bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New findings in prognostic factor assessment for adenocarcinoma of transverse colon: a comparison study between competing-risk and COX regression analysis
Authors: Su Hongbo , Xie Shuping , Wang Shanshan , Huang Liying , Lyu Jun , Pan Yunlong 
Published: January 2024

PurposeCompeting-risk analysis was used to accurately assess prognostic factors for cancer-specific death in patients with adenocarcinoma of transverse colon (ATC), and the results were compared with those from a conventional Cox regression analysis.Materials and MethodsPatients diagnosed with ATC between 2000 and 2019 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The crude mortality rates of patients with ATC were calculated and their differences were tested using the Gray’s test, respectively. In performing multivariate analysis, the Cox regression model and the subdistribution hazard function (SD) in competing risk analysis were utilized, respectively.ResultsThis study included 21,477 eligible patients. The SD model indicated that age, etc. are actual independent prognostic factors. In contrast to previous recognition, the results of the Cox regression showed false-positives for sex and Carcinoembryonic antigen, and underestimated point-estimates in the stage and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage due to competing events. A detailed comparison of treatment revealed that the larger surgical scopes were prognostic risk factors compared with the smaller scope of local tumor excision, partial colectomy, or segmental resection. Patients treated with external proton beam radiotherapy had an increased risk compared with those with no radiotherapy and internal radiotherapy.ConclusionsAfter comparing the results of the two methods and mitigating the significant bias introduced by Cox regression, we found independent factors that really affect the prognosis of ATC. On the other hand, in terms of ATC, a larger surgical scope and external proton beam radiotherapy may not improve the long-term survival of patients. Therefore, when faced with ATC patients, these differences should be noted and treated differently from common colorectal cancer patients. Thus, clinicians are able to give more targeted treatment plans and prognostic assessments.
Evaluating early lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio as a predictive biomarker for delirium in older adult patients with sepsis: insights from a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Shi Xiaopeng , Yang Lei , Bai Weimin , Jing Lijuan , Qin Lijie 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundThis study aims to explore the value of the Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) in predicting delirium among older adult patients with sepsis.MethodsRetrospective data were obtained from the MIMIC-IV database in accordance with the STROBE guidelines. Patients aged 65 and above, meeting the Sepsis 3.0 criteria, were selected for this study. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). Demographic information, comorbid conditions, severity of illness scores, vital sign measurements, and laboratory test results were meticulously extracted. The prognostic utility of the Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) in predicting delirium was assessed through logistic regression models, which were carefully adjusted for potential confounding factors.ResultsIn the studied cohort of 32,971 sepsis patients, 2,327 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The incidence of delirium within this subgroup was observed to be 55%. A univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant inverse correlation between the Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) and the risk of delirium (p &lt; 0.001). Subsequent multivariate analysis, which accounted for comorbidities and illness severity scores, substantiated the role of LMR as a significant predictive marker. An optimized model, achieving the lowest Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), incorporated 17 variables and continued to demonstrate LMR as a significant prognostic factor (p &lt; 0.01). Analysis of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve indicated a significant enhancement in the Area Under the Curve (AUC) upon the inclusion of LMR (p = 0.035).ConclusionThe Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) serves as a significant, independent prognostic indicator for the occurrence of delirium in older adult patients with sepsis. Integrating LMR into existing predictive models markedly improves the identification of patients at elevated risk, thereby informing and potentially guiding early intervention strategies.
Higher diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in acute infection than chronic infection: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Yao Anjie , Wang Jiale , Xu Qintao , Shah Binay Kumar , Sun Kai , Hu Feng , Wang Changhui , Xie Shuanshuan 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) vs. conventional culture methods (CM) in chronic infection and acute infection.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 88 patients with acute infection and 105 patients with chronic infection admitted to three hospitals from 2017 to 2022.ResultsThe results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of mNGS were higher than those of CM. The number of patients who changed the antibiotic treatment in the mNGS positive group was larger than that of patients in the mNGS negative group in both the acute infection group (60.5 vs. 28.0%, P = 0.0022) and chronic infection group (46.2 vs. 22.6%, P = 0.01112). High levels of temperature (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.18–3.70, P: 0.015), C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR: 15, 95% CI: 2.74–280.69, P: 0.011), neutrophil count (OR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.19–8.43, P: 0.023), and low levels of lymphocyte count (OR: 3.43, 95% CI:1.26–10.21, P: 0.020) may lead to positive mNGS results in the acute infection group while no significant factor was identified to predict positive results in the chronic infection group.ConclusionmNGS could provide useful guidance on antibiotic strategies in infectious diseases and may be more valuable for the diagnosis and treatment of acute infection vs. chronic infection.
Effects of increasing drip irrigation at different maize growth stages on soil microorganisms
Authors: Wang Lei , Wang Xiaojuan , Wang Tianle 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionTo investigate the effects of different drip irrigation periods on soil microbial communities and functions.MethodsIncreasing drip irrigation amount at the seedling (S), jointing (J), bell (B), tasseling (T) and grain filling (G) stages of maize were studied using no increase in irrigation amount as control (CK). Principal component analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate soil microbial quality following the different drip irrigation treatments. In addition, the characteristics of the community structure and the potential functional composition of soil bacteria and fungi were comparatively analyzed by combining amplicon sequencing and functional prediction methods.ResultsThe results indicated that MBNT15 was the most important genus for the classification of soil bacterial samples, Saitozyma was the most important genus for the classification of soil fungal samples, and fungi were more important than bacteria for the classification of soil microbial samples. Compared with fungal communities, bacterial communities exhibited high levels of functional diversity. The proportion of metabolism was the highest in the prediction of bacterial primary functions, and carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism were important functions in the prediction of bacterial secondary functions. BugBase phenotype prediction results showed that soil bacteria under B treatment had a higher number of aerobic bacteria and greater resistance to disease and stress. The J treatment had the highest number of bacteria with biofilm forms, and the J, S, and G treatments contained more potentially pathogenic bacteria but fewer stress-tolerant bacteria compared with the CK treatment. The number of Saprotroph was the largest and the number of Symbiotroph was the least. The relative abundances of Saprotroph, Pathotroph and Symbiotroph were 68.60%~74.33%, 15.76%~20.60% and 9.16%~11.13%, respectively.DiscussionThe findings provide a reference for conserving water resources, improving maize yield, and predicting soil microbial metabolic potential and function by reflecting the richness of the soil microbial community structure in maize fields.
Assessing the impact of novel risk loci on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases in a Chinese Han cohort
Authors: Yan Huimin , Liu Minglei , Gao Yuan , Yuan Yanpeng , Liu Xiaojing , Wang Yangyang , Li Lanjun , Wang Qingzhi , Wang Yanlin , Shi Changhe , Xu Yuming , Yang Jing 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundOverwhelming evidence points to that genetic factors contributing to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) has come a long way in the last decade. So far, a large number of GWAS studies have been published on neurological diseases and many other diseases, providing us with a wealth of genetic information and unique biological insights.MethodsGenomic DNA was extracted from both patients’ and controls’ peripheral blood samples utilizing the Blood Genome Extraction Kit. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped employing the enhanced multiple ligase detection reaction (iMLDR) technology.ResultsA case-control study was conducted, involving 211 AD patients, 508 PD patients (including 117 with dementia), and 412 healthy individuals. Age and sex stratification analysis revealed that rs871269/TNIP1 was associated with LOAD (p = 0.035), and rs5011436/TMEM106B was associated with AD in males (p = 0.044) in the genotype model. In the allele model, rs871269/TNIP1 was found to be associated with PD in the Chinese Han population (p = 0.0035, OR 0.741, 95% CI 0.559-0.983), and rs708382/GRN was identified as a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) in the Chinese Han population (p = 0.004, odds ratio (OR) 0.354, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.171-0.733). However, no significant associations with AD or PD were observed for the remaining four loci (rs113020870/AGRN, rs6891966/HAVCR2, rs2452170/NTN5, rs1761461/LILRB2) in terms of allele or genotype frequencies.ConclusionThis study identifies rs871269/TNIP1 as a potential risk factor for both LOAD and PD, rs708382/GRN as a risk factor for PDD, and rs5011436/TMEM106B as associated with AD in males when stratified by age.
Prevalence, cognitive characteristics, and influencing factors of amnestic mild cognitive impairment among older adults residing in an urban community in Chengdu, China
Authors: Rao Shan , Cai Yan , Zhong Zhujun , Gou Tianyuan , Wang Yangyang , Liao Shiyi , Qiu Peiyuan , Kuang Weihong 
Published: January 2024

