bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endotoxin Mass Concentration in Plasma Is Associated With Mortality in a Multicentric Cohort of Peritonitis-Induced Shock
Authors: Payen Didier , Dupuis Claire , Deckert Valérie , Pais de Barros Jean-Paul , Rérole Anne-Laure , Lukaszewicz Anne-Claire , Coudroy Remi , Robert René , Lagrost Laurent 
Published: October 2021

Objectives: To investigate the association of plasma LPS mass with mortality and inflammation in patients with peritonitis-induced septic shock (SS).Design: Longitudinal endotoxin and inflammatory parameters in a multicentric cohort of SS.Patients: Protocolized post-operative parameters of 187 SS patients collected at T1 (12 h max post-surgery) and T4 (24 h after T1).Intervention:Post-hoc analysis of ABDOMIX trial.Measurements and Results: Plasma concentration of LPS mass as determined by HPLC-MS/MS analysis of 3-hydroxymyristate, activity of phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), lipids, lipoproteins, IL-6, and IL-10. Cohort was divided in low (LLPS) and high (HLPS) LPS levels. The predictive value for mortality was tested by multivariate analysis. HLPS and LLPS had similar SAPSII (58 [48.5; 67]) and SOFA (8 [6.5; 9]), but HLPS showed higher death and LPS to PLTP ratio (p &lt; 0.01). LPS was stable in HLPS, but it increased in LLPS with a greater decrease in IL-6 (p &lt; 0.01). Dead patients had a higher T1 LPS (p = 0.02), IL-6 (&lt;0.01), IL-10 (=0.01), and day 3 SOFA score (p = 0.01) than survivors. In the group of SAPSII &gt; median, the risk of death in HLPS (38%) was higher than in LLPS (24%; p &lt; 0.01). The 28-day death was associated only with SAPSII (OR 1.06 [1.02; 1.09]) and HLPS (OR 2.47 [1; 6.11]) in the multivariate model. In HLPS group, high PLTP was associated with lower plasma levels of IL-6 (p = 0.02) and IL-10 (p = 0.05).Conclusions: Combination of high LPS mass concentration and high SAPS II is associated with elevated mortality in peritonitis-induced SS patients.
Long-Term Use of Metformin Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Cognitive Impairment With Alleviation of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Teng Zhenjie , Feng Jing , Qi Qianqian , Dong Yanhong , Xiao Yining , Xie Xiaohua , Meng Nan , Chen Huifang , Zhang Wenhui , Lv Peiyuan 
Published: October 2021

Objective: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The relation of metformin use and cognitive impairment or CSVD is not clear. The objective of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional effects of long-term use of metformin on total CSVD burden and cognitive function in patients with T2D.Methods: A total of 234 participants with T2D from the memory clinic in Hebei General Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. Duration of metformin use and dosage were recorded. Along with cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was also performed to assess their cognitive status. We determined the validated total CSVD score (ranging from 0–4) by combining four markers of CSVD that were visually rated. We used binary logistic regression analysis, ordinal logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis to assess the relation of long-term use of metformin with CSVD burden and cognitive function.Results: Binary logistic regression analysis showed long-term use of metformin was associated with reducing the risk of cognitive impairment (OR: 0.446; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.249 to 0.800; P = 0.007), after adjustment of potential confounders, such as total CSVD burden score, age, HbA1c, hypertension, history of stroke, homocysteine, body mass index, TG and HDL-C. Ordinal logistic regression analysis suggested that long-term use of metformin was associated with alleviation of total CSVD burden score (OR: 0.583; 95% CI: 0.359 to 0.943; P = 0.027), after adjusting for age, HbA1c, hypertension, history of stroke, homocysteine, body mass index, TG and HDL-C. Mediation analysis showed significant mediation by the presence of severe CSVD burden score for long-term use of metformin in relation to cognitive impairment.Conclusion: Long-term use of metformin was associated with lower rates of cognitive impairment and lower total CSVD burden score in patients with T2D. A proportion of the relation between long-term use of metformin and cognitive impairment may be attributable to alleviation of CSVD burden.
Case Report: Preliminary Images From an Electromagnetic Portable Brain Scanner for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Acute Stroke
Authors: Cook David , Brown Helen , Widanapathirana Isuravi , Shah Darshan , Walsham James , Trakic Adnan , Zhu Guohun , Zamani Ali , Guo Lei , Brankovic Aida , Al-Saffar Ahmed , Stancombe Anthony , Bialkowski Alina , Nguyen Phong , Bialkowski Konstanty , Crozier Stuart , Abbosh Amin 
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Electromagnetic imaging is an emerging technology which promises to provide a mobile, and rapid neuroimaging modality for pre-hospital and bedside evaluation of stroke patients based on the dielectric properties of the tissue. It is now possible due to technological advancements in materials, antennae design and manufacture, rapid portable computing power and network analyses and development of processing algorithms for image reconstruction. The purpose of this report is to introduce images from a novel, portable electromagnetic scanner being trialed for bedside and mobile imaging of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.Methods: A prospective convenience study enrolled patients (January 2020 to August 2020) with known stroke to have brain electromagnetic imaging, in addition to usual imaging and medical care. The images are obtained by processing signals from encircling transceiver antennae which emit and detect low energy signals in the microwave frequency spectrum between 0.5 and 2.0 GHz. The purpose of the study was to refine the imaging algorithms.Results: Examples are presented of haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke and comparison is made with CT, perfusion and MRI T2 FAIR sequence images.Conclusion: Due to speed of imaging, size and mobility of the device and negligible environmental risks, development of electromagnetic scanning scanner provides a promising additional modality for mobile and bedside neuroimaging.
Comparison of Persistent Symptoms After COVID-19 and Other Non-SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Children
Authors: Roge Ieva , Smane Liene , Kivite-Urtane Anda , Pucuka Zanda , Racko Iveta , Klavina Lizete , Pavare Jana 
Published: October 2021

