bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micropopulation mapping of the mouse parafascicular nucleus connections reveals diverse input–output motifs
Authors: Gonzalo-Martín Enrique , Alonso-Martínez Carmen , Sepúlveda Lucía Prensa , Clasca Francisco 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionIn primates, including humans, the centromedian/parafascicular (CM-Pf) complex is a key thalamic node of the basal ganglia system. Deep brain stimulation in CM-Pf has been applied for the treatment of motor disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or Tourette syndrome. Rodents have become widely used models for the study of the cellular and genetic mechanisms of these and other motor disorders. However, the equivalence between the primate CM-Pf and the nucleus regarded as analogous in rodents (Parafascicular, Pf) remains unclear.MethodsHere, we analyzed the neurochemical architecture and carried out a brain-wide mapping of the input–output motifs in the mouse Pf at micropopulation level using anterograde and retrograde labeling methods. Specifically, we mapped and quantified the sources of cortical and subcortical input to different Pf subregions, and mapped and compared the distribution and terminal structure of their axons.ResultsWe found that projections to Pf arise predominantly (&gt;75%) from the cerebral cortex, with an unusually strong (&gt;45%) Layer 5b component, which is, in part, contralateral. The intermediate layers of the superior colliculus are the main subcortical input source to Pf. On its output side, Pf neuron axons predominantly innervate the striatum. In a sparser fashion, they innervate other basal ganglia nuclei, including the subthalamic nucleus (STN), and the cerebral cortex. Differences are evident between the lateral and medial portions of Pf, both in chemoarchitecture and in connectivity. Lateral Pf axons innervate territories of the striatum, STN and cortex involved in the sensorimotor control of different parts of the contralateral hemibody. In contrast, the mediodorsal portion of Pf innervates oculomotor-limbic territories in the above three structures.DiscussionOur data thus indicate that the mouse Pf consists of several neurochemically and connectively distinct domains whose global organization bears a marked similarity to that described in the primate CM-Pf complex.
Single-cell sequencing reveals an important role of SPP1 and microglial activation in age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Lei Shizhen , Hu Mang , Wei Zhongtao 
Published: January 2024

PurposeTo investigate the role of senescence-related cytokines (SRCs) in the pathophysiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).DesignThe whole study is based on single-cell and bulk tissue transcriptomic analysis of the human neuroretinas with or without AMD. The transcriptomic data of human neuroretinas was obtained from Gene-Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.MethodsFor single-cell transcriptomic analysis, the gene expression matrix goes through quality control (QC) filtering, being normalized, scaled and integrated for downstream analysis. The further analyses were performed using Seurat R package and CellChat R package. After cell type annotation, the expression of phenotype and functional markers of microglia was investigated and cell-cell communication analysis was performed. For bulk tissue transcriptomic analysis, GSE29801 dataset contains the transcriptomic data of human macular neuroretina (n = 118) from control group and AMD patients. The expression of SPP1 in control and AMD subtypes were compared by Student’s t-test. In addition, the AMD macular neuroretina were classified into SPP1-low and SPP1-high groups according to the expression level of SPP1. The differentially expressed genes between these two groups were subsequently identified and the pathway enrichment analysis for these genes was further conducted.ResultsSecreted phosphoprotein 1, as an SRC, was revealed to be highly expressed in microglia of AMD neuroretina and the SPP1-receptor signaling was highly activated in AMD neuroretina. In addition, SPP1 signaling was associated with the pro-inflammatory phenotype and phagocytic state of microglia. SPP1 expression was elevated in macular neuroretina with late dry and wet AMD and the inflammatory pathways were found to be activated in SPP1-high AMD macular neuroretina.ConclusionOur findings indicated that SPP1 and microglial activation might play an important role in the pathophysiology of AMD. Therefore, SPP1 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for AMD. More in vitro and in vivo studies are required to confirm the results and the therapeutic effect of SPP1-targeting strategy.
Prognostic value of CBV index in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy in late therapeutic window
Authors: Sun Aicheng , Cao Yuezhou , Jia Zhenyu , Zhao Linbo , Shi Haibin , Liu Sheng 
Published: January 2024

PurposeTo evaluate the prognostic value of the cerebral blood volume (CBV) index for 90-day functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated within a late therapeutic window.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent pre-treatment computed tomography perfusion (CTP) and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for large-vessel occlusion (LVO) of the anterior circulation within the late therapeutic window between January 2021 and February 2023. Clinical data, the Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) based on unenhanced computed tomography (CT), and perfusion parameters, including ischemic core, hypoperfusion volume, mismatch volume between the core and penumbra, and CBV index, were assessed and compared between patients who achieved favorable outcomes (defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2).ResultsOf the 118 patients, 56 (47.5%) had favorable outcomes. In the univariate analysis, age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, ASPECTS score, CBV index, and ischemic core volume were significantly associated with functional outcomes (P &lt; 0.05). In multivariate analyses, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.060; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.013–1.110, P = 0.012), NIHSS score at admission (OR, 1.126; 95% CI 1.031–1.229, P = 0.009), and CBV index (OR, 0.001; 95% CI 0.000–0.240, P = 0.014) were independent predictors of a 90-day favorable outcome.ConclusionA high CBV index was independently associated with favorable outcomes in patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy within the late therapeutic window. In addition, a higher CBV index reflects improved blood flow and favorable digital subtraction angiography collateral status.
