bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
L-valine derived from the gut microbiota protects sepsis-induced intestinal injury and negatively correlates with the severity of sepsis
Authors: Chen Yifan , Sun Keyuan , Qi Yue , Tang Jianguo , Zhu Haiyan , Wang Zetian 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundThe protective role of gut microbiota and its metabolites against intestinal damage in sepsis patients remain unclear.MethodsFecal samples were acquired from patients categorized into sepsis and non-sepsis groups for analysis of microbial composition via 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis. We assessed the impact of gut microbiota from sepsis patients on intestinal barriers in antibiotic-treated mice. Furthermore, We conducted spearman’s correlation analysis to examine the relationship between metabolites and the severity of sepsis. Additionally, we performed animal experiments to validate the functionality of identified metabolites.ResultsThe diversity of intestinal flora is decreased in patients with sepsis compared to the control group. Through fecal microbiota transplantation experiments, it was discovered that the gut microbiota derived from sepsis patients could induce intestinal damage in antibiotic-treated mice. Metabolomics analysis of the microbiota revealed a significant enrichment of the Valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis pathway. Further analysis showed a significant decrease in the abundance of L-valine in sepsis patients, which was negatively correlated with APACHE-II and SOFA scores. In sepsis mouse experiments, it was found that L-valine could alleviate sepsis-induced intestinal damage.ConclusionAlterations in microbial and metabolic features in the gut can affect the severity of sepsis. Furthermore, L-valine can protect against sepsis-induced intestinal injury.
ReFerm®: a postbiotic fermented oat gruel composition is reducing mast cell degranulation in the colon of patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Biskou Olga , Walter Susanna , Israelsen Hans , Winberg Martin E. , Bednarska Olga , Keita Åsa V. 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that affects ~4% of the global population. ReFerm® is a postbiotic product derived from oat gruel fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v, and it has been shown to have beneficial effects on intestinal permeability in patients with IBS. In this study, we investigated the effects of ReFerm® on regulators of intestinal permeability, namely mast cells and enteric glial cells.Materials and methodsA total of 30 patients with moderate to severe IBS were treated with an enema containing ReFerm® or a placebo twice daily. The patients underwent sigmoidoscopy with biopsies obtained from the distal colon at baseline and after 14 days of treatment. These biopsies were processed in two ways: some were fixed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained for mast cells and enteric glial cells; others were cryopreserved, lysed, and subjected to Western blotting to analyze the same markers.ResultsTreatment with ReFerm®, but not the placebo, significantly reduced mast cell tryptase protein levels in the biopsy lysates. Although the number of mast cells remained unchanged in colonic biopsies, ReFerm® treatment significantly reduced mast cell degranulation, a result not observed in the placebo group. Neither ReFerm® or placebo treatment had an impact on total protein levels or the number of enteric glial cells in the biopsies.ConclusionReFerm® treatment significantly reduced both total mast cell tryptase levels and the degranulation of mast cells in colonic biopsies from patients with IBS, suggesting a decrease in mast cell activity as a potential mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of ReFerm®. However, further research is required to assess the molecular mechanisms through which ReFerm® operates in the colons of patients with IBS.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT05475314.
Depressive and mania mood state detection through voice as a biomarker using machine learning
Authors: Ji Jun , Dong Wentian , Li Jiaqi , Peng Jingzhu , Feng Chaonan , Liu Rujia , Shi Chuan , Ma Yantao 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionDepressive and manic states contribute significantly to the global social burden, but objective detection tools are still lacking. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing voice as a biomarker to detect these mood states. Methods:From real-world emotional journal voice recordings, 22 features were retrieved in this study, 21 of which showed significant differences among mood states. Additionally, we applied leave-one-subject-out strategy to train and validate four classification models: Chinese-speech-pretrain-GRU, Gate Recurrent Unit (GRU), Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM), and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA).ResultsOur results indicated that the Chinese-speech-pretrain-GRU model performed the best, achieving sensitivities of 77.5% and 54.8% and specificities of 86.1% and 90.3% for detecting depressive and manic states, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 80.2%.DiscussionThese findings show that machine learning can reliably differentiate between depressive and manic mood states via voice analysis, allowing for a more objective and precise approach to mood disorder assessment.
