bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipids, cholesterols, statins and liver cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liang Zicheng , Zhang Zhen , Tan Xiaoning , Zeng Puhua 
Published: September 2023

AimTo investigate the causal relationship of serum lipid indicators and lipid-lowering drugs with the risk of liver cancer using Mendelian randomization study.MethodsA two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) study was performed to investigate the causal relationship between serum levels of lipid indicators and liver cancer, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1).Furthermore, instrumental variable weighted regression (IVW) and summary data-based MR (SMR) analyses were performed to investigate the causal effects of lipid-lowering drugs, including statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, on the risk of liver cancer.ResultsSerum LDL-c and serum TC levels showed negatively associated with liver cancer (n = 22 SNPs, OR = 0.363, 95% CI = 0.231 - 0.570; p = 1.070E-5) (n = 83 SNPs; OR = 0.627, 95% CI = 0.413-0.952; p = 0.028). However, serum levels of TG, HDL-c, and ApoA1 did not show any significant correlation with liver cancer. In the drug target MR (DMR) analyses, HMGCR–mediated level of LDL-c showed an inverse relationship with the risk of liver cancer in the IVW-MR analysis (n = 5 SNPs, OR = 0.201, 95% CI = 0.064 - 0.631; p = 5.95E-03) and SMR analysis (n = 20 SNPs, OR = 0.245, 95% CI = 0.065 - 0.926; p = 0.038) However, PCSK9 did not show any significant association with liver cancer based on both the IVW-MR and SMR analyses.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that reduced levels of LDL-c and TC were associated with an increased risk of liver cancer. Furthermore, lipid-lowering drugs targeting HMGCR such as statins were associated with increased risk of liver cancer.
Intact cord resuscitation in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: insights from a lamb model
Authors: Teillet Baptiste , Manœuvrier Florian , Rougraff Céline , Besengez Capucine , Bernard Laure , Wojtanowski Anne , Ghesquieres Louise , Storme Laurent , Mur Sébastien , Sharma Dyuti , Le Duc Kévin 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionCongenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare condition characterized by pulmonary hypoplasia, vascular dystrophy, and pulmonary hypertension at birth. Validation of the lamb model as an accurate representation of human CDH is essential to translating research findings into clinical practice and understanding disease mechanisms. This article emphasizes the importance of validating the lamb model to study CDH pathogenesis and develop innovative therapeutics.Material and methodsAt 78 days of gestation, the fetal lamb's left forelimb was exposed through a midline laparotomy and hysterotomy, and a supra diaphragmatic thoracotomy was performed to allow the digestive organs to ascend into the thoracic cavity. At 138 ± 3 days of gestation, lambs were delivered via a cesarean section; then, with umbilical cord intact during 1 hour, the lambs were mechanically ventilated with gentle ventilation in a pressure-controlled mode for 2 h.ResultsCDH lambs exhibited a lower left lung-to-body weight ratio of 5.3 (2.03), p &lt; 0.05, and right lung-to-body weight ratio of 8.2 (3.1), p &lt; 0.05. They reached lower Vt/kg (tidal volume per kg) during the course of the resuscitation period with 1.2 (0.7) ml/kg at 10 min and 3 (1.65) ml/kg at 60 min (p &lt; 0.05). Compliance of the respiratory system was lower in CDH lambs with 0.5 (0.3) ml/cmH2O at 60 min (p &lt; 0.05) and 0.9 (0.26) ml/cmH2O at 120 min (p &lt; 0.05). Differences between pre- and postductal SpO2 were higher with 15.1% (21.4%) at 20 min and 6.7% (14.5%) at 80 min (p &lt; 0.05). CDH lambs had lower differences between inspired and expired oxygen fractions with 4.55% (6.84%) at 20 min and 6.72% (8.57%) at 60 min (p &lt; 0.05). CDH lamb had lower left ventricle [2.73 (0.5) g/kg, p &lt; 0.05] and lower right ventricle [0.69 (0.8), p &lt; 0.05] to left ventricle ratio.DiscussionCDH lambs had significantly lower tidal volume than control lambs due to lower compliance of the respiratory system and higher airway resistance. These respiratory changes are characteristic of CDH infants and are associated with higher mortality rates. CDH lambs also exhibited pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary hypoplasia, and left ventricle hypoplasia, consistent with observations in human newborns. To conclude, our lamb model successfully provides a reliable representation of CDH and can be used to study its pathophysiology and potential interventions.
Thrombosis of portal, superior mesenteric, and splenic veins: a case report
Authors: Soghomonyan N. , Khachatryan H. , Soghomonyan G. , Fleming Q. 
