bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of Naples Prognostic Score with Stroke and all-cause mortality in adults : evidence from NHANES (2005-2018)
Authors: Xu Zhiqiang , Pei Minyue , Yang Xiaoqing , Xu Lixia , Zhang Dongya , Li Xiaochang , He Caihong , Guan Ruilei , Zhang Jijun , Xiao Weizhong , Yang Gaiqing 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Objective
This study seeks to assess the associations of Naples Prognostic Score with stroke and all-cause mortality in adults.
Methods
We analyzed data from 44,601 participants in the 2005–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The Naples Prognostic Score (NPS) was derived from total cholesterol, serum albumin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). Participants were classified into three groups based on their NPS. Stroke incidence was determined through self-reported questionnaires, and mortality data were diligently tracked using the National Death Index. We investigated the relationship between NPS and stroke prevalence using multiple logistic regression analysis. To explore the association between NPS and all-cause mortality in stroke survivors, we applied Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models. Furthermore, we conducted a detailed subgroup analysis to assess interaction effects on all-cause mortality risk within this population.
Results
The median age of the participants was 50.00 years [interquartile range: 35.00–64.00], with males comprising 49.36% of the study. The overall stroke prevalence was 3.93%. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their NPS: 6,328 (18.1%) in Group 0 (NPS 0), 24,015 (68.8%) in Group 1 (NPS 1 or 2), and 4,580 (13.1%) in Group 2 (NPS 3 or 4). After adjusting for covariates, individuals in Group 2 exhibited a significantly higher stroke prevalence compared to Group 0, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.83 [95% confidence interval: 1.49–2.26]. Among the 1,372 patients with a history of stroke, with a median follow-up duration of 5.94 years, we utilized Cox proportional hazards models to assess the relationship between NPS and all-cause mortality risk. The analysis revealed that, after adjusting for covariates, stroke patients in Group 2 faced a significantly elevated risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.08 [95% confidence interval: 1.40–3.09]) compared to those in Group 0. Subsequent subgroup analyses to explore interaction effects on all-cause mortality risk among stroke patients shown no significant interactions (p for interaction > 0.05).
Conclusions
This study establishes the associations of Naples Prognostic Score with stroke and all-cause mortality in adults.
The impact of prophylactic cranial irradiation on the prognosis of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer in the MRI era
Authors: Chen Mengyuan , Sun Zehua , Pan Jingcong , Xu Yujin , Wang Yuezhen , Chen Ming , Hu Xiao 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purposes: To evaluate the impact of Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) on the prognosis of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the era of MRI surveillance.
Methods: Limited-stage SCLC patients recruited in a prospective study with complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) of tumor after definitive chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) were retrospectively analyzed. Survival data were calculated by Kaplan-Meier methods, Cox proportional hazards model was applied for multivariate prognostic analysis.
Results: Between June 2002 and January 2017, 620 patients with limited-stage SCLC were accrued in a prospective study. After CRT, 228 (36.8%) patients achieved CR, of whom, 29 patients did not receive PCI, among the rest 199 patients, 172 (86.4%) received brain MRI to exclude brain metastasis (BM) before PCI. With a median follow-up time of 25.6 months, the cumulative BM rate was 17.1% and 37.9% in patients who received or did not receive PCI (P = 0.011). The median survival time was 30.2 months and 30.5 months, respectively and the 1 -, 3 -, 5-year survival rates were 93.7%, 42.9%, 35.8% and 83.4%, 46.5%, 41.9%, respectively (P = 0.98). Multivariate analysis indicated that baseline KPS ≥ 90 was a favorable independent prognostic factor for OS in CR patients (HR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.23-0.46, P=0.000). After CRT, 392 (63.2%) patients achieved PR, 53 cases did not receive PCI and 310 (91.4%) of the remaining 339 patients received brain MRI before PCI. With a median follow-up time of 15.5 months, the cumulative brain metastasis rate was 12.7% and 46.2% respectively (P = 0.000). The median survival time was 25.7 months and 18.6 months, respectively. The 1 -, 3 -, and 5-year survival rates were 87.6%, 40.2%, 29.2% and 75.7%, 16.7%, 10.3% (P=0.000). Baseline KPS ≥ 90 (HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.25-0.41, P=0.000) and PCI (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.41-0.79, P=0.001) were favorable prognostic factors for OS in PR patients.
