bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of the Development and Implementation of Needs-Based Palliative Care Tools in Heart Failure and Chronic Respiratory Disease
Authors: Waller Amy , Hobden Breanne , Fakes Kristy , Clark Katherine 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe impetus to develop and implement tools for non-malignant patient groups is reflected in the increasing number of instruments being developed for heart failure and chronic respiratory diseases. Evidence syntheses of psychometric quality and clinical utility of these tools is required to inform research and clinical practice.AimsThis systematic review examined palliative care needs tools for people diagnosed with advanced heart failure or chronic respiratory diseases, to determine their: (1) psychometric quality; and (2) acceptability, feasibility and clinical utility when implemented in clinical practice.MethodsSystematic searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane and PsycINFO from database inception until June 2021 were undertaken. Additionally, the reference lists of included studies were searched for relevant articles. Psychometric properties of identified measures were evaluated against pre-determined and standard criteria.ResultsEighteen tools met inclusion criteria: 11 were developed to assess unmet patient palliative care needs. Of those, 6 were generic, 4 were developed for heart failure and 1 was developed for interstitial lung disease. Seven tools identified those who may benefit from palliative care and include general and disease-specific indicators. The psychometric qualities of the tools varied. None met all of the accepted criteria for psychometric rigor in heart failure or respiratory disease populations. There is limited implementation of needs assessment tools in practice.ConclusionSeveral tools were identified, however further validation studies in heart failure and respiratory disease populations are required. Rigorous evaluation to determine the impact of adopting a systematic needs-based approach for heart failure and lung disease on the physical and psychosocial outcomes of patients and carers, as well as the economic costs and benefits to the healthcare system, is required.
Historic Earthquakes for the Xianshuihe Fault Derived From Lake Mugeco in the Southeastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau During the Past 300 Years
Authors: Liu Liyuan , Yang Jingxuan , Liu Xingqi , Mao Xin , Qin Rong 
Published: April 2022

The lacustrine deposition with continuity and chronological reliability is one of the important archives to establish paleo-seismic sequences. In this study, sediment short cores were obtained from Lake Mugeco, located in the Selaha section of the Xianshuihe fault zone on the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The chronology is established using 210Pb/137Cs and AMS14C dating results. Seismic events are identified based on sedimentary characteristics (color, density, and grain size), organic matter content, and high-resolution XRF element scanning data for the past 300 years. There are four whitish turbidites in the sediments of Lake Mugeco, which are characterized by a high content of clay fraction and detrital elements (K, Rb, Ca, Sr, Ti, and Si) and low organic matter content. These four turbidites were dated in 1944–1956 C.E., 1919–1932 C.E., 1673–1837 C.E., and 1507–1739 C.E., with dating errors, possibly corresponding to large historical earthquakes of 1955 (Ms 7.5), 1932 (Ms 6), 1786 (Ms 7 ¾), and 1725 (Ms 7) recorded in the Selaha section of the Xianshuihe fault zone. This study provides scientific evidence for further reconstructing longer-temporal seismic events in the Xianshuihe fault zone inferred from sediments of Lake Mugeco.