The spatial orientation of crista ampullaris: implications for BPPV diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Zhou Mi , Mao Jiesheng , Yang Xiaokai 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the spatial orientation of the crista ampullaris within the inner ear and its implications for the diagnosis and management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).MethodsUsing high-resolution MRI scans of 55 normal inner ears, 3D models of the semicircular canals were segmented. These were complemented by detailed membrane labyrinth models from micro-CT scans of human temporal bones, accessed via the Comparative Ear Bank (www.earbank.org). A statistical shape model of inner ears and eyeballs was established, and a standardized 3D spatial coordinate system was created. The horizontal plane was defined using the top of the common crus and the bottom of the eyeballs. This calibrated reference system allowed for precise quantification of crista ampullaris orientations by calculating angles between the defined crista planes and coordinate planes.ResultsThe plane of the ampulla and the corresponding semicircular canal plane are nearly perpendicular to each other. In the upright position, the posterior semicircular canal crista ampullaris formed an angle of 48.9° with the horizontal plane. The relative orientations of the crista ampullaris of the lateral and superior canals were also defined. Furthermore, we identified “zero-point planes” representing crista orientations perpendicular to gravity, which resulted in minimal ampullary stimulation. A 6.2° tilt to the left in the supine position resulted in the plane of the left lateral semicircular canal crista ampullaris being parallel to the direction of gravity.ConclusionThis study elucidates the precise spatial orientation of the crista ampullaris, thereby providing an anatomical basis for understanding BPPV pathophysiology and improving the accuracy of diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers. The findings have the potential to significantly enhance the management of BPPV and other inner ear disorders.
Topological regularization of networks in temporal lobe epilepsy: a structural MRI study
Authors: Chen Yini , Sun Lu , Wang Shiyao , Guan Beiyan , Pan Jingyu , Qi Yiwei , Li Yufei , Yang Nan , Lin Hongsen , Wang Ying , Sun Bo 
Published: July 2024

ObjectivePatients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) often exhibit neurocognitive disorders; however, we still know very little about the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in patients with TLE. Therefore, our aim is to detect changes in the structural connectivity networks (SCN) of patients with TLE.MethodsThirty-five patients with TLE were compared with 47 normal controls (NC) matched according to age, gender, handedness, and education level. All subjects underwent thin-slice T1WI scanning of the brain using a 3.0 T MRI. Then, a large-scale structural covariance network was constructed based on the gray matter volume extracted from the structural MRI. Graph theory was then used to determine the topological changes in the structural covariance network of TLE patients.ResultsAlthough small-world networks were retained, the structural covariance network of TLE patients exhibited topological irregularities in regular architecture as evidenced by an increase in the small world properties (p &lt; 0.001), normalized clustering coefficient (p &lt; 0.001), and a decrease in the transfer coefficient (p &lt; 0.001) compared with the NC group. Locally, TLE patients showed a decrease in nodal betweenness and degree in the left lingual gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus and right thalamus compared with the NC group (p &lt; 0.05, uncorrected). The degree of structural networks in both TLE (Temporal Lobe Epilepsy) and control groups was distributed exponentially in truncated power law. In addition, the stability of random faults in the structural covariance network of TLE patients was stronger (p = 0.01), but its fault tolerance was lower (p = 0.03).ConclusionThe objective of this study is to investigate the potential neurobiological mechanisms associated with temporal lobe epilepsy through graph theoretical analysis, and to examine the topological characteristics and robustness of gray matter structural networks at the network level.
Unraveling the role of social support in eating behavior among children and adolescents in Shanghai, China: exploring the mediating role of self-efficacy and the moderating influence of BMI and weight concern
Authors: Tan Shuoyuan , Yang Rui , Abdukerima Gulqihra , Xu Yimin , Zhu Lihong , Xu Bin , Shen Wenwei , Song Lixin , Ji Bing , Wang Zhaoxin , Chen Chen , Shi Jianwei 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveThis study explores the intricate relationship between social support and eating behaviors in children and adolescents, considering the mediating role of eating self-efficacy and the moderating effects of body mass index (BMI) and weight concern.MethodsData from 1986 primary and secondary school students aged 8 to 17 in Shanghai, China, were analyzed using moderated mediation analysis.ResultsThe results demonstrate a robust positive association between social support and eating self-efficacy, particularly prominent among individuals with low BMI (effect = 0.506, 95% CI [0.376, 0.636]). Moreover, the study highlights that eating behavior is influenced not only by eating self-control (β = −0.054, 95% CI [−0.062, −0.046]) but also by the interaction term between individuals’ perceptions of their body weight (β = −0.0008, 95% CI [−0.0015, −0.0001]).ConclusionEating self-efficacy serves as a mediator in the relationship between social support and eating behavior, modulated by BMI and weight concern. Importantly, high weight concern significantly strengthens the mediating effect of eating self-efficacy on the relationship between social support and eating behavior, regardless of BMI.
Efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor for lung adenosquamous cell carcinoma harboring EGFR mutation: a retrospective study and pooled analysis
Authors: Xia Xueming , Du Wei , Zhang Yan , Li Yanying , Yu Min , Liu Yongmei 
Published: July 2024

ObjectivesTo explore the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) on lung adenosquamous cell carcinoma (ASC) with EGFR mutation.MethodsEfficacy of EGFR-TKIs in the treatment of advanced or recurrent lung ASC with EGFR mutations was assessed retrospectively in 44 patients. Pooled analysis of 74 patients using EGFR-TKIs, including 30 patients selected from 11 publications, was conducted.ResultsIn our retrospective research, patients treated with EGFR-TKI in ASC with EGFR mutations had objective response rate (ORR) of 54.5%, disease control rate (DCR) of 79.5%, median progression free survival (mPFS) of 8.8 months, and median overall survival (mOS) of 19.43 months, respectively. A pooled analysis reveals ORR, DCR, mPFS, and mOS are, respectively, 63.4%, 85.9%, 10.00 months, and 21.37 months for ASC patients. In patients with deletions in exon 19 and exon 21 L858R mutations, mPFS (11.0 versus 10.0 months, P=0.771) and mOS (23.67 versus 20.33 months, P=0.973) were similar. Erlotinib or gefitinib-treated patients had an overall survival trend that was superior to that of icotinib-treated patients.ConclusionsASC harboring EGFR mutations can be treated with EGFR-TKI in a similar manner to Adenocarcinoma (ADC) harboring EGFR mutations. There is still a need for further investigation to identify the separate roles of ASC’s two components in treating EGFR.
Non-competitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 prevents memory reconsolidation impairment caused by protein synthesis inhibitors in young chicks
Authors: Tiunova A. A. , Bezriadnov D. V. , Anokhin K. V. 
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Reactivation of already consolidated memory can initiate its destabilization, making the memory trace labile. Normally, this destabilization is followed by reconsolidation of the memory trace, enriched by newly acquired experience. Disrupting the reconsolidation process, for example, by inhibiting protein synthesis, impairs subsequent memory retrieval, leading to reminder-related amnesia. Previous studies in various species have shown that this impairment can be prevented by using NMDA receptor antagonists, which interfere with memory destabilization.Methods: In the present study we examined this phenomenon using a one-trial passive avoidance learning model in newborn chicks, the hypothesis being that inactivation of the NMDA-mediated transmission during memory reactivation would inhibit the memory trace labilization and thus prevent the reminder-related amnesia.Results: We found that reminder-associated administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 or one of the protein synthesis inhibitors (anisomycin, cycloheximide, 2-deoxygalactose) each alone produced amnesia. However, when combined, injection of MK-801 before the reminder prevented amnesia induced by protein synthesis inhibitors.Discussion: We suggest that the observed paradoxical effect implicates the involvement of NMDA receptors in both protein synthesis-independent engram destabilization upon its retrieval and protein synthesismediated engram stabilization after its updating. This puzzling dual role of NMDA receptors in memory destabilization/restabilization requires further investigation.
Comparison of five equations in describing the variation of leaf area distributions of Alangium chinense (Lour.) Harms
Authors: Deng Linli , He Ke , Niklas Karl J. , Shi Zhuyue , Mu Youying , Shi Peijian 
Published: July 2024

Previous studies have validated a performance equation (PE) and its generalized version (GPE) in describing the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curves of organ size (e.g., leaf area and fruit volume) distributions of herbaceous plants. Nevertheless, there are still two questions that have not been adequately addressed by prior work: (i) whether the PE and GPE apply to woody plant species and (ii) how do the PE and GPE perform in comparison with other Lorenz equations when fitting data. To address these deficiencies, we measured the lamina length and width of each leaf on 60 Alangium chinense saplings to compare the performance of the PE and GPE with three other Lorenz equations in quantifying the inequality of leaf area distributions across individual trees. Leaf area is shown to be the product of a proportionality coefficient (k) and leaf length and width. To determine the numerical value of k, we scanned 540 leaves to obtain the leaf area empirically. Using the estimated k, the leaf areas of 60 A. chinense saplings were calculated. Using these data, the two performance equations and three other Lorenz equations were then compared and assessed using the root-mean-square error (RMSE) and Akaike information criterion (AIC). The PE and GPE were found to be valid in describing the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curves of the A. chinense leaf area distributions, and GPE has the lowest RMSE and AIC values. This work validates the GPE as the best model in gauging variations in leaf area of the woody species.
Humor in professional coaching: a literature review and research agenda
Authors: Vendl Adélka , Alvarado-Alvarez Cristina , Euwema Martin 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionExtensive research has explored the incorporation of humor in therapy, revealing its potential positive effects on clients’ mental well-being and personal growth. However, limited research exists on how coaching could benefit from humor as an intervention and how its utilization impacts the interaction processes and outcomes for both the coachee and coach. Therefore, our research focuses on the use and effects of spontaneous humor within professional dialogues. This paper aims to extract insights from academic literature on humor in adjacent fields and apply these insights to the context of coaching.MethodsThis paper offers implications for coaching theory and practice, alongside a proposed research agenda. The initial phase involves analyzing reviews on humor in professional contexts, and coaching. Secondly, following the PRISMA guidelines for review, we identified 13 empirical studies, which address the role of humor in counseling, psychotherapy, and mentoring.Results and discussionOur findings suggest that humor serves as a valuable tool for establishing and deepening the working alliance, fostering adaptive coping mechanisms in clients, and enhancing the cognitive and behavioral process. Moreover, humor is shown to be advantageous for professionals in navigating challenging client relationships. These findings hold significance for the realm of coaching practice as well. In light of these insights, we propose the integration of humor use in education toolkits for coaching professionals.
