bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered Functional Connectivity of the Basal Nucleus of Meynert in Subjective Cognitive Impairment, Early Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Late Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Xu Wenwen , Rao Jiang , Song Yu , Chen Shanshan , Xue Chen , Hu Guanjie , Lin Xingjian , Chen Jiu 
Published: June 2021

Background: The spectrum of early Alzheimer's disease (AD) is thought to include subjective cognitive impairment, early mild cognitive impairment (eMCI), and late mild cognitive impairment (lMCI). Choline dysfunction affects the early progression of AD, in which the basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM) is primarily responsible for cortical cholinergic innervation. The aims of this study were to determine the abnormal patterns of BNM-functional connectivity (BNM-FC) in the preclinical AD spectrum (SCD, eMCI, and lMCI) and further explore the relationships between these alterations and neuropsychological measures.Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was used to investigate FC based on a seed mask (BNM mask) in 28 healthy controls (HC), 30 SCD, 24 eMCI, and 25 lMCI patients. Furthermore, the relationship between altered FC and neurocognitive performance was examined by a correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of abnormal BNM-FC was used to specifically determine the classification ability to differentiate the early AD disease spectrum relative to HC (SCD and HC, eMCI and HC, lMCI and HC) and pairs of groups in the AD disease spectrum (eMCI and SCD, lMCI and SCD, eMCI and lMCI).Results: Compared with HC, SCD patients showed increased FC in the bilateral SMA and decreased FC in the bilateral cerebellum and middle frontal gyrus (MFG), eMCI patients showed significantly decreased FC in the bilateral precuneus, and lMCI individuals showed decreased FC in the right lingual gyrus. Compared with the SCD group, the eMCI group showed decreased FC in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), while the lMCI group showed decreased FC in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG). Compared with the eMCI group, the lMCI group showed decreased FC in the right hippocampus. Interestingly, abnormal FC was associated with certain cognitive domains and functions including episodic memory, executive function, information processing speed, and visuospatial function in the disease groups. BNM-FC of SFG in distinguishing eMCI from SCD; BNM-FC of MTG in distinguishing lMCI from SCD; BNM-FC of the MTG, hippocampus, and cerebellum in distinguishing SCD from HC; and BNM-FC of the hippocampus and MFG in distinguishing eMCI from lMCI have high sensitivity and specificity.Conclusions: The abnormal BNM-FC patterns can characterize the early disease spectrum of AD (SCD, eMCI, and lMCI) and are closely related to the cognitive domains. These new and reliable findings will provide a new perspective in identifying the early disease spectrum of AD and further strengthen the role of cholinergic theory in AD.
Treatment of Traumatic Intracranial Pseudoaneurysms: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Shi Yingwu , Gao Yuan , Liu Yufei , Cui Wenxing , Zhou Gaoyang , Wang Liang , Yu Jia , Zhang Tao , Qu Yan , Deng Jianping , Ge Shunnan 
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose: As a rare lesion secondary to brain trauma, traumatic intracranial aneurysms (TICAs) lead to high mortality and morbidity, and multiple treatment modalities have been applied for TICAs. All patients diagnosed with TICAs in our institution from 2010 to 2020 were included in the report, and their clinical features, treatment, and outcomes are described in detail. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the characteristic of different therapeutic methods of TICAs, and focus on the endovascular treatment.Methods: A total of 20 patients were included in this study. The 3 patients who declined treatment all died. Five of the other 17 patients were treated surgically, including clipping, wrapping, and trapping with or without EC-IC high-flow bypass, with only 1 case of parent artery preservation. Twelve patients underwent endovascular treatment, including bare coil embolization (1 case), stent-assisted coiling (2 cases), balloon-assisted coils/Onyx glue embolization (1 case) and covered stents (8 cases), with only 1 case of parent artery sacrifice.Results: 20 patients were included in the present study with 17 males, and the mean of age on 27 years (IQR: 22, 44 years). Eight patients presented with epistaxis, followed by 5 patients with coma, 3 patients with visual defects and 2 patients with CSF leakage. There were 18 TICAs located at the internal carotid artery (ICA); The other 2 TICAs located at pericallosal artery and A1 segment anterior cerebral artery (ACA). One case of diplopia occurred due to sacrifice of the ICA. Occlusion of the ophthalmic artery occurred in 3 patients after placement of a covered stent, with 1 patient suffering an irreversible vision decrease. None of the other patients who underwent the treatment have experienced an aggravation of their symptoms since the treatment; During the imaging follow-up, 1 case of recurrence and 1 case of endoleak occurred in this case series.Conclusions: TICAs are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and endovascular treatment has emerged as a valuable option, which may be promising to improve the clinical outcomes due to their advantages of preserving the parent artery if occlusion of the side branch artery can be avoided.