Ambulatory Healthcare Use Profiles of Patients With Diabetes and Their Association With Quality of Care: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Dupraz Julien , Zuercher Emilie , Taffé Patrick , Peytremann-Bridevaux Isabelle 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundDespite the growing burden of diabetes worldwide, evidence regarding the optimal models of care to improve the quality of diabetes care remains equivocal. This study aimed to identify profiles of patients with distinct ambulatory care use patterns and to examine the association of these profiles with the quality of diabetes care.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study of the baseline data of 550 non-institutionalized adults included in a prospective, community-based, cohort study on diabetes care conducted in Switzerland. Clusters of participants with distinct patterns of ambulatory healthcare use were identified using discrete mixture models. To measure the quality of diabetes care, we used both processes of care indicators (eye and foot examination, microalbuminuria screening, blood cholesterol and glycated hemoglobin measurement [HbA1c], influenza immunization, blood pressure measurement, physical activity and diet advice) and outcome indicators (12-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12], Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life [ADDQoL], Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care [PACIC], Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, HbA1c value, and blood pressure &lt;140/90 mmHg). For each profile of ambulatory healthcare use, we calculated adjusted probabilities of receiving processes of care and estimated adjusted outcomes of care using logistic and linear regression models, respectively.ResultsFour profiles of ambulatory healthcare use were identified: participants with more visits to the general practitioner [GP] than to the diabetologist and receiving concomitant podiatry care (“GP &amp; podiatrist”, n=86); participants visiting almost exclusively their GP (“GP only”, n=195); participants with a substantially higher use of all ambulatory services (“High users”, n=96); and participants reporting more visits to the diabetologist and less visits to the GP than other profiles (“Diabetologist first”, n=173). Whereas participants belonging to the “GP only” profile were less likely to report most processes related to the quality of diabetes care, outcomes of care were relatively comparable across all ambulatory healthcare use profiles.ConclusionsSlight differences in quality of diabetes care appear across the four ambulatory healthcare use profiles identified in this study. Overall, however, results suggest that room for improvement exists in all profiles, and further investigation is necessary to determine whether individual characteristics (like diabetes-related factors) and/or healthcare factors contribute to the differences observed between profiles.
Modeling Yield, Biogenic Emissions, and Carbon Sequestration in Southeastern Cropping Systems With Winter Carinata
Authors: Field John L. , Zhang Yao , Marx Ernie , Boote Kenneth J. , Easter Mark , George Sheeja , Hoghooghi Nahal , Johnston Glenn , Masum Farhad Hossain , Mulvaney Michael J. , Paustian Keith , Seepaul Ramdeo , Swan Amy , Williams Steve , Wright David , Dwivedi Puneet 
Published: April 2022

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production from lipids is a technologically mature approach for replacing conventional fossil fuel use in the aviation sector, and there is increasing demand for such feedstocks. The oilseed Brassica carinata (known as Ethiopian mustard or simply carinata) is a promising SAF feedstock that can be grown as a supplemental cash crop over the winter fallow season of various annual crop rotations in the Southeast US, avoiding land use changes and potentially achieving some of the soil carbon sequestration and ecosystem service benefits of winter cover crops. However, carinata may require more intensive management than traditional cover crops, potentially leading to additional soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through increased carbon losses from soil tillage and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from nitrogen fertilizer application. In this work, the 2017 version of the process-based DayCent ecosystem model was used to establish initial expectations for the total regional SAF production potential and associated soil GHG emissions when carinata is integrated as a winter crop into the existing crop rotations across its current suitability range in southern Alabama, southern Georgia, and northern Florida. Using data from academic and industry carinata field trials in the region, DayCent was calibrated to reproduce carinata yield, nitrogen response, harvest index, and biomass carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. The resulting model was then used to simulate the integration of carinata every third winter across all 2.1 Mha of actively cultivated cropland in the study area. The model predicted regional average yields of 2.9–3.0 Mg carinata seed per hectare depending on crop management assumptions. That results in the production of more than two million Mg of carinata seed annually across the study area, enough to supply approximately one billion liters of SAF. Conventional management of carinata led to only modest increases in soil carbon storage that were largely offset by additional N2O emissions. Climate-smart management via adopting no-till carinata establishment or using poultry litter as a nitrogen source resulted in a substantial net soil GHG sink (0.23–0.31 Mg CO2e ha−1 y−1, or 0.24–0.32 Mg CO2e per Mg of seed produced) at the farms where carinata is cultivated.
