bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic and functional effects of continuous azithromycin treatment in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and frequent exacerbations
Authors: Cuevas Ester , Huertas Daniel , Montón Concepción , Marin Alicia , Carrera-Salinas Anna , Pomares Xavier , García-Nuñez Marian , Martí Sara , Santos Salud 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundContinuous treatment with azithromycin may lead to fewer acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), but little is known of its impact on systemic and functional outcomes in real-life settings.MethodsThis was a multicenter prospective observational study of patients with severe COPD who started treatment with azithromycin. Tests were compared at baseline and after 3 and 12 months of treatment. These included lung function tests, a 6-min walking test (6MWT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of serum and sputum markers, such as interleukins (IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL-5), tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), and inflammatory markers. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported.ResultsOf the 478 eligible patients, the 42 who started azithromycin experienced reductions in AECOPDs (IRR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.26–0.45) and hospitalizations (IRR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.28–0.49). Treatment was also associated with significant improvement in the partial arterial pressure of oxygen (9.2 mmHg, 95% CI 1.4–16.9) at 12 months. While TNFR2 was reduced significantly in both serum and sputum samples, IL-13 and IL-6 were only significantly reduced in serum samples. Moreover, an elevated serum and sputum IL-8 level significantly predicted good clinical response to treatment.ConclusionContinuous azithromycin treatment in a cohort of patients with severe COPD and frequent exacerbations can significantly reduce the number and severity of exacerbations and improve gas exchange. Treatment changes the pattern of microorganism isolates and decreases the inflammatory response. Of note, IL-8 may have utility as a predictor of clinical response to azithromycin treatment.
Mucolytic treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis in a murine model of primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Yin Weining , Golliher Hannah L. , Ferguson Amy J. , Kimbell Julia S. , Livraghi-Butrico Alessandra , Rogers Troy D. , Grubb Barbara R. , Kimple Adam J. , Ostrowski Lawrence E. 
Published: July 2023

Background: Genetic defects in motile cilia cause primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare disease with no specific therapeutics. Individuals with PCD often have impaired fertility and laterality defects and universally suffer from upper and lower airway diseases. Chronic rhinosinusitis is a universal feature of PCD, and mucus accumulation and subsequent infections of the sinonasal cavity cause significant morbidity in individuals with PCD. Despite this, there are no approved treatments that specifically target mucus.Objective: The goals of this study were to determine whether computed tomography (CT) imaging could be used to quantify mucus accumulation and whether the use of a mucolytic agent to reduce disulfide cross-links present in mucins would improve the effectiveness of nasal lavage at removing mucus in a murine model of PCD.Methods: Adult mice with a deletion of the axonemal dynein Dnaic1 were imaged using CT scanning to characterize mucus accumulation. The animals were then treated by nasal lavage with saline, with/without the disulfide-reducing agent tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine. Post-treatment CT scans were used to quantify improvement in the sinonasal cavity.Results: Mucus accumulation in the nasal cavity was readily quantified by CT. Compared to sham-treated control animals, nasal lavage with/without a mucolytic agent resulted in a significant reduction of accumulated mucus (p &lt; 0.01). Treatment with the mucolytic agent showed a greater reduction of accumulated mucus than treatment with saline alone.Conclusion: The results suggest that inclusion of a mucolytic agent may increase the effectiveness of nasal lavage at reducing mucus burden in PCD.
