bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative effectiveness of non-invasive therapeutic interventions for myofascial pain syndrome: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liu Chang , Wang Yang , Yu Wenli , Xiang Junai , Ding Guoyong , Liu Weihua 
Published: November 2023

Background:
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has an impact on physical health and quality of life for patients, with various non-invasive methods used for relieving myofascial pain. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of different non-invasive therapeutic interventions for MPS.

Materials and Methods:
We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) describing the effects of any non-invasive treatments in patients with MPS. The primary outcome was pain intensity, while pressure pain threshold and pain-related disability were secondary outcomes.

Results:
The analysis included 40 studies. Manual therapy (MD of pain: -1.60, 95% CI: -2.17 to -1.03; MD of pressure pain threshold: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.86; MD of pain-related disability: -5.34, 95% CI: -8.09 to -2.58), laser therapy (MD of pain: -1.15, 95% CI: -1.83 to -0.46; MD of pressure pain threshold: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.46 to 1.54; MD of pain-related disability: -4.58, 95% CI: -7.80 to -1.36)，extracorporeal shock wave therapy (MD of pain: -1.61, 95% CI:-2.43 to -0.78; MD of pressure pain threshold: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.35; MD of pain-related disability: -5.78, 95% CI: -9.45 to -2.12), and ultrasound therapy (MD of pain: -1.54, 95% CI: -2.24 to -0.84; MD of pressure pain threshold: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.31 to 1.22) were more effective than no treatment.

Conclusion:
Our findings support that manual therapy, laser therapy, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy could effectively reduce pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and pain-related disability with statistical significance when compared with placebo. This finding may provide clinicians appropriate therapeutic modalities for patients with myofascial pain syndrome among different scenarios.
Validation of the automated oscillometric upper-arm cuff home blood pressure monitor AVITA BPM82 in a general population according to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization (AAMI/ESH/ISO) Universal Standard
Authors: Menti Ariadni , Ntousopoulos Vasileios , Theodosiadi Aikaterini , Stathopoulou Panagiota , Kollias Anastasios , Stergiou George S. 
Published: November 2023

Objective
This study evaluated the accuracy of the automated oscillometric upper-arm cuff device AVITA BPM82 intended for home use in a general population according to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization (AAMI/ESH/ISO) Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2:2018) and its Amendment 1.2020-01.

Methods
Participants were recruited to fulfill the age, sex, blood pressure (BP), and limb distribution criteria of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard and its Amendment 1.2020-01 in a general population using the same arm sequential BP measurement method. Two cuffs of the test device were used for arm circumference 22-33 (medium) and 33-42 cm (large).

Results
One-hundred-one individuals were recruited and 85 were analyzed [mean age 57.3 ± 15.1 (SD) years, 46 men, arm circumference 32 ± 5.1 cm, range 22.3–42 cm]. For validation Criterion 1, the mean difference ±SD between the test device and reference BP readings (N = 255) was 1.3 ± 6.5/3.6 ± 5.9 mmHg (systolic/diastolic; threshold ≤5 ± 8 mmHg). For Criterion 2, the SD of the averaged BP differences between the test device and reference BP per individual (N = 85) was 5.70/5.25 mmHg (systolic/diastolic; threshold ≤6.82/5.89 mmHg).

Conclusions
The automated oscillometric home BP monitor AVITA BPM82 comfortably fulfilled all the requirements of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2:2018) and its Amendment 1.2020-01 in a general population and can be recommended for clinical use.
Glutamate and obesity – what is the link?
Authors: Chaouche Lila , Marcotte Félix , Maltais-Payette Ina , Tchernof André 
Published: November 2023

Purpose of review
Many studies using metabolomics have tried to unravel the metabolic signature of obesity and understand the pathophysiology of this complex and heterogeneous disease. Circulating levels of the amino acid glutamate have been consistently associated with obesity and more specifically with measurements of abdominal fat accumulation. The purpose of this narrative review is to highlight recent studies documenting this association.

