bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The preliminary evidence on the association of the gut microbiota with stroke risk stratification in South Chinese population
Authors: Huang Haiyan , Kuang Zhuoran , Mo Ruibi , Meng Miaomiao , Cai Yefeng , Ni Xiaojia 
Published: December 2023

AimsThis study aimed to investigate the association between the gut microbiota and the risk of stroke.MethodsFaecal samples from 60 participants in South China, including 45 individuals with risk factors for stroke and 15 healthy controls, were collected and subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing. A bioinformatics analysis was performed to characterise the gut microbial diversity and taxonomic compositions at different risk levels (low, moderate, and high) of stroke. Functional prediction and correlation analyses between the microbiota and laboratory markers were performed to explore the potential mechanisms.ResultsA significant difference in beta diversity was observed between the participants from the stroke risk and healthy control groups. Linear discriminant effect size analysis revealed a large number of vascular beneficial bacteria enriched in the participants from the healthy control and low-risk groups, but a few vascular harmful bacteria were more abundant in the participants from the high-risk group than in those from the other groups. In addition, Anaerostipes, Clostridium_XlVb, and Flavonifractor, all of which belonged to the Firmicutes phylum, were enriched in the participants from the low-risk group, and their relative abundances gradually decreased as the stroke risk increased. Spearman’s analysis revealed that these outstanding microbiota correlated with the levels of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, white blood cells, neutrophils, and carotid intima-media thickness.ConclusionThe preliminary evidence suggests that gut microbiota is associated with stroke risk. It potentially ameliorates atherosclerosis by targeting lipid metabolism and inflammation. This provides novel insights into the early screening of stroke risk and primary prevention.
Postoperative hypernatremia is associated with worse brain injuries on EEG and MRI following pediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Lin Rouyi , Du Na , Feng Jinqing , Li Jianbin , Li Xiaowei , Cui Yanqin , Ning Shuyao , Zhang Mingjie , Huang Guodong , Wang Huaizhen , Chen Xinxin , Ma Li , Li Jia 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesDysnatremia is a common electrolyte disturbance after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) and a known risk factor for adverse neurological events and clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of dysnatremia with worse abnormal EEG patterns, brain injuries detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and early adverse outcomes.MethodsWe monitored continuous EEG in 340 children during the initial 48 h following cardiac surgery. Demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded. Sodium concentrations were measured in the arterial blood gas analysis every 6 h. Hyponatremia and hypernatremia were classified by the average of sodium concentrations over 48 h. Postoperative cerebral MRI was performed before hospital discharge.ResultsIn our patient cohort, dysnatremia was present in 46 (13.5%) patients. Among them, hyponatremia occurred in 21 (6.2%) and hypernatremia in 25 (7.4%). When compared to patients with normonatremia, hyponatremia was not associated with EEG abnormalities and early adverse outcomes (Ps ≥ .14). In hypernatremia group, the CPB time was significantly longer and more frequent use of DHCA (Ps ≤ .049). After adjusting for time, CPB time and the use of DHCA, hypernatremia was significantly associated with worse EEG abnormalities (including background, seizures and pathological delta brushes), more severe brain injuries on MRI (Ps ≤ .04) and trended to be associated with longer postoperative mechanical ventilation time (P = .06).ConclusionHypernatremia and hyponatremia were common in children after cardiac surgery. Hypernatremia, but not hyponatremia, was significantly associated with worse EEG abnormalities and more severe brain injuries on MRI and extended postoperative mechanical ventilation time.
A new e-health cloud-based system for cardiovascular risk assessment
Authors: Tatsis G. , Baldoumas G. , Christofilakis V. , Kostarakis P. , Varotsos P. A. , Sarlis N. V. , Skordas E. S. , Bechlioulis A. , Michalis L. K. , Naka K. K. 
