bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autoantibodies in COVID-19 survivors with post-COVID symptoms: a systematic review
Authors: Notarte Kin Israel , Carandang Timothy Hudson David Culasino , Velasco Jacqueline Veronica , Pastrana Adriel , Ver Abbygail Therese , Manalo Gerald Neil , Ng Jeremy Ace , Grecia Steven , Lippi Giuseppe , Henry Brandon Michael , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveThe long-lasting persistence of autoantibodies stands as one of the hypotheses explaining the multisystemic manifestations seen in individuals with post-COVID-19 condition. The current review offers restricted insights into the persistence of autoantibodies in plasma/serum in people with post-COVID symptoms.MethodsPubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases, as well as on medRxiv and bioRxiv preprint servers were searched up to January 5th, 2024. Papers investigating the presence of autoantibodies in plasma/serum samples in people with post-COVID symptoms were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess methodological quality.ResultsFrom 162 identified records, five articles met all inclusion criteria; four studies included infected controls with no post-COVID symptoms whereas all five studies included non-infected controls (410 COVID-19 survivors with post-COVID symptoms, 223 COVID-19 survivors with no post-COVID symptoms as controls and 266 non-infected healthy controls). Four studies concluded that the presence of autoantibodies had a potential (but small) role in post-COVID-19 condition whereas one study concluded that autoantibodies were not associated. Quality assessment showed all studies had high methodological quality.ConclusionAlthough evidence suggests that persistent autoantibodies can be associated with post-COVID symptoms, the clinical relevance of their presence seems modest at this stage. Current results highlight further research to clarify the role of autoantibodies in the development of post-COVID symptoms, guiding the development of tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches to enhance patient outcomes.Systematic review registrationhttps://osf.io/vqz28.
Study on the metabolic effects of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] on rat astrocytes using un-targeted metabolomics
Authors: Tang Hongge , Li Kunyang , Lin Lin , Wang Wenying , Jian Wenjie 
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] has been identified as a human carcinogen and environmental pollutant capable of affecting multiple systems in the human body. However, the specific mechanisms by which Cr (VI) affects the human nervous system remain unclear.Objective: Following confirmation of Cr (VI)’s toxic effects on rat astrocytes, this study explores the metabolites and associated metabolic pathways of rat astrocytes under different doses of Cr (VI) exposure.Methods: Cell viability was assessed using CCK8 assays, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using DCFH-DA fluorescent probes, intracellular 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) content was determined by Elisa, mitochondrial membrane potential was observed using JC-1 probes, and key metabolites were identified through untargeted metabolomics analysis.Results: With increasing Cr (VI) doses, significant decreases in cell viability were observed in the 4, 8, and 16 mg/L dose groups (p &lt; 0.05). Elevated levels of ROS and 8-OHdG, increased caspase-3 activity, and significant reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential were observed in the 2 and 4 mg/L dose groups (p &lt; 0.05). Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed Cr (VI)’s impact on key metabolites such as sphingosine and methionine. Enrichment analysis of KEGG pathways highlighted the critical roles of sphingolipid metabolism and the methionine-cysteine cycle in the effects of Cr (VI) on rat astrocytes.Conclusion: Our study underscores the potential neuro-health risks associated with environmental and occupational exposure to Cr (VI) and provides new perspectives and directions for investigating neurotoxic mechanisms.
