bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Profiles and Outcomes of Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease with Increased Alcohol Intake
Authors: Wang Shao-Wen , Wang Ching , Cheng Yu-Ming , Hsieh Tsung-Han , Wang Chia-Chi , Kao Jia-Horng 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background/Purpose:
A new disease name, "Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD)" was proposed, along with new diagnostic criteria for metabolic dysfunction in 2023. Within this context, metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with increased alcohol intake (MetALD) was named as a new specific subgroup. The clinical profiles and outcomes of MetALD patients are unknown.
Methods
Participants included in the Taiwan Biobank database were selected. Patients positive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and former drinkers were excluded. MASLD was diagnosed if having hepatic steatosis on ultrasound, plus at least one of cardiometabolic criteria. Increased alcohol intake was defined as alcohol consumption exceeding 210 grams for males and 140 grams for females weekly. The FIB-4 score was used to assess the degree of liver fibrosis, and carotid plaques on duplex ultrasound were employed to diagnose atherosclerosis.
Results
In a total of 18,160 (mean age 55.28 ± 10.41; 33.2% males) participants, there were 7,316 (40.3%) MASLD patients and 209 (1.2%) MetALD patients. The participants with increased alcohol intake were younger and male predominant. After propensity score matching for age and gender, MetALD patients had higher AST, GGT, fatty liver index (FLI), and FIB-4 score and tended to have a higher proportion of carotid plaques than MASLD patients. Among MASLD patients, those with moderate alcohol intake had higher values of GGT, FLI, and FIB-4 score and a higher proportion of carotid plaques than those with no or social alcohol intake.
Conclusions
This population-based cohort study indicates that MetALD patients have a higher risk of liver injury than those with MASLD. Moreover, modest alcohol intake also increases the risk of liver injury and atherosclerotic in MASLD patients, suggesting MASLD patients should refrain from alcohol intake.
Xiaoyin granules relieve skin lesions in mice with psoriasis through by EGFR-related pathway
Authors: Cai Zhenguo , Zhao Zhen , Shi Jiachen , Li Wen , Zhang Cheng , Wang Dongming , Yang Lili , Xu Ping , He Xiang , Zhang Huimin , Bi Xinling , Wang Wuqing 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background:
Psoriasis is a common relapsing chronic inflammatory skin disease, characterized by immune cell infiltration and abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes. Long-term clinical practice has shown that optimized Xiaoyin granules (XYKL) has benefits for patients with mild to moderate psoriasis, and there are no significant adverse reactions. However, the mechanism of action has not been fully deciphered.
Objective:
This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of XYKL in treating psoriasis through network pharmacology and experimental validation.
Methods:
The ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technique was employed to determine the main components of XYKL. Network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were utilized to screen the active components-targets-pathways for treating psoriasis with XYKL. Additionally, a psoriasis mouse model was created based on the predicted outcomes, and both in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to validate the findings.
Results:
Through network pharmacology analysis, 22 effective ingredients and 70 potential targets associated with psoriasis were selected for XYKL. The “compound-target” network was constructed based on the relationship between compounds and targets. Through PPI network analysis, 26 targets including AKT1, STAT3, EGFR, SRC, ESR1, MMP9, KDR, GSK3B, IL2, and MMP2 were screened. Then, through Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, the “ingredient-target-pathway-disease” network was established for these targets. Finally, 10 important chemical ingredients were selected from XYKL, which act on 17 important targets and regulate 13 psoriasis-related biological pathways. In the research conducted in psoriasis mouse models and in vitro cell experiments, it was found that XYKL significantly inhibits the inflammatory levels in psoriasis mice and may promote apoptosis of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) by inhibiting the EGFR-related signaling pathway and inhibiting their proliferation.
Conclusion:
This study confirmed the therapeutic effect of XYKL on psoriasis and discovered that XYKL may achieve this effect by inhibiting the EGFR-related signaling pathway to alleviate the inflammatory response of psoriasis, while also inhibiting the proliferation of keratinocytes and promoting their apoptosis.
