bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of stillbirth among mothers who gave birth at Bishoftu General Hospital, Ethiopia: using a Bayesian logistic regression model
Authors: Regassa Yeshi , Lemi Hunde , Charkos Tesfaye Getachew 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionStillbirth remains a major public health problem in developing countries due to low health coverage and services. Approximately two million stillbirths occur every year; in particular, stillbirths are highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. However, there is scarce information available in Ethiopia regarding the determinants of stillbirth.MethodsA facility-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted at Bishoftu General Hospital from April 1 to April 30, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select samples of the study subjects. The collected data were entered into Epi-info version 7.2. A Bayesian logistic regression model was used in this study, with a 95% Credible interval to determine the association between independent variables and stillbirth. All analyses were performed using STATA version 17 software.ResultsA total of 403 (81 cases and 322 controls) participants were included in the study. The average age of participants was 26 years (SD: ±5.03). According to the adjusted model, mothers who attained a middle school [adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.23; 95% credible interval [CrI]: 0.11, 0.43], diploma and above (AOR = 0.25; 95% CrI: 0.12, 0.46), rural residence (AOR = 2.55; 95% CrI: 1.11, 4.99), married women (AOR = 0.46; 95% CrI: 0.20, 0.93), ANC visits more than 4 (AOR = 0.35; 95% CrI: 0.17, 0.63), history of prior stillbirth (AOR = 8.71; 95% CI: 3.22, 17.69), previous history of abortion (AOR = 3.29; 95% CI: 1.13, 7.666), duration of labor more than 24 h (AOR = 3.71; 95% CI: 1.28, 7.83); normal birth weight (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.57) were significantly associated with stillbirth.ConclusionsThis study revealed that maternal education, rural residence, marital status, history of prior stillbirth, ANC visit, previous history of abortion, duration of labor, and birth weight were identified as determinants of stillbirth. Pregnant mothers should be identified early and given appropriate care, including comprehensive prenatal care and other maternal services.
Anxiety, depression, and perceived wellbeing in antenatal women at risk of preterm birth: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Worrall Semra , Christiansen Paul , Carlisle Naomi , Fallon Victoria , Khalil Asma , Shennan Andrew H. , Tribe Rachel M. , Carter Jenny , Silverio Sergio A. ,   The UK Preterm Clinical Network
Published: December 2024

IntroductionWomen identified at risk for preterm may be vulnerable to developing mental health difficulties due to the increased likelihood of poor pregnancy outcome and uncertainty surrounding their delivery. Formal assessment of mental wellbeing in specialist preterm birth clinics is not routinely offered, but may offer the opportunity for early intervention.MethodsWe aimed to investigate if demographic characteristics and obstetric risk factors were associated with psychological wellbeing in women at risk of preterm birth. We explored associations between mental wellbeing and risk factors for preterm birth using hierarchical regression analyses.ResultsWhen demographic variables were considered alone, high body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with anxiety (p = .026), however became non-significant when obstetric risk factors were also considered. Previous late miscarriage was associated with high anxiety (p = .049). Lower maternal age at estimated date of delivery (p = .019) and non-European ethnic heritage (p = .029) were significantly associated with depression. High maternal BMI (p &lt; .001), being of any other non-European ethnic heritage (p = .043), currently smoking (p = .002), and previous spontaneous preterm birth (p = .017) were associated with lower perceived wellbeing.DiscussionThe results of this study highlight the importance of routinely monitoring mental health in women with relevant risk factors, particularly if they are already at risk of preterm birth.
Modular (universal) CAR-T platforms in vivo: a comprehensive systematic review
Authors: Mohammad Afraa , Yurina Anna , Simonyan Tatiana , Chistyakov Daniil , Salman Rand , Zornikova Ksenia , Minina Elizaveta , Bogolyubova Apollinariya 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundModular (universal) CAR T-platforms were developed to combat the limitations of traditional CAR-T therapy, allowing for multiple targeting of tumor-associated antigens and the ability to control CAR-T cell activity. The modular CAR-T platform consists of a universal receptor (signaling module) that recognizes an adapter molecule on the soluble module, which is responsible for antigen recognition. Multiple platforms have been developed over the last 12 years, and some of them have entered the clinical trial phase. This systematic review seeks to evaluate the different parameters of modular CAR-T platforms performance in animal models.MethodsA systematic search of literature in the PubMed database and in Google Scholar and BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine) search engines was performed according to predefined eligibility criteria. All studies conducted on xenograft mouse models with any variant of modular CAR-T platforms were included. Forest plots were generated for visual presentation of the extracted quantitative findings (standardized mean difference (SMD) and median survival rate (MSR)).ResultsA total of 33 studies employing 15 different modular CAR-T platforms were included. The platforms varied in terms of CAR-T cells, soluble module doses, and their frequency of administration. The studies showed a reduction in tumor burden and in tumor volume compared to the combined negative group. In comparison with the positive control group, there was no significant change in tumor burden or volume. In all the included studies the experimental group had a higher survival probability compared to the combined negative group at the study endpoint, with no significant difference in survival rate compared to the positive control group.ConclusionThe modular CAR-T platforms are generally effective and are a valuable addition to the arsenal of CAR therapy.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023443984.
