bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Qigong Exercise for Treatment of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Rui , Huang Xueyan , Wu Yeqi , Sun Dai 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Several studies suggested that Qigong exercise (QE) can relieve fatigue in patients diagnosed with various diseases. Our review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of QE for alleviating fatigue.Methods: A related literature search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and VIP data bases from inception to November 2020. Information on fatigue, malaise, tiredness, and Qigong research data was collected.Results: Sixteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were reported in patients with cancer (n = 4), chronic fatigue syndrome (n = 2), and other diseases (n = 10). The QE groups showed significant improvements in total fatigue intensity [15 RCTs, p &lt; 0.00001; standard mean difference (SMD) −0.69 (−0.95 to −0.44)]. The QE groups did not show significant improvement in quality of life [4 RCTs, p = 0.08; SMD 0.53 (−0.07 to 1.14)]. The statistically significant difference of the subgroup analyses (different primary diseases, QE types, and study quality) also remained unchanged.Conclusion: The findings of this meta-analysis indicate that QE may be beneficial for improving fatigue in patients diagnosed with various diseases. Considering the limitations of the study, we draw a very cautious conclusion regarding the resulting estimate of the effect. Further studies are warranted to better understand the benefits of QE in primary medical care.
Vagus Nerve Cross-Sectional Area in Patients With Parkinson's Disease—An Ultrasound Case-Control Study
Authors: Horsager Jacob , Walter Uwe , Fedorova Tatyana D. , Andersen Katrine B. , Skjærbæk Casper , Knudsen Karoline , Okkels Niels , von Weitzel-Mudersbach Paul , Dyrskog Stig Eric , Bergholt Bo , Borghammer Per 
Published: June 2021

Background: Vagal parasympathetic neurons are prone to degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). High-resolution ultrasound can precisely estimate the cross-sectional (CSA) area of peripheral nerves. Here, we tested the hypothesis that vagus CSA is reduced in PD.Methods: We included 56 healthy controls (HCs) and 63 patients with PD. Using a high-end ultrasound system equipped with a high-frequency transducer, five images were obtained of each nerve. The hypoechoic neuronal tissue was delineated offline with dedicated software and the CSA extracted.Results: In the initial PD vs. HC comparison, no statistically significant differences were observed in mean left vagus CSA (HC: 1.97 mm2, PD: 1.89 mm2, P = 0.36) nor in mean right vagus CSA (HC: 2.37 mm2, PD: 2.23 mm2, P = 0.17). The right vagus CSA was significantly larger than the left vagus CSA in both groups (P &lt; 0.0001). Females were overrepresented in the HC group and presented with generally smaller vagus CSAs. Consequently, sex-adjusted CSA was significantly smaller for the right vagus nerve of the PD group (P = 0.041), but not for the left.Conclusion: A small but significant reduction in sex-adjusted right vagus CSA was observed in patients with PD. The left vagus CSA was not significantly reduced in patients with PD. Ultrasound may not be a suitable method to detecting vagal axonal loss in individual patients.
Implementation of Delayed Cord Clamping for 3 Min During Term Cesarean Sections Does Not Influence Maternal Blood Loss
Authors: Celen Stefanie , Horn-Oudshoorn Emily J. J. , Knol Ronny , Wilk Eline C. van der , Reiss Irwin K. M. , DeKoninck Philip L. J. 