Incidence and prevalence of traumatic spinal cord injury in Canada using health administrative data
Authors: Thorogood Nancy P. , Noonan Vanessa K. , Chen Xiaozhi , Fallah Nader , Humphreys Suzanne , Dea Nicolas , Kwon Brian K. , Dvorak Marcel F. 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionIncidence and prevalence data are needed for the planning, funding, delivery and evaluation of injury prevention and health care programs. The objective of this study was to estimate the Canadian traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) incidence, prevalence and trends over time using national-level health administrative data.MethodsICD-10 CA codes were used to identify the cases for the hospital admission and discharge incidence rates of TSCI in Canada from 2005 to 2016. Provincial estimates were calculated using the location of the admitting facility. Age and sex-specific incidence rates were set to the 2015/2016 rates for the 2017 to 2019 estimates. Annual incidence rates were used as input for the prevalence model that applied annual survivorship rates derived from life expectancy data.ResultsFor 2019, it was estimated that there were 1,199 cases (32.0 per million) of TSCI admitted to hospitals, with 123 (10% of admissions) in-hospital deaths and 1,076 people with TSCI (28.7 per million) were discharged in Canada. The estimated number of people living with TSCI was 30,239 (804/million); 15,533 (52%) with paraplegia and 14,706 (48%) with tetraplegia. Trends included an increase in the number of people injured each year from 874 to 1,199 incident cases (37%), an older average age at injury rising from 46.6 years to 54.3 years and a larger proportion over the age of 65 changing from 22 to 38%, during the 15-year time frame.ConclusionThis study provides a standard method for calculating the incidence and prevalence of TSCI in Canada using national-level health administrative data. The estimates are conservative based on the limitations of the data but represent a large Canadian sample over 15 years, which highlight national trends. An increasing number of TSCI cases among the elderly population due to falls reported in this study can inform health care planning, prevention strategies, and future research.
Causes and outcomes of revision surgery in subjects with pulsatile tinnitus
Authors: Shim Ye Ji , Lee Hanju , Park Sung-Min , Kim Dohee , Koo Ja-Won , Song Jae-Jin 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionOnce the underlying pathology has been identified, pulsatile tinnitus (PT) can be treated successfully with surgical or interventional management. However, some patients experience residual or recurrent symptoms following initially successful surgical treatment, and require revision surgery or additional procedures. Here, we report a case series of patients who had undergone revision surgery or interventional treatment, and suggest possible ways of minimizing the need for revision.MethodsBetween January 2014 and March 2023, a total of seven subjects underwent revision surgery or interventional treatment for persistent or recurrent PT after initial surgical treatment. Demographic data, reasons for revision, and changes in symptoms before and after revision were analyzed retrospectively. Temporal bone computed tomographic angiography images were reviewed to identify the causes and reasons for revision.ResultsOf the seven subjects, six underwent sigmoid sinus (SS) resurfacing/reshaping due to ipsilateral diverticulum (Div) or dehiscence (Deh), and one underwent jugular bulb (JB) resurfacing due to a high-riding JB with bony Deh. Of the five subjects who underwent revision SS surgery due to recurrent SS-Div or SS-Deh, three showed marked resolution of PT, while the other two showed partial improvement of the symptoms. One subject who underwent revision JB resurfacing, and another who underwent additional transarterial embolization for a concurrent ipsilateral dural arteriovenous fistula, reported marked improvement of PT.DiscussionThe possibility of recurrence should be taken into account when performing surgical intervention in patients with PT. The likelihood of recurrence can be minimized through a comprehensive evaluation to identify possible multiple etiologies, and through the use of durable materials and appropriate surgical methods.
Golden ratio and self-similarity in swimming: breast-stroke and the back-stroke
Authors: Verrelli Cristiano M. , Romagnoli Cristian , Colistra Nicolò , Ferretti Ivo , Annino Giuseppe , Bonaiuto Vincenzo , Manzi Vincenzo 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionDynamics-on-graph concepts and generalized finite-length Fibonacci sequences have been used to characterize, from a temporal point of view, both human walking &amp; running at a comfortable speed and front-crawl &amp; butterfly swimming strokes at a middle/long distance pace. Such sequences, in which the golden ratio plays a crucial role to describe self-similar patterns, have been found to be subtly experimentally exhibited by healthy (but not pathological) walking subjects and elite swimmers, in terms of durations of gait/stroke-subphases with a clear physical meaning. Corresponding quantitative indices have been able to unveil the resulting hidden time-harmonic and self-similar structures.ResultsIn this study, we meaningfully extend such latest findings to the remaining two swimming strokes, namely, the breast-stroke and the back-stroke: breast-stroke, just like butterfly swimming, is highly technical and involves the complex coordination of the arm and leg actions, while back-stroke is definitely similar to front-crawl swimming. An experimental validation with reference to international-level swimmers is included.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of MRI, CE-CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting colorectal liver metastases eligible for hepatic resection
Authors: Schnitzer Moritz L. , von Münchhausen Niklas , Biechele Gloria , Runtemund Jasmin , Grawe Freba , Geyer Thomas , Kaiser Clemens G. , Haag Florian , Rübenthaler Johannes , Froelich Matthias F. 