Published: December 2023

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Many individuals have no cardiovascular symptoms before the SCD event. As a result, the ability to identify the risk before such an event is extremely limited. Timely and accurate prediction of SCD using new electronic technologies is greatly needed. In this work, a new innovative e-health cloud-based system is presented that allows a stratification of SCD risk based on the method of natural time entropy variability analysis. This innovative, non-invasive system can be used easily in any setting. The e-health cloud-based system was evaluated using data from a total of 203 individuals, patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) who are at high risk of SCD and age-matched healthy controls. Statistical analysis was performed in two-time windows of different duration; the first-time window had a duration of 20 min, while the second was 10 min. Employing modern methods of machine learning, classifiers for the discrimination of CHF patients from the healthy controls were obtained for the first as well as the second (half-time) window. The results indicated a very good separation between the two groups, even from samples taken in a 10-min time window. Larger studies are needed to further validate this novel e-health cloud-based system before its use in everyday clinical practice.
Exploration of macromolecular phenotype of human skeletal muscle in diabetes using infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Zupančič Barbara , Ugwoke Chiedozie Kenneth , Abdelmonaem Mohamed Elwy Abdelhamed , Alibegović Armin , Cvetko Erika , Grdadolnik Jože , Šerbec Anja , Umek Nejc 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe global burden of diabetes mellitus is escalating, and more efficient investigative strategies are needed for a deeper understanding of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The crucial role of skeletal muscle in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism makes it one of the most susceptible tissues to diabetes-related metabolic disorders. In tissue studies, conventional histochemical methods have several technical limitations and have been shown to inadequately characterise the biomolecular phenotype of skeletal muscle to provide a holistic view of the pathologically altered proportions of macromolecular constituents.Materials and methodsIn this pilot study, we examined the composition of five different human skeletal muscles from male donors diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic controls. We analysed the lipid, glycogen, and collagen content in the muscles in a traditional manner with histochemical assays using different staining techniques. This served as a reference for comparison with the unconventional analysis of tissue composition using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy as an alternative methodological approach.ResultsA thorough chemometric post-processing of the infrared spectra using a multi-stage spectral decomposition allowed the simultaneous identification of various compositional details from a vibrational spectrum measured in a single experiment. We obtained multifaceted information about the proportions of the different macromolecular constituents of skeletal muscle, which even allowed us to distinguish protein constituents with different structural properties. The most important methodological steps for a comprehensive insight into muscle composition have thus been set and parameters identified that can be used for the comparison between healthy and diabetic muscles.ConclusionWe have established a methodological framework based on vibrational spectroscopy for the detailed macromolecular analysis of human skeletal muscle that can effectively complement or may even serve as an alternative to histochemical assays. As this is a pilot study with relatively small sample sets, we remain cautious at this stage in drawing definitive conclusions about diabetes-related changes in skeletal muscle composition. However, the main focus and contribution of our work has been to provide an alternative, simple and efficient approach for this purpose. We are confident that we have achieved this goal and have brought our methodology to a level from which it can be successfully transferred to a large-scale study that allows the effects of diabetes on skeletal muscle composition and the interrelationships between the macromolecular tissue alterations due to diabetes to be investigated.
Hysteroscopic hysteroplasty for the treatment of T-shaped uteri in women with reproductive failure
Authors: Ying Lu , Li Zhang , Shangping Du , Tong Zhou , Liguo Li , Qiaoli Tong 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of hysteroscopic hysteroplasty in the treatment of uterine malformation complicated by primary reproductive disorders.MethodsWomen with unexplained primary infertility, repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure or repeated spontaneous abortion, and uterine malformations unrelated to diethylstilbestrol who visited the obstetrics and gynecology department of our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were included in the prospective cohort study. Uterine malformation in the patients was confirmed by three-dimensional ultrasound and diagnostic hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopic hysteroplasty was performed using a 5-mm diameter hysteroscope and 5-FR surgical scissors, and after 3 months, palliative care was proposed for patients with unexplained infertility or repeated spontaneous abortion, and after 6 months, IVF treatment was recommended for patients with repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF) failures, with a planned minimum follow-up time of 1 year.ResultsA total of 83 women enrolled in the study, including 33 cases of primary infertility, 29 cases of repeated spontaneous abortion, and 21 cases of repeated IVF failure. No complications occurred during the hysteroscopic surgery. During the follow-up period, the clinical pregnancy rate of the women enrolled in the study increased to 77.1%, the live birth rate went up to 79.7%, the fetus delivered at full term accounted for 64.1%, and the cesarean section rate was 27.5%. The miscarriage rate was 9.4%.ConclusionHysteroscopic hysteroplasty can improve the reproductive outcomes in women with primary reproductive disorders and uterine malformations.