Published: June 2021

Background: To assess maternal safety outcomes after a local protocol adjustment to change the interval of cord clamping to 3 min after term cesarean section.Design, Setting, and Patients: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral hospital (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam). We included pregnant women who gave birth at term after cesarean section. A cohort (Nov 2016–Oct 2017) prior to the protocol implementation was compared to a cohort after its implementation (Nov 2017–Nov 2018). The study population covered 789 women (n = 376 pre-cohort; n = 413 post-cohort).Interventions: Implementation of a local protocol changing the interval of cord clamping to 3 min in all term births.Main outcome measures: Primary outcomes were the estimated maternal blood loss and the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss &gt;1,000 ml). Secondary outcomes included both maternal as well as neonatal outcomes.Results: Estimated maternal blood loss was not significantly different between the pre-cohort and post-cohort (400 mL [300–600] vs. 400 mL [300–600], p = 0.52). The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage (26 [6.9%] vs. 35 (8.5%), OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.73–2.11) and maternal blood transfusion (9 [2%] vs. 13 (3%), OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.56–3.14) were not different. Hemoglobin change was significantly higher in the post-cohort (−0.8 mmol/L [−1.3 to −0.5] vs. −0.9 mmol/L [−1.4 to −0.6], p = 0.01). In the post-cohort, neonatal hematocrit levels were higher (51 vs. 55%, p = 0.004) and need for phototherapy was increased (OR 1.95, 95% CI 0.99–3.84).Conclusion: Implementation of delayed cord clamping for 3 min in term cesarean sections was not associated with increased maternal bleeding complications.
The Efficacy of Adalimumab as an Initial Treatment in Patients with Behçet’s Retinal Vasculitis
Authors: Yang Shizhao , Huang Zhaohao , Hu Yunwei , Zhang Jian , Liu Xiuxing , Li He , Xie Lihui , Wen Feng , Liang Dan , Su Wenru 
Published: June 2021

Background: No study has evaluated the effectiveness of Adalimumab (ADA) as first-line in treatment-naïve patients with retinal vasculitis due to Behçet’s Uveitis (BU).Objective: To compare the efficacy of ADA plus conventional therapy and conventional therapy alone as initial treatments in naïve BU patients characterized by retinal vasculitis.Methods: Medical records of BU patients characterized by retinal vasculitis treated with conventional therapy (CT, refers to glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive agents) alone or ADA plus conventional therapy with at least 6 months of follow-up between February 2015 and June 2020 were analyzed. Only patients who were first diagnosed with BU without previous systemic treatment were reviewed. The retinal vasculitis score based on fluorescein angiography (FA), best-corrected visual acuity, glucocorticoid-sparing effect, the number of relapses and ocular complications were evaluated.Results: A total of 45 patients (87 eyes) were included. Twenty-four patients (55.33%) in the CT group were treated with conventional therapy and 21 patients (46.67%) in the ADA group were treated with ADA plus conventional therapy. The inflammatory parameters improved in both groups. FA scores showed significantly greater improvement in ADA group than CT group (p &lt; 0.001). The median number of relapses was significantly lower, and the duration of remission was longer in ADA group than CT group (p &lt; 0.001). At the last visit, a significantly better BCVA improvement (p = 0.024), better inflammation control (anterior chamber inflammation p = 0.017 and vitritis p &lt; 0.001) and lower daily glucocorticoid dosage (p = 0.005) were identified in patients received ADA therapy. In CT group, 1 patient suffered hepatitis B and tuberculosis, 1 had growth retardation, 1 patient had with osteoporosis, then followed by other mild AEs (mostly respiratory upper tract infections); while in ADA group, 1 patient experienced a mild pneumonia (n = 1) while milder AEs were represented mostly by respiratory upper tract infections followed by gastrointestinal discomfort.Conclusion: ADA plus conventional therapy achieved superiority over conventional therapy as initial treatment in naïve BU patients with retinal vasculitis.
Machine Learning Approaches to Predict Risks of Diabetic Complications and Poor Glycemic Control in Nonadherent Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Fan Yuting , Long Enwu , Cai Lulu , Cao Qiyuan , Wu Xingwei , Tong Rongsheng 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of machine learning algorithms in predicting risks of complications and poor glycemic control in nonadherent type 2 diabetes (T2D).Materials and Methods: This study was a real-world study of the complications and blood glucose prognosis of nonadherent T2D patients. Data of inpatients in Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015 were collected. The T2D patients who had neither been monitored for glycosylated hemoglobin A nor had changed their hyperglycemia treatment regimens within the last 12 months were the object of this study. Seven types of machine learning algorithms were used to develop 18 prediction models. The predictive performance was mainly assessed using the area under the curve of the testing set.Results: Of 800 T2D patients, 165 (20.6%) met the inclusion criteria, of which 129 (78.2%) had poor glycemic control (defined as glycosylated hemoglobin A ≥7%). The highest area under the curves of the testing set for diabetic nephropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic angiopathy, diabetic eye disease, and glycosylated hemoglobin A were 0.902 ± 0.040, 0.859 ± 0.050, 0.889 ± 0.059, 0.832 ± 0.086, and 0.825 ± 0.092, respectively.Conclusion: Both univariate analysis and machine learning methods reached the same conclusion. The duration of T2D and the duration of unadjusted hypoglycemic treatment were the key risk factors of diabetic complications, and the number of hypoglycemic drugs was the key risk factor of glycemic control of nonadherent T2D. This was the first study to use machine learning algorithms to explore the potential adverse outcomes of nonadherent T2D. The performances of the final prediction models we developed were acceptable; our prediction performances outperformed most other previous studies in most evaluation measures. Those models have potential clinical applicability in improving T2D care.
