bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causal associations between Helicobacter Pylori infection and the risk and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Xin , Jiang Deming , Zhang Xiao , Wang Ran , Yang Fengyi , Xie Chunrong 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests an association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and Parkinson’s disease (PD) and its clinical manifestations, but the causal relationship remain largely unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the causal relationship between HP infection and PD risk, PD symptoms, and secondary parkinsonism, we conducted two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).MethodsWe obtained summary data from genome-wide association studies for seven different antibodies specific to HP proteins and five PD-related phenotypes. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, weighted mode, and MR-Egger methods were used to assess the causal relationships. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the stability of the MR results and reverse MR analysis was conducted to evaluate the presence of reverse causality.ResultsGenetically predicted HP antibodies were not causally associated with an increased risk of PD. However, HP cytotoxin-associated gene-A (CagA) and outer membrane protein (OMP) antibody level were causally associated with PD motor subtype (tremor to postural instability/gait difficulty score ratio; β = -0.16 and 0.46, P = 0.002 and 0.048, respectively). HP vacuolating cytotoxin-A (VacA) antibody level was causally associated with an increased risk of PD dementia [odds ratio (OR) = 1.93, P = 0.040]. Additionally, HP OMP antibody level was identified as a risk factor for drug-induced secondary parkinsonism (OR = 2.08, P = 0.033). These results were stable, showed no evidence of heterogeneity or directional pleiotropy, and no evidence of a reverse causal relationship.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that HP infection does not increase the risk of PD, but contributes to PD motor and cognitive symptoms. Different types of HP antibodies affect different symptoms of PD. Eradication of HP infection may help modulate and improve symptoms in PD patients.
Modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction modulated the gut microbiome and bile acid metabolism and restored the function of goblet cells in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Huang Jinke , Zhang Jiaqi , Wang Fengyun , Tang Xudong 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveModified Gegen Qinlian Decoction (MGQD) has been shown to effectively relieve ulcerative colitis (UC) without a known pharmacological mechanism. In this study, the anti-colitis efficaciousness of MGQD and its underlying mechanisms in UC were evaluated.MethodsMice with colitis were administered MGQD for 7 days. Following the evaluation of clinical symptoms, gut microbiota in the feces of UC mice was examined using 16S rRNA sequencing and bile acids (BAs) were examined using LC/MS. Gut microbiota consumption and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were used to explore the involvement of gut microbiota in the anti-UC action of MGQD.ResultsMGQD relieved colitis as shown by weight loss protection, a lower disease activity index (DAI), restoration of intestinal length reduction, and lower histopathologic scores. MGQD also restored crypt stem cell proliferation and function of colonic goblet cells, and promoted MUC2 protein secretion. Interestingly, investigations using gut bacterial depletion and FMT showed that MGQD attenuated colonic damage in a gut-dependent way. The modulation of the gut microbiota by MGQD might be attributed to a decrease in Odoribacter and an increase in norank_f_Muribaculaceae. In addition, MGQD modulated the metabolism of BAs while restoring the structure of the gut microbiota.ConclusionMGQD significantly alleviated colitis in mice, which may be associated with the modulation of gut microbiota and BA metabolism and restoration of function of goblet cells. However, factors other than the gut microbiota may also be involved in the amelioration of UC by MGQD.
Development and validation of a nomogram combining pain score with laboratory indicators for predicting persistent organ failure in acute pancreatitis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Xing Jiayu , Xu Musen , Xu Jiale , Liu Jiao , He Fang 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundAcute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease that can lead to persistent organ failure (POF), which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Early prediction of POF in AP can significantly improve patient outcomes.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a nomogram that combines pain score with laboratory indicators for predicting POF in patients with AP.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted, including patients diagnosed with AP. Pain score and laboratory indicators were collected within the first 24 h of admission. A nomogram was developed using logistic regression models and validated in a separate cohort.ResultsThere were 807 patients in the training cohort and 375 patients in the internal validation cohort.Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that pain score, serum creatinine, hematocrit, serum calcium, and serum albumin were independent risk factors for the incidence of POF in patients with AP. The area under the curve of the nomogram constructed from the above factors were 0.924, respectively. The model demonstrated good calibration and discrimination in both the development and validation cohorts.ConclusionThe nomogram had a good performance in predicting POF in patients with AP and can be used to guide clinical decision-making.
