bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRoponin of Unknown origin in STroke evaluated by multi-component cardiac Magnetic resonance Imaging – The TRUST-MI study
Authors: Mengel Annerose , Nenova Lilyana , Müller Karin A. L. , Poli Sven , Kowarik Markus C. , Feil Katharina , Mizera Lars , Geisler Tobias , Kübler Jens , Mahrholdt Heiko , Ernemann Ulrike , Hennersdorf Florian , Ziemann Ulf , Nikolaou Konstantin , Gawaz Meinrad , Krumm Patrick , Greulich Simon
Published: September 2022

Aims

Increased high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels are common in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, only a minority demonstrates culprit lesions on coronary angiography, suggesting other mechanisms, e.g., inflammation, as underlying cause of myocardial damage. Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE)-cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with mapping techniques [T1, T2, extracellular volume (ECV)] allow the detection of both focal and diffuse myocardial abnormalities. We investigated the prevalence of culprit lesions by coronary angiography and myocardial tissue abnormalities by a comprehensive CMR protocol in troponin-positive stroke patients.

Methods and results

Patients with troponin-positive acute ischemic stroke and no history of coronary artery disease were prospectively enrolled. Coronary angiography and CMR (LGE, T1 + T2 mapping, ECV) were performed within the first days of the acute stroke. Twenty-five troponin-positive patients (mean age 62 years, 44% females) were included. 2 patients (8%) had culprit lesions on coronary angiography and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. 13 patients (52%) demonstrated LGE: (i) n = 4 ischemic, (ii) n = 4 non-ischemic, and (iii) n = 5 ischemic AND non-ischemic. In the 12 LGE-negative patients, mapping revealed diffuse myocardial damage in additional 9 (75%) patients, with a high prevalence of increased T2 values.

Conclusions

Our data show a low prevalence of culprit lesions in troponin-positive stroke patients. However, > 50% of the patients demonstrated myocardial scars (ischemic + non-ischemic) by LGE-CMR. Mapping revealed additional myocardial abnormalities (mostly inflammatory) in the majority of LGE-negative patients. Therefore, a comprehensive CMR protocol gives important insights in the etiology of troponin which might have implications for the further work-up of troponin-positive stroke patients.
Bibliometric analysis of the flipped classroom pedagogical model: Trends and strategic lines of study
Authors: del Arco Isabel , Mercadé-Melé Pere , Ramos-Pla Anabel , Flores-Alarcia Òscar
Published: September 2022

The Flipped Classroom (FC) emerged at the beginning of the 20th century as an alternative pedagogical model to the traditional classroom. It consists of inverting (flipping) some teaching-learning procedures, transferring some activities outside the classroom and reformulating the roles of the teacher and the student. The aim of this study is to identify the main existing trends and emerging strategic lines of research with respect to the FC pedagogical model. To this end, a bibliometric study was carried out by analyzing the international scientific production found in the Web of Science (WoS) database. A total of 2,194 articles were reviewed during the period from 2007 to 2021. The results showed an increase in publications on FC from 2013 onwards, reaching a significant peak in the scientific literature in the last 2 years. Scientific evidence is presented on the didactic virtue of the model, together with the increase in the degree of student satisfaction and motivation. New lines for the future are suggested, such as: providing evidence of the improvement in academic performance and solid and profound learning results in its application to different fields of knowledge, educational contexts, or with different types of students. Also, to investigate the co-responsibility of students by stimulating autonomy and self-regulation.
Regulatory network and interplay of hepatokines, stellakines, myokines and adipokines in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Yang Bing , Lu Liqing , Zhou Dongmei , Fan Wei , Barbier-Torres Lucía , Steggerda Justin , Yang Heping , Yang Xi
Published: September 2022

Fatty liver disease is a spectrum of liver pathologies ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and culminating with the development of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and diverse, and there is a lack of effective treatment measures. In this review, we address hepatokines identified in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and NASH, including the signaling of FXR/RXR, PPARα/RXRα, adipogenesis, hepatic stellate cell activation/liver fibrosis, AMPK/NF-κB, and type 2 diabetes. We also highlight the interaction between hepatokines, and cytokines or peptides secreted from muscle (myokines), adipose tissue (adipokines), and hepatic stellate cells (stellakines) in response to certain nutritional and physical activity. Cytokines exert autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine effects on the pathogenesis of NAFLD and NASH. Characterizing signaling pathways and crosstalk amongst muscle, adipose tissue, hepatic stellate cells and other liver cells will enhance our understanding of interorgan communication and potentially serve to accelerate the development of treatments for NAFLD and NASH.
Is depression the contraindication of anterior cervical decompression and fusion for cervical spondylosis?
Authors: Chen Xiaolu , Li Xiao , Gan Yu , Lu Ying , Tian Yu , Fu Yixiao , Yang Hanjie , Liu Ke , Pan Yinlian , Du Xing
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate whether depression is the contraindication of anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylosis.