Ischemic Preconditioning: Modulating Pain Sensitivity and Exercise Performance
Authors: Slysz Joshua T. , Burr Jamie F. 
Published: June 2021

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine whether an individual’s IPC-mediated change in cold pain sensitivity is associated with the same individual’s IPC-mediated change in exercise performance.Methods Thirteen individuals (8 males; 5 females, 27 ± 7 years, 55 ± 5 ml.kgs–1.min–1) underwent two separate cold-water immersion tests: with preceding IPC treatment and without. In addition, each participant undertook two separate 5-km cycling time trials: with preceding IPC treatment and without. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between an individual’s change in cold-water pain sensitivity following IPC with their change in 5-km time trial performance following IPC.Results During the cold-water immersion test, pain intensity increased over time (p &lt; 0.001) but did not change with IPC (p = 0.96). However, IPC significantly reduced the total time spent under pain (−9 ± 7 s; p = 0.001) during the cold-water immersion test. No relationship was found between an individual’s change in time under pain (r = −0.2, p = 0.6) or pain intensity (r = −0.3, p = 0.3) following IPC and their change in performance following IPC.Conclusion These findings suggest that IPC can modulate sensitivity to a painful stimulus, but this altered sensitivity does not explain the ergogenic efficacy of IPC on 5-km cycling performance.
Validation of the Brazilian-Portuguese Version of the Clinician Administered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale-5
Authors: Oliveira-Watanabe Thauana Torres , Ramos-Lima Luis Francisco , Zylberstajn Cecilia , Calsavara Vinicius , Coimbra Bruno Messina , Maciel Mariana Rangel , Freitas Lucia Helena Machado , Mello Marcelo Feijo , Mello Andrea Feijo 
Published: June 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate CAPS-5 for the Brazilian-Portuguese language on a sample of 128 individuals from two centers (from the cities of São Paulo and Porto Alegre) who have been recently exposed to a traumatic event.Methods: We performed a reliability analysis between interviewers (with a subset of 32 individuals), an internal consistency analysis, and a confirmatory factorial analysis for the validation study.Results: The inter-rater reliability of the total PTSD symptom severity score was high [intraclass correlation coefficient =0.994, 95% CI (0.987–0.997), p &lt; 0.001]. Cohen's Kappa for individual items ranged between 0.759 and 1. Cronbach's alpha coefficients indicated high internal consistency for the CAPS-5 full scale (α = 0.826) and an acceptable level of internal consistency for the four symptom clusters. The confirmatory factorial analysis for the 20-item original CAPS-5 did not fit the data well. A 15-item model with better results was then established by excluding the following CAPS-5 items: dissociative amnesia, recklessness, distorted cognitions, irritability, and hypervigilance.Conclusion: Despite the limitation of the predominance of female victims, and the high number of sexually assaulted women in our sample, the model with only 15 items provided a good fit to the data with high internal consistency (α = 0.835).