Recent findings
Circulating glutamate concentrations have been positively correlated with measurements of central fat accumulation such as waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue area. Moreover, elevated glutamate levels have been linked to a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The association with adiposity is detected in early life, and genetic predisposition does not appear as a major driver. Glutamate levels reflect in vivo synthesis rather than dietary intake. However, interventions generating metabolic improvements such as incretin receptor agonist treatment or dietary improvements may reduce plasma levels of this amino acid.

Summary
Recent findings confirm the consistent association between circulating glutamate and abdominal obesity and its cardiometabolic complications. The pathophysiological pathways underlying this phenomenon are still unclear. Furthermore, studies are needed to establish the usefulness of this analyte as a biomarker of abdominal obesity.
Practical challenges in lung cancer pathology: bedside care to treatment decisions
Authors: Takano Angela Maria , Chow Chun Yuen , Lim Kiat Hon 
Published: November 2023

Purpose of review
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the whole world, and the pulmonologist is generally the first medical professional to meet the patient and decide what method of tumour sampling is preferable in each specific case. It is imperative for pulmonary physicians to be aware of the intricacies of the diagnostic process, and understand the multiple challenges that are encountered, from the moment the tissue specimen leaves their offices and is sent to the pathology laboratory, until the diagnosis reaches the patient and treating physician.

Recent findings
The new 2021 WHO classification of thoracic tumours recommended a minimum immunohistochemical (IHC) diagnostic panel for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and following publications of different institutional and country-based guidelines, advocated basic molecular testing for epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) to be initiated by the diagnosing pathologist in all cases of biopsy or resection specimens. In general, sequential testing for molecular biomarkers was not recommended due to tissue wastage, instead next generation sequencing (NGS) diagnostic panel was supported.

Summary
The lung cancer specimen has to undergo histologic diagnosis through a panel of IHC studies, and –preferably, a reflex molecular study by NGS including several targetable genes. Adequate communication and clinical information preclude the pathologist from “overusing” the tissue for additional studies, while focusing on preservation of material for molecular testing.
Lipidome and inflammation interplay: the role of diet in this relationship
Authors: Rovayo Anacristina , Toledo Estefanía , Razquin Cristina 
Published: November 2023

Purpose:
The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the role of novel lipid biomarkers from the circulating lipidome in inflammatory processes and the impact that dietary patterns may have on the lipidome.

Recent findings:
Inflammation is a process that underlies many acute and chronic diseases, contributing to their development and severity. Finding novel molecules which serve as biomarkers and which are involved in inflammation is very useful, since they offer us both preventive or therapeutic targets and reveal mechanisms of action. Recently, several studies have found circulating lipid molecules that are implicated in inflammatory processes of different diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, COVID-19 or other respiratory infectious diseases. As such, ceramides, triacylglicerides or lysophosphatidylcholines have been associated with inflammation in a different manner depending on the stage of inflammation. The study of dietary patterns, especially healthy ones as the Mediterranean or the Nordic diets, has shown the impact that dietary habits may have on the lipidomic profile of individuals.

