bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the risk of ischemic stroke at a young age in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Ya-Chun , Lai Edward Chia-Cheng , Liao Tzu-Chi , Weng Meng-Yu 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundRecent studies have demonstrated an increased incidence of ischemic stroke among patients with certain autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs). However, the associations between young stroke and AIIRDs have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke among young patients with AIIRDs.MethodsThe National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan was utilized to establish cohorts of patients with AIIRDs diagnosed between 2004 and 2015, who were compared with 1,000,000 control participants. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate the hazard ratio of ischemic stroke and young ischemic stroke for individual AIIRDs after adjustment for relative risk factors.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 64,120 patients with AIIRDss and 1,000,000 control patients were identified. The overall mean follow-up time was 5.33 years. There were 223 (0.8%) and 1,923 (0.3%) young ischemic stroke-related hospitalizations among patients with AIIRDs and controls, respectively. The incidence rate of young ischemic stroke was 0.08 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 0.08 in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome, 0.26 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 0.17 in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis, 0.24 in patients with systemic sclerosis, 0.05 in patients with Behçet’s disease, and 0.44 in patients with systemic vasculitis, versus 0.05 per 100 person-years in the general population. The adjusted hazard ratios for young ischemic stroke were 1.07 (95% CI 0.70–1.43) for rheumatoid arthritis, 1.39 (95% CI 0.94–2.06) for Sjögren’s syndrome, 5.79 (95% CI 4.68–7.17) for systemic lupus erythematosus, 2.07 for idiopathic inflammatory myositis (95% CI 0.98–4.38), 2.79 for systemic sclerosis (95% CI 1.38–5.63), 0.82 for Behçet’s disease (95% CI 0.26–2.55), and 4.15 (95% CI 1.96–8.82) for systemic vasculitis.ConclusionsPatients younger than 50 years with systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, or systemic vasculitis have a significantly elevated risk of developing ischemic stroke. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis of accelerated atherosclerosis in these AIIRDs.
Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets predict the efficacy of TACE with or without PD-1 inhibitors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective clinical study
Authors: Wang Hongyu , Huang Huijie , Liu Ting , Chen Yaoming , Li Jinwei , He Min , Peng Jianxin , Liang Enyu , Li Jiaping , Liu Wendao 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundAlthough peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, particularly PD-1+ T cells, are promising prognostic indicators for patients with cancer. However, their clinical significance remains unclear.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 157 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with or without PD-1 inhibitors. Twenty peripheral lymphocyte subsets and cytokines were analyzed. We analyzed the differences in PD-1+ T cells between patients treated with and without PD-1 inhibitors and their associations with tumor response, survival prognosis, and clinical features.ResultsWe found that the baseline CD8+PD-1+ and CD4+PD-1+ T-cell frequencies in patients who had received PD-1 inhibitors were lower than those in patients who had not received PD-1 inhibitors (p &lt; 0.001). In the former patients, there were no differences in PD-1+ T-cell frequencies between the responder and non-responder subgroups (p &gt; 0.05), whereas in the latter patients, the levels of CD8+PD-1+ T cells, CD4+PD-1+ T cells, and CD8+PD-1+/CD4+PD-1+ ratio did not predict tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), or overall survival (OS) (p&gt;0.05). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis of patients treated with or without PD-1 inhibitors revealed that the levels of CD8+CD38+ T cells (OR = 2.806, p = 0.006) were associated with tumor response, whereas those of CD8+CD28+ T cells (p = 0.038, p = 0.001) and natural killer (NK) cells (p = 0.001, p = 0.027) were associated with PFS and OS. Although, these independent prognostic factors were associated with progressive tumor characteristics (p&lt;0.05), with the exception of CD8+CD28+ T cells, changes in these factors before and after treatment were unassociated with tumor response (p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionCirculating CD8+CD38+ T cells, CD8+CD28+ T cells, and NK cells were identified as potential prognostic factors for tumor response and survival in patients with HCC. Contrastingly, although PD-1 inhibitors can effectively block the T cell PD-1 receptor, the baseline PD-1+ T-cell frequencies and changes in the frequency of these cells have limited prognostic value.