Association between preoperative white blood cell counts and thirty-day surgical mortality after craniotomy in adult intracranial tumor patients
Authors: Gao Zhichao , Huang Cheng , Fang Shengjie , Guan Jiaqing , Dong Weifeng 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveWhite blood cell (WBC) counts has been identified as a prognostic biomarker which frequently predict adverse outcomes and mortality risk in various conditions. However, evidence for the association between WBC counts and short-term outcomes after intracranial tumor resection remains limited. This study aimed to explore associations between preoperative WBC counts and thirty-day surgical mortality after craniotomy in adult intracranial tumor patients.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study performed secondary analysis of 18,049 intracranial tumor craniotomy patients from the ACS NSQIP database (2012–2015). The major exposure and outcome were preoperative WBC counts and thirty-day surgical mortality, respectively. Cox regression modeling assessed the linear association between them. Non-linear associations between them were evaluated by conducting smooth curve fitting using an additive Cox proportional hazard model in conjunction with segmented linear regression modeling. Subgroup analysis and interaction testing assessed effect modification. Sensitivity analysis evaluated result robustness.ResultsThe total thirty-day surgical mortality after craniotomy was 2.49% (450/18,049). The mean of preoperative WBC counts was 9.501 ± 4.402 × 10^9/L. Fully adjusted model shows that elevated preoperative WBC counts was independently associated with increased thirty-day surgical mortality (HR = 1.057, 95%CI: 1.040, 1.076). Further analysis revealed a non-linear association between them: below a WBC threshold of 13.6 × 10^9/L, higher WBC counts elevated thirty-day mortality (HR = 1.117; 95%CI: 1.077, 1.158), while risk plateaued and no significant mortality rise occurred above this level (HR = 1.015, 95%CI: 0.982, 1.050). Steroid usage status has a significant effect modification on the WBC-mortality association (P for interaction = 0.002). The non-linear WBC-mortality association was only present for non-steroid users (HR = 1.158, 95%CI: 1.108, 1.210) but not steroid users (HR = 1.009, 95%CI: 0.966, 1.055). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the result robustness.ConclusionElevated preoperative WBC counts were independently and non-linearly associated with an increased risk of thirty-day surgical mortality in adult non-steroid use patients undergoing craniotomy for intracranial tumors. As a convenient predictor, preoperative WBC data allows improved risk profiling and personalized management in adult intracranial tumor patients.
Association between enlarged perivascular spaces in basal ganglia and cerebral perfusion in elderly people
Authors: Wang Simeng , Yang Shuna , Liang Dong , Qin Wei , Yang Lei , Li Xuanting , Hu Wenli 
Published: July 2024

Background and objectiveEnlarged perivascular spaces in basal ganglia (BG-EPVS) are considered an imaging marker of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), but its pathogenesis and pathophysiological process remain unclear. While decreased cerebral perfusion is linked to other CSVD markers, the relationship between BG-EPVS and cerebral perfusion remains ambiguous. This study aimed to explore this association.MethodsElderly individuals with severe BG-EPVS (n = 77) and age/sex-matched controls (n = 89) underwent head CT perfusion imaging. The cerebral perfusion parameters including mean transit time (MTT), time to maximum (TMAX), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral blood volume (CBV) were quantitatively measured by symmetric regions of interest plotted in the basal ganglia region. Point-biserial correlation and logistics regression analysis were performed to investigate the association between BG-EPVS and cerebral perfusion.ResultsThere were no significant differences in MTT, TMAX, or CBF between BG-EPVS group and control group. CBV was significantly lower in the BG-EPVS group (p = 0.035). Point-biserial correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between BG-EPVS and CBV (r = −0.198, p = 0.011). BG-EPVS group and control group as the dependent variable, binary logistics regression analysis showed that CBV was not an independent risk factor for severe BG-EPVS (p = 0.448). All enrolled patients were divided into four groups according to the interquartile interval of CBV. The ordered logistic regression analysis showed severe BG-EPVS was an independent risk factor for decreased CBV after adjusting for confounding factors (OR = 2.142, 95%CI: 1.211–3.788, p = 0.009).ConclusionSevere BG-EPVS is an independent risk factor for decreased CBV in the elderly, however, the formation of BG-EPVS is not solely dependent on changes in CBV in this region. This finding provides information about the pathophysiological consequence caused by severe BG-EPVS.