Published: July 2023

ObjectivesColorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious challenge for the health system. In 2022 CRC represented 8% of cancer diagnoses in the United States. 30% of patients already show metastases at the initial tumor staging. The majority of these metastases are sited in the liver. According to their extension and the status of the tumor colorectal liver metastases can be treated in several ways, with hepatic resection being the gold-standard. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for evaluation of resectability of these liver metastases. The aim of this study is to assess the most economic imaging modality for detecting liver metastases eligible for hepatic resection by analyzing their cost-effectiveness.Materials and methodsIn our study, a Markov state transition model was built to calculate the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and overall costs for each diagnostic strategy in accord with the stated input values obtained from scientific research. Further, probabilistic sensitivity analyses by means of Monte Carlo simulations were performed to consider possible model uncertainties. For evaluation of the cost-effectiveness on an economic threshold, the Willingness-to-pay (WTP) was set at $ 100,000. The applied values and the calculated results are based on the U.S. healthcare system.ResultsCE-CT led to overall costs of $ 42,874.02 and 8.47 QALYs, whereas MRI led to $ 40,863.65 and 8.50 QALYs. PET/CT resulted in overall costs of $ 43,216.74 and 8.48 QALYs. Therefore, MRI was determined to be the dominant strategy in the model. According to the performed sensitivity analyses, MRI remained cost-effective over a wide range of WTPs.ConclusionIn conclusion, according to our analysis, MRI is the dominant strategy for detecting hepatic metastases eligible for hepatic resection in colorectal cancer.
The lower He-sea points playing a significant role in postoperative ileus in colorectal cancer treated with acupuncture: based on machine-learning
Authors: Zhang Xu , Yang Wenjing , Shang Junliang , Dan Wenchao , Shi Lin , Tong Li , Yang Guowang 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundPostoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication following abdominal surgery, which can lead to significant negative impacts on patients’ well-being and healthcare costs. However, the efficacy of current treatments is not satisfactory. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of acupuncture intervention and explore the regulation of acupoint selection for treating POI in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.MethodsWe searched eight electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for POI in CRC and conducted a meta-analysis. Subsequently, we utilized the Apriori algorithm and the Frequent pattern growth algorithm, in conjunction with complex network and cluster analysis, to identify association rules of acupoints.ResultsThe meta-analysis showed that acupuncture led to significant reductions in time to first defecation (MD=-20.93, 95%CI: -25.35, -16.51; I2 = 93.0%; p &lt; 0.01; n=2805), first flatus (MD=-15.08, 95%CI: -18.39, -11.76; I2 = 96%; p &lt; 0.01; n=3284), and bowel sounds recovery (MD=-10.96, 95%CI: -14.20, -7.72; I2 = 94%; p &lt; 0.01; n=2043). A subgroup analysis revealed that acupuncture not only reduced the duration of POI when administered alongside conventional care but also further expedited the recovery of gut function after colorectal surgery when integrated into the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway. The studies included in the analysis reported no instances of serious adverse events associated with acupuncture. We identified Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Neiguan (PC6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Xiajuxu (ST39), Hegu (LI4), Tianshu (ST25), and Zhongwan (RN12) as primary acupoints for treating POI. Association rule mining suggested potential acupoint combinations including {ST37, ST39}≥{ST36}, {PC6, ST37}≥{ST36}, {SP6, ST37}≥{ST36}, and {ST25, ST37}≥{ST36}.ConclusionMeta-analysis indicates acupuncture’s safety and superior effectiveness over postoperative care alone in facilitating gastrointestinal recovery. Machine-learning approaches highlight the importance of the lower He-sea points, including Zusanli (ST36) and Shangjuxu (ST37), in treating POI in CRC patients. Incorporating additional acupoints such as Neiguan (PC6) (for pain and vomiting) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) (for abdominal distension and poor appetite) can optimize treatment outcomes. These findings offer valuable insights for refining treatment protocols in both clinical and experimental settings, ultimately enhancing patient care.