The Effect of Nutrition Intervention With Oral Nutritional Supplements on Ovarian Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Authors: Qin Nan , Jiang Guichun , Zhang Xu , Sun Di , Liu Meishuo 
Published: June 2021

Background: Ovarian cancer is the third most common gynecological malignancy in the world and it is under a higher incidence of malnutrition. Chemotherapy is currently a common treatment for ovarian cancer, but the resulting side effects can exacerbate malnutrition. Our aim was to investigate the beneficial effects of oral nutrition supplements (ONS) on ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methods: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Patients with ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned either to the ONS or non-ONS groups via a simple randomization. The ONS group was given 250 mL ONS each time (1.06 kcal, 0.0356 g of protein per mL), three times a day, and nutrition education. Control group received nutrition education alone. The primary outcome was the nutritional risk of the patients as assessed by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). The secondary outcome was the results of the participants' biochemical tests at each measurement time point. Data were collected (T0) at baseline, (T1) post intervention at 3 weeks, (T2) 9-week follow-up, (T3) 15-week follow-up. Generalized estimating equation models were used to compare the changes in outcomes over time between groups.Results: 60 participants (30 ONS, 30 controls) completed the trial, and data was analyzed. For baseline comparisons, no significant differences were found between the two groups. A progressive trend toward amelioration in PG-SGA scores over time was found within the ONS group, with scores decreasing from 9.27 ± 1.68 at baseline (T0) to 5.87 ± 2.06 after the intervention (T3). Furthermore, ONS group achieved a significantly greater reduction in PG-SGA score at the T1 (p = 0.03, confidence interval −2.23 to −0.11), T2 (p = 0.001, confidence interval −2.86 to −0.74) and T3 (p &lt; 0.001, confidence interval −3.81 to −1.53), than the control group. In terms of biochemical test results, patients in the ONS group had better leukocytes, lymphocytes, Hemoglobin, Albumin and Total Protein than the control group at different time points, with statistical differences between the two groups (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that ONS can significantly reduce the nutritional risk of patients undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. In addition, we also found that nutritional education seems to have a positive effect on reducing the nutritional risk of patients especially at the beginning of chemotherapy.
Promoting Sustainable and Healthy Diets to Mitigate Food Insecurity Amidst Economic and Health Crises in Lebanon
Authors: Hwalla Nahla , Jomaa Lamis , Hachem Fatima , Kharroubi Samer , Hamadeh Rena , Nasreddine Lara , Naja Farah 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Lebanon, a middle-income Eastern Mediterranean country, continues to face detrimental economic, health and socio-political challenges that are further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In parallel, the country has been experiencing a remarkable nutrition transition that has contributed to the burden of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases, all imposing serious repercussions on people's livelihoods, food security, and health. Such circumstances have prodded public demand for guidance on affordable, healthy, and sustainable dietary choices to alleviate the burden to this emerging unfortunate situation.Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide evidence-based sustainable and healthy dietary recommendations which balance the tradeoffs among the health, environmental footprint and cost dimensions of sustainability, while closely resembling the usual food consumption pattern.Methodology: Data from the latest available national food consumption survey was used as the usual food consumption pattern of Lebanese adults. Optimized dietary patterns were calculated using the optimization model Optimeal which produced patterns most similar to the usual diet and simultaneously satisfying the three main sets of constraints: health, environmental footprints, and cost. The identified healthy and sustainable dietary options were vetted by multiple key stakeholders from the government, academia, international, and national non-governmental organizations.Results: Compared to the usual intake, the optimized diet included higher intakes of whole grain bread, dark green vegetables, dairy products, and legumes, and lower intakes of refined bread, meat, poultry, added sugars, saturated fat, as compared to usual national mean consumption. The optimized dietary model resulted in a decrease in the associated environmental footprints: water use (−6%); and GHG (−22%) with no change in energy use. The cost of the optimized diet was not different from that of the usual intake.Conclusion: An evidence-based sustainable and healthy diet was developed for Lebanon providing the population and policy makers with some answers to a complex situation. Findings highlight the need for the development of sustainable food based dietary guidelines for Lebanon to promote diets that are healthy, sustainable, culturally acceptable, and affordable and that can alleviate food insecurity among the general population.