Material and methods

Patients with single-segment cervical spondylosis who underwent ACDF from January 2015 to December 2018 in our department were retrospectively included in this study and divided into two groups. Patients who were diagnosed of depression and prescribed with antidepressant drugs for at least 6 months before surgery were included in the intervention group. Patients without depression were included in the control group. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score was used to evaluate the severity of depression. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopeadic Association (JOA) score, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were recorded as indexes to assess the pain, cervical spine function, degree of cervical spine injury, and life quality, respectively. The operative time, operative blood loss, hospital stay and complications were also recorded and compared.

Results

A total of 117 patients were included in this study, involving 32 patients in the intervention group and 85 patients in the control group. No significant differences were found in operative time, operative blood loss, hospital stay and complications between the two groups (P>0.05). The BDI score, VAS score, JOA score, NDI, SF-36 physical component score (SF-36 PCS) and SF-36 mental component score (SF-36 MCS) were all significantly improved at last follow-up in both the two groups. The intervention group showed higher BDI score and SF-36 MCS than the control group at both preoperative and the last follow-up (P<0.05), and the improvements of BDI score and SF-36 MCS were also higher in the intervention group (P<0.05). Although the intervention group showed higher VAS score, NDI, SF-36 PCS and lower JOA score at preoperative and last follow-up, respectively (P<0.05), there were no significant differences in the improvements of these indexes between the two group (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Depression is not the contraindication of ACDF for cervical spondylosis. Depression patients who received preoperative antidepressants can achieve similar improvement of clinical symptoms from ACDF with non-depression patients.
Higher maternal thyroid resistance indices were associated with increased neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone— analyses based on the Huizhou mother-infant cohort
Authors: Li Shuyi , Wu Yi , Zhang Su-juan , Li Guoyi , Xiang Yu Tao , Zhang Wei-zhong , Pan Wen-jing , Chen Wei-qing , Hao Yuan-tao , Ling Wen-hua , Liu Zhao-min
Published: September 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the relationship of maternal thyroid function and thyroid resistance parameters with neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Methods

This work was a longitudinal study. Singleton pregnant women without a history of thyroid disorders were recruited in their first prenatal visit from October 2018 to June 2020. Maternal thyroid markers including TSH, free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and neonatal TSH were tested in the clinical laboratory of the hospital by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Thyroid resistance indices including Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index (TFQI), TSH index (TSHI), and thyrotroph T4 resistance index (TT4RI) were estimated in accordance with maternal FT4 and TSH levels. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was applied to explore the associations of maternal thyroid indices with infantile TSH level.

Results

A total of 3,210 mothers and 2,991 newborns with valid TSH data were included for analysis. Multivariable linear regression indicated that maternal thyroid variables were significantly and positively associated with neonatal TSH levels with standardized coefficients of 0.085 for TSH, 0.102 for FT3, 0.100 for FT4, 0.076 for TSHI, 0.087 for TFQI, and 0.089 for TT4RI (all P < 0.001). Compared with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of TSHI [odds ratio (OR) = 1.590, 95% CI: 0.928–2.724; Ptrend = 0.025], TFQI (OR = 1.746, 95% CI: 1.005–3.034; Ptrend = 0.016), and TT4RI (OR = 1.730, 95% CI: 1.021–2.934; Ptrend = 0.030) were significantly associated with an increased risk of elevated neonatal TSH (>5 mIU/L) in a dose–response manner.

Conclusion

The longitudinal data demonstrated that maternal thyroid resistance indices and thyroid hormones in the first half of gestation were positively associated with neonatal TSH levels. The findings offered an additionally practical recommendation to improve the current screening algorithms for congenital hypothyroidism.
The association between alteration of maternal lipid levels and birthweight at term: A within-family comparison
Authors: Chen Qinqing , Chen Huiqi , Wang Minmin , Qiu Liping , Xi Fangfang , Jiang Ying , Lv Min , Huang He-Feng , Luo Qiong
Published: September 2022

Context

Maternal lipid levels affect birthweight and the long-term health of the offsprings. However, this association could be influenced by genetic and other common factors.

Objective

This work aimed to explore the relationship between maternal lipid levels and birthweight of two pregnancies in the same mother.

Methods

In this population-based cohort study, 705 women and their 1 410 offsprings were included. From an initial sample of women with more than one singleton birth in the database, we made the following exclusions: missing data for pre-pregnancy BMI, pregnancy weight gain, birthweight and lipid values; maternal age less than 19 or older than 44 years old; gestational age < 37 weeks or > 41weeks, gestational diabetes mellitus/diabetic. In the second and third trimesters, serum samples were collected for the determination of fasting total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Then we assessed the association between maternal lipids and birthweight.

Results

Infants of women whose 2nd-trimester TC increased by 10th-20th percentile (-0.92~-0.56 mmol/L) from 1st to 2nd pregnancy were 239.69 (62.32~417.06) g lighter at birth than were infants of women those of 40th-50th percentile (-0.20~-0.03 mmol/L). Parity, gestational age, neonatal gender, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, maternal weight gain, and 3rd-trimester TC and HDL-C were all associated with higher birth weight. Every unit increase in TC in the third trimester increases birthweight by 53.13 (14.32 ~91.94) g.

