bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Uremic toxins mediate kidney diseases: the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor
Authors: Xie Hongyan , Yang Ninghao , Yu Chen , Lu Limin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was originally identified as an environmental sensor that responds to pollutants. Subsequent research has revealed that AhR recognizes multiple exogenous and endogenous molecules, including uremic toxins retained in the body due to the decline in renal function. Therefore, AhR is also considered to be a uremic toxin receptor. As a ligand-activated transcriptional factor, the activation of AhR is involved in cell differentiation and senescence, lipid metabolism and fibrogenesis. The accumulation of uremic toxins in the body is hazardous to all tissues and organs. The identification of the endogenous uremic toxin receptor opens the door to investigating the precise role and molecular mechanism of tissue and organ damage induced by uremic toxins. This review focuses on summarizing recent findings on the role of AhR activation induced by uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy and acute kidney injury. Furthermore, potential clinical approaches to mitigate the effects of uremic toxins are explored herein, such as enhancing uremic toxin clearance through dialysis, reducing uremic toxin production through dietary interventions or microbial manipulation, and manipulating metabolic pathways induced by uremic toxins through controlling AhR signaling. This information may also shed light on the mechanism of uremic toxin-induced injury to other organs, and provide insights into clinical approaches to manipulate the accumulated uremic toxins.
Graphical Abstract
Causal relationship between dietary salt intake and dementia risk: Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shi Ke , Yu Yongbo , Li Zhaolin , Hou Miaomiao , Li Xinyi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
Observational research has indicated a potential link between dietary salt intake and susceptibility to dementia. However, it is important to note that these types of studies are prone to the issues of reverse causation and residual confounding. Therefore, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to explore the causality.

Method
To explore the causal relationship between them, this Mendelian randomization (MR) study incorporated summary statistics of dietary salt intake and dementia. We estimated the causality between salt intake and the risk of overall dementia and various subtypes of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Vascular dementia (VaD), and Lewy body dementia (LBD). The inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method was the major MR analysis. To conduct sensitivity analyses, we employed various MR methods, the pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) method, and the leave-one-out approach. The MR-Egger intercept and Cochran’s Q test were conducted to test pleiotropy and heterogeneity respectively.

Results
A suggestive association was observed for genetically predicted higher dietary salt intake and increased risk of overall dementia in the European ancestry [odds ratio (OR): 1.542; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.095–2.169; P = 0.013]. The causal relationship between dietary salt intake and overall dementia is robust with respect to the choice of statistical methods and is validated through extensive sensitivity analyses that guard against various model assumption violations. Meanwhile, no clear heterogeneity or pleiotropy was identified. However, we failed to detect a causal effect of dietary salt intake on the risk of various dementia subtypes.

Conclusion
The results of this research present strong evidence that established a significant association between dietary salt intake and the likelihood of developing dementia. These findings reinforce the notion that the amount of dietary salt intake plays a crucial role in determining the risk of acquiring this cognitive condition. By establishing a definitive correlation, this study highlights the importance of reducing salt consumption as a preventive measure against dementia.
eSVD-DE: cohort-wide differential expression in single-cell RNA-seq data using exponential-family embeddings
Authors: Lin Kevin Z. , Qiu Yixuan , Roeder Kathryn 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA) datasets are becoming increasingly popular in clinical and cohort studies, but there is a lack of methods to investigate differentially expressed (DE) genes among such datasets with numerous individuals. While numerous methods exist to find DE genes for scRNA data from limited individuals, differential-expression testing for large cohorts of case and control individuals using scRNA data poses unique challenges due to substantial effects of human variation, i.e., individual-level confounding covariates that are difficult to account for in the presence of sparsely-observed genes.

Results
We develop the eSVD-DE, a matrix factorization that pools information across genes and removes confounding covariate effects, followed by a novel two-sample test in mean expression between case and control individuals. In general, differential testing after dimension reduction yields an inflation of Type-1 errors. However, we overcome this by testing for differences between the case and control individuals’ posterior mean distributions via a hierarchical model. In previously published datasets of various biological systems, eSVD-DE has more accuracy and power compared to other DE methods typically repurposed for analyzing cohort-wide differential expression.

