bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative and qualitative sex difference in habenula-induced inhibition of midbrain dopamine neurons in the rat
Authors: Bell Dana , Waldron Vaughn J. , Brown P. Leon 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionClinically relevant sex differences have been noted in a number of affective, behavioral, cognitive, and neurological health disorders. Midbrain dopamine neurons are implicated in several of these same disorders and consequently are under investigation for their potential role in the manifestation of these sex differences. The lateral habenula exerts significant inhibitory control over dopamine neuronal firing, yet little is known about sex differences in this particular neurocircuit.MethodsWe performed in vivo, single unit, extracellular recordings of dopamine neurons in female and male anesthetized rats in response to single pulse stimulation of the lateral habenula. In addition, we assessed baseline firing properties of lateral habenula neurons and, by immunochemical means, assessed the distribution of estrogen receptor alpha cells in the lateral habenula.ResultsHabenula-induced inhibition of dopamine neuronal firing is reduced in female rats relative to male rats. In addition, male rats had a higher prevalence of rebound excitation. Furthermore, the firing pattern of lateral habenula neurons was less variable in female rats, and female rats had a higher density of estrogen receptor alpha positive cells in the lateral habenula.DiscussionWe found that the dopamine neuronal response to habenular stimulation is both qualitatively and quantitatively different in female and male rats. These novel findings together with reports in the contemporary literature lead us to posit that the sex difference in dopamine inhibition seen here relate to differential firing properties of lateral habenula neurons resulting from the presence of sex hormones. Further work is needed to test this hypothesis, which may have implications for understanding the etiology of several mental health disorders including depression, schizophrenia, and addiction.
Maternal dietary patterns and acute leukemia in infants: results from a case control study in Mexico
Authors: Muñoz-Aguirre Paloma , Denova-Gutiérrez Edgar , Pérez-Saldivar María Luisa , Espinoza-Hernández Laura E. , Dorantes-Acosta Elisa M. , Torres-Nava José R. , Solís-Labastida Karina A. , Paredes-Aguilera Rogelio , Velázquez-Aviña Martha M. , Espinosa-Elizondo R. Martha , Miranda-Madrazo M. Raquel , González-Ávila Ana Itamar , Rodríguez-Villalobos Luis Rodolfo , Dosta-Herrera Juan José , Mondragón-García Javier A. , Castañeda-Echevarría Alejandro , López-Caballero M. Guadalupe , Martínez-Silva Sofía I. , Rivera-González Juan , Hernández-Pineda Norma Angélica , Flores-Botello Jesús , Pérez-Gómez Jessica Arleet , Rodríguez-Vázquez María Adriana , Torres-Valle Delfino , Olvera-Durán Jaime Ángel , Martínez-Ríos Annel , García-Cortés Luis R. , Almeida-Hernández Carolina , Flores-Lujano Janet , Núñez-Enriquez Juan Carlos , Mata-Rocha Minerva , Rosas-Vargas Haydeé , Duarte-Rodríguez David Aldebarán , Jiménez-Morales Silvia , Mejía-Aranguré Juan Manuel , López-Carrillo Lizbeth 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundChildhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related mortality among children aged 5–14 years in Mexico, with acute leukemia being the most common cancer among infants. Examining the overall dietary patterns allows for a comprehensive assessment of food and nutrient consumption, providing a more predictive measure of disease risk than individual foods or nutrients. This study aims to evaluate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in Mexican infants.MethodsA hospital-based case–control study was conducted, comparing 109 confirmed acute leukemia cases with 152 age-matched controls. All participants (≤24 months) were identified at hospitals in Mexico City between 2010 and 2019. Data on a posteriori dietary patterns and other relevant variables were collected through structured interviews and dietary questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to estimate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in infants.ResultsThe “Balanced &amp; Vegetable-Rich” pattern, characterized by a balanced consumption of various food groups and higher vegetable intake, exhibited a negative association with acute leukemia when compared to the “High Dairy &amp; Cereals” Pattern (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29, 0.90). We observed that mothers who gave birth to girls and adhered to a healthy dietary pattern during pregnancy exhibited significantly lower odds of their children developing AL compared to those who gave birth to boys [OR = 0.32 (95% CI 0.11, 0.97)]. Our results underscore the significance of maternal nutrition as a modifiable factor in disease prevention and the importance of prenatal health education.