Conclusion

Maternal TC level is associated with birthweight independent of shared genes. TC may be used to guide diet and predict birthweight combined with ultrasound and other indicators.
Optimization approach for bioethanol production from agro-industrial waste
Authors: Murillo-Alvarado Pascual Eduardo , Flores Russell Ernesto
Published: September 2022

Seeking energy alternatives that are friendly to the environment without compromising the growth of society is becoming more widespread. Biofuels from biomass processing are a promising path toward the development of a biomass industry and the early replacement of fossil fuels. The purpose of this work is to determine the feasibility of generating biofuels through the use of agro-industrial waste through a mathematical model for the optimization of the supply chain for the production of biofuels from waste generated by the food processors in the municipality of Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico. This case study considers the available raw material, waste from the food industries, the period of time in which these are available, as well as the possible places for processing and obtaining biofuels. The results establish that it is possible to obtain 7.27 × 107 l/year of bioethanol through the processing of 3.27 × 106 tons/year of organic waste, which generates a profit of 4.37 × 107 USD/year.
Modeling consumer’s innovativeness and purchase intention relationship regarding 5G technology in China
Authors: Shah Sayed Kifayat , Tang Zhongjun , Gavurova Beata , Oláh Judit , Acevedo-Duque Ángel
Published: September 2022

Consumer innovativeness is a significant personality attribute that refers to a person’s proclivity to acquire and utilize new items more rapidly and frequently than others. Although previous research has revealed a relationship between consumer innovativeness and the intention to buy new technology products, little is known about the determinants such as visibility and guidance affordances, environmental awareness, and safety concerns that underpin this relationship. Using the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory through the PLS-SEM approach, this study analyzed the data of 341 Chinese consumers to explore the prospects mentioned above. The empirical results show that visibility and guidance affordances encourage consumer innovativeness. The results further reveal that environmental awareness and product safety concerns mediate the consumer innovativeness and purchase intention relationship. This model will contribute to the literature by improving predictive ability over previous models. Therefore, managers and policy-makers who wish to make constructive changes in the intentions of technology consumers are encouraged to ruminate on the extrapolations of this article.
Impact of breeding for reduced methane emissions in New Zealand sheep on maternal and health traits
Authors: Hickey Sharon M. , Bain Wendy E. , Bilton Timothy P. , Greer Gordon J. , Elmes Sara , Bryson Brooke , Pinares-Patiño Cesar S. , Wing Janine , Jonker Arjan , Young Emily A. , Knowler Kevin , Pickering Natalie K. , Dodds Ken G. , Janssen Peter H. , McEwan John C. , Rowe Suzanne J.
Published: September 2022

Enteric methane emissions from ruminants account for ∼35% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions. This poses a significant threat to the pastoral sector. Breeding has been shown to successfully lower methane emissions, and genomic prediction for lowered methane emissions has been introduced at the national level. The long-term genetic impacts of including low methane in ruminant breeding programs, however, are unknown. The success of the New Zealand sheep industry is currently heavily reliant on the prolificacy, fecundity and survival of adult ewes. The objective of this study was to determine genetic and phenotypic correlations between adult maternal ewe traits (live weight, body condition score, number of lambs born, litter survival to weaning, pregnancy scanning and fleece weight), faecal andNematodirusegg counts and measures of methane in respiration chambers. More than 9,000 records for methane from over 2,200 sheep measured in respiration chambers were collected over 10 years. Sheep were fed on a restricted diet calculated as approximately twice the maintenance. Methane measures were converted to absolute daily emissions of methane measured in g per day (CH4/day). Two measures of methane yield were recorded: the ratio of CH4to dry matter intake (g CH4/kg DMI; CH4/DMI) and the ratio of CH4to total gas emissions (CH4/(CH4+ CO2)). Ewes were maintained in the flocks for at least two parities. Non-methane trait data from over 8,000 female relatives were collated to estimate genetic correlations. Results suggest that breeding for low CH4/DMI is unlikely to negatively affect faecal egg counts, adult ewe fertility and litter survival traits, with no evidence for significant genetic correlations. Fleece weight was unfavourably (favourably) correlated with CH4/DMI (rg= −0.21 ± 0.09). Live weight (rg= 0.3 ± 0.1) and body condition score (rg= 0.2 ± 0.1) were positively correlated with methane yield. Comparing the two estimates of methane yield, CH4/DMI had lower heritability and repeatability. However, correlations of both measures with adult ewe traits were similar. This suggests that breeding is a suitable mitigation strategy for lowering methane yield, but wool, live weight and fat deposition traits may be affected over time and should be monitored.
MicroRNAs with non-additive expression in the ovary of hybrid hens target genes enriched in key reproductive pathways that may influence heterosis for egg laying traits
Authors: Isa Adamu Mani , Sun Yanyan , Li Yunlei , Wang Yuanmei , Ni Aixin , Yuan Jingwei , Ma Hui , Shi Lei , Tesfay Hailai Hagos , Fan Jing , Wang Panlin , Chen Jilan
Published: September 2022

