bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of local immunity by the vaginal microbiome is associated with triggering spontaneous preterm birth
Authors: Liang Yijia , Zhao Changying , Wen Yan , Sheng Dashuang , Wei Tiantian , Hu Tianqi , Dai Junhui , Zhao Guoping , Yang Sijie , Wang Qinghua , Zhang Lei 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify immune states associated with a high risk of preterm birth by immunophenotyping in pregnant populations, and to elucidate the characteristics of immune subtypes and their relationships with preterm birth. Additionally, it sought to uncover the microbial composition and functional characteristics of immune states linked to preterm birth, and to evaluate the impact of bacterial interactions on the initiation of preterm birth.MethodsUtilizing 16S rRNA sequencing data and local immune factor expression data from a publicly available longitudinal pregnancy cohort, we conducted immunophenotyping through unsupervised clustering of the immune factors. We compared the differences in vaginal microbiota richness, diversity, and composition between identified immune subtypes using α and β diversity analysis. Signature microbiotas were identified using LEfSe analysis, and functional pathway enrichment variations were analyzed using PICRUSt2. Bidirectional mediation analysis was employed to construct a network of mediating roles, and preliminary in vitro validation of the Microbial-Cytokine-Preterm Birth pathway was performed to explore the effects of microbial and immune characteristics on vaginal epithelial cell function.ResultsPregnant women were categorized into three immune subtypes based on local immune status. Microbial functional analysis identified 31 distinct functional pathways, six of which were downregulated in the preterm birth and excessive inflammatory response group. Significant differences in vaginal microbial diversity and composition were observed among pregnant women with different immune subtypes. Bidirectional mediation analysis revealed multiple intermediary roles in preterm birth, highlighting C3b/iC3b and IL-8 in mid-pregnancy and IgE and IgM in late pregnancy.ConclusionThis study classified pregnant women into three immune subtypes, with the excessive inflammatory response subtype showing a higher predisposition to preterm birth. Mid-pregnancy immune status emerged as a key indicator of preterm birth risk, associated with the vaginal microbiome composition. Microorganisms affected the occurrence of preterm birth by modulating immune factor levels, with time-specific mediation roles observed. Lactobacillus crispatus demonstrated potential in protecting against preterm birth by modulating vaginal immune status.
A randomized double-blinded study assessing the effect of different doses of transnasal dexmedetomidine on the median effective concentration of ropivacaine for a caudal block
Authors: Wang Fu , Qu Shijie , Chen Yinglu , Liao Bo , Ao Li , Zhang Hui , Zhou Hongyan , Zhang Liang 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundPerineural administration of dexmedetomidine (PN-DEX) can enhance the efficacy of local anesthetics used in regional nerve blocks while decreasing the median effective concentration (EC50) of these anesthetics. Intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine (IN-DEX) is more accessible for sedation during regional anesthesia because of its non-invasive systemic administration and demonstrates synergism with local anesthetic. However, it remains unclear whether IN-DEX affects the EC50 of local anesthetics used in caudal blocks.MethodsThis study was a prospective, single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Patients scheduled to undergo elective hemorrhoidectomy were included and divided into three groups. Furthermore, 0.01 mL/kg of normal saline and 1 μg/kg and 2 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine were dripped into both nostrils of the patients in groups IN-NS, IN-DEX1, and IN-DEX2, respectively. These were administered 15 min before the caudal block. The initial concentration of ropivacaine was set at 0.4%, which was then varied by 0.025% using the up-and-down sequential allocation method. Vital signs, instances of hypotension and bradycardia with treatment, and other adverse reactions were recorded and compared.ResultsThe EC50 values of ropivacaine were 0.275% (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.254–0.296%) in group IN-NS, 0.257% (95% CI, 0.238–0.276%) in group IN-DEX1, and 0.216% (95% CI, 0.195–0.236%) in group IN-DEX2. The EC95 values of ropivacaine were 0.315% (95% CI, 0.295–0.370%) in group IN-NS, 0.297% (95% CI, 0.278–0.351%) in group IN-DEX1, and 0.256% (95% CI, 0.236–0.310%) in group IN-DEX2. Compared to group IN-NS, the EC50 value of ropivacaine in IN-DEX2 was significantly decreased by 21.4% (p = 0.001), while there was no significant difference between group IN-NS and IN-DEX1 (p = 0.125). There were no differences in hypotension and bradycardia with treatment among the different groups.ConclusionIN-DEX decreased the EC50 of ropivacaine for the caudal block, and there was a specific dose-dependent effect for IN-DEX. The side effects were similar across all groups.
