bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gestational and neonatal outcomes of women with partial Dunnigan lipodystrophy
Authors: Valerio Cynthia M. , Muniz Raquel Beatriz Gonçalves , Viola Luiz F. , Bartzen Pereira Gabriela , Moreira Rodrigo Oliveira , de Sousa Berriel Marise Ribeiro , Montenegro Júnior Renan Magalhães , Godoy-Matos Amélio F. , Zajdenverg Lenita 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionLipodystrophies are a group of disorders characterized by selective and variable loss of adipose tissue, which can result in an increased risk of insulin resistance and its associated complications. Women with lipodystrophy often have a high frequency of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and may experience gynecological and obstetric complications. The objective of this study was to describe the gestational outcomes of patients with familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2) at a reference center with the aim of improving the understanding and management of pregnant women affected by this condition.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of data obtained from questionnaires regarding past pregnancies and a review of medical records from the beginning of follow-up in outpatient clinics.ResultsAll women diagnosed with FPLD2 who had previously become pregnant were included in this study (n=8). The women in the study experienced pregnancies between the ages of 14 and 38 years, with an average of 1.75 children per woman. The pregnancies in question were either the result of successful conception within 12 months of attempting to conceive or unplanned pregnancies. During pregnancy, two women (25%) were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one (12.5%) with gestational hypothyroidism, and one (12.5%) with preeclampsia. Among the 17 pregnancies, two miscarriages (11.8%) occurred, and five cases (29.4%) of macrosomia were observed. Four instances of premature birth and an equal number of neonatal hypoglycemia cases were recorded. The reported neonatal complications included an unspecified malformation, respiratory infection, and two neonatal deaths related to heart malformation and respiratory distress syndrome.ConclusionOur data showed a high frequency of fetal complications in women with FPLD2. However, no instances of infertility or prolonged attempts to conceive have been reported, highlighting the significance of employing effective contraception strategies to plan pregnancies at optimal times for managing metabolic comorbidities.
Development of a nomogram for membranous nephropathy prediction in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a 6-year retrospective study
Authors: Guo Lihui , Zhao Shan , Liu Xudong 
Published: April 2024

ObjectivesNephritis is a life-threatening complication of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), with membranous nephropathy (MN) being prevalent. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for MN diagnosis, but it is invasive and cannot be repeatedly performed. This study aimed to develop a nomogram for the prediction of MN in patients with pSS.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with pSS admitted to the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between January 2015 and January 2021. A nomogram was developed using multivariable logistic regression analysis and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Bootstrap resampling analysis (1,000 times) was performed to evaluate the nomogram for discrimination and the calibration curve for consistency.ResultsA total of 237 patients with pSS [aged 53.00 (44.00, 61.00) years] were included, with 35 pSS–MN patients. Based on clinical practice and multivariable logistic regression analysis, seven variables associated with pSS–MN were selected, including white blood cells, creatine, complement 3, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, anti-SSA antibody, and interstitial lung disease. The area under the ROC curve was 0.860 (95% confidence interval: 0.796–0.919), indicating good predictive power. In addition, the nomogram exhibited excellent performance, as demonstrated by the calibration curve and decision curve analysis.ConclusionThis study developed a risk prediction nomogram for MN in patients with pSS, with high predictive power. It may be used to improve the management of patients with pSS.
War feels less horrid in a foreign accent: exploring the impact of the foreign accent on emotionality
Authors: Bazzi Luca , Brouwer Susanne , Khan Zoha Nisar , Verdonschot Rinus G. , Foucart Alice 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThe processing of a foreign accent is known to increase cognitive load for the native listener, establish psychological distance with the foreign-accented speaker, and even influence decision-making. Similarly, research in the field of emotional processing indicates that a foreign accent may impact the native listener's emotionality. Taking these aspects into consideration, the current study aimed to confirm the hypothesis that a foreign accent, compared to a native accent, significantly affects the processing of affective-laden words.MethodsIn order to test this hypothesis, native Spanish speakers participated in an online experiment in which they rated on a Likert scale the valence and arousal of positive, neutral and negative words presented in native and foreign accents.ResultsResults confirm a foreign accent effect on emotional processing whereby positively valenced words are perceived as less positive and negatively valenced words as less negative when processed in a foreign accent compared to a native accent. Moreover, the arousal provoked by emotion words is lesser when words are processed in a foreign than a native accent.DiscussionWe propose possible, not mutually exclusive, explanations for the effect based on linguistic fluency, language attitudes and the linguistic context of language acquisition. Although further research is needed to confirm them, these explanations may be relevant for models of language comprehension and language learning. The observation of a reduction in emotionality resulting from a foreign accent is important for society as important decisions are made by representatives with diverse language and accent backgrounds. Our findings demonstrate that the choice of the language, which entails speaking in a native or a foreign accent, can be crucial when discussing topics such as the consequences of wars, pandemics, or natural disasters on human beings.