Published: September 2023

Patients with venous thrombosis of splanchnic circulation represent a group of high risk with significant morbidity and mortality, if treatment is delayed. We present a patient with thrombosis of portal vein and its tributaries combined with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities who was successfully treated with conservative management. This patient case highlights the importance of early empiric anti-inflammatory therapy along with systemic anticoagulation to reduce the intestinal inflammation and enteritis and break the vicious circuit resulting in secondary progressive thrombosis of the splanchnic veins, fluid shifts, and functional ileus. Case presentation: A previously healthy 61-years-old female patient with no significant medical history was admitted with progressive upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, low-grade fever, mild signs of ileus, and malaise. Imaging studies revealed portal venous dilation reaching ∼20 mm with near-total obliteration of the lumen by a thrombus. In addition, thrombosis of superior mesenteric and splenic veins with thrombophlebitis was found. Imaging studies also confirmed the presence of DVT of lower extremities including thrombus propagation into the iliac veins. An immediate therapy was started with parenteral antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, systemic anticoagulants, and intravenous fluid infusions to restore the circulating volume deficit and treat electrolyte disbalance. With such therapy, the patient’s symptoms resolved within a month, and she was discharged from the hospital with full recovery. Heparin infusion was started to reach systemic anticoagulation. With resolution of symptoms, anticoagulation was continued with warfarin. We used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a component in management of intestinal and systemic inflammation and multifocal thrombosis when the antiphospholipid syndrome was also on the list of differential diagnoses. Conclusion: We present a previously asymptomatic patient with progressive portal venous thrombosis and ascending DVT. Early establishment of diagnosis and initiation of therapy with systemic anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs helped to stop thrombus progression, prevent irreversible intestinal ischemia, and allow for re-canalization of the occluded veins. This case highlights the importance of early interventions to improve the treatment outcome.
Exploration of potential novel drug targets and biomarkers for small cell lung cancer by plasma proteome screening
Authors: Wu Yijun , Wang Zhile , Yang Yuqi , Han Chang , Wang Li , Kang Kai , Zhao Ailin 
Published: September 2023

Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by extreme invasiveness and lethality. There have been very few developments in its diagnosis and treatment over the past decades. It is urgently needed to explore potential novel biomarkers and drug targets for SCLC.Methods: Two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) was performed to investigate causal associations between SCLC and plasma proteins using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics of SCLC from Transdisciplinary Research Into Cancer of the Lung Consortium (nCase = 2,791 vs. nControl = 20,580), and was validated in another cohort (nCase = 2,664 vs. nControl = 21,444). 734 plasma proteins and their genetic instruments of cis-acting protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were used, whereas external plasma proteome data was retrieved from deCODE database. Bidirectional MR, Steiger filtering and phenotype scanning were applied to further verify the associations.Results: Seven significant (p &lt; 6.81 × 10−5) plasma protein-SCLC pairs were identified by MR analysis, including ACP5 (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67–0.86), CPB2 (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86–0.95), GSTM3 (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.33–0.63), SHMT1 (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.64–0.86), CTSB (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.71–0.88), NTNG1 (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74–0.90) and FAM171B (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.21–1.62). The external validation confirmed that CPB2, GSTM3 and NTNG1 had protective effects against SCLC, while FAM171B increased SCLC risk. However, the reverse causality analysis revealed that SCLC caused significant changes in plasma levels of most of these proteins, including decreases of ACP5, CPB2, GSTM3 and NTNG1, and the increase of FAM171B.Conclusion: This integrative analysis firstly suggested the causal associations between SCLC and plasma proteins, and the identified several proteins may be promising novel drug targets or biomarkers for SCLC.
A deep learning-based approach for rectus abdominis segmentation and distance measurement in ultrasonography
Authors: Wang Fei , Mao Rongsong , Yan Laifa , Ling Shan , Cai Zhenyu 
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a common condition in postpartum women. Measuring the distance between separated rectus abdominis (RA) in ultrasound images is a reliable method for the diagnosis of this disease. In clinical practice, the RA distance in multiple ultrasound images of a patient is measured by experienced sonographers, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and highly dependent on experience of operators. Therefore, an objective and fully automatic technique is highly desired to improve the DRA diagnostic efficiency. This study aimed to demonstrate the deep learning-based methods on the performance of RA segmentation and distance measurement in ultrasound images.Methods: A total of 675 RA ultrasound images were collected from 94 postpartum women, and were split into training (448 images), validation (86 images), and test (141 images) datasets. Three segmentation models including U-Net, UNet++ and Res-UNet were evaluated on their performance of RA segmentation and distance measurement.Results: Res-UNet model outperformed the other two models with the highest Dice score (85.93% ± 0.26%), the highest MIoU score (76.00% ± 0.39%) and the lowest Hausdorff distance (21.80 ± 0.76 mm). The average physical distance between RAs measured from the segmentation masks generated by Res-UNet and that measured by experienced sonographers was only 3.44 ± 0.16 mm. In addition, these two measurements were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.944), with no systematic difference.Conclusion: Deep learning model Res-UNet has good reliability in RA segmentation and distance measurement in ultrasound images, with great potential in the clinical diagnosis of DRA.