Heterosis has been extensively exploited in chicken breeding to improve laying traits in commercial hybrid stock. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying it remains elusive. This study characterizes the miRNAome in the pre-hierarchical follicles of purebred and hybrid laying hens, and investigate the functions of miRNAs with non-additive expression in the pre-hierarchical follicles as they modulate heterosis for egg number and clutch size. To achieve that aim, White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red chicken lines were reciprocally crossed to generate hybrids. The crossbreds demonstrated heterosis for egg number and clutch size, and pre-hierarchical follicles from 4 birds of each genotype were collected at 53 weeks of age. Mode of miRNA expression was characterized after miRNA sequencing. A total of 50 miRNAs including 30 novel ones, were found to exhibit non-additive expression. Dominance was the predominant mode of expression exhibited by majority of the miRNAs. Functional analysis of target genes of the known miRNAs with non-additive expression revealed Gene Ontology terms related to regulation of transcription, metabolic processes and gene expression. KEGG and REACTOME pathways including hedgehog, cellular senescence, wnt, TGF-β, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, oocyte meiosis, GnRH signaling, signal transduction and generic transcription, which can be linked to primordial follicle activation, growth and ovulation, were significantly enriched by target genes of miRNAs with non-additive expression. Majority of the genes enriched in these biological pathways were targeted by gga-miR-19a, gga-miR-19b, gga-miR-375, gga-miR-135a, and gga-miR-7 and 7b, thus, revealing their synergistic roles in enhancing processes that could influence heterosis for egg number and clutch size in hybrid hens.
The impact of transgenesis on mosquito fitness: A review
Authors: Dilani Padukka Vidanelage Desha , Dassanayake Ranil Samantha , Tyagi Brij Kishore , Gunawardene Yasanthi Illika Nilmini Silva
Published: September 2022

Transgenic mosquitoes developed by genetic manipulation, offer a promising strategy for the sustainable and effective control of mosquito-borne diseases. This strategy relies on the mass release of transgenic mosquitoes into the wild, where their transgene is expected to persist in the natural environment, either permanently or transiently, within the mosquito population. In such circumstances, the fitness of transgenic mosquitoes is an important factor in determining their survival in the wild. The impact of transgene expression, insertional mutagenesis, inbreeding depression related to laboratory adaptation, and the hitchhiking effect involved in developing homozygous mosquito lines can all have an effect on the fitness of transgenic mosquitoes. Therefore, real-time estimation of transgene-associated fitness cost is imperative for modeling and planning transgenic mosquito release programs. This can be achieved by directly comparing fitness parameters in individuals homozygous or hemizygous for the transgene and their wild-type counterparts, or by cage invasion experiments to monitor the frequency of the transgenic allele over multiple generations. Recent advancements such as site-specific integration systems and gene drives, provide platforms to address fitness issues in transgenic mosquitoes. More research on the fitness of transgenic individuals is required to develop transgenic mosquitoes with a low fitness cost.
Diel, temporal, and spatial patterns of biotic soundscapes among Alabama artificial reefs in late spring and summer
Authors: Boyle Kelly S. , Hightower Crystal L. , Nelson T. Reid , Powers Sean P.
Published: September 2022

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) in a variety of marine habitats has revealed distinct spatial and temporal variation of fish sounds that are predicted to vary in association with species composition and abundance, as well as diel and seasonal influences. Reefs in the Alabama Artificial Reef Zone (AARZ) in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) have an associated fish fauna composed of warm-temperate and tropical reef associated species. AARZ reefs are made of different structures (e.g. bridge rubble, concrete pyramids, etc.) and as a result, their fish species composition is predicted to vary. We used PAM to describe fish sounds on 18 shallow slope (20-33 m) AARZ reefs in 2017 and 2018. We detected calls from unknown sources, as well as sounds from leopard toadfishOpsanus pardus, cocoa damselfishStegastes variabilis, and cusk-eels (Ophidiidae). We developed semi-automated screening methods to detect specific sound types and described diel and spatial patterns. Sound detection rates varied widely among reefs, but not by reef type. Number of sound types increased with species richness, but detection rates of specific sounds differed on reefs with similar species composition. Our results indicate that many frequently occurring sounds may not be associated with visually conspicuous fishes. Further research is needed to determine source species and associated behavior for common sounds in these habitats. Soundscape variability among nGOM artificial reefs may be a consideration for management, as biological sound can provide an acoustic cue for reef location by some larval and adult fish species.
The virulence factor regulator and quorum sensing regulate the type I-F CRISPR-Cas mediated horizontal gene transfer in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Dela Ahator Stephen , Liu Yang , Wang Jianhe , Zhang Lian-Hui
Published: September 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is capable of thriving in diverse environments due to its network of regulatory components for effective response to stress factors. The survival of the bacteria is also dependent on the ability to discriminate between the acquisition of beneficial and non-beneficial genetic materials via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Thus, bacteria have evolved the CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune system for defense against the deleterious effect of phage infection and HGT. By using the transposon mutagenesis approach, we identified the virulence factor regulator (Vfr) as a key regulator of the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system in P. aeruginosa. We showed that Vfr influences the expression of the CRISPR-Cas system through two signaling pathways in response to changes in calcium levels. Under calcium-rich conditions, Vfr indirectly regulates the CRISPR-Cas system via modulation of the AHL-QS gene expression, which could be vital for defense against phage infection at high cell density. When encountering calcium deficiency, however, Vfr can directly regulate the CRISPR-Cas system via a cAMP-dependent pathway. Furthermore, we provide evidence that mutation of vfr reduces the CRISPR-Cas spacer acquisition and interference of HGT. The results from this study add to the regulatory network of factors controlling the CRISPR-Cas system in response to abiotic factors in the environment. The findings may facilitate the design of effective and reliable phage therapies against P. aeruginosa infections, as targeting Vfr could prevent the development of the CRISPR-Cas mediated phage resistance.
Soil moisture and pH differentially drive arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal composition in the riparian zone along an alpine river of Nam Co watershed
Authors: Zhou Yaxing , Chen Keyu , Muneer Muhammad Atif , Li Congcong , Shi Hailan , Tang Yu , Zhang Jing , Ji Baoming
Published: September 2022