Exosomal miR-183-5p Shuttled by M2 Polarized Tumor-Associated Macrophage Promotes the Development of Colon Cancer via Targeting THEM4 Mediated PI3K/AKT and NF-κB Pathways
Authors: Zhang Shangxin , Li Deguan , Zhao Min , Yang Fei , Sang Changye , Yan Changhong , Wang Zhenjun , Li Yongxiang 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAbnormal accumulation of macrophages in the colon cancer (CC) contribute to its progression. miR-183-5p has been confirmed as an oncogene in CC and this article explores the effect and mechanism of exosomal miR-183-5p enriched by M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) on CC cells.MethodsThe human macrophage THP1 was induced to M2 polarization through IL-4 and IL-13 treatment. Exosomes in THP1 were isolated through ultracentrifugation, and the miR-183-5p expression in macrophages and exosomes was verified by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The miR-183-5p inhibitors and mimics were applied to down-regulate and upregulate miR-183-5p in macrophages, respectively. Meanwhile, CC cell lines LoVo and SW480 were treated with the macrophage conditioned medium and exosomes, respectively. CC cells’ proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis were tested by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry (FCM), Transwell assay, and xenograft assay, respectively. The profiles of thioesterase superfamily member 4 (THEM4), Akt, and NF-κB were compared by Western blotting (WB).ResultsThe miR-183-5p level in M2-TAM and M2-TAM-derived exosomes was significantly increased. Meanwhile, M2-TAM and M2-TAM-derived exosomes significantly facilitated CC cell proliferation and invasion and dampened apoptosis. Overexpression of miR-183-5p in M2-TAM aggravated M2-TAM-mediated promotive effects on CC cells, with down-regulating miR-183-5p reversed M2-TAM-mediated tumor-promotive effects. Mechanically, miR-183-5p targeted THEM4 and inhibited its mRNA and protein expression. Overexpressing THEM4 abated miR-183-5p-mediated carcinogenic effects and inactivates Akt and NF-κB pathways in CC cells. Overall, this article elaborated that exosomal miR-183-5p shuttled by M2-TAM mediated Akt/NF-κB pathway to accelerate CC progression through targeting THEM4.