Paired growth of cultivated and halophytic wild rice under salt stress induces bacterial endophytes and gene expression responses
Authors: Tasnim Anika , Jahan Israt , Azim Tomalika , Karmoker Dola , Seraj Zeba I. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionUtilizing salt-affected marginal lands in coastal regions can help meet the growing demand for rice. We explored a nature-based solution involving wild halophytic rice (O. coarctata, Oc) and commercial rice BRRI Dhan 67 (O. sativa, Os) grown in close proximity to each other under salt stress.MethodsThis was to investigate whether a paired planting strategy could help complement rice growth and yield under stress. We also investigated the gene expression and endophytic bacterial profiles of both Os and Oc in unpaired and paired conditions without and with salt.ResultsPaired plants exhibited lower salt damage indicators such as smaller reduction in plant height, electrolyte leakage and chlorophyll loss, as well as higher K+/Na+ ratio under saline stress. Some of the 39 endophytic bacteria in the mutualism experiment were unique to Oc and transferred to Os when paired. Differentially expressed genes in leaves of paired Os versus unpaired Os were 1097 (994 up-regulated, 101 down-regulated) without salt and 893 (763 up-regulated, 130 down-regulated) under salt stress. The presence of Oc plants under salt stress influenced major biological processes in Os, including oxidative stress; chitinase activity; phenylalanine catabolic process and response to ABA. Protein binding and serine/threonine kinase activity were primarily affected in molecular function. The downregulated WRKY transcription factor 22 in paired conditions under salt stress played a role in the MAPK signaling pathway, reducing respiratory cell death. The upregulated auxin-responsive protein IAA18 gene, involved in hormone signaling and cell enlargement, was present only in paired plants.DiscussionOur findings therefore, offer insights into developing more effective cultivation strategies for sustainable rice production.
The dyadic regulation approach of coping and illness representations in female cancer patients and their partners
Authors: Giannousi Zoe , Thomadakis Christoforos , Karademas Evangelos C. , Paschali Antonia 
Published: September 2023

PurposeAdjustment to any illness is a ‘dyadic' process whereby patients and their partners mutually determine each other's perceptions, behaviours, and well-being. The present study explored the association between dyadic coping strategies and illness representations in newly diagnosed female cancer patients and their partners.MethodsThe sample consisted of 92 female cancer patient-partner pairs from 3 oncology hospitals in Greece and Cyprus. The Actor Partner Interdependence Model was applied to test for dyadic regulation effects.ResultsThe findings revealed that patients' evaluations of dyadic coping were related to their own illness representations and, in some cases, to partners' illness representations of control. However, partner evaluations of dyadic coping were not associated with either patients' or their own illness representations. Relationship satisfaction did not moderate the relationship between dyadic coping and illness representations.ImplicationsThe study suggests that patients' perceptions of support provided by themselves and their partners play a significant role in shaping their illness representations. Future research could delve into the underlying reasons for the observed differences in the impact of dyadic coping on illness representations between patients and partners, considering factors such as gender roles and specific gender-related issues.
Search for serum biomarkers in patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder using metabolome analysis
Authors: Sun Xiao-Li , Ma Li-Na , Chen Zhen-Zhu , Xiong Yan-Bing , Jia Jiao , Wang Yu , Ren Yan 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveBipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are two common psychiatric disorders. Due to the overlapping clinical symptoms and the lack of objective diagnostic biomarkers, bipolar disorder (BD) is easily misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), which in turn affects treatment decisions and prognosis. This study aimed to investigate biomarkers that could be used to differentiate BD from MDD.MethodsNuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was performed to assess serum metabolic profiles in depressed patients with BD (n = 59), patients with MDD (n = 14), and healthy controls (n = 10). Data was analyzed using partial least squares discriminant analysis, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and t-tests. Different metabolites (VIP &gt; 1 and p &lt; 0.05) were identified and further analyzed using Metabo Analyst 5.0 to identify relevant metabolic pathways.ResultsThe metabolic phenotypes of the BD and MDD groups were significantly different from those of the healthy controls, and there were different metabolite differences between them. In the BD group, the levels of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, n-acetyl glycoprotein, β-glucose, pantothenic acid, mannose, glycerol, and lipids were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group, and the levels of lactate and acetoacetate were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group. In the MDD group, the levels of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, n-acetyl glycoprotein, pyruvate, choline, acetoacetic acid, and lipids were significantly higher than those of healthy controls, and the levels of acetic acid and glycerol were significantly lower than those of healthy controls.ConclusionGlycerolipid metabolism is significantly involved in BD and MDD. Pyruvate metabolism is significantly involved in MDD. Pyruvate, choline, and acetate may be potential biomarkers for MDD to distinguish from BD, and pantothenic acid may be a potential biomarker for BD to distinguish from MDD.
