bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of hepatitis D virus antibody positivity in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Liang Xieer , Tang Hong , Guan Yujuan , Liang Minfeng , Hu Peng , Xie Wen , Rao Huiying , Niu Junqi , Chen Liang , Yan Li , Chen Xiaowei , Li Xiaohe , Zhao Yulin , Lenz Oliver , Biermer Michael , Chen Qiaoqiao , Hou Jinlin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Large-scale data of the hepatitis D virus (HDV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection rate is crucial to reveal the current epidemiology of HDV in China.
Methods: Patients with chronic HBV infection with documented serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity for more than 6 months were enrolled across China. Blood samples were collected at baseline for central evaluations of HDV antibody and HBsAg quantification. Assessments of antibodies of hepatitis A virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis E virus, and human immunodeficiency virus and HDV RNA quantification were performed in patients who tested positive for HDV antibodies.
Results: Of the 5,044 enrolled patients between 24 September 2021 and 28 December 2022, 4,936 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age (± standard deviation) was 42.9 ± 9.9 years and 69.8% of patients were male. The mean alanine aminotransferase was 34 ± 58 U/L, and 1,509 (30.6%) patients were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive. The mean HBsAg level at baseline was 3,535 ± 11,292 IU/mL among 4,842 patients who had qualitative results. The rate of HBV infection and HDV antibody positivity was 0.24% (95% CI: 0.1–0.4%), and only one patient was HDV RNA positive.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HDV antibody positivity was 0.24% in Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection and only one patient with anti-HDV antibody and HDV RNA positivity was observed in this study.
Radiomics of Automated Breast Ultrasound for the Pretreatment Prediction of the Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Meiling , Zhang Qi , Xie Jingwen , Jiang Yanhui , He Shangpeng , Chen Miao , Zhang Jianxing 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Objective:
To compare and analyze the radiomics features of automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) images acquired before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with postoperative pathological changes in breast cancer, and explore its clinical value in predicting the pathological response of NAC.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 134 cases of breast cancer who underwent NAC and automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) prior to treatment. All cases were randomly divided into a training set (n=93) and a testing set (n=41). The cross-sectional and coronal planes of the largest section of the lesion were manually outlined and 2,250 radiomics features were extracted. Then, the Select K Best, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and redundancy analysis were used to select features. Finally, models were constructed using the k-nearest neighbors (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers, in combination with clinicopathological characteristics, to predict the sensitivity and insensitivity to NAC pathological response.
Result:
A total of 20 radiomic features were chosen, and the epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) as well as orange peel sign were of predictive value in the evaluation of response to NAC in breast cancer (P < 0.05 in univariate and multivariate analyses). Among the models, the SVM-Clinical model demonstrated superior performance, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.929 and 0.802 in the training and testing sets, respectively. Its clinical benefit was also confirmed by decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC) analysis, particularly when the threshold was at ≥ 0.8, yielding the highest clinical net benefit.
Conclusion:
Radiomics features extracted from ABUS images were valuable for pretreatment prediction of response to NAC in breast cancer, and predictive models based on pretreatment ABUS radiomics in combination with clinicopathological characteristics could be employed to predict the pathological response to NAC.
Nuts and Seeds Consumption Mitigates Mortality Risk in MAFLD: A Comprehensive Cohort Analysis with Optimal Intake Insights
Authors: Chen Zhanjun , Yan Yuqin , Liu Jinhuang , Zheng Jianzhong , Huang Bo , Huang Dongling , Lin Jianshan 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Recently, the designation "Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease" (MAFLD) has emerged to more holistically depict the disease's multifaceted nature. Within this framework, patients are stratified as either metabolically healthy (MH) or metabolically unhealthy (MU). The unique nutrient composition of nuts and seeds (NUTSDS) suggests potential health advantages, potentially mitigating premature mortality risks.This research delves into the impact of NUTSDS consumption on all-cause mortality within the diverse MAFLD categories.
Methods
We embarked on a prospective cohort investigation involving 13,762 participants, drawn from a nationally representative pool of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Mortality events and underlying causes were tracked through a linkage with death records until December 31, 2019. To elucidate the connection between NUTSDS intake and mortality across MAFLD categories, we employed both the Weighted Cox proportional hazards regression and Restricted Cubic Spline (RCS) analytical methods.The robustness of our results is further buttressed by a series of stratified and sensitivity assessments.