Associations between NIHSS sub-item scores and prognosis and intracranial hemorrhage after endovascular therapy for acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke
Authors: Qi Shuang , Shi Mingchao , Li Chao , Song Kangjia , Zhou Jie , Yue Feixue , Zhang Wenbin , Wang Shouchun 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThe relationship between sub-item scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and prognosis and intracranial hemorrhage in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) has been insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between NIHSS sub-item scores, prognosis, and intracranial hemorrhage.MethodsThis study included patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke undergoing EVT between February 2019 and April 2022. The outcomes included functional independence, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2 at 3 months after EVT, intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h after EVT, and mortality within 3 months. A multivariate regression analysis was performed, including NIHSS sub-item scores and other adjusted variables.ResultsA total of 568 patients were enrolled. Of the 568 patients, 239 (45%) achieved functional independence at 3 months after EVT. The median age in this group was 63 years (IQR 52–69) and 176 (73.6%) were male patients. Intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h after EVT occurred in 170 (30%) patients. The median age in this group was 65 years (IQR 56–71) and 105 (61.8%) were male patients. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, and factors with a value of p of &lt;0.05, the NIHSS limb movement sub-item score was strongly associated with prognosis at 3 months (OR 0.833, 95% CI 0.758–0.915) and intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h after EVT (OR 1.161, 95% CI 1.037–1.300).ConclusionHigher limb movement sub-item scores on the NIHSS were independently associated with a poorer prognosis at 3 months and a higher rate of intracranial hemorrhage within 24 h after EVT among patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke.
Neural correlates of thermal stimulation during active touch
Authors: Park Wanjoo , Korres Georgios , Jamil Muhammad Hassan , Eid Mohamad 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionThermal feedback technologies have been explored in human-computer interaction to provide secondary information and enhance the overall user experience. Unlike fast-response haptic modalities such as vibration and force feedback, the human brain's processes associated with thermal feedback are not fully understood.MethodsIn this study, we utilize electroencephalography (EEG) brain imaging to systematically examine the neural correlates associated with a wide range of thermal stimuli, including 9, 15, 32, and 42°C, during active touch at the fingertip. A custom experimental setup is developed to provide thermal stimulation at the desirable temperature levels. A total of 30 participants are recruited to experience the four levels of thermal stimulation by actively touching a thermal stimulation unit with the index finger while recording brain activities via EEG. Time-frequency analysis and power spectral density (PSD) of the EEG data are utilized to analyze the delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands.ResultsThe results show that the delta, theta, and alpha PSDs of 9 and 15°C stimuli are significantly higher than the PSDs of 32 and 42°C in the right frontal area during the early stage of the stimulation, from 282 ms up to 1,108 ms (One-way ANOVA test, Holm-Bonferroni correction, p &lt; 0.05). No significant differences in PSDs are found between 9 and 15°C thermal stimuli or between 32 and 42°C thermal stimuli.DiscussionThe findings of this study inform the development of thermal feedback system in human-computer interaction.
Hearing loss, hearing aid use, and performance on the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA): findings from the HUNT study in Norway
Authors: Moradi Shahram , Engdahl Bo , Johannessen Aud , Selbæk Geir , Aarhus Lisa , Haanes Gro Gade 
Published: January 2024

PurposeTo evaluate the associations between hearing status and hearing aid use and performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in older adults in a cross-sectional study in Norway.MethodsThis study utilized data from the fourth wave of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT4, 2017–2019). Hearing thresholds at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz (or PTA4) in the better hearing ear were used to determine participants’ hearing status [normal hearing (PTA4 hearing threshold, ≤ 15 dB), or slight (PTA4, 16–25 dB), mild (PTA4, 26–40 dB), moderate (PTA4, 41–55 dB), or severe (PTA4, ≥ 56 dB) hearing loss]. Both standard scoring and alternate MoCA scoring for people with hearing loss (deleting MoCA items that rely on auditory function) were used in data analysis. The analysis was adjusted for the confounders age, sex, education, and health covariates.ResultsThe pattern of results for the alternate scoring was similar to that for standard scoring. Compared with the normal-hearing group, only individuals with moderate or severe hearing loss performed worse in the MoCA. In addition, people with slight hearing loss performed better in the MoCA than those with moderate or severe hearing loss. Within the hearing loss group, hearing aid use was associated with better performance in the MoCA. No interaction was observed between hearing aid use and participants’ hearing status with performance on the MoCA test.ConclusionWhile hearing loss was associated with poorer performance in the MoCA, hearing aid use was found to be associated with better performance in the MoCA. Future randomized control trials are needed to further examine the efficacy of hearing aid use on the MoCA performance. When compared with standard scoring, the alternate MoCA scoring had no effect on the pattern of results.