Heartbeat-evoked potentials following voluntary hyperventilation in epilepsy patients: respiratory influences on cardiac interoception
Authors: Stoupi Niovi A. , Weijs Marieke L. , Imbach Lukas , Lenggenhager Bigna 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionCurrent evidence indicates a modulating role of respiratory processes in cardiac interoception, yet whether altered breathing patterns influence heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEP) remains inconclusive.MethodsHere, we examined the effects of voluntary hyperventilation (VH) as part of a clinical routine examination on scalp-recorded HEPs in epilepsy patients (N = 80).ResultsUsing cluster-based permutation analyses, HEP amplitudes were compared across pre-VH and post-VH conditions within young and elderly subgroups, as well as for the total sample. No differences in the HEP were detected for younger participants or across the full sample, while an increased late HEP during pre-VH compared to post-VH was fond in the senior group, denoting decreased cardiac interoceptive processing after hyperventilation.DiscussionThe present study, thus, provides initial evidence of breathing-related HEP modulations in elderly epilepsy patients, emphasizing the potential of HEP as an interoceptive neural marker that could partially extend to the representation of pulmonary signaling. We speculate that aberrant CO2-chemosensing, coupled with disturbances in autonomic regulation, might constitute the underlying pathophysiological mechanism behind the obtained effect. Available databases involving patient records of routine VH assessment may constitute a valuable asset in disentangling the interplay of cardiac and ventilatory interoceptive information in various patient groups, providing thorough clinical data to parse, as well as increased statistical power and estimates of effects with higher precision through large-scale studies.
Primary central nervous system germ cell tumors in Central America and the Caribbean Region: an AHOPCA 20-year experience
Authors: Girón Ana Verónica , Blanco-Lopez Jessica , Calderon Patricia , Jiron Reyna , Pineda Estuardo , Montero Margarita , Lizardo Yamel , Bartels Ute , Osorio Diana S. 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundPrimary central nervous system germ cell tumors (GCT) are rare neoplasms in pediatrics. Treatment depends on the histological subtype and extent of the disease. Overall survival (OS) is above 90% for germinomas and 70%–80% for nongerminomatous GCT (NGGCT) in high-income countries (HIC) while data are usually lacking for patients in Low-Middle Income country (LMIC).ObjectiveThis study aims to describe the experience of treating patients with CNS GCT in four of eight countries, members of the Asociación de Hemato-Oncología Pediátrica de Centro América (AHOPCA), and determine their 5-year OS.Design/methodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of patients treated for CNS GCT. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics, histology, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsFrom 2001 to 2021, 48 patients were included: 22 from Guatemala, 18 from Nicaragua, three from the Dominican Republic, and five from El Salvador. Thirty-one (64.6%) were boys; the median age at diagnosis was 10.2 years (range: 1 to 17 years). Presenting symptoms were headaches (n = 24, 50%), visual disturbances (n = 17, 35.4%), vomiting (n = 12, 25%), nausea (n = 8, 16.7%), and diabetes insipidus (n = 7, 14.6%). Two patients with NGGCT presented with precocious puberty. Biopsy or tumor resection was performed in 38 cases (79.2%): 23 (88.4%) germinomas, 11 (78.6%) NGGCT, and four (50%) CNS GCT. Eight patients were diagnosed and treated based on CSF tumor marker elevation; four germinomas (BHCG 11.32–29.41 mUI/mL) and four NGGCT (BHCG 84.43–201.97 mUI/mL or positive AFP &gt; 10 UI/mL). Tumor locations included suprasellar (n = 17, 35.4%), pineal (n = 13, 27.1%), thalamus/basal ganglia (n = 5, 10.4%), other (n = 12, 25%), and one bifocal. Four (8.3%) had metastatic disease, and six had positive CSF; staging data were incomplete in 25 patients (52%). Patients were treated with varied chemotherapy and radiotherapy modalities. Nine patients had incomplete data regarding treatment. Five-year OS was 65% (68% for germinoma, 50.6% for NGGCT, and 85.7% for unclassified GCT).ConclusionsGerminoma was the most common histology, and there was a male predominance. More than half of patients had incomplete staging data and treatment was variable across the region. OS is lower compared to HIC. Standardized treatment protocols will aid in adequate staging and treatment planning, prevent complications, and improve survival.
