bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early re-emerging tremor after MRgFUS thalamotomy: case–control analysis of procedural and imaging features
Authors: Bruno Federico , Badini Pierfrancesco , Innocenzi Antonio , Saporito Gennaro , Catalucci Alessia , Sucapane Patrizia , Barile Antonio , Cesare Ernesto Di , Marini Carmine , Pistoia Francesca , Splendiani Alessandra 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThis study aimed to identify possible prognostic factors determining early tremor relapse after Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) thalamotomy in patients with essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).MethodsNine patients (six ET and three PD) who underwent Vim MRgFUS thalamotomy in a single institution and developed early re-emergent tremor were analyzed. A control group of patients matched pairwise for sex, pathology, age, disease duration, and skull density ratio (SDR) was selected to compare the technical-procedural data and MR imaging evidence. MR imaging findings compared between groups included lesion shape and volume in multiparametric sequences, as well as Fractiona Anisotropy (FA) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values derived from Diffusion Tensor Imaging Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DTI) and Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) sequences.ResultsWe did not find statistically significant differences in gender and age between the two groups. Technical and procedural parameters were also similar in both treatment groups. In MRI analysis, we found lesions of similar size but with greater caudal extension in the control group with stable outcomes compared to patients with tremor relapse.ConclusionIn our analysis of early recurrences after thalamotomy with focused ultrasound, there were neither technical and procedural differences nor prognostic factors related to lesion size or ablation temperatures. Greater caudal extension of the lesion in patients without recurrence might suggest the importance of spatial consolidation during treatment.
Therapeutic targets for age-related macular degeneration: proteome-wide Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses
Authors: Pu Kun-Lin , Kang Hong , Li Li 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundCurrently, effective therapeutic drugs for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are urgently needed, and it is crucial to explore new treatment targets. The proteome is indispensable for exploring disease targets, so we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) of the proteome to identify new targets for AMD and its related subtypes.MethodsThe plasma protein level data used in this study were obtained from two large-scale studies of protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL), comprising 35,559 and 54,219 samples, respectively. The expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data were sourced from eQTLGen and GTEx Version 8. The discovery set for AMD data and subtypes was derived from the FinnGen study, consisting of 9,721 AMD cases and 381,339 controls, 5,239 wet AMD cases and 273,920 controls, and 6,651 dry AMD cases and 272,504 controls. The replication set for AMD data was obtained from the study by Winkler TW et al., comprising 14,034 cases and 91,234 controls. Summary Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis was employed to assess the association between QTL data and AMD and its subtypes, while colocalization analysis was performed to determine whether they share causal variants. Additionally, chemical exploration and molecular docking were utilized to validate potential drugs targeting the identified proteins.ResultsSMR and colocalization analysis jointly identified risk-associated proteins for AMD and its subtypes, including 5 proteins (WARS1, BRD2, IL20RB, TGFB1, TNFRSF10A) associated with AMD, 2 proteins (WARS1, IL20RB) associated with Dry-AMD, and 9 proteins (COL10A1, WARS1, VTN, SDF2, LBP, CD226, TGFB1, TNFRSF10A, CSF2) associated with Wet-AMD. The results revealed potential therapeutic chemicals, and molecular docking indicated a good binding between the chemicals and protein structures.ConclusionProteome-wide MR have identified risk-associated proteins for AMD and its subtypes, suggesting that these proteins may serve as potential therapeutic targets worthy of further clinical investigation.