Association of coffee and caffeine consumption with risk and prognosis of endometrial cancer and its subgroups: a Mendelian randomization
Authors: Chen Ziyu , Liu Chaosheng , Wu Jing , Kong Fandou 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundPrevious studies have not established potential causal associations between coffee and caffeine consumption in endometrial cancer (EC) and its subgroups. Therefore, we used a two-sample MR method to assess the causal association between coffee and caffeine consumption and EC risk. We also evaluated the association between these genetically predicted exposures and EC prognosis.Materials and methodsThis study used 12 and two independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with coffee and caffeine consumption as instrumental variables at a genome-wide significance level of p &lt; 5 × 10–8. The EC Association Consortium (ECAC) performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis of 12,906 cases and 108,979 controls. FinnGen Consortium performed a GWAS analysis of 1,967 EC cases and 167,189 controls. The primary technique we employed was inverse-variance weighted, followed by the weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and MR robust adjusted profile score methods. We used the MR pleiotropy residual sum, Outlier test, and MR-Egger regression to assess Outlier and pleiotropic variants. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis through the leave-one-out method.ResultsGenetically predicted coffee consumption was not associated with EC and its subgroups in the ECAC, and the association was consistent in the FinnGen consortium. After excluding eight SNPs with confounding factors, the study performed sensitivity analyses, delivering consistent results. We also observed that caffeine consumption was not correlated with EC risk. As confirmed by MR analysis, selected SNPs determined that most do not significantly impact the likelihood of developing EC.ConclusionOur study indicated no convincing evidence supports coffee and caffeine consumption causing EC or impacting its prognosis. More studies are needed to validate the results.
Metastatic lymph node burden impacts overall survival in submandibular gland cancer
Authors: Wang Lei , Shi Weihong 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of the number of positive lymph nodes (LNs) on the overall survival (OS) of patients with submandibular gland cancer (SmGC).MethodsPatients who had undergone neck dissection for SmGC were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The effect of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N stage, the number of positive LNs, LN size, LN ratio, and extranodal extension (ENE) on OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) was evaluated using Cox analysis. Prognostic models were proposed based on the identified significant variable, and their performance was compared using hazard consistency and discrimination.ResultsIn total, 129 patients were included in this study. The number of positive LNs rather than LN ratio, LN size, and ENE was associated with OS. A prognostic model based on the number of positive LNs (0 vs. 1–2 vs. 3+) demonstrated a higher likelihood ratio and Harrell’s C index than those according to the 7th/8th edition of the AJCC N stage in predicting OS and RFS.ConclusionsThe effect of LN metastasis on OS and RFS was mainly determined by the number of positive LNs. A validation of this finding is warranted in adenoid cystic carcinomas that were not included in this study.
A 7-month-old girl with a suspected air embolism complication during a living-donor liver transplantation procedure: a case report
Authors: Huang Dan , Yang Liqun , Yu Weifeng , Qi Bo 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundPediatric liver transplantation is an important modality for treating biliary atresia. The overall survival rate of pediatric liver transplantation has significantly improved. The incidence of perioperative cardiac events was evaluated, and risk factors were also investigated in adult patients undergoing liver transplantation in previous studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a cardiac event during a pediatric living-donor liver transplantation.Case summaryOur report describes the management of cardiac events during a liver transplantation in a 7-month-old girl. The ST segment began to increase to 3.0 mm immediately after reperfusion, with peak ST-segment elevation reaching 13.2 mm after 45 min. The procedure ended uneventfully after continuous symptomatic and etiological treatment. It was considered to be the occurrence of an acute air embolism complication during the procedure based on the electrocardiograph and biomarkers. An echocardiogram during follow-up showed a patent foramen ovale with a left-to-right shunt tract width of 2.7 mm.DiscussionPediatric liver transplantation has become a state-of-the-art treatment for children with end-stage liver disease and can improve the quality of life to some extent. These children may be complicated with congenital heart disease, which increases the risk of surgery. Application of echocardiogram, close monitoring, and appropriate management may reduce the incidence of perioperative cardiac events.
Inanimate 3D printed model for thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula
Authors: Zahradniková Petra , Babala Jozef , Pechanová Rebeka , Smrek Martin , Vitovič Pavol , Laurovičová Miroslava , Bernát Tomáš , Nedomová Barbora 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) poses significant technical challenges. This study aimed to develop an inexpensive, reusable, high-fidelity synthetic tissue model for simulating EA/TEF repairs and to assess the validity of the simulator.MethodsBy using 3D printing and silicone casting, we designed an inexpensive and reusable inanimate model for training in thoracoscopic EA/TEF repair. The objective was to validate the model using a 5-point Likert scale and the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) to evaluate participants' surgical proficiency.ResultsA total of 18 participants (7 medical students, 4 pediatric surgery trainees, and 7 experienced surgeons), after being instructed and trained, were asked to perform TEF ligation, dissection, as well as esophageal anastomosis using six sliding knots on the EA/TEF simulator. All participants in the expert group completed the task within the 120-minute time limit, however only 4 (57%) participants from the novice/intermediate completed the task within the time limit. There was a statistically significant difference in OSATS scores for the “flow of task” (p = 0.018) and scores for the “overall MIS skills” (p = 0.010) task distinguishing between novice and intermediates and experts. The simulator demonstrated strong suitability as a training tool, indicated by a mean score of 4.66. The mean scores for the model's realism and the working environment were 4.25 and 4.5, respectively. Overall, the face validity was scored significantly lower in the expert group compared to the novice/intermediate groups (p = 0.0002).ConclusionsOur study established good face and content validity of the simulator. Due to its reusability, and suitability for individual participants, our model holds promise as a training tool for thoracoscopic procedures among surgeons. However, novices and trainees struggled with advanced minimally invasive surgical procedures. Therefore, a structured and focused training curriculum in pediatric MIS is needed for optimal utilization of the available training hours.