Introduction: The data on long COVID in children is scarce since children and adolescents are typically less severely affected by acute COVID-19. This study aimed to identify the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children, and to compare the persistent symptom spectrum between COVID-19 and community-acquired infections of other etiologies.Methods: This was an ambidirectional cohort study conducted at the Children's Clinical University Hospital in Latvia. The study population of pediatric COVID-19 patients and children with other non-SARS-CoV-2-community-acquired infections were invited to participate between July 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021.Results: In total, 236 pediatric COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. Additionally, 142 comparison group patients were also enrolled. Median follow-up time from acute symptom onset was 73.5 days (IQR; 43–110 days) in the COVID-19 patient group and 69 days (IQR, 58–84 days) in the comparison group. Most pediatric COVID-19 survivors (70%, N = 152) reported at least one persistent symptom, but more than half of the patients (53%, N = 117) noted two or more long-lasting symptoms. The most commonly reported complaints among COVID-19 patients included persistent fatigue (25.2%), cognitive sequelae, such as irritability (24.3%), and mood changes (23.3%), as well as headaches (16.9%), rhinorrhea (16.1%), coughing (14.4%), and anosmia/dysgeusia (12.3%). In addition, 105 (44.5%) COVID patients had persistent symptoms after the 12-week cut-off point, with irritability (27.6%, N = 29), mood changes (26.7%, N = 28), and fatigue (19.2%, N = 20) being the most commonly reported ones. Differences in symptom spectrum among the various age groups were seen. Logistic regression analysis showed that long-term persistent symptoms as fever, fatigue, rhinorrhea, loss of taste and/or smell, headaches, cognitive sequelae, and nocturnal sweating were significantly associated with the COVID-19 experience when compared with the controls.Conclusions: We found that at the time of interview almost three-quarters of children reported at least one persistent symptom, but the majority of patients (53%) had two or more concurrent symptoms. The comparison group's inclusion in the study allowed us to identify that symptom persistence is more apparent with COVID-19 than any other non-SARS-CoV-2 infection. More research is needed to distinguish the symptoms of long COVID from pandemic-associated complaints. Each persistent symptom is important in terms of child well-being during COVID-19 recovery.
Promelaxin Microenemas Are Non-inferior to Oral Polyethylene Glycol for the Treatment of Functional Constipation in Young Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Strisciuglio Caterina , Coppola Vincenzo , Russo Marina , Tolone Carlo , Marseglia Gian Luigi , Verrotti Alberto , Caimmi Silvia , Caloisi Claudia , D'Argenio Valeria , Sacchetti Lucia , Staiano Annamaria 
Published: October 2021

