bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences on planning for population-level interventions targeting risk factors for hypertension and diabetes in South Africa: a qualitative study.
Authors: Hendricks Lynn , Uwimana-Nicol Jeannine , Young Taryn 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of premature death globally, primarily in low to upper middle-income countries. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore stakeholders’ perceptions on the planning for of population-level interventions (policies and programmes), targeting risk factors for hypertension and diabetes, in South Africa. Methods: Using purposive sampling we recruited 15 participants, who were likely to be well informed about the policies, programs or supportive environment for prevention and management of diabetes and hypertension in South Africa. We conducted 12 individual interviews and 1 group interview (consisting of 3 participants). Data was analysed thematically in NVivo. The results were shared and discussed in two consultative stakeholder workshops with participants as part of a member validation process in qualitative research. All communication with participants was done virtually using MS Teams or ZOOM.Results: For planning of population level interventions, key enablers included, stakeholders’ engagement and collaboration, contextualization of policies and programs, and evaluation and organic growth. Challenges for supportive policy and program formulation, and to enable supportive environments, included the lack of time and resources, lack of consultation with stakeholders, regulations and competing priorities, and ineffective monitoring and evaluation.Conclusion: To address the risk factors for hypertension and diabetes in SA, policies and programs must account for the needs of the public and the historical and socio-economic climate. Feasibility and sustainability of programs can only be ensured when the resources are provided, and environments enabled to promote behavior change on a population-level. A holistic public health approach, that is contextually relevant, and evidence informed, is considered best practice in the formulation of population-level interventions.
The Prognostic Value of TNI (Tumor-Nutrition-Inflammation Index) in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Huan , Shi Yuting , Shi Yueli , Cao Mengqing , Zhang Long , Wu Yuan , Xu Yun , Wang Kai , Weng Xianwu 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose: As the third most common cancer type behind breast cancer and prostate cancer, lung cancer has the highest mortality rate all over the world. Identification of easily accessible and inexpensive potential biomarkers for advanced lung cancer is necessary. Patients and Methods: A total of 195 patients with advanced lung cancer including non-small lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, who received first-line chemotherapy, were included in this study. Then they were randomized as training set and validation set, and the total population were classified as testing set. The optimized cut-off values of AGR and SIRI (AGR=albumin/globulin; SIRI=neutrophil*monocyte/lymphocyte) were determined by survival function analysis based on R software. COX regression analysis was performed to acquire the independent factors for establishing the nomogram model. The predictive accuracy was verified through ROC curve and calibration curves after index concordance.Results: The optimized cut-off values of AGR and SIRI (AGR=albumin/globulin; SIRI=neutrophil*monocyte/lymphocyte) were 1.22 and 1.60, respectively. Cox analysis revealed that liver metastasis, SCC (squamous cell carcinoma antigen), AGR, and SIRI were independent prognostic factors for advanced lung cancer. A nomogram model comprising these independent prognostic parameters was built for the TNI (tumor-nutrition-inflammation index) score calculation. Patients were divided into four groups based on TNI quartile values. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test indicated that a higher TNI had a worse OS (P<0.05). The C-index and 1-year AUC areas were 0.756 (0.723-0.788) and 75.62, respectively. High consistency between the predicted and actual survival proportions in the TNI model is shown in the calibration curves. A nomogram prognostic model for predicting survival time rates based on TNI in the total population was established to directly observe the survival rate of patients with advanced lung cancer.Conclusion: TNI may be used as a practical and precise analytical tool for survival prediction in patients with advanced lung cancer.
Spleen plays a two-way role in cancer incidence and cancer progression
Authors: Yang Juanjuan , Li Yu , Li Zongfang , Jiang Wei 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background:The link between splenectomy and cancer outcomes remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the association between splenectomy and cancer incidence, cancer progression in cancer patients. Methods:Pooled estimates of the relative risks (RR) for cancer incidence and cancer progression were performed in a meta-analysis by random effects or ﬁxed effects models as appropriate. Results:Eighty-one literatures were included in our meta-analysis. We found some interesting results. First, splenectomy was associated with a signiﬁcantly increased risk of overall cancer, Non Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, oral and pharyngeal cancer, skin cancer, esophagus cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, gastric cancer, pancreas cancer, brain and nervous system cancer. Interestingly, splenectomy for trauma increased the risk of liver cancer while splenectomy for protal hypertension decreased the risk of liver cancer. Second, splenectomy was associated with a signiﬁcantly lower 5-year overall survival (OS) for gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal and esophago‑gastric junction cancer while splenectomy was associated with a signiﬁcantly higher 5-year OS for liver cancer. Subgroup analyses based on tumor stage showed that splenectomy for gastric cancer was associated with a signiﬁcantly lower 5-year OS only for stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ but stage Ⅰand stage Ⅳ. Third, splenectomy increased the rate of hospital mortality of gastric cancer but had no effects on the hospital mortality of liver cancer, esophageal and esophago‑gastric junction cancer. Finally, splenectomy increased the incidence of some specific postoperative complications for cancer patients. Conclusions:Splenectomy was associated with cancer incidence, cancer survival, hospital mortality, and postoperative complications. Spleen plays a two-way role in cancer incidence and cancer progression.
