bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multivariable analysis for predicting lower limb muscular strength with a hip-joint exoskeleton
Authors: Kang Byungmun , Lee Changmin , Kim Dongwoo , Lee Hwang-Jae , Lee Dokwan , Jeon Hyung Gyu , Kim Yoonmyung , Kim DaeEun 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionAdvancements in exercise science have highlighted the importance of accurate muscular strength assessments for optimizing performance and preventing injuries.MethodsWe propose a novel approach to measuring muscular strength in young, healthy individuals using Bot Fit, a hip-joint exoskeleton, during resistance exercises. In this study, we introduced performance metrics to evaluate exercise performance during both short and extended durations of three resistance exercises: squats, knee-ups, and reverse lunges. These metrics, derived from the robot’s motor signals and sEMG data, include initial exercise speed, the number of repetitions, and muscle engagement. We compared these metrics against baseline muscular strength, measured using standard fitness equipment such as one-repetition maximum (1RM) and isometric contraction tests, conducted with 30 participants aged 23 to 30 years.ResultsOur results revealed that initial exercise speed and the number of repetitions were significant predictors of baseline muscular strength. Using statistical multivariable analysis, we developed a highly accurate model (R=0.884, adj. R2=0.753, p-value <0.001) and an efficient model (with all models achieving R>0.87) with strong explanatory power.ConclusionThis model, focusing on a single exercise (squat) and a key performance metric (initial speed), accurately represents the muscular strength of Bot Fit users across all three exercises. This study expands the application of hip-joint exoskeleton robots, enabling efficient estimation of lower limb muscle strength through resistance exercises with Bot Fit.
The impact of cannabinoid receptor 1 absence on mouse liver mitochondria homeostasis: insight into mitochondrial unfolded protein response
Authors: Senese Rosalba , Petito Giuseppe , Silvestri Elena , Ventriglia Maria , Mosca Nicola , Potenza Nicoletta , Russo Aniello , Falvo Sara , Manfrevola Francesco , Cobellis Gilda , Chioccarelli Teresa , Porreca Veronica , Mele Vincenza Grazia , Chianese Rosanna , de Lange Pieter , Ricci Giulia , Cioffi Federica , Lanni Antonia 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionThe contribution of Cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) in mitochondrial energy transduction mechanisms and mitochondrial activities awaits deeper investigations. Our study aims to assess the impact of CB1 absence on the mitochondrial compartment in the liver, focusing on both functional aspects and remodeling processes.MethodsWe used CB1−/− and CB1+/+ male mice. Cytochrome C Oxidase activity was determined polarographically. The expression and the activities of separated mitochondrial complexes and supercomplexes were performed by using Blue-Native Page, Western blotting and histochemical staining for in-gel activity. Key players of Mitochondrial Quality Control processes were measured using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Liver fine sub-cellular ultrastructural features were analyzed by TEM analysis.Results and discussionIn the absence of CB1, several changes in the liver occur, including increased oxidative capacity, reduced complex I activity, enhanced complex IV activity, general upregulation of respiratory supercomplexes, as well as higher levels of oxidative stress. The mitochondria and cellular metabolism may be affected by these changes, increasing the risk of ROS-related damage. CB1−/− mice show upregulation of mitochondrial fusion, fission and biogenesis processes which suggests a dynamic response to the absence of CB1. Furthermore, oxidative stress disturbs mitochondrial proteostasis, initiating the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). We noted heightened levels of pivotal enzymes responsible for maintaining mitochondrial integrity, along with heightened expression of molecular chaperones and transcription factors associated with cellular stress reactions. Additionally, our discoveries demonstrate a synchronized reaction to cellular stress, involving both UPRmt and UPRER pathways.
