bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between body temperature and all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis: analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
Authors: Zhao Yunuo 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background:
Abnormal body temperature (fever or hypothermia) is a critical symptom in sepsis and is strongly associated with clinical prognosis and disease progression. Given the duality and variability of body temperature fluctuations throughout the disease course, further research is essential to refine clinical strategies for temperature management in sepsis patients.
Methods:
I extracted clinical data of sepsis patients from the MIMIC-IV database. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve was employed to describe the nonlinear relationship between body temperature and clinical outcomes. Based on peak temperature within the first 24 hours after admission, patients were categorized into three groups: <36°C, 36–38°C, and > 38°C. I subsequently matched patients one-to-one into three cohorts using a pairwise propensity score matching (PSM) approach. Alongside clinical data, I conducted log-rank and McNemar tests, and established multiple models, including multiple Cox regression, overlap-weighted (OW) adjusted Cox regression, multiple logistic regression, and OW-adjusted multiple logistic regression, to investigate the impact of temperature on clinical outcomes.
Results:
A total of 35,499 sepsis patients were included in my study: 311 with a temperature below 36°C, 27,538 with a temperature between 36–38°C, and 7,650 with a temperature above 38°C. The RCS analysis revealed a non-linear, U-shaped relationship between body temperature and 28-day, ICU, and in-hospital mortality. Patients with hypothermia had significantly higher 28-day mortality (54.34% vs. 19.28%), ICU mortality (44.37% vs. 12.89%), and in-hospital mortality (49.20% vs. 17.46%) compared to those with hyperthermia. Among patients younger than 65 years, hyperthermia was a protective factor against 28-day mortality relative to normal body temperature, while the opposite was observed in patients aged 65 and older. This trend was consistent in the analysis of ICU and in-hospital mortality.
Conclusions:
Among sepsis patients admitted to the ICU, a peak temperature below 36°C within the first 24 hours of admission was associated with higher 28-day mortality. However, no significant difference in clinical prognosis was observed between normothermic and hyperthermic patients.
The association between a body shape index and kidney stones: A cross-sectional study of NHANES 2007−2018
Authors: Wang Bo , Huang Shiwei , Dong Juefei , Yin Guangming , Wang Long , Wang Jinrong , Liu Jianye , Tan Jing 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a pervasive urological health problem, which affects the quality of life of older men. However, the relationship between the A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and KSD has rarely been studied in American populations.
Method
We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2007 to 2018. A self-report questionnaire identified KSD. We investigated the correlation using multiple linear regression, subgroup analyses, and smooth curve fitting.
Result
The study included 31,235 participants, with 2,924 having kidney stones and 28,311 without. The results of the study showed a significant association between ABSI and kidney stones, that is, an increase in ABSI was associated with an increased risk of kidney stones (Q4 vs Q1, OR = 1.19, 95% CI= (1.03–1.37), p = 0.0040). After subgroup analyses, it was found that the association between ABSI and kidney stones was not significantly correlated between specific subgroups.
Conclusions
The present study shows that elevated ABSI is associated with an increased likelihood of developing kidney stones.
Modified Ablation Catheter Guided Transseptal Puncture under ICE Guidance
Authors: Hou Pan , Wang Rong , Hou Chenchen , Liu Li , Lin Feng , He Lewei , Ding Shifang , Lu Qing 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Zero-fluoroscopy procedures have become increasingly popular in electrophysiological interventional surgery. As the key technology to achieve zero-fluoroscopy, traditional transseptal puncture (TSP) under ICE guidance has some disadvantages, which limit its promotion and development. We aim to introduce, evaluate the efficiency and safety of a modified TSP technique distilled from practice with the potential to overcome the shortcomings of traditional TSP.
Methods
A total of 77 patients underwent atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation from March 1,2022 to February 28, 2023 were enrolled. 44 patients underwent traditional ICE guided transseptal puncture and 33 patients underwent advanced ICE guided transseptal puncture. Then success rate, attempts of puncture, puncture duration, proportion of ideal puncture location and incidence of puncture related complications were recorded subsequently.
