bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global, regional and national burden due to retinoblastoma in children aged younger than 10 years from 1990 to 2021
Authors: 李 聪 , Zhang Lijun , Zhang Jie , Jiao Jinghua , Hua Guangyao , Wang Yan , He Xue , Cheng Chingyu , Yu Honghua , Yang Xiaohong , Liu Lei 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Retinoblastoma (RB), an aggressive intraocular malignant neoplasm, is a significant contributor to the global disease burden in early childhood. To date, there has been no analysis of global burden and trends in RB among children. This study provides the incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of RB among 0–9 years old children by age, sex, location, and sociodemographic index (SDI) level between 1990 and 2021, aiming to provide novel and robust information for health policy, allocation of medical resources and strategies for fighting RB.
Methods
Data were retrieved from newly released Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The measures were estimated both as numerical counts and age-standardised rates per 100,000 population. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to do a rigorous examination on the temporal trends, estimated as the average annual percentage change (AAPC). Spearman’s correlation test was used to examine the relationship between SDI and the burden of RB by location and year.
Results
Globally, the age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardised DALYs rate (ASDR) for RB among young children in 2021 were 0.09 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 0.05 to 0.13], 0.04 (95%UI: 0.03 to 0.06), and 3.65 (95%UI: 2.21 to 4.96), respectively. Despite an overall increasing trend [AAPC: 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42 to 0.82], the incidence rate of RB demonstrated a significant decrease from 2019 to 2021, whereas overall downward trends were observed in terms of mortality and DALYs rate for RB. Trends in ASIR varied across regions, and the increased trends of ASIR of RB was highest in East Asia. Among all GBD regions, only Southern Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited increasing trends of mortality and DALYs rate. Gender comparisons showed negligible differences in ASIR, ASMR and ASDR in 2021. Moreover, the highest disease burden was noted in early neonatal (0–6 days), and 2–4 years old children at global and regional levels. The SDI-based analysis showed that the incidence rate of RB increased along with the increase in SDI level. In addition, the associations reflected a significantly negative correlation between the SDI level and ASMR as well as ASDR of RB among children aged 0–9 years.
Conclusions
RB related incidence, mortality, and DALYs varied across age and locations from 1990 to 2021. Evaluating spatiotemporal trends over time underscores the impact of health policies and substantial public health measures on the control of RB.
Birth outcomes of infants born to mothers with alopecia areata: A nationwide population-based study in Korea
Authors: Shin Jung-Won , Kang Taeuk , Swan Heather , Paik Kyungho , Huh Chang-Hun , Kim Hyun Jung 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Data on pregnancy outcomes in patients with alopecia areata (AA) are limited. The aim of this study is to determine the association between maternal AA and risk of adverse birth outcomes in children, we conducted a retrospective cohort study on 45,328 children born to mothers with AA and 4,703,253 controls born to mothers without AA using the Korean National Health Insurance Claims database from 2002 to 2016. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between maternal AA and the birth outcomes of their children. Infants born to mothers with AA exhibited a significantly higher risk for preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; adjusted OR [aOR], 1.14), low birth weight (OR, 1.36; aOR, 1.15), and cesarean section birth (OR, 1.24; aOR, 1.10)than controls. In addition, the risk of congenital malformations was also significantly higher in infants born to mothers with AA (OR, 1.19; aOR, 1.12), especially for malformations of the urinary (OR, 1.33; aOR, 1.18), circulatory (OR, 1.28; aOR, 1.11), nervous (OR, 1.26; aOR, 1.15), and musculoskeletal (OR, 1.19; aOR, 1.13) systems, than controls. Maternal AA is associated with an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes in infants.
Pragmatics performance, the relation to symptom severity, and early clinical predictors of pragmatics in 5~6-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Qian Lu , Ding Ning , Fang Hui , Xiao Ting , Sun Bei , Gao HuiYun , Ke XiaoYan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Pragmatic language refers to the use of spoken language to effectively convey messages across diverse social communication contexts. However, minimal longitudinal research has focused on defining early predictors of pragmatic development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Methods
In the current study, 71 ASD and 38 age- and gender- matched 24- to 30-month-old typically developing (TD) children were enrolled. Social-communication, language, and parent-child interaction measures were collected for the ASD group at baseline. Three years later, all subjects were assessed for pragmatic ability via the Chinese version of Language Use Inventory (LUI-Mandarin). First, the differences of pragmatic performance between the ASD group and the TD group at follow-up were analyzed. Second, pragmatic performance was correlated with autism symptomatology at follow-up, as well as the structural language difficulties and joint engagement (JE) levels at baseline for the ASD group. Furthermore, diverse multiple regression algorithms were performed to explore the effect of the early potential predictors of pragmatic development for the ASD group.