Residual radiological opacities correlate with disease outcomes in ICU-treated COVID-19
Authors: Björnson Mikael , Svensson Ann Mari , He Cecilia , Sköld Magnus , Nyrén Sven , Nygren-Bonnier Malin , Bruchfeld Judith , Runold Michael , Jalde Francesca Campoccia , Kistner Anna 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundFew studies consider both radiological and functional outcomes in COVID-19 survivors treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). We investigated clinical findings and pulmonary abnormalities on chest computed tomography (CT) and compared outcomes of severe versus mild-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on long-term follow-up.MethodsThis longitudinal cohort study included 118 COVID-19 patients (median age, 58 years; 79% men). Thoracic CT scans were performed 4, 10, and 22 months after hospital discharge. Two independent blinded radiologists analyzed the 10 months scans and scored the radiology findings semi-quantitatively, as no/minor versus widespread opacities [low-radiology opacity grade (ROG) versus high-ROG]. ARDS severity was based on the PaO2/FiO2 ratio. The 6 min walk test (6MWT) was performed after 3 and 9 months, and lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and lung volume measurement after 9 and 15 months. Dynamic spirometry was done at all time points. Residual symptoms and health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) were evaluated using validated questionnaires.ResultsAt 10 months, most patients (81/118; 69%) were classified as high-ROG, of which 70% had severe ARDS during hospitalisation; 69% of those with mild-moderate ARDS also had high-ROG. Patients with high-ROG had longer ICU stay and lower PaO2/FiO2 during hospitalisation (p &lt; 0.01). At 9 months follow-up, patients with high-ROG had smaller lung volumes as % of predicted values [mean (±CI): 80 (77–84) vs. 93 (88–98) (p &lt; 0.001)], lower DLCO as % of predicted values [74 (70–78) vs. 87 (82–92) (p &lt; 0.001)], lower oxygen saturation during 6MWT (p = 0.02), and a tendency to more severe dyspnoea (p = 0.07), but no difference was found in HRQL compared with no/minor ROG (p = 0.92). A higher opacity score was related to lower DLCO at follow-up (r = −0.48, p &lt; 0.001, Spearman rank test). Severe ARDS patients had slightly more severe fatigue at 9 months compared to mild–moderate, but no differences in dyspnoea or lung function at follow-up. Fibrotic-like changes were found in 93% of patients examined with CT scans at 2 years (55/118; 47%). Severe ARDS could predict widespread opacities (ROG &gt; 25%) in most patients at follow-up at 10 months (AUC 0.74).ConclusionResidual radiological abnormalities in ICU-treated COVID-19 patients, evaluated for up to 2 years, relate to persisting symptoms and impaired lung function, demanding careful follow-up regardless of ARDS severity at hospitalisation.
Clinical value of coagulation parameters in predicting the severity of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
Authors: Xia Yanyan , Jia Bei , Chen Yuxin , Wang Sen , Xu Xuejing 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionSevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel bunyavirus infection with a high lethality rate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in coagulation parameters in patients with SFTS, aiming to provide clinical evidence for early diagnosis, treatment, and disease analysis.MethodsA total of 40 patients with SFTS attended from April 1, 2020 to May 21, 2022 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were selected and grouped according to the duration of the disease, mild and severe disease, cure and death, with 50 healthy physical examiners as controls, and the risk of severe and death disease was predicted using ROC curves.ResultsComparison between the healthy, mild and severe groups revealed that PT, INR, APTT, TT, D-D and vWF levels were higher than those in the healthy control group, and FII, FIX, FX, FXI, FXII, PC and PS levels were lower than those in the healthy control group, the differences were statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Comparing the results of SFTS patients with different course times, the results of Fib, FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI were statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Among the survived and deceased patients, the PT, INR, DD and PS results of the deceased patients were higher than those of the survived patients, and the FVIII, FIX, FXI, FXII and PC were lower than those of the survived patients. The area under the ROC curve showed that D-D had higher predictive ability for the risk of severe disease (AUROC 0.93, sensitivity and specificity at a Cut-off value of 1.50 mg/L were 90.0 and 86.5%, respectively) and the risk of death occurring (AUROC 0.84, sensitivity and specificity at a Cut-off value of 3.39 mg/L were 87.5 and 80.0%, respectively).DiscussionThe monitoring of the coagulation parameters in patients with SFTS is great significance for identifying the severity and death of the patient’s condition, and it is of great clinical value to provide early attention, timely intervention and maximum reduction of the mortality rate for patients at risk of severe disease.
