bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio and delirium after deep brain stimulation surgery in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lu Wenbin , Wang Hui , Lin Shengwei , Chang Xinning , Wang Jiali , Wu Xi , Yu Xiya 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionPostoperative delirium (POD) remains one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric complications after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) has been shown to significantly correlate with the prognosis of many diseases related to inflammation. However, the association between FAR and POD remains unclear. We aimed to explore the association between POD and FAR in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) undergoing DBS surgery.MethodsPatients with PD who underwent DBS surgery in our hospital were included in this retrospective study. FAR was calculated from the blood sample collected on admission. The association between baseline FAR and delirium after surgery was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis, interaction analysis, and stratified analyses.ResultsOf 226 patients, 37 (16.4%) suffered from delirium after surgery. The average age of the participants was 63.3 ± 7.2 years, and 51.3% were male patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that patients in the highest FAR tertile had a higher risk of POD compared with patients in the lowest FAR tertile (OR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.24 ~ 12.67). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that FAR and the preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination score (p = 0.013) had an association with delirium after surgery.ConclusionOur data suggest that a higher preoperative FAR was significantly associated with delirium after DBS surgery. FAR on admission is a useful candidate biomarker to identify patients with PD who are at a high risk of delirium following DBS surgery.
Age-related differences in the characteristics of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness
Authors: Fukushima Akina , Kabaya Kayoko , Minakata Toshiya , Katsumi Sachiyo , Esaki Shinichi , Iwasaki Shinichi 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveTo investigate differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) according to age.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 143 patients diagnosed with PPPD. Patients were classified into three groups by age: young group (19 to 44 years, n = 60), middle-age group (45 to 64 years, n = 56), old group (65 to 85 years, n = 27). Demographic data, scores of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Niigata PPPD Questionnaire (NPQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), precipitating conditions, and the results of vestibular function tests including caloric testing, video head impulse test (vHIT), cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs), and posturography, were compared among the three groups.ResultsWhile there were no significant differences in the scores of the DHI or NPQ, the total score and anxiety score in HADS in the young group were significantly higher than in the old group (p &lt; 0.05, each). On the other hand, for precipitating conditions, the rate of peripheral vestibular diseases was significantly greater in the old group (77.8%) compared to the young group (41.7%, p &lt; 0.01). There was no significant difference in the results of caloric testing, vHIT, cVEMPs, or oVEMPs among the three groups. For posturography, the velocity of the center of pressure with eyes-open as well as with eyes-closed was significantly greater in the old group compared to the young group and the middle-age group (p &lt; 0.005, respectively).ConclusionThe clinical characteristics of PPPD were different according to age. Young patients tended to have stronger anxiety than old patients whereas the old patients had a higher proportion of peripheral vestibular diseases among the precipitating conditions compared to young patients.
Protective effect of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol metabolites in LPS-induced vascular barrier derangement in vitro
Authors: Zodio Sonia , Serreli Gabriele , Melis Maria Paola , Franchi Benedetta , Boronat Anna , de la Torre Rafael , Deiana Monica 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThe maintenance of endothelial barrier function is essential for vasal homeostasis and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Among the toxic stimuli involved in the initiation of atherosclerotic lesions, Gram negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to be able to trigger endothelial dysfunction, through the alteration of barrier permeability and inflammatory response. Hydroxytyrosol (HT) and tyrosol (Tyr), the major phenolic compounds of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), as wells as their circulating sulphated and glucuronidated metabolites have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects at endothelial level.MethodsIn this study we investigated the protective effects of HT and Tyr metabolites on LPS-induced alteration of permeability in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) monolayers and examined underlying signaling pathways, focusing on tight junction (TJ) proteins, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NOD-, LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation.ResultsIt was shown that LPS-increased permeability in HUVEC cells was due to the alteration of TJ protein level, following the activation of MAPK and NLRP3. HT and Tyr sulphated and glucuronidated metabolites were able to limit the effects exerted by LPS, acting as signaling molecules with an efficacy comparable to that of their precursors HT and Tyr.DiscussionThe obtained results add a further piece to the understanding of HT and Tyr metabolites mechanisms of action in vascular protection.
