bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival Analysis of Diabetic Colorectal Cancer Patients On Metformin in Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Wong Alex Brandon , Patnaik Ravi , Chaw Li Ling , Lu Shir Kiong , Lim Ya Chee 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Metformin, an antihyperglycemic drug, has been associated with antineoplastic effects and could potentially improve colorectal cancer prognosis. There are several conflicting data with regards to the association between metformin use and CRC survival. This study aims to provide more information on the subject while addressing certain limitations. The study was a retrospective cohort study that included colorectal cancer patients from the only cancer centre in the country, The Brunei Cancer Center (TBCC), treated between July 2014 and July 2019. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the data, construct survival curves and adjust for comorbidities. Of a total of 112 diabetic patients, 79 patients (70.5%) were on metformin and 33 patients (29.5%) were on other anti-hyperglycemic medications. An association between metformin use and lower incidence of stage IV colorectal cancer (p = 0.046) was observed, but no significant difference between the metformin group and the non-metformin group in terms of survival probability (log rank p = 0.13) was shown. Analysis using multivariate models showed that metformin reduces the hazard ratio by 31.2%, although, this value is statistically insignificant (HR, 0.688; 95% CI 0.286 – 1.654; p = 0.403). Among the diabetic colorectal cancer patients, there was no association between survival and metformin therapy. This data reflects the correlation of metformin use and CRC survival within the nation for all CRC diabetic patients diagnosed between July 2014 and July 2019. However, for further extrapolation of data, the association between cancer progression and metformin use requires further investigation and high-powered clinical trials are needed to support these findings.
Socioeconomic determinants of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Norway: a registry study
Authors: Hilland Geir Haakon , Anthun Kjartan Sarheim 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: Previous research has shown that socioeconomic status (SES) is a strong predictor of chronic disease. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no studies of how SES affects the risk of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) that has not been based upon self-reporting or retrospectively screening of symptoms. As far as we know, this is therefore the first study that isolate and describe socioeconomic determinants of ME/CFS and calculate how these factors relate to the risk of ME/CFS diagnosis by utilizing individual level registry data, which allows for objective operationalization of the ME/CFS population, and the utilization of different control groups.
Data and methods: We utilize health registry data from all adult patients diagnosed with ME/CFS from 2016-2018 in Norway, coupled with socioeconomic data from statistics Norway from 2009-2018. We operationalize SES as household income and educational attainment fixed at the beginning of the study period. We compare the effects of SES on the risk of ME/CFS diagnosis to a population of patients with hospital diagnoses that share clinical characteristics of ME/CFS and a healthy random sample of the Norwegian population. Our models are estimated by logistic regression analyses.
Results: When comparing the risk of ME/CFS diagnosis with a population consisting of people with four specific chronic diseases, we find that high educational attainment is associated with a 19% increase (OR: 1.19) in the risk of ME/CFS and that high household income is associated with a 18% increase (OR:0.82) in risk of ME/CFS. In model 2, when comparing with a healthy population sample, we find that low educational attainment is associated with 69% decrease (OR:0.31) in the risk of ME/CFS and that low household income is associated with a 53% increase (OR: 1.53).
Conclusion: We find statistically significant associations between SES and the risk of ME/CFS. However, our more detailed analyses shows that our findings vary according to which population we compare the ME/CFS patients with, and that the effect of SES is larger when comparing with a healthy population sample, as opposed to controls with selected hospital diagnoses.
