bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nerve Ultrasound Comparison Between Transthyretin Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Authors: Du Kang , Xu Ke , Cheng Si , Lv He , Zhang Wei , Wang Zhaoxia , Yuan Yun , Meng Lingchao 
Published: February 2021

Backgrounds: Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) is frequently misdiagnosed as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) because of similar phenotypes in the two diseases. This study was intended to identify the role of nerve ultrasonography in evaluating TTR-FAP and CIDP.Methods: Eighteen patients with TTR-FAP, 13 patients with CIDP, and 14 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Consecutive ultrasonography scanning was performed in six pairs of nerves of bilateral limbs with 30 sites. The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and CSA variability data of different groups were calculated and compared.Results: Both TTR-FAP and CIDP showed larger CSAs at most sites of both upper and lower limbs than in HC groups. CIDP patients had larger CSAs than TTR-FAP patients at 8/15 of these sites, especially at U1-3, Sci2 sites (p &lt; 0.01). However, the CSAs at above sites were not a credible index to differentiate TTR-FAP from CIDP with a low area under the curve (&lt;0.8). The CSA variability of median nerves was significantly higher in CIDP than in TTR-FAP and HC groups, with high sensitivity (0.692) and specificity (0.833) to differentiate CIDP from TTR-FAP. The CSA variability of ulnar nerves was not significantly different between the three groups. For the TTR-FAP group, mean CSAs at each site were not correlated with different Coutinho stages, modified polyneuropathy disability, course of sensory motor peripheral neuropathy, Neuropathy Impairment Score, or Norfolk Quality of life-diabetic neuropathy score. The mean compound muscle action potential of ulnar nerves was negatively correlated with the mean CSAs of ulnar nerves.Interpretation: TTR-FAP patients had milder nerve enlargement with less variability in CSAs of median nerves than those with CIDP, suggesting that nerve ultrasound can be a potential useful auxiliary tool to help differentiate the two neuropathies.
Relation of Decreased Functional Connectivity Between Left Thalamus and Left Inferior Frontal Gyrus to Emotion Changes Following Acute Sleep Deprivation
Authors: Li Bo-zhi , Cao Ya , Zhang Ying , Chen Yang , Gao Yu-hong , Peng Jia-xi , Shao Yong-cong , Zhang Xi 
Published: February 2021

Objective: The thalamus is a key node for sleep-wake pathway gate switching during acute sleep deprivation (ASD), and studies have shown that it plays a certain role in emotion changes. However, there are no studies on the association between the thalamus and emotion changes in ASD. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) to explore whether changes in the functional connections between the thalamus and other brain regions are related to emotion changes and further explored the function of the thalamus under total ASD conditions.Method: Thirty healthy, right-handed adult men underwent emotional assessment according to the Profile of Mood States Scale and R-fMRI scans before and after ASD. The correlations between changes in functional connectivity between the thalamus and other brain regions and emotion changes were then studied.Results: Positive emotions and psychomotor performance were reduced, and negative emotions were increased following ASD. The functional connections between the left thalamus and left middle temporal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, right thalamus, right inferior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal pole gyrus, right calcarine, left cuneus, left rectus and left medial superior frontal gyrus were significantly altered. Decreased functional connectivity between left thalamus and left inferior frontal gyrus related to emotion changes following ASD.Conclusion: This study finds that functional changes in the thalamus are associated with emotion changes during ASD, suggesting that the left thalamus probably plays an essential role in emotion changes under ASD conditions.