Results
Out of the 13,762 studied participants, representing a weighted national estimate of 58,212,532individuals, 62.73% were MAFLD-diagnosed. Among them, 7.79% were MH-MAFLD, and 54.95% were MU-MAFLD. Over 135,552.9 person-years (median follow-up of 9.58 years), there were 1,558 recorded deaths. The fully adjusted Cox model demonstrated a 15% reduced risk of all-cause mortality with NUTSDS intake (HR, 0.85; 95%CI, 0.74–0.97) in the MAFLD group and a similar risk reduction in the MU-MAFLD group (HR, 0.86; 95%CI, 0.76–0.98). Notably, no such associations were found in the Non-MAFLD and MH-MAFLD groups. RCS analyses suggested a U-shaped mortality curve with optimal NUTSDS consumption levels at 3.79 oz/day for MAFLD and 3.87 oz/day for MU-MAFLD.
Conclusions
These insights accentuate the prospective protective effects of NUTSDS consumption against all-cause mortality in MAFLD individuals, especially salient in the MU-MAFLD demographic.
Intersectional analysis of social disparities in type 2 diabetes risk among adults in Germany: results from a nationwide population-based survey
Authors: Färber Francesca , Alonso-Perez Enrique , Heidemann Christin , Du Yong , Stadler Gertraud , Gellert Paul , O’Sullivan Julie Lorraine 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Differences in type 2 diabetes risk have been reported for several sociodemographic determinants including sex/gender or socioeconomic status. From an intersectional perspective, it is important to not only consider the role of social dimensions individually, but also their intersections. This allows for a deeper understanding of diabetes risk and preventive needs among diverse population groups.
Methods
As an intersectionality-informed approach, multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA) was used in a population-based sample of adults without known diabetes in Germany from the cross-sectional survey “Disease knowledge and information needs – Diabetes mellitus (2017)”. Diabetes risk was assessed by the German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS, range 0-122 points) estimating the individual risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next 5 years based on established self-reported risk factors. Nesting individuals in 12 intersectional strata defined by combining sex/gender, educational level, and history of migration, we calculated measures to quantify the extent to which individual differences in diabetes risk are explained at strata level, and how much this is due to additive or multiplicative intersectional effects of social determinants.
Results
Drawing on data of 2,253 participants we found good discriminatory accuracy of intersectional strata (variance partition coefficient = 14.00% in the simple intersectional model). Model-predicted GDRS means varied between 29.97 (corresponding to a “low risk” of < 2%) in women with high educational level and a history of migration, and 52.73 (“still low risk” of 2–5%) in men with low educational level without a history of migration. Variance in GDRS between strata was mainly explained by additive effects of social determinants (proportional change in variance to intersectional interaction model = 77.95%) with being male and having low educational level being associated with higher GDRS. There was no evidence of multiplicative effects in individual strata.
Conclusions
Type 2 diabetes risk differed between intersectional strata and can to some extent be explained at strata level. The role of intersectional effects was minor and needs to be further investigated. Findings suggest a need for specific preventive measures targeted at large groups with increased diabetes risk, such as men and persons with low educational level.
Estimating the causal effect of dexamethasone versus hydrocortisone on the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in critically ill COVID-19 patients from Tygerberg Hospital ICU using targeted maximum likelihood estimation method
Authors: Nkuhairwe Ivan Nicholas , Esterhuizen Tonya , Sigwadhi Lovemore Nyasha , Tamuzi Jacques L. , Machekano Rhoderick , Nyasulu Peter S. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Causal inference from observational studies is a study topic that has advanced fast over the years, as have methods for causal effect estimation. Among them, Targeted Maximum Likelihood estimation (TMLE) possesses the most outstanding statistical properties, and with no outright treatment for COVID-19, there was an opportunity to estimate the causal effect of dexamethasone versus hydrocortisone upon the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a vital indicator for disease progression among critically ill COVID-19 patients. This study is designed to show the application of TMLE variations to estimate the causal effect of dexamethasone versus hydrocortisone on the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Methods
We retrospectively analysed data from the first and second COVID-19 waves, including critically ill COVID-19 patients. TMLE variations were used in the analysis and Super Learner (SL), Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) and parametric regression (PAR) were implemented to estimate the average treatment effect (ATE) and its 95%CI Statistical analysis was carried out with ltmle package in R-software. Result presented in graph and tables.
Results
The study had 168 participants, 128 on dexamethasone and 40 on hydrocortisone. The mean causal difference in NLR on day 5; ATE [95% CI]: from SL-TMLE was − 2.28[-6.811, 2.246], BART-TMLE − 2.10[-6.464, 2.262] and PAR-TMLE − 2.16[-5.710, 1.397]. The ATE of dexamethasone versus hydrocortisone on NLR was not statistically significant since the confidence interval included zero.
Conclusion
In critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU, the effect of dexamethasone on NLR was not significantly different from that of hydrocortisone. This means that the variation in NLR impact between the two medicines may be attributable to random chance. However, TMLE remains an excellent tool for causal analysis of observational research, with the ability to be supplemented by numerous prediction approaches.