Results
There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups. The number of puncture times (1.25 ± 0.44 vs.1.06 ± 0.24, p = 0.018) and puncture duration (2.52 ± 0.83 vs.3.94 ± 2.15, p = 0.001) of advanced method were significantly less than traditional method. There were no significant differences in the success rate of puncture, the proportion of ideal puncture location and the incidence of puncture related complications between the two groups.
Conclusions
This study presents a modified ablation catheter guided transseptal puncture under ICE guidance, which simplifies the operation of the puncture component and does not require ICE view tracking. This method has the advantages of high success rate, safety, simple steps, convenient use, and short learning curve, and is worthy of promotion and application.
Safety and Efficacy of Catheter Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Long Songbing , Sun Yuanjun , Dai ShiYu , Xiao Xianjie , Wang Zhongzhen , Sun Wei , Gao Lianjun , Xia Yunlong , Yin Xiaomeng 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) has shown promising results in reducing mortality and improving heart function. However, previous studies have been limited by a lack of control groups and significant heterogeneity in their methodologies.
Hypothesis
CA for AF in HFPEF patients may not increase the complications and had similarly the rate of freedom from AF vs patients without HFPEF, and it may reduce hospitalizations and mortality and improve heart function VS medical treatment.
METHODS
Three groups of AF patients were included in the study: 187 patients with HFPEF for their first CA (AFPHF-CA), 187 patients with HFPEF who were undergoing medical therapy (AFPHF-Med), and 196 patients without HFPEF for their first CA (AF-CA).
RESULTS
After a mean (±SD) follow-up of 36±3 months, 50.8 percent of patients in the AFPHF-CA group and 52.0 percent in the AF-CA group remained in sinus rhythm (P=0.94), compared to only 12.5 percent in the AFPHF-Med group (P<0.001). Age (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08, P=0.016), duration of AF history (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, P=0.017), left atrial diameter (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06-2.19, P=0.024), and the type of atrial fibrillation (OR: 4.02, 95% CI: 1.28-12.62, P=0.017) were consistent multivariate predictors for sinus rhythm maintenance in AFPHF.
HF hospitalization was significantly lower in the AFPHF-CA group (0.38 (0,2)) than in the AFPHF-Med group (1.28(0,3), P<0.001) during the follow-up. Stroke occurred in 18 of 187 (9.63%) patients in the AFPHF-CA group, significantly lower than the AFPHF-Med group, with approximately 31 of 187 (16.58%) (P<0.01), but not statistically different from AF-CA, where approximately 17 of 196 (8.67%) experienced stroke (P=0.65).
Regarding mortality, death occurred in 12.8% of patients in the AFPHF-Med group, higher than 7.5% in the AFPHF-CA group and 6.6% in the AF-CA group (P=0.49). Significant improvements in heart function were observed in the AFPHF-CA group compared to the AFPHF-Med group, including reductions in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P<0.001), New York Heart Association classification (P<0.001), left ventricular mass index (P<0.001), and left atrial volume index (P<0.001). HF hospitalization was significantly lower in the AFPHF-CA group compared to AFPHF-Med (P<0.0001).
Conclusion
CA for AF has demonstrated significant benefits in patients with HFPEF compared to medical treatment alone. These benefits include improvements in heart function, reduced mortality, incidence of stroke, and hospitalizations. Importantly, CA in HFPEF patients showed comparable maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) and safety outcomes when compared to CA in individuals with normal heart function.
Longitudinal variations of body characteristics in Italian elite adolescent football players: a pilot study
Authors: Toselli Stefania , Latini Davide , Grigoletto Alessia , Mauro Mario 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose. Body characteristics and physical skills affect field performances, and the longitudinal improvements of these features allow one to join elite teams. This pilot study aims to investigate longitudinal changes (30 months) in 24 adolescent football players of an Italian elite club.
