bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain-wide functional connectivity alterations and their cognitive correlates in subjective cognitive decline
Authors: Huang Shaochun , Wang Siyu , Che Zigang , Ge Honglin , Yan Zheng , Fan Jia , Lu Xiang , Liu Li , Liu Wan , Zhong Yeming , Zou Caiyun , Rao Jiang , Chen Jiu 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundIndividuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are at risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Traditional seed-based analysis has shown biased functional connectivity (FC) in SCD individuals. To investigate unbiased altered FC by the brain-wide association study (BWAS) and to determine its association with cognition in SCD individuals.MethodsMeasure of association (MA) analysis was applied to detect significant voxels with FC changes. Based on these changes, we identified regions of interest (ROIs) and conducted ROI-wise FC analyses. Correlation analyses were then performed between these FC circuits and cognition.ResultsMA analysis identified 10 ROIs with significantly altered voxels. ROI-wise FC analyses revealed 14 strengthened FC, predominantly parietal-occipital link alterations. The FC between the right superior occipital gyrus and the right postcentral gyrus correlated positively with executive function, while the FC between the right middle occipital gyrus and the left angular gyrus correlated positively with episodic memory in SCD individuals.ConclusionSCD involves multifocal impairments, of which regions of default mode network (DMN) and occipital lobe should be specially focused. Cross-hemispheric alterations indicate an internal interactive impairment pattern in SCD. The reduced FC between the right superior occipital gyrus and the right postcentral gyrus, and between the right middle occipital gyrus and the left angular gyrus, which correlate with specific cognitive functions, could serve as potential biomarkers for SCD diagnosis.
Microstructural alterations in white matter and related neurobiology based on the new clinical subtypes of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Yuan Xiaorong , Yu Qiaowen , Liu Yanyan , Chen Jinge , Gao Jie , Liu Yujia , Song Ruxi , Zhang Yingzhi , Hou Zhongyu 
Published: August 2024

Background and objectivesThe advent of new clinical subtyping systems for Parkinson's disease (PD) has led to the classification of patients into distinct groups: mild motor predominant (PD-MMP), intermediate (PD-IM), and diffuse malignant (PD-DM). Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the early diagnosis, assessment of clinical progression, and prediction of prognosis of these PD subtypes. Additionally, we attempted to understand the pathological mechanisms behind white matter damage using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses.MethodsWe classified 135 de novo PD patients based on new clinical criteria and followed them up after 1 year, along with 45 healthy controls (HCs). We utilized tract-based spatial statistics to assess the microstructural changes of white matter at baseline and employed multiple linear regression to examine the associations between DTI metrics and clinical data at baseline and after follow-up.ResultsCompared to HCs, patients with the PD-DM subtype demonstrated reduced fractional anisotropy (FA), increased axial diffusivity (AD), and elevated radial diffusivity (RD) at baseline. The FA and RD values correlated with the severity of motor symptoms, with RD also linked to cognitive performance. Changes in FA over time were found to be in sync with changes in motor scores and global composite outcome measures. Furthermore, baseline AD values and their rate of change were related to alterations in semantic verbal fluency. We also discovered the relationship between FA values and the levels of α-synuclein and β-amyloid. Reduced dopamine transporter uptake in the left putamen correlated with RD values in superficial white matter, motor symptoms, and autonomic dysfunction at baseline as well as cognitive impairments after 1 year.ConclusionsThe PD-DM subtype is characterized by severe clinical symptoms and a faster progression when compared to the other subtypes. DTI, a well-established technique, facilitates the early identification of white matter damage, elucidates the pathophysiological mechanisms of disease progression, and predicts cognitively related outcomes. The results of SPECT and CSF analyses can be used to explain the specific pattern of white matter damage in patients with the PD-DM subtype.