The riparian zone is an important ecological corridor connecting the upstream and downstream rivers. Its highly complex biological and physical environments significantly affect the biogeographical pattern of species and various ecosystem functions. However, in alpine riparian ecosystems, the distribution patterns and drivers of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, a group of functionally important root-associated microorganisms, remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the AM fungal diversity and community composition in near-bank (wetland) and far-bank (alpine meadows) soils along the Niaqu River in the Nam Co watershed, and assessed the relative importance of abiotic and biotic filtering in shaping these distributions. Overall, 184 OTUs were identified in the riparian ecosystem, predominantly belonging to the genus Glomus, especially in the downstream soils, and Claroideoglomus in near-bank soils. AM fungal colonization, spore density, and α diversity showed an overall increasing trend along the river, while the extraradical hyphae declined dramatically from the middle of the river. AM fungal communities significantly varied between the wetland and alpine meadows in the riparian zone, mainly driven by the geographic distance, soil water content, soil pH, and plant communities. Specifically, soil pH was the principal predictor of AM fungal community in near-bank wetland soils, while soil water content had a most substantial direct effect in alpine meadows. These findings indicate that abiotic factors are the most important divers in shaping AM fungal communities at the watershed scale, which could be helpful in alpine riparian biodiversity conservation and management.
White matter tracts involved in subcortical unilateral spatial neglect in subacute stroke
Authors: Cha Seungwoo , Jeong ByeongChang , Choi Myungwon , Kwon Sohyun , Lee Stephanie Hyeyoung , Paik Nam-Jong , Kim Won-Seok , Han Cheol E.
Published: September 2022

Background

Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is common and associated with poor motor and cognitive outcomes as well as impaired quality of life following stroke. Traditionally, the neural substrates underlying USN have been thought to be cortical areas, such as the posterior parietal cortex. However, patients with stroke involving only subcortical structures may also present with USN. While only a few studies have reported on USN in subcortical stroke, the involvement of white matter tracts related to brain networks of visuospatial attention is one possible explanation for subcortical neglect. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate which specific white matter tracts are neural substrates for USN in patients with subcortical stroke.

Methods

Twenty-two patients with subcortical stroke without cortical involvement who were admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital were retrospectively enrolled. Nine subjects were subclassified into a “USN(+)” group, as they had at least two positive results on three tests (the Schenkenberg line bisection test, Albert's test, and house drawing test) and a score of 1 or higher on the Catherine Bergego scale. The remaining 13 subjects without abnormalities on those tests were subclassified into the “USN(–)” group. Stroke lesions on MRI were manually drawn using MRIcron software. Lesion overlapping and atlas-based analyses of MRI images were conducted. The correlation was analyzed between the overlapped lesion volumes with white matter tracts and the severity of USN (in the Albert test and the Catherine Bergego scale).

Results

Lesions were more widespread in the USN(+) group than in the USN(–) group, although their locations in the right hemisphere were similar. The atlas-based analyses identified that the right cingulum in the cingulate cortex, the temporal projection of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, and the forceps minor significantly overlapped with the lesions in the USN(+) group than in the USN(–) group. The score of the Catherine Bergego scale correlated with the volume of the involved white matter tracts.

Conclusion

In this study, white matter tracts associated with USN were identified in patients with subcortical stroke without any cortical involvement. Our study results, along with previous findings on subcortical USN, support that USN may result from damage to white matter pathways.
The effects of a 6-week controlled, hypocaloric ketogenic diet, with and without exogenous ketone salts, on cognitive performance and mood states in overweight and obese adults
Authors: Kackley Madison L. , Brownlow Milene L. , Buga Alex , Crabtree Chris D. , Sapper Teryn N. , O’Connor Annalouise , Volek Jeff S.
Published: September 2022

Background

Ketogenic diets are a commonly used weight loss method, but little is known how variations in sodium content and ketones influence cognition and mood during the early keto-adaptation period.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of an exogenous ketone salt (KS) as part of a hypocaloric KD on mood and cognitive outcomes in overweight and obese adults. A secondary objective was to evaluate changes in biochemical markers associated with inflammatory and cognitive responses.

