bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perturbations in gut and respiratory microbiota in COVID-19 and influenza patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chu Xiu-Jie , Song Dan-Dan , Zhou Ming-Hua , Chen Xiu-Zhi , Chu Na , Li Ming , Li Bao-Zhu , Liu Song-Hui , Hou Sai , Wu Jia-Bing , Gong Lei 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesCoronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19)/influenza poses unprecedented challenges to the global economy and healthcare services. Numerous studies have described alterations in the microbiome of COVID-19/influenza patients, but further investigation is needed to understand the relationship between the microbiome and these diseases. Herein, through systematic comparison between COVID-19 patients, long COVID-19 patients, influenza patients, no COVID-19/influenza controls and no COVID-19/influenza patients, we conducted a comprehensive review to describe the microbial change of respiratory tract/digestive tract in COVID-19/influenza patients.MethodsWe systematically reviewed relevant literature by searching the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to August 12, 2023. We conducted a comprehensive review to explore microbial alterations in patients with COVID-19/influenza. In addition, the data on α-diversity were summarized and analyzed by meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 134 studies comparing COVID-19 patients with controls and 18 studies comparing influenza patients with controls were included. The Shannon indices of the gut and respiratory tract microbiome were slightly decreased in COVID-19/influenza patients compared to no COVID-19/influenza controls. Meanwhile, COVID-19 patients with more severe symptoms also exhibited a lower Shannon index versus COVID-19 patients with milder symptoms. The intestinal microbiome of COVID-19 patients was characterized by elevated opportunistic pathogens along with reduced short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing microbiota. Moreover, Enterobacteriaceae (including Escherichia and Enterococcus) and Lactococcus, were enriched in the gut and respiratory tract of COVID-19 patients. Conversely, Haemophilus and Neisseria showed reduced abundance in the respiratory tract of both COVID-19 and influenza patients.ConclusionIn this systematic review, we identified the microbiome in COVID-19/influenza patients in comparison with controls. The microbial changes in influenza and COVID-19 are partly similar.
Medical care services provision and stress experience in urologists during all waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
Authors: Paffenholz Pia , Platen Moritz , Kostev Karel , Loosen Sven H. , Bohlken Jens , Michalowsky Bernhard 
Published: February 2024

PurposeUrologists’ practices reported decreasing medical care provision and increasing stress experience in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, long-term effects of the pandemic are unknown.MethodsMedical record data of n = 127 urologists were used to assess changes in healthcare provision, comparing the pandemic with the pre-pandemic period. An online survey among n = 101 urologists was conducted to assess the physicians’ perceptions of the identified healthcare provision and organizational changes and experiences of anxiety, stress, and support needs during the pandemic waves. Urologists consultations, specialists’ referrals, hospital admissions, documented cancer diagnoses, urologists’ perceptions of causes for these changes and experienced stress, anxiety and support needs. Results were demonstrated using descriptive statistics.ResultsOver the first two years of the pandemic, there was a slight decline in consultations (−0,94%), but more intensive reduction in hospital admissions (−13,6%) and identified cancer diagnoses (−6,2%). Although patients’ behavior was seen as the main reason for the changes, 71 and 61% of consultations of high-risk patients or urgent surgeries were canceled. Telemedical approaches were implemented by 58% of urologists, and 88% stated that the reduced cancer detection rate would negatively affect patients’ outcomes. Urologists reported higher anxiety, stress, and need for support during all waves of the pandemic than other disciplines, especially females.ConclusionThe pandemic tremendously affects urologists’ health care provision and stress experience, possibly causing long-term consequences for patients and physicians.
Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive function in patients with epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kong Yurou , Zhao Kun , Zeng Duchun , Lu Feiao , Li Xiang , Wu Yulun , Jiang Zengming , Wen Wanshun 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundPrevious studies showed that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can improve cognitive function in patients with epilepsy, but there is still great controversy about the effect of VNS on cognitive function in patients with epilepsy.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of VNS on the cognitive function of epilepsy patients.MethodsClinical trials published in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and Embase before September 20, 2022, were comprehensively searched. Primary outcomes were overall cognitive performance, executive function, attention, memory; Secondary outcomes were seizure frequency, mood, and quality of life (QOL). Random effects were used to calculate the pooled outcome.ResultsTwenty clinical trials were included. There was no significant improvement in overall cognitive performance in patients with epilepsy after VNS treatment (SMD = 0.07; 95% CI: −0.12 to 0.26; I2 = 0.00%) compared to pre-treatment. Compared to pre-treatment, there was no significant difference in executive function (SMD = −0.50; 95% CI: −1.50 to 0.50; p = 0.32), attention (SMD = −0.17; 95% CI: −0.43 to 0.09; p = 0.21) and memory (SMD = 0.64; 95% CI: −0.11 to 1.39; p = 0.09), but there were significant differences in seizure frequency, mood, and quality of life in patients with epilepsy after VNS.ConclusionThis meta-analysis did not establish that VNS can significantly improve cognitive function in patients with epilepsy, but it shows that VNS can significantly improve the seizure frequency, mood and quality of life of patients with epilepsy.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42023384059.