Isolation, characterization, and LC MS/MS determination of anti-obesity components from pine needles of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don
Authors: Wang Xin , Li Bin , Liu Dongyan , Guo Yuer , Zhang Jiaxu , Li Wanyu , Peng Tengteng , Ma Quhuan , Shi Xiaofeng 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveThis study aimed to isolate and analyze the components in cedar pine needles (needle leaves of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don) that exhibit anti-obesity effects, as determined through animal experiments.MethodsThe extract of cedar pine needles was separated into four fractions of different polarities using a macroporous resin column. The fraction that retained anti-obesity activity was evaluated based on the results of animal experiments. Monomeric compounds were structurally characterized and isolated from the active fraction using a preparative liquid chromatography system. Combined with subsequent glucose gel chromatographic separation. The content of the separated components was determined using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS).ResultsThe water-washed fraction retained anti-obesity activity of the cedar pine needles more effectively. A total of 16 compounds were separated from this fraction, and the contents of 14 of these compounds were determined to be present in cedar pine needles.ConclusionNine components, namely p-hydroxy benzyl alcohol, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, P-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, benzoic acid, phenylacetic acid, salicylic acid, were characterized and determined for the first time in cedar pine needles. The components with anti-obesity activity in the pine needles of Cedrus are mainly derived from phenolic acids.
Different impacts of adipose tissue dynamics on prognosis in patients with resectable locally advanced rectal cancer treated with and without neoadjuvant treatment
Authors: Huang Weiyan , Feng Zhichao , Ma Mengtian , Song Fulong , Zeng Shumin , Shao Fang , Yu Xiaoping , Rong Pengfei , Chen Jianqiang 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundBody composition is recognized to be associated with clinical outcomes in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). This study aimed to determine the prognostic role of regional adipose tissue distribution in patients with resectable LARC treated with or without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).MethodsThis retrospective study included 281 consecutive patients who underwent radical surgery for LARC with or without preoperative nCRT between 2013 and 2019. Patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT scans before nCRT and before surgery. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (aSAT), and gluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue (gSAT) were quantified on the CT images. The association of adipose tissue distribution with progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards analysis.ResultsA total of 102 nCRT-treated and 179 primarily resected patients were included. During a median follow-up period of 24 months, 74 (26.3%) patients experienced local recurrence or metastasis. Multivariable analysis showed that VAT was associated with PFS in all patients (hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.57; P = 0.021). This association was only maintained in primarily resected patients (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.02–1.69; P = 0.037). For patients receiving preoperative nCRT, VAT was not significantly associated with PFS, while the dynamic change in gSAT (ΔgSAT) between nCRT and surgery was associated with PFS (HR 0.43, 95%CI 0.27–0.69, P = 0.001).ConclusionVisceral obesity is an adverse prognostic factor in patients with resectable LARC treated by primary resection, while increased gluteal subcutaneous adiposity during preoperative nCRT may indicate favorable clinical outcomes.
Case report: Fast disease progression during adjuvant therapy with anti-PD-1 in stage III melanoma patients
Authors: Di Pietro Francesca Romana , Verkhovskaia Sofia , Falcone Rosa , Poti Giulia , Carbone Maria Luigia , Morelli Maria Francesca , Zappalà Albina Rita , Morese Roberto , Di Rocco Zorika Christiana , Piesco Gabriele , Chesi Paolo , Failla Cristina Maria , Marchetti Paolo , De Galitiis Federica 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundStage III surgically resected melanoma is a disease at high risk of recurrence. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and the target therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors significantly changed the outcome of patients with metastatic melanoma and several studies have also shown their benefit in the adjuvant setting for the delay of recurrence in stage III melanoma patients. Hyperprogression disease was observed as a possible adverse response to immunotherapy in the metastatic setting, suggesting that some patients could face additional risk of progression with ICIs, although no consensus was found for the correct definition of this event.Case presentationWe describe here two cases of rapid multiorgan metastatization during adjuvant immunotherapy in patients with stage III resected melanoma. Even though it would be not accurate to define this syndrome as hyperprogression because of apparent absence of the initial disease in the adjuvant setting, we observed in these two cases the same very rapid progression after first administration of adjuvant ICIs that resulted in death of patients within two months from the starting of treatment. Both patients had NRAS mutated melanoma.ConclusionThere is an urgent need for a better understanding of the causes of these fatal outcomes and for the identification of biomarkers that would allow to select the patients before offering them an adjuvant treatment, reducing the risk of hyperprogression. From these cases, we suggest that it could be useful a particular attention in proposing ICI adjuvant treatment based on the molecular profile.