Effect of deep brain stimulation compared with drug therapy alone on the progression of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Dong Wenwen , Qiu Chang , Lu Yue , Luo Bei , Jiang Xu , Chang Lei , Yan Jiuqi , Sun Jian , Liu Weiguo , Zhang Li , Zhang Wenbin 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms deteriorate with disease progression. Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) can effectively improve the motor signs of PD patients, it is not yet known whether DBS surgery, which is an invasive treatment modality, may change the progression of PD.ObjectiveThe aim of this work was to compare the effect of DBS with that of drug treatment on the progression of PD.MethodsA total of 77 patients with PD with the Hoehn and Yahr scale (HY) stage of 2.5 or 3 were included, and were divided into 34 in the drug therapy alone group (Drug-G) and 43 in the DBS therapy group (DBS-G). All patients were subjected to a follow-up of 2 years, and disease severity was assessed by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores. In addition, the quality of life of patients and the burden on their family were assessed by the 39-item PD questionnaire (PDQ-39) scores, daily levodopa equivalent dose (LED), patient’s annual treatment-related costs, and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS) score. The changes in relevant scale scores between the two groups were compared at each follow-up stage.ResultsThe UPDRS-III score of the patients in the “off” state increased from year to year in both groups, and the degree of increase of this score was greater in the DBS-G than in the Drug-G group. The MOCA score in both groups began to decline in the 2nd year of follow-up, and the decline was greater in the Drug-G than in the DBS-G group. DBS treatment did not affect patients’ psychiatric disorders. The PDQ39, LED, costs, and ZCBS were negatively correlated with the follow-up time in patients in the DBS-G group, and positively correlated with the follow-up time in patients in the Drug-G.ConclusionPD is progressive regardless of treatment. The findings from this follow-up study suggest that the disease progression of patients in DBS-G may be slightly faster compared to the drug-G, but the advantages of DBS are also evident. Indeed, DBS better improves patient’s motor signs and quality of life and reduces the family burden. In addition, DBS has less impact on patients in terms of cognitive and mental effects.
Effects of the royal jelly consumption on post-stroke complications in patients with ischemic stroke: results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Karimi Elham , Arab Arman , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Khorvash Fariborz , Saadatnia Mohammad , Amani Reza 
Published: January 2024

AimsThere is a paucity of evidence regarding the benefit of royal jelly (RJ) on post-stroke complications in patients with ischemic stroke. To address this knowledge gap, this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out to determine the effects of RJ consumption on post-stroke clinical outcomes.MethodsOf 64 eligible ischemic stroke patients (45–80 years), 32 were randomized to the RJ and 32 to the placebo groups and completed a 12-week intervention. The intervention group was advised to receive 1,000 mg of RJ dragee daily after breakfast. Post-stroke complications including cognition, fatigue, mental health, and appetite, along with serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were assessed in groups pre-and post-intervention.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of RJ consumption, cognitive function [adjusted mean difference, 4.71; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.75 to 7.67], serum levels of BDNF (adjusted mean difference, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.67), stress (adjusted mean difference, −3.33; 95% CI, −6.50 to −0.17), and appetite (adjusted mean difference, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.19 to 2.56) were significantly improved. However, the findings for fatigue (adjusted mean difference, −4.32; 95% CI, −10.28 to 1.63), depression (adjusted mean difference, −1.71; 95% CI, −5.58 to 2.16), anxiety (adjusted mean difference, −2.50; 95% CI, −5.50 to 0.49), and MUAC (adjusted mean difference, 0.36; 95% CI, −0.11 to 0.84) were less favorable.ConclusionFindings support the benefits of RJ consumption in improving post-stroke complications and clinical outcomes.Clinical trial registration: https://www.irct.ir/trial/59275, Identifier IRCT20180818040827N4.
