bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Personalized embryo transfer guided by rsERT improves pregnancy outcomes in patients with repeated implantation failure
Authors: Li Ning , Zhang Yisheng , Li Rufei , Chen Yulin , Huang Lin , Tan Zhuojie , Ban Xiaoying , Zhou Ling , Xu Changlong , Qiu Ying , Li Rong 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionEmbryo implantation requires synchronous communication between the embryo and maternal endometrium. Inadequate maternal endometrial receptivity is one of the principal causes for embryo implantation failure [especially repeated implantation failure (RIF)] when biopsied good-quality euploid embryos are transferred. An RNA-seq-based endometrial receptivity test (rsERT) was previously established to precisely guide successful embryo implantation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of personalized embryo transfer (pET) via rsERT on the clinical outcomes in patients with RIF.MethodsA total of 155 patients with RIF were included in the present retrospective study and were divided into two groups: 60 patients who underwent rsERT and pET (Group rsERT) and 95 patients who underwent standard frozen embryo transfer (FET) without rsERT (Group FET). Reproductive outcomes were compared for patients who underwent rsERT-guided pET and standard FET.ResultsForty percent (24/60) of the patients who underwent rsERT were receptive, and the remaining 60% (36/60) were non-receptive. The positive human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) rate (56.3% vs. 30.5%, P = 0.003) and clinical pregnancy rate (43.8% vs. 24.2%, P = 0.017) were significantly higher in Group rsERT patients than in FET group patients. Additionally, Group rsERT patients also showed a higher implantation rate (32.1% vs. 22.1%, P = 0.104) and live birth rate (35.4% vs. 21.1%, P = 0.064) when compared with FET patients, although without significance. For subpopulation analysis, the positive β-hCG rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and live birth rate of receptive patients were not statistically significant different from those of non-receptive patients.ConclusionsThe rsERT can significantly improve the pregnancy outcomes of RIF patients, indicating the clinical potential of rsERT-guided pET.
Xiaoqinglong decoction mitigates nasal inflammation and modulates gut microbiota in allergic rhinitis mice
Authors: Liu Hao-Lan , Chen Hui-Fang , Wu Yun-Dang , Yan Ya-Jie , He Xue-Cheng , Li Zhong-Zheng , Ruan Yan , Wu Gan-Long 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a respiratory immune system disorder characterized by dysregulation of immune responses. Within the context of AR, gut microbiota and its metabolites have been identified as contributors to immune modulation. These microorganisms intricately connect the respiratory and gut immune systems, forming what is commonly referred to as the gut-lung axis. Xiaoqinglong Decoction (XQLD), a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, is widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for the clinical treatment of AR. In this study, it is hypothesized that the restoration of symbiotic microbiota balance within the gut-lung axis plays a pivotal role in supporting the superior long-term efficacy of XQLD in AR therapy. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to investigate the impact of XQLD on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota in a murine model of AR.MethodsAn ovalbumin-sensitized mouse model to simulate AR was utilized, the improvement of AR symptoms after medication was investigated, and high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbiota composition.ResultsXQLD exhibited substantial therapeutic effects in AR mice, notably characterized by a significant reduction in allergic inflammatory responses, considerable alleviation of nasal symptoms, and the restoration of normal nasal function. Additionally, following XQLD treatment, the disrupted gut microbiota in AR mice displayed a tendency toward restoration, showing significant differences compared to the Western medicine (loratadine) group.DiscussionThis results revealed that XQLD may enhance AR allergic inflammatory responses through the regulation of intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in mice, thus influencing the dynamics of the gut-lung axis. The proposal of this mechanism provides a foundation for future research in this area.