CSF levels of Chitinase3like1 correlate with early response to cladribine in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Marastoni Damiano , Foschi Matteo , Eccher Chiara , Crescenzo Francesco , Mazziotti Valentina , Tamanti Agnese , Bajrami Albulena , Camera Valentina , Ziccardi Stefano , Guandalini Maddalena , Bosello Francesca , Anni Daniela , Virla Federica , Turano Ermanna , Romoli Michele , Mariotti Raffaella , Pizzini Francesca Benedetta , Bonetti Bruno , Calabrese Massimiliano 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundCladribine has been introduced as a high-efficacy drug for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Initial cohort studies showed early disease activity in the first year after drug initiation. Biomarkers that can predict early disease activity are needed.AimTo estimate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of clinical and radiological responses after initiation of cladribine.MethodsForty-two RRMS patients (30F/12M) treated with cladribine were included in a longitudinal prospective study. All patients underwent a CSF examination at treatment initiation, clinical follow-up including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) assessment, and a 3T MRI scan after 6,12 and 24 months, including the evaluation of white matter (WM) and cortical lesions (CLs). CSF levels of 67 inflammatory markers were assessed with immune-assay multiplex techniques. The ‘no evidence of disease activity’ (NEDA-3) status was assessed after two years and defined by no relapses, no disability worsening measured by EDSS and no MRI activity, including CLs.ResultsThree patients were lost at follow-up. At the end of follow-up, 19 (48%) patients remained free from disease activity. IFNgamma, Chitinase3like1, IL32, Osteopontin, IL12(p40), IL34, IL28A, sTNFR2, IL20 and CCL2 showed the best association with disease activity. When added in a multivariate regression model including age, sex, and baseline EDSS, Chitinase 3 like1 (p = 0.049) significantly increased in those patients with disease activity. Finally, ROC analysis with Chitinase3like1 added to a model with EDSS, sex, age previous relapses, WM lesion number, CLs, number of Gad enhancing lesions and spinal cord lesions provided an AUC of 0.76 (95%CI 0.60-0.91).ConclusionsCSF Chitinase 3 like1 might provide prognostic information for predicting disease activity in the first years after initiation of cladribine. The drug’s effect on chronic macrophage and microglia activation deserves further evaluation.
Risk factors for urinary tract infection in geriatric hip fracture patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Wei , Yao Wei , Tang Wanyun , Li Yuhao , Sun Hongbo , Ding Wenbo 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundUrinary tract infection (UTI) is a prevalent and consequential complication in hip fracture patients, leading to significant disability and heightened healthcare expenditures. Consequently, there is a critical need for a comprehensive systematic review to identify risk factors and establish early and effective preventive measures.MethodsA comprehensive search was performed across the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases (up to August 31, 2023). Article screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were independently completed by two reviewers.ResultsForty-four studies were eligible for inclusion, yielding an overall incidence rate of 11% (95% CI: 8%−14%). Our pooled analysis revealed 18 significant risk factors, including being female (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.89–2.63), advanced age (MD = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.04–2.66), obesity (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.11–1.31), catheterization (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.29–6.32), blood transfusion (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.21–1.58), American Society of Anesthesiologists ≥III (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.18–1.40), general anesthesia (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11–1.43), intertrochanteric fracture (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01–1.54), hemiarthroplasty (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.19–1.69), prolonged length of hospital stay (MD = 1.44, 95% CI: 0.66–2.23), delirium (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 2.05–3.47), dementia (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.62–2.06), Parkinson's disease (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.46–1.61), diabetes (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.13–1.43), hypertension (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.26), congestive heart failure (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.10–1.66), history of sepsis (OR = 7.13, 95% CI: 5.51–9.22), and chronic steroid use (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.06–1.57).ConclusionOur study identifies numerous risk factors strongly associated with UTI, offering compelling evidence and actionable strategies for improving clinical prediction, enabling early intervention, and facilitating targeted UTI management.Systematic review registrationidentifier [CRD42023459600], https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=459600.