Increased interhemispheric functional connectivity after right anodal tDCS in chronic non-fluent aphasia: preliminary findings
Authors: Alemanno Federica , Fedeli Davide , Monti Alessia , Houdayer Elise , Della Rosa Pasquale Anthony , Zangrillo Federica , Emedoli Daniele , Pelagallo Elisabetta , Corbo Massimo , Iannaccone Sandro , Abutalebi Jubin 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionAnodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, low-cost and environment-friendly brain neuromodulation technique that increases cortical excitability. In post-stroke aphasia, the role of the right hemisphere in language recovery remains debated. In this preliminary study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of excitatory tDCS on the right hemisphere in chronic aphasic patients.MethodsWe applied anodal tDCS to the right homologous region of Broca’s area in four chronic aphasic patients while performing a one-month naming rehabilitation treatment. Longitudinal data on language assessment and naming performance were collected. Resting-state fMRI images were acquired before and after treatment to measure changes in functional connectivity.ResultsResults showed enhanced positive functional connectivity of the right Broca homologous with the left middle frontal and middle temporal gyri. Every patient showed improvements in language functions, but no major changes in naming performance.ConclusionThese preliminary findings suggest that tDCS applied over the unaffected hemisphere may result in longitudinal inter-hemispheric functional neuroplastic changes that could specifically improve language recovery and could potentially be included in therapeutic neurorehabilitative plans.
Factors associated with inadequate dietary diversity among adolescent girls in Hurumu Woreda High School, Oromia Region, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kera Abeza Mitiku , Zewdie Zenebe Asrat , Melkamu Kitila Keno , Befkadu Tola Zewudu , Bekana Teshome 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundInadequate diet among adolescent girls leads to anatomical and physiological disturbances which will contribute to the vicious intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. However, only a few studies are available in Ethiopia on dietary diversity among adolescent girls who are attending school.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to assess factors associated with inadequate dietary diversity among high school adolescent girls in Hurumu Woreda, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 high school adolescent girls from 3 May 2022 to 12 June 2022 and selected by using simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. Epi-data version 4.6.0 was used to enter the data, which were then exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Simple binary and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with inadequate dietary diversity.ResultsIn this study, the magnitude of inadequate dietary diversity among adolescent girls was 62.6% [95% CI: 57.5–66.5]. Living with more than five family members (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.16–3.44), consumption of sweet foods/beverages (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.07–3.41), poor nutritional knowledge (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.48–3.89), and poor household wealth tercile (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.44–5.12) were significantly associated with inadequate dietary diversity.ConclusionLiving with more than five family members, poor household wealth status, consumption of sweet foods/beverages, family size, and poor nutritional knowledge were factors significantly associated with inadequate dietary diversity. Hence, nutrition education, the use of family planning methods, and securing income-generating activities should be implemented.
Unraveling determinants of integrated farming systems adoption for sustainable livelihood and dietary diversity
Authors: Raghavendra K. J. , John Jacob , Jacob D. , Rajendran T. , Prusty A. K. , Ansari Meraj Alam , Ravisankar Natesan , Kumar Sunil , Singh Raghuveer , Shamim Mohammad , Punia Peyush , Nirmal  , Meena Amrit L. , Kashyap Poonam , Shivaswamy G. P. , Dutta D. 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionOver the years, smallholder farmers have faced more vulnerability to risk and uncertainty in India due to their dependence on cereal crops. One way to reduce this risk is through diversified agriculture, integrating different practices for efficient resource utilization, and adopting a farming systems approach. An integrated farming system (IFS) is one such technique that provides year-round income from different components of enterprises. However, the decision to adopt IFS may be determined by several characteristics of farmers, which needs to be delineated through impact analysis to harness the benefits of a systems approach.MethodsThis study analyzes the economic effects of integrated farming systems and assesses their determinants, as well as the dietary diversity patterns of farmers in two states of southern India, i.e., Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A multistage sampling technique was used to obtain cross-sectional data from 367 farmers randomly chosen from one district in Kerala and two districts in Tamil Nadu. The participants have Crop + Horticulture + Animal husbandry (45.45%) as their major system, whereas non-participants have Crop + Animal husbandry (44.35%) as their predominant system. Coarsened exact matching and logit regression methods were used to evaluate the economic impacts of IFS and its influencing factors.ResultsThe findings of the study indicate that age, education, livestock holding, access to credit, and plantation area have a positive and significant effect on participation by farmers in the program. The matching results show that adoption of IFS resulted in a significant economic impact, generating an additional gross income of Rs. 36,165 ha−1 and a net income of Rs. 35,852 ha−1 and improving the dietary diversity of farm households by 8.6% as compared to non-adopters.DiscussionThis study suggests that IFS is a promising approach for improving farmers' livelihoods, economic gains, and nutritional security. Therefore, the integrated farming systems models need to be upscaled through the convergence of government schemes in other regions of India to support smallholder farmers' farming.
Effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on performance, physiological responses, and bioenergetic pathway contributions during repeated sprint exercise
Authors: Özbay Serhat , Ulupınar Süleyman , Gençoğlu Cebrail , Ouergui Ibrahim , Öget Furkan , Yılmaz Hasan Hüseyin , Kishalı Necip Fazıl , Kıyıcı Fatih , Asan Selim , Uçan İzzet , Ardigò Luca Paolo 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionThis investigation aims to elucidate the impact of Ramadan intermittent fasting on performance, physiological responses, and bioenergetic pathway contributions during repeated sprints.MethodsFourteen active male Muslim athletes (age = 22.4 ± 1.8 years, body weight = 69.5 ± 3.8 kg, height = 176 ± 5.1 cm) executed a repeated sprint protocol, consisting of ten 20-meter sprints with 15-s passive recovery intervals, during both fasting and non-fasting conditions. The fasting session was conducted after a 12–14 h fast following Sahur (the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan). In contrast, the non-fasting session occurred before the Ramadan fasting period began, during the same hours of the day, at a time when fasting was not yet required for the athletes. Bioenergetic pathway contributions during repeated sprints were quantified using the PCr-LA-O2 method.ResultsThe mean sprint time during fasting sessions was 3.4 ± 0.3 s compared to 3.3 ± 0.2 s in non-fasting sessions, indicating a trend approaching the threshold of significance for slower times in the fasted state (p = 0.052, effect size (ES) = 0.34). In terms of bioenergetic contributions, the total metabolic energy expenditure (TEE) was slightly lower during fasting sessions (236.5 ± 22 kJ) compared to non-fasting sessions (245.2 ± 21.7 kJ), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.102, ES = 0.40). Similarly, metabolic energy expenditure per sprint was 23.7 ± 2.2 kJ in fasting conditions compared to 24.5 ± 2.2 kJ in non-fasting conditions (p = 0.106, ES = 0.35). The oxidative energy contribution did not differ significantly between fasting (34.2 ± 4.1 kJ) and non-fasting conditions (34.2 ± 4.1 vs. 35.5 ± 5.2 kJ; p = 0.238, ES = 0.28). Similarly, lactic (60.4 ± 7.6 vs. 59.2 ± 8.3 kJ; p = 0.484, ES = 0.15); and alactic (149.3 ± 19.9 vs. 143 ± 21.5 kJ; p = 0.137, ES = 0.30) energy contributions showed no significant differences between the fasting and non-fasting sessions. The percentage of performance decrement (Pdec) and the percentage contributions of oxidative, lactic, and alactic pathways to the total energy expenditure did not differ significantly between the fasting and non-fasting conditions, indicating a similar bioenergetic profile across both conditions.ConclusionThe present findings indicate no significant differences in performance metrics and metabolic outcomes between fasted and non-fasted states. Future assessments with longer duration and higher intensity protocols may provide further insights.
Establishment and comparison of in situ detection models for foodborne pathogen contamination on mutton based on SWIR-HSI
Authors: Bai Zongxiu , Du Dongdong , Zhu Rongguang , Xing Fukang , Yang Chenyi , Yan Jiufu , Zhang Yixin , Kang Lichao 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionRapid and accurate detection of food-borne pathogens on mutton is of great significance to ensure the safety of mutton and its products and the health of consumers.ObjectivesThe feasibility of short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging (SWIR-HSI) in detecting the contamination status and species of Escherichia coli (EC), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Salmonella typhimurium (ST) contaminated on mutton was explored.Materials and methodsThe hyperspectral images of uncontaminated and contaminated mutton samples with different concentrations (108, 107, 106, 105, 104, 103 and 102 CFU/mL) of EC, SA and ST were acquired. The one dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) model was constructed and the influence of structure hyperparameters on the model was explored. The effects of different spectral preprocessing methods on partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), support vector machine (SVM) and 1D-CNN models were discussed. In addition, the feasibility of using the characteristic wavelength to establish simplified models was explored.Results and discussionThe best full band model was the 1D-CNN model with the convolution kernels number of (64, 16) and the activation function of tanh established by the original spectra, and its accuracy of training set, test set and external validation set were 100.00, 92.86 and 97.62%, respectively. The optimal simplified model was genetic algorithm optimization support vector machine (GA-SVM). For discriminating the pathogen species, the accuracies of SVM models established by full band spectra preprocessed by 2D and all 1D-CNN models with the convolution kernel number of (32, 16) and the activation function of tanh were 100.00%. In addition, the accuracies of all simplified models were 100.00% except for the 1D-CNN models. Considering the complexity of features and model calculation, the 1D-CNN models established by original spectra were the optimal models for pathogenic bacteria contamination status and species. The simplified models provide basis for developing multispectral detection instruments.ConclusionThe results proved that SWIR-HSI combined with machine learning and deep learning could accurately detect the foodborne pathogen contamination on mutton, and the performance of deep learning models were better than that of machine learning. This study can promote the application of HSI technology in the detection of foodborne pathogens on meat.