Risk factors for bronchiolitis obliterans complicating adenovirus pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yao Mei-mei , Gao Tian-ji , Zhao Min , Fu Yan-hua , Liu Jing , Wang Tian-jiao , Yang Ying 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the risk factors for post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) complicating adenovirus pneumonia (ADVP) in children through a meta-analysis.MethodsA systematic search was conducted on three English-language databases (PubMed, Web of Science and The National Library of Medicine) and two Chinese-language databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Wanfang Database) between database inception and 1 January 2023. Data analysis was conducted using Stata 15.1 software.ResultsA total of 10 articles, reporting 14 risk factors, were included in the analysis, with 8 risk factors taken into consideration. Through the meta-analysis, 5 risk factors were identified for PIBO complicating ADVP in paediatric patients: hypoxaemia [odds ratio (OR) = 9.37, 95% CI: 4.22, 20.77, p &lt; 0.001], persistent wheezing (OR = 4.65, 95% CI: 2.20, 9.82, p &lt; 0.001), mechanical ventilation (OR = 3.87, 95% CI: 2.37, 6.33, p &lt; 0.001), length of hospital stay (LoHS) (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.43, p &lt; 0.001) and fever duration (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.14, p = 0.009).ConclusionExisting evidence suggests that hypoxaemia, persistent wheezing, mechanical ventilation, LoHS and fever duration are risk factors for PIBO complicating ADVP in children. These findings underscore the need for enhanced assessment and management in clinical practice. This study may provide such a clinical prediction model from the identified 5 risk factors for PIBO and offer valuable insights for preventing bronchiolitis obliterans in children with ADVP.
Interaction of phosphorus and GA3 improved oilseed flax grain yield and phosphorus-utilization efficiency
Authors: Wang Yingze , Cao Zhi , Gao Yuhong , Wu Bing , Niu Junyi , Yan Bin , Wang Yifan , Cui Zhengjun , Wen Ming , Xu Peng , Wang Haidi , Ma Xingkang 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionPhosphorus nutrition and hormone concentration both affect crop yield formation. Ascertaining the interaction of phosphorus and GA3 has a synergistic effect on the grain yield and phosphorus utilization efficiency of oilseed flax in dryland. It is extremely important for improving grain yield and phosphorus utilization efficiency.MethodsA field experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 at the Dingxi Oil Crops Test Station to investigated the effects of phosphorus, gibberellin (GA3), and their interaction on the grain yield and phosphorus-utilization efficiency of oilseed flax plants. Phosphorus fertilizer was applied at three levels (0, 67.5, 135 kg P2O5·ha-1) and GA3 was also sprayed at three concentrations (0, 15, and 30 mg·L-1).ResultsThe results showed that application of 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 reduced leaves acid phosphatase (ACPase) activity, but increased phosphorus accumulation throughout the growth period, the 1000-kernel weight (TKW), and the number of grains per capsule. Spraying GA3 significantly increased the leaves ACPase activity, phosphorus accumulation after anthesis and its contribution to grain, phosphorus-utilization efficiency, the number of capsules per plant, and TKW. The phosphorus accumulation at the anthesis, kernel, and maturity stages under the treatment of fertilizing 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 and spraying 30 mg·L-1 GA3 were increased by 56.06%, 73.51%, and 62.17%, respectively, compared with the control (no phosphorus, no GA3). And the phosphorus accumulation after anthesis and its contribution to grain also increased. 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 combined with 30 mg·L-1 GA3 and 135 kg P2O5·ha-1 combined with 15 mg·L-1 GA3 both significantly increased grain yield of oilseed flax, reaching 1696 kg·ha-1 and 1716 kg·ha-1 across two years, respectively. And there was no significant difference between them. However, the former treatment significant increased the apparent utilization rate, agronomic utilization rate, and partial productivity of phosphorus. The interaction between phosphorus and GA3 was significant for grain yield.ConclusionTherefore, the application of 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 in combination with 30 mg·L-1 GA3 is an effective fertilization approach for enhancing oilseed flax growth and grain yield in the experiment region and other similar areas.