Conclusions: In this study, PCI significantly reduced the incidence of BM in patients with limited-stage SCLC who were evaluated as CR and PR after CRT, but it has no significantly positive impact on overall survival in CR patients. Further prospective randomized studies were warranted.
Trauma and ICD-11 PTSD in treatment for substance use disorders: A Danish multi-site study
Authors: Karsberg Sidsel , Najavits Lisa , Pedersen Mads Uffe , Elklit Ask , Vang Maria Louison 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Previous research has indicated high levels of PTSD among people with substance use disorders (SUD), necessitating an exploration of trauma profiles in this population. This study aims to assess the prevalence of ICD-11 PTSD and study demographic, trauma-related, and substance-use related factors among individuals in SUD treatment in Denmark, focusing on differences between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and drug use disorder (DUD).
Methods
The study utilized a multi-site approach, collecting data from five Danish SUD treatment settings. A total of 1347 adult individuals were interviewed as part of an initial structured screening process for SUD treatment. Participants were assessed using the ICD-11 PTSD criteria.
Results
The findings indicate that approximately 25% of individuals in treatment met the criteria for probable PTSD, with an additional 15% showing subclinical PTSD symptoms. The prevalence of PTSD was higher in DUD treatment compared to AUD treatment. The study also highlighted significant differences in social functioning and clinical profiles between the two groups.
Conclusion
The high prevalence of PTSD symptoms among individuals in SUD treatment underscores the need for targeted interventions. The study suggests that PTSD should be a particular focus in DUD treatment due to the higher vulnerability and impact of trauma-related symptoms in this group.
Utilizing Retinal Arteriole/Venule Ratio to Estimate Intracranial Pressure
Authors: Nortvig Mathias Just , Andersen Mikkel C Schou , Eriksen Niclas Lynge , Aunan-Diop Jan Saip , Pedersen Christian Bonde , Poulsen Frantz Rom 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Intracranial pressure (ICP) control is important to avoid secondary brain injury in patients with intracranial pathologies. Current methods for measuring ICP are invasive and carry risks of infection and hemorrhage. Previously we found correlation between ICP and the arteriole-venous ratio (A/V ratio) of retinal vessels in an outpatient setting. This study investigated the usability of fundoscopy for non-invasive ICP estimation with the addition of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients in a neuro-intensive care unit (NICU)
Methods
This single-center prospective cohort study was conducted at the NICU of Odense University Hospital from September 2020 to May 2021. Adult patients with a Glasgow Coma Score of 8 or less, who underwent invasive pressure neuromonitoring were included. Fundoscopy videos were captured daily and analyzed using deep learning algorithms. The A/V ratio was calculated and correlated with ICP. The data was analyzed using mixed-effect linear regression models.
Results
Forty patients were enrolled, whereof 15 were included in the final analysis. ICP ranged from − 1 to 111 mmHg (mean: 10.4, SD: 6.1), and IOP ranged from 4 to 13 mmHg (mean: 7.4, SD: 2.1). The A/V ratio showed a significant negative correlation with ICP > 15 mmHg (regression slope: -0.0659, 95%-CI: [-0.0665;-0.0653], p < 0.001). No significant change in A/V ratio was observed for ICP ≤ 15 mmHg. A similar significant correlation was found for ICP > IOP (regression slope: -0.0055, 95%-CI: [-0.0062;-0.0048], p < 0.001). Taking the IOP into account did not improve the model. The sensitivity analysis showed a sensitivity of 80.08% and a specificity of 22.51%, with an AUC of 0.6389.
Conclusion
In line with our previous work, non-invasive fundoscopy is a potential tool for detecting elevated ICP. However, challenges such as image quality and diagnostic specificity remains. Further research with larger, multi-center studies are needed to validate the utility. Standardization may enhance the technique's clinical applicability.