Conclusions
eSVD-DE proposes a novel and powerful way to test for DE genes among cohorts after performing a dimension reduction. Accurate identification of differential expression on the individual level, instead of the cell level, is important for linking scRNA-seq studies to our understanding of the human population.
The association between inflammation, arterial stiffness, oxidized LDL and cardiovascular disease in Finnish men with metabolic syndrome – a 15-year follow-up study
Authors: Saarinen Harri Juhani , Lahtela Jorma , Mähönen Päivi , Palomäki Ari ,   for the Hämeenlinna Metabolic Syndrome Research Program Study Group, Pohjantähti-Maaroos Hanna , Husgafvel Sari , Knuth Timo , Laitinen Ruth , Oksanen Kalevi , Vesterinen Kai , Wallenius Marja 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
All-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease are increased in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Risk scores are used to predict individual risk of heart disease. We performed a long-term follow-up study to investigate whether risk scores and cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial stiffness, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and oxidized LDL (OxLDL) can be used to predict cardiovascular events in Finnish men with MetS.

Methods
After baseline measurements we followed 105 Finnish men aged 30 to 65 years with MetS for a mean period of 16.4 years. The primary outcome of the study was a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, symptomatic vascular disease diagnosed with invasive angiography, coronary or peripheral revascularization, amputation due to peripheral vascular disease, cardiovascular death and non-cardiovascular death. The endpoints were retrieved from electronic medical records.

Results
The number of acute myocardial infarctions and strokes during the first 10 years was lower than estimated by FINRISK score but SCORE predicted cardiovascular death correctly. During the whole follow-up period, 27 of 105 participants (25.8%) had 30 endpoint events. The incidence of the primary composite outcome was significantly lower in subjects with hs-CRP < 1.0 mg/L than in subjects with hs-CRP ≥ 1.0 mg/L (6 of 41 subjects [14.6%] vs. 21 of 64 subjects [32.8%]; p = 0.036). The incidence of the primary composite outcome was higher among subjects with large artery elasticity classified as borderline compared to subjects with normal large artery elasticity (5 of 10 subjects [50%] vs. 22 of 93 subjects [24%]; p = 0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of primary composite outcome in groups with different degrees of small artery elasticity or different level of oxLDL.

Conclusions
Men with MetS who had hs-CRP ≥ 1.0 mg/L had higher risk for CVD and all-cause mortality than those with hs-CRP of < 1.0 mg/L. This also applies to subjects with borderline decreased large artery elasticity. The amount of OxLDL had no predictive value on the incidence of CVD and all-cause mortality. Men with MetS participating in the Hämeenlinna Metabolic Syndrome Research Program without lifestyle or drug intervention had better outcome for myocardial infarction or stroke than estimated by the FINRISK score.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01119404 retrospectively registered 07/05/2010.
Association of lymphocyte subsets with the efficacy and prognosis of PD‑1 inhibitor therapy in advanced gastric cancer: results from a monocentric retrospective study
Authors: Wang Xinyan , Liu Xiaoling , Dai Huwei , Jia Junmei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This retrospective study aimed to investigate the changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets before and after immunotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer and their relationship n with the therapeutic efficacy and clinical prognosis.

Methods
Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, including CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, CD4+/CD8 + ratio, NK cells, Treg cells, and B cells, were collected from 195 patients with advanced gastric cancer who were admitted to the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University with immunotherapy from January 2020 to October 2021, at the time of diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer, before immunotherapy and after 3 cycles of immunotherapy. T-tests were used to examine the factors influencing the patients’ peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and the changes after immunotherapy. To examine the relationship between lymphocyte subsets and treatment outcomes, ROC curves were plotted using a logistic regression. Kaplan–Meier curve was drawn, and the Log Rank test was carried out to compare the differences in PFS between the different groups. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting PFS after calibration of other variables.

Results
The proportion of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with advanced gastric cancer was affected by age and PD-L1 level. Compared to the baseline, the treatment effective group had higher proportions of CD4 + T cells, a higher CD4+/CD8 + ratio, NK cells and Treg cells, and lower proportions of CD8 + T cells and B cells in the peripheral blood after three cycles of immunotherapy. In the treatment-naive group, there were no significant differences in the lymphocyte subsets. With cut-off values of 30.60% and 18.00%, baseline CD4 + T cell and NK cell ratios were independent predictors of immunotherapy efficacy and PFS. Treg cell ratio, gender, PD-L1 levels, and MMR status all predicted PFS independently.

Conclusion
The proportion of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets was modified in patients who responded to PD-1 inhibitors. Different lymphocyte subpopulation levels can be used as biomarkers to predict immunotherapy efficacy and clinical prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
The relationship between sarcopenia and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease among the young and middle-aged populations
Authors: Feng Ziyan , Zhao Fanrong , Wang Ziyao , Tang Xinyi , Xie Yan , Qiu Li 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed as a new term for diagnosing fatty liver disease, which is considered to be a multi-systemic disease with multiple extrahepatic manifestations, including sarcopenia. The link between sarcopenia and MAFLD remains uncertain, especially among young and middle-aged adults. Thus, we examined the relationship between MAFLD and sarcopenia in young and middle-aged individuals in this study.

