bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro nutritional assessment and estimation of methane emissions from Kikuyu grass pastures overseeded with rye
Authors: Marín-Santana María N. , López-González Felipe , Morales-Almaraz Ernesto , Arriaga-Jordán Carlos Manuel 
Published: April 2024

Objective: To determine the in vitro digestibility and gas production, and to estimate the methane emissions from Kikuyu grass pastures, and Kikuyu grass overseeded with rye.
Design/methodology/approach: Two pastures were assessed. One was the subtropical grass Kikuyu Cenchrus clandestinus) (KY), and the other was Kikuyu grass plus overseeding with rye (Secale cereale) (KYCEN), both associated with white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Ladino). Sample collection was in June and July 2021. In vitro digestibility of dry matter (MS), organic matter (MO), and Neutral Detergent Fibre (FDN), as well as the methane emissions were estimated. The in vitro digestibility and gas production variables were analysed with a split-plot experimental design, and the methane emission variables were analysed with a doble cross-over design.
Results: There were no significant differences between treatments for dry matter (MS), organic matter (MO) or Neutral Detergent Fibre (FDN) in vitro digestibility, nor in methane emissions (P>0.05).
Limitations on study/implications: The in vitro assessment of digestibility, gas production and the estimation of methane emissions of Kikuyu grass pastures and Kikuyu plus rye enable the implementation of feeding strategies for small-scale livestock production systems that do not only benefit the farmers but also the environment.
Findings/conclusions: It is concluded that Kikuyu grass pastures and Kikuyu with rye are a viable feeding option for small-scale dairy systems.
Aging Well Together: Promoting Brain Health for Aging Individuals with IDD and Their Families
Authors: Philip Serrina 
Published: April 2024

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have been historically excluded from participating in aging-focused research, continue to experience barriers accessing appropriate health care, and encounter distinct challenges as they age compared to people without IDD. These challenges and their effects often extend to their immediate support system, including family caregivers, including parents, siblings, and other kin. Family caregivers, often in the role of 'perpetual caregivers,' can struggle to support aging adults with IDD as they also concurrently experience the effects of their own aging, potentially hindering their ability to provide lifelong care. As parents age, the burden of care may shift to others within this support network such as siblings who, due to various constraints (e.g., geographic location, personal obligations, and financial restrictions) can also experience challenging caregiving responsibilities. Research on the mental health of family caregivers has predominantly focused either on the impact of caregiving among parents of people with IDD (and to a lesser extent on siblings) or on late-life caregivers of aging adults without IDD. This leaves a significant gap in understanding how to support caregivers during mid-late adulthood as their family member with IDD ages or as they themselves undergo age-related changes.
In this paper, we provide a brief overview of research on family caregiving of older adults with IDD, followed by a description of a national effort, The Brain Health-IDD initiative. This initiative aims to develop strategies that will support the promotion of brain health in aging adults with IDD and their family caregivers. As part of this effort, family caregivers, both siblings and parents of adults with IDD are working together with researchers and clinicians to co-design, co-deliver and evaluate a virtual education program for families.
The paper concludes by reflecting on the program's importance from the perspective of sibling and parent caregivers. This inclusive approach emphasizes the broader responsibility of supporting families navigating the challenges of disability and aging in mid-late adulthood, highlighting the need for support and awareness across all levels of care.
The relative potential contribution of volume load and vascular mechanisms to hypertension in non-dialysis and dialysis chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Tade Grace , Hsu Hon-Chun , Robinson Chanel , Dlongolo Noluntu , Teckie Gloria , Solomon Ahmed , Dessein Patrick Hector 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHypertension is highly prevalent and particularly difficult to treat adequately in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The relative contribution of volume overload and vascular mechanisms to blood pressure measures in CKD and whether these effects differ in non-dialysis compared to dialysis patients is unknown.MethodsWe determined the potential impact of volume load (stroke volume) and vascular mechanisms (inverse of total arterial compliance (inv TAC) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR)) on mean and brachial and aortic systolic blood pressures in 67 non-dialysis and 48 dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Relationships were determined in confounder adjusted regression models.ResultsStroke volume (p value = 0.003) was more strongly associated with mean arterial pressure than SVR (p value = 0.9) (p value for difference = 0.03). When stroke volume and SVR were entered in the same regression model (model R2 = 0.324), they contributed equally to the variation in mean arterial pressure (p value for difference = 0.5). Stroke volume (p value ≤ 0.002) and inv TAC (p value ≤ 0.001) contributed equally to the variation in systolic pressures (p value for difference ≥ 0.9). When stroke volume and inv TAC were entered in the same regression model (model R2 = 0.752 to 0.765), they contributed equally to the variation in systolic blood pressures (p value for difference = 0.7). Stroke volume, TAC and SVR were similar (p value ≥ 0.5) and associated to the same extent with blood pressure measures in non-dialysis and dialysis CKD patients (p value for difference ≥ 0.1). In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, elevated systolic blood pressure was determined by stroke volume (p value = 0.005) and inv TAC (p value = 0.03) but not SVR (p value = 0.8). The calculated power of the study was 0.999 based on α = 0.05.ConclusionsThe present investigation suggests that both volume load and vascular mechanisms should be considered in the management of hypertension among patients with CKD. The extent and relative potential impact of volume load and vascular mechanisms on blood pressure measures are as large in non-dialysis compared to dialysis CKD patients.