Predicting the characteristics of a C2B6 monolayer with ultrahigh carrier mobility
Authors: Xu Ping , Zhu Zhengyang , Zheng Ruxin , Sun Qingyun , Ma Zhen , Mu Weihua , Cui Zhen 
Published: October 2024

Two-dimensional materials have excellent electronic and optical properties, suggesting absolute advantages in nanodevices. In this work, a new two-dimensional material with a puckered structure, a C2B6 monolayer, is proposed. The material presents dynamic and thermal stability calculated by first-principle simulations. Interestingly, the C2B6 monolayer possesses semiconductor behavior with an ultra-narrow bandgap of approximately 0.671 eV by HSE06 functional. Meanwhile, the hole in the C2B6 monolayer shows ultrahigh mobility at approximately 6,342 cm2⋅V−1⋅s−1 in decent transport directions, which is larger than traditional transition metal dichalcogenides materials. More importantly, the pronounced anisotropy of mobility of the electrons and holes can separate the photogenerated charges, suggesting the applications for photocatalytic, photovoltaic and optical and cold chain electronic devices. Then, the novel properties of the light absorption characteristic are obtained, and the anisotropic photocurrent implies the C2B6 monolayer can be used as a potential photoelectric device. Our results provide theoretical guidance for the design and application of two-dimensional materials.
Prevalence and clinical significance of the genotypic carriage among ESBL phenotype-negative Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates in bacteremia: a study in a Malaysian tertiary center
Authors: Lau Chee Lan , Neoh Hui-min , Periyasamy Petrick , Tg Abu Bakar Sidik Tg Mohd Ikhwan , Tan Toh Leong , Ramli Ramliza , Naina Mohamed Isa 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) can lead to fatal consequences. AMR genes carriage by phenotypically susceptible bacteria, such as Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL)s in Enterobacteriaceae, have potential implications for AMR spread and therapeutic outcomes. This phenomenon should be investigated.MethodsPositive blood cultures from hospitalized patients in a Malaysian tertiary center between April 2022 and March 2023 were reviewed. A total of 137 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (E.coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneumoniae), and Klebsiella oxytoca were included. The antibiotic susceptibility and ESBL phenotypes were determined by disk diffusion method and the identification of genotypes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The clinical characteristics and outcome information were extracted by reviewing patients’ medical records to evaluate the clinical significance of the ESBL genotype-positive but phenotype-negative isolates in bacteremia.ResultsAll 137 isolates were positive for at least one genotype (blaCTX-M, n = 71, 51.8%; blaSHV, n = 87, 63.5%; blaTEM, n = 95, 69.3%; blaOXA-1, n = 38, 27.7%). While blaCTX-M was proportionately higher in the ESBL phenotype-positive isolates than ESBL phenotype-negative isolates (33/37, 89.2% vs 38/100, 38%; p &lt; 0.001), more than half of those harboring blaCTX-M remained susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins (3GC). The sensitivity (Sen) of blaCTX-M for ESBL phenotypes prediction was 89.19% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.58 - 96.97%); however, specificity (Sp) was low (46.47%; 95% CI 39.75 - 53.32). The patient characteristics were similar among 98 ESBL phenotype-negative cases, except that the non-blaCTX-M carrier group had significantly more renal impairment (0/37 vs 7/61, p = 0.043) and gastrointestinal sources of bacteremia (9/37 vs 27/61, p = 0.047). No differences were observed in infection severity, in-hospital mortality, and length of stay (LOS) between the blaCTX-M and non-blaCTX-M carrier groups.ConclusionThe current study provides insight into the gene carriage in E.coli and Klebsiella species clinical isolates, including blaCTX-M genotypes in antibiotic-susceptible strains from a Malaysian hospital. The ESBL encoding genotypes such as blaCTX-M presented substantially beyond one-third of the ESBL phenotype-negative or 3GC susceptible E.coli and K.pneumoniae isolated from bloodstream infection. Although clinical outcomes were not worsened with blaCTX-M genotype-positive but ESBL phenotype-negative isolates in bacteremia, the potential implications for AMR spread deserve further investigation.