Parks Under Stress: Air Temperature Regulation of Urban Green Spaces Under Conditions of Drought and Summer Heat
Authors: Kraemer Roland , Kabisch Nadja 
Published: April 2022

In times of urbanization and climate change, urban green spaces and their ecosystem services are pivotal for adapting to extreme weather events such as heat and drought. But what happens to the provision of ecosystem services when green spaces themselves are compromised by heat and drought? In this study, we assessed the air temperature regulation by two structurally distinct inner-city parks in Leipzig, Germany, that were strongly affected by the heat and drought periods in 2018 and 2019. We used a dense network of in-situ measurements and machine learning to create spatially explicit maps of air temperature distribution at a fine-scale neighborhood level for a 24 h period during the summer heat wave in 2019. The results showed that the larger, tree-dominated park could maintain spaces of relative coolness at any time, whereas the other rather open, grass-dominated park was strongly heated during the daytime but provided relatively cool air during the night and early morning. We found a maximum spatially averaged cooling effect of green spaces versus the built-up surroundings of 1.1°C in the morning. In the afternoon, however, when air temperatures peaked at nearly 40°C, cooling was limited to shaded areas, leading to average differences between green spaces and built-up surroundings below 1°C. Our spatially explicit maps indicated that the “cooling distances” of green spaces, i.e., cooling effects that extend beyond the boundaries of a park, are negligible during dry and hot conditions. We conclude that vegetation structure, particularly the configuration of trees, is key to designing heat and drought-resilient green spaces and thus maintaining ecosystem service provision under the challenges of climate change. Urban planning needs to account for larger green spaces that are complemented by decentralized, well-distributed small-scale green infrastructure that intersperses the built infrastructure such as roadside greenery and vegetated backyards.
Systematic Evaluation of Physical Parameters Affecting the Terminal Settling Velocity of Microplastic Particles in Lakes Using CFD
Authors: Ahmadi Pouyan , Elagami Hassan , Dichgans Franz , Schmidt Christian , Gilfedder Benjamin S. , Frei Sven , Peiffer Stefan , Fleckenstein Jan H. 
Published: April 2022

Microplastic (MP) particles are commonly found in freshwater environments such as rivers and lakes, negatively affecting aquatic organisms and potentially causing water quality issues. Understanding the transport and fate of MP particles in these environments is a key prerequisite to mitigate the problem. For standing water bodies (lakes, ponds) the terminal settling velocity (TSV) is a key parameter, which determines particle residence times and exposure times of organisms to MP in lakes. Here we systematically investigate the effects of the physical parameters density, volume, shape and roundness, surface roughness and hydrophobicity and lake water temperature on the TSV of a large number of particles with regular and irregular shapes (equivalent diameters: 0.5–2.5 mm) and different polymer densities using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Simulation results are compared to laboratory settling experiments and used to evaluate existing, semi-empirical relationships to estimate TSV. The semi-empirical relationships were generally found to be in reasonable agreement with the CFD simulations (R2 &gt; 0.92). Deviations were attributed to simplifications in their descriptions of particle shapes. Overall the CFD simulations also matched the TSVs from the experiments quite well, (R2 &gt; 0.82), but experimental TSVs were generally slower than model TSVs with the largest differences for the irregular particles made from biodegradable polymers. The deviations of up to 58% were found to be related to the attachment of air bubbles on irregularities in the particle surfaces caused by the hydrophobicity of the MP particles. Overall, density was the most decisive parameter for TSV with increases in TSV of up to 400% followed by volume (200%), water temperature (47%) and particle roundness (45%). Our simulation results provide a frame of reference for an improved evaluation of the relative effects of different particle characteristics on their TSV in lakes. This will in turn allow a more robust estimation of particle residence times and potential exposure times of organism to MP in the different compartments of a lake.