Materials and methods

Adults who were overweight or obese participated in a 6-week controlled-feeding intervention comparing hypocaloric diets (∼75% of energy expenditure). KD groups received twice daily ketone salt (KD + KS; n = 12) or a flavor-matched placebo, free of minerals (KD + PL; n = 13). A separate group of age and BMI matched adults were later assigned to an isoenergetic low-fat diet (LFD; n = 12) as comparison to KD. Mood was assessed by shortened Profile of Mood States and Visual Analog Mood Scale surveys. Cognitive function was determined by the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics mental test battery.

Results

Both KD groups achieved nutritional ketosis. Fasting serum glucose decreased in both KD groups, whereas glucose was unaffected in the LFD. Insulin decreased at week 2 and remained lower in all groups. At week 2, depression scores in the KD + PL group were higher compared to KD + KS. Performance in the math processing and go/no-go cognitive tests were lower for KD + PL and LFD participants, respectively, compared to KD + KS. Serum leptin levels decreased for all groups throughout the study but were higher for KD + KS group at week 6. Serum TNF-α steadily increased for LFD participants, reaching significance at week 6.

Conclusion

During a short-term hypocaloric diet, no indication of a consistent decline in mood or cognitive function were seen in participants following either KD, despite KD + PL being relatively low in sodium. WK2 scores of “anger” and “depression” were higher in the LFD and KD + PL groups, suggesting that KS may attenuate negative mood parameters during the early intervention stages.
Assessing the genetic diversity of guava germplasm characterized by morpho-biochemical traits
Authors: Gangappa Nayan Deepak , Singh Chandu , Verma Mahendra Kumar , Thakre Madhubala , Sevanthi Amitha Mithra , Singh Rakesh , Srivastav Manish , Raghunandan K. , Anusha Chukkamettu , Yadav Vivek , Nagaraja Arumugam
Published: September 2022

Amid environmental crises, a galloping population, and changing food habits, increasing fruit production with nutritional quality is a global challenge. To address this, there is a necessity to exploit the germplasm accessions in order to develop high-yielding varieties/hybrids with good adaptability and high quality fruit under changing environmental and biological conditions. In the study, a total of 33 morpho-biochemical traits enabled an assessment of the genetic variability, diversity, and structure in a collection of 28 diverse germplasm lines of guava. Results showed that highly significant genetic variability existed in the studied traits in the guava germplasm. The coefficient of variation values for the qualitative and quantitative traits varied from 23.5–72.36 to 1.39–58.62%, respectively. Germplasm Thai, Lucknow-49, Punjab Pink, Psidium friedrichsthalianum, and Shweta had the highest fruit weight (359.32 g), ascorbic acid content (197.27 mg/100 g fruit), total phenolic content (186.93 mg GAE/100 g), titratable acidity (0.69 percent), and antioxidant capacity (44.49 μmolTrolox/g), respectively. Fruit weight was positively correlated with ascorbic acid content; however, titratable acidity was negatively correlated with fruit weight. The principal component analysis (PCA) was 84.2% and 93.3% for qualitative and quantitative traits, respectively. Furthermore, K-mean clustering was executed; the population was grouped into three clusters for both traits. Additionally, the dendrogram using agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), where all the germplasm were grouped into four clusters, revealed that among the clusters, clusters III and IV were highly divergent. The high variability, diversity, and structure could be utilized for the breeding programme of guava and also explored for molecular analysis using next-generation technology to enhance the guava yield and nutrition properties and also develop the climate resilient technology to fulfill the existing demand gap and nutrition availability, which could not only mitigate the nutrition requirement but also enhance the easy availability of fruits year-round.
Longitudinal association of dietary acid load with kidney function decline in an older adult population with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Valle-Hita Cristina , Becerra-Tomás Nerea , Díaz-López Andrés , Vázquez-Ruiz Zenaida , Megías Isabel , Corella Dolores , Goday Albert , Martínez J. Alfredo , Alonso-Gómez Ángel M. , Wärnberg Julia , Vioque Jesús , Romaguera Dora , López-Miranda José , Estruch Ramon , Tinahones Francisco J. , Lapetra José , Serra-Majem Lluís , Bueno-Cavanillas Aurora , Tur Josep A. , Martín-Sánchez Vicente , Pintó Xavier , Gaforio José J. , Matía-Martín Pilar , Vidal Josep , Amengual-Galbarte Angela , Daimiel Lidia , Ros Emilio , García-Arellano Ana , Barragán Rocío , Fitó Montse , Peña-Orihuela Patricia J. , Asencio-Aznar Alberto , Gómez-Gracia Enrique , Martinez-Urbistondo Diego , Morey Marga , Casas Rosa , Garrido-Garrido Eva María , Tojal-Sierra Lucas , Damas-Fuentes Miguel , Goñi Estibaliz , Ortega-Azorín Carolina , Castañer Olga , Garcia-Rios Antonio , Gisbert-Sellés Cristina , Sayón-Orea Carmen , Schröder Helmut , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Babio Nancy
Published: September 2022

Background

Diets high in acid load may contribute to kidney function impairment. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary acid load and 1-year changes in glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR).