ObjectiveDementia is a significant public health concern, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) serves as a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. Among the various types of MCI, amnestic MCI (aMCI) has been identified as having a higher likelihood of progressing to Alzheimer’s dimension. However, limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of aMCI in China. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of aMCI, examine its cognitive characteristics, and identify associated risk factors.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we investigated a sample of 368 older adults aged 60 years and above in the urban communities of Chengdu, China. The participants underwent a battery of neuropsychological assessments, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Wechsler’s Logical Memory Task (LMT), Boston Naming Test (BNT) and Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A). Social information was collected by standard questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was utilized to screen for the risk and protective factors of aMCI.ResultsThe data analysis included 309 subjects with normal cognitive function and 59 with aMCI, resulting in a prevalence of 16.0% for aMCI. The average age of participants was 69.06 ± 7.30 years, with 56.0% being females. After controlling for age, gender and education, the Spearman partial correlation coefficient between various cognitive assessments and aMCI ranged from −0.52 for the long-term delayed recall scores in AVLT to 0.19 for the time-usage scores in TMT-A. The results indicated that all cognitive domains, except for naming scores (after semantic cue of BNT) and error quantity (in TMT-A), showed statistically significant associations with aMCI. Furthermore, the multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that older age (OR = 1.044, 95%CI: 1.002~1.087), lower educational level, and diabetes (OR = 2.450, 95%CI: 1.246~4.818) were risk factors of aMCI.ConclusionThis study found a high prevalence of aMCI among older adults in Chengdu, China. Individuals with aMCI exhibited lower cognitive function in memory, language, and executive domains, with long-term delayed recall showing the strongest association. Clinicians should prioritize individuals with verbal learning and memory difficulties, especially long-term delayed recall, in clinical practice.
Clinical value of serum complement component 1q levels in the prognostic analysis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Linjie , Zhou Haotian , Zheng Wenhao , Wang Heng , Wang Zheng , Dong Xiaoqiao , Du Quan 
Published: January 2024

ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship between serum complement component 1q (C1q) levels and functional prognosis in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), and to reveal its clinical value.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, we collected clinical data of aSAH patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital from January 2020 to October 2022. Parameters such as serum C1q levels, Hunt-Hess grade, modified Fisher grade, and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months were included for evaluation. Patients were grouped based on the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Spearman rank correlation test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were used to analyze the correlation between serum C1q levels, disease severity, and prognosis. Potential risk factors affecting prognosis and the occurrence of DCI were screened through Independent sample t-test or Mann–Whitney U test. Variables with significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were incorporated into a logistic regression model to identify independent risk factors affecting prognosis and DCI occurrence. Serum C1q levels were plotted as a ROC curve for predicting prognosis and DCI, and the area under the curve was calculated.ResultsA total of 107 aSAH patients were analyzed. Serum C1q levels positively correlated with Hunt-Hess grade, modified Fisher grade and mRS (all p &lt; 0.001). Significant differences were observed in C1q levels among different Hunt-Hess grade, mFisher grade and mRS (all p &lt; 0.001). Notably, higher serum C1q levels were seen in the poor prognosis group and DCI group, and correlated with worse prognosis (OR = 36.927, 95%CI 2.003–680.711, p = 0.015), and an increased risk for DCI (OR = 17.334, 95%CI 1.161–258.859, p = 0.039). ROC analysis revealed the significant discriminative power of serum C1q levels for poor prognosis (AUC 0.781; 95%CI 0.673–0.888; p &lt; 0.001) and DCI occurrence (AUC 0.763; 95%CI 0.637–0.888; p &lt; 0.001). Higher C1q levels independently predicted a poor prognosis and DCI with equivalent predictive abilities to Hunt-Hess grade and modified Fisher grade (both p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionHigh levels of C1q in the blood is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis and the development of DCI in patients with aSAH. This can more objectively and accurately predict functional outcomes and the incidence of DCI. C1q may have a significant role in the mechanism behind DCI after aSAH.
A systematic-search-and-review of registered pharmacological therapies investigated to improve neuro-recovery after a stroke
Authors: Lee Tsong-Hai , Uchiyama Shinichiro , Kusuma Yohanna , Chiu Hou Chang , Navarro Jose C. , Tan Kay Sin , Pandian Jeyaraj , Guo Liang , Wong Yoko , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy ,   for the Asian Stroke Advisory Panel
Published: January 2024

BackgroundStroke burden is largely due to long-term impairments requiring prolonged care with loss of productivity. We aimed to identify and assess studies of different registered pharmacological therapies as treatments to improve post-stroke impairments and/or disabilities.MethodsWe performed a systematic-search-and-review of treatments that have been investigated as recovery-enhancing or recovery-promoting therapies in adult patients with stroke. The treatment must have received registration or market authorization in any country regardless of primary indication. Outcomes included in the review were neurological impairments and functional/disability assessments. “The best available studies” based on study design, study size, and/or date of publication were selected and graded for level of evidence (LOE) by consensus.ResultsOur systematic search yielded 7,801 citations, and we reviewed 665 full-text papers. Fifty-eight publications were selected as “the best studies” across 25 pharmacological classes: 31 on ischemic stroke, 21 on ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, 4 on intracerebral hemorrhage, and 2 on subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Twenty-six were systematic reviews/meta-analyses, 29 were randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and three were cohort studies. Only nimodipine for SAH had LOE A of benefit (systematic review and network meta-analysis). Many studies, some of which showed treatment effects, were assessed as LOE C-LD, mainly due to small sample sizes or poor quality. Seven interventions had LOE B-R (systematic review/meta-analysis or RCT) of treatment effects.ConclusionOnly one commercially available treatment has LOE A for routine use in stroke. Further studies of putative neuroprotective drugs as adjunctive treatment to revascularization procedures and more confirmatory trials on recovery-promoting therapies will enhance the certainty of their benefit. The decision on their use must be guided by the clinical profile, neurological impairments, and target outcomes based on the available evidence.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=376973, PROSPERO, CRD42022376973.
A refractive index sensor based on metal-insulator-metal coupling ring resonator with a stub
Authors: Cao Yuhao , Yan Shubin , Liu Feng , Wang Jin , Chang Shuwen , Liu Guang , Zhang Wei , Wu Taiquan , Ren Yifeng 
Published: January 2024