Methods. Participants were clustered according to their age (U10=8, U11=11, U12=5). Anthropometry and body composition assessments were performed following standardized methods. Countermovement Jump (CMJ), maximal speed (15 meters) and change of direction (RSA) were tested. The repeated-measures ANOVA was assessed for the interaction effect between time and category. The Pearson correlation product-moment was used to correlate the changes (∆) of physical performance and body characteristics. Also, each delta of performance skill was used as the dependent variable in a multiple linear regression model.
Results. Stature, body mass, Fat-Free Mass (FFM), Total Upper Area (TUA), Total Calf Area (TCA) and CMJ improved in all categories (p<0.05). The lower limb power variability was better explained by humeral diameter and the supraspinal skinfold thickness variation (adj-R2= 0.621 p<0.001), while both maximal speed and RSA were negatively affected by the calf fat index (p<0.01).
Conclusion. Given the dynamic nature of the relationship between physical performance improvements and body shape growth, coaches, trainers, and scouters should consider what are the body features that could widely affect football players' performance and how these parameters could vary over the whole adolescence.
Gender differences in the relationship between mental health and academic performance among undergraduate students at a medical school in Shanghai: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Cen Shanduo , Zhao Miaomiao , Wang Feng , Tang Lei 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Epidemiological studies indicate that 12–50% of university students suffer from one or more common mental health problems, which may be linked to academic performance. However, most current studies provide associations between only a single mental disorder and college students' academic performance, with inconsistent results, and do not consider gender differences. The objective of this study was to analyze the mental health status across various dimensions among male and female college students and to explore the impact of gender on the relationship between mental health status and academic performance.
Methods
This study used a cross-sectional design conducted at an undergraduate medical school in Shanghai, China. Data were collected from undergraduate students in the 2020–2021 academic year, with a total of 6923 students (2153 males and 4770 females) completing the survey. The SCL-90 scale was used to screen for mental health problems. Data on student academic performance were obtained from school records. Logistic regression were used to examine the association between mental health status and academic performance.
Results
The overall positive rate for the mental health status of the participants was 41.2%, with 39.6% for males and 41.9% for females. Among female students, those with positive mental health were more likely to underperform academically (aOR = 1.183, 95% CI: 1.035–1.353, p < 0.05). As the severity of symptoms in the factors of somatization (SOM), interpersonal sensitivity (INTS), depression (DEPR), paranoid ideation (PARI), psychoticism (PSY), and sleep and diet (ADD) increases, the likelihood of poor academic performance also increases in females. However, mental health status among male students is not related to academic performance (aOR = 1.138, 95% CI: 0.950–1.364, p > 0.05).
Conclusions
The poor mental health status of female college students was significantly correlated with a higher likelihood of poor academic performance, and there was a dose-dependent relationship between the six factors of the SCL-90 and academic performance. In contrast, no similar results were observed among male students.