Dissociation Between Insulin Resistance and Abnormalities in Lipoprotein Particle Concentrations and Sizes in Normal-Weight Chinese Adults
Authors: Tranæs Kaare , Ding Cherlyn , Chooi Yu Chung , Chan Zhiling , Choo John , Leow Melvin K.-S. , Magkos Faidon 
Published: February 2021

Insulin resistance in obesity coincides with abnormalities in lipid profile and lipoprotein subclass distribution and size even before abnormalities in glucose homeostasis manifest. We aimed to assess this relationship in the absence of obesity. Insulin sensitivity (3-h intravenous glucose tolerance test and minimal modeling) and lipoprotein particle concentrations and sizes (proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) were evaluated in 15 insulin-resistant and 15 insulin-sensitive lean Asians of Chinese descent with normal glucose tolerance, matched on age, sex, and body mass index. Despite a ~50% lower insulin sensitivity index (Si) in insulin-resistant than in insulin-sensitive subjects, which was accompanied by significantly greater acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg) and fasting insulin concentration but not different fasting glucose concentration, there were no significant differences between groups in the blood lipid profile (p ≥ 0.44) or the lipoprotein subclass concentrations (p ≥ 0.30) and particle sizes (p ≥ 0.43). We conclude that, contrary to observations in subjects with obesity, insulin resistance is not accompanied by unfavorable changes in the plasma lipid profile and lipoprotein particle concentrations and sizes in lean Asians with normal glucose tolerance. Therefore, insulin resistance at the level of glucose metabolism is mechanistically or temporally dissociated from lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.Trial Registration:clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03264001.
A Prognostic Nomogram of Colon Cancer With Liver Metastasis: A Study of the US SEER Database and a Chinese Cohort
Authors: Liu Chuan , Hu Chuan , Huang Jiale , Xiang Kanghui , Li Zhi , Qu Jinglei , Chen Ying , Yang Bowen , Qu Xiujuan , Liu Yunpeng , Zhang Guangwei , Wen Ti 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundAmong colon cancer patients, liver metastasis is a commonly deadly phenomenon, but there are few prognostic models for these patients.MethodsThe clinicopathologic data of colon cancer with liver metastasis (CCLM) patients were downloaded from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. All patients were randomly divided into training and internal validation sets based on the ratio of 7:3. A prognostic nomogram was established with Cox analysis in the training set, which was validated by two independent validation sets.ResultsA total of 5,700 CCLM patients were included. Age, race, tumor size, tumor site, histological type, grade, AJCC N status, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), lung metastasis, bone metastasis, surgery, and chemotherapy were independently associated with the overall survival (OS) of CCLM in the training set, which were used to establish a nomogram. The AUCs of 1-, 2- and 3-year were higher than or equal to 0.700 in the training, internal validation, and external validation sets, indicating the favorable effects of our nomogram. Besides, whether in overall or subgroup analysis, the risk score calculated by this nomogram can divide CCLM patients into high-, middle- and low-risk groups, which suggested that the nomogram can significantly determine patients with different prognosis and is suitable for different patients.ConclusionHigher age, the race of black, larger tumor size, higher grade, histological type of mucinous adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma, higher N stage, RCC, lung metastasis, bone metastasis, without surgery, without chemotherapy, and elevated CEA were independently associated with poor prognosis of CCLM patients. A nomogram incorporating the above variables could accurately predict the prognosis of CCLM.
Gestational Age-Specific Complete Blood Count Signatures in Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Pantalone Julia M. , Liu Silvia , Olaloye Oluwabunmi O. , Prochaska Erica C. , Yanowitz Toby , Riley Melissa M. , Buland Justin R. , Brozanski Beverly S. , Good Misty , Konnikova Liza 
Published: February 2021

Objective: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is characterized by peripheral cell abnormalities, yet few studies have analyzed the complete blood count (CBC) specifically by gestational age (GA). Our objective was to describe GA-specific immune abnormalities in NEC through a comprehensive analysis of the CBC differential.Methods: Using a cohort of 246 infants (177 cases, 69 controls) admitted to neonatal intensive care units at a single institution, we retrospectively analyzed CBCs around illness onset in NEC cases compared with controls. Cases included surgical NEC (S-NEC, 34.5%) and medical NEC (M-NEC, 65.5%). Infants were divided into those born at GA &lt;33 and ≥33 weeks. Differences in CBC values were described as absolute and percent changes at NEC onset from baseline and at antibiotic completion after NEC. We used machine learning algorithms based on the CBC at NEC to generate predictive models for diagnosis.Results: At NEC onset, there was an acute drop in monocytes and lymphocytes along with a rise in bands in S-NEC infants born &lt;33 weeks compared with M-NEC. In comparison, both M-NEC and S-NEC ≥33 weeks had a percent drop in neutrophils at diagnosis compared with controls. At antibiotic completion, monocytes in S-NEC &lt;33 weeks significantly rose compared with M-NEC, yet for S-NEC ≥33 weeks, bands significantly dropped compared with M-NEC. Predictive modeling was able to accurately predict S-NEC from M-NEC and controls.Conclusion: There are discrete leukocyte patterns in NEC based on GA. The CBC at diagnosis may be useful in identifying patients who will require surgery.
