bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of acupuncture for functional constipation in elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Song ShiWei , Hao WenFeng , Fu HongFang 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundNumerous clinical studies have shown that patients suffering from functional constipation can benefit by combining medication with acupuncture. There have been no published reviews or meta-analyses regarding the use of acupuncture in treating functional constipation in older adults. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis to assess the impact of acupuncture on elderly patients dealing with functional constipation.MethodsThis study retrieved randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture therapy for functional constipation in the elderly from several electronic databases, including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. In these databases, clinical investigators evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture as a primary treatment for elderly people with functional constipation. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used by researchers to evaluate the quality of the study.ResultsA total of 469 elderly individuals were included in 8 RCTs. The meta-analysis yielded compelling findings: the application of acupuncture has significantly elevated the rates of treatment effectiveness compared to the control group. Compared with the control group, the treatment group exhibited a statistically significant difference in complete spontaneous bowel movements after treatment. The two groups showed no significant difference in spontaneous bowel movements. However, there was a significant difference in the Bristol Stool Scale scores. The Defecation Difficulty Score and Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) showed p-values that indicated no significant effect. However, acupuncture improved bowel movements, demonstrating a significant difference in the Clinic Constipation Score (CCS) when comparing the two groups. The Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) and 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) contents changed significantly after intervention in both groups. An article reported that the improvement of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores was better in the treatment group than in the control group.ConclusionThe analysis results indicated that acupuncture can be beneficial for elderly people with functional constipation; however, strong and comprehensive data are not yet obtainable. Given that our study is based on evidence that is of a low-to-moderate quality, further high-quality research is necessary to enhance the feasibility and practicability of this treatment.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024533215.
Molecular surveillance and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial contamination in pastries of Iranian confectioneries: a public health concern
Authors: Hosseini Shiva , Motallebirad Tahereh , Mohammadi Mohammad Reza , Safarabadi Mehdi , Beheshti Zeynab , Orouji Mohammad Ali , Mardanshah Omid , Azadi Davood 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionMicrobial contamination in food products such as pastries, poses a significant public health concern due to the potential risks of foodborne infection and outbreak, Therefore, to prevent these infections, it is essential to investigate the frequency and extent of microbial contamination as well as the level of drug resistance in pastries. Due to this issue, our study aimed to assess the microbial diversity and the drug susceptibility patterns of microbial pollutants in pastry shops in Markazi province, Iran.MethodsThe study involved collecting 120 pastry samples from 30 pastry shops in Markazi province, Iran. The isolates were identified using a series of biochemical, phenotypic, and molecular assays, including specific PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Drug susceptibility testing (AST) was performed by using the Kirby-Bauer method according to the CLSI 2023 guidelines.Results and discussionA total of 56 isolates (46.66%) were recovered from 120 pastries samples, The most prevalent species isolated in the current study were S. aureus 12 isolates (21.43%), M. luteus 7 isolates (12.5%), E. coli 7 isolates (12.5%), S. warneri 6 isolates (11.12%), 6 isolates of S. succinus (11.12%), B. cereus 5 isolates (10.7%), Nocardia 4 isolates (7.15%), K. pneumoniae 3 isolates (5.35%), S. epidermidis 3 isolates (5.35%), and E. faecium 3 isolates (5.35%). The isolates showed the most sensitivity to imipenem and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and the least sensitivity to erythromycin and tetracycline. The AST showed that 7 isolates of S. aureus were MRSA, 3 isolates of E. coli and, 2 isolates of K. pneumoniae were identified as ESBL. In conclusion, the results of the current study showed that the microbial contamination of pastries produced in confectionaries of Markazi province was not in standard ranges. These problems may be related to fecal contamination of pastries or lack of hygiene by handlers and it is urgent to develop the standards of hygiene of food handling techniques and aseptic pastry production in confectioneries.