Assessing Genetic Diversity and Estimating the Inbreeding Effect on Economic Traits of Inner Mongolia White Cashmere Goats Through Pedigree Analysis
Authors: Wang Zhiying , Zhou Bohan , Zhang Tao , Yan Xiaochun , Yu Yongsheng , Li Jinquan , Mei Bujun , Wang Zhixin , Zhang Yanjun , Wang Ruijun , Lv Qi , Liu Zhihong , Zhao Yanhong , Du Chen , Su Rui 
Published: June 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to discover the population structure and genetic diversity of Inner Mongolia White Cashmere goats (IMCGs) and demonstrate the effect of inbreeding on the live body weight (LBW), cashmere yield (CY), fiber length (FL), and fiber diameter (FD) of IMCGs.Materials and Methods: All data were collected from pedigree information and production performance records of IMCGs from 1983 to 2019. The population structure and genetic diversity were analyzed by Endog 4.8 software. Inbreeding coefficients were obtained by the pedigree package in R. Then, a linear regression model was used to analyze how inbreeding influences economic traits in IMCGs. Four levels of inbreeding coefficients (Fi) were classified in this study, including Fi = 0, 0&lt; Fi ≤ 6.25, 6.25&lt; Fi ≤ 12.5 and Fi≥12.5. Variance analysis was performed to determine whether inbreeding levels had a significant effect on economic traits in IMCGs.Results: The proportions of rams and dams in IMCGs for breeding were relatively small, with values of 0.8 and 20.5%, respectively. The proportion of inbred animals in the entire population was high, with values up to 68.6%; however, the average inbreeding coefficient and relatedness coefficient were 4.50 and 8.48%, respectively. To date, the population has experienced 12 generations. The average generation interval obtained in the present study was 4.11 ± 0.01 years. The ram-to-son pathway was lowest (3.97 years), and the ewe-to-daughter pathway was highest (4.24 years). It was discovered that the LBW, CY, and FL increased by 3.88 kg, 208.7 g, and 1.151 cm, respectively, with every 1% increase in the inbreeding coefficient, and the FD decreased by 0.819 μm with every 1% increase in the inbreeding coefficient. Additionally, multiple comparison analysis indicated that when the inbreeding coefficient was higher than 6.25%, the LBW showed an obvious decreasing trend. The threshold value of inbreeding depression in the CY is 12.5%. However, inbreeding depression has not been observed in the FL and FD.Conclusion: Pedigree completeness needs to be further strengthened. The degree of inbreeding in this flock should be properly controlled when designing breeding programs.
Effect of Red Orange and Lemon Extract-Enriched Diet in Suckling Lambs’ Fecal Microbiota
Authors: Ferrara Massimo , Sgarro Maria Federica , Maggiolino Aristide , Damiano Sara , Iannaccone Francesco , Mulè Giuseppina , De Palo Pasquale 
Published: June 2021

Red orange and lemon extract (RLE) is an anthocyanins-rich dietary supplement that may influence gastrointestinal bacterial community in ruminants. The aim of the present study was to investigate the RLE effects on gut microbiota composition in lambs. Twenty-eight lambs were randomly divided into a control group (CON; n = 14) and an anthocyanin group (ANT; n = 14) and fed the same diet; additionally, only the ANT received 90 mg/kg live weight of RLE at day. After lamb slaughter (40 ± 1 days), fecal samples were collected from the rectum and stored at −20 °C until analysis. Analysis of fecal microbiome was carried out by metabarcoding analysis of 16S rRNA. After reads denoising, sequences were aligned against SILVA rRNA sequence database using MALT, and taxonomic binning was performed with MEGAN. A significant increase in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and a decrease in Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria was observed in ANT compared to CON. Moreover, an interesting increase of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera and a decrease in Escherichia coli and Salmonella species were detected in ANT compared to CON. Results recommend that anthocyanin supplementation in lamb diet is able to modulate positively gut microbiota and may inhibit the growth of some potential pathogenic microorganisms.
