bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting antimicrobial properties of lignin derivatives through combined data driven and experimental approach
Authors: Kalinoski Ryan M. , Shao Qing , Shi Jian 
Published: August 2024

Meta-analysis, experimental and data-driven quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models were developed to predict the antimicrobial properties of lignin derivatives. Five machine learning algorithms were applied to develop QSAR models based on the ChEMBL, a public non-lignin specific database. QSAR models were refined using ordinary-least-square regressions with a meta-analysis dataset extracted from literature and an experimental dataset. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values of compounds in the meta-analysis dataset correlate to classification-based descriptors and the number of aliphatic carboxylic acid groups (R2 = 0.759). Comparatively, QSARs derived from the experimental datasets suggest that the number of aromatic hydroxyl groups were better predictors of Bacterial Load Difference (BLD, R2 = 0.831) for Bacillus subtilis, while the number of alkyl aryl groups were the strongest correlation in predicting the BLD (R2 = 0.682) of Escherichia coli. This study provides insights into the type of descriptors that correlate to antimicrobial activity and guides the valorization of lignin into sustainable antimicrobials for potential applications in food preservation, fermentation, and other industrial sectors.
Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in patients affected by giant cell arteritis, with and without ocular involvement: a pilot study
Authors: Vannozzi Lorenzo , Nicolosi Cristina , Vicini Giulio , Bacherini Daniela , Giattini Dario , Urban Maria Letizia , Palermo Adalgisa , Malandrino Danilo , Bello Federica , Virgili Gianni , Giansanti Fabrizio 
Published: August 2024

PurposeWe evaluated the clinical features and retinal and disk perfusion characteristics by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in a subset of giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients who manifested anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), in a subset of GCA patients without ocular involvement, and in a control group composed of healthy controls.MethodsWe performed an observational study on the eyes of GCA patients affected by arteritic AION both in acute and chronic phases, unaffected eyes of AION, eyes of GCA patients without ocular involvement, and in a control group of healthy eyes of healthy individuals. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and an OCT and OCTA of the macula and the disk.ResultsThe study evaluated 10 eyes of GCA patients with AION (AION group), 8 unaffected eyes of GCA patients with AION in another eye (unaffected eyes of AION group), 16 eyes of GCA patients without ocular involvement (non-ocular group), and 22 eyes of healthy patients (healthy group). The ganglion cell complex (GCC) superior and inferior thicknesses were significantly lower in the AION group compared to the unaffected eyes of the AION group (p = 0.045 and p = 0.034, respectively). All OCTA vascular density parameters of the optic disk analyzed in this study (optic nerve head (ONH) whole, superior, inferior, radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) whole, superior, inferior, lamina cribrosa (LC) whole, superior, inferior) resulted significantly lower in the AION group compared to the unaffected eyes group (p &lt; 0.05 for all the comparisons). The ONH whole and inferior were statistically higher in the healthy group in comparison to the group of GCA patients without ocular involvement (p = 0.008 and p = 0.006, respectively). The ONH inferior was also statistically higher in the unaffected eyes of the AION group in comparison to the non-ocular group (p = 0.045). Regarding the OCTA macular vessel density parameters, the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), whole and inner, were statistically lower in the AION group compared with the unaffected eyes of the AION group.ConclusionWe found a profound vascular impairment in eyes affected by AION and areas of hypoperfusion in the eyes of patients with GCA without ocular involvement, good BCVA, and no clinically significant features. We hypothesized that these areas of lower vessel density might represent areas of subclinical hypoperfusion that cannot be detected ophthalmoscopically.
Topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy combined with accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking versus cross-linking alone for progressive keratoconus: a long-term prospective cohort study
Authors: Dai Zhihao , Liu Ziyuan , Zhang Yu , Yuan Yufei , Liu Yan , Wang Yuexin , Yu Shuo , Chen Yueguo 
Published: August 2024

PurposeTo comprehensively compare the long-term outcome of the combined topography guided photorefractive keratectomy (TG-PRK) with accelerated corneal cross-linking (ACXL) and ACXL alone in eyes with progressive keratoconus. The analysis focused on the changes in the detailed corneal aberrometric values.MethodsThis single-center, prospective cohort study included 28 patients (30 eyes) of the TG-PRK plus ACXL group and 14 patients (15 eyes) of the ACXL alone group. The mean duration of the follow-up was 44 ± 10.18 months (ranged from 31 to 65 months). The preoperative data and the postoperative measurement data at the last follow-up visit, including demographic data, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, corneal topography, pachymetry, aberrometry and densitometry were analyzed.ResultsThe CDVA significantly improved in the TG-PRK plus ACXL group at the last follow-up visit (p = 0.006), while no significant improvement was found in the ACXL alone group (p = 0.432). The maximal keratometry of the anterior corneal surface (Kmax) of both groups significantly decreased at the last follow-up visit (p &lt; 0.05). Compared with the ACXL alone group, the Kmax of the TG-PRK plus ACXL group showed a greater decline (p = 0.008). The total corneal aberrations, the corneal lower-order aberrations (LOAs), the corneal higher order aberrations (HOAs), the vertical coma and the spherical aberration (SA) at the 4.0 mm and 6.0 mm zone of the TG-PRK plus ACXL group significantly decreased at the last follow-up visit (all p &lt; 0.05). The declines of the total corneal aberrations, the corneal LOAs, the corneal HOAs and the vertical coma at the 4.0 mm and 6.0 mm zone of the TG-PRK plus ACXL group were significantly higher than those in the ACXL alone group (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionCompared with ACXL alone, combined TG-PRK with ACXL procedure had a significantly higher reduction in the corneal HOAs and better CDVA, while providing a similar long-term stability and safety. For progressive keratoconus patients with adequate corneal thickness, the combined procedure might be a recommended treatment option.
A stochastic model-based control methodology for glycemic management in the intensive care unit
Authors: Sirlanci Melike , Hripcsak George , Low Wang Cecilia C. , Stroh J. N. , Wang Yanran , Bennett Tellen D. , Stuart Andrew M. , Albers David J. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients exhibit erratic blood glucose (BG) fluctuations, including hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes, and require exogenous insulin delivery to keep their BG in healthy ranges. Glycemic control via glycemic management (GM) is associated with reduced mortality and morbidity in the ICU, but GM increases the cognitive load on clinicians. The availability of robust, accurate, and actionable clinical decision support (CDS) tools reduces this burden and assists in the decision-making process to improve health outcomes. Clinicians currently follow GM protocol flow charts for patient intravenous insulin delivery rate computations.Methods: We present a mechanistic model-based control algorithm that estimates the optimal intravenous insulin rate to keep BG within a target range; the goal is to develop this approach for eventual use within CDS systems. In this control framework, we employed a stochastic model representing BG dynamics in the ICU setting and used the linear quadratic Gaussian control methodology to develop a controller.Results: We designed two experiments, one using virtual (simulated) patients and one using a real-world retrospective dataset. Using these, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of this model-based glycemic control methodology. The presented controller avoids hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in virtual patients, maintaining BG levels in the target range more consistently than two existing GM protocols. Moreover, this methodology could theoretically prevent a large proportion of hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events recorded in a real-world retrospective dataset.Discussion: The current version of the methodology shows potential usefulness in GM of ICU patients. However, it is limited to a subgroup of the ICU patient population, who are fed through and enteral tube and delivered intravenous insulin. After extending to a broader ICU patient population who can consume oral nutrition and are delivered subcutaneous insulin for GM, the methodology could be tested with pilot studies and clinical trials for eventual use as a CDS tool.