Response of the microbial community structure to the environmental factors during the extreme flood season in Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China
Authors: Zhang Li , Yuan Lijuan , Xiang Jianjun , Liao Qiegen , Zhang Dawen , Liu Jutao 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundPoyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China, and there are several studies on the composition and diversity of bacteria in Poyang Lake, while few quantitative studies were carried out on the response of the bacterial community to environmental factors during the extreme flood season in Poyang Lake.MethodsThe connected-lake heterogeneity of bacterial community composition (BCC) was investigated in Poyang Lake during the flood season in 2020. Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology was used in this study.ResultsThe bacterial community structure in the water was different from that in the sediment of Poyang Lake during extreme flood seasons. The bacterial diversity in water was much lower than that in sediment. In the water column, the dominant phyla were Actinobacteriota, while the composition of bacteria in sediment was more complex than that in water, and the dominant phyla in sediment were Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Actinobacteriota. The bacterial diversity in the water of Poyang Lake showed seasonal dynamics, while no seasonal variation of bacterial communities in sediment was observed. The bacterial community structure in the sediment from the two bays and channel areas of Poyang Lake can be distinguished from each other. The microbial diversity in sediment gradually increased from the Sancha Bay to the Zhouxi Bay and then to the channel, but the total nitrogen (TN) concentration in sediment (STN) and the total phosphorus (TP) concentration in sediment (STP) showed opposite trends. This might be due to the anthropogenic disturbances from the extreme flood. The bacterial community structure in, water column was significantly correlated with WT, NH4-N, STP, SOM, Chl a, DO, TP, and Eh, while the bacterial community structure in sediment was significantly correlated with SOM and STP.ConclusionThe bacterial community structure in water was greatly different from that in sediment in Poyang Lake during extreme flood seasons. The bacterial community structure in the water column was not only sensitive to the geochemical characteristics of the water but also affected by some nutrient concentrations in the sediment. During the wet seasons, bacterial diversity was only affected by SOM and STP.
Axon morphology and intrinsic cellular properties determine repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation threshold for plasticity
Authors: Galanis Christos , Neuhaus Lena , Hananeia Nicholas , Turi Zsolt , Jedlicka Peter , Vlachos Andreas 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a widely used therapeutic tool in neurology and psychiatry, but its cellular and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Standardizing stimulus parameters, specifically electric field strength, is crucial in experimental and clinical settings. It enables meaningful comparisons across studies and facilitates the translation of findings into clinical practice. However, the impact of biophysical properties inherent to the stimulated neurons and networks on the outcome of rTMS protocols remains not well understood. Consequently, achieving standardization of biological effects across different brain regions and subjects poses a significant challenge.MethodsThis study compared the effects of 10 Hz repetitive magnetic stimulation (rMS) in entorhino-hippocampal tissue cultures from mice and rats, providing insights into the impact of the same stimulation protocol on similar neuronal networks under standardized conditions.ResultsWe observed the previously described plastic changes in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strength of CA1 pyramidal neurons in both mouse and rat tissue cultures, but a higher stimulation intensity was required for the induction of rMS-induced synaptic plasticity in rat tissue cultures. Through systematic comparison of neuronal structural and functional properties and computational modeling, we found that morphological parameters of CA1 pyramidal neurons alone are insufficient to explain the observed differences between the groups. Although morphologies of mouse and rat CA1 neurons showed no significant differences, simulations confirmed that axon morphologies significantly influence individual cell activation thresholds. Notably, differences in intrinsic cellular properties were sufficient to account for the 10% higher intensity required for the induction of synaptic plasticity in the rat tissue cultures.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the critical importance of axon morphology and intrinsic cellular properties in predicting the plasticity effects of rTMS, carrying valuable implications for the development of computer models aimed at predicting and standardizing the biological effects of rTMS.