Untargeted metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/MS reveals the lipid-lowering mechanism of taurine in hyperlipidemia mice
Authors: Guo Xinzhe , Ou Tong , Yang Xinyu , Song Qi , Zhu Lin , Mi Shengquan , Zhang Jing , Zhang Yanzhen , Chen Wen , Guo Junxia 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionTaurine has a prominent lipid-lowering effect on hyperlipidemia. However, a comprehensive analysis of the effects of taurine on endogenous metabolites in hyperlipidemia has not been documented. This study aimed to explore the impact of taurine on multiple metabolites associated with hyperlipidemia.MethodsThe hyperlipidemic mouse model was induced by high-fat diet (HFD). Taurine was administered via oral gavage at doses of 700  mg/kg/day for 14  weeks. Evaluation of body weight, serum lipid levels, and histopathology of the liver and adipose tissue was performed to confirm the lipid-lowering effect of taurine. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS)-based metabonomics analyses of serum, urine, feces, and liver, coupled with multivariate data analysis, were conducted to assess changes in the endogenous metabolites.Results and discussionBiochemical and histological examinations demonstrated that taurine administration prevented weight gain and dyslipidemia, and alleviated lipid deposition in the liver and adipose tissue in hyperlipidemic mice. A total of 76 differential metabolites were identified by UPLC-MS-based metabolomics approach, mainly involving BAs, GPs, SMs, DGs, TGs, PUFAs and amino acids. Taurine was found to partially prevent HFDinduced abnormalities in the aforementioned metabolites. Using KEGG database and MetaboAnalyst software, it was determined that taurine effectively alleviates metabolic abnormalities caused by HFD, including fatty acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, diacylglycerol metabolism, amino acid metabolism, bile acid and taurine metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Moreover, DGs, GPs and SMs, and taurine itself may serve as active metabolites in facilitating various anti-hyperlipidemia signal pathways associated with taurine. This study provides new evidence for taurine to prevent hyperlipidemia.
Quantitative ultrasound radiomics guided adaptive neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: early results from a randomized feasibility study
Authors: Dasgupta Archya , DiCenzo Daniel , Sannachi Lakshmanan , Gandhi Sonal , Pezo Rossana C. , Eisen Andrea , Warner Ellen , Wright Frances C. , Look-Hong Nicole , Sadeghi-Naini Ali , Curpen Belinda , Kolios Michael C. , Trudeau Maureen , Czarnota Gregory J. 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundIn patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), quantitative ultrasound (QUS) radiomics can predict final responses early within 4 of 16-18 weeks of treatment. The current study was planned to study the feasibility of a QUS-radiomics model-guided adaptive chemotherapy.MethodsThe phase 2 open-label randomized controlled trial included patients with LABC planned for NAC. Patients were randomly allocated in 1:1 ratio to a standard arm or experimental arm stratified by hormonal receptor status. All patients were planned for standard anthracycline and taxane-based NAC as decided by their medical oncologist. Patients underwent QUS imaging using a clinical ultrasound device before the initiation of NAC and after the 1st and 4th weeks of treatment. A support vector machine-based radiomics model developed from an earlier cohort of patients was used to predict treatment response at the 4th week of NAC. In the standard arm, patients continued to receive planned chemotherapy with the treating oncologists blinded to results. In the experimental arm, the QUS-based prediction was conveyed to the responsible oncologist, and any changes to the planned chemotherapy for predicted non-responders were made by the responsible oncologist. All patients underwent surgery following NAC, and the final response was evaluated based on histopathological examination.ResultsBetween June 2018 and July 2021, 60 patients were accrued in the study arm, with 28 patients in each arm available for final analysis. In patients without a change in chemotherapy regimen (53 of 56 patients total), the QUS-radiomics model at week 4 of NAC that was used demonstrated an accuracy of 97%, respectively, in predicting the final treatment response. Seven patients were predicted to be non-responders (observational arm (n=2), experimental arm (n=5)). Three of 5 non-responders in the experimental arm had chemotherapy regimens adapted with an early initiation of taxane therapy or chemotherapy intensification, or early surgery and ended up as responders on final evaluation.ConclusionThe study demonstrates the feasibility of QUS-radiomics adapted guided NAC for patients with breast cancer. The ability of a QUS-based model in the early prediction of treatment response was prospectively validated in the current study.Clinical trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, ID NCT04050228.