Methods

Older adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (mean age 65 ± 5 years, 48% women) from the PREDIMED-Plus study who had available data on eGFR (n = 5,874) or UACR (n = 3,639) at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up were included in this prospective analysis. Dietary acid load was estimated as potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) at baseline from a food frequency questionnaire. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the associations between baseline tertiles of dietary acid load and kidney function outcomes. One year-changes in eGFR and UACR were set as the primary outcomes. We secondarily assessed ≥ 10% eGFR decline or ≥10% UACR increase.

Results

After multiple adjustments, individuals in the highest tertile of PRAL or NEAP showed higher one-year changes in eGFR (PRAL, β: –0.64 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: –1.21 to –0.08 and NEAP, β: –0.56 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: –1.13 to 0.01) compared to those in the lowest category. No associations with changes in UACR were found. Participants with higher levels of PRAL and NEAP had significantly higher odds of developing ≥10% eGFR decline (PRAL, OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.07–1.54 and NEAP, OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.03–1.50) and ≥10 % UACR increase (PRAL, OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04–1.46) compared to individuals with lower dietary acid load.

Conclusions

Higher PRAL and NEAP were associated with worse kidney function after 1 year of follow-up as measured by eGFR and UACR markers in an older Spanish population with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Signatures associated with homologous recombination deficiency and immune regulation to improve clinical outcomes in patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shang Xueqian , Qi Kang , Liu Xiangzheng , Liu Qinghao , Zhang Xining , Wang Dongliang , Huang Weiming
Published: September 2022

PARP inhibitors can be used to treat solid tumors that often have mutations in important homologous recombination (HR) genes, such as BRCA1/2. While other kinds of tumors could also experience HR deficiencies, including those associated with lung cancer, there is little information on the frequency of these occurrences. Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) was used to induce particular DNA aberration profiles and related transcriptome alterations. Their presence can identify whether an HR deficiency is present or absent in a particular tumor sample, even without observed HR gene changes. From whole-exome sequencing data in lung adenocarcinoma obtained from TCGA, we obtained several mutational signatures associated with HRD and determined that these HRD-associated mutational signatures are related to genomic installability. We then constructed a prediction model, which found that 11 genes associated with HRD scores could be used as predictors of survival outcomes in LUAD patients. These genes are related to PI3K-Akt, T cell receptors, and the Chemokine pathway. Other GEO datasets validated the survival prediction, which was independent of the PD1/PDL1 treatment. Collectively, our study provides transcriptome biomarkers of lung adenocarcinoma complementary to the HRD score and introduces a novel method of identifying prognostic biomarkers of immunotherapy.
The immersive experience of virtual reality during chemotherapy in patients with early breast and ovarian cancers: The patient’s dream study
Authors: Fabi Alessandra , Fotia Luana , Giuseppini Federico , Gaeta Arianna , Falcicchio Chiara , Giuliani Gabriele , Savarese Antonella , Taraborelli Emanuela , Rossi Valentina , Malaguti Paola , Giannarelli Diana , Pugliese Patrizia , Cognetti Francesco
Published: September 2022

Background

A virtual reality experience (VRE) could represent a viable non-pharmacological intervention to reduce and better manage the main factors of psychophysical distress related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Aim

The “Patient’s Dream” study was a two-arm randomized controlled trial conducted at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute – IRCCS (Rome, Italy) from April 2019 to January 2020 to evaluate VRE impact in patients affected by breast or ovarian cancer. Before starting the first cycle of chemotherapy (CT), patients were randomized to receive the VRE (VRE arm) as “distraction therapy” or to entertain themselves with conventional means (control arm). The primary aims were the assessment of psychological distress, anxiety and quality of life between the two study arms. Secondary endpoints were the perceived time during the first course of CT and the acute and late toxicity.

Results

Fourty-four patients were enrolled, 22 patients were randomly assigned to the VRE arm and 22 to the control arm. Collected data underline the absence of prevalent disturbs of anxiety and depression in both groups. Nevertheless, even if the state anxiety values before and after CT decreased in both groups, this reduction was statistically significant over time only in the VRE arm. The duration of therapy perceived by patients undergoing distraction therapy was significantly shorter when compared to the control group. The use of VRE during the first CT cycle appeared to reduce asthenia outcomes.

