bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribución mutación Braf según características epidemiológicas e histopatológicas en cáncer papilar de tiroides
Authors: Mendieta Álvarez Ximena Estefanía , Patiño Murillo Doménica Carolina , Bravo Muñoz Marx Ítalo 
Published: December 2023

Introducción: El cáncer de tiroides se posiciona como una de las neoplasias más prevalentes en Ecuador, manifestándose típicamente en la cuarta década de vida, con una mayor incidencia en mujeres. El subtipo histológico predominante es el papilar (CPT), y diversos estudios han evidenciado que hasta un 80% de los casos de CPT presentan la mutación BRAF. Esta mutación se ha asociado con factores de pronóstico desfavorable, como la presencia de metástasis ganglionares, estadíos tumorales avanzados, extensión extratiroidea y características histológicas agresivas. Además, se ha observado una relación con una mayor tasa de recurrencia y una respuesta reducida al tratamiento con yodo. Ante este contexto, esta investigación se propone analizar la distribución de la mutación BRAF según características epidemiológicas e histopatológicas en pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer papilar de tiroides en Ecuador.
Materiales y métodos: Este estudio se llevó a cabo de manera descriptiva y retrospectiva, abarcando a pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer papilar de tiroides a quienes se les practicó el análisis genético para la detección de la mutación BRAF. La muestra incluyó 106 historias clínicas que cumplían con los criterios de selección establecidos
Resultados: La evaluación de las historias clínicas reveló la presencia de la mutación BRAF en el 75% de los casos. Este porcentaje fue más elevado en mujeres, individuos mayores de 45 años y residentes en áreas urbanas. Respecto a la ocupación, la mayoría de los pacientes se dedicaba a labores de limpieza y no presentaban antecedentes personales de exposición a radiación ionizante ni antecedentes oncológicos familiares. El 84% se encontraba en la etapa clínica I, y en su mayoría, la neoplasia estaba localizada en el lóbulo tiroideo derecho.
Conclusión: Este análisis subraya la imperiosa necesidad de identificar los factores de riesgo vinculados con la aparición del carcinoma papilar de tiroides en la población ecuatoriana. Los resultados indican una prevalencia significativa de la mutación BRAF, lo que subraya su relevancia como marcador pronóstico en esta enfermedad. Estos hallazgos pueden contribuir a una mejor comprensión de la epidemiología y la patogenia del cáncer de tiroides, así como a la mejora de las estrategias de prevención y tratamiento en el ámbito local.
Discovering common pathogenetic processes between COVID-19 and tuberculosis by bioinformatics and system biology approach
Authors: Huang Tengda , He Jinyi , Zhou Xinyi , Pan Hongyuan , He Fang , Du Ao , Yu Bingxuan , Jiang Nan , Li Xiaoquan , Yuan Kefei , Wang Zhen 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, stemming from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has persistently threatened the global health system. Meanwhile, tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) still continues to be endemic in various regions of the world. There is a certain degree of similarity between the clinical features of COVID-19 and TB, but the underlying common pathogenetic processes between COVID-19 and TB are not well understood.MethodsTo elucidate the common pathogenetic processes between COVID-19 and TB, we implemented bioinformatics and systematic research to obtain shared pathways and molecular biomarkers. Here, the RNA-seq datasets (GSE196822 and GSE126614) are used to extract shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of COVID-19 and TB. The common DEGs were used to identify common pathways, hub genes, transcriptional regulatory networks, and potential drugs.ResultsA total of 96 common DEGs were selected for subsequent analyses. Functional enrichment analyses showed that viral genome replication and immune-related pathways collectively contributed to the development and progression of TB and COVID-19. Based on the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, we identified 10 hub genes, including IFI44L, ISG15, MX1, IFI44, OASL, RSAD2, GBP1, OAS1, IFI6, and HERC5. Subsequently, the transcription factor (TF)–gene interaction and microRNA (miRNA)–gene coregulatory network identified 61 TFs and 29 miRNAs. Notably, we identified 10 potential drugs to treat TB and COVID-19, namely suloctidil, prenylamine, acetohexamide, terfenadine, prochlorperazine, 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine, chlorophyllin, etoposide, clioquinol, and propofol.ConclusionThis research provides novel strategies and valuable references for the treatment of tuberculosis and COVID-19.