The role of physical therapists in the early detection of skin melanoma: insights from an anonymous survey
Authors: Arouch Bar , Elboim-Gabyzon Michal 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionSkin melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. Recent years have seen an increase in melanoma incidence. Melanomas often appear on the back, a hidden area, leading to late diagnoses. Physical therapists, who frequently treat patients with lower back pain, could play a crucial role in early melanoma detection.MethodsAn anonymous online survey was conducted among 254 Israeli physical therapists to assess their perspectives on melanoma detection, their knowledge in identifying suspicious lesions, and their referral patterns. The survey included sections on demographics, professional perspectives, melanoma knowledge, personal or family experiences with melanoma, and referral frequency for dermatological evaluation.ResultsThe survey revealed that 75.2% of physical therapists viewed melanoma detection as part of their professional duties, yet 59.1% reported insufficient knowledge in identifying suspicious lesions. Despite this, 94.1% expressed a desire to improve their knowledge. However, only 44.1% actively referred patients with suspicious lesions to dermatologists. There was a significant positive correlation between professional experience and referral rates (p-value &lt; 0.001), indicating that more experienced therapists were more likely to refer patients.DiscussionThe study highlights the critical need for incorporating melanoma detection training into physical therapy education and professional development. Enhancing physical therapists’ knowledge and skills in this area could improve early detection and patient outcomes. Despite the potential role of physical therapists in melanoma detection, current training programs lack emphasis on this aspect, underscoring the importance of revising educational curricula to include skin cancer detection techniques.ConclusionThe findings suggest that while physical therapists recognize their role in melanoma detection, there is a significant knowledge gap. Addressing this through targeted education and training could enhance early detection efforts and improve patient care.
Duodenal microbiota dysbiosis in functional dyspepsia and its potential role of the duodenal microbiota in gut–brain axis interaction: a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Xueping , Chen Lei , Zhang Tao , Gabo Ryu , Wang Qianying , Zhong Zhuotai , Yao Mengxi , Wei Wei , Su Xiaolan 
Published: August 2024

Background and aimsFunctional dyspepsia (FD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder associated with brain–gut interaction disturbances. In recent years, accumulating evidence points to the duodenum as a key integrator in dyspepsia symptom generation. Investigations into the pathological changes in the duodenum of FD patients have begun to focus on the role of duodenal microbiota dysbiosis. This review summarizes duodenal microbiota changes in FD patients and explores their relationship with gut-brain interaction dysregulation.MethodsTen databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library, were searched from inception to 10th October 2023 for clinical interventional and observational studies comparing the duodenal microbiota of FD patients with controls. We extracted and qualitatively summarized the alpha diversity, beta diversity, microbiota composition, and dysbiosis-related factors.ResultsA total of nine studies, consisting of 391 FD patients and 132 non-FD controls, were included. The findings reveal that the alpha diversity of the duodenal microbiota in FD patients does not exhibit a significant difference compared to non-FD controls, although an upward trend is observed. Furthermore, alterations in the duodenal microbiota of FD patients are associated with the symptom burden, which, in turn, impacts their quality of life. In FD patients, a considerable number of duodenal microbiota demonstrate a marked ascending trend in relative abundance, including taxa such as the phylum Fusobacteria, the genera Alloprevotella, Corynebacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Staphylococcus, Clostridium, and Streptococcus. A more pronounced declining trend is observed in the populations of the genera Actinomyces, Gemella, Haemophilus, Megasphaera, Mogibacterium, and Selenomonas within FD patients. A negative correlation in the relative abundance changes between Streptococcus and Prevotella is identified, which correlates with the severity of symptom burden in FD patients. Moreover, the alterations in specific microbial communities in FD patients and their potential interactions with the gut–brain axis merit significant attention.ConclusionMicrobial dysbiosis in FD patients is linked to the onset and exacerbation of symptoms and is related to the disorder of gut–brain interaction. Larger-scale, higher-quality studies, along with comprehensive meta-omics research, are essential to further elucidate the characteristics of the duodenal microbiota in FD patients and its role in FD pathogenesis.Systematic review registration: CRD42023470279, URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023470279.
Cingulate sulcus sign: a descriptive analysis in a cerebral small vessel disease population
Authors: Li Weishuai , Su Chang , Wang Zhihan , Xu Xiaoxuan , Zheng Dongming 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveThe cingulate sulcus sign (CSS) has been observed in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), suggesting potential disruptions in cerebrospinal fluid circulation and compromised glymphatic system. Although there are similarities in the underlying mechanisms between cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and iNPH, the relationship between CSS and CSVD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and potential mechanisms of CSS in patients with CSVD.MethodsData from patients diagnosed with CSVD at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between January 2020 and October 2022 were retrospectively collected, including general information, global cognitive function [assessed by measuring Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)], and four CSVD magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers [(white matter hyperintensity (WMH), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), lacunes, and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS)], CSS and the Evan’s index (EI).ResultsA total of 308 patients were included, and CSS was detected in 80 patients (26%). Univariate analysis revealed that MMSE scores in the CSS group were significantly lower compared to the non-CSS group (p &lt; 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed an independent correlation between CSS and the presence of lacunes (odds ratio [OR] 0.358, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.193–0.663, p = 0.001), presence of lobar dominant CMBs (OR 2.683, 95%CI 1.385–5.195, p = 0.003), periventricular WMH Fazekas score (OR 1.693, 95% CI 1.133–2.529, p = 0.01), and EI (OR 1.276, 95% CI 1.146–1.420, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThis preliminary study showed that CSS can be observed in some patients with CSVD. The presence of CSS may represent different mechanisms of CSVD pathogenesis and reflect differences in the degree of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/interstitial fluid (ISF) stasis.