Conclusions:
Healthy dietary patterns have been suggested to exert beneficial effects in the circulating lipid profile. Studying the circulating lipidome could help to find new biomarkers of underlying inflammation, especially in cases of chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases in which it is more difficult to detect.
Characterization of Spheno-occipital Synchondrosis Fusion From Preadolescents to Young Adults Using Age and Cervical Vertebrae Maturation Index
Authors: Kim Sun-Min , Jeon Sungmi , Hong Hyunseung , Choi Jeong-Ho , Kim Jong-Wan , Chung Jee Hyeok , Yang Il-Hyung , Kim Byung Jun , Baek Seung-Hak 
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this study was to characterize the spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion (SOSF) from preadolescents to young adults. A total of 630 Korean subjects (308 men, 322 women; age range, 6–18 y) were divided into 26 groups according to sex and age. After 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) images were reoriented using the Frankfort horizontal (FH) plane, mid-sagittal plane, and frontal plane via ON3D software (3DONS), the cervical vertebrae maturation index (CVMI) and SOSF stages were identified using 6-stage and 5-stage scoring systems, respectively. The distributions of stage in each group were statistically investigated. Women showed early appearance and a short range of onset (CVMI stage 2, SOSF stage 2), middle (CVMI stage 4, SOSF stage 3 and stage 4), and completion (CVMI stage 6, SOSF stage 5), indicating rapid skeletal maturation compared with men. In both males and females, there were strong positive correlations between age and CVMI stage (r
s=0.902, r
s=0.890), between age and SOSF stage (r
s=0.887, r
s=0.885), and between CVMI and SOSF stages (r
s=0.955, r
s=0.964) (all P<0.001). The mean ages at SOSF stage 3 and stage 4 (12.7~13.9 y in males and 11.0~12.5 y in females) could be used as indicators of the pubertal growth peak. Regression equations for SOSF stage (y), age (a), and CVMI stage (b) were as follows: y=1.355−(0.133×a)+(0.29007×b)+(0.041×a×b) for males (r
2=0.9496); y=1.305−(0.158×a)+(0.455×b)+(0.036×a×b) for females (r
2=0.9606). Ordinal logistic regression analyses with the proportional odds model showed that females had more advanced SOSF stages than males (odds ratio: 1.972; 95% CI: 1.063–3.658, P<0.05). Our findings may provide basic references for CVMI and SOSF from preadolescents to young adults.
Association Between Whole Blood Transfusion and Mortality Among Injured Pediatric Patients
Authors: Aoki Makoto , Katsura Morihiro , Matsushima Kazuhide 
Published: November 2023

Objective:
To assess the association between whole blood (WB) and mortality among injured children who received immediate blood transfusion.

Background:
The use of WB for transfusion therapy in trauma has been revisited, and recent studies have reported an association between WB and improved survival among adults. However, evidence of a similar association lacks in children.

Methods:
We performed a retrospective cohort study from the ACS-TQIP between 2020 and 2021. Patients were aged ≤16 years and had immediate blood transfusion within 4 hours of hospital arrival. Survival at 24 hours and 30 days were compared after creating 1:1 propensity-score matched cohorts, matching for demographics, injury type, vital signs on admission, trauma severity scores, hemorrhage control procedures, hospital characteristics, and the need for massive transfusion.

Results:
A total of 2,729 patients were eligible for analysis. The median age was 14 years (interquartile range: 8-16 y); 1,862 (68.2%) patients were male; and 1,207 (44.2%) patients were White. A total of 319 (11.7%) patients received WB. After a 1:1-ratio propensity score matching, 318 matched pairs were compared. WB transfusion was associated with improved survival at 24 hours, demonstrating a 42% lower risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34–0.98; P=0.042) Similarly, the survival benefit associated with WB transfusion remained consistent at 30 days (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46–0.90; P=0.011).

Conclusions:
The use of WB was associated with improved survival among injured pediatric patients requiring immediate transfusion.
The Role of Epigenetics in Accelerated Aging: A Reconsideration of Later-Life Visual Loss After Early Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Rizzo Joseph F. , Shah Madhura P. , Krasniqi Drenushe , Lu Yuancheng Ryan , Sinclair David A. , Ksander Bruce R. 
Published: November 2023

Background:
In 2005, we reported 3 patients with bilateral optic nerve damage early in life. These patients had stable vision for decades but then experienced significant bilateral vision loss with no obvious cause. Our hypothesis, novel at that time, was that the late decline of vision was due to age-related attrition of retinal ganglion cells superimposed on a reduced neuronal population due to the earlier injury.

Evidence Acquisition:
The field of epigenetics provides a new paradigm with which to consider the normal aging process and the impact of neuronal injury, which has been shown to accelerate aging. Late-in-life decline in function after early neuronal injury occurs in multiple sclerosis due to dysregulated inflammation and postpolio syndrome. Recent studies by our group in mice have also demonstrated the possibility of partial reversal of cellular aging and the potential to mitigate anatomical damage after injury and even improve visual function.