Association between benzodiazepine anxiolytic polypharmacy and concomitant psychotropic medications in Japan: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Takeshima Masahiro , Yoshizawa Kazuhisa , Ogasawara Masaya , Kudo Mizuki , Itoh Yu , Ayabe Naoko , Shibata Nana , Mishima Kazuo 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionGuidelines for various psychiatric disorders recommend short-term use of benzodiazepine anxiolytic monotherapy in few cases. Contrarily, benzodiazepine anxiolytic polypharmacy (BAP) is not recommended in any case. However, BAP is often used in real world. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between BAP and concomitant use of psychotropic medications.MethodThis retrospective cross-sectional study used claims data from the Japan Medical Data Center. Medical information of health insurance subscribers treated with benzodiazepine anxiolytics in June 2019 was extracted. Prescription of two or more benzodiazepine anxiolytics was defined as BAP. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors associated with BAP, using age group, sex, type of subscriber, and number of concomitant hypnotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics (none, one, and two or more) as covariates.ResultThe eligible participants were 104,796 adults who were prescribed benzodiazepine anxiolytics. Among them, 12.6% were prescribed two or more drugs. Logistic regression analysis revealed that BAP was significantly associated with those who received hypnotic monotherapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001–1.09, p=0.04), antidepressant monotherapy and polypharmacy (aOR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.51–1.63, p&lt;0.001 and aOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.88–2.09, p&lt;0.001, respectively), and antipsychotic monotherapy and polypharmacy (aOR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07–1.19, p&lt;0.001 and aOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.30–1.54, p&lt;0.001, respectively). Conversely, lower BAP was associated with those who received hypnotic polypharmacy (aOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.81–0.91, p&lt;0.001).DiscussionThis study showed that the greater the number of concomitant antidepressants and antipsychotics, the greater the association with BAP. Since combination therapy with antidepressants or antipsychotics is generally not recommended, patients receiving combination therapy with these medications may be resistant to pharmacotherapy. Therefore, implementing the recommended non-pharmacological treatments may reduce BAP.
Regular exercise reduces the risk of all-cause mortality in socially isolated older adults: the Otassha Study
Authors: Ejiri Manami , Kawai Hisashi , Imamura Keigo , Fujiwara Yoshinori , Ihara Kazushige , Hirano Hirohiko , Obuchi Shuichi 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionSocial isolation is associated with increased mortality risk. On the other hand, some older adults prefer to be alone. Additionally, predictors of isolation are mostly unchanged across interventions. Therefore, knowledge of how to prevent negative health outcomes in isolation would be beneficial. One of the factors that reduces the risk of mortality is regular exercise. However, to date, no studies to our knowledge have examined whether regular exercise reduces mortality among socially isolated individuals. This study aimed to determine the effects of the combination of social isolation and regular exercise on mortality among community-dwelling older adults.MethodsThis prospective cohort study was part of the larger Otassha Study of community-dwelling older adults living in Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, Japan. In October 2012, 835 individuals (males = 350, females = 485; mean age 73.1 years) completed a comprehensive baseline health survey. Individuals were considered socially isolated if their frequency of interactions with others averaged less than once per week. Regular exercise was defined as exercise performed at least twice a week. The participants were assigned to one of the following four groups: (1) not isolated with regular exercise, (2) not isolated without regular exercise, (3) isolated with regular exercise, and (4) isolated without regular exercise. All-cause mortality information was obtained from the ward office database. Follow-ups were conducted until 1 November 2020. A Cox proportional regression analysis was performed.ResultsA final analysis was performed on a complete dataset of 735 participants (males = 303, females = 432; mean age 72.9 years). A total of 132 (18.0%), 426 (58.0%), 27 (3.7%), and 150 (20.4%) participants were assigned to groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The mortality rates in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 6.1%, 9.2%, 7.4%, and 19.3%, respectively. Compared with group 1, isolated individuals who did not perform regular exercise had a significantly higher mortality rate [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 2.48; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12–5.52]. However, no significant association was noted in isolated individuals who performed regular exercise (aHR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.26–5.91).ConclusionRegular exercise was associated with a decrease in mortality risk, regardless of social isolation status. Thus, our results indicate that encouraging isolated older adults to exercise regularly may reduce their negative health outcomes.