Virome analysis provides new insights into the pathogenesis mechanism and treatment of SLE disease
Authors: Wu Yifan , Zhang Zhiyuan , Wang Xinglian , Liu Xun , Qiu Ye , Ge Xingyi , Miao Zhichao , Meng Xiangxian , Peng Yousong 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the virome diversity of the SLE disease and the association between viral infections and the disease.MethodsSLE-related RNA-Seq data were retrieved from public databases. A rigorous computational workflow was employed to identify the human viruses. Differential expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis were conducted in R.ResultsWe identified ten human virus species from 826 RNA-Seq samples of human blood, comprising 688 SLE patients and 138 healthy controls. Eight of the ten virus species exhibited higher positive rates in SLE patients compared to healthy controls, with Human betaherpesvirus 5 (HHV5) having the highest positive rate (4.1%) and being exclusively detected in SLE samples. The virus abundances were low and comparable in both SLE patients and healthy controls. Analysis of the antiviral interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in samples showed higher ISG expression levels in HHV4 and HHV5-positive samples compared to virus-negative samples. Several genes that were up-regulated in SLE patients were further up-regulated after HHV5 infection, and they were mainly enriched in immune response-related biological processes. Additionally, the expression levels of several marker genes of SLE severity were compared between HHV5-positive and virus-negative SLE patients, suggesting that HHV5 infection may be associated with aggravated SLE disease.DiscussionWe found that SLE patients are more susceptible to viral infections than healthy individuals. Viral infections, such as HHV5, may be associated with aggravated SLE disease. This study deepens our understanding of the association between viruses and SLE and provides new insights into prevention and control of the disease.
Cardiovascular disease risk in patients with elevated LDL-C levels: FH vs. non-FH
Authors: Huang Haomin , Li Lamei , Yang Anni , Chen Tao , Shi Ganwei , Li Feng , Wang Luya , Cai Gaojun 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionCoronary artery disease (CAD) remains the primary cause of death worldwide, and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common disease that leads to CAD. This study aimed to explore the difference in CAD risk between FH and non-FH patients with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.MethodsIndividuals (≥18 years) who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) from June 2016 to September 2020 were consecutively enrolled. Participants with LDL-C levels ≥4.0 mmol/L were ultimately included in this study. For all participants, next-generation sequencing was performed with expanded gene panels including 11 genes (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP1, ABCG5, ABCG8, LIPA, LPA, APOBR, LRPAP1, and STAP1).ResultsA total of 223 individuals were included in this study. According to the CAG findings, 199 CAD patients and 24 non-CAD patients were included. The proportions of FH genes, regardless of whether 3 major genes or all 11 genes were sequenced, were not significantly different between the CAD and non-CAD groups (P &gt; 0.05). In addition, all CAD patients were divided into a triple vessel disease (TVD) group and a non-TVD group. The TVD group had a greater proportion of patients with mutations in 3 FH major genes (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, TC, LDL-C and modified LDL-C (MLDL-C) levels were higher and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in the TVD group than in the non-TVD group (all P &lt; 0.05). However, multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that only the eGFR was an independent risk factor for TVD (OR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98–1.00, P &lt; 0.05). To eliminate the impact of the eGFR, subgroup analysis was conducted, and the results indicated that among CAD patients in the high-eGFR group, having FH mutations in 3 major genes was an independent risk factor for TVD (OR 3.00; 95% CI: 1.16–7.79, P &lt; 0.05). In total, 104 FH-related mutations were detected in this study.ConclusionsFH mutation did not increase the rate of CAD in individuals with an MLDL-C level ≥4.0 mmol/L. However, among CAD patients (MLDL-C level ≥4.0 mmol/L) with almost normal renal function (≥87.4 ml/min/1.73 m2), the probability of enduring TVD in those with FH mutations in 3 major genes was 3.00 times greater than that in those without FH mutations.