Comparing sputum microbiota characteristics between severe and critically ill influenza patients
Authors: Gu Zhixia , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhao Xue , Liu Tingting , Sheng Shugui , Song Rui , Jin Ronghua 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundCurrently, limited attention has been directed toward utilizing clinical cohorts as a starting point to elucidate alterations in the lower respiratory tract (LRT) microbiota following influenza A virus (IAV) infection.ObjectivesOur objective was to undertake a comparative analysis of the diversity and composition of sputum microbiota in individuals afflicted by severe and critically ill influenza patients.MethodsSputum specimens were procured from patients diagnosed with IAV infection for the purpose of profiling the microbiota using 16S-rDNA sequencing. To ascertain taxonomic differences between the severe and critically ill influenza cohorts, we leveraged Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe). Additionally, Spearman correlation analysis was employed to illuminate associations between sputum microbiota and influenza Ct values alongside laboratory indicators.ResultsOur study encompassed a total cohort of 64 patients, comprising 48 within the severe group and 16 within the critically ill group. Intriguingly, Bacteroidetes exhibited significant depletion in the critically ill cohort (p=0.031). The sputum microbiomes of the severe influenza group were hallmarked by an overrepresentation of Neisseria, Porphyromonas, Actinobacillus, Alloprevotella, TM7x, and Clostridia_UCG-014, yielding ROC-plot AUC values of 0.71, 0.68, 0.60, 0.70, 0.70, and 0.68, respectively. Notably, Alloprevotella exhibited an inverse correlation with influenza Ct values. Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP) manifested a positive correlation with Haemophilus and Porphyromonas.ConclusionThe outcomes of this investigation lay the groundwork for future studies delving into the connection between the LRT microbiome and respiratory disorders. Further exploration is warranted to elucidate the intricate mechanisms underlying the interaction between IAV and Alloprevotella, particularly in disease progression.
Knowledge, attitude and practice toward oral anticoagulants among patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Li Chang , Meng Yubo , Meng Xiaoping , Song Yuming 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are effective in reducing this risk. To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) toward OACs among patients with AF.MethodsThis web-based cross-sectional study was conducted at local Hospital between April 2023 and May 2023, and enrolled AF patients.ResultsA total of 491 valid questionnaires were collected, with 293 (59.67%) male and 73.93% resided in urban areas. The KAP scores were 4.64 ± 3.28, 21.09 ± 2.33 and 26.18 ± 2.15, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that junior high school [odd ratio (OR) = 0.346, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.145–0.825, P = 0.017], junior college/bachelor and above (OR = 6.545, 95% CI = 2.863–14.963, P &lt; 0.001), monthly income ≥5,000 (OR = 2.343, 95% CI = 1.074–5.111, P = 0.032), never taken OACs (OR = 0.015, 95% CI = 0.004–0.059, P &lt; 0.001), and having been diagnosed AF (6–10 months, OR = 4.003, 95% CI = 1.653–9.692, P = 0.002;over 20 months, OR = 4.046, 95% CI = 1.753–9.340, P = 0.001) were independently associated with knowledge. Knowledge (OR = 1.376, 95% CI = 1.162–1.629, P &lt; 0.001), junior high school (OR = 0.258, 95% CI = 0.084–0.792, P = 0.018), monthly income ≥5,000 (OR = 5.486, 95% CI = 1.834–16.412, P = 0.002), and never undergone AF ablation (OR = 0.214, 95% CI = 0.097–0.471, P &lt; 0.001) were independently associated with attitude. Knowledge (OR = 1.128, 95% CI = 1.030–1.235, P = 0.009), 70–79 years (OR = 2.193, 95% CI = 1.166–4.124, P = 0.015) and ≥80 years (OR = 4.375, 95% CI = 2.034–9.411, P &lt; 0.001) were independently associated with proactive practice.ConclusionPatients with AF had inadequate knowledge, suboptimal attitude and inactive practice towards AF and OACs. Improving patient education, especially among those with lower education levels, enhances understanding and management of AF and OACs.