Results
First, our results revealed that performance was significantly lower in the ASD group than in the TD group with respect to LUI-Mandarin Total scores and subscale scores (t = -3.358 ~ -6.870, p < 0.05). Second, correlation analysis showed that more severe symptoms of ASD at follow-up were associated with lower LUI-Mandarin Total scores (r = -0.489 ~ -0.853, p < 0.05), and better language performance of Gesell (r = 0.555, p < 0.05). In addition, increased proportions of supported JE(SJE) state (r = 0.591, p < 0.05) were associated with higher LUI-Mandarin Total scores, while increased proportions of unengaged (UE) state were associated with lower LUI-Mandarin Total scores (r = -0.295, p < 0.05) for the ASD group. Third, diverse multiple regression algorithms consistently indicated that the proportions of SJE during parent-child interactions was a significant contributor to pragmatic development for the ASD group in the prediction models.
Conclusion
In summary, our findings suggest that pragmatic language difficulties are present in children with ASD as early as preschool age. Additionally, given the close correlation between the LUI-Mandarin and symptom severity on ADOS/ADI-R, the LUI-Mandarin might be a good way to triage children who need to wait a long time for a more extensive evaluation. Furthermore, more time occupied in SJE could be an important predictor for better pragmatic language outcomes for children with ASD.
Glioma Subtype Prediction Based on Radiomics of Tumor and Peritumoral Edema under Automatic Segmentation
Authors: Sun Xiangyu , Li Sirui , Ma chao , Fang wei , Jing Xin , Yang Chao , Li Huan , Zhang Xu , Ge chuanbin , Liu bo , Li Zhiqiang 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Comprehensive and non-invasive preoperative molecular diagnosis is important for prognostic and therapy decision-making in adult-type diffuse gliomas. We developed a deep learning method for automatic segmentation of brain gliomas directly from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the tumor core and peritumoral edema regions. Three-dimensional volumes of interest were obtained using the segmentation method and radiomic features were extracted. We developed a subtype prediction model based on extracted radiomic features and analyzed significance and correlations between glioma morphological characteristics and pathological features using data from patients with adult-type diffuse glioma. The automated segmentation achieved mean Dice scores of 0.884 and 0.889 for the tumor core and whole tumor, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the prediction of adult-type diffuse gliomas subtypes was 0.945. "Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype", "Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant", and "Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant, 1p/19q-coded" showed AUCs of 0.96, 0.914, and 0.961, respectively, for subtype prediction. Glioma morphological characteristics, molecular and pathological levels, and clinical data showed significant differences and correlations. An automatic segmentation model for gliomas based on 3D U-Nets was developed, and the prediction model for gliomas built using the parameters obtained from the automatic segmentation model showed high overall performance.
Reversible splenial lesion syndrome induced by paracetamol and lithium: two case reports
Authors: Zhou Xin , Zhang Chunhua , Zhou Liming , Zhou Leliang , Zou Yongbiao 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background: Reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES) is a rare neurological syndrome characterized by a reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus
callosum (SCC). Various etiologies, such as infection, high-altitude cerebral edema, seizures, antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal, and metabolic abnormalities, are involved in the development of RESLES. However, few studies have reported the occurrence of this disorder associated with medications, particularly paracetamol, which has not yet been documented.
Case presentation: A 50-year-old man with neuropsychiatric symptoms who was receiving increased doses of paracetamol was referred to our hospital. The patient fully recovered 8 days after treatment. The second case involved a 35-year-old female who received 1500 mg/day lithium and 500 mg/day quetiapine for bipolar disorder (BD). She experienced generalized tremor, rigidity, dysarthria, high fever, hypertension, tachycardia, and tachypnea. Symptoms and brain lesions fully resolved two weeks after discontinuation of lithium. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in both patients typically demonstrated a reversible lesion with transiently reduced diffusion in the SCC.
Conclusion: RESLES is a rare finding that is usually incidentally detected. Therefore, MRI should be performed to evaluate SCC in patients taking excessive medication who present with neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Exploring the Determinants of High-risk Fertility Behavior among Child bearing Women in Somaliland: Insights from Somaliland Demographic and Health Survey, 2020
Authors: Abdikarim Hodo , Muse Abdisalam Hassan , Chesneau Christophe 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of high-risk fertility behaviors in Somaliland using data from the nationally representative Somaliland Demographic and Health Survey (SLHDS). This was done in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, specifically Indicator 3:1 which aims to reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
Patients and Methods:
The study utilized the SLHDS data, which provided information on a wide range of health and demographic indicators. The data were collected through self-reported surveys conducted in both urban and rural areas. Descriptive statistics, including mean, frequency, and percentage, were computed, and bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associated factors of high-risk fertility behaviors.