Exploring the Genetic Links Between Asthma, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, and Osteoarthritis Through Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Du Kai , Zhang Chen-Yu , Li Ao , Hu Jia-Ze , Guo Ren , Li Shu-Ming 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

To elucidate the bidirectional associations and mechanisms linking the increasingly prevalent conditions of asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and osteoarthritis (OA), with a focus on exploring the mediating role of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in these associations. Employing a comprehensive two-sample, bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) framework, this study was designed to investigate the associations between asthma, GERD, and OA (including overall OA, hip OA [HOA] and knee OA [KOA]), incorporating a two-step MR approach to assess the mediating role of NSAIDs within these associations. The genetic foundations for asthma and overall OA were precisely obtained from the UK Biobank, complemented by an in-depth analysis of KOA and HOA through an extensive meta-analysis merging data from the UK Biobank with arcOGEN, enabled by the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). Genetic insights into GERD were derived from a comprehensive GWAS dataset also hosted by EBI. Our analysis applied a broad array of statistical techniques, including Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, Weighted Mode, Weighted Median, and MR-PRESSO methods, coupled with the False Discovery Rate (FDR) procedure, to rigorously minimize false-positive risks. Bidirectional MR analysis reveals mutual increased risks between asthma and GERD (asthma to GERD OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.20–2.01, P < .001; GERD to asthma OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.03–1.04, P < .001), and associations with OA (asthma to overall OA OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.05, P = .01; asthma to KOA OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.20–2.32, P < .01; overall OA to asthma OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.03–1.21, P = .01; KOA to asthma OR = 1.0034, 95% CI = 1.0001–1.0069, P = .03). No significant associations were found between asthma and HOA. GERD is associated with an increased risk for OA (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.03–1.04, P < .001 for overall OA; OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.59–1.86, P < .001 for KOA; OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.20–1.45, P < .001 for HOA) and vice versa for OA subtypes increasing the risk of GERD (overall OA OR = 5.32, 95% CI = 2.74–10.36, P < .001; KOA OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.09–1.16, P < .001; HOA OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07, P < .001). NSAIDs exhibit a protective effect against asthma in OA patients (β=-0.40, 95% CI=-0.60 to -0.20, P < .001), but their impact on the progression from OA to GERD is marked by variability, as indicated by the wide CI (β = 0.68, 95% CI=-0.32 to 1.68, P < .001).Bidirectional associations were found between asthma and OA subtypes (excluding HOA) and between asthma and GERD. GERD's linkage to increased OA risk underscores mutual bidirectionality with OA subtypes. While NSAIDs show potential in mitigating OA to asthma progression, their impact on the OA to GERD trajectory remains uncertain.
New material of the frog Bakonybatrachus fedori Szentesi &amp; Venczel, 2012 from the Santonian of Hungary
Authors: Szentesi Zoltán 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Bakonybatrachus fedori has been described based earlier on one incomplete right ilium as a holotype, and one fragmentary maxilla, angulosplenial, and scapula, originally classified as Discoglossidae. Meantime, some new specimens as fragmentary maxilla and ilia, have been unearthed from the late Cretaceous (Santonian) vertebrate site of Iharkút which are described herein supplementing the existing knowledge from the species. Meanwhile, more publications dealt with the fauna of the fossil vertebrate site of Iharkút, so this work was supplemented by some paleoenvironmental, and paleobiogeographical aspects using them.
A Novel 18F- Fallypride PET Imaging Method to Study Dopamine Release in SD Rats Induced by Alkaloids and Nicotine Salts
Authors: Yan Dawei , Zhang Hui , Liu Xiaomin , Gao Yihan , Li Xiaonan , Lu Lehua , Chen Xiabin , Qian Yiting , Zheng Saijing , Shen Yi 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Dopamine release plays an important role in regulating neuronal behaviors behind drug addiction and abuse. Plant alkaloids and nicotine salts administrations have been reported to exert significant effects on dopamine release in human and animal brains. However, in vivo detection of dopamine in the brain is challenging and mostly invasive, which greatly limit its wide application to study drug-induced neurological mechanisms. A novel 18F- Fallypride positron emission tomography (PET) imaging method was demonstrated for the detection the dopamine secretion in SD rats. The effects of four alkaloids /nicotine salts (nicotine, nicotine benzoate, caffeine and arecoline hydrobromide) on dopamine secretion in SD rats were systematically investigated based on PET imaging using 18F-Fallypride as a marker. The results showed that the effective dopamine saturation dosage of nicotine, nicotine benzoate, caffeine and arecine hydrobromide were 0.125 mg/kg, 0.150 mg/kg, 0.165 mg/kg and 0.300 mg/kg, respectively. Besides, there were also sex differences in the intensity of dopamine secretion of the four alkaloids and nicotine salts under the same dose. Additionally, animal behavior study has supported these pharmacological differences. This work provided a noninvasive real-time detection method to study dopamine excitability by neuronal stimulants in vivo to better understand addiction and abuse ability.