Simultaneous determination of the combined and free concentrations of atorvastatin and its major metabolite in vitro and in vivo based on ultraﬁltration coupled with UPLC-MS/MS method: an application in a protein binding rate and metabolism ability study in uremic hemodialysis patients
Authors: Cao Ming-Chen , Huang Xin , Tang Bo-Hao , Shi Hai-Yan , Zheng Yi , Zhao Wei 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionA rapid, accurate, and specific ultrafiltration with ultra-performance liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometry method was validated for the simultaneous determination of the protein binding rate of atorvastatin in uremic patients. Methods: The plasma samples were centrifuged at 6,000 r/min for 15 min at 37°C and the ultrafiltrate was collected. An ACQUITY UPLC® BEH C18 Column with gradient elution of water (0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile was used for separation at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min.ResultsThe calibration curves of two analytes in the serum showed excellent linearity over the concentration ranges of 0.05-20.00 ng/ml for atorvastatin, and 0.05-20.00 ng/ml for orthohydroxy atorvastatin, respectively. This method was validated according to standard US food and drug administration and European medicines agency guidelines in terms of selectivity, linearity, detection limits, matrix effects, accuracy, precision, recovery, and stability. This assay can be easily implemented in clinical practice to determine the free and combined concentrations of atorvastatin in the plasma of uremic patients. The final result showed that the average plasma protein binding rate in uremic patients was 86.58 ± 2.04%, relative standard deviation (RSD) (%) = 1.98, while the plasma protein binding rate in patients with normal renal function was 97.62 ± 1.96%, RSD (%) = 2.04. There was a significant difference in the protein binding rate in different types of plasma (P &lt; 0.05), and the protein binding rate decreased with increasing creatinine until it stabilized at nearly 80%. The mean metabolite/prototype ratio of atorvastatin in patients with normal renal function and in patients with uremia was 1.085 and 0.974, respectively.DiscussionThe metabolic process of atorvastatin may be inhibited in uremic hemodialysis patients, but the total concentration of atorvastatin did not change significantly; due to the decrease of protein binding rate increase the drug distribution of atorvastatin in the liver or muscle tissue, which may increase the risk of certain adverse reactions. We recommend that clinicians use free drug concentration monitoring to adjust the dose of atorvastatin to ensure patient safety for uremic hemodialysis patients.
Development of a deep learning model for automated detection of calcium pyrophosphate deposition in hand radiographs
Authors: Hügle Thomas , Rosoux Elisabeth , Fahrni Guillaume , Markham Deborah , Manigold Tobias , Becce Fabio 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundCalcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease is a leading cause of arthritis, which can mimic or strongly interfere with other rheumatic diseases such as gout, osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the recently established ACR/EULAR CPPD classification criteria, calcification and OA features of the wrist and hand joints are substantial features.ObjectivesTo develop and test a deep-learning algorithm for automatically and reliably detecting CPPD features in hand radiographs, focusing on calcification of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP)-2 and -3 joints, in separate or combined models.MethodsTwo radiologists independently labeled a dataset of 926 hand radiographs, yielding 319 CPPD positive and 607 CPPD negative cases across the three sites of interest after adjudicating discrepant cases. CPPD presence was then predicted using a convolutional neural network. We tested seven CPPD models, each with a different combination of sites out of TFCC, MCP-2 and MCP-3. The model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) and area under the precision-recall (AUPR) curves, with heatmaps (Grad-CAM) aiding in case discrimination.ResultsAll models trialed gave good class separation, with the combined TFCC, MCP-2 and MCP-3 model showing the most robust performance with a mean AUROC of 0.86, mean AUPR of 0.77, sensitivity of 0.77, specificity of 0.80, and precision of 0.67. The TFCC-alone model had a slightly lower mean AUROC of 0.85 with a mean AUPR of 0.73. The MCP-2-alone and MCP-3-alone models exhibited mean AUROCs of 0.78–0.87, but lower mean AUPRs of 0.29–0.47. Heatmap analysis revealed activation in the regions of interest for positive cases (true and false positives), but unexpected highlights were encountered possibly due to correlated features in different hand regions.ConclusionA combined deep-learning model detecting CPPD at the TFCC and MCP-2/3 joints in hand radiographs provides the highest diagnostic performance. The algorithm could be used to screen larger OA or RA databases or electronic medical records for CPPD cases. Future work includes dataset expansion and validation with external datasets.