Background: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is recommended as first-line treatment of pediatric functional constipation. However, the oral route of administration is often poorly feasible in children mostly due to poor palatability. Promelaxin microenemas exert a topical evacuative action and may offer a valuable option in pediatric FC.Aim: To assess whether Promelaxin microenemas would be non-inferior to PEG 4000 in young children with FC.Methods: This is a randomized, open-label, multi-centric, non-inferiority trial enrolling infants and young children aged 6–48 months, with FC according to Rome III criteria. After 1 week of run in, children were randomized to 2 weeks of Promelaxin or PEG, followed by a 6-week on-demand treatment period. Primary endpoint was response rate to randomized treatment, with “response” defined as at least 3 evacuations per week and an average increase of at least one evacuation per week as compared to baseline. Safety, stool consistency and the analysis of fecal microbiota were secondary endpoints.Results: Out of the 158 patients who entered the trial, 153 patients were treated (77 and 76, PEG and Promelaxin arm, respectively). In the primary analysis, the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the treatment's effect lay entirely above the non-inferiority margin in both Full Set (FAS) and Per Protocol (PP) analyses, providing evidence of the non-inferiority of Promelaxin vs. PEG 4000 [response rate difference: 16.5% (CI 1.55–31.49%) and 11.03% (CI −5.58 to 27.64%), FAS and PP analyses, respectively]. Mean compliance to the randomized treatment was &gt;80% in both arms. Secondary endpoints did not significantly differ between the two arms, except for the average number of total days of on-demand treatment that was significantly lower in the Promelaxin arm [14.6 (12.7) vs. 9.8 (9.1), mean (SD); primary endpoint responders in PEG and Promelaxin arm, respectively; p = 0.027]. Microbiota evenness significantly increased in the PEG 4000 arm at V4 as compared to the Promelaxin arm (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, at V5, patients treated with PEG showed a significantly decreased microbiota density as compared to patients treated with Promelaxin (p = 0.036).Conclusions: Promelaxin microenemas are non-inferior to oral PEG in children with FC.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02751411.
Study on the Effect of Bilateral Mandible Distraction Osteogenesis About the Nutrition Status of Infants With Pierre-Robin Sequence
Authors: Jiayu Liu , Jing Sun , Yiyang Chen , Fan Li 
Published: October 2021

Objective: By comparing and studying the changes of food intake, weight, body length, BMI, blood albumin level and other indicators of infants with Pierre-Robin Sequence (PRS) before and after Bilateral Mandible Distraction Osteogenesis operation, to explore the effect of distraction osteogenesis on PRS patients about the improvement of nutrition status.Methods: The children with PRS who admitted to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from July 2015 to December 2020 were selected. All patients accepted bilateral mandible distraction osteogenesis surgery, and the pre- and post-operative indicators were recorded, such as food intake, weight, length, blood albumin level and others. BMI was calculated based on the indicators mentioned above, and comparative statistical analysis was performed.Results: 1. All patients were fed with whole milk before the first surgery, and the average calorie per kg was 91.8 kcal/kg, significantly lower than the standard (100–150 kcal/kg), suggesting the overall nutritional intake of PRS patients is low; 2. t tests for independent samples were used to analyze the pre-operative and post-operative indicators. The WFA percentile increased from 14.16 ± 2.17 to 15.01 ± 1.85% (P = 0.0048), WFA z score increased from −2.40 ± 0.18 to −1.90 ± 0.14 after the surgery (P = 0.0010), LFA percentile increased from 20.04 ± 3.48 to 33.67 ± 4.29% (P = 0.0098), LFA z score increased from −2.09 ± 0.19 to −1.42 ± 0.23 (P = 0.0009), BMI z score increased from −1.95 ± 0.22 to −1.39 ± 0.16 (P = 0.0408), ALB raised from 37.06 ± 0.51 to 42.85 ± 0.30 g/L (P &lt; 0.001), which indicating that the physique of patients improved after the distraction osteogenesis surgery, mainly was reflected by the lifting of weight and length growth curves; the body shape also improved, indicating that the patients' nutrition status after the surgery is also improved.Conclusion: Bilateral mandible distraction osteogenesis surgery has a positive effect on the nutrition status of children with PRS. This effect is mainly reflected by the improvements of the body physical indicators after surgery.
Increased Risk of Decompression Sickness When Diving With a Right-to-Left Shunt: Results of a Prospective Single-Blinded Observational Study (The “Carotid Doppler” Study)
Authors: Germonpré Peter , Lafère Pierre , Portier William , Germonpré Faye-Lisa , Marroni Alessandro , Balestra Costantino 
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Divers with a patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) have an increased risk for decompression sickness (DCS) when diving with compressed breathing gas. The relative risk increase, however, is difficult to establish as the PFO status of divers is usually only determined after a DCS occurrence.Methods: This prospective, single-blinded, observational study was designed to collect DCS data from volunteer divers after screening for right-to-left shunt (RLS) using a Carotid Doppler test. Divers were blinded to the result of the test, but all received a standardized briefing on current scientific knowledge of diving physiology and “low-bubble” diving techniques; they were then allowed to dive without restrictions. After a mean interval of 8 years, a questionnaire was sent collecting data on their dives and cases of DCS (if any occurred).Results: Data was collected on 148 divers totaling 66,859 dives. There was no significant difference in diving data between divers with or without RLS. Divers with RLS had a 3.02 times higher incidence of (confirmed) DCS than divers without RLS (p = 0.04). When all cases of (confirmed or possible DCS) were considered, the Relative Risk was 1.42 (p = 0.46). DCS occurred mainly in divers who did not dive according to “low-bubble” diving techniques, in both groups.Conclusion: This prospective study confirms that DCS is more frequent in divers with RLS (such as a PFO), with a Relative Risk of 1.42 (all DCS) to 3.02 (confirmed DCS). It appears this risk is linked to diving behavior, more specifically diving to the limits of the adopted decompression procedures.
Tactile and Somatic Hallucinations in a Muslim Population of Psychotic Patients
Authors: Lim Anastasia , Blom Jan Dirk 
Published: October 2021