Causal associations of male infertility with stroke: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhu Yutian , Xin Xiyan , Yu Ziyang , Guan Siqi , Wang Jingshang , Liu Qiuning , Dong Lei , Ye Yang 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundStroke is a devastating global health issue, with high mortality and disability rates. The increasing prevalence of male infertility among reproductive-aged men has become a growing concern worldwide. However, the relationship between male infertility and stroke incidence remains uncertain. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by employing a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.MethodUtilizing genetic instrumental variables derived from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on male infertility and stroke, a two-sample MR design was implemented. Five different analysis methods, with inverse-variance weighted as the primary approach, were used to examine the genetic causal associations between male infertility and various stroke subtypes. Heterogeneity analysis, pleiotropy tests, and leave-one-out validation were conducted to assess heterogeneity, evaluate pleiotropy, and ensure the robustness of the findings.ResultThe results indicate a potential lower risk of small vessel stroke associated with male infertility (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.82, 0.68 to 0.99, p=0.044), although no significant impact on other stroke subtypes was observed. The study exhibited low heterogeneity and no apparent pleiotropy; however, the stability of the results was not optimal.ConclusionMale infertility might potentially confer a protective effect against small vessel stroke risk. Caution is warranted due to potential confounding factors. Additional studies are necessary to confirm these findings and provide further validation.
Protective effect of higher free thyroxine levels within the reference range on biliary tract cancer risk: a multivariable mendelian randomization and mediation analysis
Authors: Chen Yuxian , Dong Hao , Qu Baozhen , Ma Xuezhen , Lu LinLin 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHepatobiliary cancer (HBC), including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary tract cancer (BTC), is currently one of the malignant tumors that mainly cause human death. Many HBCs are diagnosed in the late stage, which increases the disease burden, indicating that effective prevention strategies and identification of risk factors are urgent. Many studies have reported the role of thyroid hormones on HBC. Our research aims to assess the causal effects and investigate the mediation effects between thyroid function and HBC.MethodsUtilizing the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, the study employs single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables (IVs) to explore causal links between thyroid function [free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism] and HBC. Data were sourced from the ThyroidOmic consortium and FinnGen consortium. The analysis included univariable and multivariable MR analysis, followed by mediation analysis.ResultsThe study found a significant causal association between high FT4 levels and the reduced risk of BTC, but not HCC. However, TSH, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism had no causal associations with the risk of HBC. Notably, we also demonstrated that only higher FT4 levels with the reference range (FT4-RR) could reduce the risk of BTC because this protective effect no longer existed under the conditions of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Finally, we found that the protective effect of FT4-RR on BTC was mediated partially by decreasing the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and reducing the waist circumference (WC).ConclusionThe findings suggest that higher FT4-RR may have a protective effect against BTC, which is partially mediated by decreased risk of MetS and a reduction in WC. This study highlights the potential role of FT4 in the pathogenesis of BTC and underscores that MetS and WC may play mediation effects as two mediators in this process.
Development and validation of an MRI-Based nomogram to predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy for brain metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xu Junhao , Wang Peiliang , Li Yikun , Shi Xiaonan , Yin Tianwen , Yu Jinming , Teng Feifei 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThe variability and unpredictability of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating brain metastases (BMs) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main concern. We assessed the utility of novel imaging biomarkers (radiomics) for discerning patients with NSCLC and BMs who would derive advantages from ICIs treatment.MethodsData clinical outcomes and pretreatment magnetic resonance images (MRI) were collected on patients with NSCLC with BMs treated with ICIs between June 2019 and June 2022 and divided into training and test sets. Metastatic brain lesions were contoured using ITK-SNAP software, and 3748 radiomic features capturing both intra- and peritumoral texture patterns were extracted. A clinical radiomic nomogram (CRN) was built to evaluate intracranial progression-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The prognostic value of the CRN was assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests.ResultsIn the study, a total of 174 patients were included, and 122 and 52 were allocated to the training and validation sets correspondingly. The intratumoral radiomic signature, peritumoral radiomic signature, clinical signature, and CRN predicted intracranial objective response rate. Kaplan–Meier analyses showed a significantly longer intracranial progression-free survival in the low-CRN group than in the high-CRN group (p &lt; 0.001). The CRN was also significantly associated with progression-free survival (p &lt; 0.001) but not overall survival.DiscussionRadiomics biomarkers from pretreatment MRI images were predictive of intracranial response. Pretreatment radiomics may allow the early prediction of benefits.