Investigation of the hypoglycemic mechanism of the ShenQi compound formula through metabonomics and 16S rRNA sequencing
Authors: Gao Juan , Zhou Xiujuan , Gao Hong , Xu Guiping , Xie Chunguang , Xie Hongyan 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Herbal formulations are renowned for their complex biological activities, acting on multiple targets and pathways, as evidenced by in vitro studies. However, the hypoglycemic effect and underlying mechanisms of Shenqi Compound (SQ), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, remain elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the hypoglycemic effects of SQ and explore its mechanisms of action, focusing on intestinal flora and metabolomics.Methods: A Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model was established through a high-fat diet, followed by variable glucose and insulin injections to mimic the fluctuating glycemic conditions seen in diabetes.Results: An eight-week regimen of SQ significantly mitigated hyperglycemia, inflammation, and insulin resistance in these rats. Notably, SQ beneficially modulated the gut microbiota by increasing populations of beneficial bacteria, such as Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Akkermansia, while reducing and inhibiting harmful strains such as Ruminococcus and Phascolarctobacterium. Metabolomics analyses revealed that SQ intervention corrected disturbances in Testosterone enanthate and Glycerophospholipid metabolism.Discussion: Our findings highlight the hypoglycemic potential of SQ and its mechanisms via modulation of the gut microbiota and metabolic pathways, offering a theoretical foundation for the use of herbal medicine in diabetes management.
Efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Zijian , Liu Xingyun , Han Yangping , Wang Yutian , Guo Qianyun , Lu Mingxing , Li Shufang , Han Ying , Liu Hongwei 
Published: April 2024

Background: Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) had high prevalence and lacked widely recognized treatment. Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) was used in the treatment of RAU in recent years. This study was to summarize the efficacy and safety of TGP in the treatment of RAU.Methods: We searched eight commonly used databases for relevant studies that published before 1 November 2023. Primary outcome was visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included overall response rate, significant response rate, ulcer healing time, interval, number of ulcers, and serum inflammatory factors. We conducted the meta-analysis, assessed risk of bias and the confidence of the evidence, by using Stata 15.0, Review Manager 5.4, and Gradepro.Results: Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) encompassing 883 patients with RAU were included in the final analysis. The VAS in the TGP group was lower than that in the control group (MD = −1.18, 95% CI = −1.58 to −0.78, p &lt; 0.001, moderate-certainty evidence), subgroup analysis suggested longer (&gt;8 weeks) medication and observation led to a more significant reduction in pain (p = 0.02). Moreover, TGP had higher overall response rate (RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.33, p = 0.008, very low-certainty evidence) and significant response rate (RR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.38 to 2.14, p &lt; 0.001, very low-certainty evidence), accelerated ulcer healing (MD = −1.79, 95% CI = −2.67 to −0.91, p &lt; 0.001, low-certainty evidence), and extended intervals (MD = 23.60, 95% CI = 14.17 to 33.03, p &lt; 0.001, very low-certainty evidence). The efficacy of TGP in reducing the number of ulcers showed no significant difference compared to the control group (MD = −1.66, 95% CI = −3.60 to 0.28, p = 0.09, low-certainty evidence). Moreover, TGP treatment was associated with a higher incidence of abdominal symptoms (RR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.62 to 6.60, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: TGP appears to hold promise as a widely-used clinical therapeutic option for treating RAU. Nevertheless, further rigorous studies of high quality are required to validate its effectiveness.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=471154, Identifier CRD42023471154
