bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Assessment of Serum Homocysteine and High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein in type 2 Diabetic and non Diabetic Patients with ACS
Authors: Debnath Lipi , Chowdhury Abdul Wadud , Alam Iftekhar , Rashid Md Mamunur , Sikder Md Sadaqul Islam , Nath Bijan Kumar 
Published: April 2021

Background: Increased level of serum homocysteine (Hcy) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have a proven implication with epithelial injury leading to coronary artery disease ((CAD). These are strongly associated with different metabolic syndrome variables, although different studies have shown both positive and negative responses when correlated with type 2 diabetes malitus (T2DM). In this study we explored the role of these markers of CAD in type II diabetic and non diabetic patients with newly diagnosed acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at a tertiary care hospital among Bangladeshi population.
Methods: We wanted to identify whether Hcy and hs- CRP link positively or negatively with type 2 diabetes in this cross sectional observentional study. A total of 260 patients with new onset ACS were included in the study, out of which 72 patients with T2DM and 188 patients without diabetes were considered as group I and group II respectively. Clinical and biochemical data were compared in between the groups.
Results: The mean age of the study population was 50.33±15.50 years and 45.86±18.76 years in group I and II respectivly. Male female ratio was 4:1 among the whole study subjects. There was significantly higher level of serum homocysteine in group II than group I 18.41±15.49 μmol/L vs. 14.11±6.48 μmol/L respectively (p <0.05). Similarly hs-CRP in group I was 26.84±30.30 mg/L and in group II 37.48±37.99mg/L, higher in group II (p<0.05). Both Hcy and hs-CRP were higher in male and female patients in group II. Dyslipidaemia was significant risk factor in group I and smoking in group II (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In patients with ACS serum Hcy and hs-CRP were significantly higher in non-daibetic patients then in patients with type 2 diabetes. This association may be population or ethenicity specific which provide further scope for future elaborate studies.
Bangladesh Heart Journal 2020; 35(2) : 114-120
Does Low-Magnitude High-Frequency Vibration (LMHFV) Worth for Clinical Trial on Dental Implant? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Animal Studies
Authors: Ye Xinjian , Gu Ying , Bai Yijing , Xia Siqi , Zhang Yujia , Lou Yuwei , Zhu Yuchi , Dai Yuwei , Tsoi James Kit-Hon , Wang Shuhua 
Published: April 2021

Being as a non-pharmacological medical intervention, low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) has shown a positive effect on bone induction and remodeling for various muscle diseases in animal studies, among which dental implants osteointegration were reported to be improved as well. However, whether LMHFV can be clinically used in dental implant is still unknown. In this study, efficacy, parameters and side effects of LMHFV were analyzed via data before 15th July 2020, collecting from MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Ovid and Cochrane Library databases. In the screened 1,742 abstracts and 45 articles, 15 animal studies involving 972 implants were included. SYRCLE's tool was performed to assess the possible risk of bias for each study. The GRADE approach was applied to evaluate the quality of evidence. Random effects meta-analysis detected statistically significant in total BIC (P &lt; 0.0001) and BV/TV (P = 0.001) upon loading LMHFV on implants. To conclude, LMHFV played an active role on BIC and BV/TV data according to the GRADE analysis results (medium and low quality of evidence). This might illustrate LMHFV to be a worthy way in improving osseointegration clinically, especially for osteoporosis.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: NCT02612389
Case Report: Are We Witnessing an Increase of Chronic Ascending Aortic Dissection as a Collateral Effect to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Authors: Lyon Arnaud , Gunga Ziyad , Niclauss Lars , Rancati Valentina , Tozzi Piergiorgio 
Published: April 2021