Relationship between the risk of intestinal mucosal Epstein–Barr virus and/or cytomegalovirus infection and peripheral blood NK cells numbers in patients with ulcerative colitis: a cross-sectional study in Chinese population
Authors: Tian Ye , Dai Jinghua , Yang Yunfeng , Guo Xiaofeng , Wang Wei , Li Fengxia , Wang Juzi , Liu Ruiyun 
Published: December 2024

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the relationship between the risk of common opportunistic pathogens Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in intestinal mucosal tissues of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) patients and the number of peripheral blood NK cells.MethodsUC patients admitted to a third-grade class-A hospital from January 2018 to December 2023 were selected as research population. Clinical data of the patients were collected from the electronic medical record system. Additionally, samples of intestinal mucosal tissues were obtained for real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR to detect and analyze the viral load of CMV and EBV. Blood samples were collected for lymphocyte subsets analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models analyses was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the independent association between NK cells and EBV/CMV infections in UC. We further applied the restricted cubic spline analysis and smooth curve fitting to examine the non-linear relationship between them.Results378 UC patients were enrolled. Of these patients, there were 194 patients (51.32%) with EBV /CMV infection. In multivariable logistic regression analyses NK cells was independently associated with EBV and/or CMV infection after adjusted potential confounders (OR 8.24, 95% CI 3.75–18.13, p &lt; 0.001). A nonlinear relationship was found between NK cells and EBV/CMV infections, which had a threshold around 10.169. The effect sizes and CIs below and above the threshold were 0.535 (0.413–0.692), p &lt; 0.001 and 1.034 (0.904–1.183), p &gt; 0.05, respectively.ConclusionThere was a non-linear relationship between NK cells and EBV/CMV infections. The risk for EBV/CMV infections was not increased with increasing NK cells in individuals with NK cells ≥ 10.169%, whereas the risk for EBV and/or CMV infection was increased with an decreasing NK cells in those with NK cells &lt; 10.169%. The risk of EBV/CMV infections increases when NK cells were below a certain level.
Posture-invariant myoelectric control with self-calibrating random forests
Authors: Jiang Xinyu , Ma Chenfei , Nazarpour Kianoush 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionMyoelectric control systems translate different patterns of electromyographic (EMG) signals into the control commands of diverse human-machine interfaces via hand gesture recognition, enabling intuitive control of prosthesis and immersive interactions in the metaverse. The effect of arm position is a confounding factor leading to the variability of EMG characteristics. Developing a model with its characteristics and performance invariant across postures, could largely promote the translation of myoelectric control into real world practice.MethodsHere we propose a self-calibrating random forest (RF) model which can (1) be pre-trained on data from many users, then one-shot calibrated on a new user and (2) self-calibrate in an unsupervised and autonomous way to adapt to varying arm positions.ResultsAnalyses on data from 86 participants (66 for pre-training and 20 in real-time evaluation experiments) demonstrate the high generalisability of the proposed RF architecture to varying arm positions.DiscussionOur work promotes the use of simple, explainable, efficient and parallelisable model for posture-invariant myoelectric control.
Signal detection and analysis of adverse events associated with Genvoya® based the FAERS database
Authors: Wang Chengliang , Zhang Yan , Tang Xiting , Zhang Guoping , Chen Li 
Published: December 2024

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate and understand the safety profile of Genvoya® by mining and analyzing adverse drug event (ADE, adverse drug event) reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS, FDA Adverse Event Reporting System) database, thus providing valuable reference information for individuals infected with HIV.MethodsData were obtained from the FAERS database, covering the period from the first quarter of 2015 to the fourth quarter of 2023, focusing on reports where Genvoya® was the primary suspected drug. Data import and extraction were conducted using MySQL 8.0, with adverse events standardized according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA, Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) 27.0 terminology. Potential adverse event signals were identified through disproportionality analysis, including the reporting odds ratio (ROR, reporting odds ratio) method and the comprehensive standard by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) method. Statistical analyses and graphical representations were performed.ResultsA total of 2, 376 adverse drug event reports related to Genvoya® were analyzed. Reports from male patients accounted for 74.33%, while those from female patients accounted for 22.39%. Common adverse events included weight gain, drug interactions, and increased viral load. Additionally, new potential adverse reactions, such as fat redistribution, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, and meningoencephalitis, were identified. These reactions were not adequately described in the existing literature and drug labels.ConclusionMultiple adverse reactions were observed with the use of Genvoya®. Clinicians should closely monitor these reactions and implement necessary preventive and intervention measures based on patient-specific conditions and treatment guidelines. Although this study has limitations, the analysis of FAERS database data has revealed various potential risks associated with Genvoya®, providing important safety references for HIV treatment.
Development of a UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of sulfatinib and its no interaction with myricetin in rats
Authors: Chen Dongxin , Chen Jie , Xia Hailun , Chen Xiaohai , Hu Jinyu , Wu Guangliang , Xu Xuegu 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionSulfatinib is a novel oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with selective inhibition of fibroblast growth factor (FGFR), colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1, 2, and 3. It has been approved for the therapy of neuroendocrine tumors arising in the non-pancreatic (December 2020) and pancreatic (June 2021) glands. Until now, there has no research on the determination of sulfatinib in biological medium by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method.MethodsThe current study validated a sensitive and reliable quantitative detection of sulfatinib in plasma using UPLC-MS/MS for the first time, and investigated the interaction with myricetin in rats. Acetonitrile was used to precipitate the plasma protein, and lenvatinib was employed as the internal standard (IS).ResultsThe method demonstrated that sulfatinib presented high linearity over the concentration of 11–2,000 ng/mL with the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 1 ng/mL. It was validated methodologically that the precision, matrix effect, stability, accuracy and extraction recovery were all within the allowable values. Moreover, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned randomly to assess the interaction between sulfatinib (30 mg/kg) and myricetin (50 mg/kg). Nevertheless, no significant differences of the main pharmacokinetic parameters were revealed. This may be due to insufficient doses of myricetin, or failure of myricetin to act in a timely manner in vivo.DiscussionThe findings contributed to a better understanding of the metabolism and drug-drug interaction of sulfatinib, but the presence or absence of interactions needs to be confirmed by further studies.