Childhood adversity and depression of older adults: the moderating effect of social participation
Authors: Wang Ping , Cheng Xin , Zhang Nan , Liu Huilin 
Published: August 2024

ObjectiveExamine the effect of childhood adversity on depression in older adults and the regulatory impact that social participation has on depression.MethodsBased on 6,704 standard-compliant research subjects, single factor analysis, multiple linear regression model, and tendency score matching were used to analyze the impact of childhood adversity on depression in older adults and the regulatory effect of social participation.ResultsThe depression rate is higher among women, young age, low education, unmarried, in agricultural households, older adults with low annual income, pre-retirement work type in agriculture, non-drinking, and those with two or more chronic diseases (p &lt; 0.05). Children who experienced adversity as children are more likely to suffer from depression as adults (β = 0.513, 0.590, 0.954, 0.983, 1.221, 0.953, 0.718; p &lt; 0.05). Through the tendency score, the result is matched with the endogenous test. As well, older adults are more likely to suffer psychological damage from a greater number of childhood adversities in their early years (β = 1.440, 2.646, 4.122; p &lt; 0.001). It has been shown that social participation will reduce the negative impact of low-income family economic circumstances on depression among older adults of all ages (β = −0.459,-0.567; p &lt; 0.01), aggravate depression resulting from “neighborhood void of mutual assistance” and “no more fun to play” for older adults of all ages (β = 1.024, 0.894; p &lt; 0.01), and exacerbate depression resulting from “loneliness because there are no friends” for the oldest old (β = 0.476, 0.779; p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionOlder adults who experience childhood adversity are more likely to suffer from depression. Social participation plays a regulatory role in the relationship between childhood adversity and depression in older adults. For older adults’ mental health to improve, family and social adversity should be prevented, and moderate participation in society should be encouraged.
Predicting neuroticism with open-ended response using natural language processing
Authors: Yoon Seowon , Jang Jihee , Son Gaeun , Park Soohyun , Hwang Jueun , Choeh Joon Yeon , Choi Kee-Hong 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionWith rapid advancements in natural language processing (NLP), predicting personality using this technology has become a significant research interest. In personality prediction, exploring appropriate questions that elicit natural language is particularly important because questions determine the context of responses. This study aimed to predict levels of neuroticism—a core psychological trait known to predict various psychological outcomes—using responses to a series of open-ended questions developed based on the five-factor model of personality. This study examined the model’s accuracy and explored the influence of item content in predicting neuroticism.MethodsA total of 425 Korean adults were recruited and responded to 18 open-ended questions about their personalities, along with the measurement of the Five-Factor Model traits. In total, 30,576 Korean sentences were collected. To develop the prediction models, the pre-trained language model KoBERT was used. Accuracy, F1 Score, Precision, and Recall were calculated as evaluation metrics.ResultsThe results showed that items inquiring about social comparison, unintended harm, and negative feelings performed better in predicting neuroticism than other items. For predicting depressivity, items related to negative feelings, social comparison, and emotions showed superior performance. For dependency, items related to unintended harm, social dominance, and negative feelings were the most predictive. DiscussionWe identified items that performed better at neuroticism prediction than others. Prediction models developed based on open-ended questions that theoretically aligned with neuroticism exhibited superior predictive performance.