Association between maternal rheumatoid arthritis and small for gestational age neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tian Lv , Zhang Zhiyuan , Mao Yuting , Zong Minru 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundAccording to reports, maternal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been suggested as a possible adverse factor for developing small for gestational age (SGA) in offspring. However, some studies have also indicated a need for a more statistically significant association between the two. Understanding the relationship between maternal RA and the risk of SGA is crucial for identifying potential adverse outcomes and implementing appropriate interventions. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the association between maternal RA and the risk of offspring developing SGA.MethodsThis study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (ID: CRD42022357590). A systematic literature search was conducted to identify eligible studies up to August 2022. Quality assessment was performed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The Q test and I2 test tested and estimated heterogeneity among studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI were calculated using random or fixed effects models depending on the heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias assessments were also performed.ResultsSeven studies, including 12,323,918 participants, were included in the analysis. The results showed a statistically significant association between maternal RA and SGA (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.29–2.23, p &lt; 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed stable results. The funnel plot of the symmetric distribution and the results of Begg’s and Egger’s tests showed no publication bias.ConclusionMaternal RA is associated with an increased risk of SGA in offspring. However, more studies are still needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying maternal RA and SGA association.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier [CRD42022357590].
Sex-related differences in the impact of nutritional status on length of hospital stay in atrial fibrillation: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kwaśny Adrian , Łokieć Katarzyna , Uchmanowicz Bartosz , Młynarska Agnieszka , Smereka Jacek , Czapla Michał 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundNutritional status is related to the length of hospitalization of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic impact of nutritional status and body mass index on length of hospital stay (LOHS) among patients with AF relative to their sex.MethodsA retrospective analysis of the medical records of 1,342 patients admitted urgently with a diagnosis of AF (ICD10: I48) to the Cardiology Department (University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland) between January 2017 and June 2021.ResultsIn the study group, women were significantly older than men (72.94 ± 9.56 vs. 65.11 ± 12.68, p &lt; 0.001). In an unadjusted linear regression model, malnutrition risk was a significant independent predictor of prolonged hospitalization in men (B = 1.95, p = 0.003) but not in women. In the age-adjusted linear regression model, malnutrition risk was a significant independent predictor of prolonged hospitalization in men (B = 1.843, p = 0.005) but not in women. In the model adjusted for age and comorbidities, malnutrition risk was a significant independent predictor of prolonged hospitalization in men only (B = 1.285, p = 0.043). In none of the models was BMI score a predictor of LOHS in either sex.ConclusionThe risk of malnutrition directly predicts the length of hospital stays in men but not women. The study did not find a relationship between body mass index and length of hospital stay in both women and men.
Construction of healthy aging index from two different datasets
Authors: Miķelsone Madara , Reine Ieva , Tomsone Signe , Guðmundsson Helgi , Ivanovs Andrejs , Guðmundsson Halldór S. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThe aging population presents both unique challenges and opportunities for societies around the world. To develop an effective healthy aging strategy, a tool for assessing aging process is needed. Numerous attempts to quantify the aging process have been made. However, there is still a challenge in developing and choosing a good enough score that is easy to apply, has a construct of variables that are available in most nationwide surveys for comparable results, and at the same time reflects the aging process of older individuals. The purpose of this study is to present our approach to construct a comparable Healthy Aging Index (HAI).Materials and methodsIn Latvia, data from Wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), involving 420 respondents, were used. For comparative analysis, data from a HL20 study on the health and wellbeing of the older adults in Iceland, which included 1,033 respondents, were used.ResultsFor Latvia, 13 items were selected, and for Iceland, nine items were selected. We constructed the HAI with four similar subscales for both countries—“Autonomy,” “Health,” “Wellbeing,” and “Activities,” and an additional subscale “Cognitive” for Latvia. We found matching items in all four subscales. For the Autonomy subscale, they were related to difficulties with everyday and daily tasks. In the Health subscale, the only matching item was self-rated physical health. One item related to loneliness was found for the Wellbeing subscale and one item related to social participation for the Activities subscale.DiscussionIn our study, we found evidence for the successful construction of a HAI in two different datasets. The strength of our construct lies in the use of data from one of the largest social science panel studies in Europe (SHARE). As we were able to apply the construct to the Icelandic study, we believe that items presented in our approach are available in other population-based studies as well, and, therefore, can be easily replicated by others. By examining the existing SHARE data, HAI could be used to analyze long-term changes and could provide a foundation for comparing and monitoring the evolution of aging over time as well as comparing the aging process across societies. This is required for the authorities to conduct further analyses, proposals, and action plans in support of healthy aging.