In this work, a refractive index sensor structure is proposed, which consists of the met-al-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide coupling with ring resonator with a rectangular cavity. Its sensing characteristics are analyzed by the finite element analysis method. SPPs is an electromagnetic wave mode excited by the oscillatory coupling of free electron-photon interactions on the surface region of a metal, whose field strength is maximum at the metal-dielectric partition interface and then decays exponentially to both sides The results show that the sensing characteristics of the ring resonator can be changed by introducing a stub, which can achieve the purpose of enhancing the coupling efficiency of SPPs. The structure has two Fano peaks, and each peak can be individually regulated by changing the size of the sensing structure. Sensitivity is the key performance indicator of the system, which is the shift in resonance wavelength caused by a change in refractive index when the ambient medium is changed. The best sensitivity of this structure can reach 2,300 nm/RIU with a figure of merit (FOM) value of 60 RIU−1. The proposed structure has great potential in nano-sensors.
Vaccinium uliginosum L. (bog bilberry) and the search for its alleged toxicity: a review
Authors: Vaneková Zuzana , Holloway Patricia , Rollinger Judith M. 
Published: January 2024

Bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) is a wild-growing berry native to all circumboreal regions. There is however a significant discrepancy in the uses of bog bilberry fruits around the world. There exists a strong prejudice against the use of these berries in many European countries as well as a few incidences of poisoning reported between 1906 and 1944. In Asia and North America, this fear is completely absent from the local knowledge and the bog bilberry is valued as an excellent food and medicinal plant. There has been a lack of research on the topic in the last 50 years and thus the presumed toxicity remains unproven. This review aims to gather the conflicting information from all regions where bog bilberry grows and present them in a critical way to elucidate the possible explanations for the discrepancies. There are several possible explanations for the alleged toxicity of the bog bilberry, including a fungal infection of the fruits, individual intolerance or accidental poisoning by a different plant species; the local names meaning “drunk, inebriating, vomit-inducing berry” may be related to the alcoholic drinks made from them. This review highlights the gap in knowledge and serves as a theoretical framework for future research.
On Value Distribution of Certain Beurling Zeta-Functions
Authors: Laurinčikas Antanas 
Published: January 2024

In this paper, the approximation of analytic functions by shifts ζP(s+iτ) of Beurling zeta-functions ζP(s) of certain systems P of generalized prime numbers is discussed. It is required that the system of generalized integers NP generated by P satisfies ∑m⩽x,m∈N1=ax+O(xδ), a>0, 0⩽δ<1, and the function ζP(s) in some strip lying in σ^<σ<1, σ^>δ, which has a bounded mean square. Proofs are based on the convergence of probability measures in some spaces.
Cystic Echinococcosis in the Early 2020s: A Review
Authors: Hogea Mihai-Octav , Ciomaga Bogdan-Florin , Muntean Mădălina-Maria , Muntean Andrei-Alexandru , Popa Mircea Ioan , Popa Gabriela Loredana 
Published: January 2024

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by metacestodes, the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined CE as a neglected disease, it is the second most important foodborne parasitic disease, and it remains an important public health issue, considering its zonal endemicity and potential morbidity. The control and prevention of CE is a relevant WHO target, especially from a One Health perspective, as the disease affects not only animals and humans but also the food chain. Since not all countries have a CE surveillance strategy or reporting system and specific management guidelines, recent epidemiological data are relatively scarce, and research concerning the specific geographical distribution of the disease is ongoing. To add new information to the subject, we have analyzed and collected data from national guidelines and several medical databases. Out of the 751 research articles that were originally identified, only 52 were included in the investigation after applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Notable international projects that have provided significant contributions and had a positive impact are presented. The available data were correlated with WHO recommendations on the subject, thus showcasing the measures taken and those that are still needed to properly control the disease’s spread.