Background: Tactile and somatic hallucinations are distressing phenomena that have hardly been researched. The few studies that have been published focus on their occurrence in neurodegenerative disorders and substance use, and, surprisingly, not on schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Objective: To fill this gap in our knowledge, we sought to explore the phenomenological characteristics of tactile and somatic hallucinations in a group of psychotic Muslim patients. Since many Muslims attribute such experiences to jinn (invisible spirits) and jinn are often perceived in multiple sensory modalities, we not only charted the involvement of the tactile and somatic modalities but also their interrelatedness with hallucinations in other sensory modalities.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using a semi-structured interview and dedicated questionnaire.Results: Of the 42 Muslim inpatients mostly diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, 62% reported to suffer from tactile and/or somatic hallucinations. Their phenomenological characteristics varied, with 96% being multimodal in nature and 38% taking the form of full-blown entity/jinn encounters. In comparison to other entity experiences, the involvement of the tactile and somatic modalities was exceptionally high, as was the level of ensuing distress. Regarding the order of recruitment of the various sensory modalities, we suggest the involvement of an underlying stochastic process.Conclusion: Muslim patients with severe psychosis can have tactile and somatic hallucinations, of which a large number are multimodal or full-blown entity/jinn encounters, which are almost invariably appreciated as harrowing. On the basis of our findings we make recommendations for further research and clinical practice.
RETRACTED: PSCNN: PatchShuffle Convolutional Neural Network for COVID-19 Explainable Diagnosis
Authors: Wang Shui-Hua , Zhu Ziquan , Zhang Yu-Dong 
Published: October 2021

Objective: COVID-19 is a sort of infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. This study aims to develop a more accurate COVID-19 diagnosis system.Methods: First, the n-conv module (nCM) is introduced. Then we built a 12-layer convolutional neural network (12l-CNN) as the backbone network. Afterwards, PatchShuffle was introduced to integrate with 12l-CNN as a regularization term of the loss function. Our model was named PSCNN. Moreover, multiple-way data augmentation and Grad-CAM are employed to avoid overfitting and locating lung lesions.Results: The mean and standard variation values of the seven measures of our model were 95.28 ± 1.03 (sensitivity), 95.78 ± 0.87 (specificity), 95.76 ± 0.86 (precision), 95.53 ± 0.83 (accuracy), 95.52 ± 0.83 (F1 score), 91.7 ± 1.65 (MCC), and 95.52 ± 0.83 (FMI).Conclusion: Our PSCNN is better than 10 state-of-the-art models. Further, we validate the optimal hyperparameters in our model and demonstrate the effectiveness of PatchShuffle.
Randomized Trial: D-Glyceric Acid Activates Mitochondrial Metabolism in 50–60-Year-Old Healthy Humans
Authors: Hirvonen O. Petteri , Kyröläinen Heikki , Lehti Maarit , Kainulainen Heikki 
Published: October 2021