Conclusion

Obtained data suggest that the VRE positively influenced the levels of state anxiety among cancer patients and support the continuous research on VRE as a distraction intervention, with the aim to meet the clinical need for effective nonpharmacologic adjunctive therapies.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05234996, identifier NCT05234996.
Case report: Lymph node metastases of breast cancer and thyroid cancer encountered in axilla
Authors: Li Rihan , Zhang Qingfu , Feng Dongdong , Jin Feng , Han Siyuan , Yu Xinmiao
Published: September 2022

Occurrences of breast cancer and thyroid cancer metachronously or synchronously are common for women, but axillary lymph node metastasis from both cancers is rarely seen. We report a patient who had two metastatic lymph nodes from papillary thyroid carcinoma after axillary lymph node dissection with mastectomy. Papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosis was ensured after thyroidectomy. A literature review revealed that even the co-occurrence of breast cancer and thyroid cancer is not rare, but the etiology behind this phenomenon is not elucidated well. Genetic disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and hormone receptors may be relevant. Considering the rareness of axillary lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer, adjuvant therapy and surgery treatment for this kind of case should be considered elaborately.
Real-world use of orphan medicinal products (OMPs) in rare disease (RD) patients: A population-based registry study
Authors: Mazzucato Monica , Minichiello Cinzia , Vianello Andrea , Visonà dalla Pozza Laura , Toto Ema , Facchin Paola
Published: September 2022

Background: Despite calls for the use of real-world data, the rare diseases (RD) treatment landscape suffers from a scarcity of data referred to orphan medicinal products (OMP) use at the population level.

Objectives: We aim to describe the characteristics and patterns of utilization of OMP in a sizable group of RD patients globally monitored by an area-based rare diseases registry located in the Veneto region, Italy, during a 3-year period (1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021).

Methods: A list of OMP (n = 60) was assembled for study purposes, according to extensive criteria with regard to the status of orphan designation and of national reimbursement decisions.

Results: OMP prescriptions involved 1,010 patients, corresponding to the 2.3% of all the patients monitored by the RD registry. Nearly one out of five (22.8%) was a pediatric patient at the time of the first prescription. OMP use interested a limited proportion (17.5%) of diseases approaching the rarity threshold, having a prevalence of less than five per 10,000, while individuals affected by these more common rare conditions represented 49% of all the patients receiving an OMP prescription. A clustering effect of OMP use was observed in selected groups of diseases, mainly, neurological, hematological, and hereditary metabolic ones. Medication plans including an OMP show in the 45.9% of the cases a high level of complexity, both in terms of nature and number of co-prescribed treatments. Off-label use interested 15.3% (n = 155) of all the RD patients with at least an OMP prescription during the study period.

Conclusion: Data collected in a real-world setting through population-based registries globally monitoring RD patients, including related medication plans, have the potential to identify which diseases, and thus patients, have less benefit from the advent of OMP so far. Furthermore, in the rapidly evolving RD therapeutic landscape, they can help understand which therapeutic areas are most in need of investment to address existing unmet care needs.
Research and application of herbal medicine in the treatment of chronic kidney disease since the 21st century: A visualized bibliometric analysis
Authors: Xu Yunling , Chen Jia , Wang He , Lu Ying
Published: September 2022

Background:Here, a bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis was used to analyze the research status and application of herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). By looking for research hotspots and key topics, we provide new clues and research directions for future research.

Methods:Articles and reviews regarding herbal medicine in the treatment of CKD were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection on 23 May 2022. The R-bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace software were used to conduct the bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis.

Results:In total, 5,920 authors at 1,330 institutions from 68 countries published 1,602 papers in 355 academic journals. China is the leader and pioneer in the research and application of herbal medicine in the field of CKD treatment. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine contributed the most publications. Ping Li (China-Japan Friendship Hospital) published the most articles, while Yingyong Zhao (Northwest University) had the most cocitations. However, cooperation among countries and the research institutions is not sufficient.Journal of Ethnopharmacologypublished the most research and application of herbal medicine in the treatment of CKD and was the most commonly co-cited journal. The most influential research hotspots about herbal medicine in the treatment of CKD focused on diabetic nephropathy-related research, Balkan endemic nephropathy, and pharmacokinetic study.

Conclusion:Herbal medicine has a wide range of pharmacological activities and therapeutic value. The research and application of herbal medicine for the treatment of CKD, especially diabetic nephropathy, will remain a hot topic in the future.
Herbal tea, a novel adjuvant therapy for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review
Authors: Zhang Xiangyuan , Zhang Lili , Zhang Boxun , Liu Ke , Sun Jun , Li Qingwei , Zhao Linhua
Published: September 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic, endocrine disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. Several studies have shown that herbal tea improves glucose metabolism disorders in patients with T2DM. This study summarizes the published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on herbal tea as a adjuvant therapy for treating T2DM and found that herbal teas have potential add-on effects in lowering blood glucose levels. In addition, we discussed the polyphenol contents in common herbal teas and their possible adverse effects. To better guide the application of herbal teas, we further summarized the hypoglycemic mechanisms of common herbal teas, which mainly involve: 1) improving insulin resistance, 2) protecting islet β-cells, 3) anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, 4) inhibition of glucose absorption, and 5) suppression of gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, herbal tea, as a novel adjuvant therapy for treating T2DM, has the potential for further in-depth research and product development.