An MRI radiomics-based model for the prediction of invasion of the lymphovascular space in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Ma Nan-Nan , Wang Tao , Lv Ya-Nan , Li Shao-Dong 
Published: July 2024

BackgroundCervical cancer (CC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women, and the ability to accurately anticipate the presence or absence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) is critical to maintaining optimal patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to establish and verify an MRI radiomics-based model to predict the status of LVSI in patients with operable CC.MethodsThe current study performed a retrospective analysis, with 86 patients in the training cohort and 38 patients in the testing group, specifically focusing on patients with CC. The radiomics feature extraction process included ADC, T2WI-SPAIR, and T2WI sequences. The training group data were used for the initial radionics-based model building, and the model predictive performance was subsequently validated using data from patients recruited in the experimental group.ResultsThe development of the radiomics scoring model has been completed with 17 selected features. The study found several risk factors associated with LVSI. These risk factors included moderate tumor differentiation (P = 0.005), poor tumor differentiation (P = 0.001), and elevated combined sequence-based radiomics scores (P = 0.001). Radiomics scores based on predictive model, combined sequences, ADC, T2WI-SPAIR, and T2WI exhibited AUCs of 0.897, 0.839, 0.815, 0.698, and 0.739 in the training cohort, respectively, with corresponding testing cohort values of 0.833, 0.833, 0.683, 0.692, and 0.725. Excellent consistency was shown by the calibration curve analysis, which showed a higher degree of agreement between the actual and anticipated LVSI status. Moreover, the decision curve analysis outcomes demonstrated the medical application of this prediction model.ConclusionThis investigation indicated that the MRI radiomics model was successfully developed and validated to predict operable CC patient LVSI status, attaining high overall diagnostic accuracy. However, further external validation and more deeper analysis on a larger sample size are still needed.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor increased mortality in lung cancer patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: a comparative retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fan Bo , Sun Xiaoyan , Han Weijie , Zou Yimin , Chen Fei , Lan Fen , Li Wen , Mao Yanxiong 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised individuals. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has brought significant survival benefit in lung cancer patients. Although the few studies showed there was high mortality in PJP patients with ICI use, these studies had no comparative control groups.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted to compare the mortality in PJP patients with lung cancer between those treated with ICI and a concurrent control group treated without ICI.ResultsA total number of 20 non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients with confirmed PJP and co-existing lung cancer were included in the current study, and classified into ICI group (n=9) and non-ICI group (n=11).There was a clear trend to a shorter onset of PJP in ICI group than non-ICI group (118.9 ± 60.9 vs 253.0 ± 185.1 days), although without statistical significance (p=0.053). Bronchoscopic alveolar lavage fluid were collected from all patients and used to identify Pneumocystis jirovecii. In both groups, metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) were the most used diagnostic techniques. Within 28 days after the onset of PJP, mortality was significantly higher in the ICI group than non-ICI group (33.3% vs 0, p=0.042)ConclusionLung cancer patients with ICI use had a higher mortality rate after PJP infection than patients without ICI use. Prospective studies with larger sample size and a multi-center design are warranted to further verify the present results.
Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants for preventing venous thromboembolism in hospitalized cancer patients: a national multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wu Shuyi , Wang Haiping , Li Chunbao , Tao Jingjing , Zhu Xiaoli , Dai Hengfen , Duan Hongfan , Hu Tian , Li Miao , Qu Fenfen , Wei Yun , Wang Chunhua , Zhang Jinhua 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionStudies on the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized cancer patients are lacking. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DOACs versus low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the primary prevention of VTE in hospitalized cancer patients.MethodsClinical outcomes included thrombosis, VTE, other thrombosis, all bleeding, major bleeding, nonmajor bleeding, and all-cause death. A 1:1 cohort of rivaroxaban and LMWH patients was created by propensity score matching.ResultsA total of 2,385 cancer patients were included in this study. During the 3-month follow-up period, 129 (5.4%) thrombosis events occurred, 63 (2.7%) of which were VTEs and 66 (2.8%) of which were other thrombosis events. All bleeding occurred in 163 (6.8%) patients, 68 (2.9%) had major bleeding, and 95 (4.0%) had nonmajor bleeding. All-cause deaths occurred in 113 (4.7%) patients. After adjusting for various confounders, the incidence of thrombosis and other thromboses was significantly lower in the rivaroxaban group than in the LMWH group [OR 0.543, 95% CI (0.343–0.859), p = 0.009; OR 0.461, 95% CI (0.241–0.883), p = 0.020]. There were no significant differences in incidence of VTE, total bleeding, major bleeding, nonmajor bleeding, or all-cause death.ConclusionIn oncology patients receiving thromboprophylaxis, rivaroxaban has a lower incidence of thrombosis and other thrombosis and a similar incidence of VTE as LMWH and does not increase the risk of bleeding. Rivaroxaban may be an attractive alternative to LMWH for preventing VTE in hospitalized cancer patients.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and its association with age-related disorders
Authors: Somasundaram Indumathi , Jain Samatha M. , Blot-Chabaud Marcel , Pathak Surajit , Banerjee Antara , Rawat Sonali , Sharma Neeta Raj , Duttaroy Asim K. 
Published: July 2024

Graphical AbstractThe figure shows the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy on stem cells leading to aging.
Chronotype as a predictor of athletic performance in youth with mild intellectual disabilities
Authors: Kurtoğlu Ahmet , Eken Özgür , Türkmen Musa , Çar Bekir , Setiawan Edi , Yermakhanov Baglan , Alotaibi Madawi H. , Elkholi Safaa M. 
Published: July 2024

AimThis study aimed to explore the influence of circadian rhythms on athletic performance in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities (ID), with a specific focus on elucidating the association between chronotype and various performance metrics.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional study consisting of 30 male participants aged between 11 and 19 years and diagnosed with mild ID. The chronotypes of all participants were assessed using the Childhood Chronotype Questionnaire (CCQ). Performance assessments were divided into three groups. Group A tests [sit and reach, medicine ball throw (MBT), plank], group B tests [handgrip strength (HGS), standing long jump (SLJ), 20-m sprint (20 ms)] and group C tests [vertical jump (VJ), hanging with bent arm (HBA), Illinois agility test) in order to ensure adequate rest periods between tests and not to affect the results. These group tests were performed 48 h apart, between 09:00–10:00 and 17:00–18:00, after a dynamic warm-up session.ResultsSignificant variations were observed in the sit-and-reach test (t = −4.154, d = −0.75, p &lt; .001), HGS (t = −2.484, d = −0.45, p = .019), SLJ (t = −2.117, d = −0.38, p = .043), VJ (t = −5.004, d = −0.91, p &lt; .001), and plank duration (t = −4.653, d = −0.84, p &lt; .001). Evening performances showed improvement in MBT, HBA, 20 ms, and the Illinois agility test, although these differences were not statistically significant (p &gt; .05). Notably, positive correlations were identified between participants’ chronotypes and their performance in HBA (morning/evening; r = .693, p = .026; r = .656, p = .039, respectively) and the plank (evening; r = .717, p = .020), with negative correlations noted in the 20 ms (morning/evening; r = −.703, p = .023; r = −.710, p = .021, respectively).ConclusionThe findings suggest that individuals with mild ID exhibit enhanced athletic performance during evening hours. These insights underscore the importance of considering chronotype in tailoring exercise interventions for this population to optimize outcomes.