Methods
A total of 2214 individuals with laboratory tests, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and ultrasound transient elastography from NHANES 2017–2018 were selected for this study. MAFLD was diagnosed as fatty liver disease with any one of the situations: overweight/obesity, diabetes mellitus, presence of metabolic dysregulation. Sarcopenia was defined by appendicular lean mass adjusted for body mass index (BMI). Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model were applied to explore the relationship between MAFLD and sarcopenia, and the mediation analyses were also conducted. Moreover, subgroup analyses stratified by BMI and lifestyles were done.

Results
The prevalence of MAFLD was 47.85%, and nearly 8.05% of participants had sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in participants with MAFLD (12.75%; 95% CI 10.18–15.31%) than in the non-MAFLD (3.73%; 95% CI 2.16–5.31%). MAFLD was significantly positively associated with sarcopenia after adjustments [OR = 2.87 (95% CI: 1.62–5.09)]. Moreover, significant positive associations were observed between liver fibrosis and sarcopenia prevalence in MAFLD patients (OR = 2.16; 95% CI 1.13–4.15). The RCS curve revealed that MAFLD was linearly associated with sarcopenia. The relationship between the MAFLD and sarcopenia were mediated by C-reactive protein (mediation proportion: 15.9%) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mediation proportion: 18.9%). Subgroup analyses confirmed the association between MAFLD and sarcopenia differed in different lifestyle groups.

Conclusions
Both MAFLD prevalence and severity was significantly associated with sarcopenia. Thus, clinicians should advise comorbidity screening and lifestyle changes to young and middle-aged patients.
Exploring the lived experiences of women with multiple gestations in Iran: a phenomenological study
Authors: Banafshi Zhina , Khatony Alireza , Jalali Amir , Jalali Rostam 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Multiple gestations present numerous physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges for women. Understanding the problem-solving experiences of pregnant women carrying multiple can be invaluable. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Iranian women with multiple gestations.

Methods
This descriptive phenomenological study utilized purposive sampling and continued until data saturation. Data collection involved in-depth semi-structured interviews, with analysis performed using Colaizzi’s 7-step method. MAXQDA software was employed for data management.

Results
This study involved 12 women with multiple gestations. The average age of the participants was 33.76 ± 6.22 years, and 9 were pregnant with triplets. The data were categorized into four primary themes: the paradox of emotions, the pregnancy prison, immersion in fear, and the crystallization of maternal love, encompassing 17 sub-themes.

Conclusion
Pregnant women with multiple gestations undergo various changes and experience conflicting emotions. Enhancing their ability to adapt to and accept numerous pregnancies can be achieved through supportive, personalized, and family-centered care, along with improvements and revisions in care policies for multiple gestations.
Effect of topical bromfenac on intraretinal cystoid lesion in simultaneous cataract and idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery
Authors: Kim EunAh , Kwon Han Jo , Park Sung Who , Byon Iksoo 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the effect of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs,) bromfenac on the intraretinal cystic lesions (IRC) when performing simultaneous cataract and idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) surgery.

Methods
This study included patients with iERM who had been followed up for 6 months after vitrectomy, membrane removal, and concurrent cataract surgery. Eyes were treated with topical bromfenac or not. The baseline fluorescein angiography (FA) was obtained to assess the microvascular leakage (ML). Structural changes of macula, including IRC and central macular thickness (CMT) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The main outcome measures were changes in IRCs and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) regarding FA findings.

Results
One hundred eighteen eyes were included. IRC and ML were observed in 51 eyes (43.2%) and 63 eyes (53.4%), respectively. The IRC did not show any association with the ML. Of total, 29 eyes (24.6%) were treated with topical bromfenac (Group A). Compared to Group B, topical bromfenac did not show beneficial effects in aspect of preventions for the newly developed IRC and treatment for pre-existed IRC. Whether the ML existed or not, topical bromfenac did not show any different effect on the changes in BCVA and IRC.