Advancing stroke patient care: a network meta-analysis of dysphagia screening efficacy and personalization
Authors: Jiang Youli , Chi Yue , Pan Rongjia , Zhang Dongqi , Huang Suzhen , Ju Hao , Li Yanfeng 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe increasing incidence of stroke globally has led to dysphagia becoming one of the most common complications in stroke patients, with significant impacts on patient outcomes. Accurate early screening for dysphagia is crucial to avoid complications and improve patient quality of life.MethodsIncluded studies involved stroke-diagnosed patients assessed for dysphagia using bedside screening tools. Data was sourced from Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL, including publications up to 10 December 2023. The study employed both fixed-effect and random-effects models to analyze sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV), each with 95% confidence intervals. The random-effects model was particularly utilized due to observed heterogeneity in study data.ResultsFrom 6,979 records, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 3,314 participants from 10 countries. The analysis included six assessment tools: GUSS, MASA, V-VST, BSST, WST, and DNTA, compared against gold-standard methods VFSS and FEES. GUSS, MASA, and V-VST showed the highest reliability, with sensitivity and specificity rates of 92% and 85% for GUSS, 89% and 83% for MASA, respectively. Heterogeneity among studies was minimal, and publication bias was low, enhancing the credibility of the findings.ConclusionOur network meta-analysis underscores the effectiveness of GUSS, MASA, and V-VST in dysphagia screening for stroke patients, with high sensitivity and specificity making them suitable for diverse clinical settings. BSST and WST, with lower diagnostic accuracy, require more selective use. Future research should integrate patient-specific outcomes and standardize methodologies to enhance dysphagia screening tools, ultimately improving patient care and reducing complications.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails.
Comparison and combined use of NEWS2 and GCS scores in predicting mortality in stroke and traumatic brain injury: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Hu Wei , Shang Ke , Chen Liqin , Wang Xin , Li Xia 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the effectiveness of the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) versus Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in predicting hospital mortality among patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI).LocationThis multicenter study was conducted at two anonymized tertiary care hospitals in distinct climatic regions of China, with a combined annual emergency admission exceeding 10,000 patients.PatientsThe study included 2,276 adult emergency admissions diagnosed with stroke (n = 1,088) or TBI (n = 1,188) from January 2021 to December 2023, excluding those with chronic pulmonary disease, severe cardiac conditions, or a history of brain surgery.Measuring and main outcomesThe receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were utilized to analyze the predictive accuracy of NEWS2 and GCS for hospital mortality at 24, 48, and 72 h post-admission and at discharge.ResultsOut of 2,276 patients (mean age 61.4, 65.6% male), 1855 survived while 421 succumbed. NEWS2 demonstrated superior predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.962) over GCS (AUC = 0.854) for overall hospital mortality. Specifically, NEWS2 outperformed GCS in predicting mortality at 24 h (0.917 vs. 0.843), 48 h (0.893 vs. 0.803), and 72 h (0.902 vs. 0.763). Notably, despite a higher AUC for NEWS2 at predicting 24-h hospital mortality, the sensitivity and specificity of GCS were considerably lower (12 and 31%, respectively) compared to NEWS2 (sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 81%). Subgroup analysis showed NEWS2 outperforming GCS in predicting in-hospital mortality for TBI and stroke patients. For TBI patients (n = 260), NEWS2 had an AUC of 0.960 (95% CI: 0.948–0.973) vs. GCS’s AUC of 0.811 (95% CI: 0.781–0.840). For stroke patients (n = 161), NEWS2 had an AUC of 0.930 (95% CI: 0.908–0.952) vs. GCS’s AUC of 0.858 (95% CI, 0.823–0.892). NEWS2 showed greater sensitivity in both groups, highlighting its effectiveness in identifying high-risk neurological patients.ConclusionNEWS2 scores are more precise and effective in predicting hospital mortality in stroke and TBI patients compared to GCS scores, although slightly less so within the first 24 h. Combining NEWS2 with GCS and clinical findings within the initial 24 h is recommended for a comprehensive prognosis evaluation.