Background: The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is reducing health care accessibility to non–life-threatening diseases, thus hiding their real incidence. Moreover, the incidence of potentially fatal conditions such as acute type A aortic dissection seems to have decreased since the pandemic began, whereas the number of cases of chronic ascending aortic dissections dramatically increased. We present two patients whose management has been affected by the exceptional sanitary situation we are dealing with.Case report: A 70-year-old man with chest pain and an aortic regurgitation murmur had his cardiac workup delayed (4 months) because of sanitary restrictions. He was then diagnosed with chronic type A aortic dissection and underwent urgent replacement of ascending aorta and aortic root. The delay in surgical treatment made the intervention technically challenging because the ascending aorta grew up to 80 mm inducing strong adhesions and chronic inflammation. The second case report concerns a 68-year-old woman with right lower-limb pain who was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis. However, a CT scan to exclude a pulmonary embolism could not be realized until 5 months later because of sanitary restrictions. When she eventually got the CT scan, it fortuitously showed a chronic dissection of the ascending aorta. She underwent urgent surgery, and the intervention was challenging because of adhesions and severe inflammation.Conclusion: Delayed treatment due to sanitary restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the management of potentially life-threatening conditions including type A aortic dissection. We should remain careful to avoid COVID-19 also hitting patients who are not infected with the virus.
Snakebite Envenoming Diagnosis and Diagnostics
Authors: Knudsen Cecilie , Jürgensen Jonas A. , Føns Sofie , Haack Aleksander M. , Friis Rasmus U. W. , Dam Søren H. , Bush Sean P. , White Julian , Laustsen Andreas H. 
Published: April 2021

Snakebite envenoming is predominantly an occupational disease of the rural tropics, causing death or permanent disability to hundreds of thousands of victims annually. The diagnosis of snakebite envenoming is commonly based on a combination of patient history and a syndromic approach. However, the availability of auxiliary diagnostic tests at the disposal of the clinicians vary from country to country, and the level of experience within snakebite diagnosis and intervention may be quite different for clinicians from different hospitals. As such, achieving timely diagnosis, and thus treatment, is a challenge faced by treating personnel around the globe. For years, much effort has gone into developing novel diagnostics to support diagnosis of snakebite victims, especially in rural areas of the tropics. Gaining access to affordable and rapid diagnostics could potentially facilitate more favorable patient outcomes due to early and appropriate treatment. This review aims to highlight regional differences in epidemiology and clinical snakebite management on a global scale, including an overview of the past and ongoing research efforts within snakebite diagnostics. Finally, the review is rounded off with a discussion on design considerations and potential benefits of novel snakebite diagnostics.
Foreign Language Learning as Cognitive Training to Prevent Old Age Disorders? Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Language Training vs. Musical Training and Social Interaction in Elderly With Subjective Cognitive Decline
Authors: Nijmeijer Saskia E. , van Tol Marie-José , Aleman André , Keijzer Merel 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: With aging comes a reduction of cognitive flexibility, which has been related to the development of late-life depression and progression of general cognitive decline. Several factors have been linked to attenuating such decline in cognitive flexibility, such as education, physical exercise and stimulating leisure activities. Speaking two or more languages has recently received abundant attention as another factor that may build up cognitive reserve, thereby limiting the functional implications of compromised cognition that accompany old age. With the number of older adults reaching record levels, it is important to attenuate the development of old-age disorders. Learning to speak a foreign language might offer a powerful tool in promoting healthy aging, but up to date effect studies are sparse. Here, the protocol that forms the foundation of the current study is presented. The present study aims to: (1) examine the effects of a foreign language training on cognitive flexibility and its neural underpinnings, and on mental health; and (2) assess the unique role of foreign language training vs. other cognitive or social programs.Method: One-hundred and ninety-eight Dutch elderly participants reporting subjective cognitive decline are included and randomized to either a language intervention, a music intervention, or a social control intervention. During 3 to 6 months, the language group learns English, the music group learns to play the guitar and the social group participates in social meetings where art workshops are offered. At baseline, at a 3-month follow-up, and at 6 months after termination of the training program, clinical, cognitive and brain activity measurements (combined EEG and fNIRS methods) are taken to assess cognitive flexibility and mental health.Discussion: This is the first trial addressing combined effects of language learning in elderly on cognition, language proficiency, socio-affective measures, and brain activity in the context of a randomized controlled trial. If successful, this study can provide insights into how foreign language training can contribute to more cognitively and mentally healthy years in older adulthood.Clinical Trial Registration: The trial is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register, July 2, 2018, trial number NL7137. https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7137.
Retinal Thickness Analysis in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated With Epigallocatechin Gallate: Optical Coherence Tomography Results From the SUPREMES Study
Authors: Klumbies Katharina , Rust Rebekka , Dörr Jan , Konietschke Frank , Paul Friedemann , Bellmann-Strobl Judith , Brandt Alexander U. , Zimmermann Hanna G. 
Published: April 2021