Arterial stiffness is associated with handgrip strength in relatively healthy Chinese older adults
Authors: He Yan , Niu Yue , Li Zhe , Zhang Ruimin , Chen Yizhi , Dong Zheyi , Zheng Ying , Wang Qian , Wang Yong , Zhao Delong , Sun Xuefeng , Cai Guangyan , Feng Zhe , Zhang Weiguang , Chen Xiangmei 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundIncreased arterial stiffness and low handgrip strength (HGS) are associated with poor health outcomes and are a severe health risk for older adults. However, there is limited evidence and mixed results on whether there is an association between them. Therefore, this study focused on the association between arterial stiffness and HGS in relatively healthy older adults in Beijing, China.MethodsIn 2016, 2,217 adult volunteers were recruited in Beijing. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the ankle-brachial index were measured using an automatic vascular profiling system. Carotid artery intima-media thickness and common carotid artery-internal diameter (CCAID) were evaluated using Doppler ultrasound, and HGS was measured with a dynamometer. Low HGS was determined using the Asian Sarcopenia Working Group 2019 criteria. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions evaluated the relationship between arterial stiffness and HGS.ResultsUltimately, 776 relatively healthy older adults (mean age 69.05 ± 6.46 years) were included. Based on the AWGS2019 criteria, 137 participants were defined as having low HGS. Compared to the normal HGS group, the low HGS group was older and had higher baPWV (p &lt; 0.001) but lower CCAID, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin (Hb) (p &lt; 0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that baPWV was negatively correlated with HGS (β = −0.173, t = −2.587, p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baPWV and CCAID were associated with an increased risk of low HGS (odds ratio (OR) per SD increase: 1.318, p = 0.007; OR per SD increase: 0.541, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionArterial stiffness and HGS were significantly negatively correlated in relatively healthy Chinese older adults. Low HGS is associated with increased arterial stiffness. Encouraging exercise training to improve HGS, thereby reducing arterial stiffness and the risk of cardiovascular events, may be a simple and effective intervention.
Time to treatment disparities in gastric cancer patients in the United States of America: a comprehensive retrospective analysis
Authors: Sharan Seema , Bansal Shivam , Manaise Harsheen Kaur , Jimenez Paola Berrios , Raikot Swathi R. , Ahmed Syeda Hoorulain , Popp Reed , Popp Kyle , Sukniam Kulkaew , Kowkabany Gabrielle , Mubarak Fatima , Gabriel Emmanuel 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionGastric cancer ranks as the 5th most prevalent cancer and the 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Various treatment modalities, including surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, are available for gastric cancer patients. However, disparities related to age, sex, race, socioeconomic factors, insurance status, and demographic factors often lead to delayed time to treatment.MethodsIn this retrospective study, conducted between 2004 and 2019, we utilized data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to investigate the factors contributing to disparities in the time to first treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy among gastric cancer patients. Our analysis incorporated several variables, and statistical analysis was conducted to provide valuable insights into these disparities.ResultsWe observed notable disparities in the timing of treatment for various demographic groups, including age, sex, race, insurance status, geographic location, and facility type. These disparities include longer time to treatment in males (32.67 vs 30.75), Native Americans (35.10 vs 31.09 in Asians), low-income patients (32 vs 31.15), patients getting treatment in an academic setting (36.11 vs 29.61 in community setting), significantly longer time to chemotherapy in 70+ age group (51.13 vs 40.38 in &lt;40 y age group), black race (55.81 vs 47.05 in whites), low income people (49.64 vs 46.74), significantly longer time to radiotherapy in females (101.61 vs 79.75), blacks and Asians (109.68 and 113.96 respectively vs 92.68 in Native Americans) etc. There are various other disparities in time to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.ConclusionsUnderstanding these disparities is crucial in developing targeted strategies to improve timely access to appropriate treatments and enhance outcomes for gastric cancer patients. Future research with updated data and prospective study designs can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing patient outcomes in gastric cancer.