Interactive effects of Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index with Body Mass Index for the risk of stroke among U.S. adults: insight from NHANES 2001–2018
Authors: Li Xi , Hu Xin , You Chao 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundThis cross-sectional study aims to explore the interactive effects of the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) and Body Mass Index (BMI) on stroke risk among U.S. adults, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2001 and 2018.MethodsThe analysis involved 42,042 participants from a representative sample of non-institutionalized U.S. civilians, selected through a stratified, multistage probability sampling method. Dietary intake data were collected over two 24-h periods using the Automated Multiple-Pass Method. The study calculated a modified CDAI to assess dietary antioxidant intake, excluding supplements and water sources. Statistical methods included multivariable logistic regression and Generalized Additive Models (GAM) to evaluate the interaction between CDAI scores and BMI in relation to stroke risk, adjusting for a wide range of demographic, lifestyle, and health covariates.ResultsThe research identified a significant interaction between CDAI scores and BMI categories in stroke risk assessment. While a negative correlation was observed between CDAI scores and stroke risk across the total population (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.99), this relationship varied notably across different BMI groups. In participants with a BMI ≥25, a statistically significant negative association persisted, displaying a non-linear pattern. The study also revealed an inflection point in the CDAI score, indicating a shift in the relationship between dietary antioxidants and stroke risk.ConclusionThis study underscores the complex interaction between dietary antioxidant intake and BMI in determining stroke risk among U.S. adults. The findings suggest that individuals with higher BMI may experience more pronounced benefits from dietary antioxidants in stroke prevention. These insights could inform targeted dietary recommendations and public health strategies aimed at reducing stroke risk, particularly in populations with higher BMI. Further research is needed to fully understand these interactions and their implications for stroke prevention guidelines.
Immune cell related signature predicts prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on single-cell and bulk-RNA sequencing
Authors: Wang Xian , Peng Wei , Zhao Yali , Sha Jiming , Li Na , Huang Shan , Wang Hua 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundIt has been reported that tumor immune microenvironment performs a vital role in tumor progress. However, acting mechanism of immune cell related genes (IRGs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is uncertain.MethodsTCGA-ESCC, GSE23400, GSE26886, GSE75241, and GSE196756 datasets were gained via public databases. First, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ESCC and control samples from GSE23400, GSE26886, and GSE75241 were screened out by differential expression analysis, and overlapping DEGs were identified. Single-cell transcriptome data of GSE196756 were applied to explore immune cells that might be involved in regulation of ESCC. Then, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was applied to screen IRGs. Next, differentially expressed IRGs (DE-IRGs) were identified by overlapping IRGs and DEGs, and were incorporated into univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and multivariate Cox to acquire prognosis-related genes, and ESCC samples were grouped into high-/low-risk groups on the basis of median risk score. Finally, the role of prognosis model in immunotherapy was analyzed.ResultsTotally 248 DEGs were yielded by overlapping 3,915 DEGs in GSE26886, 459 DEGs in GSE23400, and 1,641 DEGs in GSE75241. Single-cell analysis found that B cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and T cells were involved in ESCC development. Besides, MEred, MEblack, MEpink, MEblue and MEbrown modules were considered as key modules because of their highest correlations with immune cell subtypes. A total of 154 DE-IRGs were yielded by taking intersection of DEGs and genes in key modules. Moreover, CTSC, ALOX12, and RMND5B were identified as prognosis-related genes in ESCC. Obviously, Exclusion and TIDE scores were notably lower in high-risk group than in the other one, indicating that high-risk group was more responsive to immunotherapy.ConclusionsThrough bioinformatic analysis, we identified a prognosis model consisting of IRGs (CTSC, ALOX12, and RMND5B) in ESCC, providing new ideas for studies related to treatment and prognosis of ESCC.