Prospective Evaluation of a Circulating Tumor Cell Sensitivity Profile to Predict Response to Cisplatin Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: de Kruijff I. E. , Sieuwerts A. M. , Beije N. , Prager - van der Smissen W. J. C. , Angus L. , Beaufort C. M. , Van M. N. , Oomen - de Hoop E. , Jager A. , Hamberg P. , de Jongh F. E. , Kraan J. , Martens J. W. M. , Sleijfer S. 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundCisplatin (cDDP) has regained interest for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, given the platinum sensitivity in subtypes and better manageable toxicity. Here, the primary aim was to determine whether molecular characteristics of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) could identify patients responding to cDDP and to describe the outcomes to cDDP monotherapy in a large group of MBC patients pretreated with anthracycline- and taxane-based treatments.MethodsBased on cell line data, a CTC-cDDP-sensitivity profile was generated. Applying an A’Herns single-stage phase II design, further investigation was considered worthwhile if 5/10 patients with a favorable profile responded to cDDP. Patients received 70mg/m2 cDDP every three weeks, CTCs were enumerated and the CTC-cDDP-sensitivity profile was determined. In total, 65 heavily pretreated MBC patients (77% received ≥2 lines of previous chemotherapy for MBC) were eligible for the per-protocol analysis. Primary endpoint was response rate, secondary endpoints included best observed response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsThe best observed response during cDDP therapy was a partial response in 7% and stable disease in 56% of the patients. None of the patients with a favorable CTC-cDDP-sensitivity profile had a response. The median baseline CTC count was 8 (range 0-3254). Patients with &lt;5 CTCs had a better PFS and OS than patients with ≥5 CTCs (median PFS 4.5 months (95%CI 2.38-6.62) vs. 2.1 months [(95%CI 1.34-2.80)(p=0.009)] and median OS 13.1 months (95%CI 9.89-16.33) vs. 5.6 months [(95%CI 3.60-7.64)(p=0.003)]. No other factors than CTC count were associated with outcome to cDDP therapy, including triple-negative breast cancer versus ER-positive tumors.ConclusionsThe CTC-cDDP-sensitivity profile was unable to select patients responding to cDDP monotherapy. In an unselected group of heavily pretreated MBC patients, cDDP yields outcomes comparable to other chemotherapeutic regimens for heavily pretreated MBC patients. CTC count was the only factor associated with outcome in these patients.Clinical Trial Registration(https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/3885, identifier NTR4046)
IIIM-941, a Stilbene Derivative Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Inducing Autophagy
Authors: Ali Mehboob , Gupta Mehak , Wani Abubakar , Sharma Ankita , Abdullaha Mohd , Kour Dilpreet , Choudhary Sushil , Bharate Sandip B. , Singh Gurdarshan , Kumar Ajay 
Published: June 2021

Aberrant activation of NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in several inflammatory diseases. Autophagy is one of the primary mechanisms that regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activity. In this study, we attempted to target NLRP3 inflammasome activity by a synthetic compound IIIM-941. We found that IIIM-941 inhibits ATP induced NLRP3 inflammasome by induction of autophagy through AMPK pathway in bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) and J774A.1 cells. It was interesting to observe that IIIM-941 did not show any inhibitory activity against LPS induced pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. The anti-NLRP3 activity of IIIM-941 was significantly reversed when we attempted to block autophagy by using either pharmacological inhibitor bafilomycin A1or by using siRNA against AMPK. Further, we found that IIIM-941 downregulated the expression of NLRP3 and prevented the oligomerization of ASC to exert its anti-NLRP3 inflammasome effect in J774A.1 cells. We validated inhibitory activity of IIIM-941 against NLRP3 in three different mice models. The anti-inflammatory effect of IIIM-941 was highly significant in ATP induced peritoneal inflammation model. IIIM-941 was similarly effective in suppressing MSU induced IL-1β in the air pouch model of inflammation without affecting the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Finally, oral efficacy of IIIM-941 was also proved in MSU indued foot paw edema model of inflammation in mice at 10 and 20 mg/kg (b.w.). The compounds like IIIM-941 can be explored further for the development of therapies against diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, where hampered autophagy and NLRP3 activation play a crucial role in the pathological development.
Comparison of Energy Contributions and Workloads in Male and Female Badminton Players During Games Versus Repetitive Practices
Authors: Fu Yue , Liu Yu , Chen Xiaoping , Li Yongming , Li Bo , Wang Xinxin , Shu Yang , Shang Lei 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare the energy contributions and workloads in men and women during badminton matches versus frequently used multi-ball smash practices.MethodsFourteen badminton players performed one badminton singles game and one session of smashing practice on separate days. The energy contributions were examined in terms of each individual’s three energy systems and substrate oxidation, while workloads included heart rate (HR), Player Load (PL), accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, and jumps.Results(1) During games, male players exhibited higher adenosine triphosphate–phosphocreatine system contribution (EPCr, kJ) (p = 0.008) and average rate of carbohydrate oxidation (RCHO, g/min) (p = 0.044) than female players, while female players showed greater absolute PL (p = 0.029) and more accelerations (p = 0.005) than male players. Furthermore, players who lost performed higher relative PL (p = 0.017) than those who won. (2) Higher energy system contributions, including EPCr (kJ) (p = 0.028), EHLa (kJ) (p = 0.024), EAer (kJ) (p = 0.012), ETot (kJ) (p = 0.007), and RCHO (g/min) (p = 0.0002), were seen in male players during repetitive spike practices. Male players also made greater number of jumps (p = 0.0002). (3) Players exhibited higher aerobic energy contribution (p &lt; 0.001), mean HR (p = 0.002), and HRmax (p = 0.029) during games, while exhibiting greater anaerobic energy contribution (p &lt; 0.001) and relative PL (p = 0.001) during repetitive practices.ConclusionThe similarities between male and female badminton players in proportional use of the three energy systems during games and repetitive spike training indicate similar relative energy demands for both genders. However, considering the need for higher aerobic capacity in competition, it might be advisable to design appropriate work:rest ratios for repetitive practices in daily training.