Results
The analysis revealed significant associations between high-risk fertility behaviors and various individual-level and community-level variables. Individual-level factors included maternal age group, maternal and husband education levels, contraceptive use, and child-related variables. Community-level factors encompassed residence, region, household size, mass media exposure, household wealth status, toilet facility, water source, and access to healthcare services. However, the study acknowledged the presence of social desirability and recall biases due to the self-reported nature of the survey. Some important variables had to be removed from the analysis due to data incompleteness and inappropriateness.
Conclusion
This study sheds light on the determinants of high-risk fertility behaviors in Somaliland, providing valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and reproductive health programs that address individual-level and community-level factors. Future research should employ rigorous data collection methods to minimize biases and explore additional factors that may influence high-risk fertility behaviors in the context of Somaliland.
Oral Microbiota Associated with Clinical Efficacy of Ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Xu Feiyang , Xie Rui , He Le , Wang Honggang , Zhu Yifan , Yang Xiaozhong , Yu Huiming 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease. Ustekinumab (UST) has been utilized as a therapeutic option for CD patients. However, approximately 40–60% of patients exhibit an inadequate response to UST. Accumulating evidence has confirmed the involvement of oral bacteria in the development of CD. Nevertheless, the relationship between oral microbiota and the efficacy of UST therapy in CD patients has remained unexplored. We recruited 28 healthy controls (HC) and 53 CD patients, 47 of whom completed the entire UST therapy. Oral samples and clinical data were collected. The clinical response and clinical remission were defined based on the CDAI score. Oral samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The analysis of sequence data was performed by QIIME and R. We revealed the oral microbial difference between the HC group and the CD group. The enrichment of Fusobacteria, Leptotrichia, Capnocytophaga, and Campylobacter, and the diminution of Haemophilus and Rothia, were observed in the CD group. Differences in oral microbiota were also identified among patients with different efficacy of UST. Compared to response group and remission group, a significantly higher abundance of Fusobacteria and Leptotrichia was identified both in nonresponse group and nonremission group. Predictive models for clinical response and clinical remission in UST were constructed based on oral microbiota, with the AUC value of 0.944 and 0.930, respectively. Oral microbiota was relevant to the UST efficacy in patients with CD based on the predictive model. It could be considered a non-invasive prognostic biomarker for UST therapy in CD patients.
Dynamic changes in hs-CRP and risk of all-cause mortality among middle-aged and elderly adults: Findings from A nationwide prospective cohort and mendelian randomization
Authors: Wang Zhonghai , Xiong Feng , Zhang Quanbo , Wang Han 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The general population experiences mortality rates that are related to high levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). We aim to assess the linkage of longitudinal trajectories in hs-CRP levels with all-cause mortality in Chinese participants.
Methods
We utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The exposures were dynamic changes in the hs-CRP and cumulative hs-CRP from 2012 to 2015, and the outcome was all-cause mortality. All participants were categorized into four trajectories according to hs-CRP levels. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for potential confounders, was employed to evaluate the relationship of different trajectories of hs-CRP with mortality risk. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) method and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) for identifying determinants of mortality risk were also employed.
Results
The study included 5,445 participants with 233 deaths observed, yielding a mortality rate of 4.28%. Compared to individuals maintaining low, stable levels of hs-CRP (Class 1), individuals with sustained elevated levels of hs-CRP (Class 4), those experiencing a progressive rise in hs-CRP levels (Class 2), or those transitioning from elevated to reduced hs-CRP levels (Class 3) all faced a significantly heighted death risk, with adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) ranging from 2.34 to 2.47 across models. Moreover, a non-linear relationship was found between them. Further TSMR analysis also supported these findings. SHAP showed that hs-CRP was the fifth most important determinant of mortality risk.
Conclusions
In China, all-cause mortality increases with dynamic changes in hs-CRP levels. And cumulative hs-CRP shows an L-shaped relationship with all-cause mortality.
Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Myelinated Retinal Nerve Fibers in a Healthy Population: A Big-data Analysis
Authors: Pan Zhe , Gong Linyun , Chen Dongning , Xu Jie , Xue Cancan , Xian Haocheng , Dai Jinyue , Zhang Chun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and related factors of myelinated retinal nerve fibers (MRNFs) in a community-based cohort.
Methods: From March 2017 to June 2020, a total of 10,341 adults undergoing health examinations at Beijing Tongren Hospital received comprehensive systemic and basic eye examinations. Diagnosis of MRNFs was conducted using fundus photography.
Results: Excluding 97 blurred fundus photographs, the final population was 10,244 participants. The average age was 49.5±14.8 years, with 6,225 females (60.8%). 66 patients were diagnosed with MRNFs, showing a prevalence of 0.6±0.3%. In the 73 affected eyes of 66 patients, a total of 86 MRNFs lesions were found, with 64 eyes (87.7%) having a single lesion and 9 eyes (12.3%) having multiple lesions. A significant positive correlation was observed between the prevalence of MRNFs and elevated systolic blood pressure (P=0.025, OR: 1.014). Two eyes had extensive MRNFs connected to the optic disc, but not involving the macular fovea. The visual acuity of the affected eyes was 1.0.