Triple-negative breast cancer survival prediction: population-based research using the SEER database and an external validation cohort
Authors: Qiu Yu , Chen Yan , Shen Haoyang , Yan Shuixin , Li Jiadi , Wu Weizhu 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is linked to a poorer outlook, heightened aggressiveness relative to other breast cancer variants, and limited treatment choices. The absence of conventional treatment methods makes TNBC patients susceptible to metastasis. The objective of this research was to assess the clinical and pathological traits of TNBC patients, predict the influence of risk elements on their outlook, and create a prediction model to assist doctors in treating TNBC patients and enhancing their prognosis.MethodsWe included 23,394 individuals with complete baseline clinical data and survival information who were diagnosed with primary TNBC between 2010 and 2015 based on the SEER database. External validation utilised a group from The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University. Independent risk factors linked to TNBC prognosis were identified through univariate, multivariate, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression methods. These characteristics were chosen as parameters to develop 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) nomogram models. Model accuracy was assessed using calibration curves, consistency indices (C-indices), receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs), and decision curve analyses (DCAs). Finally, TNBC patients were divided into groups of high, medium, and low risk, employing the nomogram model for conducting a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.ResultsIn the training cohort, variables such as age at diagnosis, marital status, grade, T stage, N stage, M stage, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were linked to OS and BCSS. For the nomogram, the C-indices stood at 0.762, 0.747, and 0.764 in forecasting OS across the training, internal validation, and external validation groups, respectively. Additionally, the C-index values for the training, internal validation, and external validation groups in BCSS prediction stood at 0.793, 0.755, and 0.811, in that order. The findings revealed that the calibration of our nomogram model was successful, and the time-variant ROC curves highlighted its effectiveness in clinical settings. Ultimately, the clinical DCA showcased the prospective clinical advantages of the suggested model. Furthermore, the online version was simple to use, and nomogram classification may enhance the differentiation of TNBC prognosis and distinguish risk groups more accurately.ConclusionThese nomograms are precise tools for assessing risk in patients with TNBC and forecasting survival. They can help doctors identify prognostic markers and create more effective treatment plans for patients with TNBC, providing more accurate assessments of their 3- and 5-year OS and BCSS.
Preliminary exploration of amide proton transfer weighted imaging in differentiation between benign and malignant bone tumors
Authors: Li Ying , Lin Liangjie , Zhang Yong , Ren Cuiping , Zhang Wenhua , Cheng Jingliang 
Published: June 2024

PurposeTo explore the value of 3D amide proton transfer weighted imaging (APTWI) in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant bone tumors, and to compare the diagnostic performance of APTWI with traditional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).Materials and methodsPatients with bone tumors located in the pelvis or lower limbs confirmed by puncture or surgical pathology were collected from January 2021 to July 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. All patients underwent APTWI and DWI examinations. The magnetization transfer ratio with asymmetric analysis at the frequency offset of 3.5 ppm [MTRasym(3.5 ppm)] derived by APTWI and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived by DWI for the tumors were measured. The Kolmogorou-Smirnou and Levene normality test was used to confirm the normal distribution of imaging parameters; and the independent sample t test was used to compare the differences in MTRasym(3.5 ppm) and ADC between benign and malignant bone tumors. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of different imaging parameters in differentiation between benign and malignant bone tumors. P&lt;0.05 means statistically significant.ResultsAmong 85 bone tumor patients, 33 were benign and 52 were malignant. The MTRasym(3.5 ppm) values of malignant bone tumors were significantly higher than those of benign tumors, while the ADC values were significantly lower in benign tumors. ROC analysis shows that MTRasym(3.5 ppm) and ADC values perform well in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant bone tumors, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.798 and 0.780, respectively. Combination of MTRasym(3.5 ppm) and ADC values can further improve the diagnostic performance with the AUC of 0.849 (sensitivity = 84.9% and specificity = 73.1%).ConclusionMTRasym(3.5 ppm) of malignant bone tumors was significantly higher than that of benign bone tumors, reflecting the abnormal increase of protein synthesis in malignant tumors. APTWI combined with DWI can achieve a high diagnostic efficacy in differentiation between benign and malignant bone tumors.