Chemical Feature-Based Machine Learning Model for Predicting Photophysical Properties of BODIPY Compounds: Density Functional Theory and Quantitative Structure–Property Relationship Modeling
Authors: Casanola-Martin Gerardo M. , Wang Jing , Zhou Jiange , Rasulev Bakhtiyor , Leszczynski Jerzy 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) compounds have unique photophysical properties and have been applied in fluorescence imaging, sensing, optoelectronics, and beyond. In order to design effective BODIPY compounds, it is crucial to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between the structures of BODIPY and the corresponding photoproperties. In the present study, DFT/TDDFT was applied to optimize structures of the studied BODIPY models and to obtain their absorpton spectrum. Based upon the theoretical computaional results, machine learning-based Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (ML/QSPR) model was employed for predicting the maximum absorption wavelength (λ) of BODIPY compounds by combining hand-crafted molecular descriptors (MD) and Explainable Machine Learning (EML) techniques. A dataset of 131 BODIPY compounds with their experimental photophysical properties, was used to generate a diverse set of molecular descriptors capturing information about size, shape, connectivity and other structural features of these compounds. Then a genetic algorithm (GA) wrapper with Multi-Linear Regression (MLR) algorithm was performed. Fifteen molecular descriptors were identified to be strongly correlated with the maximum absorption wavelength. The developed ML/QSPR model exhibited good predictive performance, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.945 for the training set and 0.734 for the test set, demonstrating robustness and reliability. A posterior analysis of some of the selected descriptors in the model provided insights into the structural features that influence BODIPY compound properties, meanwhile it also emphasizes the importance of molecular branching, size, and specific functional groups. Our work shows that it is plausible for the machine learning approaches to screen the BODIPY compounds and design novel structures with enhanced performance of absorption spectra.
A polygenic score for height identifies an unmeasured genetic predisposition among pediatric patients with idiopathic short stature
Authors: Shelley John P. , Shi Mingjian , Peterson Josh F. , Driest Sara L. Van , Simmons Jill H. , Mosley Jonathan D. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
A subset of children with short stature do not have an identified clinical explanation and are assigned a diagnosis of idiopathic short stature (ISS). We hypothesized that a polygenic score for height (PGSheight) could identify children with ISS who have an unrecognized heritable predisposition to shorter height.
Methods
We examined 534 pediatric participants in an EHR-linked DNA biobank (BioVU) who had undergone an evaluation for short stature by an endocrinologist. We used a previously validated PGSheight and standardized it to a standard deviation (SDS) of 1. PGSheight differences between short stature subtypes was estimated using Tukey’s HSD. The PGSheight and mid-parental height (MPH) were then used to predict adult heights for each participant and these predictions were compared using Cohen’s d stratifying by short stature subtype. The ability of the PGSheight to discriminate between ISS and short stature due to underlying disease was evaluated using logistic regression models with area under the ROC curve (AUC) analyses and testing the incremental benefit (ΔAUC) of adding the PGSheight to prediction models.
Results
Among the 534 participants, 22.1% had ISS (median [IQR] PGSheight SDS = -1.31 [-2.15 to -0.47]), 6.6% had familial (genetic) short stature (FSS) (-1.62 [-2.13 to -0.54]), and 45.1% had short stature due to underlying pathology (-0.74 [-1.23 to -0.19]). Children with ISS had similar PGSheight values as those with FSS (ΔPGSheight [95% CI] = 0.19 [-0.31 to 0.70], p = 0.75), but predicted heights generated by the PGSheight were lower than the MPH estimate for children with ISS (d = -0.64; p = 4.0×10− 18) but not FSS (d = 0.05; p = 0.46), suggesting that MPH underestimates height in the ISS group. Children with ISS had lower PGSheight values than children with pathology (ΔPGSheight = -0.60 SDS [-0.89 to -0.31], p < 0.001), suggesting children with ISS have a larger predisposition to shorter height. In addition, the PGSheight improved model discrimination between ISS and pathologic short stature (ΔAUC, + 0.07 [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.11]).
Conclusions
Some children with ISS have a clinically unrecognized polygenic predisposition to shorter height that is comparable to children with FSS and larger than those with underlying pathology. A PGSheight could help clinicians identify children who have a benign predisposition to shorter height.