Inulin ameliorates metabolic syndrome in high-fat diet-fed mice by regulating gut microbiota and bile acid excretion
Authors: Huang Shaoxiong , Dong Shiliang , Lin Lizhen , Ma Qiming , Xu Mengping , Ni Limei , Fan Qitong 
Published: July 2023

Background: Inulin is a natural plant extract that improves metabolic syndrome by modulating the gut microbiota. Changes in the gut microbiota may affect intestinal bile acids. We suggest that inulin may improve metabolism by inducing bile acid excretion by gut microbes.Methods: Male C57/BL mice were fed either a high-fat diet (60% calories) or a regular diet for 16 weeks, with oral inulin (10% w/w). At the end of the experiment, the gene expression levels (FGF15, CD36, Srebp-1c, FASN, and ACC) in the liver and intestines, as well as the serum levels of triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids, were collected. The expression of FGF15 was examined using Western blot analysis. The fat distribution in the liver and groin was detected by oil red and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Simultaneously, the levels of serum inflammatory factors (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) were detected to explore the side effects of inulin.Results: Inulin significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and decreased body weight and serum TG and LDL levels, in mice fed normal diet. Furthermore, inulin increased the α-diversity of the gut microbiota and increased the fecal bile acid and TG excretion in inulin-treated mice. In addition, inulin significantly reduced lipid accumulation in liver and inguinal fat, white fat weight, and hepatic steatosis. Western blot analysis showed that inulin reduced the expression of FGF15, a bile acid reabsorption protein.Conclusion: Inulin ameliorates the glucose and lipid metabolic phenotypes of mice fed a normal diet, including decreased intestinal lipid absorption, increased glucose tolerance, increased insulin sensitivity, and decreased body weight. These changes may be caused by an increase in bile acid excretion resulting from changes in the gut microbiota that affect intestinal lipid absorption.
Evaluation of electrocardiographic parameters in amputee football players
Authors: Kurtoğlu Ahmet , Kurtoğlu Ertuğrul , Akgümüş Alkame , Çar Bekir , Eken Özgür , Sârbu Ioan , Ciongradi Carmen Iulia , Alexe Dan Iulian , Candussi Iuliana Laura 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to compare electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters of amputee football players (AF) with football players without disability (FP) and sedentary individuals without disability (SI).MethodsA total of 32 participants (AF = 9, FP = 11, SI = 12) were included in the study. ECG parameters including P-wave amplitude, P-wave duration, PR interval, QRS duration, RR interval, QT interval, corrected-QT interval (QTc), ST segment duration, Tp-e duration, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were assessed in all the study participants by using a 12-lead ECG device. OneWay ANOVA Test was used for statistical analysis.ResultsOf all ECG parameters, P-wave amplitude and QTc were significantly higher in the AF group in comparison to FP and SI groups. QRS duration was found to be lower in the AF group when compared to FP and SI groups. Myocardial repolarization parameters including Tp-e duration, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were similar between groups, as were other parameters such as P-wave duration, PR interval, RR interval, QRS duration and QT interval.ConclusionIt was found that some ECG parameters of amputee football players differ from those with non-disabled players and non-disabled sedentary individuals. These different parameters were within normal limits.
How fear of intimacy affects infertile men’s neuropsychological functioning through mental toughness
Authors: Hassan Sajid , Bhatti Mazhar Iqbal , Habib Shazia , Fatima Sidra , Bhader Sher , Khan Nazeer Hussain , Jiang Enshe 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveThere is a significant need in Pakistan to investigate the psychological effects of infertility on the mental health of infertile men. The current study examined how fear of intimacy affects neuropsychological impairment and evaluated its relationship to other variables including quality of life and mental toughness.MethodAn analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on infertile male patients in various healthcare settings in Punjab, Pakistan. The participants were recruited using a non-probability (purposive) sampling strategy. The sample size was 120 infertile. SPSS 26 was used to analyze the data.ResultsFear of intimacy was found significant impact on neuropsychological impairment (r = 0.40; ***p &lt; 0.001), as well as fear of intimacy, significantly associated with emotional problems (r = 0.48; **p &lt; 0.01), learning problems (r = 0.33; **p &lt; 0.01), sensory and motor problem (r = 0.55; **p &lt; 0.01), concentration problem (r = 0.21; **p &lt; 0.01), mental &amp; physical in coordination (r = 0.37; **p &lt; 0.01) and depression (r = 0.22; **p &lt; 0.01). Fear of intimacy has negative impact on QoL (r = −0.25; *p &gt; 0.05). Similarly, neuropsychological impairment was found to be negatively associated with QoL (r = −0.52; **p &gt; 0.01). The relationship between fear of intimacy and neuropsychological impairment was found to be significantly mediated by QoL. Furthermore, the findings revealed that mental toughness significantly moderated the relationship between fear of intimacy and neuropsychological impairment.ConclusionOverall, infertile men in Pakistan had relatively high levels of fear of intimacy, which largely caused neuropsychological impairment. This study can help neuropsychological researchers, mental health professionals, as well as policymakers in improving clinical mental health practices for infertile patients.