Neuroinflammation and glycosylation-related cerebrospinal fluid proteins for predicting functional decline in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a proteomic study
Authors: Nakamura Kimie , Fujita Koji , Suzuki Motohisa , Kunugi Akiyoshi , Hirozane Yoshihiko , Kunikata Tomonori , Takahashi Bitoku , Narazaki Genta , Kondo Hirofumi , Haji Shotaro , Hirai Keisuke , Izumi Yuishin 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundThe rate of disease progression varies widely among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Prognostic assessment using biomarkers is highly anticipated to improve clinical trial design. We aimed to explore the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for prognostic biomarkers to predict future functional decline in patients with ALS.MethodsWe collected CSF samples from 64 patients with ALS and 25 disease controls. The prospective progression rate was calculated using the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) at CSF collection and in 6 months. The ALS patients were classified into slow, intermediate, and fast progression groups. We performed comprehensive proteomic analyses of the CSF samples. Factors with significant changes between slow and fast progression groups were investigated via receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Moreover, the correlation of the CSF factors with progression rate was evaluated by multiple regression analyses.ResultsIn total, 26 proteins changed significantly (p &lt; 0.05 and q &lt; 0.10), with levels varying within a large dynamic range (fold change of &gt;1.5 or &lt; 0.5). A receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that the following proteins showed high discrimination power between slow and fast progression groups: glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB; area under the curve [AUC], 0.88), glial fibrillary acidic protein (AUC, 0.81), glypican-1 (GPC1; AUC, 0.79), alpha-1,6-mannosyl-glycoprotein 2-beta-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (AUC, 0.74), and chitinase-3-like protein 2 (CHI3L2; AUC, 0.73). Of these, GPNMB, GPC1, and CHI3L2 were significantly correlated to prognostic progression rate.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that CSF levels of neuroinflammation and glycosylation-related proteins were significantly correlated with prospective progression rates in patients with ALS. These proteins could be useful prognostic biomarkers for ALS.
Prevalence, incidence, and the time trends of sleep-disordered breathing among patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Su Xiaofeng , Liu Shanshan , Wang Cong , Cai Yan , Li Yijing , Wang Dongmin , Fan Zhaofeng , Jiang Yan 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundRecent studies have investigated the epidemiological burden of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with stroke; however, the results have been inconsistent, and the temporal trends of SDB after stroke remain unclear.ObjectiveTo perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and incidence of post-stroke SDB, evaluate demographic and clinical characteristic predictors of post-stroke SDB, and examine temporal trends in the overall burden of post-stroke SDB.MethodsWe searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library for studies reporting the burden of SDB in stroke patients published between 1 January 2010 and 30 December 2023. Two researchers independently screened the records for eligibility, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the studies. Data were analyzed using random effects meta-analyses, and sources of heterogeneity were explored using subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses.ResultsOut of the 8,799 references retrieved, none examined the incidence of SDB after stroke. However, 85 studies from 26 countries examined the prevalence of SDB and were included. The overall prevalence of SDB, mild SDB, and moderate to severe SDB were 60.0% (95% CI, 60.0–70.0%), 30.0% (95% CI, 23.0–37.0%), and 45.0% (95% CI, 33.0–57.0%), respectively. Meta-regression revealed that sex (p &lt; 0.0001) and sample size (p &lt; 0.01) were sources of heterogeneity among the studies. The pooled overall prevalence of SDB remained stable over time.ConclusionSDB is common in patients with stroke, and no reduction in the high prevalence of SDB has been observed over time, suggesting that early screening and prevention of post-stroke SDB still have not received sufficient attention. Moreover, additional studies investigating the incidence of this disease are needed to inform clinical practice.
Exploring consumers’ perceptions of online purchase decision factors: electroencephalography and eye-tracking evidence
Authors: Pšurný Michal , Mokrý Stanislav , Stavkova Jana 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionConsumer behavior on the Internet is influenced by factors that can affect consumers’ perceptions and attention to products. Understanding these processes at the neurobiological level can help to understand consumers’ implicit responses to marketing stimuli. The objective of this study is to use electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the differential effects of selected online purchase decision factors that are becoming increasingly important in online shopping.MethodsUsing event-related potentials (ERPs) and simultaneous eye-tracking measurements, we identified differences in the perception of utilitarian and hedonic products when the products are exposed together with visual elements of the factors review, discount, and quantity discount. The ERP analysis focused on the P200 and late positive potential components (LPP).ResultsBy allowing free-viewing of stimuli during measurement, early automatic and later more complex attentional affective responses could be observed. The results suggest that the review and discount factors are processed faster than the product itself. However, the eye-tracking data indicate that the brain processes the factor without looking at it directly, i.e., from a peripheral view.DiscussionThe study also demonstrates the possibilities of using new objective methods based on neurobiology and how they can be applied, especially in areas where the use of neuroscience is still rare, yet so much needed to objectify consumers’ knowledge of their need satisfaction behavior.