Association of Life's Essential 8 with osteoarthritis in United States adults: mediating effects of dietary intake of live microbes
Authors: Gou Ruoyu , Chang Xiaoyu , Li Zeyuan , Pan Ying , Li Guanghua 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveOsteoarthritis (OA) is associated with cardiovascular disease and represents a persistent economic and physical burden on patients in the United States. This study evaluated the mediating effect of dietary live microbe intake on the association between cardiovascular health [based on Life's Essential 8 (LE8) scores] and osteoarthritis (OA) in adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2019 (from patients aged ≥20 years). LE8 scores (0–100) were measured according to the American Heart Association definition and categorized as low (0–49), moderate (50–79), or high (80–100). OA disease status was assessed using self-reported data from patients. The relationships were evaluated using multivariate logistic and restricted cubic spline models. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate the mediating effect of dietary live microbe intake on the association between LE8 and OA risk.ResultsThe study included 23,213 participants aged ≥20 years. After adjusting for latent confounders, higher LE8 scores were found to be associated with a lower incidence of OA. The odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) for low, moderate, and high OA risk were 0.81 (0.69, 0.96) and 0.55 (0.44, 0.69), respectively; a non-linear dose-response relationship was observed (P-nonlinear = 0.012). Health behavior and health factor scores showed a similar pattern of correlation with OA risk. Low live microbe intake mediated the association between LE8, health behavior, and health factor scores with OA risk and did not appear to reduce OA risk.ConclusionOur findings suggest that although higher LE8 scores reduce the risk of developing OA, low live microbe intake may reduce the protective effect of higher scores. It is, therefore, essential to emphasize adherence to a lifestyle that confers high LE8 scores. Individuals should also be advised to reduce the intake of foods with low live microbe content.
Custom order entry for Parkinson’s medications in the hospital improves timely administration: an analysis of over 31,000 medication doses
Authors: Azmi Hooman , Cocoziello Lisa , Ruzicka Francis , Clar Elana , Pederson John Michael , Jacob Blessy , Thomas Jewell , Rocco Anthony , Bobek Mary , Pereira-Argenziano Lucy , Roth Patrick , Thomas Florian P. 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundPatients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are at increased risk for hospital acquired complications. Deviations from home medication schedules and delays in administration are major contributing factors. We had previously developed a protocol to ensure adherence to home medication schedules using “custom” ordering. In this study we are assessing the impact this order type may have on reducing delays in PD medication administration in the hospital.Material and methodsWe reviewed 31,404 orders placed for PD medications from January 2, 2016 to April 30 2021. We evaluated the orders to determine if they were placed in a Custom format or using a default non-custom order entry. We further evaluated all orders to determine if there was a relationship with the order type and timely administration of medications. We compared medications that were administered within 1 min, 15 min, 30 min and 60 min of due times across custom orders vs. non-custom default orders. We also evaluated the relationship between ordering providers and type of orders placed as well as hospital unit and type of orders placed.Results14,204 (45.23%) orders were placed using a custom schedule and 17,200 (54.77%) orders were placed using non-custom defaults. The custom group showed a significantly lower median delay of 3.06 minutes compared to the non-custom group (p&lt;.001). Custom orders had a significantly more recent median date than non-custom default orders (2019-10-07 vs. 2018-01-06, p&lt;0.001). In additional analyses, medication administration delays were significantly improved for custom orders compared to non-custom orders, with likelihoods 1.64 times higher within 1 minute, 1.40 times higher within 15 minutes, and 1.33 times higher within 30 minutes of the due time (p&lt;0.001 for all comparisons).ConclusionThis is the largest study to date examining the effects of order entry type on timely administration of PD medications in the hospital. Orders placed using a custom schedule may help reduce delays in administration of PD medications.