Prediction of 131I Uptake in Lung Metastases of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Using Deep Learning
Authors: Song Hongjun , Fei Manman , Tao Haoyi , Qiu Zhongling , Shen Chentian , Chen Xiaoyue , Luo Qiong , She Huajun , Zhang Lichi , Luo Quanyong 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective: An accurate assessment the 131I accumulation capacity in lung metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is pivotal to inform radioiodine therapy and avoid invalid 131I administration. Thus, to develop a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) model for the prediction of the 131I uptake in lung metastases of DTC before radioiodine therapy.Methods: In this retrospective, multicentre, population-based cohort study, we collected chest CT images datasets for DTC patients with lung metastases from three hospitals in China. Pulmonary metastases were classified into two categories based on the post-therapeutic 131I whole-body scan: 131I-avid (positive 131I uptake) and non-131I-avid (negative 131I uptake). For DCNN model development, patients were assigned to the primary dataset (140 patients with 131I-avid, 121 with non-131I-avid ). For model validation, patients were assigned to the internal validation dataset (36 patients with 131I-avid, 23 with non-131I-avid), external validation datasets 1 (25 patients with 131I-avid, 18 with non-131I-avid), and 2 (23 patients with 131I-avid, 18 with non-131I-avid). Using these datasets, we assessed the performance of our model ResNeSt50 and compared with two models as Inception V3 and ResNet50.Results: Compared to Inception V3 and ResNet50, our model ResNeSt50 demonstrated the highest prediction performance in internal (AUC = 0.722, 95%CI 0.716–0.725), external 1 (AUC = 0.720, 95%CI 0.691–0.749), and external 2 (AUC = 0.731 95%CI 0.713, 0.748) validation datasets.Conclusions: We developed a simple and robust DCNN model for predicting the 131I uptake in lung metastases of DTC before radioiodine therapy, which can provide improved screening for patients who can benefit from 131I therapy.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR1800018047. Registered on 28 August 2018.
How does hatred spread in Italy? Mario Draghi dimision case
Authors: Mottareale-Calvanese Daria , Arce-García Sergio , Said-Hung Elias 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Social networks have become key environments for the propagation of disinformation and hate speech, facilitating the spread of rumors and stereotypes targeting specific groups and conditioning public opinion in the political arena.This article aims to estimate the influence of hater accounts, in shaping the debate on social platforms such as X, in promoting a polarized scenario of public opinion, during the period of Mario Draghi's waiver and dimision and the call for elections that preceded the triumph of Giorgia Meloni's party “Brothers of Italy”. We analyzed 796,654 tweets associated with the hashtags #Draghi, #crisidigoverno, #crisigoverno, and #DraghiOut, collected between July 12 and August 16, 2022. Through natural language processing, k-means analysis, and network analysis, it was possible to see how 17.18% of the associated messages contained hate speech with a low majority intensity, especially related to extreme right-wing movements. These messages were mainly grouped in six interconnected clusters, and some users had characteristic features common to those observed in strategies for the viralization of messages, as in the case of Astroturfing. The data shown help us to see a conditioning of the political debate generated in X, at the hands of users who took advantage of Draghi's dimision to disseminate expressions of hatred that may have favored a context of polarized public opinion in favor of a change toward other political projects in Italy.
Optimal outpatient training for resident physicians’ clinical competence: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Miyagami Taiju , Nishizaki Yuji , Shimizu Taro , Yamamoto Yu , Shikino Kiyoshi , Kataoka Koshi , Nojima Masanori , Deshpande Gautam , Naito Toshio , Tokuda Yasuharu 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
This study evaluates outpatient care among Japanese resident physicians by determining how the volume of outpatient encounters and length of outpatient training correlate with residents’ clinical competence.
Methods
This study utilised the results of the General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE; resident clinical competency assessment) for 2,554 post-graduate year 2 (PGY 2) resident physicians in Japan, as well as a self-reported questionnaire regarding their educational training environments conducted after the examination. We investigated whether GM-ITE scores correlated with daily outpatient volume and duration of outpatient training.
Results
Regarding outpatient volume, having 1–5 new patient encounters per day was significantly associated with higher GM-ITE scores by multilevel analysis [0 patients: average score 43.7, 1–5 patients: adjusted estimated coefficient (aEC) 1.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44 to 3.55, P = 0.012]. Regarding the duration of outpatient training, residents who trained for one month had the highest GM-ITE scores (one month: average score 46.9; two months: aEC − 1.44, 95% CI -2.29 to -0.60, P < 0.001; three months: aEC − 1.44, 95% CI -2.22 to -0.65, P = 0.007).
Conclusion
Minimal daily new outpatient visits and one month of outpatient training effectively correlated with residents’ basic clinical competence.
Trial Registration:
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Japan Institute for Advancement of Medical Education Program (JAMEP; No. 22–30) and retrospectively registered.