Background: Based on earlier studies, natural metabolite D-glyceric acid (DGA) does not seem to play any role in whole-body metabolism. Nevertheless, one ethanol oxidation-related rat study with controversial results raised our interest. According to preparatory studies for the regulatory approval of DGA, some highly conserved mechanism seems to subtly activate the cellular energy metabolism. Therefore, the present 25-days double-blind human study with placebo control was initiated.Purpose: The main target in the present study with 27 healthy 50–60-year-old human volunteers was to find out whether an “acute” 4-days and a longer 21-days exogenous DGA regimen caused moderate activation of the mitochondrial energy metabolism. The simultaneous target was to find out whether a halved dose of DGA continued to be an effective regimen.Main Findings: The results revealed the following statistically significant findings: 1) plasma concentrations of metabolites related to aerobic energy production, especially lactate, were strongly reduced, 2) systemic inflammation was lowered both in 4- and 21-days, 3) mitochondria-related mRNA expressions in circulating immune cells were noticeably modulated at Day4, 4) cellular membrane integrity seemed to be sharply enhanced, and 5) cellular NADH/NAD+ -ratio was upregulated.Conclusion: Mitochondrial metabolism was clearly upregulated at the whole-body level in both 4- and 21 days. At the same time, the effect of DGA was very well tolerated. Based on received solid results, the DGA regimen may alleviate acute and chronic energy metabolic challenges in main organs like the liver, CNS, and skeletal muscles. Enhanced membrane integrity combined with lower systemic inflammation and activated metabolic flows by the DGA regimen may be beneficial especially for the aging population.
Analisis Pengetahuan Wanita Usia Subur tentang Bahaya Bahan Kosmetik pada Kesuburan di Klinik Kecantikan Kanaya
Authors: Ningrum Cahya , Masruroh Masruroh 
Published: October 2021

Kosmetik telah menjadi bagian terpenting dari kehidupan wanita. Banyak wanita usia subur menggunakan beragam kosmetik untuk menunjang penampilannya, agar lebih menarik. Bahan kimia atau zat tertentu dalam kosmetik dan produk kecantikan dapat membahayakan kesuburan perempuan. Beberapa zat kimia dalam kosmetik seperti cat kuku, krim anti penuaan dini mengandung zat kimia dalam jumlah besar, dapat menyebabkan efek negatif pada kesuburan perempuan. Paparan zat kimia yang terlalu sering dan kuat akan menyebabkan gangguan ovarium dalam menghasilkan sel telur yang sehat, meningkatkan risiko keguguran dan bahkan menyebabkan ketidaksuburan. Penelitian ini secara umum bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengetahuan wanita usia subur tentang bahan kosmetik berbahaya pada kesuburan. Penelitian ini dilakukan di klinik kecantikan Kanaya Ungaran. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah total populasi yaitu seluruh Wanita Usia Subur pengguna kosmetik di klinik kanaya Ungaran selama periode kunjungan bulan april – mei 2019 sejumlah 22 responden. Penelitian ini termasuk jenis penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif yaitu peneltian yang dilakukan satu kali pengukuran dalam satu kali waktu. Penelitian ini menggunakan sumber data primer yaitu hasil pengukuran pengetahuan tentang bahaya kosmetik terhadap kesuburan pada Wanita Usia Subur di klinik kanaya Ungaran.Sebagian besar responden berusia 20-35 tahun sebesar 86,4%, dengan pendidikan sebagian besar SMA sejumlah 19 responden (86,4%) dan status pekerjaan responden sebagian besar adalah bekerja sebesar 86,4%. Sedangkan untuk pengetahuan responden sebagian besar adalah cukup yaitu 86,4%.Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa sebagian besar responden mendapatkan hasil dengan kategori pengetahuan cukup yaitu sebanyak 19 responden atau 86,4% dan responden dengan kategori pengetahuan baik sebesar 13.6%.