Can traditional teaching of Anatomy be replaced by alternative methods?
Authors: Singh Rajani , Jones David Gareth , Pandey Manisha , Yadav Nisha 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose: There is murmur in the management of medical colleges that traditional teaching of Anatomy is in the process of being replaced by alternative method. Therefore, besides literature survey, a feedback survey has been carried out to seek the viewpoints of students and faculties, through a questionnaire, to compare their viewpoints regarding Anatomy teaching by traditional and alternative methods. Aim of the study is to assess whether traditional teaching of Anatomy can be replaced by alternative methods. Methods: A questionnaire having 17 questions, is designed to seek the feedback from medical students and faculties to assess the degree of need of traditional teaching of Anatomy in relation to comprehending medical subjects and for safe and successful clinical practice. The degree of need of traditional teaching of Anatomy is conceived such that if the mean responses of subjects fall within 9-17, it is most essential and cannot be replaced and if the responses lie within 0-8, it is not essential so can be replaced by alternative methods. The mean viewpoints have been computed and weighted mean is also calculated to compensate differential knowledge and experience of the subjects. Results: Statistical analyses of mean viewpoints and weighted mean viewpoints of 100% medical students and faculties have been found in the range of 10.7±3.3 to 14.5±1.9. The weighted mean of the total population has been computed to be 13.23. Conclusion: The teaching of Anatomy by traditional method is concluded most essential so it cannot be replaced by alternative method.
Genotyping-By-Sequencing Based Investigation of Population Structure and Genome Wide Association Studies for Seven Agronomically Important Traits in a Set of 346 Oryza Rufipogon Accessions
Authors: Malik Palvi , Huang Mao , Neelam Kumari , Bhatia Dharminder , Kaur Ramanjeet , Yadav Bharat , Singh Jasdeep , Sneller Clay , Singh Kuldeep 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Being one of the most important staple dietary constituents globally, genetic enhancement of cultivated rice for yield, agronomically important traits is of substantial importance. Even though the climatic factors and crop management practices impact complex traits like yield immensely, the contribution of variation by underlying genetic factors surpasses them all. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of utilizing exotic germplasm, landraces in enhancing the diversity of gene pool, leading to better selections and thus superior cultivars. Thus, to fully exploit the potential of progenitor of Asian cultivated rice for productivity related traits, genome wide association study (GWAS) for seven agronomically important traits was conducted on a panel of 346 O. rufipogon accessions using a set of 15,083 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphic markers.
Results
The phenotypic data analysis indicated large continuous variation for all the traits under study, with a significant negative correlation observed between grain parameters and agronomic parameters like plant height, culm thickness. The presence of 74.28% admixtures in the panel as revealed by investigating population structure indicated the panel to be very poorly genetically differentiated, with rapid LD decay. The genome-wide association analyses revealed a total of 47 strong MTAs with 20 SNPs located in/close to previously reported QTL/genic regions providing a positive analytic proof for our studies. The allelic differences of significant MTAs was found to be statistically significant at 34 genomic regions. A total of 51 O. rufipogon accessions harboured combination of superior alleles and thus serve as potential candidates for accelerating rice breeding programs.
Conclusions
The present study identified 27 novel SNPs to be significantly associated with different traits. Allelic differences between cultivated and wild rice at significant MTAs determined superior alleles to be absent at 12 positions implying substantial scope of improvement by their targeted introgression into cultivars. Introgression of novel significant genomic regions into breeder’s pool would broaden the genetic base of cultivated rice, thus making the crop more resilient.