Graphene Nanoplatelets- and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Based Transformer Oil Nanofluids as Coolants with Enhanced Performance
Authors: Shanbedi Mehdi , Dashtbozorg Amirhosein , Karimi Hamed , Rovesi Reza 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Transformer oil (TO) is a highly pure oil that has high durability at high temperatures and is a superior electrical insulator. TO is utilized as insulation and coolant. One of the common problems of TO is overheating, especially in warm seasons, which reduces the efficiency of the transformer, power outages, etc. In this research, heat transfer (H.T.) coefficient, dimensionless numbers, dielectric breakdown voltage, and physical properties of nanofluids were investigated to improve the efficiency of the transformer by adding nanofluids, including graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to TO. The results showed that the natural convection heat transfer coefficient of 0.005%wt GNP/TO increased 8.6% and 12.8% compared to pure TO and 0.005%wt MWCNT/TO, respectively. Besides, the forced convection heat transfer coefficient of 0.005%wt GNP/TO enhanced 8.3% and 9.0% compared to pure TO and 0.005%wt MWCNT/TO, respectively. Dielectric breakdown voltage in GNP/TO and MWCNT/TO nanofluids decreased compared to pure TO due to free electrons. The density of TO also increased by adding GNP and MWCNT. The thermal conductivity (T.C.) of GNP/TO nanofluid was also higher than pure oil and MWCNT/TO and increased by rising temperature, while the thermal conductivity of natural transformer oil was reduced by raising the temperature.
Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes of Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic or Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for &gt; 7 cm Renal Tumors
Authors: Lin Ren-Jie , Hsieh Chia-Chih , Tseng Wen-Hsin , Liu Chien-Liang , Huang Steven K. , Chiu Allen W. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background:
Partial nephrectomy (PN) has been the main strategy for treating cT1 (≤ 7cm) renal tumors. Previous studies have established PN's safety and effectiveness over radical nephrectomy (RN) for cT1 tumors. However, the efficacy and safety of retroperitoneal PN for larger renal tumors (> 7cm) remained controversial. Through a size-based comparative analysis of cT1 and cT2 tumors undergoing retroperitoneal PN, we explored the impact of renal tumors larger than 7cm on perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes.
Materials and Methods:
From January 2017 to April 2021, we collected data from 201 patients undergoing retroperitoneal laparoscopic or robot-assisted PN. Of these, 173 (86.1%) had tumors ≤ 7 cm (Group A) and 28 (13.9%) had tumors > 7 cm (Group B). We analyzed demographics (gender, age, Body Mass Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, preoperative hemoglobin and renal function, tumor location, operative method, RENAL score, and complexity), perioperative (operative time, warm ischemic time, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, surgical margins, complications), and functional outcomes (changes in renal function pre- and postoperatively), along with recurrence rates.
Results:
Mean tumor sizes in Group A and Group B were 3.67 ± 1.56 cm and 9.90 ± 2.97 cm, respectively. RENAL score analysis revealed a significant difference (7.64 vs. 9.21, P < 0.0001), attributed to the Radius and Exophytic/Endophytic property parameters. Furthermore, Group B exhibited significantly higher tumor complexity(P = 0.0009). In perioperative outcomes, Group B had a prolonged warm ischemic time (18.90 vs 22.60 min, P = 0.0486). However, there was no significant difference in estimated blood loss and complication rates. Regarding functional outcomes, only the reduction of estimated glomerular filtration rate on postoperative day 1 was significant (-0.74 vs -8.31, p = 0.016), with no significant differences at 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year postoperatively.
Conclusion:
Retroperitoneal PN for cT2 tumors achieves similar oncological outcomes and long-term renal function preservation for cT1 tumors. Additionally, despite managing larger sizes and higher complexity in cT2 tumors, retroperitoneal PN provided a non-inferior complication rate. Given its effectiveness, safety, and functional preservation, retroperitoneal PN has the potential to be the preferred option for renal tumors larger than 7cm.