A stronger association of depression with rheumatoid arthritis in presence of obesity and hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Shand Grayden , Fuller Daniel T. , Lufkin Leon , Lovelett Carly , Pal Nabendu , Mondal Sumona , Sur Shantanu 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic and systemic inflammation. Recent research underscores the role of chronic inflammation in multiple common RA comorbidities such as depression, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), suggesting a potential overlap of the pathogenic mechanisms for RA. However, it is not well understood how the coexistence of these comorbid conditions impacts the risk of RA and whether any such association relates to body's inflammatory state.MethodsWe used data from the 2007-2010 United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database and compared RA prevalence between subsamples with the presence of any two conditions among depression, obesity, and hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). Each subsample was further divided into three categories based on the serum level of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and analyzed for statistically significant differences using three-way χ2 tests of independence.ResultsThe study was conducted on 4,136 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (representing 163,540,241 individuals after adjustment for sampling weights). Rates of depression, obesity, and HTG were found to be significantly higher (P &lt; 0.001) among the subjects with RA compared with the control population with no arthritis. The presence of depression along with obesity or HTG showed a noticeably higher RA prevalence but such an association was not observed for the combination of obesity and HTG. The synergistic effect of HTG with depression was found to be most prominent at a medium CRP level (1–3 mg/L), while for obesity, the effect was observed across all CRP levels examined. These findings were further confirmed by the three-way χ2 test for independence.ConclusionsThe presence of obesity or HTG in subjects suffering from depression might pose an increased risk of RA. Inflammatory mechanisms potentially play an important underlying role as suggested by the strong dependency of the association to CRP level. Identification of synergistic associations between RA risk conditions could provide useful information to predict the development and progress of RA.
Evolution and zoning of spatial ecosystem functional stability in the southern hilly region of China: a “structure–function” perspective
Authors: Li Peijin , Liao Yixin , Huang Chen , Yi Lang , Xie Linglin 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionA series of significant ecological construction projects in the southern hilly region have brought about substantial changes to the ecological status and comprehensive zoning of the region. Hunan Province, with its strategic significance, was chosen as a representative research subject in the southern hilly region.MethodsWe conducted a dynamic evaluation of the ecological status change and comprehensive zoning of Hunan Province from a structure–function perspective by applying the transfer matrix, Theil-Sen, Mann-Kendall, and ecosystem service trade-offs or synergies methods. The research goal was to integrate and harmonize structural complexity and functional diversification, providing valuable insights for optimizing both ecological background and territorial background.ResultsThe main results are as follows: (1) The structural changes of ecosystems were mainly concentrated in settlement and Cropland ecosystems. While the area of bulti-up ecosystems has increased significantly, from 1.34% in 2000 to 2.72% in 2020. Cropland ecosystems marking a decrease of 1.39%, with a continued conversion of Cropland into construction land ecosystems. (2) Ecosystem function changes have introduced instability. Over time, NPP exhibited an oscillating trend of increase followed by a decrease. Spatially, there was a sharp decline in peripheral building land, and the regions of declining NPP displayed a lateral U-shaped distribution. (3) The overall trend in ecosystem service changes was positive. Quantitatively, GP and CS experienced an ascending-then-decreasing pattern, while HQ showed a weak decline and WY increased annually. At the county scale, there was noticeable spatial heterogeneity. Human socio-economic activities and environmental protection policies exert a significant impact on the ecological conditions within the study area. (4) Regarding the national territory space function partition, urban functional zones have primarily catered to residential functions and were mainly distributed in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan area.DiscussionEcological functional zones were mainly centered on ecological functions, and most were located in the mountainous areas of western and southern Hunan Province. The agricultural function areas were mainly to serve production functions and were mainly located in the Dongting Lake Plain, the nearshore plain of the mainstream and tributary systems of the rivers of Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li. In general, the changes in ecosystem structure and function in the study area reflect changes in ecological conditions. In the future, ecosystem diversity, stability, and sustainability should be improved from an integrated structure–function perspective.