The downregulation of tight junction proteins and pIgR in the colonic epithelium causes the susceptibility of EpCAM+/− mice to colitis and gut microbiota dysbiosis
Authors: Nie Ya , Lin Ting , Yang Yanhong , Liu Wanwan , Hu Qing , Chen Guibin , Huang Li , Wu Huijuan , Kong Cunjie , Lei Zili , Guo Jiao 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundThe genetic factors play important roles on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). EpCAM is highly expressed in the intestinal epithelium. It is still unclear if the decrease or somatic mutation of EpCAM could cause IBD.MethodsThe WT and EpCAM+/− mice were administrated with DSS intermittently for nearly 8 weeks. The colon, liver and feces were harvested to check the morphological and histological changes, the expression of inflammatory genes and the gut microbiota via H&amp;E staining, immunofluorescence, qPCR, western blot and 16S rDNA sequence assays.ResultsThe DSS administration induced more serious inflammation in the colon of EpCAM+/− mice than WT mice. Compared to DSS-induced WT mice, the transcriptional levels of IL-6, F4/80, Ly6g, Ly6d and Igha were significantly higher in the colon of DSS-induced EpCAM+/− mice. The protein levels of MMP7 and MMP8 and the activation of JNK, ERK1/2 and p38 were significantly increased in the colon of DSS-induced EpCAM+/− mice. The protein levels of CLDN1, CLDN2, CLDN3, CLDN7, OCLD, ZO-1 and pIgR were significantly decreased in the colon of DSS-induced EpCAM+/− mice. The serum concentration of LPS was significantly higher in the DSS-induced EpCAM+/− mice which caused the acute inflammation in the liver of them. The expression of Pigr was significantly reduced in the liver of DSS-induced EpCAM+/− mice. The ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes at the phylum level was higher in the gut microbiota of EpCAM+/− mice than WT mice.ConclusionIn conclusion, the heterozygous mutation of EpCAM increased the susceptibility to colitis, gut microbiota dysbiosis and liver injury.
Effectiveness of computed tomography perfusion imaging in stroke management
Authors: Cviková Martina , Haršány Michal , Vinklárek Jan , Štefela Jakub , Fojtová Iva , Mikulík Robert 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesCurrent guidelines do not support the use of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in stroke, except when identifying the penumbra during an extended treatment window. Therefore, this study aimed to define the yield of CTP in diagnosing a stroke diagnosis beyond the imaging of the penumbra in the hyperacute phase (0–6 h) and an extended time window (6–24 h).Materials and methodsAll consecutive patients with acute onset of symptoms within a 24-h window underwent CTP imaging. The diagnostic value of CTP was calculated against the clinical and radiological diagnoses of stroke. A positive CTP result was determined by the presence of either a core or penumbra on the RAPID summary. Clinical diagnoses corresponded to discharge diagnoses of stroke. A radiological diagnosis was established if early ischemic changes [Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) &lt;10] were observed on the baseline CT scan, acute infarction was confirmed on follow-up imaging, or symptomatic occlusion was evident on baseline CTA.ResultsBetween November 2018 and November 2019, 585 consecutive patients with an acute neurological deficit underwent multimodal CT imaging. A total of 500 patients (85%) were included, where 274 (55%) were within the hyperacute phase, 153 (31%) had a radiological diagnosis of stroke, and 122 (24%) had a clinical diagnosis of stroke. CTP yielded positive results only in patients with a confirmed stroke (positive predictive value and specificity of 100%). When CTP results were negative, 43% of the cases turned out to stroke mimics. Patients with stroke mimics were younger (66 ± 17 vs. 73 ± 13) and had lower scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [median 0; interquartile range (IQR) 0–2 vs. median 4; IQR 2–6] compared to patients with CTP-negative strokes.ConclusionIn our study, CTP consistently indicated brain ischemia; therefore, in stroke management, CTP is most beneficial when it yields a positive result. A positive CTP result should prompt adequate stroke management actions without any delay. Conversely, a negative CTP result necessitates the consideration of both stroke and non-stroke diagnoses.