Velocity-aware spatial-temporal attention LSTM model for inverse dynamic model learning of manipulators
Authors: Huang Wenhui , Lin Yunhan , Liu Mingxin , Min Huasong 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionAn accurate inverse dynamics model of manipulators can be effectively learned using neural networks. However, further research is required to investigate the impact of spatiotemporal variations in manipulator motion sequences on network learning. In this work, the Velocity Aware Spatial-Temporal Attention Residual LSTM neural network (VA-STA-ResLSTM) is proposed to learn a more accurate inverse dynamics model, which uses a velocity-aware spatial-temporal attention mechanism to extract dynamic spatiotemporal features selectively from the motion sequence of the serial manipulator.MethodsThe multi-layer perception (MLP) attention mechanism is adopted to capture the correlation between joint position and velocity in the motion sequence, and the state correlation between hidden units in the LSTM network to reduce the weight of invalid features. A velocity-aware state fusion approach of LSTM network hidden units' states is proposed, which utilizes variation in joint velocity to adapt to the temporal characteristics of the manipulator dynamic motion, improving the generalization and accuracy of the neural network.ResultsComparative experiments have been conducted on two open datasets and a self-built dataset. Specifically, the proposed method achieved an average accuracy improvement of 61.88% and 43.93% on the two different open datasets and 71.13% on the self-built dataset compared to the LSTM network. These results demonstrate a significant advancement in accuracy for the proposed method.DiscussionCompared with the state-of-the-art inverse dynamics model learning methods of manipulators, the modeling accuracy of the proposed method in this paper is higher by an average of 10%. Finally, by visualizing attention weights to explain the training procedure, it was found that dynamic modeling only relies on partial features, which is meaningful for future optimization of inverse dynamic model learning methods.
A prospective investigation of the effects of soccer heading on cognitive and sensorimotor performances in semi-professional female players
Authors: Kern Jan , Gulde Philipp , Hermsdörfer Joachim 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionRepetitive head impacts (RHI) from routine soccer (football) heading have been suggested to contribute to the long-term development of neurodegenerative disorders. However, scientific evidence concerning the actual risk of these RHI on brain health remains inconclusive. Moreover, female athletes—despite a presumably increased vulnerability toward the effects of RHI—are largely underrepresented in previous approaches. Therefore, our aim was to prospectively investigate the effects of heading on cognitive and sensorimotor performances, health perception, and concussion symptoms in semi-professional female soccer players.MethodsAn extensive test battery was used to assess cognitive and sensorimotor performances as well as health status (SF-36) and concussion symptoms (SCAT3) of a total of 27 female soccer players (22.2 ± 4.2 years) and 15 control subjects (23.2 ± 3.0 years) before and after one-and-a-half years. Throughout this period, soccer players’ heading exposure was determined using video analysis.ResultsSubgroup comparisons (control [n = 12], low exposure [n = 7], high exposure [n = 8]) showed no time-dependent differences in SF-36 or SCAT3 scores. Similarly, across most behavioral tests, soccer players’ performances evolved equally or more favorably as compared to the control subjects. However, there were significant effects pointing toward slightly negative consequences of heading on aspects of fine motor control (p = 0.001), which were confirmed by correlation and multiple regression analyses. The latter, further, yielded indications for a relationship between heading exposure and negative alterations in postural control (p = 0.002).DiscussionOur findings do not provide evidence for negative effects of soccer heading on female players’ health perception, concussion symptoms, and cognitive performances over the course of one-and-a-half years. However, we found subtle negative alterations in fine motor and postural control that could be attributed to heading exposure. Other factors, like the number of previous head injuries, were not linked to the observed changes. Given the reduction of our initial sample size due to player fluctuation, the results need to be interpreted with caution and validated in larger-scale studies. These should not only focus on cognitive outcomes but also consider sensorimotor changes as a result of RHI from soccer heading.