MicroRNA as a promising molecular biomarker in the diagnosis of breast cancer
Authors: Miranda Felipe Silva de , Slaibi-Filho José , Calasans dos Santos Gabriel , Carmo Nathalia Teixeira , Kaneto Carla Martins , Borin Thaiz Ferraz , Luiz Wilson Barros , Gastalho Campos Luciene Cristina 
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Breast cancer represents the most prevalent malignancy among women. Recent advancements in translational research have focused on the identification of novel biomarkers capable of providing valuable insights into patient outcomes. Furthermore, comprehensive investigations aimed at discovering novel miRNAs, unraveling their biological functions, and deciphering their target genes have significantly contributed to our understanding of the roles miRNAs play in tumorigenesis. Consequently, these investigations have facilitated the way for the development of miRNA-based approaches for breast cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. However, conducting a more extensive array of studies, particularly among diverse ethnic groups, is imperative to expand the scope of research and validate the significance of miRNAs. This study aimed to assess the expression patterns of circulating miRNAs in plasma as a prospective biomarker for breast cancer patients within a population primarily consisting of individuals from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.Methods: We evaluated 49 patients with breast cancer compared to 44 healthy women.Results and discussion: All miRNAs analyzed in the plasma of patients with breast cancer were downregulated. ROC curve analysis of miR-21 (AUC = 0.798, 95% CI: 0.682–0.914, p &lt;0.0001), miR-1 (AUC = 0.742, 95% CI: 0.576–0.909, p = 0.004), miR-16 (AUC = 0.721, 95% CI: 0.581–0.861, p = 0.002) and miR-195 (AUC = 0.672, 95% CI: 0.553–0.792, p = 0.004) showed better diagnostic accuracy in discrimination of breast cancer patients in comparison with healthy women. miR-210, miR-21 showed the highest specificities values (97.3%, 94.1%, respectively). Following, miR-10b and miR-195 showed the highest sensitivity values (89.3%, and 77.8%, respectively). The panel with a combination of four miRNAs (miR-195 + miR-210 + miR-21 + miR-16) had an AUC of 0.898 (0.765–0.970), a sensitivity of 71.4%, and a specificity of 100.0%. Collectively, our results highlight the miRNA combination in panels drastically improves the results and showed high accuracy for the diagnosis of breast cancer displaying good sensitivity and specificity.
Comparison of externally and internally guided dance movement to address mobility, cognition, and psychosocial function in people with Parkinson’s disease and freezing of gait: a case series
Authors: Abraham Amit , Hart Ariel , Bozzorg Ariyana , Pothineni Suraj , Wolf Steven L. , Schuh Kersey , Caughlan Molly , Parker Jelani , Blackwell Amanda , Tharp Cianflona Megan , Asker Courtney , Prusin Todd , Hackney Madeleine E. 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the impact of internally guided (IG) versus externally guided (EG) adapted tango (AT) dance training (i.e., dancing the IG “Leader” role or the EG “Follower” role), on motor and non-motor functions in individuals with Parkinson’s disease and freezing of gait (PD-FOG). The “Leader” role, a proxy for IG movements, conveys direction, timing, and amplitude of steps with tactile cues. The “Follower” role, a proxy for EG movements, detects and responds to the leader’s tactile cues.Case descriptionSix participants were randomly assigned to the IG (“Leader”) or EG (“Follower”) roles for 20, 90-min AT lessons over 12 weeks. Participants were assessed for PD-specific and non-PD-specific functions before and twice after the end of the 12-week intervention, at 1-week and 1-month post-intervention.ResultsEG participants improved and/or maintained performance on more outcomes across all domains than IG participants. Five participants improved in PD motor symptoms, dynamic gait, global cognitive function, and the FOG Questionnaire immediately or 1 month after intervention. All participants expressed positive attitudes toward the intervention, including improvements in walking, balance, and endurance.ConclusionAT training in the follower role may benefit individuals with PD-FOG to a greater extent compared to the leader role.ImpactThis case series study could inform additional research with the goal of enhancing physical therapy or music-based therapy approaches for addressing PD-FOG.