Molecular Mechanisms of Borrelia burgdorferi Phagocytosis and Intracellular Processing by Human Macrophages
Authors: Woitzik Philipp , Linder Stefan 
Published: June 2021

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in North America and Europe. Its causative agents are spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu complex. Infection with borreliae can manifest in different tissues, most commonly in the skin and joints, but in severe cases also in the nervous systems and the heart. The immune response of the host is a crucial factor for preventing the development or progression of Lyme disease. Macrophages are part of the innate immune system and thus one of the first cells to encounter infecting borreliae. As professional phagocytes, they are capable of recognition, uptake, intracellular processing and final elimination of borreliae. This sequence of events involves the initial capture and internalization by actin-rich cellular protrusions, filopodia and coiling pseudopods. Uptake into phagosomes is followed by compaction of the elongated spirochetes and degradation in mature phagolysosomes. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about the processes and molecular mechanisms involved in recognition, capturing, uptake and intracellular processing of Borrelia by human macrophages. Moreover, we highlight interactions between macrophages and other cells of the immune system during these processes and point out open questions in the intracellular processing of borreliae, which include potential escape strategies of Borrelia.
Highly Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Derivatives of Bile Salts
Authors: Vázquez-Tato M. Pilar , Seijas Julio A. , Meijide Francisco , Fraga Francisco , de Frutos Santiago , Miragaya Javier , Trillo Juan Ventura , Jover Aida , Soto Victor H. , Vázquez Tato José 
Published: June 2021

Lipophilicity of 15 derivatives of sodium cholate, defined by the octan-1-ol/water partition coefficient (log P), has been theoretically determined by the Virtual log P method. These derivatives bear highly hydrophobic or highly hydrophilic substituents at the C3 position of the steroid nucleus, being linked to it through an amide bond. The difference between the maximum value of log P and the minimum one is enlarged to 3.5. The partition coefficient and the critical micelle concentration (cmc) are tightly related by a double-logarithm relationship (VirtuallogP=−(1.00±0.09)log(cmcmM)+(2.79±0.09)), meaning that the Gibbs free energies for the transfer of a bile anion from water to either a micelle or to octan-1-ol differ by a constant. The equation also means that cmc can be used as a measurement of lipophilicity. The demicellization of the aggregates formed by three derivatives of sodium cholate bearing bulky hydrophobic substituents has been studied by surface tension and isothermal titration calorimetry. Aggregation numbers, enthalpies, free energies, entropies, and heat capacities, ΔCP,demic, were obtained. ΔCP,demic, being positive, means that the interior of the aggregates is hydrophobic.
Outcomes of Ureteroscopy and Laser Stone Fragmentation (URSL) for Kidney Stone Disease (KSD): Comparative Cohort Study Using MOSES Technology 60 W Laser System versus Regular Holmium 20 W Laser
Authors: Pietropaolo Amelia , Hughes Thomas , Mani Mriganka , Somani Bhaskar 
Published: June 2021

Background: For ureteroscopy and laser stone fragmentation (URSL), the use of laser technology has shifted from low power to higher power lasers and the addition of Moses technology, that allows for ‘fragmentation, dusting and pop-dusting’ of stones. We wanted to compare the outcomes of URSL for Moses technology 60 W laser system versus matched regular Holmium 20 W laser cases. Methods: Prospective data were collected for patients who underwent URSL using a Moses 60 W laser (Group A) and matched to historical control data using a regular Holmium 20 W laser (Group B), performed by a single surgeon. Data were collected for patient demographics, stone location, size, pre- and post-operative stent, operative time, length of stay, complications and stone free rate (SFR). Results: A total of 38 patients in each group underwent the URSL procedure. The stones were matched for their location (17 renal and 11 ureteric stones). The mean single and cumulative stone sizes (mm) were 10.9 ± 4.4 and 15.5 ± 9.9, and 11.8 ± 4.0 and 16.5 ± 11.3 for groups A and B, respectively. The mean operative time (min) was 51.6 ± 17.1 and 82.1 ± 27.0 (p ≤ 0.0001) for groups A and B. The initial SFR was 97.3% and 81.6% for groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.05), with 1 and 7 patients in each group needing a second procedure (p = 0.05), for a final SFR of 100% and 97.3%. While there were 2 and 5 Clavien I/II complications for groups A and B, none of the patients in group A had any infection related complication. Conclusions: Use of Moses technology with higher power was significantly faster for stone lithotripsy and reduced operative time and the number of patients who needed a second procedure to achieve a stone free status. It seems that the use of Moses technology with a mid-power laser is likely to set a new benchmark for treating complex stones, without the need for secondary procedures in most patients.