Background: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is an anti-inflammatory agent and has proven neuroprotective properties in animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) assessed retinal thickness analysis can reflect treatment responses in MS.Objective: To analyze the influence of EGCG treatment on retinal thickness analysis as secondary and exploratory outcomes of the randomized controlled Sunphenon in Progressive Forms of MS trial (SUPREMES, NCT00799890).Methods: SUPREMES patients underwent OCT with the Heidelberg Spectralis device at a subset of visits. We determined peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness from a 12° ring scan around the optic nerve head and thickness of the ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (GCIP) and inner nuclear layer (INL) within a 6 mm diameter grid centered on the fovea from a macular volume scan. Longitudinal OCT data were available for exploratory analysis from 31 SUPREMES participants (12/19 primary/secondary progressive MS (PPMS/SPMS); mean age 51 ± 7 years; 12 female; mean time since disease onset 16 ± 11 years). We tested the null hypothesis of no treatment*time interaction using nonparametric analysis of longitudinal data in factorial experiments.Results: After 2 years, there were no significant differences in longitudinal retinal thickness changes between EGCG treated and placebo arms in any OCT parameter (Mean change [confidence interval] ECGC vs. Placebo: pRNFL: −0.83 [1.29] μm vs. −0.64 [1.56] μm, p = 0.156; GCIP: −0.67 [0.67] μm vs. −0.14 [0.47] μm, p = 0.476; INL: −0.06 [0.58] μm vs. 0.22 [0.41] μm, p = 0.455).Conclusion: Retinal thickness analysis did not reveal a neuroprotective effect of EGCG. While this is in line with the results of the main SUPREMES trial, our study was probably underpowered to detect an effect.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT00799890.
Conditional Relative Survival of Ovarian Cancer: A Korean National Cancer Registry Study
Authors: Shin Dong Wook , Bae Jaeman , Ha Johyun , Jung Kyu-Won 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveConditional relative survival (CRS) rates, which take into account changes in prognosis over time, are useful estimates for survivors and their clinicians as they make medical and personal decisions. We aimed to present the 5-year relative conditional survival probabilities of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer from 1997–2016.MethodsThis nationwide retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean Central Cancer Registry. Patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer between 1997 and 2016 were included. CRS rates were calculated stratified by age at diagnosis, cancer stage, histology, treatment received, year of diagnosis, and social deprivation index.ResultsThe 5-year relative survival rate at the time of diagnosis was 61.1% for all cases. The probability of surviving an additional 5 years, conditioned on having already survived 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after diagnosis was 65.0, 69.5, 74.6, 79.3, and 83.9%, respectively. Patients with poorer initial survival estimates (older, distant stage, serous histology) generally showed the largest increases in CRS over time. The probability of death was highest in the first year after diagnosis (11.8%), and the conditional probability of death in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th years declined to 9.4%, 7.9%, 6.1%, and 5.2%, respectively.ConclusionCRS rates for patients with ovarian cancer increased with each year they survived, but this did not reach the level of ‘no excess mortality’ even 5 years after diagnosis. The largest improvements in CRS were observed in patients with poorer initial prognoses. Our findings provide updated prognosis to ovarian cancer survivors and clinicians.
Early Postnatal Metabolic Profile in Neonates With Different Birth Weight Status: A Pilot Study
Authors: Beken Serdar , Abali Saygin , Yildirim Saral Neslihan , Guner Bengisu , Dinc Taha , Albayrak Eda , Ersoy Melike , Kilercik Meltem , Halici Muge , Bulbul Ezgi , Kaya Didem , Karabay Melis , Ay Zeynep Alize , Eksi Gulten Zeynep , Benli Aksungar Fehime , Korkmaz Ayse , Serteser Mustafa 
Published: April 2021