A lidar for detecting atmospheric turbulence based on modified Von Karman turbulence power spectrum
Authors: Zhou Longxia , Mao Jiandong 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Atmospheric turbulence is a kind of random vortex motion. A series of turbulent effects, such as fluctuation of light intensity, occur when laser is transmitted in atmospheric turbulence.Methods: In order to verify the possibility of detecting atmospheric turbulence by the Mie-scattering lidar, firstly, based on the power spectrum method, the Zernike polynomial method is used to simulate generation of the modified Von Karman turbulent phase screen by low-frequency compensation. By comparing the obtained phase structure function with the theoretical value, the accuracy of the method is verified. Moreover, the transmission process of the Gaussian beam from Mie-scattering lidar through the phase screen is simulated, and the transmission characteristics of the beam under modified Von Karman turbulence are obtained by analyzing the fluctuation of light intensity. Secondly, based on the guidance for simulation analysis, a Miescattering lidar system for detecting the intensity of atmospheric turbulence was developed in Yinchuan area, and the atmospheric turbulence profile was inverted by detected scintillation index.Results: The results show it is feasible to use the Zernike polynomial method perform the low-frequency compensation, and the compensation effect of low order is better than that of high order compensation. The scintillation index of simulation is consistent with the actual detection result, and has the very high accuracy, indicating that the atmospheric turbulence detection using Mie-scattering lidar is effective.Conclusion: These simulations and experiments play a significant guiding role for the similar lidar to detect atmospheric turbulence.
Correlation between epicardial adipose tissue and myocardial injury in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Su Tianhong , Zhong Bincheng , Tang Chao , Qiao Shunsong , Feng Yu , Peng Hao , Gu Xiaosong 
Published: April 2024

Background: Many people infected with COVID-19 develop myocardial injury. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is among the various risk factors contributing to coronary artery disease. However, its correlation with myocardial injury in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 remains uncertain.Methods: We examined myocardial biomarkers in population affected by COVID-19 during the period from December 2022 to January 2023. The patients without myocardial injury were referred to as group A (n = 152) and those with myocardial injury were referred to as group B (n = 212).Results: 1) The A group and the B group exhibitedstatistically significant differences in terms of age, TC, CRP, Cr, BUN, LDL-C, IL-6, BNP, LVEF and EAT (p &lt; 0.05). 2) EAT volumehad a close relationship with IL-6, LDL-C, cTnI, and CRP (p &lt; 0.05); the corresponding correlation coefficient values were 0.24, 0.21, 0.24, and 0.16. In contrast to those with lower EAT volume, more subjects with a higher volume of EAT had myocardial injury (p &lt; 0.05). Regression analysis showed that EAT, LDL-C, Age and Cr were established as independent risk variables for myocardial injury in subjects affected by COVID-19. 3) In COVID-19 patients, the likelihood of myocardial injury rised notably as EAT levels increase (p &lt; 0.001). Addition of EAT to the basic risk model for myocardial injury resulted in improved reclassification. (Net reclassification index: 58.17%, 95% CI: 38.35%, 77.99%, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Patients suffering from COVID-19 with higher volume EAT was prone to follow myocardial injury and EAT was an independent predictor of heart damage in these individuals.
