. Pathological analysis including HE staining, Masson staining, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to characterize the structure and functional alternation in the pneumoconiosis mouse and verify the reliability of single-cell sequencing results.

Results
SEM image and Mass Spectrometer analysis showed that coal dust particles generated during coal mine production have been crushed and screened with a diameter of less than 5 µm and contained less than 10% silica. Alveolar structure and pulmonary microenvironment were destroyed, inflammatory and death (apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis) pathways were activated, leading to pneumoconiosis in post 9 months coal dust stimulation. A distinct abnormally increased alveolar type 2 epithelial cell (AT2) were classified with a highly active state but reduced the antimicrobial-related protein expression of LYZ and Chia1 after CDP exposure. Beclin1, LC3B, LAMP2, TGF-ß, and MLPH were up-regulated induced by CDP, promoting autophagy and pulmonary fibrosis. A new subset of macrophages with M2-type polarization double expressed MLPH + /CD206 + was found in mice having pneumoconiosis but markedly decreased after the Vitamin D treatment. Activated MLPH + /CD206 + M2 macrophages secreted TGF-β1 and are sensitive to Vitamin D treatment.

Conclusions
This is the first study to reconstruct the pathologic progression and transcriptome pattern of coal pneumoconiosis in mice. Coal dust had obvious toxic effects on lung epithelial cells and macrophages and eventually induced pulmonary fibrosis. CDP-induced M2-type macrophages could be inhibited by VD, which may be related to the alleviation of the pulmonary fibrosis process.
Estimating cancer risks due to whole lungs low dose radiotherapy with different techniques for treating COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Banaei Amin , Hashemi Bijan , Bakhshandeh Mohsen 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Low dose radiotherapy (LDRT) of whole lungs with photon beams is a novel method for treating COVID-19 pneumonia. This study aimed to estimate cancer risks induced by lung LDRT for different radiotherapy delivery techniques.

Method
Four different radiotherapy techniques, including 3D-conformal with anterior and posterior fields (3D-CRT AP–PA), 3D-conformal with 8 coplanar fields (3D-CRT 8 fields), eight fields intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and volumetric modulated arc therapy using 2 full arcs (VMAT) were planned on the CT images of 32 COVID-19 patients with the prescribed dose of 1 Gy to the lungs. Organ average and maximum doses, and PTV dose distribution indexes were compared between different techniques. The radiation-induced cancer incidence and cancer-specific mortality, and cardiac heart disease risks were estimated for the assessed techniques.

Results
In IMRT and VMAT techniques, heart (mean and max), breast (mean, and max), and stomach (mean) doses and also maximum dose in the body were significantly lower than the 3D-CRT techniques. The calculated conformity indexes were similar in all the techniques. However, the homogeneity indexes were lower (i.e., better) in intensity-modulated techniques (P < 0.03) with no significant differences between IMRT and VMAT plans. Lung cancer incident risks for all the delivery techniques were similar (P > 0.4). Cancer incidence and mortality risks for organs located closer to lungs like breast and stomach were higher in 3D-CRT techniques than IMRT or VMAT techniques (excess solid tumor cancer incidence risks for a 30 years man: 1.94 ± 0.22% Vs. 1.68 ± 0.17%; and women: 6.66 ± 0.81% Vs. 4.60 ± 0.43%: cancer mortality risks for 30 years men: 1.63 ± 0.19% Vs. 1.45 ± 0.15%; and women: 3.63 ± 0.44% Vs. 2.94 ± 0.23%).