A Comparative Study of Three Early Warning Scores in Early Identification of Gastric Cancer Patients with Deteriorating Condition after Gastrectomy
Authors: Jie Huijuan , Wu Changquan , Li Naifa , Jiang Wenwen , Wang Yue , Liu Qiongshan , Lai shurong , Xu Honglu , Shi Xinli 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Early warning scores (EWS) aim to rapidly identify patients at risk of critical illness or life-threatening events before deterioration occurs in clinical settings. This study aimed to compare the ability of three commonly used EWS (National Early Warning Score [NEWS], Surgical Early Warning Score [SEWS], Modified Early Warning Score [MEWS]) to identify gastric cancer patients with deteriorating condition after gastrectomy in general wards.
Methods
This retrospective case-control study included 123 patients who experienced clinical deterioration after gastrectomy for gastric cancer as case group, and 748 patients without deterioration as control group from a tertiary hospital in Guangdong Province, China. The discriminating ability (receiver operating characteristic curves), calibration (goodness-of-fit test) and net benefit (clinical decision curves) of the three EWS (NEWS, SEWS, MEWS) were explored to compare their early warning performance for patients at risk of post-operative deterioration.
Results
MEWS had better calibration (goodness-of-fit p = 0.881 > 0.05) but poorer discrimination (AUC 0.6335, 95%CI 0.5889–0.6781) and limited ability to distinguish patients with poor prognosis after gastrectomy as well as low clinical applicability. NEWS showed better discrimination (AUC 0.8196, 95%CI 0.7746–0.8646) but poorer calibration (goodness-of-fit p = 0.025 < 0.05) and was not recommended. SEWS had good calibration (goodness-of-fit p = 0.353 > 0.05) and discrimination (AUC 0.7085, 95%CI 0.6613–0.7557) with more net benefit and clinical utility compared to MEWS.
Conclusion
Overall, SEWS may be more suitable for identifying gastric cancer patients at risk of post-operative clinical deterioration, as the early warning scoring model with best performance currently for post-gastrectomy observation.
Measles Outbreak in a Refugee Settlement, Kiryandongo District, Uganda, July– October 2023
Authors: Namulondo Edith , Ssemanda Innocent , Komugisha Mariam , Nuwamanya Yasin , Nsubuga Edirisa Juniour , Wako Susan , Kayiwa Joshua , Kadobera Daniel , Migisha Richard , Bulage Lilian , Kwesiga Benon , Ario Alex Riolexus 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that mostly affects children. On 28 August 2023, the Ministry of Health (MoH) was notified of an outbreak of measles in Kiryandongo a refugee-hosting district, Western Uganda. We investigated to determine the scope of the outbreak, factors associated with transmission, strain, vaccine effectiveness (VE) and vaccine coverage (VC), and recommend evidence-based interventions.
Method
We defined a suspected case as onset of fever lasting ≥ 3 days and maculopapular rash with ≥ 1 of cough, coryza or conjunctivitis in a resident of Kiryandongo District, from July 1-October 25, 2023. A confirmed case was a suspected case with positive measles-specific IgM unexplained by vaccination the preceding 8 weeks. Case-patients were identified through medical records review and active community case search by snowballing. We conducted a 1:2 unmatched case-control study to evaluate risk factors for transmission. A control was a resident of Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement aged 4 months–6 years with no history of fever or rash from July 1‐October 25, 2023. We obtained crude and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals, and calculated VC, and VE. We also conducted key informant interviews.
Results
We identified 74 case-patients (14 confirmed), 54% of whom were females and no deaths. The overall attack rate (AR) was 16/100,000 population and was higher among refugees than nationals (49 vs 11/100,000). Children < 12 months (AR:108/100,000) were the most affected age group. Genotyping results showed that it was a type B3 measles strain. Being vaccinated (aOR:0.13, 95% CI:0.06–0.31) and playing around a water collection point (aOR:3.2, 95%CI:1.4–6.9) were associated with infection. VC was 87% among refugees and 89% among nationals; VE was 87% (95%CI:69–94) for both groups. Interviews with key staff revealed unrestricted movement of unregistered and thus unscreened refugees visiting their relatives in and out of the settlement.