Association of dietary patterns with chronic respiratory health among U.S. adults
Authors: Li Hui , Tang XiaoLi , Guo XinWei , Zhang MingZhe , Zhang MingJie , Nie JiaQi , Fang SanYou , Zhang Hong , Shi Yuanmei , Dai Xiaorong , Li JiaQi , Yin Xin 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundRespiratory health is closely related to immune system function, and diet can also influence immune homeostasis. Diet, an important part of a healthy lifestyle, is also linked to respiratory health. We aimed to explore the relationship between different dietary patterns and the risk of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), including chronic bronchitis (CB), emphysema, and asthma.MethodA total of 23,042 adults from the United States were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset between 2007 and 2018. Diet quality was assessed using 2-day, 24-hour dietary recall data and quantified as the Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020), the Dietary Inflammation Index (DII), the Mediterranean Dietary Index (MEDI), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Index (DASHI). Binary logistic regression models, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and the weighted quartile sum (WQS) models were used to assess the relationship between diet quality and the risk of CB, emphysema, and asthma.ResultsIn logistic regression analyses of the four dietary indices with the three chronic respiratory diseases, it was consistently observed that higher dietary quality scores were linked to a reduced risk of respiratory disease. These consistent trends were also evident in the assessments of the dose–response relationship between dietary quality score and the risk of respiratory disease. Furthermore, evaluations of the combined effects of dietary components across different dietary indices in the risk of chronic respiratory disease yielded results consistent with the logistic regression models. Notably, high-quality protein, minerals, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables emerged as the food groups making the most significant contributions to health across different dietary indices.ConclusionLow-quality diets, lacking in high-quality protein, minerals, and fruits and vegetables rich in dietary fiber, are associated with a higher risk of chronic respiratory disease, regardless of the dietary index used to measure diet quality.
The evaluation of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time among diabetic and healthy controls in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Getu Fasil , Alemayehu Ermiyas , Tesfaye Addisu , Genanew Birhanu , Walle Muluken 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionDiabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion and/or insulin action. DM patients have a disturbance of hemostasis, leading to a prothrombotic state characterized by platelet hypersensitivity, coagulation factor disorders, and hypo-fibrinolysis. Therefore, the primary goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the pooled Standard Mean Difference (SMD) of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of DM patients in Africa.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted based on the guidelines of the PRISMA. PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Dove Press, Cochrane Online, and African journals online were searched systematically. The qualities of the included studies were assessed by two independent reviewers using the JBI critical appraisal tools. Data were extracted in an Excel sheet and then exported to STATA version 11 for analysis. A Random-effect model was fitted to estimate the pooled SMD and Higgins I-square test statistics were done to test the heterogeneity of studies. Funnel plots analysis and Egger-weighted regression tests were done to detect publication bias.ResultsThe pooled SMD of PT among DM patients in Africa was −0.18, (95% CI: −0.72, 0.36). The pooled SMD of APTT among DM patients in Africa was −0.48, (95% CI: −1.18, 0.21). There was no statistically significant difference in the SMD of PT and APTT among DM patients in Africa compared to healthy controls. The pooled SMD of APTT among Type 1 DM patients in Africa was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.04, 1.69) whereas the SMD among Type 2 DM was −0.42 (95% CI: −1.24, 0.40). The SMD of APTT in Type 1 DM and controls showed a statistically significant difference compared with Type 2 DM and controls (p = 0.041). The SMD of APTT in Africa that is determined using a case–control study design showed a statistically significant difference compared to the SMD that is determined using a comparative cross-sectional study design.Conclusion and recommendationsEven though different studies conducted across African countries showed the presence of coagulation abnormality in DM, this systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that there is no statistically significant SMD of PT and APTT in DM patients compared to healthy controls. However it is recommended that physicians routinely check APTT levels in Type I DM patients in order to evaluate coagulation status.