Executive functions in children with developmental language disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Niu Tengfei , Wang Shiqiang , Ma Jingxi , Zeng Xiaoping , Xue Ruiling 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundThe purpose of the current study was to assess the differences between children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and typically developing (TD) children in their performance of executive functions from working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility.MethodsWe performed a systematical search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science for case control studies (published in English between January 1, 1950, and October 11, 2023) comparing the differences in the performance of executive functions between DLD and TD children.ResultsForty eligible studies were included in the present study (N = 3,168 participants). In comparison with TD children, DLD children exhibited significantly poorer performances in all six verbal working memory tasks (backward digit recall task, SMD –1.4321, 95% CI –2.2692 to –0.5950; listening recall task, SMD –1.4469, 95% CI –1.7737 to –1.1202; counting recall task, SMD –0.9192, 95% CI –1.4089 to –0.4295; digit recall task, SMD –1.2321, 95% CI –1.4397 to –1.0244; word list recall task, SMD –1.1375, 95% CI –1.5579 to –0.7171; non-word recall task, SMD –1.5355, 95% CI –1.8122 to –1.2589). However, regarding inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, the differences between DLD and TD children depended on specific circumstances. In subgroup analyses of all verbal working memory tasks, DLD children presented notably lower performance than TD children in both the monolingual English and monolingual non-English groups, and in both the preschooler and school-aged groups.ConclusionThis study proves that verbal working memory deficits can be seen as a marker for children with DLD and are not affected by age or language type.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=391070, CRD42023391070.
Altered brain function during movement programming is linked with motor deficits after stroke: a high temporal resolution study
Authors: Delcamp Célia , Chalard Alexandre , Srinivasan Ramesh , Cramer Steven C. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionStroke leads to motor deficits, requiring rehabilitation therapy that targets mechanisms underlying movement generation. Cortical activity during the planning and execution of motor tasks can be studied using EEG, particularly via the Event Related Desynchronization (ERD). ERD is altered by stroke in a manner that varies with extent of motor deficits. Despite this consensus in the literature, defining precisely the temporality of these alterations during movement preparation and performance may be helpful to better understand motor system pathophysiology and might also inform development of novel therapies that benefit from temporal resolution.MethodsPatients with chronic hemiparetic post-stroke (n = 27; age 59 ± 14 years) and age-matched healthy right-handed control subjects (n = 23; 59 ± 12 years) were included. They performed a shoulder rotation task following the onset of a stimulus. Cortical activity was recorded using a 256-electrode EEG cap. ERD was calculated in the beta frequency band (15–30 Hz) in ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex, contralateral to movement. The ERD was compared over time between stroke and control subjects using permutation tests. The correlation between upper extremity motor deficits (assessed by the Fugl-Meyer scale) and ERD over time was studied in stroke patients using Spearman and permutation tests.ResultsPatients with stroke showed on average less beta ERD amplitude than control subjects in the time window of −350 to 50 ms relative to movement onset (t(46) = 2.8, p = 0.007, Cohen’s d = 0.31, 95% CI [0.22: 1.40]). Beta-ERD values correlated negatively with the Fugl-Meyer score during the time window −200 to 400 ms relative to movement onset (Spearman’s r = −0.54, p = 0.003, 95% CI [−0.77 to −0.18]).DiscussionOur results provide new insights into the precise temporal changes of ERD after hemiparetic stroke and the associations they have with motor deficits. After stroke, the average amplitude of cortical activity is reduced as compared to age-matched controls, and the extent of this decrease is correlated with the severity of motor deficits; both were true during motor programming and during motor performance. Understanding how stroke affects the temporal dynamics of cortical preparation and execution of movement paves the way for more precise restorative therapies. Studying the temporal dynamics of the EEG also strengthens the promising interest of ERD as a biomarker of post-stroke motor function.