Conclusion
This outbreak was associated with suboptimal vaccination coverage, congregating at water collection points, and accessing the settlement without screening. Isolation of measles infected children, increased screening of people entering the settlement and strengthening immunization programs could avert similar situations in future.
Screening model for prostate cancer early detection constructed using machine learning based on serum microRNAs in a mixed cohort
Authors: Lai Cong , Hu Zhensheng , Liu Cheng , Wu Zhikai , Li Zhuohang , Li Lin , Liu Hongze , Hu Jintao , Mulati Yelisudan , Shi Juanyi , Zhou Yi , Li Kuiqing , Xu Kewei 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) can improve the prognosis of patients. Currently, the role of the prostate specific antigen test for PCa screening remains debatable. We aimed to develop an efficient and clinically applicable method for the screening of PCa by the noninvasive screening of several serum miRNA levels.
Methods
A mixed cohort, including PCa, multiple other cancers (OCa), benign prostate disease (BPD) and health population (HP), study with 8,741 samples was conducted. Six machine learning algorithms were employed to develop a screening model for PCa using the training dataset. The performance of models was assessed using the testing dataset, and the model with the optimal predictive power was chosen for further analysis. Furthermore, the detection performance of the screening model was evaluated using validation set, external set and clinical subset analysis.
Results
We first constructed a PCa early screening model named PCa4miR using only four miRNAs (miRNA-1290, miRNA-6777-5p, miRNA-1343-3p and miRNA-6836-3p), the overall sensitivity was 88.5%, and the specificity was 95.9%. The testing set (AUC = 0.972), validation set (AUC = 0.981) and external set (AUC = 0.811) were used to evaluate the model. The model has excellent discriminative ability for identifying PCa, distinguishing them from individuals with BPD, OCa, and HP as shown by the detection index calculations. The results of subgroup analysis showed that the model had excellent detection accuracy in different clinical subgroups of PCa. Additionally, we used the ratio of miR-1290/miRNA-6836-3p, miR-6777-5p/miRNA-6836-3p and miR-1343-3p/miR-6087 to establish a screening scoring model for PCa (PCaSS) with excellent detection efficacy. The PCaSS model is the first scoring model for PCa using serum miRNA ratios.
Conclusion
Using the largest known sample size and the most complex mixed cohort, we have successfully devised efficient screening models for prostate cancer, namely PCa4miR and PCaSS. These models have demonstrated exceptional screening accuracy, underscoring their capacity for the early detection of prostate cancer.
Tight anastomosis of the pancreaticojejunostomy during pancreaticoduodenectomy may cause late acute pancreatitis
Authors: Tsunematsu Masashi , Yanagaki Mitsuru , Hamura Ryoga , Shirai Yoshihiro , Ishizaki Shunta , Onda Shinji , Igarashi Yosuke , Furukawa Kenei , Haruki Koichiro , Ikegami Toru 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate risk factors for late acute remnant pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), we propose using the suture pitch calculated by the diameter of the main pancreatic duct and the number of sutures in the pancreatic duct-to-mucosa anastomosis.
Methods: This study included 142 patients who underwent elective PD. The suture pitch was calculated using the following formula: main pancreatic duct size × π ÷ number of sutures. Late acute pancreatitis was defined as acute pancreatitis that occurred >30 days after PD. We retrospectively evaluated clinical parameters to identify predictors of late acute remnant pancreatitis.
Results: Late acute remnant pancreatitis occurred in seven patients, and the 5- and 10-year cumulative incidence rates were 8.5% and 12.7%, respectively. A narrow suture pitch was significantly associated with male sex (p=0.037), younger age (p=0.003), a soft pancreas (p<0.001), a narrow pancreatic duct stent (p<0.001), a narrow main pancreatic duct (p<0.001), and late acute remnant pancreatitis (p=0.006). In the multivariate analysis, a narrow suture pitch was a significant independent risk factor for late acute remnant pancreatitis (p=0.041), but not for postoperative pancreatic fistula (p=0.106).
Conclusion: To prevent late acute remnant pancreatitis, the pancreatic duct-to-mucosa anastomosis should not be sutured too tightly. (196 words)