Asparagus officinalis L. extract exhibits anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects in endometrial cancer cells and a transgenic mouse model of endometrial cancer
Authors: Fang Ziwei , Kong Weimin , Zhao Ziyi , Sun Wenchuan , Xu Guangxu , Clark Leslie H. , Sullivan Stephanie A. , Tran Arthur-Quan , Zhou Chang-Sheng , Sun Delin , Zhao Luyu , Wang Jiandong , Zhou Chunxiao , Bae-Jump Victoria L. 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionEndometrial cancer is the most common malignancy of the female reproductive system in the United States. Asparagus officinalis is a versatile, nutrient-dense, low-calorie vegetable that contains various bioactive metabolites that have shown a variety of biologic functions beneficial to health. The metabolites from asparagus officinalis extracts or asparagus officinalis extracts exhibit significant anti-tumorigenic activity in some pre-clinical models of cancer.MethodsEndometrial cancer cells were used to study the effects of asparagus officinalis on anti-proliferation, anti-invasion and increased sensitivity to cisplatin, and obese and lean Lkb1fl/flp53fl/fl mouse model of endometrial cancer was used to study the role of asparagus officinalis in tumor growth.ResultsTreatment with increasing concentrations of Asparagus officinalis extracts significantly inhibited cell proliferation, reduced glycolytic activity, induced cellular stress and apoptosis, caused cell cycle G1 arrest, increased the sensitivity of cells to cisplatin, reduced cell adhesion and invasion, and activation of AMPK and inhibition of the AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways in endometrial cancer cells. Moreover, asparagus officinalis extracts suppressed cell adhesion and invasion through the modulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process. Asparagus officinalis extract treatment for 4 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in tumor growth in Lkb1fl/flp53fl/fl mice under both obese and lean conditions, with a decrease in Ki-67 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression and an increase in Bip expression in endometrial tumors.DiscussionThese findings provide strong preclinical evidence for the potential therapeutic benefit of asparagus officinalis extract as a novel dietary strategy in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Further clinical trials of dietary intervention of asparagus officinalis or combination with cisplatin in patients with endometrial cancer are warranted.
MADRS single items differential changes among patients with melancholic and unspecified depression treated with ECT: an exploratory study
Authors: Pozuelo Moyano Beatriz , Ranjbar Setareh , Swierkosz-Lenart Kevin , Schuster Jean Pierre , Zullo Leonardo , von Gunten Armin , Vandel Pierre 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) exhibits heterogeneity in treatment response.ObjectiveThis exploratory analysis aims to evaluate the differential changes in individual items of the MADRS between melancholic MDD (M-MDD) and unspecified MDD (U-MDD) following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).MethodsThe study included 23 patients with unipolar MDD who received ECT. Patients were classified as M-MDD or U-MDD according to DSM-5 criteria. MADRS scores were assessed at baseline and one-month post-ECT. Differences between subtypes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test and multiple linear regression.ResultsAmong 23 participants receiving ECT for MDD, 10 had M-MDD and 13 had U-MDD. Baseline MADRS items showed significantly higher scores in the M-MDD group, except for reported sadness, suicidal ideation, and concentration difficulties. Total MADRS score reduction was significantly greater in the M-MDD group. This decline was especially pronounced in M-MDD patients for specific items, including apparent sadness, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, sleep disturbances, reduced appetite, and concentration difficulties, after adjusting for age and sex.ConclusionMADRS score reductions were more substantial for M-MDD than U-MDD in both total and specific items following one month of ECT. Further research with larger samples is needed to clarify MADRS response differences after ECT between melancholic and unspecified depressive subtypes.