Energy landscape analysis of brain network dynamics in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Xing Le , Guo Zhitao , Long Zhiying 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative dementia, characterized by abnormal dynamic functional connectivity (DFC). Traditional DFC analysis, assuming linear brain dynamics, may neglect the complexity of the brain’s nonlinear interactions. Energy landscape analysis offers a holistic, nonlinear perspective to investigate brain network attractor dynamics, which was applied to resting-state fMRI data for AD in this study.MethodsThis study utilized resting-state fMRI data from 60 individuals, comparing 30 Alzheimer’s patients with 30 controls, from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Energy landscape analysis was applied to the data to characterize the aberrant brain network dynamics of AD patients.ResultsThe AD group stayed in the co-activation state for less time than the healthy control (HC) group, and a positive correlation was identified between the transition frequency of the co-activation state and behavior performance. Furthermore, the AD group showed a higher occurrence frequency and transition frequency of the cognitive control state and sensory integration state than the HC group. The transition between the two states was positively correlated with behavior performance.ConclusionThe results suggest that the co-activation state could be important to cognitive processing and that the AD group possibly raised cognitive ability by increasing the occurrence and transition between the impaired cognitive control and sensory integration states.
Interplay between sexual excitation and inhibition: impact on sexual function and neural correlates of erotic stimulus processing in women
Authors: Schmidt Norina M. , Hennig Juergen , Munk Aisha J. L. 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundAs outlined by the dual control model (DCM), individual differences in the regulation of sexual arousal following sexual stimulation depend on two distinct neurophysiological processes: sexual excitation (SE) and sexual inhibition (SI). Although associations with sexual function, behavior, and cue processing have been demonstrated in previous research, underlying neural correlates remain insufficiently explored. Moreover, interactive effects of SE/SI as proposed by the DCM, as well as factors impacting SE/SI properties, such as the use of oral contraceptives (OCs), have not received adequate attention in existing research.Methods90 healthy, sexually active women (n = 51 using OCs, n = 39 naturally cycling) completed an Emotional-Picture-Stroop-Paradigm (EPSP) while a 64-channel EEG was recorded. LPP amplitudes toward erotic and neutral stimuli were consecutively computed as a marker of motivational salience and approach motivation. Additionally, women provided self-reports of SE/SI and sexual function. Moderation analyses were performed to assess interactive effects of SE/SI in predicting LPP amplitudes and sexual function.ResultsSexual function was negatively associated with SI levels but unrelated to SE. Higher SI was associated with reduced LPP amplitudes in response to erotic stimuli. This negative association was, however, attenuated for women high in SE, suggesting interactive effects of SE/SI. Furthermore, women using OCs reported lower SE compared to naturally cycling women.ConclusionThe observed findings provide additional psychophysiological evidence supporting the DCM and underscore the relevance of interactive SE/SI effects in stimulus processing and approach motivation. They also highlight the possible impact of OCs on psychosexual variables that warrants further research.
Association of pulse pressure with hematoma expansion in patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Chao-Ying , Lai Su-Zhen , Kang Bao-Cai , Lin Yi-Zhao , Cao Chun-Juan , Huang Xin-Bing , Wang Jian-Qun 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveRecent reports have demonstrated that a wider pulse pressure upon admission is correlated with heightened in-hospital mortality following spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ssICH). However, the underlying mechanism remains ambiguous. We investigated whether a wider pulse pressure was associated with hematoma expansion (HE).MethodsDemographic information, clinical features, and functional outcomes of patients diagnosed with ssICH were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify independent predictors of HE. Weighted logistic regression, restricted cubic spline models, and propensity score matching (PSM) were employed to estimate the association between pulse pressure and HE.ResultsWe included 234 eligible adult ssICH patients aged 60 (51–71) years, and 55.56% were male. The mean pulse pressure was 80.94 ± 23.32 mmHg. Twenty-seven patients (11.54%) developed early HE events, and 116 (49.57%) experienced a poor outcome (modified Rankin scale 3–6). A wider mean pulse pressure as a continuous variable was a predictor of HE [odds ratios (OR) 1.026, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.007–1.046, p = 0.008] in multivariate analysis. We transformed pulse pressure into a dichotomous variable based on its cutoff value. After adjusting for confounding of HE variables, the occurrence of HE in patients with ssICH with wider pulse pressure levels (≥98 mmHg) had 3.78 times (OR 95% CI 1.47–9.68, p = 0.006) compared to those with narrower pulse pressure levels (&lt;98 mmHg). A linear association was observed between pulse pressure and increased HE risk (P for overall = 0.036, P for nonlinear = 0.759). After 1:1 PSM (pulse pressure ≥98 mmHg vs. pulse pressure &lt;98 mmHg), the rates of HE events and poor outcome still had statistically significant in wider-pulse pressure group [HE, 12/51 (23.53%) vs. 4/51 [7.84%], p = 0.029; poor outcome, 34/51 (66.67%) vs. 19/51 (37.25%), p = 0.003].ConclusionWidened acute pulse pressure (≥98 mmHg) levels at admission are associated with increased risks of early HE and unfavorable outcomes in patients with ssICH.