Vaccine induced memory CD8+ T cells efficiently prevent viral transmission from the respiratory tract
Authors: Zhou Jinglin , Uddback Ida , Kohlmeier Jacob E. , Christensen Jan Pravsgaard , Thomsen Allan Randrup 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionMucosal immunization eliciting local T-cell memory has been suggested for improved protection against respiratory infections caused by viral variants evading pre-existing antibodies. However, it remains unclear whether T-cell targeted vaccines suffice for prevention of viral transmission and to which extent local immunity is important in this context.MethodsTo study the impact of T-cell vaccination on the course of viral respiratory infection and in particular the capacity to inhibit viral transmission, we used a mouse model involving natural murine parainfluenza infection with a luciferase encoding virus and an adenovirus based nucleoprotein targeting vaccine.Results and discussionPrior intranasal immunization inducing strong mucosal CD8+ T cell immunity provided an almost immediate shut-down of the incipient infection and completely inhibited contact based viral spreading. If this first line of defense did not operate, as in parentally immunized mice, recirculating T cells participated in accelerated viral control that reduced the intensity of inter-individual transmission. These observations underscore the importance of pursuing the development of mucosal T-cell inducing vaccines for optimal protection of the individual and inhibition of inter-individual transmission (herd immunity), while at the same time explain why induction of a strong systemic T-cell response may still impact viral transmission.
Agreement, repeatability, and reproducibility of quantitative retinal layer assessment using swept-source and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in eyes with retinal diseases
Authors: Hou Huiyuan , Durbin Mary K. , El-Nimri Nevin , Fischer Jeffrey L. , Sadda Srinivas R. 
Published: December 2023

PurposeTo evaluate the agreement and precision of retinal thickness measurements obtained using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) in healthy eyes and eyes with retinopathy.MethodsThis cross-sectional prospective study involved three DRI-OCT Triton (SS-OCT) and three 3D-OCT-1 Maestro (SD-OCT) devices. One of each device (Maestro and Triton) was paired with a single operator. Healthy subjects and patients with retinal diseases were recruited, with study eye and testing order randomized. At least 3 scans per eye were captured for wide scan (12 mm × 9 mm-Triton and Maestro) and macular cube scan (7 mm × 7 mm-Triton, 6 mm × 6 mm-Maestro). Thickness of the full retina, ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCL+), and ganglion cell complex (GCL++) were obtained from wide scan and cube scans. Agreement of the measurements between the Triton and Maestro was evaluated by Bland–Altman analysis and Deming regression for each group. Repeatability and reproducibility were assessed using a two-way random effect analysis of variance (ANOVA) model for each parameter by group.ResultsTwenty-five healthy subjects (25 eyes) and 26 patients with retinal diseases (26 eyes), including, but not limited to, age-related macular degeneration, macular hole, and diabetic retinopathy were recruited. Overall, the measurement differences between Triton and Maestro were &lt;6 μm (mean differences of full retina, GCL++, and GCL+ thickness were ≤5.5 μm, 1.3 μm, and 2.8 μm, respectively) and not statistically significant across the parameters. The repeatability and reproducibility estimates indicate high precision in both devices and groups. Across all the parameters, the repeatability limit was ≤7.6 μm for Triton and ≤12.7 μm for Maestro; reproducibility limit was ≤9.2 μm for Triton and ≤14.4 μm for Maestro. In eyes with retinal pathology, the repeatability coefficient of variation (CV)% was ≤2.6% for Triton and ≤3.4% for Maestro; reproducibility CV% was ≤3.3% for Triton and ≤3.5% for Maestro.ConclusionBoth Triton SS-OCT and Maestro SD-OCT provide reliable measurements of retinal thickness in healthy eyes and eyes with retinal diseases. Excellent agreement between the two devices indicates interoperability when testing healthy eyes or eyes with retinal pathology. These findings support the use of thickness measurements from Triton SS-OCT and Maestro SD-OCT in clinical practice.