Exploring the utilization of targeted intervention services by transgender individuals in Uttarakhand, India: a qualitative study
Authors: Khapre Meenakshi , Sahoo Krushna , Saxena Vartika , Sinha Smita , Luthra Gagandeep , Joshi Anubhuti 
Published: December 2024

PurposeTransgender (TG) women face violence, discrimination, and stigma, which affect their mental health and hinder their access to targeted intervention (TI) services. This lack of access may increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infections (HIV/STIs). However, the utilization of TI services among transgender women in Uttarakhand, as well as across the country, remains understudied. The purpose of this study is to explore the utilization of TI services by the transgender community in Uttarakhand.MethodsThis qualitative study focused on non-government organizations (NGOs) that implement TI projects in Haridwar and Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. From September 2023 to January 2024, 5 focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 24 transgender women and 9 in-depth interviews (IDIs) involving NGO staff were conducted. Thematic analysis, guided by the Anderson and Newman healthcare utilization model, was employed.ResultsSeveral barriers to service utilization were identified, including ritual beliefs, low health literacy, stigma, social isolation, financial insecurity, privacy concerns, and inefficient service delivery. Challenges in the implementation of the STI program and neglect of transgender women in health facilities were also reported. However, enabling factors such as trusted providers, supportive laws, and initiatives by NGOs and government agencies were recognized. Nonetheless, there remains a significant need for information on gender-affirming services and addressing other prevalent health issues within the transgender female community.ConclusionThe study underscores the interplay of individual, social, and service-related factors affecting healthcare access among transgender women. Inclusive and high-quality healthcare services are necessary to address the complex sociocultural aspects influencing transgender women’s healthcare access and utilization.
Empowering sustainable development: revolutionizing agricultural green total factor productivity through rural digitalization
Authors: Zeng Fanjun , Zhou Yingying , Wei Bin 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionThe rapid advancement of digital technology has catalyzed the emergence of “digital villages,” presenting both new opportunities and challenges for the digital transformation of agriculture. This transformation has become a core driving force behind sustainable agricultural development. This paper utilizes panel data from 30 provincial-level administrative regions of mainland China (excluding Tibet) for the period 2011 to 2020 to explore how digital rural development (DRD) impacts agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) and examines its underlying mechanisms.MethodsRegarding variable measurement, the study employs the entropy weighting method to quantify the DRD and uses an extended Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist model to assess AGTFP. For the research approach, the study constructs a two-way fixed effects model to evaluate the impact of DRD on AGTFP and explores the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, the study conducts benchmark regression analysis, endogeneity tests, robustness tests, mechanism examinations, and heterogeneity tests.Results(1) DRD significantly enhances AGTFP, a conclusion that remains robust following the province-year clustering robust standard error estimates, winsorization tests, and excluding COVID-19-affected years. (2) Mechanistic analysis indicates that DRD primarily boosts AGTFP by promoting the development of digital inclusive finance (DIF) and facilitating the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries (IPST). (3) Heterogeneity tests show that the positive impact of DRD on AGTFP is more pronounced in regions with higher levels of informatization and central regions of China.DiscussionTo harness DRD’s potential more effectively in fostering sustainable agricultural development, policymakers should concentrate on DIF and the IPST. Additionally, the government should pay close attention to disparities in informatization levels and resource allocation across regions and develop targeted strategies accordingly. Fundamentally, this study aims to elucidate China’s efficacy in rural digitalization and the green transformation of agriculture to an international audience. It seeks to provide insights and guidance on formulating more scientific, efficient, and sustainable strategies for agricultural development worldwide, thereby promoting green agricultural growth and supporting rural revitalization.
Misi Fransiskus Palau “Pelayanan Kepada Gereja sebagai Tubuh Mistik” Bagi Para Suster Carmelite Missionaries
Authors: Boe Maria Roswita , Panda Herman Punda , Naif Oktovianus 
Published: December 2024

Misi merupakan elemen esensial dalam tradisi Gereja yang berakar pada misi inklusif Yesus, mencerminkan kasih dan keadilan Allah. Adanya tantangan modern seperti relativisme dan dominasi teknologi, komunitas hidup bakti perlu meninjau kembali semangat pendiri mereka agar misi dan spiritualitas tetap relevan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif untuk menganalisis tulisan Beato Fransiskus Palau dan Konstitusi para Suster Carmelite Missionaries, bertujuan menggali ajaran teologis dan praktik spiritual mereka. Fokus penelitian adalah teologi misi Beato Fransiskus Palau, "Misteri Persatuan: Mencintai Tuhan dan Sesama," serta penerapannya dalam kehidupan para suster Carmelite Missionaries dalam menghadapi tantangan kontemporer. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa misi Beato Fransiskus Palau menekankan cinta kepada Gereja sebagai anggota Tubuh Mistik Kristus melalui integrasi cinta kepada Tuhan dan sesama, serta keseimbangan antara kontemplasi dan pelayanan. Kesimpulannya, bagi Beato Fransiskus Palau, misi Kristiani melibatkan gabungan pelayanan aktif dan kehidupan kontemplatif, di mana para suster dan setiap kaum beriman diharapkan mengintegrasikan kasih dalam doa, iman, dan pelayanan untuk mencerminkan kasih ilahi di dunia.