Introduction:Restricted or enhanced intrauterine growth is associated with elevated risks of early and late metabolic problems in humans. Metabolomics based on amino acid and carnitine/acylcarnitine profile may have a role in fetal and early postnatal energy metabolism. In this study, the relationship between intrauterine growth status and early metabolomics profile was evaluated.Materials and Methods:A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. Three hundred and sixty-one newborn infants were enrolled into the study, and they were grouped according to their birth weight percentile as small for gestational age (SGA,n= 69), appropriate for gestational age (AGA,n= 168), and large for gestational age (LGA,n= 124) infants. In all infants, amino acid and carnitine/acylcarnitine profiles with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were recorded and compared between groups.Results:LGA infants had higher levels of glutamic acid and lower levels of ornithine, alanine, and glycine (p&lt; 0.05) when compared with AGA infants. SGA infants had higher levels of alanine and glycine levels when compared with AGA and LGA infants. Total carnitine, C0, C2, C4, C5, C10:1, C18:1, C18:2, C14-OH, and C18:2-OH levels were significantly higher and C3 and C6-DC levels were lower in SGA infants (p&lt; 0.05). LGA infants had higher C3 and C5:1 levels and lower C18:2 and C16:1-OH levels (p&lt; 0.05). There were positive correlations between free carnitine and phenylalanine, arginine, methionine, alanine, and glycine levels (p&lt; 0.05). Also, a positive correlation between ponderal index and C3, C5-DC, C14, and C14:1 and a negative correlation between ponderal index and ornithine, alanine, glycine, C16:1-OH, and C18:2 were shown.Conclusion:We demonstrated differences in metabolomics possibly reflecting the energy metabolism in newborn infants with intrauterine growth problems in the early postnatal period. These differences might be the footprints of metabolic disturbances in future adulthood.
Efficacy of Non-pharmacologic Auxiliary Treatments in Improving Defecation Function in Children With Chronic Idiopathic Constipation: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Jie , Li Huijuan , Tang Weibing 
Published: April 2021

Background: Non-pharmacologic auxiliary treatments have been considered crucial therapies for treating chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) during the past decades worldwide. Several treatment patterns are available, but their relative efficacy is obscure because there are no head-to-head randomized controlled trials, especially in children. We conducted this network meta-analysis to evalute the effectiveness of these therapies in improving defecation function based on their direct comparisons with standard medical care.Methods: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English from inception to October 2020, assessing the efficacy of auxiliary therapies (behavior therapy, physiotherapy, biofeedback, or anorectal manometry) in children with CIC. We extracted data for endpoints, risk of bias, and evidence quality. Eligible studies in the meta-analysis reported the data of a dichotomous assessment of overall response to treatment (response or not) or defecation frequency per week after treatment. The hierarchical Bayesian network meta-analysis was used in the study. We chose a conservative methodology, random effects model, to pool data which could handle the heterogeneity well. The relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated for dichotomous outcomes. For continuous results, weighted mean difference (WMD) with related CIs was calculated. The included treatments were ranked to define the probability of being the best treatment.Results: Seven RCTs (838 patients) met inclusion and endpoint criteria. Based on an endpoint of the absence of constipation (Rome criteria) with laxatives allowed, physiotherapy plus standard medical care (SMC) had the highest probability (84%) to bethe most effective therapy. When the treatment response was defined as an absence of constipation with not laxatives allowed, biofeedback plus SMC ranked first (probability 52%). Physiotherapy plus SMC ranked first when the endpoint was based on defecation frequency per week with laxatives allowed (probability 86%).Conclusion: Almost all auxiliary therapies are effective complementary therapies for treating CIC, but they needed to be used simultaneously with SMC. Nevertheless, because of the small number of eligible studies and their small sample sizes, the differences in treatment duration and the endpoints, large sample RCTs with long-term follow-up are required for further investigation.
Berberine Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Induced Neuronal Apoptosis by Down-Regulating the CNPY2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhao Lina , Li Huanming , Gao Qian , Xu Jin , Zhu Yongjie , Zhai Meili , Zhang Peijun , Shen Na , Di Yanbo , Wang Jinhui , Chen Tie , Huang Meina , Sun Jinglai , Liu Chong 
Published: April 2021