Analysis of anterior corneal surface shape after replacing orthokeratology lenses carrying a small base curve diameter
Authors: Chen Minfeng , Zhao Sijun , Peng Lulu , Rong Yu , Zhu Chengwei , Lu Fan , Mao Xinjie 
Published: November 2024

PurposeThe study analyzed the changes in corneal surface shape after replacing orthokeratology lenses carrying a small base curve (BC) diameter.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we included ~54 right eyes belonging to 54 myopic children who insisted on wearing an orthokeratology (ortho-k BC 6.0 mm) lens for more than 12 months and then replaced the second ortho-k (BC 6.0 mm or BC 5.0 mm) lens ~12 months. The children were categorized into two groups based on the design of the BC of the replaced ortho-k lens 6.0/5.0 and 6.0/6.0.ResultsThe ratio of axial length (AL) elongation in the 6.0/5.0 group was significantly less than in the 6.0/6.0 group (−0.015 ± 0.014 mm/M vs. −0.005 ± 0.012 mm/M, t = −2.672, P = 0.010). After replacing the BC 5.0 ortho-k lens, the optical zone (8.19 ± 2.60 mm2 vs. 9.64 ± 1.57 mm2, t = −2.345, p = 0.023), reverse zone (31.64 ± 5.80 mm2 vs. 34.86 ± 4.61 mm2, t = −2.169, p = 0.035), and treatment zone (17.16 ± 3.94 mm2 vs. 22.96 ± 2.59 mm2, t = −6.049, p &lt; 0.001) were all smaller than those in the 6.0/6.0 group. In the 6.0/5.0 group, the optical zone (wearing more than 1 month as first: 11.16 ± 2.12 mm2, the last inspection before replacing lens as before: 10.87 ± 1.90 mm2), reverse curve zone (first: 22.03 ± 3.11 mm2, before: 26.24 ± 5.06 mm2), and treatment zone (first: 35.97 ± 5.54 mm2, before: 37.11 ± 6.04 mm2) were all greater than these after replacing ortho-k lens (all P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionReplacing an ortho-k lens with a smaller BC resulted in a larger decrease in the mean central corneal zone and a substantial increase in the paracentral corneal zone. In addition, the ortho-k lens with a smaller BC does not increase the decentration distance and contributes to effective myopia control.
Association of Body Roundness Index and A Body Shape Index with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: insights from NHANES 2015–2018 data
Authors: Pan Xue , Liu Fang , Fan Jiayi , Guo Qihan , Guo Mengfei , Chen Yuxin , Sun Jingyao , Cao Xuezhao 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveThis study examines the relationship between several anthropometric indices-Body Roundness Index (BRI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Waist-to-Weight Index (WWI), Waist Circumference (WC), and Body Mass Index (BMI)-and the prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2015 to 2018.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 7,004 adult participants was conducted using NHANES 2015–2018 data. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were employed to assess the association between BRI, ABSI, and OSA. Non-linear relationships were explored via smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis using a two-part linear regression model. Subgroup analyses identified sensitive populations, and the discriminatory power of the indices in screening OSA was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsThe analysis revealed a significant positive association between BRI and OSA, with a threshold effect observed at a BRI of 4.3. Below this threshold, OSA risk increased with higher BRI; however, no significant association was found above this threshold. Similarly, ABSI demonstrated a threshold effect at 8.2, with OSA risk positively associated to the left and negatively associated to the right. Subgroup analyses indicated stronger associations in younger and non-diabetic populations. ROC analysis identified BRI as a promising predictive tool for OSA, with an AUC of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.62–0.65).ConclusionBRI demonstrates significant potential as a predictive index for OSA incidence, warranting further large-scale prospective studies to validate these findings.
