bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing public engagement through NICU storytelling on Facebook and Instagram: a case study from Gaslini Children’s Hospital
Authors: Canepa Maria E. , Macciò Maura , Raffini Luca , Striano Pasquale , Ramenghi Luca A. 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundSocial media platforms, particularly Instagram, have become pivotal in disseminating medical information to the public. However, the challenge of presenting neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stories in a manner that is both engaging and informative remains significant, especially in the context of a reputable pediatric hospital.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the effectiveness of Instagram as a storytelling medium for NICU experiences at the Gaslini Children’s Hospital, focusing on the impact of various storytelling elements on audience engagement and follower growth.MethodsWe analyzed Facebook and Instagram posts of the Gaslini Children’s Hospital, examining factors such as emotional appeal, news value, and content quality. Additionally, we considered the adherence of these posts to journalistic and medical guidelines.ResultsThe research identified key themes in successful posts, including emotional resonance, portrayal of medical excellence, and humanization of patient stories. Posts that effectively combined these elements saw a significant increase in audience engagement, including likes, comments, and shares.ConclusionStrategic storytelling on Instagram can significantly enhance public engagement with hospital content, fostering a deeper connection between the institution and its audience. This study underscores the significance of narrative elements and adherence to ethical guidelines in crafting compelling medical stories for social media.
The microglial innate immune receptor TREM2 participates in fear memory formation through excessive prelimbic cortical synaptic pruning
Authors: Zhang Le-le , Cheng Peng , Chu Yuan-qing , Zhou Zi-ming , Hua Rong , Zhang Yong-mei 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionFear memory formation has been implicated in fear- and stress-related psychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and phobias. Synapse deficiency and microglial activation are common among patients with PTSD, and induced in animal models of fear conditioning. Increasing studies now focus on explaining the specific mechanisms between microglia and synapse deficiency. Though newly-identified microglia regulator triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) plays a role in microglial phagocytic activity, its role in fear-formation remains unknown.MethodsWe successfully constructed a fear- formation model by foot-shock. Four days after foot-shock, microglial capacity of synaptic pruning was investigated via western blotting, immunofluorescence and Golgi-Cox staining. Prelimbic chemical deletion or microglia inhibition was performed to detect the role of microglia in synaptic loss and neuron activity. Finally, Trem2 knockout mice or wild-type mice with Trem2 siRNA injection were exposed to foot-shock to identify the involvement of TREM2 in fear memory formation.ResultsThe results herein indicate that the foot-shock protocol in male mice resulted in a fear formation model. Mechanistically, fear conditioning enhanced the microglial capacity for engulfing synapse materials, and led to glutamatergic neuron activation in the prelimbic cortex. Prelimbic chemical deletion or microglia inhibition improved fear memory formation. Further investigation demonstrated that TREM2 regulates microglial phagocytosis, enhancing synaptic pruning. Trem2 knockout mice showed remarkable reductions in prelimbic synaptic pruning and reduced neuron activation, with decreased fear memory formation.DiscussionOur cumulative results suggest that prelimbic TREM2-mediated excessive microglial synaptic pruning is involved in the fear memory formation process, leading to development of abnormal stress-related behavior.
Associations between tertiary lymphoid structure density and immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in solid tumors: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jiang Bin , Wu Zhuo , Zhang Yang , Yang Xueying 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundTertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) play a crucial role in tumor immunity, yet their relationship with the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in cancer therapy is not fully understood. This study aims to systematically evaluate how TLS density influences treatment outcomes in cancer patients receiving ICI therapy.MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for eligible studies published before January 22, 2024. Our analysis encompassed odds ratios (ORs) for response rates (RRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) for progression-free survival (PFS), each with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsOur meta-analysis, including 19 clinical trials with 1,752 patients, identified a strong correlation between high TLS density and increased RR to ICIs (OR= 2.99, 95% CI: 2.14-4.18, P &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, a higher TLS density was associated with prolonged PFS (HR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.63-0.88, P &lt; 0.001). Specifically, in the context of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer (BC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), esophageal cancer (EC), and urothelial carcinoma (UC), a significant relationship was observed between high TLS density and better ICI efficacy. Publication bias did not affect the integrity of our conclusions. Sensitivity analysis further reinforced the reliability of our aggregated outcomes.ConclusionOur meta-analysis underscores the predictive role of TLS density in determining the RR and PFS among cancer patients undergoing ICI therapy. These results highlight the prognostic significance of TLS, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for guiding treatment decisions, even in tumor types traditionally considered ICI-resistant. Clinicians are recommended to assess TLS density as a part of patient evaluation to optimize ICI therapy initiation.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023439875.