Conclusions: In community-based study in healthy Chinese population, MRNFs were found in 0.6% of cases. They were linked to increased systolic blood pressure. Extensive MRNFs can work for normal visual function while they uncover the macular fovea.
Soil Profile Re-engineering Doubled the Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Crops over Six Years on Acidic and Compacted Sand in a Water-limited Environment
Authors: Azam Gaus , Rahman Md Shahinur , Scanlan Craig , Rahman Md Hasinur , Gazey Ross , Gazey Chris 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Subsoil acidity and compaction commonly hinder the water use efficiency (WUE) of agricultural crops around the world. Over six years, a field experiment was conducted in south-western Western Australia (s-w WA) to examine the effects of soil re-engineering (loosening and lime incorporation) on the root architecture, yield, and WUE of wheat and barley. Treatments included an untreated control, soil loosening to a depth of 0.45 m and lime incorporation at three depths combined with loosening (0.45 m). Loosening reduced subsoil strength, while liming quickly decreased acidity, which was maintained for six years. In the control plots, roots were confined to the top 0.3 m of soil. Loosening alone significantly enhanced wheat root architecture but had no effect on barley. However, loosening with liming tripled the rooting depth and density for both crops, creating a more uniform root distribution. Loosening with lime incorporation to 0.45 m depth significantly boosted yield and WUE by up to 3.7-fold. Crop yields in re-engineered plots often met or exceeded two of the three yield frontiers (estimated yield potential from models applicable to s-w WA). These findings suggest that strategic deep tillage and liming can sustainably improve WUE in water-limited environments through better soil management.
Bile lakes in patients with biliary atresia who presented with jaundice-free native liver survival indicating the risk of subsequent liver transplantation due to various factors
Authors: Gohda Yousuke , Uchida Hiroo , Sumida Wataru , Shirota Chiyoe , Tainaka Takahisa , Makita Satoshi , Satomi Miwa , Yasui Akihiro , Kato Daiki , Maeda Takuya , ishii Hiroki , Ota Kazuki , Guo Yaohui , Liu Jiahui , Hinoki Akinari 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The prognostic factors of subsequent liver transplantation (LT) in patients with biliary atresia (BA) who presented with jaundice-free native liver survival were investigated.
Methods
This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent portoenterostomy (PE) for BA. Patients with jaundice-free native liver survival at 1 year postoperatively were divided into the autologous liver survivor and liver transplant recipient groups. Peri- and postoperative data were compared between the two groups.
Results
Among 97 patients with BA, 29 who received LT within 1 year after PE were excluded from the analysis. Further, 48 patients currently living with native liver and 20 who received LT after 1 year postoperatively were compared. Bile lake (BL) was the strongest risk factor of LT. The risk score was \(\:2.38*BLscore+0.00466*TBA\), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.83. Patients with BL and those without significantly differed in terms of the native liver survival rate. Patients with BL who presented with not only cholangitis but also gastrointestinal hemorrhage and hepatopulmonary syndrome received LT.
Conclusion
BL can cause different pathologies. Moreover, it is an evident risk factor of subsequent LT in patients with BA who are living with native liver at 1 year after PE.
Microglial process convergence onto injured axonal swellings, a human postmortem brain tissue study
Authors: Logan-Wesley Amanda L. , Gorse Karen M. , Lafrenaye Audrey D. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions globally, with a majority of TBI cases being classified as mild, in which diffuse pathologies prevail. Two of the pathological hallmarks of TBI are diffuse axonal injury and microglial activation. While progress has been made investigating the breadth of TBI-induced axonal injury and microglial changes in rodents, the neuroinflammatory progression and interaction between microglia and injured axons following brain injury in humans is less well understood. Our group previously investigated microglial process convergence (MPC), in which processes of non-phagocytic microglia directly contact injured proximal axonal segments, in rats and micropigs acutely following TBI. These studies demonstrated that MPC occurred on injured axons in the micropig, but not in the rat, following diffuse TBI. While it has been shown that microglia co-exist and interact with injured axons in humans post-TBI, the occurrence of MPC has not been quantitatively measured in the human brain. Therefore, in the current study we sought to validate our pig findings in human postmortem tissue. We investigated MPC onto injured axonal swellings and intact myelinated fibers in cases from individuals that sustained a TBI and control human brain tissue using multiplex immunofluorescent histochemistry. We found an increase in MPC onto injured axonal swellings, consistent with our previous findings in micropigs, indicating that MPC is a clinically relevant phenomenon that warrants further investigation.