Atelectasis in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery are not increased upon discharge from Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Authors: Braun Matthias , Ruscher Lea , Fuchs Alexander , Kämpfer Martina , Huber Markus , Lüdi Markus , Riva Thomas , Vogt Andreas , Riedel Thomas 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Obese patients frequently develop pulmonary atelectasis upon general anesthesia. The risk is increased during laparoscopic surgery. This prospective, observational single-center study evaluated atelectasis dynamics using Electric Impedance Tomography (EIT) in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.Methods We included adult patients with ASA physical status I-IV and a BMI ≥40. Exclusion criteria were known severe pulmonary hypertension, home oxygen therapy, heart failure, and recent pulmonary infections. The primary outcome was the proportion of poorly ventilated lung regions (silent spaces) and the global inhomogeneity (GI) index assessed by EIT before discharge from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit compared to these same measures prior to initiation of anesthesia.Results The median [IQR] proportion of silent spaces at the different analysis points were T1 10.8% [3.6%–15.1] and T5 10.3% [2.6–18.9%]; the mean difference was − 0.7% (95%-CI: -5.8%-4.5%); i.e., lower than the predefined non-inferiority margin of 5% (p = 0.022). There were no changes at the four additional time points compared to T1 or postoperative pulmonary complications during the 14 days following the procedure.Conclusions We found that obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery don’t leave the Post Anesthesia Care Unit with increased silent spaces compared to preoperatively.Trial registration NCT05187039
Poor immune response to inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in patients with hypertension
Authors: Yang Lei , Zhang ZhiHuan , Guo Qiao , Yang Lei , Ren Hong 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Purpose: The safety and efficacy of vaccination in people with hypertension (HTN) is important. There are currently just a few data on the immunogenicity and safety of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in hypertension patients.
Methods: After receiving a two-dose immunization, 94 hypertension patients and 74 healthy controls(HCs) in this study, the evaluation included looking at antibodies(Abs) against receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG, neutralizing antibodies(NAbs), RBD-specific B cells and memory B cells(MBCs).
Results: There was no discernible difference in the overall adverse events(AEs) over the course of seven or thirty days between HTN patients and HCs. HTN patients had lower frequencies of RBD-specific memory B cells and the seropositivity rates and titers of Abs compared to HCs(all, p < 0.05). HTN patients may exhibit comparable immunological responses in with or without concomitant cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions(CCVD). We again discovered a correlation between a weak Ab response and the interval time following a two-dose immunization.
Conclusion: Inactivated COVID-19 vaccinations were safe in hypertension patients, however humoral immune was limited.
Identification of pyroptosis-related lncRNAs as potential prognostic biomarkers in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction
Authors: Zeng Bing , Gan Wenchang , Huang Enmin , Ma Tao , Liu Fuheng , Chen Shuang , Zhou Taicheng , Cai Canfeng , Li Yingru 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) is a high-mortality gastrointestinal cancer lacking effective prognostic markers. Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is vital in inflammation and immune response. However, the prognostic role of pyroptosis-related lncRNA in AEG has not been explored.Methods Clinical information and gene expression data for AEG were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to narrow down candidate lncRNAs and develop the pyroptosis-related lncRNA risk model. Kaplan-Meier analysis, Multivariate Cox regression, and nomogram were used to assess the risk model. Functional enrichment analysis was used to reveal potential pathways in AEG. The ESTIMATE, TIMER, XCELL, CIBERSORT, ssGSEA, and EPIC algorithms were used to investigate the immune status in different risk groups. The oncoPredict R package was used to identify candidate drugs.Results Pearson correlation analysis identified 816 pyroptosis-related lncRNAs, from which three prognostic lncRNAs (LINC01537, CTD-2033D15.2, ENTPD1-AS1) were selected to construct a risk model using LASSO Cox regression analysis. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that patients with low-risk scores had superior overall survival (OS) compared to those in the high-risk groups (HR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.21–2.87, p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the 3 prognostic lncRNA risk score was an independent prognostic factor with a significant predictive value for AEG. A low-risk score indicated an increased infiltration of activated memory CD4 + T cells and was associated with pathways such as DNA replication, cell cycle, mismatch repair, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and seleno amino acid metabolism. Additionally, a low-risk score was associated with increased sensitivity to Paclitaxel and KRAS (G12C) inhibitor drugs.Conclusion These results provide new insights into the potential use of the proposed pyroptosis-related lncRNA signature as a prognostic tool and potential therapeutic targets for AEG.