Development and validation of preeclampsia predictive models using key genes from bioinformatics and machine learning approaches
Authors: Li Qian , Wei Xiaowei , Wu Fan , Qin Chuanmei , Dong Junpeng , Chen Cailian , Lin Yi 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundPreeclampsia (PE) poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study aims to identify novel genes for potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets, illuminating the immune mechanisms involved.MethodsThree GEO datasets were analyzed, merging two for training set, and using the third for external validation. Intersection analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and WGCNA highlighted candidate genes. These were further refined through LASSO, SVM-RFE, and RF algorithms to identify diagnostic hub genes. Diagnostic efficacy was assessed using ROC curves. A predictive nomogram and fully Connected Neural Network (FCNN) were developed for PE prediction. ssGSEA and correlation analysis were employed to investigate the immune landscape. Further validation was provided by qRT-PCR on human placental samples.ResultFive biomarkers were identified with validation AUCs: CGB5 (0.663, 95% CI: 0.577-0.750), LEP (0.850, 95% CI: 0.792-0.908), LRRC1 (0.797, 95% CI: 0.728-0.867), PAPPA2 (0.839, 95% CI: 0.775-0.902), and SLC20A1 (0.811, 95% CI: 0.742-0.880), all of which are involved in key biological processes. The nomogram showed strong predictive power (C-index 0.873), while FCNN achieved an optimal AUC of 0.911 (95% CI: 0.732-1.000) in five-fold cross-validation. Immune infiltration analysis revealed the importance of T cell subsets, neutrophils, and NK cells in PE, linking these genes to immune mechanisms underlying PE pathogenesis.ConclusionCGB5, LEP, LRRC1, PAPPA2, and SLC20A1 are validated as key diagnostic biomarkers for PE. Nomogram and FCNN could credibly predict PE. Their association with immune infiltration underscores the crucial role of immune responses in PE pathogenesis.
Assessment of COVID-19 severity levels and associated factors among patients admitted to the treatment centers in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Tirore Lire Lemma , Sergindo Mihretu Tagesse , Areba Abriham Shiferaw , Hailegebireal Aklilu Habte , Desalegn Mitiku 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundCOVID-19, a highly impactful infectious disease, has been observed to result in psychological distress, organ impairment, and mortality. The severity and consequences of the illness appear to vary based on geographical location and individual characteristics. Understanding the disease and optimizing resource distribution through early classification depend on having data on the severity of COVID-19 patients. There is a dearth of information in this particular region regarding the severity of COVID-19 patients and related factors. Therefore, this study used an ordinal logistic regression model to determine the severity levels of COVID-19 and its associated components.Materials and methodsA retrospective follow-up study was conducted on COVID-19 patients admitted between May 30, 2020, and October 15, 2021, at care centers in southern Ethiopia. 845 patients were included in this research. The mean (standard deviation) and median (interquartile range) were used to summarize the data. A multivariable ordinal logistic regression model was used to study the association between independent variables and COVID-19 severity levels.ResultsIn terms of the severity of the disease, 12.07% of patients had severe COVID-19, 7.81% had critical disease, and 6.39% had moderate disease. 8.28% of the 845 patients died, while 88.88% of them made a full recovery. Older age (&gt; = 40 years) (AOR = 5.75, 95% CI = 3.99, 8.27), comorbidities (AOR = 4.17, 95% CI = 3.03, 5.88), and low oxygen saturation (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI = 2.23, 5.56) were significantly linked to higher odds of experiencing more severe levels of COVID-19 compared to their counterparts.Conclusion7.81% of patients were critically ill, while more than one-tenth (12.07%) were considered severely ill. Low oxygen saturation, comorbidities, and advanced age were found to be significantly associated with COVID-19 severity. Therefore, it is crucial to manage comorbidities, provide special treatment, and provide COVID-19 patients with underlying medical issues more attention due to the higher risk of poor outcomes. To speed up their recovery, medical professionals should regularly monitor and provide specialized care to older COVID-19 patients. In order to identify patients who are more likely to experience a severe illness and to better manage their treatment, it is imperative that oxygen saturation levels in COVID-19 patients be promptly identified and monitored.