Factors Associated With Community Commitment Among Older Adults: a Stratified Analysis of Community Group Leaders and Members
Authors: Taguchi Hina , Tadaka Etsuko , Iwata Yuka , Arimoto Azusa 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
BackgroundCommunity commitment through group activities in the community is associated with improved health outcomes in older adults and has a ripple effect on community development. However, factors associated with community commitment through group activities in the community have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to examine individual-related factors and group-related factors with community commitment among older adult leaders and members of community groups in Japan.MethodsWe mailed self-administered questionnaires to all older adults participating in a community group (N=2,500) in a ward of Yokohama City, the largest designated city in Japan. Variables included demographic characteristics, community commitment (Community Commitment Scale), individual factors, and group-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to assess the association among study variables. ResultsA total of 1,154 people completed the questionnaire. The valid response rate was 37.0%. Factors associated with community commitment among group leaders were scores for self-efficacy for health promotion scale (SF-15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.20), 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (95% CI: 1.02–1.39), and Lubben Social Network Scale, Japanese version (95% CI: 1.04–1.33), as well as a perception of deriving pleasure from group participation (95% CI: 1.02–1.18). Factors associated with community commitment among group members were economic status (95% CI: 0.36–0.83), frequency of going outside (95% CI: 1.02–1.19), years of group participation (95% CI: 1.00−1.06), and perceptions of their role in the group (95% CI: 1.07–1.96) as well as the above factors for leaders. A supplementary qualitative analysis of participants’ free-text responses extracted seven categories, consisting of partnerships, resource mobilization, linkages and networking, community support, asset management, participatory decision-making and community dissemination, related to perception of role in the group.ConclusionOur results emphasize the importance of considering the different associations of community commitment through group activities in the community between group leaders and members, including the role of older adults in community groups, and suggest different approaches for group leaders and members.
Musculoskeletal Modelling And Simulation Of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunch Harvesting
Authors: Chan Yon Sin , Teo Yu Xuan , Gouwanda Darwin , Nurzaman Surya Girinatha , Gopalai Alpha Agape , Thannirmalai Subbiah 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This study aims to create and evaluate an upper extremity musculoskeletal model of the oil palm harvesting motion and assess the Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) risk of this activity. Tests were conducted on six harvesters at a Malaysia oil palm plantation. Six Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) and Surface Electromyography (sEMG) were used to collect kinematics of the back, shoulder and elbow joints and measure the muscle activations of longissimus, multifidus, biceps and triceps. A musculoskeletal model was constructed and simulated using the IMU data. The results were benchmarked against the commercial motion capture tool and sEMG. It was found that joint angle had the maximum coefficient of correlation (R) of 0.99 and minimum Root Mean Square Error of 1.84°, whereas muscle activation had the maximum R of 0.87 and minimum Mean Absolute Error of 0.10. This study showed that the longissimus was more actively used than multifidus, and the biceps was another primary muscle relied on during harvesting. The harvesters faced a higher risk of MSD while performing back flexion, back rotation, shoulder flexion and elbow flexion. Lastly, it demonstrated the feasibility of the musculoskeletal modelling and simulation to further investigate the upper extremity joints and muscles during harvesting.
Tumor cytokine profile of renal cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Lee Moon Hee , Laajala Essi , Kreutzman Anna , Järvinen Petrus , Nísen Harry , Mirtti Tuomas , Hollmén Maija , Mustjoki Satu 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
PurposeRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 90% of all renal cancers and is considered highly immunogenic. Although many studies have reported the circulating peripheral cytokine profiles, the signatures between the tumor tissue and matching healthy adjacent renal tissue counterparts have not been explored. We aimed to comprehensively investigate the cytokine landscape of RCC tumors and its correlation between the amount and phenotype of the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).Experimental Design We analyzed the secretion of 42 cytokines from the tumor (n=50) and adjacent healthy kidney tissues (n=24) with a Luminex-based assay. We further explored the differences between the tissue types, as well as correlated the findings with clinical data and detailed immunophenotyping of the TILs. ResultsUsing an unsupervised clustering approach, we observed distinct differences in the cytokine profiles between the tumor and adjacent renal tissue samples. The tumor samples clustered into three distinct profiles based on the cytokine expressions: high (53.2% of the tumors), intermediate (25.5%), and low (21.3%). Most of the tumor cytokines positively correlated with each other, except for IL-8 that showed no correlation with any of the measured cytokine expressions. Furthermore, the quantity of lymphocytes in the tumor samples analyzed with flow cytometry positively correlated with the chemokine-family of cytokines, IP-10 and MIG. Positive correlations were also observed between CD4+, CD8+ T cell PD-1 expressions and IL-8, suggesting a suppressive role of the chemotactic cytokine, even in T cell inflamed tumors. ConclusionsOur study highlights the distinct cytokine profiles in RCC and provides insights to potential biomarkers for the treatment of RCC.
DNA Methylation May Affect Beef Tenderness Through Signal Transduction in Bos Indicus
Authors: de Souza Marcela , Niciura Simone Cristina Méo , Rocha Marina Ibelli Pereira , Pan Zhangyuan , Zhou Huaijun , Bruscadin Jennifer Jessica , Diniz Wellison Jarles Silva , Afonso Juliana , de Oliveira Priscila Silva Neubern , Mourão Gerson B. , Zerlotini Adhemar , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Koltes James E. , Regitano Luciana Correia Almeida 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Beef tenderness is a complex trait of economic importance for the beef industry. Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms underlying this trait may help improve the accuracy of breeding programs. However, little is known about epigenetic effects on Bos taurus muscle and their implications in tenderness, and no studies have been conducted in Bos indicus.