Gender effect of glucose, insulin/glucagon ratio, lipids, and nitrogen-metabolites on serum HGF and EGF levels in patients with diabetes type 2
Authors: Contreras-Zentella Martha Lucinda , Alatriste-Contreras Martha Gabriela , Suárez-Cuenca Juan Antonio , Hernández-Muñoz Rolando 
Published: April 2024

Graphical AbstractInteractions and correlations between metabolites, pancreatic hormones, and growth factors. Note the gender differences, frequently opposite among metabolites, insulin and glucagon with growth factors, as well as the effect of metabolic disturbances induced by Diabetes type 2. The size of the arrows indicates the strength of the correlation and the direction whether the correlation was straight or inverse.
Association between dietary inflammation index and albuminuria: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Ding Ling , Guo Haipeng , Zhang Chao , Jiang Bo , Zhang Shuo , Zhang Jian 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundThe Dietary Inflammation Index (DII) is a tool for evaluating the potential for dietary inflammation, and inflammation is a major cause of exacerbation in chronic kidney disease. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between DII and albuminuria.MethodsData were obtained from the 2005–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) after excluding pregnant, minors, and missing data of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and DII were enrolled in our study. Albuminuria was defined as ACR &gt; 30 mg/g. DII was calculated and divided into tertiles. After fully adjusted, multivariate logistic regression analysis and subgroup analysis were performed to investigate the association between DII and albuminuria.ResultsA total of 22,607 participants including 2,803 (12.40%) with and 19,804 (87.60%) without albuminuria were enrolled in our study. The albuminuria increased with the increasing DII tertiles (Tertile 1: 10.81%; Tertile 2: 12.41%; Tertile 3:13.97%, P &lt; 0.001). After fully adjusting for covariates, multivariate logistic regression showed that the higher the DII, the greater the odds of albuminuria (OR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00–1.41, P &lt; 0.001). Subgroup analysis and interaction test of participants found that the positive correlation between DII and albuminuria was not significantly related to gender, age, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, and eGFR (P for interaction &gt;0.05).ConclusionElevated DII is associated with high odds of albuminuria. Further large-scale prospective studies are still needed to analyze the role of DII in albuminuria.
Pentatonic sequences and monaural beats to facilitate relaxation: an EEG study
Authors: Costa Marco , Visentin Chiara , Occhionero Miranda , Tonetti Lorenzo , Prodi Nicola , Natale Vincenzo 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionIn two studies we investigated if specific acoustic stimulations could be more effective to induce a relaxation response in comparison to silence. Acoustic stimulations included monaural beats and musical sequences based on a pentatonic scale.MethodsIn the first study, 47 participants evaluated monaural beats and pentatonic sequences presented through loudspeakers and varying along three frequencies (0.2, 2, 4 Hz). In the second study, 31 participants relaxed with their eyes closed for 10 min during a passive listening of monaural beats and a pentatonic sequence presented through loudspeakers. A silence condition was introduced as control. All auditory stimuli were designed with a temporal modulation of 0.2 Hz. Concomitant EEG was recorded with a 64-channel system and spectral analysis was performed on delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma oscillations to test if each of the three auditory stimulations had a significant effect on EEG spectral power in comparison to silence.ResultsIn the first study, pentatonic sequences were evaluated as more pleasant and more relaxing than monaural beats. Pleasantness and relaxation were inversely related to frequency. Visual imagery and emotion induction had higher frequency and were rated with a more positive valence in pentatonic sequences than in monaural beats. In the second study monaural beats in comparison to silence strongly decreased beta and gamma oscillations in the first three minutes and strongly increased theta oscillations in the last three minutes. Pentatonic sequences increased delta, theta, and alpha oscillations in the last three minutes while decreasing beta, and gamma oscillations for the whole auditory stimulation.DiscussionThe results show that auditory signals with a very low temporal modulation (0.2 Hz) could be more effective than silence in inducing a relaxation response. Although 0.2 Hz monaural beats were effective in inducing a relaxation response, they tended to be perceived as unpleasant. Pentatonic sequences could be considered as a better alternative to promote relaxation by auditory stimulation.