Conclusion
All the radiotherapy techniques had low cancer risks. However, the overall estimated risks induced by IMRT and VMAT radiotherapy techniques were lower than the 3D-CRT techniques and can be used clinically in younger patients or patients having greater concerns about radiation induced cancers.
Primary care disease management for venous leg ulceration—study protocol for the Ulcus Cruris Care [UCC] randomized controlled trial (DRKS00026126)
Authors: Senft Jonas D. , Fleischhauer Thomas , Frasch Jona , van Rees Wiebke , Feißt Manuel , Schwill Simon , Fink Christine , Poß-Doering Regina , Wensing Michel , Müller-Bühl Uwe , Szecsenyi Joachim 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Venous leg ulcers (VLU) have a prevalence of 1–2% in developed countries, and affected patients are severely and long-term impaired in daily activities, work, and social participation. Evidence-based outpatient treatment based on compression therapy is frequently not implemented. The “Ulcus Cruris Care” project was established to develop a disease management concept to improve outpatient treatment for patients with VLU in German primary care. For this purpose, a multifaceted intervention was conceived consisting of an online training for general practitioners and medical assistants, standardized treatment recommendations, e-learning and print-based information for patients, and a software support for case management. The main aims of the Ulcus Cruris Care intervention are to promote standardized treatment according to current scientific knowledge, to facilitate case management for VLU patients exerted by medical assistants, and to support patient education and participation in the treatment process. The UCC trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Ulcus Cruris Care intervention.

Methods
The UCC trial is a prospective cluster-randomized controlled multicenter trial. Fifty GP practices are intended to be recruited and randomized 1:1 to intervention or control arm. Patients with venous leg ulcers will be recruited by participating GP practices, to include a total of 63 patients in each arm. The primary outcome is time to ulcer healing. Secondary outcomes comprise number and sizes of ulcers, recurrence, pain intensity according to the visual analog scale, health-related quality of life according to EQ-5D-5L, depressiveness according to Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), patient satisfaction according to the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC-5A) query, and adherence to VLU treatment. The outcome analysis of the UCC trial is accompanied by a health economic analysis and a process evaluation.

Discussion
The UCC trial will evaluate whether the Ulcus Cruris Care intervention may lead to faster wound healing, higher health-related quality of life, and lower use of medical resources. If the intervention turns out to have a positive impact on assessed outcomes, comprehensive implementation in primary care may be considered.

Trial registration
The trial protocol (version 1 as of July 19, 2021) has been registered in the German Clinical Trials Register on August 30, 2021 (DRKS00026126).
Enhanced adaptive code modulation for rainfall fade mitigation in Ethiopia
Authors: Woldamanuel Eyob Mersha , Diba Feyisa Debo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRain attenuation is considerably noticed in a frequency spectrum above 7-GHz for tropical equatorial regions and in a frequency spectrum higher than 10-GHz for temperate climates. The attenuation prediction method provided by the International Telecommunication Union-Recommendation (ITU-R), through Recommendation P.530-16 and P.618-13 utilize data collected from temperate regions. Since the average raindrop size is bigger and the rainfall rate is high in magnitude in tropical regions than that of non-tropical areas, this prediction model is not suitable for the measured rain data. Unfortunately, a rain fade mitigation technique based on local rain data has not been adequately studied in tropical regions. This paper presents an enhanced adaptive code modulation (ACM) for rainfall fade mitigation in Ethiopia. In this research work, locally collected one-minute rain rate data is used to determine the rain attenuation. Then based on this result, the neuro-fuzzy inference system is employed to enhance the mitigation technique. Furthermore, a comparison of the performance of this proposed scheme is with the non-adaptive technique, and fuzzy-based adaptive modulation and coding technique is carried out. MATLAB simulation result showed that lower-order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) scheme with a lower convolutional coding rate is better in maintaining link availability in bad weather conditions. However, spectral efficiency is improved by utilizing a larger constellation size of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) scheme with a higher convolutional coding rate when the channel is not affected by rain.
The influences of social agents in completing a STEM degree: an examination of female graduates of selective science high schools
Authors: Luo Linlin , Stoeger Heidrun , Subotnik Rena F. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions. Even the most promising female students’ interest in STEM subjects often decreases during secondary school. Using the framework of the Social Cognitive Career Theory, the present study examined the influences of social agents in female students’ persistence in STEM. Specifically, the present study used a retrospective survey investigating the influence of parental education, teachers as mentors, and peer belonging for female students’ attainment of an undergraduate degree in a STEM field for a special population—female graduates of selective science high schools (n = 1425). Furthermore, the study examined the influences of these social-agent variables on female students’ STEM choices when mediated by high school research experiences. Finally, the present study also explored the influences of these social-agent variables on female students when it came to choosing math-intensive STEM fields (n = 723).