Evaluation of clinical factors predicting dysphagia in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic cervical spinal cord injury: a retrospective study
Authors: Choi Jin-Woo , Kim Dae Yeong , Joo Sun Young , Park Donghwi , Chang Min Cheol 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionDysphagia is a common complication in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (C-SCI) and can cause various pulmonary complications, such as aspiration pneumonia and mechanical airway obstruction increasing mortality and morbidity. This study evaluated the clinical factors that predict dysphagia in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic C-SCI.MethodsNinety-eight patients with C-SCI were retrospectively enrolled in this study and were divided into those with and without dysphagia. Clinical factors such as age, sex, tracheostomy, spinal cord independence measure, pulmonary function test (PFT) including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FVC/FEV1, American Spinal Cord Injury Association score, Berg Balance Scale, and surgical approach were investigated retrospectively.ResultsMultivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that FVC and the presence of tracheostomy were significantly correlated with dysphagia in patients with C-SCI (p &lt; 0.05). FVC and the presence of tracheostomy are useful tools for detecting dysphagia in patients with C-SCI.ConclusionConsidering the results of our study, early PFTs, especially FVC, in patients with C-SCI and early initiation of dysphagia management and treatment in patients with C-SCI and tracheostomy will be advantageous in lowering the mortality and morbidity due to pulmonary aspiration in these patients.
Interhemispheric functional connectivity: an fMRI study in callosotomized patients
Authors: Marcantoni Ilaria , Piccolantonio Giusi , Ghoushi Mojgan , Valenti Marco , Reversi Luca , Mariotti Francesco , Foschi Nicoletta , Lattanzi Simona , Burattini Laura , Fabri Mara , Polonara Gabriele 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionFunctional connectivity (FC) is defined in terms of temporal correlations between physiological signals, which mainly depend upon structural (axonal) connectivity; it is commonly studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Interhemispheric FC appears mostly supported by the corpus callosum (CC), although several studies investigating this aspect have not provided conclusive evidence. In this context, patients in whom the CC was resected for therapeutic reasons (split-brain patients) provide a unique opportunity for research into this issue. The present study was aimed at investigating with resting-state fMRI the interhemispheric FC in six epileptic patients who have undergone surgical resection of the CC.MethodsThe analysis was performed using fMRI of the Brain Software Library; the evaluation of interhemispheric FC and the recognition of the resting-state networks (RSNs) were performed using probabilistic independent component analysis.ResultsGenerally, bilateral brain activation was often observed in primary sensory RSNs, while in the associative areas, such as those composing the default mode and fronto-parietal networks, the activation was often unilateral.DiscussionThese results suggest that even in the absence of the CC, some interhemispheric communication is still present. This residual FC might be supported through extra-callosal pathways that are likely subcortical, making it possible for some interhemispheric integration. Further studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.