Associations between dietary antioxidant vitamins and risk of glioma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Ni Ya-Jun , Huang Yi-Qian , Yu Lin , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Zhu Qin , Shu Long , Zhang Lun 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundEpidemiological studies investigating the potential associations between antioxidant vitamins intake and risk of glioma have yielded inconsistent results. To address this, we carried out a systematic review and updated meta-analysis to explore the relationship between dietary antioxidant vitamins intake and risk of glioma.MethodsWe comprehensively searched electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wan fang Data from their inception to March 2024. We employed fixed-effects or random-effects models to estimate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between dietary antioxidant vitamins intake and risk of glioma. Publication bias was assessed through the visual inspection of the funnel plots and quantified by the Begg's and Egger's tests. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the Cochran's Q test and I-square (I2). Additionally, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity and evaluate the robustness of the results.ResultsOverall, a total of 15 articles involving 3,608 glioma cases and 771,930 participants were included in the final analysis. The pooled analyses revealed that the highest intake of vitamin C significantly reduced the risk of glioma (RR = 0.78; 95%CI: 0.63–0.96; P = 0.022), compared to the lowest intake. However, no significant associations were observed between vitamin A and vitamin E intake and the risk of glioma (P&gt;0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed the inverse association between vitamin C intake and risk of glioma in the population-based case-control studies (RR = 0.82; 95%CI: 0.68–1.00, P = 0.049) and study quality &lt;7(RR = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.29–0.92, P = 0.025).ConclusionOur findings show that higher intake of vitamin C is strongly associated with a reduced risk of glioma, although a dose-response relationship was not evident. Future large-scale prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Predictive model for prolonged hospital stay risk after gastric cancer surgery
Authors: Zhang Xiaochun , Wei Xiao , Lin Siying , Sun Wenhao , Wang Gang , Cheng Wei , Shao Mingyue , Deng Zhengming , Jiang Zhiwei , Gong Guanwen 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundProlonged postoperative hospital stay following gastric cancer (GC) surgery is an important risk factor affecting patients’ mood and increasing complications. We aimed to develop a nomogram to predict risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative length of stay (PLOS) in patients undergoing gastric cancer resection.MethodsData were collected from 404 patients. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for variable screening, and a nomogram was designed. The nomogram performance was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The consistency between the predicted and actual values was evaluated via a calibration map, and the clinical application value was evaluated via decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve analysis (CICA).ResultsA total of 404 patients were included in this study. Among these patients, 287 were assigned to the training cohort, and 117 were assigned to the validation cohort. According to the PLOS quartile distance, 103 patients were defined as having prolonged PLOS. LASSO regression and logistic multivariate analysis revealed that 4 clinical characteristics, the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on postoperative day one, the NLR on postoperative day three, the preoperative prognostic nutrition index and the first time anal exhaust was performed, were associated with the PLOS and were included in the construction of the nomogram. The AUC of the nomogram prediction model was 0.990 for the training set and 0.983 for the validation set. The calibration curve indicated good correlation between the predicted results and the actual results. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test revealed that the P values for the training and validation sets were 0.444 and 0.607, respectively, indicating that the model had good goodness of fit. The decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve of this model showed good clinical practicability for both cohorts.ConclusionWe explored the risk factors for prolonged PLOS in GC patients via the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program and developed a predictive model. The designed nomogram is expected to be an accurate and personalized tool for predicting the risk and prognosis of PLOS in GC patients via ERAS measures.
Daidzein ameliorates peripheral neuropathy in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Laddha Ankit P. , Kulkarni Yogesh A. 
Published: August 2024

Neuropathy is the most common disorder comprising peripheral nerve damage in diabetic patients. Prolonged hyperglycaemia and oxidative stress cause metabolic imbalance and are the key reasons for the development of diabetic neuropathy. Daidzein, a soy isoflavone possesses potent anti-hyperglycaemic and antioxidant activity. The present study aims to check the protective effect of Daidzein in diabetic neuropathy in rats. The experimental animal model involved induction of diabetes in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Following confirmation of diabetes, the diabetic rats were subjected to oral treatment with varying doses of Daidzein (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and pregabalin (30 mg/kg) for a duration of 4 weeks, initiated 6 weeks after diabetes induction. Results indicated that Daidzein treatment led to a significant reduction in plasma glucose levels and an improvement in body weight among diabetic animals. Moreover, Daidzein demonstrated a positive impact on sensory functions, as evidenced by the effect on tail withdrawal and response latency. Mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia, common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, were also significantly reduced with both Daidzein and pregabalin treatment. Notably, nerve conduction velocities exhibited improvement following the administration of Daidzein and pregabalin. Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms revealed that Daidzein treatment resulted in a notable enhancement of antioxidant enzyme levels and a reduction in the overexpression of NOX-4 in the sciatic nerve. This suggests that Daidzein’s therapeutic effect is associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress via NOX-4. In summary, the findings of study suggests that, Daidzein treatment significantly attenuated diabetic neuropathy by inhibiting oxidative stress via NOX-4 inhibition.