Sense of Purpose Promotes Resilience to Cognitive Deficits Attributable to Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Lewis Nathan A. , Hill Patrick L. 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveIndividuals higher in depressive symptoms commonly present with neuropsychological deficits including poorer memory performance. Sense of purpose in life has been shown to promote resilience to cognitive impairment in older adulthood, but it is unclear whether it may also protect against cognitive deficits associated with higher depressive symptoms.MethodCognitive functioning among 4599 older American adults (Mage = 74.33 years, range = 65–104 years, 56.84% female) was examined across a 12-year follow-up period. Depressive symptomatology was assessed at each wave using the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multilevel models assessed the influence of depressive symptoms and the interaction with sense of purpose in life on changes in memory performance and mental status.ResultsHigher depressive symptoms were associated with poorer memory performance at baseline, but did not predict rate of change over time. A negative interaction was observed between sense of purpose in life and depressive symptoms such that individuals higher in purpose experienced a less negative association between depressive symptoms and baseline memory performance. No significant interaction of sense of purpose and depressive symptoms was observed on mental status.ConclusionHaving a sense of purpose in life may help protect older adults from memory deficits associated with higher depressive symptoms. The present findings underscore the potential for sense of purpose to promote cognitive reserve in older adulthood, allowing individuals to maintain cognitive performance in the face of accruing neurological insults.
Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Evaluated by Immunochromatographic Rapid Testing for the Determination of IgM and IgG Against SARS-CoV-2 in a Cohort of Mask Wearing Workers in the Metal-Mechanical Sector in an Area With a High Incidence of COVID-19
Authors: Esposito Susanna , Neglia Cosimo , Affanni Paola , Colucci Maria Eugenia , Argentiero Alberto , Veronesi Licia , Messina Giulia , Deolmi Michela , Principi Nicola ,   the Crown Study Group
Published: June 2021

Background: Although the diagnosis of new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is made through the identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in respiratory secretions by means of molecular methods, a more accurate estimation of SARS-CoV-2 circulation can be obtained by seroprevalence studies. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the true epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection among workers in the metal-mechanical sector who never stopped working during the pandemic period in an area with a high incidence of COVID-19 and to define whether and how they could continue the work without appreciable risks during a second wave.Methods: A total of 815 metal-mechanical workers who had never stopped working even during the pandemic period in three different factories in the Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy, and who had always used face masks during working hours, underwent a capillary blood rapid test for the determination of IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid test, PrimaLab, Modena, Italy). In the event of a positive test, a nasopharyngeal was performed and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2.Results: The detection of serum IgG/IgM against SARS-CoV-2 was significantly more common among workers employed in Parma (21/345, 6.1%) than among those employed in Calerno (7/242, 2.9%) or in Spilamberto (3/228, 1.3%) (p &lt;0.001). The analysis of the role of the different variables as predictors of seropositivity for IgG/IgM against SARS-CoV-2 revealed that the presence of specific antibodies was strictly associated with a previous history of COVID-19-like symptoms (odds ratio [OR] 3.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9–8.2) and household members with COVID-19-like symptoms (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.04–4.82).Conclusion: This study shows that seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 is low even among employees who did not interrupt their work during the lockdown phase in a region with a high incidence of COVID-19. The use of face masks appears effective in the avoidance of the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in factories even in the presence of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic workers, suggesting that work activities can continue if adequate infection control measures are used during a second wave.