The impact of neoadjuvant relugolix on multi-dimensional patient-reported fatigue
Authors: Hsueh Jessica Y. , Gallagher Lindsey , Koh Min Ji , Shah Sarthak , Danner Malika , Zwart Alan , Ayoob Marilyn , Kumar Deepak , Leger Paul , Dawson Nancy A. , Suy Simeng , Collins Sean P. 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionAndrogen deprivation therapy has been shown to improve cancer control when combined with radiotherapy. Relugolix is an oral GnRH receptor antagonist that achieves rapid profound testosterone suppression, which may increase the perception and/or impact of fatigue. This study sought to evaluate neoadjuvant relugolix-induced fatigue in prostate cancer patients prior to the start of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).MethodsRelugolix was initiated at least two months before SBRT. The 13-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire was collected at baseline and one hour prior to SBRT initiation. A five-point scale was used to score individual items. Overall scores range from 0-52 and individual item scores were converted to 0-100, with higher scores reflecting less fatigue. Five “experience” items explored self-perceptions of fatigue, and eight “impact” items sought to evaluate the effect of fatigue on daily activities. Items were evaluated for statistical significance (paired t-test, p &lt; 0.05) and clinical significance (minimally important difference (MID); 0.5 standard deviation from baseline).ResultsBetween March 2021 to December 2023, 89 men were treated at Georgetown with neoadjuvant relugolix and SBRT. Mean age was 71 years (range: 49-87). Median initiation of relugolix was 4.5 months prior to SBRT (range: 2-14.2 months). 93% patients achieved castration (testosterone levels ≤ 50 ng/dL) and 85% patients achieved profound castration (testosterone levels ≤ 20 ng/dL). 87 patients completed the FACIT-F questionnaire, with an average overall score of 45.6 at baseline and 41.0 at SBRT initiation. This difference was statistically and clinically significant (p &lt; 0.01, MID = 3.55). Patients experienced an increase in fatigue for 12 of 13 items, with statistically significant changes for 11 items. Three of five experience items showed a clinically significant increase in fatigue. Only two of eight impact items were clinically significant.DiscussionOur study shows that relugolix significantly increases fatigue, affecting multiple areas of life. While the fatigue does not appear to generally impact a patient’s ability to carry out normal activities, patients demonstrate frustration with being too tired for these activities. It is essential for clinicians to counsel prostate cancer patients on the impact of neoadjuvant relugolix on quality-of-life issues like fatigue.
The value of computed tomography-based radiomics for predicting malignant pleural effusions
Authors: Xing Zhen-Chuan , Guo Hua-Zheng , Hou Zi-Liang , Zhang Hong-Xia , Zhang Shuai 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundMalignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common clinical problem that requires cytological and/or histological confirmation obtained by invasive examination to establish a definitive diagnosis. Radiomics is rapidly evolving and can provide a non-invasive tool to identify MPE.ObjectivesWe aimed to develop a model based on radiomic features extracted from unenhanced chest computed tomography (CT) images and investigate its value in predicting MPE.MethodThis retrospective study included patients with pleural effusions between January 2016 and June 2020. All patients underwent a chest CT scanning and medical thoracoscopy after artificial pneumothorax. Cases were divided into a training cohort and a test cohort for modelling and verifying respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were applied to determine the optimal features. We built a radiomics model based on support vector machines (SVM) and evaluated its performance using ROC and calibration curve analysis.ResultsTwenty-nine patients with MPE and fifty-two patients with non-MPE were enrolled. A total of 944 radiomic features were quantitatively extracted from each sample and reduced to 14 features for modeling after selection. The AUC of the radiomics model was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.912-0.999) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.657~1.000) in the training and test cohorts, respectively. The calibration curves for model were in good agreement between predicted and actual data.ConclusionsThe radiomics model based on unenhanced chest CT has good performance for predicting MPE and may provide a powerful tool for doctors in clinical decision-making.