Effects of environmental phenols on eGFR: machine learning modeling methods applied to cross-sectional studies
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhou Hao , Wang Xueli , Wen Fukang , Zhang Guibin , Yu Jinao , Shen Hui , Huang Rongrong 
Published: August 2024

PurposeLimited investigation is available on the correlation between environmental phenols’ exposure and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Our target is established a robust and explainable machine learning (ML) model that associates environmental phenols’ exposure with eGFR.MethodsOur datasets for constructing the associations between environmental phenols’ and eGFR were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013–2016). Five ML models were contained and fine-tuned to eGFR regression by phenols’ exposure. Regression evaluation metrics were used to extract the limitation of the models. The most effective model was then utilized for regression, with interpretation of its features carried out using shapley additive explanations (SHAP) and the game theory python package to represent the model’s regression capacity.ResultsThe study identified the top-performing random forest (RF) regressor with a mean absolute error of 0.621 and a coefficient of determination of 0.998 among 3,371 participants. Six environmental phenols with eGFR in linear regression models revealed that the concentrations of triclosan (TCS) and bisphenol S (BPS) in urine were positively correlated with eGFR, and the correlation coefficients were β = 0.010 (p = 0.026) and β = 0.007 (p = 0.004) respectively. SHAP values indicate that BPS (1.38), bisphenol F (BPF) (0.97), 2,5-dichlorophenol (0.87), TCS (0.78), BP3 (0.60), bisphenol A (BPA) (0.59) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (0.47) in urinary contributed to the model.ConclusionThe RF model was efficient in identifying a correlation between phenols’ exposure and eGFR among United States NHANES 2013–2016 participants. The findings indicate that BPA, BPF, and BPS are inversely associated with eGFR.
Causal relationship between air pollution and infections: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yang Shengyi , Tong Tong , Wang Hong , Li Zhenwei , Wang Mengmeng , Ni Kaiwen 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundTraditional observational studies exploring the association between air pollution and infections have been limited by small sample sizes and potential confounding factors. To address these limitations, we applied Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the potential causal relationships between particulate matter (PM2.5, PM2.5–10, and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, and nitrogen oxide and the risks of infections.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to air pollution were selected from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the UK Biobank. Publicly available summary data for infections were obtained from the FinnGen Biobank and the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) meta-analysis was used as the primary method for obtaining the Mendelian randomization (MR) estimates. Complementary analyses were performed using the weighted median method, MR-Egger method, and MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test.ResultsThe fixed-effect IVW estimate showed that PM2.5, PM2.5–10 and Nitrogen oxides were suggestively associated with COVID-19 [for PM2.5: IVW (fe): OR 3.573(1.218,5.288), PIVW(fe) = 0.021; for PM2.5–10: IVW (fe): OR 2.940(1.385,6.239), PIVW(fe) = 0.005; for Nitrogen oxides, IVW (fe): OR 1.898(1.318,2.472), PIVW(fe) = 0.010]. PM2.5, PM2.5–10, PM10, and Nitrogen oxides were suggestively associated with bacterial pneumonia [for PM2.5: IVW(fe): OR 1.720 (1.007, 2.937), PIVW(fe) = 0.047; for PM2.5–10: IVW(fe): OR 1.752 (1.111, 2.767), P IVW(fe) = 0.016; for PM10: IVW(fe): OR 2.097 (1.045, 4.208), PIVW(fe) = 0.037; for Nitrogen oxides, IVW(fe): OR 3.907 (1.209, 5.987), PIVW(fe) = 0.023]. Furthermore, Nitrogen dioxide was suggestively associated with the risk of acute upper respiratory infections, while all air pollution were not associated with intestinal infections.ConclusionsOur results support a role of related air pollution in the Corona Virus Disease 2019, bacterial pneumonia and acute upper respiratory infections. More work is need for policy formulation to reduce the air pollution and the emission of toxic and of harmful gas.