CD44 on cancer stem cell is a potential immunological and prognostic pan-cancer biomarker
Authors: Zhu Yajuan , Zhang Zhuoyuan , Yang Shan Shan , Du Yang , Liu Jiyan 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
CD44, a widespread cancer stem cell marker, displayed a vital participation in the cancer immune invasion and may related with the response to the immunotherapy. However, the role of CD44 in cancer immunology is not well defined. Therefore, we intended to explore the prognostic value and the potential immunological functions in 33 human cancer types.
Methods
Based on the data of patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases, Sangerbox was used to analyze the correlations between CD44 expression and tumor-infiltrated immune cells, immune checkpoints, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and neoantigens in human cancers.
Results
We found that elevated CD44 is associated with tumor stage and prognosis in different cancers. GSEA results showed that upregulated CD44 involved in cancer stem cell associated process, antigen processing and presentation, and immune response, including immune cell proliferation and activation. Furthermore, CD44 plays an essential role in the tumor microenvironment and participates in immune regulation. The correlation of CD44 gene expression and infiltration levels of most immune cells differed according to the caner types. Notably, the upregulation of CD44 expression is correlated notably positively with Treg, macrophages M1 and M2 in most analyzed cancers, especially in testicular germ cell tumor. Furthermore, we further verified the effect of CD44 on tumor growth and immune microenvironment in mouse xenografted with shRNA-CD44 MC38. Moreover, DNA methylation existed in CD44 expression and associated with dysfunctional T-cell phenotypes via different mechanisms, thus resulting in tissue-dependent prognoses.
Conclusion
CD44 may serve as a potential prognostic and immunological biomarker in various malignant tumors. Moreover, CD44 could be a novel target for tumor immunotherapy.
Desmoid fibromatosis following surgery of an intradural spinal lipoma in a young cat
Authors: Casoy Yarden Lamy , Barnoon Itay , Sr Itay , Zafrani Asher , Oren Stephanie , Tabaran Flaviu Alexander , Einhorn Anat , Liesche-Starnecker Friederike , Brenner Ori , Matiasek Kaspar 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background: Intradural lipomas have been previously reported in individuals with spinal dysraphism; however, they have not been reported in cats with an intact spinal canal. Desmoid tumors are a rare finding in veterinary medicine, and there is no prior description of these tumors invading the spinal cord. Furthermore, the etiopathogenesis remains debated, with trauma, such as surgical intervention of an intradural structure, potentially contributing to its development.
Case description: A 10-month-old domestic shorthair cat was presented initially with progressive proprioceptive ataxia. The MRI identified an intradural compressive lesion at the cranio-cervical junction, confirmed as a lipoma by histopathology. Despite surgical removal, postoperative complications led to the cat's euthanasia. Postmortem examination revealed invasion of a desmoid tumor at the surgical site.
Conclusions: This case highlights the rarity of intradural lipomas in this location and the unusual complication of desmoid tumor invasion. It underscores the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms and potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for similar cases and suggests that these findings may be added to the list of potential post-surgical complications.
The study of the relationship between physical activity and gestational diabetes mellitus in the second trimester of pregnancy: A dose-response analysis with the restricted cubic spline model
Authors: Zhang Liuwei , Zuo Liping , Sun Shengjun , Ren Yijia , Gao Yi , Zhang Xiaoyan , Sun Lichao 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have established a connection between physical activity (PA) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, evidence regarding the dose-response relationship remains limited. This study aims to investigate the dose-response relationship between PA and GDM during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Methods
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Beijing Changping Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine from August 2018 to October 2019. A total of 476 pregnant women, between 14 and 22 weeks of gestation, were enrolled in the study. Participants were categorized into a GDM group (n = 84) and a control group (n = 392) based on the results of a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed at 24–28 weeks of pregnancy. General information, PA, and dietary data were collected through validated questionnaires. PA levels and daily dietary energy intake (DDEI) were calculated using standard methods. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 and R 4.2.1 software. The dose-response analysis was conducted, and optimal cut-off values of PA for the prevention of GDM were determined using the restricted cubic spline (RCS) model. Additionally, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to validate the identified cut-off values.