Appraising the causal association between Crohn’s disease and breast cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yu Chengdong , Xu Jiawei , Xu Siyi , Huang Yanxiao , Tang Lei , Zeng Xiaoqiang , Yu Tenghua , Chen Wen , Sun Zhengkui 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundPrevious research has indicated that there may be a link between Crohn’s disease (CD) and breast cancer (BC), but the causality remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the causal association between CD and BC using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.MethodsThe summary data for CD (5,956 cases/14,927 controls) was obtained from the International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IIBDGC). And the summary data for BC (122,977 cases/105,974 controls) was extracted from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). Based on the estrogen receptor status, the cases were classified into two subtypes: estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC and estrogen receptor-negative (ER−) BC. We used the inverse variance weighted method as the primary approach for two-sample MR. MR-PRESSO method was used to rule out outliers. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests were carried out to improve the accuracy of results. Additionally, multivariable MR was conducted by adjusting for possible confounders to ensure the stability of the results.ResultsThe two-sample MR indicated that CD increased the risks of overall (OR: 1.020; 95% CI: 1.010-1.031; p=0.000106), ER+ (OR: 1.019; 95%CI: 1.006-1.034; p=0.006) and ER− BC (OR: 1.019; 95%CI: 1.000-1.037; p=0.046) after removal of outliers by MR-PRESSO. This result was reliable in the sensitivity analysis, including Cochran’s Q and MR-Egger regression. In multivariate MR analyses, after adjusting for smoking and drinking separately or concurrently, the positive association between CD and the risks of overall and ER+ BC remained, but it disappeared in ER− BC. Furthermore, reverse MR analysis suggested that BC did not have a significant impact on CD risk.ConclusionOur findings provide evidence for a possible positive association between CD and the risk of BC. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and establish a stronger causal relationship.
Current practice of intracranial pressure monitoring in children with severe traumatic brain injury—a nationwide prospective surveillance study in Germany
Authors: Brensing Pia , Greve Sandra , Hojeij Rayan , Dammann Philipp , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula , Dohna-Schwake Christian , Bruns Nora 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundFor management of severe traumatic brain injuries (sTBI) in children, the overall level of evidence to guide diagnostic and therapeutic procedures is low. Since 2016, international guidelines have subsequently suggested invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in patients with initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤8. In Germany, ICP monitoring was an individual case decision from 2011 until the 2022 update of the German pediatric TBI guideline. The aim of this study was to evaluate current clinical practice of invasive ICP monitoring in Germany in children &lt;10 years with respect to guideline recommendations.MethodsAnonymized clinical data on sTBI cases &lt;10 years of age were collected in a nationwide prospective surveillance study via the German Pediatric Surveillance Unit ESPED from July 2019 until June 2022. Inclusion criteria for the surveillance study were sTBI (initial GCS ≤8) or neurosurgery following TBI. For this analysis, only cases with GCS ≤8 were subject to the present analysis. Descriptive analyses were performed to assess the proportion of ICP monitored patients and describe the cohort.ResultsOut of 217 reported cases, 102 cases met the inclusion criteria and thus qualified for ICP monitoring. Of these, 37 (36%) received ICP monitoring. Monitored patients were older, had lower median GCS values at presentation (4 vs. 5), higher mortality (32% vs. 22%), and were more frequently diagnosed with cerebral edema (68% vs. 37%).ConclusionIn children &lt;10 years with sTBI, the present clinical management regarding ICP monitoring deviates from the current German national and international guidelines. The reasons remain unclear, with the low level of evidence in the field of ICP monitoring and the recency of changes in guideline recommendations as potential contributors. Prospective interventional studies should elucidate the benefit of ICP monitoring and ICP directed therapies to provide evidence-based recommendations on ICP monitoring.