Development of a TaqMan® Allelic Discrimination qPCR Assay for Rapid Detection of Equine CXCL16 Allelic Variants Associated With the Establishment of Long-Term Equine Arteritis Virus Carrier State in Stallions
Authors: Thieulent Come J. , Carossino Mariano , Balasuriya Udeni B. R. , Graves Kathryn , Bailey Ernest , Eberth John , Canisso Igor F. , Andrews Frank M. , Keowen Michael L. , Go Yun Young 
Published: April 2022

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA), a respiratory, systemic, and reproductive disease of equids. Following natural infection, up to 70% of the infected stallions can remain persistently infected over 1 year (long-term persistent infection [LTPI]) and shed EAV in their semen. Thus, the LTP-infected stallions play a pivotal role in maintaining and perpetuating EAV in the equine population. Previous studies identified equine C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16) as a critical host cell factor determining LTPI in the stallion’s reproductive tract. Two alleles (CXCL16S and CXCL16r) were identified in the equine population and correlated with the susceptibility or resistance of a CD3+ T cell subpopulation in peripheral blood to in vitro EAV infection, respectively. Interestingly, CXCL16S has been linked to the establishment of LTPI in stallions, and thus, genotyping stallions based on CXCL16S/r would allow identification of those at the highest risk of establishing LTPI. Thus, we developed a TaqMan® allelic discrimination qPCR assay for the genotyping of the equine CXCL16 gene based on the identification of a single nucleotide polymorphism in position 1,073 based on NCBI gene ID: 100061442 (or position 527 based on Ensembl: ENSECAG00000018406.2) located in exon 2. One hundred and sixty horses from four breeds were screened for the CD3+ T cell susceptibility phenotype to EAV infection by flow cytometry and subsequently sequenced to determine CXCL16 allelic composition. Genotyping by Sanger sequencing determined that all horses with the resistant CD3+ T cell phenotype were homozygous for CXCL16r while horses with the susceptible CD3+ T cell phenotype carried at least one CXCL16S allele or homozygous for CXCL16S. In addition, genotypification with the TaqMan® allelic discrimination qPCR assay showed perfect agreement with Sanger sequencing and flow cytometric analysis. In conclusion, the new TaqMan® allelic discrimination genotyping qPCR assay can be used to screen prepubertal colts for the presence of the CXCL16 genotype. It is highly recommended that colts that carry the susceptible genotype (CXCL16 S/S or CXCL16S/r) are vaccinated against EAV after 6 months of age to prevent the establishment of LTPI carriers following possible natural infection with EAV.
Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies Genes Associated With Non-Obstructive Azoospermia
Authors: Zhang Hongguo , Li Wei , Jiang Yuting , Li Jia , Chen Mucheng , Wang Ruixue , Zhao Jing , Peng Zhiyu , Huang Hui , Liu Ruizhi 
Published: April 2022

Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) affects nearly 1% of men; however, the landscape of the causative genes is largely unknown.Objective: To explore the genetic etiology which is the fundamental cause of NOA, a prospective case-control study and parental–proband trio linkage analysis were performed.Materials: A total of 133 patients with clinicopathological NOA and 343 fertile controls were recruited from a single large academic fertility center located in Northeast China; in addition, eleven trio families were available and enrolled.Results: Whole exome sequencing-based rare variant association study between the cases and controls was performed using the gene burden association testing. Linkage analysis on the trio families was also interrogated. In total, 648 genes were identified to be associated with NOA (three of which were previously reported), out of which six novel genes were found further associated based on the linkage analysis in the trio families, and involved in the meiosis-related network.Discussion and Conclusion: The six currently identified genes potentially account for a fraction (3.76%, 5 out of 133 patients) of the heritability of unidentified NOA, and combining the six novel genes and the three previously reported genes together would potentially account for an overall 6.77% (9 out of 133 patients) heritability of unidentified NOA in this study.