Berberine (BBR) has a neuroprotective effect against ischemic stroke, but its specific protective mechanism has not been clearly elaborated. This study explored the effect of BBR on the canopy FGF signaling regulator 2 (CNPY2) signaling pathway in the ischemic penumbra of rats. The model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) was established by the thread embolization method, and BBR was gastrically perfused for 48 h or 24 h before operation and 6 h after operation. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: the Sham group, BBR group, CIRI group, and CIRI + BBR group. After 2 h of ischemia, followed by 24 h of reperfusion, we confirmed the neurologic dysfunction and apoptosis induced by CIRI in rats (p &lt; 0.05). In the ischemic penumbra, the expression levels of CNPY2-regulated endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis proteins (CNPY2, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and Caspase-3) were significantly increased, but these levels were decreased after BBR treatment (p &lt; 0.05). To further verify the inhibitory effect of BBR on CIRI-induced neuronal apoptosis, we added an endoplasmic reticulum-specific agonist and a PERK inhibitor to the treatment. BBR was shown to significantly inhibit the expression of apoptotic proteins induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress agonist, while the PERK inhibitor partially reversed the ability of BBR to inhibit apoptotic protein (p &lt; 0.05). These results confirm that berberine may inhibit CIRI-induced neuronal apoptosis by downregulating the CNPY2 signaling pathway, thereby exerting a neuroprotective effect.
A Palmitoylethanolamide Producing Lactobacillus paracasei Improves Clostridium difficile Toxin A-Induced Colitis
Authors: Esposito Giuseppe , Corpetti Chiara , Pesce Marcella , Seguella Luisa , Annunziata Giuseppe , Del Re Alessandro , Vincenzi Martina , Lattanzi Roberta , Lu Jie , Sanseverino Walter , Sarnelli Giovanni 
Published: April 2021

Genetically engineered probiotics, able to in situ deliver therapeutically active compounds while restoring gut eubiosis, could represent an attractive therapeutic alternative in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Palmitoylethanolamide is an endogenous lipid able to exert immunomodulatory activities and restore epithelial barrier integrity in human models of colitis, by binding the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-α (PPARα). The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of a newly designed PEA-producing probiotic (pNAPE-LP) in a mice model of C. difficile toxin A (TcdA)-induced colitis. The human N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of PEA, was cloned and expressed in a Lactobacillus paracasei that was intragastrically administered to mice 7 days prior the induction of the colitis. Bacteria carrying the empty vector served as negative controls (pLP).In the presence of palmitate, pNAPE-LP was able to significantly increase PEA production by 27,900%, in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. Mice treated with pNAPE-LP showed a significant improvement of colitis in terms of histological damage score, macrophage count, and myeloperoxidase levels (−53, −82, and −70.4%, respectively). This was paralleled by a significant decrease both in the expression of toll-like receptor-4 (−71%), phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (−72%), hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha (−53%), p50 (−74%), and p65 (−60%) and in the plasmatic levels of interleukin-6 (−86%), nitric oxide (−59%), and vascular endothelial growth factor (−71%). Finally, tight junction protein expression was significantly improved by pNAPE-LP treatment as witnessed by the rescue of zonula occludens-1 (+304%), Ras homolog family member A-GTP (+649%), and occludin expression (+160%). These protective effects were mediated by the specific release of PEA by the engineered probiotic as they were abolished in PPARα knockout mice and in wild-type mice treated with pLP. Herein, we demonstrated that pNAPE-LP has therapeutic potential in CDI by inhibiting colonic inflammation and restoring tight junction protein expression in mice, paving the way to next generation probiotics as a promising strategy in CDI prevention.