A porcine large animal model of radiofrequency ablation-induced left bundle branch block
Authors: Wiedmann Felix , Jamros Max , Herlt Valerie , Paasche Amelie , Kraft Manuel , Beck Moritz , Prüser Merten , Erkal Atilla , Harder Maren , Zaradzki Marcin , Soethoff Jasmin , Karck Matthias , Frey Norbert , Schmidt Constanze 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundElectrocardiographic (ECG) features of left bundle branch (LBB) block (LBBB) can be observed in up to 20%–30% of patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. However, predicting which LBBB patients will benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) or conduction system pacing remains challenging. This study aimed to establish a translational model of LBBB to enhance our understanding of its pathophysiology and improve therapeutic approaches.MethodsFourteen male pigs underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation of the proximal LBB under fluoroscopy and ECG guidance. Comprehensive clinical assessments (12-lead ECG, bloodsampling, echocardiography, electroanatomical mapping) were conducted before LBBB induction, after 7, and 21 days. Three pigs received CRT pacemakers 7 days after LBB ablation to assess resynchronization feasibility.ResultsFollowing proximal LBB ablation, ECGs displayed characteristic LBBB features, including QRS widening, slurring in left lateral leads, and QRS axis changes. QRS duration increased from 64.2 ± 4.2 ms to 86.6 ± 12.1 ms, and R wave peak time in V6 extended from 21.3 ± 3.6 ms to 45.7 ± 12.6 ms. Echocardiography confirmed cardiac electromechanical dyssynchrony, with septal flash appearance, prolonged septal-to-posterior-wall motion delay, and extended ventricular electromechanical delays. Electroanatomical mapping revealed a left ventricular breakthrough site shift and significantly prolonged left ventricular activation times. RF-induced LBBB persisted for 3 weeks. CRT reduced QRS duration to 75.9 ± 8.6 ms, demonstrating successful resynchronization.ConclusionThis porcine model accurately replicates the electrical and electromechanical characteristics of LBBB observed in patients. It provides a practical, cost-effective, and reproducible platform to investigate molecular and translational aspects of cardiac electromechanical dyssynchrony in a controlled and clinically relevant setting.
Reducing suicides in mental healthcare: results from a 4-year follow-up implementation study in the Netherlands (SUPRANET)
Authors: Setkowski Kim , van Balkom Anton J. L. M. , Hoogendoorn Adriaan W. , Franx Gerdien , Veerbeek Marjolein , de Winter Remco F. P. , Gilissen Renske 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveIn 2016, the SUicide PRevention Action NETwork (SUPRANET) was launched. The SUPRANET intervention aims at better implementing the suicide prevention guideline. An implementation study was developed to evaluate the impact of SUPRANET over time on three outcomes: 1) suicides, 2) registration of suicide attempts, and 3) professionals’ knowledge and adherence to the guideline.MethodsThis study included 13 institutions, and used an uncontrolled longitudinal prospective design, collecting biannual data on a 2-level structure (institutional and team level). Suicides and suicide attempts were extracted from data systems. Professionals’ knowledge and adherence were measured using a self-report questionnaire. A three-step interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was performed for the first two outcomes. Step 1 assessed whether institutions executed the SUPRANET intervention as intended. Step 2 examined if institutions complied with the four guideline recommendations. Based on steps 1 and 2, institutions were classified as below or above average and after that, included as moderators in step 3 to examine the effect of SUPRANET over time compared to the baseline. The third outcome was analyzed with a longitudinal multilevel regression analysis, and tested for moderation.ResultsAfter institutions were labeled based on their efforts and investments made (below average vs above average), we found no statistically significant difference in suicides (standardized mortality ratio) between the two groups relative to the baseline. Institutions labeled as above average did register significantly more suicide attempts directly after the start of the intervention (78.8 per 100,000 patients, p&lt;0.001, 95%CI=(51.3 per 100,000, 106.4 per 100,000)), and as the study progressed, they continued to report a significantly greater improvement in the number of registered attempts compared with institutions assigned as below average (8.7 per 100,000 patients per half year, p=0.004, 95%CI=(3.3 per 100,000, 14.1 per 100,000)). Professionals working at institutions that invested more in the SUPRANET activities adhered significantly better to the guideline over time (b=1.39, 95%CI=(0.12,2.65), p=0.032).ConclusionInstitutions labeled as above average registered significantly more suicide attempts and also better adhered to the guideline compared with institutions that had performed less well. Although no convincing intervention effect on suicides was found within the study period, we do think that this network is potentially able to reduce suicides. Continuous investments and fully implementing as many guideline recommendations as possible are essential to achieve the biggest drop in suicides.