Baseline demographics and disease characteristics of patients with episodic or chronic cluster headache: data from two phase 3 randomized clinical trials in Europe and North America
Authors: Jensen Rigmor Hoejland , Tassorelli Cristina , Myers Oakes Tina M. , Bardos Jennifer N. , Zhou Chunmei , Dong Yan , Aurora Sheena K. , Martinez James M. 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTwo phase 3 galcanezumab trials were conducted in Europe and North America to analyze the reduction of weekly cluster headache (CH) attack frequency in populations with episodic and chronic CH. The current study aims to illustrate prospectively recorded baseline clinical data from these trials and to identify possible predictors of response.MethodsPatients (aged 18–65 years) met The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition-beta criteria for CH. Attacks were evaluated using an electronic headache diary for 7-day (episodic) or 14-day (chronic) eligibility assessments before patients were randomized 1:1 to monthly subcutaneous galcanezumab 300 mg or placebo.ResultsData were collected from 106 patients with episodic and 237 with chronic CH. Overall, the mean age [standard deviation] was 45.4 [11.0] years; patients were predominantly White (84.5%), male (75.8%), and European (77.6%). Patients with episodic CH reported 17.5 [10.0] attacks/week; patients with chronic CH reported 18.8 [10.2] attacks/week. The average pain severity score (range 0–4) was 2.5 [0.7] for episodic CH and 2.7 [0.7] for chronic CH. Higher attack frequency was a possible predictor of response to galcanezumab; potential negative predictors of response were greater attack severity and duration.ConclusionThis large dataset of patients with CH provides reliable systematically and prospectively collected information on disease characteristics. The analysis in episodic CH underscores potential predictors of response worth considering for future CH trial design.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers: NCT02397473 and NCT02438826.
Association of self-efficacy, risk attitudes, and time preferences with functioning in older patients with vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders in a tertiary care setting—Results from the MobilE-TRA2 cohort
Authors: Katzenberger Benedict , Fuchs Sebastian , Schwettmann Lars , Strobl Ralf , Hauser Ari , Koller Daniela , Grill Eva 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe functional burden of vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems (VDB) might depend on the personality traits of the patients affected. The aim of this study thus was to investigate the impact of self-efficacy, risk attitudes, and time preferences on functioning in older patients with VDB before and after treatment in a specialized tertiary care center.MethodsData for this study was obtained from the MobilE-TRA2 cohort study, conducted at a specialized tertiary care center in Germany. Patients aged 60 and older were assessed during their initial stay at the care center and 3 months later, using self-administered questionnaires. Self-efficacy was measured on a scale from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high). Health-related risk attitudes were inquired using an 11-point scale. Time preferences were measured by evaluating patients' willingness to postpone a reward in favor of a greater benefit on an 11-point Likert scale. Functioning was evaluated using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, representing functional, emotional, and physical aspects of functional disability caused by VDB. Mixed-effects regression models were used to analyze the association between the selected personality traits and functioning over time. Interaction terms with time were incorporated for each personality trait, enabling the assessment of their influence on functioning 3 months following the initial observation period.ResultsAn overall of 337 patients (53% women, median age at baseline = 70 years) were included. Patients with higher self-efficacy (Beta = −3.82, 95%-CI [−6.56; −1.08]) and higher willingness to take risks (Beta = −1.31, 95%-CI [−2.31; −0.31]) reported better functioning during their initial visit at the care center. Self-efficacy significantly predicted functioning after 3 months for overall functioning (Beta = −4.21, 95%-CI [−6.57; −1.84]) and all three domains.ConclusionOur findings suggest that patients with high self-efficacy and high willingness to take risks may exhibit better coping mechanisms when faced with the challenges of VDB. Promoting self-efficacy may help patients to better manage the duties accompanying their treatment, leading to improved functioning. These insights may inform the development of personalized treatment aimed at reducing the functional burden of VDB in older patients.