The Effect of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors on Microglial Migration, Macroglial Gliosis and Proliferation, and Neuronal Survival
Authors: Ruzafa Noelia , Pereiro Xandra , Fonollosa Alex , Araiz Javier , Acera Arantxa , Vecino Elena 
Published: February 2021

Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is a subtype of platelet-rich plasma that has being employed in the clinic due to its capacity to accelerate tissue regeneration. Autologous PRGF has been used in ophthalmology to repair a range of retinal pathologies with some efficiency. In the present study, we have explored the role of PRGF and its effect on microglial motility, as well as its possible pro-inflammatory effects. Organotypic cultures from adult pig retinas were used to test the effect of the PRGF obtained from human as well as pig blood. Microglial migration, as well as gliosis, proliferation and the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The cytokines present in these PRGFs were analyzed by multiplex ELISA. In addition, we set out to determine if blocking some of the inflammatory components of PRGF alter its effect on microglial migration. In organotypic cultures, PRGF induces microglial migration to the outer nuclear layers as a sign of inflammation. This phenomenon could be due to the presence of several cytokines in PRGF that were quantified here, such as the major pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα. Heterologous PRGF (human) and longer periods of cultured (3 days) induced more microglia migration than autologous porcine PRGF. Moreover, the migratory effect of microglia was partially mitigated by: 1) heat inactivation of the PRGF; 2) the presence of dexamethasone; or 3) anti-cytokine factors. Furthermore, PRGF seems not to affect gliosis, proliferation or RGC survival in organotypic cultures of adult porcine retinas. PRGF can trigger an inflammatory response as witnessed by the activation of microglial migration in the retina. This can be prevented by using autologous PRGF or if this is not possible due to autoimmune diseases, by mitigating its inflammatory effect. In addition, PRGF does not increase either the proliferation rate of microglial cells or the survival of neurons. We cannot discard the possible positive effect of microglial cells on retinal function. Further studies should be performed to warrant the use of PRGF on the nervous system.
Discovering Potential RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase Inhibitors as Prospective Drugs Against COVID-19: An in silico Approach
Authors: Saha Satabdi , Nandi Rajat , Vishwakarma Poonam , Prakash Amresh , Kumar Diwakar 
Published: February 2021

COVID-19, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2, is declared a Global Pandemic by WHO in early 2020. In the present situation, though more than 180 vaccine candidates with some already approved for emergency use, are currently in development against SARS-CoV-2, their safety and efficacy data is still in a very preliminary stage to recognize them as a new treatment, which demands an utmost emergency for the development of an alternative anti-COVID-19 drug sine qua non for a COVID-19 free world. Since RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is an essential protein involved in replicating the virus, it can be held as a potential drug target. We were keen to explore the plant-based product against RdRp and analyze its inhibitory potential to treat COVID-19. A unique collection of 248 plant compounds were selected based on their antiviral activity published in previous literature and were subjected to molecular docking analysis against the catalytic sub-unit of RdRp. The docking study was followed by a pharmacokinetics analysis and molecular dynamics simulation study of the selected best-docked compounds. Tellimagrandin I, SaikosaponinB2, Hesperidin and (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate were the most prominent ones that showed strong binding affinity toward RdRp. All the compounds mentioned showed satisfactory pharmacokinetics properties and remained stabilized at their respective binding sites during the Molecular dynamics simulation. Additionally, we calculated the free-binding energy/the binding properties of RdRp-ligand complexes with the connection of MM/GBSA. Interestingly, we observe that SaikosaponinB2 gives the best binding affinity (∆Gbinding = −42.43 kcal/mol) in the MM/GBSA assay. Whereas, least activity is observed for Hesperidin (∆Gbinding = −22.72 kcal/mol). Overall our study unveiled the feasibility of the SaikosaponinB2 to serve as potential molecules for developing an effective therapy against COVID-19 by inhibiting one of its most crucial replication proteins, RdRp.