RETRACTED: CCDC88A Post-Transcriptionally Regulates VEGF via miR-101 and Subsequently Regulates Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hu Qiongying , Li Yuchen , Chen Hongqing , Liao Hongyan , He Yong , Zheng Qin 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundmiR-101 is one of the most abundantly expressed microRNA (miRNA) and exerst a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by targeting to 3’ -untranslated region (UTR) of Girders of actin filaments (CCDC88A) and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of CCDC88A on malignancies and stemness by regulating VEGF via miR-101 in HCC.MethodsGene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was employed to analyze the relevance of CCDC88A expression with prognosis in HCC. Tissue slides were performed to confirm the protein level of CCDC88A in HCC. Correlation between CCDC88A and VEGF was transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally detected, followed by evaluation of malignancies.ResultsBy employing Immunohistochemistry, we found CCDC88A protein was upregulated in HCC tissues, which is closely correlated to poor prognosis and survival rate. Employment of GEPIA revealed the positive correlation between CCDC88A and VEGF in HCC, but not in liver tissue. Silencing of CCDC88A in Huh-7 and SK-HEP-1 cells significantly decreased proliferation, cell cycle phases, migration, invasion, colony formation, and tumor formation. Introduction of miR-101 mimics specifically targeting CCDC88A and VEGF decreased protein levels of both CCDC88A and VEGFA. Notably, inhibition of miR-101 reversed the correlation between CCDC88A and VEGFA protein levels, indicating that CCDC88A and VEGF may exert as a miR-101 sponge. The addition of SKLB1002, a VEGFR2 inhibitor inhibited malignant behaviors, which was further inhibited by the introduction of miR-101 mimics, indicating that CCDC88A regulates malignant behaviors partially via regulating VEGF. Moreover, CCDC88A also promotes the stemness of cancer stem-like cells derived from HCC cells depending on VEGF modification.ConclusionTaken together, our findings suggested that the miR-101/CCDC88A/VEGF axis could be a potential therapeutic target of HCC treatment.
Roxadustat Attenuates the Disruption of Epithelial Tight Junction in Caco2 Cells and a Rat Model of CKD Through MicroRNA-223
Authors: Qu Ning , Chen Lei , Liang Shanshan , Wei Meng , Sun Lingshuang , He Quan , Xue Jinhong , Wang Meng , Shi Kehui , Jiang Hongli , Liu Hua 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionIncreasing evidence supports the idea that the disruption of epithelial tight junction proteins (TJPs) caused by accumulation of uremia toxins, such as homocysteine (Hcy), is one of the most important mechanisms underlying the damage of intestinal barrier function (IBF) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Since the decrease of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is reported to be involved in Hcy-induced cell injury, and the upregulation of microRNA-223 (miR-223) plays a vital protective role in the impairment of IBF in the experimental colitis, we investigated the effect of HIF-1α stabilizer roxadustat on the disruption of TJPs induced by Hcy and CKD and the underlying mechanism.MethodsChronic kidney disease was induced in rats via 5/6 nephrectomy. In a series of experiments, the rats were treated orally with roxadustat of different doses. The expression of tight junction proteins, HIF-1α, and miR-223 was analyzed in different groups by western blotting analysis, RT-qPCR techniques and immunofluorescence. A series of experiments with cultured Caco2 cells was performed.ResultsThe results showed that the expression of TJPs (occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1) decreased significantly, accompanied by the reduction of HIF-1α and miR-223 in Hcy-treated Caco2 cells and colonic mucosa of uremic rats. The reduction of HIF-1α and miR-223 was reversed by roxadustat and the decrease of TJPs expression was attenuated in both Caco2 cells induced by Hcy and colon tissue of CKD rats. Furthermore, transfection with miR-223 mimics increased the expression of TJPs, while transfection with miR-223 inhibitor decreased their expression in Caco2 cells. MiR-223 inhibitor applied before roxadustat treatment partly diminished the effect of roxadustat on TJPs expression in Caco2 cells.ConclusionThese results indicated that roxadustat attenuated the disruption of epithelial TJPs induced by Hcy in Caco2 cells and the damage of colonic epithelium in CKD rats through the upregulation of miR-223 induced by HIF-1α. A novel insight into the IBF dysfunction in CKD was provided, and it suggests a potential therapeutic use of roxadustat for the IBF dysfunction besides anemia in CKD.