Results:
The results in mice and nonhuman primates published elsewhere have shown enhanced neuronal survival and visual function after partial epigenetic reprogramming.

Conclusions:

Injury promotes epigenetic aging, and this finding can be observed in several clinically relevant scenarios. An understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms at play opens the opportunity to restore function in the nervous system and elsewhere with cellular rejuvenation therapies. Our earlier cases exemplify how reconsideration of previously established concepts can motivate inquiry of new paradigms.
Eleven years of student replication projects provide evidence on the correlates of replicability in psychology
Authors: Boyce Veronica , Mathur Maya , Frank Michael C. 
Published: November 2023

Cumulative scientific progress requires empirical results that are robust enough to support theory construction and extension. Yet in psychology, some prominent findings have failed to replicate, and large-scale studies suggest replicability issues are widespread. The identification of predictors of replication success is limited by the difficulty of conducting large samples of independent replication experiments, however: most investigations reanalyse the same set of

170

replications

. We introduce a new dataset of 176 replications from students in a graduate-level methods course. Replication results were judged to be successful in 49% of replications; of the 136 where effect sizes could be numerically compared, 46% had point estimates within the prediction interval of the original outcome (versus the expected 95%). Larger original effect sizes and within-participants designs were especially related to replication success. Our results indicate that, consistent with prior reports, the robustness of the psychology literature is low enough to limit cumulative progress by student investigators.
Distinguishing recrudescence from reinfection in lymphatic filariasis: a genomics-based approach for monitoring worm burden
Authors: Choi Young-Jun , Fischer Kerstin , Méité Aboulaye , Koudou Benjamin G. , Fischer Peter U. , Mitreva Makedonka 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis is the largest public health program based on mass drug administration (MDA). Despite decades of MDA, ongoing transmission in some countries remains a challenge. To optimize interventions, it is essential to differentiate between recrudescence (poor drug response and persistent infection) and new infections (ongoing transmission). Since adult filariae are inaccessible in humans, an approach that relies on genotyping the offspring microfilariae (mf) is required.MethodsWe utilizedBrugia malayiadults and mf obtained from gerbils with a known pedigree to develop and validate our whole-genome amplification and kinship analysis approach. We then sequenced the genomes ofWuchereria bancroftimf from infected humans from Côte d’Ivoire (CDI), characterized the population genetic diversity, and made inferences about the adult breeders. We developed a whole-exome capture panel forW. bancroftito enrich parasite nuclear DNA from lower-quality samples contaminated with host DNA.ResultsWe established a robust analysis pipeline usingB. malayiadult and mf. We estimated the pre-treatment genetic diversity inW. bancroftifrom 269 mf collected from 18 individuals, and further analyzed 1-year post-treatment samples of 74 mf from 4 individuals. By reconstructing and temporally tracking sibling relationships across pre- and post-treatment samples, we differentiated between new and established maternal families, suggesting reinfection in one subject and recrudescence in three subjects. Estimated reproductively active adult females ranged between 3 and 9 in the studied subjects. Hemizygosity of the male X-chromosome allowed for direct inference of haplotypes, facilitating robust maternal parentage inference, even when the genetic diversity was low. Population structure analysis revealed genetically distinct parasites among our CDI samples. Sequence composition and variant analysis of whole-exome libraries showed that the hybridization capture approach can effectively enrich parasite nuclear DNA and identify protein-coding variants with ∼95% genotype concordance rate.ConclusionsWe have generated resources to facilitate development of field-deployable genotyping tools that can estimate worm burdens and monitor parasite populations. These tools are essential for the success of lymphatic filariasis MDA programs. With further expansion of the databases to include geographically diverse samples, we will be able to spatially track parasite movement associated with host/vector migration.
Universal protection against SARS-CoV-2 viruses by multivalent mRNA vaccine in mice