Advanced age is not a barrier to chronic intracortical single-unit recording in rat cortex
Authors: Nolta Nicholas F. , Christensen Michael B. , Tresco Patrick A. 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionAvailable evidence suggests that as we age, our brain and immune system undergo changes that increase our susceptibility to injury, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Since a significant portion of the potential patients treated with a microelectrode-based implant may be older, it is important to understand the recording performance of such devices in an aged population.MethodsWe studied the chronic recording performance and the foreign body response (FBR) to a clinically used microelectrode array implanted in the cortex of 18-month-old Sprague Dawley rats.Results and discussionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first preclinical study of its type in the older mammalian brain. Here, we show that single-unit recording performance was initially robust then gradually declined over a 12-week period, similar to what has been previously reported using younger adult rats and in clinical trials. In addition, we show that FBR biomarker distribution was similar to what has been previously described for younger adult rats implanted with multi-shank recording arrays in the motor cortex. Using a quantitative immunohistochemcal approach, we observed that the extent of astrogliosis and tissue loss near the recording zone was inversely related to recording performance. A comparison of recording performance with a younger cohort supports the notion that aging, in and of itself, is not a limiting factor for the clinical use of penetrating microelectrode recording arrays for the treatment of certain CNS disorders.
Hepatotoxicity assessment of innovative nutritional supplements based on olive-oil formulations enriched with natural antioxidants
Authors: Prodromou Sofia I. , Chatzopoulou Fani , Saiti Aikaterini , Giannopoulos-Dimitriou Alexandros , Koudoura Loukia A. , Pantazaki Anastasia A. , Chatzidimitriou Dimitrios , Vasiliou Vasilis , Vizirianakis Ioannis S. 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThis study focuses on the assessment of extra virgin olive-oil and olive fruit-based formulations enriched with natural antioxidants as potential nutritional supplements for alleviating symptoms and long-term consequences of illnesses whose molecular pathophysiology is affected by oxidative stress and inflammation, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD).MethodsBesides evaluating cell viability and proliferation capacity of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells exposed to formulations in culture, hepatotoxicity was also considered as an additional safety measure using quantitative real-time PCR on RNA samples isolated from the cell cultures and applying approaches of targeted molecular analysis to uncover potential pathway effects through gene expression profiling. Furthermore, the formulations investigated in this work contrast the addition of natural extract with chemical forms and evaluate the antioxidant delivery mode on cell toxicity.ResultsThe results indicate minimal cellular toxicity and a significant beneficial impact on metabolic molecular pathways in HepG2 cell cultures, thus paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies using olive-oil and antioxidants in dietary supplements to minimize the long-term effects of oxidative stress and inflammatory signals in individuals being suffered by disorders like AD.DiscussionOverall, the experimental design and the data obtained support the notion of applying innovative molecular methodologies and research techniques to evidently advance the delivery, as well as the scientific impact and validation of nutritional supplements and dietary products to improve public health and healthcare outcomes.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China
Authors: Liu Yanhong , Shao Rong 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionFirst-line treatment with tislelizumab plus chemotherapy has shown clinical benefits for patients with advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in China, while its economic burden is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.MethodsWe constructed a partitioned survival model to compare the cost-effectiveness of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy in patients with advanced OSCC. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were extracted from RATIONALE-306. Costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were selected as the study outcomes. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to test the stability of the results.ResultsTislelizumab plus chemotherapy provided additional 0.48 QALYs with the incremental cost of $16,587.2 than chemotherapy, of which ICER was $34,699.72 per QALY. When the willingness-to-pay threshold was set as $37,260, the novel therapy had a probability of 77% to be cost-effective. Our base-case analysis results were sensitive to utilities of progression-free survival and progression of disease. Our subgroup analysis showed that the novel therapy was associated with cost-effectiveness in patients with a high expression of PD-L1.ConclusionTislelizumab plus chemotherapy was likely to be more cost-effective compared with chemotherapy in the first-line therapy of advanced OSCC from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. Our findings can provide clinicians and decision-makers with evidence of the cost-effectiveness of tislelizumab.