Case report: Triple-negative breast cancer with low tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes infiltration and good prognosis: a case of Tall Cell Carcinoma with Reversed Polarity and review of the literature
Authors: Jiao Shuoying , Chen Junpeng , Shen Jiumei , Peng Ajing , Chen Ruifu , Lai Baoyong , Luo Chunhua , Fan Yingyi , Pei Xiaohua 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a great challenge for clinical management due to the high rate of metastatic recurrence and lack of recognised therapeutic targets, while tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) infiltration in TNBC has been discovery provides an opportunity for immunotherapy, and studies have suggested that the level of TILs infiltration is positively correlated with TNBC survival. We found a rare case of TNBC with low TILs infiltration but good prognosis, named Tall Cell Carcinoma with Reversed Polarity (TCCRP), and we investigated it from the perspective of TILs infiltration in order to improve the clinical data of TCCRP.Case presentationa 54-year-old woman with a left breast mass, breast ultrasound showed BI-RADS IVb, puncture diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma, postoperative pathology showed papillary structure, cubic and high columnar arrangement of cells, nuclei far away from the base, interstitial fibroplasia, diagnosed as TCCRP. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumours were triple-negative breast cancer (negative for ER, PR, and HER-2), with a low Ki-67 proliferation index. TILs were &lt; 10%, with a small infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, positive expression of SMA and FAP, and IDH2, PIK3CA gene mutation. The patient underwent postoperative chemotherapy, 11 months follow-up, no recurrence and metastasis.ConclusionTCCRP is a rare TNBC with inert biological behaviours and good prognosis. We found low infiltration of TILs in the pathological tissue of this case, which may be a characteristic of TCCRP, and the presence of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAF) in the interstitium of the tumour in this case may have suppressed the anti-tumour immunity to some extent, and further studies on the immune characteristics of the tumour microenvironment (TME) in TCCRP are needed.
Long-term survival in metastatic gastric cancer patient with Apatinib plus S-1 maintenance treatment following first-line chemotherapy—case report
Authors: Wang Zhen , Li Hao , Guan Yue , Wu Mingshuang , Hu Manqing , Fang Chenchen , Wu Huaxing , Yang Maopeng 
Published: November 2024

AimGastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the fifth most common cancer globally. In China, many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and cannot be operated on, so the prognosis is very poor. The role of maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy in gastric cancer is still unclear. Apatinib is a small-molecule VEGFR-2 TKI and is currently approved for third-line treatment after failure of second-line chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. In this article, we use case reports to illustrate its effectiveness and to study what effective maintenance treatments are available for gastric cancer.MethodsThe main treatment is chemotherapy and targeted therapy. We reported a 68-year-old man with a diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer with liver metastasis. From 12/2014 to 05/2015 Oxaliplatin + S-1(dose) chemotherapy for 6 cycles, the efficacy of partial response (PR) evaluation. After the patient’s oral S-1 + Apatinib (dose) to maintain the therapeutic usage and dosage, the patient is well tolerated, the tumor is reviewed regularly, and the condition is stable. The patient was finally infected with the COVID-2019 in May 2023, resulting in death after ineffective treatment.ResultsAfter Oxaliplatin combined with S-1 regimen, the effect was up to PR. S-1 combined with Apatinib maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy, the patient has survived for more than 7 years without progression.ConclusionsThe current treatment of advanced gastric cancer is not satisfactory. The combined application of S-1 and Apatinib in gastric cancer maintenance therapy deserves further study. Maintenance therapy for gastric cancer has attracted wide attention, and more large-scale clinical research is under way.
Exploring the impact of physical exercise on mental health among female college students: the chain mediating role of coping styles and psychological resilience
Authors: Cao Longan , Ao Xiaorong , Zheng Zhirong , Ran Zhengban , Lang Jun 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundFemale college students are a high-risk group for psychological conflicts, and they are more likely to adopt negative coping styles under stress, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems, as well as pose hidden threats to the healthy development of school education and social work. Although physical exercise is an important means of effectively alleviating the psychological health of female college students, and there may be a close relationship between coping styles and psychological resilience with physical exercise and psychological health, specific ways to promote the psychological health of female college students by influencing their coping styles and enhancing their psychological resilience have yet to be explored.MethodsThe present study employed a cross-sectional design to investigate a sample of Chinese undergraduate female college students. A total of 659 participants were recruited during the second half of the 2023–2024 academic year, and they all completed assessments including the Physical Activity Rating Scale, College Mental Health Scale, Brief Coping Styles Questionnaire, and Psychological Resilience Scale. Subsequently, descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the obtained reliable data.Results and conclusionThe study revealed two significant correlations among female college students, namely the associations between physical exercise, coping styles, psychological flexibility, and mental health. Specifically, physical exercise exhibited a positive relationship with positive coping styles and psychological resilience while displaying a negative association with negative coping styles and mental health. Moreover, psychological resilience demonstrated a positive correlation with positive coping styles but displayed negative relationships with both negative coping styles and mental health. Additionally, there was a negative relationship observed between positive coping styles and mental health. Furthermore, it was found that physical exercise significantly impacted the mental health of female college students in a detrimental manner; meanwhile, coping styles and psychological resilience played crucial mediating roles in linking physical exercise to mental health outcomes. Ultimately, our mediation model sheds the underlying mechanisms through which physical exercise predicts mental health levels among female college students; these findings underscore the importance of promoting physical exercise as an effective means to enhance overall well-being.