OpenEP: A Cross-Platform Electroanatomic Mapping Data Format and Analysis Platform for Electrophysiology Research
Authors: Williams Steven E. , Roney Caroline H. , Connolly Adam , Sim Iain , Whitaker John , O’Hare Daniel , Kotadia Irum , O’Neill Louisa , Corrado Cesare , Bishop Martin , Niederer Steven A. , Wright Matt , O’Neill Mark , Linton Nick W. F. 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundElectroanatomic mapping systems are used to support electrophysiology research. Data exported from these systems is stored in proprietary formats which are challenging to access and storage-space inefficient. No previous work has made available an open-source platform for parsing and interrogating this data in a standardized format. We therefore sought to develop a standardized, open-source data structure and associated computer code to store electroanatomic mapping data in a space-efficient and easily accessible manner.MethodsA data structure was defined capturing the available anatomic and electrical data. OpenEP, implemented in MATLAB, was developed to parse and interrogate this data. Functions are provided for analysis of chamber geometry, activation mapping, conduction velocity mapping, voltage mapping, ablation sites, and electrograms as well as visualization and input/output functions. Performance benchmarking for data import and storage was performed. Data import and analysis validation was performed for chamber geometry, activation mapping, voltage mapping and ablation representation. Finally, systematic analysis of electrophysiology literature was performed to determine the suitability of OpenEP for contemporary electrophysiology research.ResultsThe average time to parse clinical datasets was 400 ± 162 s per patient. OpenEP data was two orders of magnitude smaller than compressed clinical data (OpenEP: 20.5 ± 8.7 Mb, vs clinical: 1.46 ± 0.77 Gb). OpenEP-derived geometry metrics were correlated with the same clinical metrics (Area: R2 = 0.7726, P &lt; 0.0001; Volume: R2 = 0.5179, P &lt; 0.0001). Investigating the cause of systematic bias in these correlations revealed OpenEP to outperform the clinical platform in recovering accurate values. Both activation and voltage mapping data created with OpenEP were correlated with clinical values (mean voltage R2 = 0.8708, P &lt; 0.001; local activation time R2 = 0.8892, P &lt; 0.0001). OpenEP provides the processing necessary for 87 of 92 qualitatively assessed analysis techniques (95%) and 119 of 136 quantitatively assessed analysis techniques (88%) in a contemporary cohort of mapping studies.ConclusionsWe present the OpenEP framework for evaluating electroanatomic mapping data. OpenEP provides the core functionality necessary to conduct electroanatomic mapping research. We demonstrate that OpenEP is both space-efficient and accurately representative of the original data. We show that OpenEP captures the majority of data required for contemporary electroanatomic mapping-based electrophysiology research and propose a roadmap for future development.
Drop-the-p: Bayesian CFA of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Australia
Authors: Santiago Pedro Henrique Ribeiro , Quintero Adrian , Haag Dandara , Roberts Rachel , Smithers Lisa , Jamieson Lisa 
Published: February 2021

AimWe aimed to investigate whether the 12-item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) constitutes a valid and reliable measure of social support for the general adult Australian population.MethodsData were from Australia’s National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004–2006 and included 3899 participants aged 18 years old and over. The psychometric properties were evaluated with Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis. One-, two-, and three-factor (Significant Other, Family and Friends) structures were tested. Model fit was assessed with the posterior predictivep-value (PPPχ2), Bayesian root mean square error of approximation (BRMSEA), and Bayesian comparative fit index (BCFI). Dimensionality was tested by comparing competing factorial structures with the Bayes factor (BF). Reliability was evaluated with the Bayesian ΩH. Convergent validity was investigated with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and discriminant validity with the Perceived Dental Control scale (PDC-3).ResultsThe theoretical three-factor model (Significant Other, Family, and Friends) provided a good fit to the data [PPPχ2&lt; 0.001, BRMSEA = 0.089-95% credible interval (CrI) (0.088, 0.089); BCFI = 0.963-95% CrI (0.963, 0.964)]. The BF provided decisive support for the three-factor structure in relation to the other structures. The SO [BΩH= 0.95 - 95% CrI (0.90, 0.99)], FA (BΩH= 0.92 - 95% CrI (0.87, 0.97), and FR (BΩH= 0.92 - 95% CrI (0.88, 0.97)] subscales displayed excellent reliability. The MSPSS displayed initial evidence of convergent and discriminant validity.ConclusionThe MSPSS demonstrated good psychometric properties and excellent reliability in a large Australian sample. This instrument can be applied in national surveys and provide evidence of the role of social support in the Australian population.