Optimizing soil organic carbon prediction in arid environments: A gradient boosting-kriging approach in Northern Iraq
Authors: Günal Hikmet , Ismael Amjed Mohammed , Kılıç Miraç , Budak Mesut 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This study predicts soil organic carbon (SOC) content in the Amed region of Northern Iraq (20.06 km²) using a hybrid machine learning approach. By combining Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT) with ordinary kriging (OK), the spatial estimation of SOC has been improved. Radiometric indices from Landsat 8 and 9 images served as covariates, while SOC content from 80 soil samples was the dependent variable. Hyperparameter optimization of the GBDT model reduced the k-fold cross-validation loss from 0.385 to 0.257, resulting in significant improvements: root mean squared error (RMSE) decreased from 0.394 to 0.229, and mean absolute error (MAE) dropped from 0.173 to 0.132. The coefficient of determination (R²) improved from 0.209 to 0.654. Incorporating ordinary kriging further refined the model, reducing RMSE by 32.75% compared to GBDT alone. The most significant indices for SOC prediction were identified as NDVI, SAVI, and EVI, emphasizing the role of vegetation indices. The hybrid GBDT-OK model proved effective in regions with limited soil sampling, enhancing SOC spatial prediction in arid and semi-arid environments. This study offers a valuable tool for improving SOC inventories and informing sustainable land management in carbon-sensitive regions.
Towards a Personalized Medicine through Liquid Biopsy in Alzheimer’s disease: Epigenome of cell-free DNA reveals methylation differences linked to APOE status
Authors: Macías Mónica , Alba-Linares Juan José , Acha Blanca , Blanco-Luquin Idoia , Fernández Agustín Fernández , Álvarez-Jiménez Johana , Urdánoz-Casado Amaya , Roldan Miren , Robles Maitane , Cabezon-Arteta Eneko , Alcolea Daniel , de Gordoa Javier Sánchez Ruiz , Corroza Jon , Cabello Carolina , Erro María Elena , Jericó Ivonne , Fraga Mario F. , Mendioroz Maite 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Recent studies show that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients harbor specific methylation marks in the brain. However, accessing this epigenetic information “locked in the brain” while patients are alive is challenging. Liquid biopsy technique enables the study of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments originated from cells that have died and released their genetic material into the bloodstream.
Methods: Here, we isolated and epigenetically characterized plasma cfDNA from 35 AD patients and 35 cognitively healthy controls. Next, we conducted a genome‑wide methylation analysis using the Infinium® MethylationEPIC BeadChip array to identify differential methylation marks in cfDNA between AD patients and controls. AD core biomarkers were also measured in blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples and correlated with differential methylation marks. Pyrosequencing and bisulfite cloning sequencing techniques were performed as an orthogonal validation for epigenome-wide results.
Results: Epigenome-wide cfDNA methylation analysis identified 102 differential methylated positions (DMPs) associated with AD at a nominal significance level, of which 74% were hypomethylated. We found significant correlations between DMPs in our dataset and main cognitive and functional status tests (60% for MMSE, and 80% for GDS), along with correlations with AD biomarkers in CSF and blood. In silico functional analysis linked up to 30 DMPs to neurological processes, identifying key regulators such as SPTBN4and the APOE gene. We identified several differentially methylated regions linked to APOE status annotated to genes already addressed as differentially methylated in AD condition and mostly in brain tissue (HKR1, ZNF154, HOXA5, TRIM40, ATG16L2, ADAMST2). In particular, a DMR in the HKR1 gene previously shown in to be hypermethylated in AD hippocampus was further validated in cfDNA with an orthogonal perspective.
Conclusions: The feasibility of blood sampling makes plasma cfDNA a promising source of epigenetic biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease that could be further used in the practice of personalized medicine. Despite pre-analytical and technical challenges, liquid biopsy is emerging as a promising technique to further explore in neurodegenerative diseases.