Helicobacter pylori infection and its impact on psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Yijiao , Deng Wenhui , Shi Chengzhi , Xie Jiaxin , Sui Daoshun 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionPsoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by immune-mediated inflammation. Recent research suggests a possible interaction between Helicobacter pylori infection and the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. However, over the past 5 years, no significant new evidence has clarified the relationship between H. pylori and skin diseases. This study aimed to determine the relationship between H. pylori infection and psoriasis through a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsWe searched for articles published in databases including PubMed, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Web of Science up to January 1, 2024. Statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0 software.ResultsOur search yielded 271 papers. After rigorous screening by multiple reviewers, 15 studies involving 2,427 individuals were included. The odds ratio for H. pylori infection was significantly higher in the psoriasis group than in the control group (odds ratio = 1.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.40–2.68, p &lt; 0.0001). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences in H. pylori infection rates between Asia and Europe. The type of study also did not significantly affect infection rates. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected H. pylori infection at a significantly higher rate than the breath test. Furthermore, the prevalence of H. pylori infection differed significantly between patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and those with mild psoriasis.ConclusionOur findings suggest a relationship between psoriasis and H. pylori infection, with variations observed based on geography, testing methods, and disease severity. These findings hold significant potential for guiding clinical practice.Systematic review registrationhttp://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, identifier CRD42022359427.
L-shaped association between triglyceride-glucose body mass index and short-term mortality in ICU patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
Authors: Xu Heping , Mo Ruiyong , Liu Yiqiao , Niu Huan , Cai Xiongwei , He Ping 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundSepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome, with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) being a common complication. Insulin resistance (IR) is closely related to the stress response, inflammatory response, and severity of critical illness. The triglyceride-glucose body mass index (TyG-BMI) is a valuable tool for assessing IR. However, the relationships between TyG-BMI and clinical outcomes in patients with SA-AKI remain unclear.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of ICU patients with SA-AKI using data from the MIMIC-IV database. The Boruta algorithm was employed to select significant features for predicting short-term mortality in SA-AKI patients. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, sensitivity analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) models, and Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival analysis were used to assess the relationship between TyG-BMI and short-term mortality in SA-AKI patients. Subgroup analyses considered the effects of age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidities and septic shock.ResultsThis study included 3,349 patients, with males accounting for 60.5% of the patients. The Boruta analysis identified the TyG-BMI as an important clinical feature. Higher TyG-BMI values were significantly associated with reduced short-term mortality rates (28, 90, and 180 days) in patients with SA-AKI; for each standard deviation increase in TyG-BMI, the risk of all-cause death decreased by 0.2% (p &lt; 0.0001). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with high TyG-BMIs had significantly lower mortality rates than did those with low TyG-BMIs. The RCS model revealed an L-shaped nonlinear relationship between the TyG-BMI and mortality. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the association remained significant even after excluding patients with myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or those who were hospitalized in the ICU for less than 2 days. Subgroup analyses revealed a significant interaction effect on short-term mortality in CRRT patients (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThe relationship between the TyG-BMI and short-term mortality in ICU patients with SA-AKI is significant, indicating its potential value for early risk assessment and clinical intervention.
Dynamic microbial changes in exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Choi Yong Jun , Park Hye Jung , Kim Chi Young , Choi Aeri , Cho Jae Hwa , Byun Min Kwang 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundMicrobial profiles in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) provide insights for predicting, preventing, and treating exacerbations. This study aimed to analyze the impact of microbial diversity and spectrum on COPD exacerbation.MethodsFrom November 1, 2018, to May 31, 2023, we prospectively enrolled patients with stable disease (SD) and exacerbation of COPD (ECOPD). Sputum samples were collected for microbiome DNA sequencing, and amplicon sequence variants were analyzed.ResultsWe collected sputum samples from 38 patients: 17 samples from patients with SD and samples from patients with ECOPD at two time points—during exacerbation (AE-1: 21 samples) and again during stabilization after 2 weeks of treatment (AE-2: 17 samples). Alpha diversity indices, specifically observed feature count and Fisher’s alpha index, were significantly higher in SD (133.0 [98.0–145.0]; 17.1 [12.7–19.6]) compared to AE-1 (88.0 [72.0–125.0], p = 0.025; 10.9 [8.5–16.1], p = 0.031). The SD showed significantly higher abundances of Neisseria (linear discriminant analysis [LDA] 4.996, adj.p = 0.021), Fusobacterium (LDA 3.688, adj.p = 0.047), and Peptostreptococcus (LDA 3.379, adj.p = 0.039) at the genus level compared to AE-1. At the species level, N. perflava (LDA 5.074, adj.p = 0.010) and H. parainfluenzae (LDA 4.467, adj. p = 0.011) were more abundant in SD. Hub genera in the microbial network included Haemophilus, Granulicatella, Neisseria, Lactobacillus, and Butyrivibrio in SD and Streptococcus, Gemella, Actinomyces, Klebsiella, and Staphylococcus in AE-1.ConclusionCOPD exacerbations are linked to changes in specific strains of normal flora. Maintaining microbial diversity and balance within the microbial network is critical for preventing and managing COPD exacerbations.