Ultrasonographically determined kidney volume and progression to end-stage kidney disease in pediatric chronic kidney disease: data from the KNOW-Ped CKD study
Authors: Kim Ji Hyun , Ahn Yo Han , Yang Eun Mi , Park Eujin , Song Ji Yeon , Baek Hee Sun , Kim Jeong Yeon , Lee Keum Hwa , Shin Jae Il , Cho Heeyeon , Jung Jiwon , Lee Joo Hoon , Park Young Seo , Ha Il-Soo , Gang Hee Gyung , Cho Min Hyun , Han Kyoung Hee 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
We investigated the relationship between ultrasonographically determined renal volume relative to body surface area (BSA) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and determined whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression outcomes could be predicted based on each kidney volume ratio in pediatric patients with CKD.
Methods
From the KNOW–ped CKD cohort, 304 patients who underwent renal ultrasonography (US) were investigated for the kidney’s length and depth in the longitudinal axis and the width in the transverse plane passing through the hilum’s center. The formula, 0.523×length×depth×width, was used to calculate each kidney volume. The total kidney volume (TKV) was the sum of the volumes of each kidney and was adjusted for BSA. Each kidney volume ratio was calculated as the ratio of the smaller to the large kidney volume.
Results
Scatter plot and linear regression analysis revealed the relationship between eGFR and BSA–adjusted TKV, and this linear relationship differed significantly based on the percentile ratio of each kidney volume. Q2 quartile of each kidney volume ratio had a significantly lower risk in CAKUT, while Q1 had higher risk of requiring renal replacement therapy compared to single kidney in GN.
Conclusion
The relationship between eGFR and BSA–adjusted TKV in pediatric patients with CKD differed based on CKD’s primary etiology and the asymmetry derived from each kidney volume ratio. This asymmetric renal morphological change based on each renal volume ratio is clinically reflected in predicting the prognosis of CKD progression in children.
Trial registration number and date of registration:
NCT number NCT02165878 on June 11, 2014.
Cyclophosphamide and horse anti-thymocyte globulin versus fludarabine, reduced cyclophosphamide and rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from matched sibling donors in patients with acquired aplastic anemia
Authors: Abdeljelil Nour Ben , Yaiche Insaf Ben , Ouerghi Rihab , Torjeman Lamia , Belloumi Dorra , Turki Ines , Mekni Sabrine , Kanoun Rimel Yousr , Othman Tarek Ben , Ladeb Saloua 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objective: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the only curative treatment for acquired aplastic anemia (acquired AA) in young patients. The objective of the study was to compare patient outcomes after Cyclophosphamide and horse antithymocyte globulin (Cy-hATG) versus Fludarabine-cyclophosphamide and rabbit ATG (Flu-Cy-rATG) as part of conditioning regimen in allo-HSCT for acquired AA.
Methods: Descriptive retrospective study conducted on patients with acquired AA who received allo-HSCT from HLA-matched sibling donors between January 2008 and August 2022 after conditioning regimen with Cy-hATG or Flu-Cy-rATG.
Results: A total of 121 patients were enrolled. Cumulative incidence of graft failure was 11.2% in Cy-hATG and 5.3% Flu-Cy-rATG group (p=0.4). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of grade II-IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD and transplant related mortality. Flu-Cy-rATG group was associated with significantly higher CMV and EBV reactivation(s) compared to Cy-hATG group. After a median follow-up of 58 months (range, 5 days-165 months), estimated overall survival, event-free survival and graft rejection-free survival were not statistically different between the two groups.
Conclusion: In high-risk population, Flu-Cy-rATG is associated with comparable outcomes to Cy-hATG in allo-HSCT from MSD. However, it seems to be associated with signiﬁcant risk of viral infections.
Trajectories of mental health outcomes following COVID-19 infection: a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Badinlou Farzaneh , Rahimian Fatemeh , Hedman-Lagerlöf Maria , Lundgren Tobias , Abzhandadze Tamar , Jansson-Fröjmark Markus 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a global mental health crisis. Yet, we know little about the lasting effects of COVID-19 infection on mental health. This prospective longitudinal study aimed to investigate the trajectories of mental health changes over time in individuals infected with COVID-19 and to identify potential predictors that may influence these changes.
Methods
A web-survey that targeted individuals that had been infected with COVID-19 was used at three time-points: T0 (baseline), T1 (six months), and T2 (twelve months). The survey included demographics, questions related to COVID-19 status, previous psychiatric diagnosis, post-COVID impairments, fatigue, and standardized measures of depression, anxiety, insomnia.
Results
A total of 236 individuals completed assessments and was included in the longitudinal sample. The results revealed notable changes in mental health outcomes over time. The trajectory of depression showed significant improvement over time while the trends in anxiety and insomnia did not exhibit significant changes over time. The younger age group and individuals who experienced severe COVID-19 infection in the acute phase were identified as high-risk groups with worst mental ill-health. The main predictors of the changes in the mental health outcomes were fatigue and post-COVID impairments.