Antifungal Activity of Streptomyces hygroscopicus JY-22 against Alternaria alternata and Its Potential Application as a Biopesticide to Control Tobacco Brown Spot
Authors: Cai Lin , Zhang Hongbao , Deng Yongjie , Tian Weiqiang , Fan Guangjin , Sun Xianchao 
Published: July 2023

Tobacco brown spot caused by Alternaria alternata is a devastating fungal disease endangering plant production. To effectively control brown spot disease, an antagonistic Actinomyces strain, Streptomyces hygroscopicus JY-22, was isolated from rhizospheric soil, which remarkably restrains the growth of phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata. This antagonistic strain and its culture filtrate showed significant antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata. Firstly, the confrontation culture method of strains JY-22 and Alternaria alternata showed that Streptomyces hygroscopicus JY-22 had noticeable antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata, including inhibition of mycelial growth and mycelial morphological changes, compared with the control group. Furthermore, the culture filtrate of Streptomyces hygroscopicus JY-22 showed substantial inhibition of the mycelial growth and spore germination of Alternaria alternata in a dose-dependent manner. Additional studies revealed that these antifungal actions were mainly related to membrane-active mechanisms that increased membrane permeability and damaged the cell membrane, leading to changes in certain cytoplasmic properties, such as extracellular conductivity and ergosterol, MDA and soluble protein content. In detached-leaf and field experiments, foliar spraying with culture filtrate resulted in smaller lesions and a lower disease index than the control group. Taken together, these results suggest that Streptomyces hygroscopicus JY-22 and its culture filtrate have the potential to be a safe biopesticide for the bio-control of tobacco brown spot.
Exponentially Correlated Hylleraas–Configuration Interaction Studies of Atomic Systems. III. Upper and Lower Bounds to He-Sequence Oscillator Strengths for the Resonance 1S→1P Transition
Authors: Sims James S. , Padhy Bholanath , Ruiz María Belén Ruiz 
Published: July 2023

The exponentially correlated Hylleraas–configuration interaction method (E-Hy-CI) is a generalization of the Hylleraas–configuration interaction method (Hy-CI) in which the single rij of an Hy-CI wave function is generalized to a form of the generic type rijνije−ωijrij. This work continues the exploration, begun in the first two papers in this series (on the helium atom and on ground and excited S states of Li II), of whether wave functions containing both linear and exponential rij factors converge more rapidly than either one alone. In the present study, we examined not only 1s2 1S states but 1s2p 1P states for the He I, Li II, Be III, C V and O VII members of the He isoelectronic sequence as well. All 1P energies except He I are better than previous results. The wave functions obtained were used to calculate oscillator strengths, including upper and lower bounds, for the He-sequence lowest (resonance) 1S→1P transition. Interpolation techniques were used to make a graphical study of the oscillator strength behavior along the isoelectronic sequence. Comparisons were made with previous experimental and theoretical results. The results of this study are oscillator strengths for the 1s2 1S→ 1s2p1P He isoelectronic sequence with rigorous non-relativistic quantum mechanical upper and lower bounds of (0.001–0.003)% and probable precision ≤ 0.0000003, and were obtained by extending the previously developed E-Hy-CI formalism to include the calculation of transition moments (oscillator strengths).