Identification of genetic associations between acute myocardial infarction and non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zheng Hao , Wang Jie , Zheng Yijia , Hong Xiaofan , Wang Luxi 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionA growing body of evidence suggests a potential connection between myocardial infarction (MI) and lung cancer (LC). However, the underlying pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This research aims to identify common genes and pathways between MI and LC through bioinformatics analysis.MethodsTwo public datasets (GSE166780 and GSE8569) were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Common DEGs were enriched using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Hub genes were identified and their diagnostic performance was evaluated. Gene co-expression networks, as well as regulatory networks involving miRNA-hub genes and TF-hub genes, were also constructed. Finally, candidate drugs were predicted.ResultsAmong the datasets, 34 common trend DEGs were identified. Enrichment analysis linked these DEGs to key biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. Eight hub genes (CEBPA, TGFBR2, EZH2, JUNB, JUN, FOS, PLAU, COL1A1) were identified, demonstrating promising diagnostic accuracy. Key transcription factors associated with these hub genes include SP1, ESR1, CREB1, ETS1, NFKB1, and RELA, while key miRNAs include hsa-mir-101-3p, hsa-mir-124-3p, hsa-mir-29c-3p, hsa-mir-93-5p, and hsa-mir-155-5p. Additionally, potential therapeutic drugs were identified, with zoledronic acid anhydrous showing potential value in reducing the co-occurrence of the two diseases.DiscussionThis study identified eight common signature genes shared between NSCLC and AMI. Validation datasets confirmed the diagnostic value of key hub genes COL1A1 and PLAU. These findings suggest that shared hub genes may serve as novel therapeutic targets for patients with both diseases. Ten candidate drugs were predicted, with zoledronic acid showing potential for targeting dual hub genes, offering a promising therapeutic approach for the comorbidity of lung cancer and myocardial infarction.
Anemia-associated smaller brain volume and sex differences: a cross-sectional study of magnetic resonance imaging in brain health checkups
Authors: Omori Naoki , Ishida Manabu , Takamura Masahiro , Abe Satoshi , Nagai Atsushi 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionAnemia is a risk factor for dementia development. However, few studies have examined the relationship between brain volume and anemia. This study aimed to analyze the association between anemia and brain volume using magnetic resonance imaging data from brain health checkups.MethodParticipants underwent brain health checkups between January 2015 and March 2022. Blood samples were collected to measure hemoglobin concentrations and mean corpuscular volumes. The modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate cognitive function. Magnetic resonance images were analyzed using voxel-based Morphometry to evaluate the overall patterns of brain volume. After extracting the principal components (PCs) from PC analysis, we investigated their association with MMSE scores and anemia.ResultsThis study included 1,029 participants and identified principal components, representing smaller volume in the frontal lobe (PC1), and smaller volume in the limbic system to the temporal lobe (PC2). A higher PC2 score was significantly associated with a lower MMSE score. Male participants with anemia had smaller bilateral PC1 volumes and left hippocampal volumes, and female participants with anemia had smaller bilateral PC2 volumes and hippocampus volumes.DiscussionPC2 may represent the extent of disease affecting limbic system volume, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Our results suggest that anemia may be associated with smaller volumes in the limbic system, especially in women. Further studies are required to determine which type of anemia is more strongly correlated with smaller brain volumes.
Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein in acute stroke: feasibility to determine stroke-type, timeline and tissue-impact
Authors: Paul Julien F. , Ducroux Célina , Correia Pamela , Daigneault Audrey , Larochelle Catherine , Stapf Christian , Gioia Laura C. 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundInterest is emerging regarding the role of blood biomarkers in acute stroke. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of biomarker acquisition in suspected acute stroke, using modern ultrasensitive immunoassay techniques, and explore their potential usefulness for stroke diagnosis and management.MethodsIn 62 patients with suspected acute stroke, blood samples were prospectively obtained upon arrival and prior to neuroimaging. Serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) and neurofilament light chain (sNfL) were analyzed using a single molecule array (SIMOA®) method, according to time of symptom onset, neuroimaging, and final diagnosis.ResultsAcute ischemic stroke (AIS) was diagnosed in 35 patients, 10 with large-vessel occlusion (LVO). The remaining were diagnosed with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (n = 12), transient ischemic attack (n = 4), and stroke mimics (n = 11). Median (IQR) sGFAP levels were significantly higher in ICH (2,877.8 [1,002.1–10,402.5] pg./mL) compared to others diagnoses. In AIS, GFAP levels appear to increase with longer delays since symptom onset and were higher in patients with more extensive ischemic changes on baseline CT (ASPECTS ≤7) than those without, particularly in LVO stroke. NfL values were similar across groups.ConclusionIn acute stroke, serum GFAP levels show potential as an adjunct tool for the distinction between ICH and AIS. Specific to AIS, GFAP may also offer insight into time from onset, and extent of ischemic tissue injury on neuroimaging, particularly in LVO stroke. These preliminary findings merit further study.