Conclusion
When performing simultaneous cataract and ERM surgery, topical NSAIDs, bromfenac did not show beneficial effects on the preventions and treatment of IRC in both eyes with and without the ML.
Artificial intelligence in age-related macular degeneration: state of the art and recent updates
Authors: Crincoli Emanuele , Sacconi Riccardo , Querques Lea , Querques Giuseppe 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAge related macular degeneration (AMD) represents a leading cause of vision loss and it is expected to affect 288 million people by 2040. During the last decade, machine learning technologies have shown great potential to revolutionize clinical management of AMD and support research for a better understanding of the disease. The aim of this review is to provide a panoramic description of all the applications of AI to AMD management and screening that have been analyzed in recent past literature. Deep learning (DL) can be effectively used to diagnose AMD, to predict short term risk of exudation and need for injections within the next 2 years. Moreover, DL technology has the potential to customize anti-VEGF treatment choice with a higher accuracy than expert human experts. In addition, accurate prediction of VA response to treatment can be provided to the patients with the use of ML models, which could considerably increase patients’ compliance to treatment in favorable cases. Lastly, AI, especially in the form of DL, can effectively predict conversion to GA in 12 months and also suggest new biomarkers of conversion with an innovative reverse engineering approach.
Influence of families and other adult support on HIV prevention outcomes among black men who have sex with men
Authors: Boyd Donte T. , Ramos S. Raquel , Maragh-Bass Allysha C. , Dyer Typhanye V. , Zigah Edem Yaw , Abu-Ba’are Gamji Rabiu 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Prior research has consistently shown that the involvement of families plays a vital role in reducing risk behaviors, such as engaging in condomless sex, and promoting HIV prevention behaviors among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). With the aim of expanding the existing knowledge, this study aimed to examine the specific influence of families and other supportive adults in facilitating casual condom use, partner condom use, HIV testing, and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) utilization among young Black MSM.

Methods
A sample of YBMSM aged 18–29 years (N = 400) was collected online. We used a path analysis to examine the influence of family factors on PrEP stigma and PrEP use. Respondents were recruited from December 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022. We used a path analysis to examine the direct and indirect effects of family factors on PrEP use through HIV testing and encouraging condom use.

Results
Among BMSM, other adult support was positive and directly associated with condom use by both casual partners (β = 0.04, p < .05) and partners (β = 0.17, p < .01). Condom use by casual partners was negative and was directly associated with HIV testing (β = − 0.15, p < .01).

Conclusion
The primary aim of this research was to examine the influence of family and adult support on HIV prevention behaviors among young Black MSM, including condom use, HIV testing, and PrEP use. Our findings highlight the significance of implementing interventions that incorporate families and other supportive adults to enhance the engagement of young Black MSM in HIV prevention behaviors.
The impact of caregiver burden on quality of life in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: a moderated mediation analysis of the role of psychological distress and family resilience
Authors: Cui Panpan , Yang Ming , Hu Hengyu , Cheng Chunyan , Chen Xinyi , Shi Jiaoxia , Li Shifeng , Chen Changying , Zhang Hongmei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The caregiver burden frequently experienced by family members tending to advanced cancer patients significantly impacts their psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL). Although family resilience might function as a mitigating factor in this relationship, its specific role remains to be elucidated. This study aims to probe the mediating effect of psychological distress on the relationship between caregiver burden and QoL, as well as the moderating effect of family resilience.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2020 and March 2021 in five tertiary hospitals in China. Data were collected on caregiver burden, family resilience, psychological distress (including anxiety and depression), and QoL. Moderated mediation analysis was performed.

Results
Data analysis included 290 caregivers. It confirmed the mediating role of psychological distress in the caregiver burden-QoL relationship (P < 0.001). Both overall family resilience and the specific dimension of family communication and problem-solving (FCPS) demonstrated significant moderating effects on the “psychological distress/anxiety—QoL” paths (P < 0.05). The utilization of social and economic resources (USER) significantly moderated the association between depression and QoL (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
The study corroborates psychological distress's mediation between caregiver burden and QoL and family resilience's moderation between psychological distress and QoL. It underscores the need for minimizing psychological distress and bolstering family resilience among caregivers of advanced cancer patients. Accordingly, interventions should be tailored, inclusive of psychological assistance and promotion of family resilience, particularly focusing on FCPS and USER, to augment the caregivers' well-being and QoL.
Relationship between physical activity and risk of depression in a married group
Authors: Ni Rong Jing , Yu Ying 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Currently, there are many different findings on the relationship between physical activity and depression, and there may be differences between genders. This study therefore focused on gender differences to understand the relationship between physical activity behaviour and the risk of depression in married individuals.

Methods
15607 married people in the China Family Panel Studies 2020 (CFPS 2020) were used to understand the relationship between physical activity and depression risk in different populations, and the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and binary logistic regression were used to explore the relationship between physical activity and depression risk in the married population.

Results
527 (6.64%) women were at high risk of depression and 365 (4.76%) men were at high risk of depression; physical activity was associated with the risk of depression in the married population, but after incorporating demographic and relevant cognitive variables, physical activity was negatively associated with the risk of depression in women (OR = 0.94, P < 0.01) but not statistically significant with the risk of depression in men (OR = 0.96, P > 0.05).

Conclusion
Physical activity was directly related to the risk of depression in married women, but not in married men.