Mental Health Consequences of Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Msherghi Ahmed , Alsuyihili Ali , Alsoufi Ahmed , Ashini Aimen , Alkshik Zenib , Alshareea Entisar , Idheiraj Hanadi , Nagib Taha , Abusriwel Munera , Mustafa Nada , Mohammed Fatima , Eshbeel Ayah , Elbarouni Abobaker , Elhadi Muhammed 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveWe aimed to provide an overview of the psychological status and behavioral consequences of the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in Libya.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among the Libyan population through May and June 2020 in more than 20 cities. The survey comprised basic demographic data of the participants and anxiety symptoms measured using the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) with ≥15 as the cut-off score for clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Additionally, a survey regarding the lockdown effect was administered, which consisted of several parts, to measure the lockdown status.ResultsA total of 8084 responses were recorded, of which, 5090 (63%) were women and 2994 (37%) were men. The mean age (SD) for study participants was 27.2 (8.9) years. Among the participants, 1145 (14.2%) reached the cut-off score to detect anxiety symptoms; however, of the study variables, only five were predictors of clinically significant anxiety: age, gender, marital status, work status, being a financial supporter for the family, and being infected with COVID-19. Women had 1.19 times higher odds to exhibit anxiety symptoms than men. Increasing age was significantly associated with reduced likelihood of exhibiting anxiety symptoms, whereas being married was significantly associated with higher likelihood of anxiety symptoms, compared to not being married. Being suspended from work was associated with an increase in the likelihood of anxiety symptoms. However, we found that being infected with COVID-19 was associated with a 9.59 times higher risk of exhibiting severe anxiety symptoms. Among the study participants, 1451 (17.9%) reported a physical and/or verbal abuse episode from family members, 958 (11.9%) reported abuse outside the family, and 641 (7.9%) reported abuse from enforcers, during the lockdown.ConclusionOur study provided an overview of the psychological and behavioral status, among those who resided in Libya during the civil war and COVID-19 pandemic. The study demonstrates a concerningly high level of clinically significant anxiety during lockdown among the Libyan population during Libya’s lockdown period.
The Association Between Maladaptive Metacognitive Beliefs and Emotional Distress in People Living With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Dodd Rachel , Fisher Peter L. , Makin Selina , Moore Perry , Cherry Mary Gemma 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveApproximately half of all people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience persistent or recurrent emotional distress, yet little is known about the psychological processes that maintain emotional distress in this population. The self-regulatory executive functioning (S-REF) model specifies that maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and processes are central to the development and maintenance of emotional distress. This study explored whether maladaptive metacognitive beliefs are associated with emotional distress after controlling for demographic factors, time since diagnosis, and current level of physical functioning.DesignIn a cross-sectional design, 75 adults with a diagnosis of ALS completed self-report questionnaires. Participants had a mean age of 60.40 years, mean duration of symptoms 63.92 months, and male:female gender ratio of 14:11.Main Outcome MeasuresQuestionnaires assessed emotional distress (HADS, adapted for ALS), physical functioning (ALSFRS-R), repetitive negative thinking (RTQ-10), metacognitive beliefs (MCQ-30), and demographic factors.ResultsMaladaptive metacognitive beliefs explained additional variance in emotional distress after controlling for age, gender, time since diagnosis, physical functioning, and repetitive negative thinking. Repetitive negative thinking partially mediated the relationships between positive and negative metacognitive beliefs and emotional distress.ConclusionsThese data support the utility of the metacognitive model in understanding emotional distress in people with ALS. Examination of the temporal relationship between maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and emotional distress in people living with ALS may help to guide the development of therapeutic approaches.