Tailoring advanced breast cancer treatment after cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors progression - real-world data analysis
Authors: Kubeczko Marcin , Polakiewicz-Gilowska Anna , Świderska Katarzyna , Leśniak Aleksandra , Mianowska-Malec Marta , Łanoszka Barbarba , Chomik Konstanty , Grandys Barbara , Lisovska Natalya , Bobek-Billewicz Barbara , Chmielik Ewa , Jarząb Michał 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundCyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) represent the gold standard of the hormone receptor positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) negative advanced breast cancer. However, optimal treatment after disease progression is a matter of debate. We aimed to assess predictive and prognostic factors associated with the treatment outcome following CDK4/6i progression.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients who progressed on CDK4/6i treatment between 2018 and 2024. Treatment based on molecular findings (PIK3CA mutation), genetic findings (BRCA1/2 germline mutation), or adapted to the change in the tumor phenotype in rebiopsy (anti-HER2 therapy in the transformation to HER-2-positive disease) was grouped into tailored treatment and compared to the endocrine-based therapy and chemotherapy alone.ResultsFive hundred twelve patients were treated with CDK4/6i. Two hundred patients with disease progression were enrolled in the study. Duration of response to CDK4/6i was not predictive of the response to subsequent treatment, whereas the progression in the central nervous system was the worst prognostic factor. Thirty patients were ineligible for subsequent treatment. Survival after CDK4/6i progression was significantly longer in patients eligible for tailored treatment. The median PFS in patients with tailored treatment (n=19) was 13.5 months vs. 4.9 months in patients with non-tailored therapy (n=151; p=0.045). 12-month PFS was 54.1% with tailored treatment [95% CI 24.1–76.7%] compared to 18.5% with non-tailored therapy [95% CI 11.6–26.6%]. The median OS for patients treated with a tailored approach was not reached compared to 11.5 months with non-tailored treatment (p=0.016). The 24-month OS for patients treated with a tailored approach was 80.2% [95% CI 40.3–94.8%] compared to 21.1% [95% CI 12.2–31.7%] for patients with non-tailored treatment.ConclusionsTailoring of subsequent treatment strategy seems to be essential for achieving long-term benefit. Further studies are required, as the prognosis after CDK4/6i progression remains dismal, especially in cases affecting the central nervous system.
Enhancing ectasia screening using advanced AS-OCT: a case series of challenging refractive candidates
Authors: Mohr Niklas , Kassumeh Stefan , Luft Nikolaus , Dirisamer Martin , Priglinger Siegfried G. , Mayer Wolfgang J. 
Published: June 2024

PurposeEctasia screening in candidates for laser refractive surgery is mandatory during preoperative evaluation. Despite the availability of modern imaging techniques, refractive surgeons often face borderline decisions when patients present with suspicious tomographic findings. This case series presents refractive candidates with suspicious tomographic findings and demonstrates how to interpret them using Scheimpflug imaging and additional anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).SettingDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich.Case seriesThis case series examines six potential candidates for refractive surgery with a mean age of 29.2 ± 3.9 years, whose corneal assessments using Scheimpflug imaging raised suspicion for ectasia. Each candidate was additionally examined with AS-OCT and reevaluated. The mean manifest subjective spherical equivalent was -3.67 ± 1.8 diopters. The total corneal thickness measured 537 µm ± 30 µm at its thinnest point. None of the candidates had any reported underlying corneal or ophthalmic diseases, and slit lamp examinations revealed no abnormal morphological findings.ConclusionsBoth Scheimpflug imaging and AS-OCT are appropriate tools for screening refractive candidates for ectasia. While topographic and elevation analyses yielded comparable results regarding corneal structure, the epithelial mapping provided by AS-OCT played a critical role in decision-making for cases with borderline tomographic findings. Establishing a global consensus on the use of epithelial mapping in ectasia screening is necessary.