Results
Comparing methylation profile of Bos indicus skeletal muscle with contrasting beef tenderness at 7 days after slaughter, we identified differentially methylated cytosines and regions associated with this trait. Interestingly, muscle that became tender beef had higher levels of hypermethylation compared to the tough group. Enrichment analysis of predicted target genes suggested that differences in methylation between tender and tough beef may affect signal transduction pathways, among which G protein signaling was a key pathway. In addition, different methylation levels were found associated with expression levels of GNAS, PDE4B, EPCAM and EBF3 genes. The differentially methylated elements correlated with EBF3 and GNAS genes overlapped CpG islands and regulatory elements. GNAS, a complex imprinted gene, has a key role on G protein signaling pathways. Moreover, both G protein signaling pathway and the EBF3 gene regulate muscle homeostasis, relaxation, and muscle cell-specificity.
Conclusion
We present differentially methylated loci that may be of interest to decipher the epigenetic mechanisms affecting tenderness. Supported by the previous knowledge about regulatory elements and gene function, the methylation data suggests EBF3 and GNAS as potential candidate genes and G protein signaling as potential candidate pathway associated with beef tenderness via methylation.
Tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate electrolyte as poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate-co-2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) plasticizer: Thermal degradation and optical characteristics
Authors: Elmahdy Mahdy M. , Ahmed Moustafa. T. , Aldhafeeri Khalid A. , Azzam Maged A , Fahmy Tarek 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Casting method was employed to prepare films of poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate-co-2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) (PVVH) copolymer doped with different concentrations of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate ([TBA][BF4]) electrolyte. The interaction between copolymer and electrolyte was clearly evident in the reduction of FTIR peaks intensity at 1666 and 1729 cm-1 with increasing electrolyte concentration. This reduction was related to the deacetylation of PVVH by the electrolyte. Effect of deacetylation was also visible in the reduction of DTG/DTA peak temperature (Tp) of the second stage of the composites. The reduction of DSC glass transition temperature (Tg) from 344 K to 310 with increasing electrolyte content was another evidence of the deacetylation effect that reduces the inter- and intramolecular interaction maintaining flexibility of PVVH copolymer backbone to bend and slide more readily. Based on the aforementioned results, one can assume that [TBA][BF4] electrolyte acts as an external plasticizer for PVVH that is internally plasticized by random copolymerization of vinyl chloride (VC) with vinyl acetate (VAc) and 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate (2HPA) to reduce the Tg of VC from 355 to 344 K. Another reduction was observed in the optical energy gap (Eg) with increasing the electrolyte content. Linear and nonlinear optical parameters were estimated and discussed in terms of the single oscillator model. Besides, the optical conductivity (σop) and dielectric constant of all samples were investigated.
Development and pilot testing of an electronic guide incorporating patient values and prognostic information in preparation for older people’s decision-making near the end of life.
Authors: Cardona Magnolia , Lewis Ebony T , Bannach-Brown Alex , Ip Genevieve , Tan Janice , Koreshe Eyza , Head Joshua , Lee Jin Jie , Rangel Shirley , Bublitz Lorraine , Forbes Connor , Maréchal-Ross Isabella , Bathla Nikita , Kusnadi Ruth , Brown Peter G , Alkhouri Hatem , Ticehurst Maree , Lovell Nigel 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
To develop an electronic resource, called Communicating Health Alternatives Tool (CHAT) that was compatible with hospital medical records software to facilitate preliminary patient-centered decision-making across health settings for frail older adults with progressive chronic disease.
Methods
Mixed methods including literature review; user-directed specifications; web-based interface development with authentication, authorisation, and secure cloud services; clinician and consumer co-design, iterative user testing; and developer integration of feedback.
Results
An internet-based conversation guide to facilitate clinician-led advance care planning was co-developed covering screening for short-term risk of death, patient values and preferences, and treatment choices for chronic kidney disease and dementia. Printed summary of such discussion could be used to begin the process in hospital or community health services. Clinicians, patients, and caregivers were generally accepting of its contents and format and supported its use in routine clinical practice.
Conclusion
CHAT is anticipated to enhance clinicians’ confidence in initiating these sensitive but important discussions with their older patients near end of life. CHAT is available to health services for implementation in effectiveness trials of patient-centered care to determine whether the interaction and documentation leads to formal decision-making, goal-concordant care, and subsequent reduction of unwanted treatments at the end of life.