Effect of low-dose aspirin intervention on pre-eclampsia prevention in high-risk pregnant women and its impact on postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Zhang Fangfang , Wang Huijuan 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundPre-eclampsia, characterized by hypertension and organ dysfunction during pregnancy, poses significant risks to both maternal and fetal health. Aspirin, known for its antiplatelet properties, has been extensively utilized to mitigate pregnancy-related complications. However, the efficacy of low-dose aspirin in managing pre-eclampsia among high-risk pregnant women and its potential impact on postpartum hemorrhage remain contentious topics.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 344 pregnant women diagnosed with high-risk factors for pre-eclampsia. Among them, 152 received intervention with low-dose aspirin, while the rest did not receive it. The incidence of pre-eclampsia, as well as related complications and outcomes associated with bleeding, were compared and evaluated between the two groups.ResultsThe study findings indicate a significant reduction in the incidence of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women receiving low-dose aspirin intervention, along with a significantly reduced risk of complications. Additionally, there was no significant statistical difference in postpartum hemorrhage between the two groups (p &gt; 0.05). The safety profile of aspirin usage was found to be favorable.ConclusionLow-dose aspirin demonstrates promising efficacy as an intervention strategy for high-risk preeclamptic women. It does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and reduces the occurrence of complications associated with preeclampsia. Therefore, low-dose aspirin presents a potential preventive measure against adverse outcomes associated with high-risk pregnancies related to preeclampsia. Further research is necessary to validate and elucidate the optimal dosage and timing of administration for maximal benefits.
The clinical significance of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a novel inflammatory biomarker for assessing the severity of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Guo Kai , Zeng Jianhua , Lu Jiawei , Guo Youfeng , Shan Peipei , Huang Yufeng , Wu Desheng 
Published: October 2024

PurposeInflammation is integral to the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration, yet the role of systemic inflammatory markers in this process remains underexplored. This study aims to explore the association between the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and the severity of disc degeneration.Patients and methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 375 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc degeneration between April 2018 and May 2021. All patients underwent a complete blood cell count examination. We applied the Pfirrmann grading system for cumulative disc grading, stratifying patients into two groups: a high-score group (cumulative grade &gt; 17) and a low-score group (cumulative grade ≤ 17), based on the median cumulative grade. The association between the NLR and and the severity of disc degeneration was further analyzed using correlation analysis and logistic regression models. Furthermore, the predictive capacity of the NLR for lumbar disc degeneration was assessed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsWe found a significant positive correlation between high NLR levels and severe disc degeneration. The high-score group exhibited a significantly higher NLR compared to the low-score group [2.63 (1.91–4.18) vs. 2.04 (1.38–2.74), respectively, p &lt; 0.001]. Significant correlations were found between NLR and patient characteristics (including age, BMI, VAS, NSAIDs usage, hemoglobin) and the cumulative grading. Logistic regression analysis identified age and NLR as independent predictors of the severity of disc degeneration. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated a good predictive capability of NLR for lumbar disc degeneration.ConclusionNLR could serve as a promising biomarker for assessing the severity of lumbar disc degeneration and offer potential benefits in both early diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Patient satisfaction and associated factors in Addis Ababa’s public referral hospitals: insights from 2023
Authors: Abebe Dawit , Mesfin Sinetibeb , Kenea Luna Abebe , Alemayehu Yosef , Andarge Kostr , Aleme Temsegen 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundCurrently, patient satisfaction is a major concern in the healthcare system of Ethiopia. Patient satisfaction with nursing care is considered an important factor in explaining patients’ service quality. Satisfied patients are more likely to have a good relationship with nurses, which suggests improved quality of care.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of patient satisfaction and its associated factors among admitted patients in Addis Ababa city public referral hospitals, Ethiopia 2023.Methods and materialsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 471 randomly selected patients from June 1 to July 30, 2023. Interviewer-administered a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Patient satisfaction was measured by using the Newcastle Nursing Care Satisfaction Scale. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the factors associated with patient satisfaction.Result471 participants responded among 506 selected patients yielding a response rate of 93%. The satisfaction of patients was 47.8% (95% CI = 42.9, 52.2%) Multiple logistic regression showed that participants aged 26–35 were less likely to be satisfied with nursing care [AOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.56]. In contrast, those in the surgical ward [AOR = 3.85, 95% CI: 1.98, 7.45] and ophthalmology ward [AOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.81, 10.05] were more satisfied. No previous admission [AOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.26], having no comorbidities [AOR = 13.4, 95% CI: 7.06, 25.4], and shorter admission duration [AOR = 9.14, 95% CI: 3.46, 24.11] were found to be factors with a significant association with patient nursing satisfaction.ConclusionOverall, just under one in every two admitted patients were satisfied, indicating areas for potential improvement in nursing care. Specific factors such as patients in the age range of 26 to 35 reported significantly lower levels of satisfaction, whereas patients in the surgical and ophthalmology wards, as well as those without comorbidities and with shorter hospital stays, reported significantly higher levels of satisfaction. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted strategies to enhance nursing care.