Biofilm producing plant growth promoting bacteria in combination with glycine betaine uplift drought stress tolerance of maize plant
Authors: Yasmeen Tahira , Arif Muhammad Saleem , Tariq Mohsin , Akhtar Sadia , Syrish Afira , Haidar Waqas , Rizwan Muhammad , Hussain Muhammad Iftikhar , Ahmad Ajaz , Ali Shafaqat 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionThe escalating threat of drought poses a significant challenge to sustainable food production and human health, as water scarcity adversely impacts various aspects of plant physiology. Maize, a cornerstone in staple cereal crops, faces the formidable challenge of drought stress that triggers a series of transformative responses in the plant. MethodsThe present study was carried out in two sets of experiments. In first experiment, drought stress was applied after maintaining growth for 45 days and then irrigation was skipped, and plant samples were collected at 1st, 3rd and 6th day of drought interval for evaluation of changes in plant growth, water relation (relative water content) and antioxidants activity by inoculating indigenously isolated drought tolerant biofilm producing rhizobacterial isolates (Bacillus subtilis SRJ4, Curtobacterium citreum MJ1). In the second experiment, glycine betaine was applied as osmoregulator in addition to drought tolerant PGPR to perceive modulation in photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a and b) and plant growth under varying moisture stress levels (100, 75 and 50% FC). Results and discussionResults of the study revealed upsurge in root and shoot length, fresh and dry biomass of root and shoot besides increasing chlorophyll contents in water stressed inoculated plants compared to uninoculated plants. Glycine betaine application resulted in an additional boost to plant growth and photosynthetic pigments, when applied in combination with bacterial inoculants. However, both bacterial inoculants behaved differently under drought stress as evident from their biochemical and physiological attributes. Isolate SRJ4 proved to be superior for its potential to express antioxidant activity, leaf water potential and relative water contents and drought responsive gene expression while isolate MJ1 showed exclusive increase in root dry biomass and plant P contents. Though it is quite difficult to isolate the bacterial isolates having both plant growth promoting traits and drought tolerance together yet, such biological resources could be an exceptional option to be applied for improving crop productivity and sustainable agriculture under abiotic stresses. By exploring the combined application of PGPR and glycine betaine, the study seeks to provide insights into potential strategies for developing sustainable agricultural practices aimed at improving crop resilience under challenging environmental conditions.
GhBRX.1, GhBRX.2, and GhBRX4.3 improve resistance to salt and cold stress in upland cotton
Authors: Wei Wei , Ju Jisheng , Zhang Xueli , Ling Pingjie , Luo Jin , Li Ying , Xu Wenjuan , Su Junji , Zhang Xianliang , Wang Caixiang 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionAbiotic stress during growth readily reduces cotton crop yield. The different survival tactics of plants include the activation of numerous stress response genes, such as BREVIS RADIX (BRX).MethodsIn this study, the BRX gene family of upland cotton was identified and analyzed by bioinformatics method, three salt-tolerant and cold-resistant GhBRX genes were screened. The expression of GhBRX.1, GhBRX.2 and GhBRXL4.3 in upland cotton was silenced by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technique. The physiological and biochemical indexes of plants and the expression of related stress-response genes were detected before and after gene silencing. The effects of GhBRX.1, GhBRX.2 and GhBRXL4.3 on salt and cold resistance of upland cotton were further verified.Results and discussionWe discovered 12, 6, and 6 BRX genes in Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium raimondii and Gossypium arboreum, respectively. Chromosomal localization indicated that the retention and loss of GhBRX genes on homologous chromosomes did not have a clear preference for the subgenomes. Collinearity analysis suggested that segmental duplications were the main force for BRX gene amplification. The upland cotton genes GhBRX.1, GhBRX.2 and GhBRXL4.3 are highly expressed in roots, and GhBRXL4.3 is also strongly expressed in the pistil. Transcriptome data and qRT‒PCR validation showed that abiotic stress strongly induced GhBRX.1, GhBRX.2 and GhBRXL4.3. Under salt stress and low-temperature stress conditions, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) and the content of soluble sugar and chlorophyll decreased in GhBRX.1-, GhBRX.2- and GhBRXL4.3-silenced cotton plants compared with those in the control (TRV: 00). Moreover, GhBRX.1-, GhBRX.2- and GhBRXL4.3-silenced cotton plants exhibited greater malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than did the control plants. Moreover, the expression of stress marker genes (GhSOS1, GhSOS2, GhNHX1, GhCIPK6, GhBIN2, GhSnRK2.6, GhHDT4D, GhCBF1 and GhPP2C) decreased significantly in the three target genes of silenced plants following exposure to stress. These results imply that the GhBRX.1, GhBRX.2 and GhBRXL4.3 genes may be regulators of salt stress and low-temperature stress responses in upland cotton.