Effectiveness of short sprint interval training in women with major depressive disorder: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Ribeiro Jéssica Alves , Schuch Felipe Barreto , Tonello Laís , Meneghel Vargas Kleber F. , Oliveira-Junior Silvio A. , Müller Paulo T. , Boullosa Daniel 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHigh-intensity intermittent training has emerged as an option for treating major depressive disorder (MDD). However, short sprint training (sSIT), an efficient HIIT modality, has not been tested yet for this purpose. The sSIT has been proven to induce the same metabolic adaptations, with the advantage of promoting lower muscle fatigue than other HIIT protocols.MethodsSeventeen adult women diagnosed with moderate/severe MDD were randomly allocated into a sSIT group (n=9) or a control condition (n=8). The sSIT group completed, over two weeks, six 6-10-min sessions which consisted of 3-12 “all out” sprints of 5 s interspersed with low-intensity recovery of 30-45 s. The week before and after the intervention, both groups were evaluated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale of 21-itens (HAM-D21), and for physical fitness and incidental physical activity.ResultsThe sSIT group exhibited significant improvements for HAM-D21 scores (24.6±8.2 vs. 16.8±10.1), maximum aerobic power (140±15 vs. 155±15 W), countermovement jump (13.0±3.4 vs. 14.9±3.1 cm), % of body fatness (32.4±4.4 vs. 29.3±3.8%), and 4-days number of steps (13,626±11,309 vs. 16,643±15,371) after the training period when compared to the control group.ConclusionLess than 1 hour of a sSIT protocol over two weeks have demonstrated to reduce depressive symptoms, while improving aerobic fitness and body composition, and increasing incidental physical activity in a sample of women diagnosed with MDD.
Pharmacokinetics of a continuous intravenous infusion of hydromorphone in healthy dogs
Authors: Wimbish Candace , Lynch Alex M. , Knych Heather K. , Ueda Yu , Messenger Kristen M. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionDosing recommendations for hydromorphone intravenous constant rate infusion (IV CRI) are derived from simulations following IV bolus administration. While this extrapolated dose regimen has been described clinically, pharmacokinetics (PK) of hydromorphone infusions in dogs are not yet described. The study objective was to describe the PK of hydromorphone in healthy dogs receiving an IV bolus followed by an IV CRI for 48 h.MethodsA prospective, experimental study was performed involving the administration of hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg IV bolus then IV CRI 0.01 mg/kg/h over a 48 h period) to 6 healthy Beagle dogs. Blood samples were collected at 16 time points between 0 and 58 h relative to the initial bolus. Plasma hydromorphone concentrations were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. Pharmacokinetic parameter estimates were obtained with compartmental methods using commercially available software.ResultsA two-compartment model with first order elimination was used. At the end of the infusion, median (range) plasma hydromorphone concentrations were 6.8 (5.5–19.6) ng/mL. The median total body clearance was 30.4 (19.8–36.7) mL/min/kg; volume of distribution at steady state was 4.5 (3.2–7.8) L/kg; and terminal elimination half-life was 11.2 (7.6–24.3) h.ConclusionHydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg IV bolus then IV CRI of 0.01 mg/kg/h) maintained steady-state plasma concentrations above the minimum human analgesic target in healthy Beagle dogs with minimal side effects. Further studies are needed to determine the effective plasma concentrations of hydromorphone in painful dogs.
Kidney Transplantation Improves Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Recipients
Authors: de Boer Silke E. , Knobbe Tim. J. , Kremer Daan , van Munster Barbara C. , Nieuwenhuijs-Moeke Gertrude J. , Pol Robert A. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Berger Stefan P. , Sanders Jan Stephan F. 
Published: April 2024

Kidney transplantation is the best treatment for kidney failure in older patients. However, little is known regarding changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from before to after transplantation and determinants of HRQoL in older kidney transplant recipients (KTR). We studied both, using data of older (≥65 years) patients waitlisted for kidney transplantation and older KTR 1 year after transplantation from the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. We included 145 older waitlisted patients (68% male, age 70 ± 4 years) and 115 older KTR at 1 year after transplantation (73% male, age 70 ± 4 years). Both mental (48.5 ± 8.4 versus 51.2 ± 7.7, p = 0.009) and physical (47.4 ± 8.5 versus 52.1 ± 7.2, p &lt; 0.001) HRQoL were higher among included KTR, compared to the waitlisted patients. In paired analyses among 46 patients with HRQoL-data both before and after transplantation, there was a trend towards increased mental HRQoL (49.1 ± 8.4 to 51.6 ± 7.5, p = 0.054), and significantly increased physical HRQoL (48.1 ± 8.0 to 52.4 ± 6.7, p = 0.001) after transplantation. Among all assessed factors, the number of patient-reported immunosuppressive drug-related side effects was most strongly negatively associated with both mental and physical HRQoL. In conclusion, HRQoL is significantly higher among older KTR after kidney transplantation compared to older waitlisted patients.