Results
Findings showed that parental educational level and having STEM teachers as mentors are positively related to female students’ later attainment of a STEM degree. In addition to the direct relationship, parental educational level and having STEM teachers as mentors are also positively related to female students’ high school research participation, which is associated with a greater likelihood of their completing a STEM degree. Female students’ sense of belonging to a peer group did not correlate with their attainment of a STEM degree. When it came to choosing math-intensive STEM fields, a higher sense of peer belonging was negatively associated with obtaining a math-intensive STEM degree.

Conclusions
Parental education and having STEM teachers as mentors play an important role for female students’ persistence in STEM and obtaining a STEM undergraduate degree for female students in selective science high schools. However, among the female students who graduated with a STEM degree, it is less clear whether social-agent variables influenced their math-intensive vs. less-math-intensive choices. Educational implications for promoting female students’ STEM interests and careers in STEM fields are provided.
Common peroneal nerve palsy after TKA in valgus deformities; a systematic review
Authors: Puijk Raymond , Rassir Rachid , Kok Laura M. , Sierevelt Inger N. , Nolte Peter A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this systematic review is to investigate the prevalence of Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy after total knee arthroplasty in valgus deformities. Furthermore, the effectiveness of a peroneal nerve release prior to arthroplasty to prevent the palsy will be investigated.MethodsPubMed and Google Scholar were searched. Search terms regarding valgus deformity and total knee arthroplasty were used. Data analysis and extraction were performed using the web application ‘Rayyan QCRI’ according to PRISMA guidelines and screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsTwenty-seven studies were included, representing 1397 valgus knees. Knee balancing was performed in 19 studies with lateral soft tissue releases (1164 knees) and 8 studies (233 knees) with an additional osteotomy. Two studies (41 knees) in the lateral soft tissue release group conducted a peroneal nerve release simultaneous to arthroplasty. Common peroneal nerve palsies occurred in 26 cases (1.9%). Overall, no significant difference in palsy ratio between studies was found by using a peroneal nerve release (p = 0.90), between lateral soft tissue releases and osteotomies (p = 0.11) or between releases of specific ligaments.ConclusionCommon peroneal nerve palsies occur in 1.9% of the cases after total knee arthroplasty in valgus deformities. No difference in the number of palsies was seen when using a peroneal nerve release or using different balancing techniques. However, literature about peroneal nerve releases was very limited, therefore, the effectiveness of a peroneal nerve release remains unclear.Level of evidenceLEVEL III: Systematic review.
Advances and prospects of genetic mapping of Verticillium wilt resistance in cotton
Authors: AINI Nurimanguli , JIBRIL Abdulaziz Nuhu , LIU Shiming , HAN Peng , PAN Zhenyuan , ZHU Longfu , NIE Xinhui 
Published: January 2022

AbstractVerticillium wilt is one of the most important diseases affecting cotton production in China. The fungus, Verticillium dahliae, has a wide host range and a high degree of genetic variability. No resistance resources have been found in the available planting resources, thus presenting difficulties and challenges for our study. The long-term production practice shows that selection of disease-resistant varieties is the most economical and effective measure to control Verticillium wilt of cotton to reduce the yield loss and quality decline of cotton. In this paper, we summarized the genetic mapping population, the analysis method of genetic localization, the discovery, mining and cloning of disease-resistant quantitative trait loci/markers, and the analysis of their genetic functions, so as to provide information for the molecular breeding approach of disease-resistant cotton.