An updated meta-analysis of Chinese herbal medicine for the prevention of COVID-19 based on Western-Eastern medicine
Authors: Hu Siying , Luo Dan , Zhu Qikui , Pan Jie , Chen Bonan , Furian Michael , Harkare Harsh Vivek , Sun Shoukai , Fansa Adel , Wu Xiaoping , Yu Baili , Ma Tianhong , Wang Fei , Shi Shihua 
Published: November 2023

Background and aims: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) was used to prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in clinical practices. Many studies have demonstrated that the combination of CHM and Western medicine can be more effective in treating COVID-19 compared to Western medicine alone. However, evidence-based studies on the prevention in undiagnosed or suspected cases remain scarce. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CHM in preventing recurrent, new, or suspected COVID-19 diseases.Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search using ten databases including articles published between December 2019 and September 2023. This search aimed to identify studies investigating the use of CHM to prevent COVID-19. Heterogeneity was assessed by a random-effects model. The relative risk (RR) and mean differences were calculated using 95% confidence intervals (CI). The modified Jadad Scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were employed to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies, respectively.Results: Seventeen studies with a total of 47,351 patients were included. Results revealed that CHM significantly reduced the incidence of COVID-19 (RR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.11–0.53, p = 0.0004), influenza (RR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18–0.76, p = 0.007), and severe pneumonia exacerbation rate (RR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.05–0.64, p = 0.009) compared to non-treatment or conventional control group. Evidence evaluation indicated moderate quality evidence for COVID-19 incidence and serum complement components C3 and C4 in randomized controlled trials. For the incidence of influenza and severe pneumonia in RCTs as well as the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes, the evidence quality was low. The remaining outcomes including the disappearance rate of symptoms and adverse reactions were deemed to be of very low quality.Conclusion: CHM presents a promising therapeutic option for the prevention of COVID-19. However, additional high-quality clinical trials are needed to further strengthen evidential integrity.
Histamine H2 receptor antagonist exhibited comparable all-cause mortality-decreasing effect as β-blockers in critically ill patients with heart failure: a cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xue-Sha , Cai Wen-Ke , Wang Ping , Xu Ran , Yin Sun-Jun , Huang Yan-Hua , Guo Yu , Jiang Fang-Fang , Pan Jian-Mei , Li Yi-Hua , He Gong-Hao 
Published: November 2023

Background: Our previous study reported that histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) exposure was associated with decreased mortality in critically ill patients with heart failure (HF) through the same pharmacological mechanism as β-blockers. However, population-based clinical study directly comparing the efficacy of H2RAs and β-blockers on mortality of HF patients are still lacking. This study aims to compare the association difference of H2RAs and β-blockers on mortality in critically ill patients with HF using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database (MIMIC-III).Methods: Study population was divided into 4 groups: β-blockers + H2RAs group, β-blockers group, H2RAs group, and Non-β-blockers + Non-H2RAs group. Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression models were employed to evaluate the differences of all-cause mortalities among the 4 groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to increase comparability of four groups.Results: A total of 5593 patients were included. After PSM, multivariate analyses showed that patients in H2RAs group had close all-cause mortality with patients in β-blockers group. Furthermore, 30-day, 1-year, 5-year and 10-year all-mortality of patients in β-blockers + H2RAs group were significantly lower than those of patients in β-blockers group, respectively (HR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.50–0.82 for 30-day; HR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.69–0.93 for 1-year mortality; HR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.74–0.93 for 5-year mortality; and HR: 0.85, 95%CI: 0.76–0.94 for 10-year mortality, respectively).Conclusion: H2RAs exposure exhibited comparable all-cause mortality-decreasing effect as β-blockers; and, furthermore, H2RAs and β-blockers had additive or synergistic interactions to improve survival in critically ill patients with HF.