Elevated hematologic ratios are correlated with acne severity: a national, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wiesel Vered , Weissmann Sarah , Cohen Bracha , Golan-Tripto Inbal , Horev Amir 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundPrior studies demonstrated conflicting results regarding hematologic ratios in acne patients. We sought to further characterize hematologic ratios in acne patients, according to demographics and acne severity.MethodsNational, retrospective cohort study of 122,822 patients using medical records from 2005 to 2024 of patients insured with the largest public healthcare organization in Israel, Clalit Health Maintenance Organization.ResultsModerate–severe acne patients had higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) than mild acne patients at diagnosis and 12–18 months before diagnosis. A multivariable regression confirmed the significance of the correlation of increased NLR and PLR with acne severity. Adults and females had higher NLR and PLR than children and males, respectively, at diagnosis, and 12–18 months before diagnosis.ConclusionAcne severity was significantly associated with elevated NLR and PLR. NLR and PLR may also serve as indicators of upcoming acne severity, as they were elevated 12–18 months before diagnosis. These biomarkers may contribute to the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with acne.
A multimodal educational robots driven via dynamic attention
Authors: Jianliang An 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionWith the development of artificial intelligence and robotics technology, the application of educational robots in teaching is becoming increasingly popular. However, effectively evaluating and optimizing multimodal educational robots remains a challenge.MethodsThis study introduces Res-ALBEF, a multimodal educational robot framework driven by dynamic attention. Res-ALBEF enhances the ALBEF (Align Before Fuse) method by incorporating residual connections to align visual and textual data more effectively before fusion. In addition, the model integrates a VGG19-based convolutional network for image feature extraction and utilizes a dynamic attention mechanism to dynamically focus on relevant parts of multimodal inputs. Our model was trained using a diverse dataset consisting of 50,000 multimodal educational instances, covering a variety of subjects and instructional content.Results and discussionThe evaluation on an independent validation set of 10,000 samples demonstrated significant performance improvements: the model achieved an overall accuracy of 97.38% in educational content recognition. These results highlight the model's ability to improve alignment and fusion of multimodal information, making it a robust solution for multimodal educational robots.
Comparison between 1.5 and 3-Tesla MRI findings in Ménière’s disease
Authors: Duarte Juliana Antoniolli , Garcia Marcio Ricardo Taveira , Souza Soraia Ale , Monsanto Rafael da Costa , Sarpi Maira de Oliveira , Juliano Amy , Gananca Fernando Freitas 
Published: October 2024

Introduction3 T-MRI of the inner ear has been used to identify the endolymphatic hydrops (EH) phenomenon, and less frequently 1.5 T-MRI. The aim of this study was to assess whether there was agreement between findings of EH at 1.5 T MRI and those obtained at 3.0 T MRI in patients clinically diagnosed with definite Meniere disease (MD).MethodsCross-sectional, blinded study was conducted in a tertiary neurotology ambulatory practice. Thirty patients with clinical diagnosis of unilateral definite MD was included. Two MRI exams (1.5 T and 3.0 T) were performed for each patient and were evaluated by two examiners (E1, E2) who were blinded to the symptomatic ear. An analysis of intra-and inter-examiner agreement was performed. It was determined whether there was an association between MRI findings and disease duration, symptom severity, and MD clinical stage.ResultsE1 found EH at 3 T-MRI in 26 (86.66%) patients and at 1.5 T-MRI in 25 (83.33%). E2 found EH in 25 (83.33%) patients in 3 T-MRI and in 22 (73.33%) at 1.5 T-MRI. The agreement between the examiners’ assessments in relation to the EH was high (0.844) for the 3 T MRI and substantial for the 1.5 T, both statistically significant. There was no statistically significant relationship between EH imaging findings and clinical disease severity and course.Discussion1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI images agreed regarding the findings of absence or presence of cochlear hydrops (CH) and vestibular hydrops (VH). The degrees of CH and VH found at 3.0 T MRI in symptomatic ear were not associated with clinical aspects and the stage of disease.
Association between dietary patterns and the prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xu Xun , Huang Yuwei , Zhu Yue , Jin Qingwen 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundRecently, a growing number of studies have specifically examined the impact of dietary variables on the development and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between different dietary patterns and Chinese ALS patients’ prognosis.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted by recruiting 590 patients with ALS who attended and were regularly followed at hospitals in Nanjing from 2016 to 2023. Nutrient intake was calculated using dietary information collected through the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and patients were divided into a control group and special diet groups, including a high-calorie group (HC), a high-protein group (HP), and a ketogenic diet group (KD), based on their specific intake. And used the Kaplan-Meier product limiting distribution to compare the time required to transition between phases of different dietary patterns and to estimate cumulative survival probabilities.ResultsPatients in the HP had a better nutritional status. And the disease progression rate (ΔFS) was significantly associated with dietary patterns, with the KD group having the lowest ΔFS. Meanwhile, special diets extended the survival time of stage 4 patients but had no effect on the overall survival of the disease.ConclusionA special diet can be one of effective options for patients with advanced ALS. Patients with poor nutritional status may choose the HP diet, whereas those with underlying conditions should consider the ketogenic diet with caution.