Authors: Lei Zhengyang , Zhai Shiyao , Yuan Xi , Wang Runming , Wang Yunpeng , Pandey Vijay , Zhang Can Yang , Ji Jiansong , Yu Dongmei , Chen Zhenglin , Bian Sumin , Qin Peiwu 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe continual emergence of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants challenges available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for adequate control of outbreaks. Currently, universal vaccines capable of obviating the need for exact strain matching between mRNA vaccines and circulating viruses are absent. In this study, we designed, manufactured, and evaluated a nucleoside-modified lipid nanoparticle mRNA vaccine, aimed for offering broad-spectrum protection against recent SARS-CoV-2 variants. Additionally, the protection efficiency of monovalent, bivalent, quadrivalent, and XBB.1.5 mRNA vaccines was compared with the proposed universal vaccine. The neutralizing antibody activity against wuhan-1, BA.4/5, XBB.1.5, B.1.1.529, BQ.1.1, EG.5.1 and JN.1 was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, rapid fiber-optic biolayer interferometry-based biosensor, and pseudovirus neutralization test. Our results reveal that the proposed multivalent vaccine affords comprehensive protection against previously circulating, current and previously unidentified SARS-CoV-2 strains.
Small Fiber Neuropathy after COVID-19: A Key to Long COVID
Authors: McAlpine Lindsay S. , Zubair Adeel S. , Joseph Phillip , Spudich Serena S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjectivesReport a case series of new onset small fiber neuropathy (SFN) after COVID-19 treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). SFN is a critical objective finding in long COVID and amenable to treatment.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted on patients seen in the NeuroCOVID Clinic at Yale who developed new-onset SFN after a documented COVID-19 illness. We documented demographics, symptoms, treatments, diagnostics, and clinical response to treatment.ResultsSixteen patients were diagnosed with length dependent or independent SFN on skin biopsy (median age 47, 75% female, 75% Caucasian). Among the nine patients tested for autoantibodies, six were positive for either trisulfated heparin disaccharide (TS-HDS) or fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). Eight patients underwent treatment with IVIG and experience significant clinical improvement in their neuropathic symptoms. 92% of patients reported post-exertional malaise characteristic of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and six patients underwent invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET), which demonstrated neurovascular dysregulation and dysautonomia consistent with ME/CFS.DiscussionHere we present preliminary evidence that SFN is responsive to treatment with IVIG and linked with neurovascular dysregulation and dysautonomia. A larger clinical trial is indicated to further demonstrate the clinical utility of IVIG in treating post-infectious small fiber neuropathy.
Aperiodic neural activity is a biomarker for depression severity
Authors: Hacker C. , Mocchi M.M , Xiao J. , Metzger B.A. , Adkinson J.A. , Pascuzzi B.R. , Mathura R.C. , Oswalt D. , Watrous A. , Bartoli E. , Allawala A. , Pirtle V. , Fan X. , Danstrom I. , Shofty B. , Banks G. , Zhang Y. , Armenta-Salas M. , Mirpour K. , Provenza N. , Mathew S. , Cohn J. , Borton D. , Goodman W. , Pouratian N. , Sheth S.A. , Bijanki K.R. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA reliable physiological biomarker for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is necessary to improve treatment success rates by shoring up variability in outcome measures. In this study, we establish a passive biomarker that tracks with changes in mood on the order of minutes to hours. We record from intracranial electrodes implanted deep in the brain – a surgical setting providing exquisite temporal and spatial sensitivity to detect this relationship in a difficult-to-measure brain area, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC). The aperiodic slope of the power spectral density captures the balance of activity across all frequency bands and is construed as a putative proxy for excitatory/inhibitory balance in the brain. This study demonstrates how shifts in aperiodic slope correlate with depression severity in a clinical trial of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The correlation between depression severity scores and aperiodic slope is significant in N=5 subjects, indicating that flatter (less negative) slopes correspond to reduced depression severity, especially in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. This biomarker offers a new way to track patient response to MDD treatment, facilitating individualized therapies in both intracranial and non-invasive monitoring scenarios.One sentence summaryThe aperiodic component of the power spectral density robustly tracks depression severity on the order of minutes to hours.