Aspirin intervention before ICU admission reduced the mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: results from the MIMIC-IV
Authors: Meng Yao , Lin Yi , Zhang Jia-Wei , Zou Wen-Li , Liu Yue-Ming , Shen Xiao-Gang , Shen Quan-Quan , Wang Min-Min , Shao Li-Na , Feng Hong-Yuan , Zhu Yan , Yu Jing-Ting , Lin Bo , Zhu Bin 
Published: November 2023

Background: Aspirin, with its pleiotropic effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregation, has been widely used for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between the use of aspirin before the intensive care unit (ICU) and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown.Methods: Patients with AKI in this retrospective observational study were selected from the Marketplace for Medical Information in Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV). The association between aspirin intervention and 30-day mortality was assessed using Cox proportional hazards model. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of aspirin intervention with the risks of intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding and blood transfusion. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was adopted to balance the baseline variables. Sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the results by multiple interpolations for the missing data.Results: The study included 4237 pre-ICU aspirin users and 9745 non-users. In multivariate models, we found a decreased risk of mortality in those who received aspirin before ICU compared to those who did not (30-day:hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.62–0.79; p &lt; 0.001; 90-day:HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63–0.77, p &lt; 0.001; 180-day:HR, 0.72; 95%CI,0.65–0.79, p &lt; 0.001). This benefit was consistent in the post-PSM analyses, sensitivity analyses, and subgroup analyses. Moreover, aspirin intervention was associated with a reduced risk of intracranial hemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.10–0.25; p &lt; 0.001; HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38–0.88, p = 0.012) after being adjusted by relating covariates, whereas with a increased risk of blood transfusion (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.16–1.46; p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Patients with AKI treated with aspirin before ICU admission might have reduced 30-day, 90-day and 180-day mortality without increasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or gastrointestinal bleeding, but may increase the risk of transfusion.
Predicting postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgeries from preoperative portable electroencephalography oscillations
Authors: Hata Masahiro , Miyazaki Yuki , Nagata Chie , Masuda Hirotada , Wada Tamiki , Takahashi Shun , Ishii Ryouhei , Miyagawa Shigeru , Ikeda Manabu , Ueno Takayoshi 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionPostoperative delirium (POD) is common and life-threatening, however, with intensive interventions, a potentially preventable clinical syndrome. Although electroencephalography (EEG) is a promising biomarker of delirium, standard 20-leads EEG holds difficulties for screening usage in clinical practice.ObjectiveWe aimed to develop an accurate algorithm to predict POD using EEG data obtained from portable device.MethodsWe recruited 128 patients who underwent scheduled cardiovascular surgery. Cognitive function assessments were conducted, and portable EEG recordings were obtained prior to surgery.ResultsAmong the patients, 47 (36.7%) patients with POD were identified and they did not significantly differ from patients without POD in sex ratio, age, cognitive function, or treatment duration of intensive care unit. However, significant differences were observed in the preoperative EEG power spectrum densities at various frequencies, especially gamma activity, between patients with and without POD. POD was successfully predicted using preoperative EEG data with a machine learning algorithm, yielding accuracy of 86% and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93.DiscussionThis study provides new insights into the objective and biological vulnerability to delirium. The developed algorithm can be applied in general hospitals without advanced equipment and expertise, thereby enabling the reduction of POD occurrences with intensive interventions for high-risk patients.
Reusable tourniquets for blood sampling as a source of multi-resistant organisms– a systematic review
Authors: Szymczyk Julia , Månsson Michelle , Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska Wioletta 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionThe use of reusable tourniquets is widespread around the world, and reports suggest they may be overused. Several studies have shown that reusable tourniquets can affect the spread of pathogens between patients. Based on available studies, this review aims to analyse the indirect transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens present on blood collection tourniquets, which may spread infectious diseases between patients in daily clinical practice.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) protocol guidelines. The contents of PubMed, EBSCO (electronic databases), and Scopus were screened. Keywords used in the search included: “tourniquet,” “cross infection,” “nosocomial infection,” “staphylococcus aureus,” “MRO,” “pathogen,” “infectious disease,” “anti-microbial,” or a combination of these using AND or OR operators. Finally, 13 publications were included. Data were analysed both descriptively and quantitatively by calculating a balanced average for specific synthesized data.ResultsThe proportional observation based on the number sampled median was 77. The genus MRSA was the type of bacteria most commonly found: on 12% of all tested tourniquets. The amount of MRSA found on tourniquets was mean ± SD 14.6 ± 45.89. A review of studies also revealed the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci, grew Bacillus, and Staphylococcus aureus.ConclusionPatient safety may be at risk due to elevated contamination rates of reusable tourniquets. The microorganisms responsible for this contamination include a variety of species, the most common being the genus Staphylococcus. For this reason, we recommend the use of disposable tourniquets.