Predicting the need for cerebrospinal fluid shunt implantation after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a challenging task
Authors: Khalaveh Farjad , Zeiser Vitalij , Cho Anna , Schmelzer Sophie , Reinprecht Andrea , Herta Johannes , Roessler Karl , Dorfer Christian 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesThe development of persistent hydrocephalus in patients after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is still poorly understood, and many variables predicting the need for a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-shunt have been described in the literature with varying results. The aim of this study is to find predictive factors for shunt dependency.MethodsWe performed a retrospective, single-center study of 99 neurosurgically treated patients with spontaneous ICH. Variables, including age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), location of hemorrhage, acute hydrocephalus, and volumetric analysis of IVH, ICH, and intraventricular CSF were compared between patients with and without CSF-shunt implantation. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) for ICH, IVH, and intraventricular CSF volume parameters were calculated.ResultsCSF-shunt implantation was performed significantly more often in patients after thalamic (p = 0.03) and cerebellar ICH (p = 0.04). Moreover, a lower ratio between the total hemorrhage volume and intraventricular CSF volume (p = 0.007), a higher IVH distribution in the third ventricle, and an acute hydrocephalus (p &lt; 0.001) with an increased intraventricular CSF volume (p &lt; 0.001) were associated with shunt dependency. Our ROC model demonstrated a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 65% to predict the necessity for a shunt at a cutoff value of 1.9 with an AUC of 0.835.ConclusionVolumetric analysis of ICH, IVH, and intraventricular CSF may improve the prediction of CSF shunt implantation in patients with spontaneous ICH.
Alterations in cognitive function and blood biomarkers following transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with amyloid positron emission tomography-positive Alzheimer’s disease: a preliminary study
Authors: Kim Jinuk , Yang YoungSoon 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is characterized by progressive cognitive decline. To address this, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study to investigate the therapeutic potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on patients with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET)- positive AD.MethodsParticipants already undergoing pharmacological treatment and testing positive for amyloid PET were divided into Active-tDCS (n = 8) and Sham-tDCS (n = 8) groups. For 12 weeks, participants or their caregivers administered daily bi-frontal tDCS (YMS-201B+, Ybrain Inc., Seongnam, Korea) at home (2 mA, 30 min). Pre- and post-intervention assessments included neuropsychological tests and blood sample measurements for oligomerized beta-amyloid.ResultsThe Active-tDCS group demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive domains such as language abilities, verbal memory, and attention span and in frontal lobe functions compared to the Sham-tDCS group. Furthermore, the Active-tDCS group showed a marked reduction in post-intervention plasma Aβ oligomerization tendency level, suggesting changes in pivotal AD-associated biomarkers.DiscussionOur results emphasize the potential therapeutic benefits of tDCS for mild AD patients with amyloid PET positivity and stress the urgency for broader research, considering the global challenges of dementia and the need to pursue innovative therapeutic strategies.