Causal effects of human serum metabolites on occurrence and progress indicators of chronic kidney disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yin Yu , Shan Conghui , Han Qianguang , Chen Congcong , Wang Zijie , Huang Zhengkai , Chen Hao , Sun Li , Fei Shuang , Tao Jun , Han Zhijian , Tan Ruoyun , Gu Min , Ju Xiaobing 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is often accompanied by alterations in the metabolic profile of the body, yet the causative role of these metabolic changes in the onset of CKD remains a subject of ongoing debate. This study investigates the causative links between metabolites and CKD by leveraging the results of genomewide association study (GWAS) from 486 blood metabolites, employing bulk two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Building on the metabolites that exhibit a causal relationship with CKD, we delve deeper using enrichment analysis to identify the metabolic pathways that may contribute to the development and progression of CKD.MethodsIn conducting the Mendelian randomization analysis, we treated the GWAS data for 486 metabolic traits as exposure variables while using GWAS data for estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum creatinine (eGFRcrea), microalbuminuria, and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) sourced from the CKDGen consortium as the outcome variables. Inverse-variance weighting (IVW) analysis was used to identify metabolites with a causal relationship to outcome. Using Bonferroni correction, metabolites with more robust causal relationships are screened. Additionally, the IVW-positive results were supplemented with the weighted median, MR-Egger, weighted mode, and simple mode. Furthermore, we performed sensitivity analyses using the Cochran Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out (LOO) test. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted using two databases, KEGG and SMPDB, for eligible metabolites.ResultsDuring the batch Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, upon completion of the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) approach, sensitivity analysis, and directional consistency checks, 78 metabolites were found to meet the criteria. The following four metabolites satisfy Bonferroni correction: mannose, N-acetylornithine, glycine, and bilirubin (Z, Z), and mannose is causally related to all outcomes of CKD. By pathway enrichment analysis, we identified eight metabolic pathways that contribute to CKD occurrence and progression.ConclusionBased on the present analysis, mannose met Bonferroni correction and had causal associations with CKD, eGFRcrea, microalbuminuria, and UACR. As a potential target for CKD diagnosis and treatment, mannose is believed to play an important role in the occurrence and development of CKD.
Effect of sarcopenia on survival in patients after pancreatic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhong Lei , Liu Jifeng , Xia Mingquan , Zhang Yunshu , Liu Shuo , Tan Guang 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundNumerous studies have reported sarcopenia to be associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients who have undergone pancreatectomy. Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we examined the relationship between sarcopenia and survival after pancreatic surgery.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies that examined the association between sarcopenia and survival after pancreatic surgery from the inception of the database until June 1, 2023. Hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS) and/or progression-free survival (PFS) of sarcopenia and pancreatic surgery were extracted from the selected studies and random or fixed-effect models were used to summarize the data according to the heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s linear regression test and a funnel plot.ResultsSixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. For 13 aggregated univariate and 16 multivariate estimates, sarcopenia was associated with decreased OS (univariate analysis: HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.48–1.93; multivariate analysis: HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.39–2.05, I2 = 77.4%). Furthermore, sarcopenia was significantly associated with poor PFS of pancreatic resection (Change to univariate analysis: HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.47–2.05; multivariate analysis: HR 1.54; 95% CI 1.23–1.93, I2 = 63%).ConclusionSarcopenia may be a significant prognostic factor for a shortened survival following pancreatectomy since it is linked to an elevated risk of mortality. Further studies are required to understand how sarcopenia affects long-term results after pancreatic resection.Systematic review registrationRegistration ID: CRD42023438208 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails.
Deep learning based on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for predicting pathological upgrading in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Zang Shiming , Jiang Cuiping , Zhang Lele , Fu Jingjing , Meng Qingle , Wu Wenyu , Shao Guoqiang , Sun Hongbin , Jia Ruipeng , Wang Feng 
Published: January 2024

ObjectivesTo explore the feasibility and importance of deep learning (DL) based on 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-11 PET/CT in predicting pathological upgrading from biopsy to radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa).MethodsIn this retrospective study, all patients underwent 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided systematic biopsy, and RP for PCa sequentially between January 2017 and December 2022. Two DL models (three-dimensional [3D] ResNet-18 and 3D DenseNet-121) based on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET and support vector machine (SVM) models integrating clinical data with DL signature were constructed. The model performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.ResultsOf 109 patients, 87 (44 upgrading, 43 non-upgrading) were included in the training set and 22 (11 upgrading, 11 non-upgrading) in the test set. The combined SVM model, incorporating clinical features and signature of 3D ResNet-18 model, demonstrated satisfactory prediction in the test set with an AUC value of 0.628 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.365, 0.891) and accuracy of 0.727 (95% CI: 0.498, 0.893).ConclusionA DL method based on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET may have a role in predicting pathological upgrading from biopsy to RP in patients with PCa.