Hyponatremia in babies: a 11-year single-center study
Authors: Liu Xu , Xie Yanshu , Tang Jing , Zhong Jingzi , Lan Dan 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionHyponatremia is one of the most prevalent water-electrolyte disturbances encountered in clinical practice in pediatrics and can arise from various conditions. However, there are limited reports on hyponatremia in hospitalized infants. The objective of this study was to provide an overview of the incidence, etiologies, and clinical characteristics of hyponatremia in hospitalized babies (from birth to 3 years old) at a tertiary hospital.MethodComputer records of all hospitalized babies (from birth to 3 years old) with hyponatremia were extracted from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University's clinical databases.Results801 patients from 39,019 hospital admissions were found to have hyponatremia and the overall prevalence of this condition was 2.05% in babies. Patients with hyponatremia due to aldosterone signaling abnormalities, neurological disorders, and liver diseases exhibited more severe outcomes than those with other etiologies.ConclusionsVarious conditions can result in hyponatremia in hospitalized babies. Aldosterone signaling abnormalities were not that uncommon and it could lead to severe hyponatremia in babies.
Sputum microbe community alterations induced by long-term inhaled corticosteroid use are associated with airway function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients based on metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS)
Authors: Yue Yuanyi , Zhang Baohui , He Zhong , Zheng Yuling , Wang Xueqing , Zhang Qiang 
Published: June 2024

Objective: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are widely used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients as a treatment option. However, ICS may also increase the risk of pneumonia and alter the composition of airway microbiota. In clinical application, the overuse of ICS exists pervasively and may potentially lead to adverse effects. Whether the long-term use of ICS confers enough benefit to COPD patients to justify its use so far remains unknown. Therefore, this study employed a single-center retrospective cohort study to compare alterations in airway function and the sputum microbial community structure between COPD patients who had undergone either long-term or short-term treatment with ICS.Methods: Sixty stable COPD patients who had used ICS were recruited and classified into the long-term use group (more than 3 months) and short-term use group (less than 3 months). The demographic features and clinical information of the subjects were investigated and their sputum samples were collected and subjected to metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).Results: The study found that compared with short-term ICS use, long-term ICS use did not further improve the clinical airway function, decrease the number of acute exacerbations, or decrease hospital readmission. In terms of sputum microbiota, the long-term use of ICS significantly altered the beta diversity of the microbial community structure (p &lt; 0.05) and the top three phyla differed between the two groups. At the genus level, long-term ICS induced higher relative abundances of Abiotrophia, Schaalia, Granulicatella, Mogibacterium, Sphingobium, and Paraeggerthella compared to short-term ICS use. Additionally, alpha diversity was positively associated with clinical airway indicators (pre-bronchodilatory FEV1 and pre-bronchodilatory FVC) in the long-term ICS group. The relative abundances of Rothia, Granulicatella, Schaalia, and Mogibacterium genera had positive correlations with the eosinophil % (of all white blood cells). Conclusion: This study reveals the effect of long-term and short-term ICS use on sputum microbiota among COPD patients and provides a reference for the appropriate application of clinical ICS treatment in COPD patients.
Climber, mediator, and marathoner: narrative inquiry of career motivation changes of pre-service CSL teachers throughout teaching practicum
Authors: Zhou Rubing , Wang Tianmiao , Lin Hanzhao 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionThe growing global demand for foreign language learning contrasts sharply with the shortage of second language teachers. In Chinese as a second language (CSL) education, although the number of pre-service CSL teachers is increasing, few continue in the profession after completing their teacher education courses.MethodsTo investigate the reasons behind this trend, this longitudinal narrative inquiry examined the career motivations of three participants during their teaching practicum. The study focused on identifying key narrative clues based on metaphors emerging from their narratives.ResultsThe research found that the participants’ career motivations were influenced by their teaching practice and experienced various dynamic changes. Key motivational factors included self-efficacy and intrinsic self-fulfillment, with a notable influence from the unique cross-cultural motivation associated with second language teaching.DiscussionThe study underscores the significant role of narratives and metaphors in understanding changes in teacher career motivations. It suggests that enhancing self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation, alongside recognizing cross-cultural motivations, could be crucial in addressing the retention issues among pre-service CSL teachers.