Prognosis of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myasthenia gravis: a single center experience and systematic review
Authors: Qin Yuhui , Chen Siyuan , Gui Qian , Zhang Teng , Li Yanan , Du Zhijuan , Lv Yahui , Du Xiangyu , Hu Yi , Liu Zhefeng 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)-induced myasthenia gravis (MG) is an uncommon but potentially fatal neurotoxicity. We aim to help physicians familiarize themselves with the clinical characteristics of ICI-induced MG, facilitating early diagnosis and prompt intervention.MethodsWe searched the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital medical record system from January 2017 to August 2023 for patients diagnosed with ICI-induced MG. We systematically reviewed the literature until August 2023 to identify all similar patients. We collected clinical information on these patients.Results110 patients were identified, 9 from our institution and 101 from case reports. In our institution, Median age was 66 years (range: 49–79 years). 6 were males. The most common was lung cancer (n = 4). All patients had no previous history of MG and received PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors. The median time from ICI initiation to first MG symptoms was 4 weeks (range: 2–15 weeks). ICIs were discontinued in all patients. Most patients initially received high-dose corticosteroids, and their symptoms improved. Some patients are discharged with corticosteroids maintenance therapy. In addition, 55 patients (50%) with concomitant myositis and/or myocarditis and MG-induced mortality were more common in the myositis and/or myocarditis group (10.9% vs. 34.5%, p = 0.016). Overlap of myositis with MG (OR = 3.148, p = 0.009) and anti-AChR antibody positivity (OR = 3.364, p = 0.005) were both significantly associated with poor outcomes.ConclusionOur study reveals the prognosis of ICI-induced MG and suggests that myositis and/or myocarditis are severe comorbidities of ICI-induced MG, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and clinical intervention.
From learned value to sustained bias: how reward conditioning changes attentional priority
Authors: Meyer Kristin N. , Hopfinger Joseph B. , Vidrascu Elena M. , Boettiger Charlotte A. , Robinson Donita L. , Sheridan Margaret A. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionAttentional bias to reward-associated stimuli can occur even when it interferes with goal-driven behavior. One theory posits that dopaminergic signaling in the striatum during reward conditioning leads to changes in visual cortical and parietal representations of the stimulus used, and this, in turn, sustains attentional bias even when reward is discontinued. However, only a few studies have examined neural activity during both rewarded and unrewarded task phases.MethodsIn the current study, participants first completed a reward-conditioning phase, during which responses to certain stimuli were associated with monetary reward. These stimuli were then included as non-predictive cues in a spatial cueing task. Participants underwent functional brain imaging during both task phases.ResultsThe results show that striatal activity during the learning phase predicted increased visual cortical and parietal activity and decreased ventro-medial prefrontal cortex activity in response to conditioned stimuli during the test. Striatal activity was also associated with anterior cingulate cortex activation when the reward-conditioned stimulus directed attention away from the target.DiscussionOur findings suggest that striatal activity during reward conditioning predicts the degree to which reward history biases attention through learning-induced changes in visual and parietal activities.
Integrated analysis of scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq reveals that GPRC5A is an important prognostic gene in pancreatic cancer and is associated with B-cell Infiltration in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Dong Chunlu , Ma Haidong , Mi Ningning , Fu Wenkang , Yi Jianfeng , Gao Long , Wang Haiping , Ren Yanxian , Lin Yanyan , Han Fangfang , Chen Zhou , Zhou Wence 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionPancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignancy with poor prognosis. This investigation aimed to determine the relevant genes that affect the prognosis of PC and investigate their relationship with immune infiltration.Methods: First, we acquired PC single-cell chip data from the GEO database to scrutinize dissimilarities in immune cell infiltration and differential genes between cancerous and adjacent tissues. Subsequently, we combined clinical data from TCGA to identify genes relevant to PC prognosis. Employing Cox and Lasso regression analyses, we constructed a multifactorial Cox prognostic model, which we subsequently confirmed. The prognostic gene expression in PC was authenticated using RT-PCR. Moreover, we employed the TIMER online database to examine the relationship between the expression of prognostic genes and T and B cell infiltration. Additionally, the expression of GPRC5A and its correlation with B cells infiltration and patient prognosis were ascertained in tissue chips using multiple immune fluorescence staining.ResultsThe single-cell analysis unveiled dissimilarities in B-cell infiltration between cancerous and neighboring tissues. We developed a prognostic model utilizing three genes, indicating that patients with high-risk scores experienced a more unfavorable prognosis. Immune infiltration analysis revealed a significant correlation among YWHAZ, GPRC5A, and B cell immune infiltration. In tissue samples, GPRC5A exhibited substantial overexpression and a robust association with an adverse prognosis, demonstrating a positive correlation with B cell infiltration.ConclusionGPRC5A is an independent risk factor in PC and correlated with B cell immune infiltration in PC. These outcomes indicated that GPRC5A is a viable target for treating PC.