Conclusions
The findings of our study suggest that mental health outcomes following COVID-19 infection exhibit a dynamic pattern over time. The study provides valuable insights into the mental health trajectory following COVID-19 infection, emphasizing the need for ongoing assessment, support, and interventions tailored to the evolving mental health needs of this population.
Strategies towards submicron size and high performance magnetic PGMA@Fe3O4@SiO2-COOH microspheres with biological application
Authors: Xia Tianhao , Wang Yunpeng , Awasthi Pragati , Dong Wenkun , Li Mengting , Qiao Xvsheng , Chen Dong , Ling Shisheng , Fan Xianping 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The separation of target substances is a significant biological detection procedure, where magnetic microspheres can act as high-performance separation materials. However, challenges are still kept to fulfill all the requirements. In this study, a type of submicron magnetic poly (glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microsphere was prepared with an in situ coprecipitation method, an electrostatic self-assembly method, and a silica surface coating method. Firstly, the PGMA microspheres were synthesized by a soap-free emulsion polymerization method, and surface charge density determined the coagulation process, further influencing the size and monodispersity. Then we found the Superparamagnetism properties of magnetic microspheres could be well controlled by the capping agent sodium citrate (Na3Cit), and the superparamagnetic critical size was 10.9 nm. Also, the saturation magnetization was well controlled by the Fe2+ and Fe3+ concentration, which was correlated with the nucleation rate of Fe3O4 crystal. Furthermore, we proved that the electrostatic self-assembly was guided by pH, and it was proposed to tightly couple the PGMA-NH2 microspheres with positive charges and Fe3O4 nanoparticles with negative charges. Finally, the PGMA@Fe3O4 microspheres were coated with SiO2, surface modified by carboxyl groups for application. The PGMA@Fe3O4 and carboxyl-modified microspheres exhibited saturated magnetization values of 23.73 and 17.73 emu/g, respectively. These microspheres have been effectively utilized for the extraction of DNA from various sources such as Salmonella typhi, monkeypox virus, and clinical swab samples, suggesting the potential of these microspheres for nucleic acid separation in the biomedical domain.
The risk of mortality and morbidity could be accurately estimated using perioperative risk score systems
Authors: Saad Hassan A. , Baz Azza , Riad Mohamed , Eraky Mohamed E , El-Taher Ahmed K , Farid Mohamed I , Sharaf Khaled 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Context
According to national guidelines, a mortality risk assessment should be performed on all patients undergoing emergency surgery at the time of admission. This will allow the hospital to assign the "high-risk" patient the proper seniority and level of care. Our goal was to determine whether perioperative risk scoring systems could reliably estimate the risk of death and morbidity.
Methods
86 consecutive emergency laparotomies had their mortality risk scores determined using pre-operative risk calculation techniques (ASA, Lee index) and post-operative risk calculation tools (POSSUM, P-POSSUM, and CR-POSSUM). Using the Clavien-Dindo classification, morbidity risk scores were computed using the POSSUM projected morbidity and compared to actual morbidity.
Results
In reality, the death rate was 10.5%. All laparotomies had average predicted risk scores of 26.5% for ASA, 2.5% for Lee Index, 29.5% for POSSUM, 18.5% for P-POSSUM, and 10.5% for CR-POSSUM.
Seventy-eight percent of the 67 laparotomies had complications. Most (51%) of the problems were categorized as non-life-threatening in Clavien-Dindo grades 2–3.
Compared to patients who projected a morbidity risk of less than or equal to 50%, patients with a POSSUM morbidity risk of greater than 50% suffered significantly more life-threatening complications (CD 4-5) (P = 0.01).
Summary
Because the ASA overpredicts mortality risk and the Lee Index underpredicts it, pre-operative risk categorization is still difficult. We propose that patients who need intensive care after surgery can be identified with greater accuracy by utilizing the CR-POSSUM for post-operative risk grading.
In conclusion
It is impossible to audit the fulfillment of national standards of care for the "high-risk" patient in a reliable manner in the absence of reliable risk scoring instruments that can be utilized at the time of hospital admission.
Are environmental characteristics associated with hypertension and diabetes? Evidence from Ordos, China
Authors: Hao Siwen , Yang Yiqun , Gao Dong , Guo Qin , Hou Lu , Meng Yufei 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Although previous studies have explored the positive effects of natural environments on human health, few studies have examined the effects of different environmental characteristics on hypertension and diabetes. We aimed to identify a correlation between various environmental characteristics and the number of patients with hypertension and diabetes using the Delphi method, Pearson analysis, and a multiple regression model. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was significantly correlated with environmental characteristics, and correlated characteristics of hypertension and diabetes were identified. Future hypertension and diabetes-friendly environments should improve green space coverage and quality, and provide environments to support more physical activity as well as the opportunity to be exposed to natural elements.