Efficacy and safety of thrombectomy with or without intravenous thrombolysis in the treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion ischemic stroke: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tian Shuyi , Zou Mengqing , Li Dan , Zhou Hang , Wang Chenghan , Liu Qianshuo , Gao Lianbo 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundMechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a well-established treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO)-induced posterior circulation ischemic stroke.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to compare the outcomes of endovascular therapy (EVT) with and without bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute BAO, using an updated meta-analysis.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies that compared the efficacy and safety of EVT with and without IVT in the treatment of acute BAO ischemic stroke. The extracted data included sample size, patient age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of 0–2 and 0–3, mortality rates, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).ResultsFive studies that included a total of 1,578 patients (594 IVT + EVT vs. 984 EVT), met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The meta-analysis demonstrated that bridging IVT was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving a 90-day mRS score of 0–2 (41% vs. 34%; OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.09–1.68, p = 0.006). Furthermore, the mortality rate was significantly lower in the IVT + EVT group than in the direct EVT group (25% vs. 30%; OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.55–0.89, p = 0.003), with low heterogeneity observed (I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.78). However, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding the rates of sICH (5% vs. 6%; OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.52–1.39, p = 0.53), SAH (3% vs. 3%; OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.39–2.22, p = 0.87), perforation (2% vs. 3%; OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.26–1.95, p = 0.51), and dissection (3% vs. 2%; OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.13–7.14, p = 0.98).ConclusionBridging IVT in conjunction with EVT was associated with better functional outcomes and reduced mortality rates in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to BAO compared to EVT alone, without an increased risk of sICH, SAH, perforation, and dissection. In addition, the benefit of bridging IVT to EVT appeared to be more pronounced in European patients than in Asian patients compared to EVT alone. However, the conclusions of this study are not definitive and require validation through large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to draw more robust conclusions.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024531363.
Premorbid frailty, stress hyperglycemia ratio, and functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Zedde Marialuisa , Lattanzi Simona , Pilotto Andrea , Janitschke Daniel , Stögbauer Jakob , Merzou Fatma , Pascarella Rosario , Padovani Alessandro , Morotti Andrea , Lochner Piergiorgio 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundFrailty, defined as multidimensional prognostic index (MPI), has been recently identified as strong predictor of disability and mortality in the elderly with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is a recently introduced biomarker significantly associated with poor outcome in AIS.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate in what extent frailty, measured by MPI, and SHR affects the 3-months outcome of patients &gt; 65 years-old with AIS.MethodsConsecutive patients with AIS &gt;65 years-old who underwent intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) from 2015 to 2019 were enrolled in a German and an Italian Stroke Unit. The SHR was calculated by dividing the fasting plasma glucose at admission with glycated hemoglobin. Demographics and clinical premorbid data, stroke-related variables, including baseline and post-treatment NIHSS score were included in a logistic regression model. The 3-months functional outcome was evaluated by using modified Rankin scale (mRS); good outcome was defined as mRS 0–2, poor as mRS ≥ 3.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-five AIS patients were enrolled in the study. Median MPI was 0.19 [0.13–0.31]; 118 (76.1%) patients were classified as “robust” and 37 (23.9%) as “frail.” In regression analysis, age, NIHSS, and MPI demonstrated as the most significant predictor of 3-months good outcome in the whole cohort. In robust patients, SHR values were significantly associated with the outcome.ConclusionsMPI is associated with the 3-months outcome in our cohort, in particular with good outcome. Conversely, SHR seems to be associated with a 3-months poor outcome in “robust” patients but not in frail patients.