Clinical value of conventional magnetic resonance imaging combined with diffusion-weighted imaging in predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer
Authors: Fan Leilei , Ma Liguo , Ling Rennan , Guo Xiaojing , Li Haili , Yang Degui , Lian Zhesi 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundIn cervical cancer (CC), the involvement of pelvis lymph nodes is a crucial factor for patients’ outcome. We aimed to investigate the value of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in predicting CC pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLNM).MethodsThis retrospective study included CC patients who received surgical treatments. Surgical pathology results served as the gold standard for investigating the diagnostic performance of conventional MRI combined with DWI. We analyzed the association between tumor ADC and PLNM, as well as other pathological factors. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for ADC in assessing PLNM and pathological factors were evaluated, and optimal cut-off points were obtained.ResultsA total of 261 CC patients were analyzed. PLNM patients had significantly lower tumor ADC (0.829 ± 0.144×10-3mm2/s vs. 1.064 ± 0.345×10-3mm2/s, p&lt;0.0001), than non-PLNM CC. The agreement between conventional MRI combined with DWI and pathological results on PLNM diagnosis was substantial (Kappa=0.7031, p&lt;0.0001), with 76% sensitivity, 94.31% specificity, and 90.8% accuracy. The AUC of tumor ADC was 0.703, and the optimal cut-off was 0.95×10-3 mm2/s. In multivariate analysis model 1, tumor ADC&lt;0.95×10-3mm2/s was significantly associated with PLNM (OR, 2.83; 95%CI, 1.08–7.43; p= 0.0346) after adjusting for age and pathological risk factors. In multivariate analysis model 2, tumor ADC&lt;0.95×10-3mm2/s (OR, 4.00; 95%CI, 1.61–9.89; p=0.0027), age&lt;35 years old (OR, 2.93; 95%CI, 1.04–8.30; p=0.0428), increased tumor diameter on MRI (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.18–3.99; p=0.0128), vaginal vault involvement on MRI (OR, 2; 95%CI, 1.002–3.99; p=0.0494) were independent predictors for PLNM. Tumor ADC&lt;0.95×10-3mm2/s was significantly associated with higher risk of tumor diameter ≥4cm (OR, 2.60; 95%CI, 1.43–4.73; p=0.0017), muscular layer infiltration &gt;1/2 (OR, 5.46; 95%CI, 3.19–9.34; p&lt;0.0001), vaginal vault involvement (OR, 2.25; 95%CI, 1.28–3.96; p=0.0051), and lymphovascular space involvement (OR, 3.81; 95%CI, 2.19–6.63; p&lt;0.0001).ConclusionConventional MRI combined with DWI had a good diagnostic performance in detecting PLNM. The tumor ADC value in PLNM patients was significantly lower than that in non-PLNM patients. Tumor ADC &lt;0.95×10-3mm2/s, age &lt;35 years old, increased tumor diameter on MRI, vaginal vault involvement on MRI were independent predictors for PLNM.
Infantile orbital abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a case report and literature review
Authors: Qin Yanran , Huo Junming , Liu Chengjun , Fu Yueqiang , Li Jing 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTo report and review infantile orbital abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).MethodsWe report a case of MRSA-induced infantile orbital abscess accompanied by sepsis, pneumonia, and purulent meningitis. We systematically review cases of MRSA-induced infantile orbital abscess published in PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect until April 2023.ResultsWe reviewed 14 patients [our patient + 13 patients (10 papers) identified via literature searches]. There were nine boys and five girls; nine neonates and five older infants; and 8 full-term births and 1 preterm birth. The gestational age at birth was unknown for five infants. The right and left orbits were affected in 10 and 4 patients, respectively. The clinical presentation included periorbital soft-tissue edema or redness (11 patients), fever (7 patients), exophthalmos (10 patients), limited eye movement (4 patients), purulent eye secretions (2 patients), and skin abscess and convulsion (1 patient each). The source of infection was sinusitis (8 patients), vertical transmission, gingivitis, dacryocystitis, upper respiratory tract infection (1 patient each), and unknown (2 patients). MRSA was detected in blood (6 patients) or pus culture (8 patients). Vancomycin or linezolid were used for 11 patients; corticosteroids were administered to only 1 patient. Surgical drainage was performed for 13 infants (external drainage, 11 patients; endoscopic drainage, 2 patients). Two patients initially had pulmonary and intracranial infections. Except for one patient with neurological dysfunction at discharge, all other infants had no sequelae or complications.ConclusionEarly aggressive anti-infective treatment and timely drainage are essential for managing MRSA-induced infantile orbital abscess.