Results
(1) Compared to the control group, levels of total PA, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), and walking PA were significantly lower (p < 0.05). (2) Non-linear dose-response relationships were identified between total PA, MVPA, and walking PA and the risk of GDM (p < 0.001), with optimal cut-off values established at 1714 MET-min/w, 638 MET-min/w, and 1098 MET-min/w, respectively. (3) Logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of GDM significantly decreased as PA levels surpassed the established cut-off values (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
A non-linear dose-response relationship exists between PA and GDM during the second trimester of pregnancy. The risk of GDM diminishes as PA levels increase, suggesting that effective prevention of GDM may require achieving adequate levels of PA.
Memory T cell subsets expressing tissue homing receptors and chemokine levels in human tegumentary leishmaniasis
Authors: Pimentel Julia , Bustos María Fernanda García , Ragone Paula , Marco Jorge Diego , Barroso Paola , Mesías Andrea , Basombrío Mercedes , Occhionero María , Ramos Federico , Laucella Susana , Brandán Cecilia Pérez , Parodi Cecilia 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) presents two main clinical forms: cutaneous (CL) and mucosal (ML) leishmaniasis affecting skin and nasopharyngeal mucosa. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are involved in TL outcomes and the recruitment of lymphocytes expressing specific chemokine receptors and their ligands might play a major role in this scenario. The expression of CLA, CCR4, CCR6, CCR3 and CCR10 was up- regulated on total CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes when mucosal involvement was present. Besides, ML patients showed higher frequencies of effector memory/terminal effector T cells expressing skin (CLA, CCR4, CCR10) and mucosal (CCR6) chemokine receptors while only effector memory CD4+ T cells expressing skin homing receptors (CLA and CCR4) were increased in CL patients. A distinct modulation of CCL17 and CCL20 was observed depending on the clinical form in TL, but neither CL nor ML patients demonstrated an association between these chemokines and the duration of their lesions. Finally, we provided support for the role of Leishmania spp. in the modulation of chemokines by in vitro down-regulation of CCL17. As a result, our findings highlight the predominant role of effector memory T cell subsets with specific homing patterns in CL and markedly in ML cases, underscoring their potential pathogenic influence. These findings might guide future studies aimed at targeting relevant chemokine receptors to mitigate disease severity.
Difference in Healthcare Resource Utilization and Health-Related Quality of Life between Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) in a Public Hospital in Malaysia – A Retrospective Case-Note Review and Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Lee Kenneth Kwing Chin , Mohamed Nik Nur Eliza , Aziz Salina Abdul , Nazri Duratul’ain Mohamad , Malek Akramul Zikri Abdul , Lim Jing-Sheng , Aftab Raja Ahsan , Thanimalai Subramaniam , Swaminathan Meyyammai , Sellappans Renukha 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is emerging as a common disease globally, therefore it is important to assess its economic impact on the national budget. A major contributing factor with cost implication is due to non-responsiveness towards initial treatment for MDD, resulting in progression to treatment resistant depression (TRD). Recently, National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 had reported an increasing prevalence of depression within the Malaysian population. A cohort of 286 patients diagnosed with MDD or TRD was recruited from Psychiatry and Mental Health Clinic of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and was retrospectively studied for 18 months. This study adopted a combined retrospective chart review and cross-sectional survey. The study was conducted from both a government and societal perspective. Results show that MDD patients were more likely to be in the lowest income range. Patients with TRD have significantly higher odds of outpatient resource utilization, including a 5-fold increase in the likelihood of having more than 10 consultation sessions (p = 0.035), and increased use of second-generation antipsychotics (p < 0.001). The average healthcare cost per patient is higher for those with TRD than for MDD (RM1,845 vs RM839 respectively, 1 Ringgit Malaysia (RM) = USD 0.22 approx.) over a period of 18 months suggesting that a 55% (or RM1,006) reduction in healthcare spending is possible if an MDD patient is prevented from progressing to TRD by proper treatment. In conclusion, appropriate care is of utmost importance to reduce the progression of MDD to TRD which would otherwise require significantly higher healthcare resource utilisation. The study highlights the need for adequate resource allocation for the early management of MDD and prevent progression to TRD.