Relationship between visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and depressive mood in Korean primary care patients
Authors: Lee Ga Hee , Lee Jung Ah , Sunwoo Sung , Kim Young Sik 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background We evaluated the effect of depressive mood on long-term visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) in primary care patients in Korea.Methods The Family Cohort Study in Primary Care (FACTS) used a prospective cohort that was established to investigate the relationship between the familial environment and health in Korean primary care patients. Depressive mood was assessed as a score of 21 points or more on a Korean-type Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. BP was measured at the initial visit and first and second follow-up visits. BPV was calculated using the average of the differences between the measurements at the initial visit and first follow-up visit and at the first and second follow-up visits. High visit-to-visit BPV was defined when the average difference fell within the fourth quartile. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association of high BPV with depressive mood and a range of variables.Results Of the 371 participants, 43 (11.6%) had depressive mood according to the depression score. In multivariate analysis, the odds ratio (OR) (OR: 2.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–4.60) for high systolic BP (SBP) variability in participants with depressive mood was more than twice that in participants without depressive mood. Additionally, older age (OR: 31.91, 95% CI: 3.74–272.33 among participants aged ≥ 70 years) and use of antihypertensive medication (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.02–3.05) were associated with high SBP variability.Conclusions Depressive mood was associated with high visit-to-visit SBP variability in primary care patients. Older age and use of antihypertensive medication were also associated with high SBP variability.
Human leukocyte antigen HLA-B*57:01 status in HIV-1 patients developing hypersensitivity reactions in Benin: a pilot study
Authors: ADECHINA Adefounke Prudencia , ASSOGBA Pierrot Yaou , TCHIAKPE Edmond , YESSOUFOU Akadiri 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background: Antiretroviral drugs in people living with HIV-1 (PLHIV-1) often trigger side effects which may lead to discontinuation or failure of treatment. Human Leukocyte Antigen B*57:01 (HLA-B*57:01) allele is known to predict hypersensitivity reactions to Abacavir. Very few data are available on the prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 allele in PLHIV-1 in African countries. This study aimed to screen for HLA-B*57:01 allele in PLHIV-1 in Benin.
Methods: This pilot study was carried out on one hundred ten PLHIV-1 enrolled in two health facilities in Benin. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected. Biological data were determined and HLA-B*57:01 allele was genotyped, using Single Specific Primer-Polymerase Chain Reaction in blood samples.
Results: Seventy percent of participants were female. PLHIV-1 were under TDF+3TC+DTG (47.2%) or TDF+3TC+EFV (57.3%). Their median age was 41 [36-48.75] years and the average CD4+ T cell count was 249 [130-381.25] cells/µl. The average viral load in treatment failure PLHIV-1 was 4.7 [3.9-5.2] Log10. At the inclusion date, twenty-nine (26.4%) PLHIV-1 under TDF+3TC+EFV have developed hypersensitivity reactions. None of 110 patients had shown HLA-B*5701 allele.
Conclusion: Our study revealed that HLA-B*57:01 allele was very rare in PLHIV-1 in Benin, suggesting that its screening before starting the Abacavir regimen did not seem necessary.
Effect of acupuncture or moxibustion at Acupoints Weizhong or Chize on the change in lumbar temperature in healthy adults: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design
Authors: Zheng Siyi , Shen Qiongying , Lyu Zhengyi , Tian Shuxin , Huang Xiaoxiao , Liu Yiyue , Yu Xiaoshuai , Pan Wei , Nie Na , Liang Yi , Fang Jianqiao 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

BackgroundLow back pain is a common complaint among adults, and moxibustion and acupuncture are commonly used treatments. According to traditional theory, acupoint Weizhong is a popular choice, with the saying “Yao Bei Wei Zhong Qiu.” However, the difference in efficacy between acupuncture and moxibustion remains unclear. Therefore, this trial compared the thermal effects of acupuncture and moxibustion at Weizhong and Chize point in healthy adults to provide more objective evidence of the lumbar-Weizhong relationship.Method/designThe trial will use a two-by-two factorial design, randomly assigning 140 participants to four groups (acupuncture at Weizhong, acupuncture at Chize, moxibustion at Weizhong, and moxibustion at Chize) in a ratio of 1:1:1:1. Each group will receive a 30-minute intervention, with the primary outcome being the change in average temperature in the lumbar area from baseline to 30 minutes post-intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in maximum lumbar temperature, changes in average lumbar temperature at various time points during and post-intervention, changes in average temperature in the Bladder meridian, and the warming sensation questionnaire. The results of the warming sensation questionnaire will be utilized for subgroup stratification in the BL40 group. Additionally, an intention-to-treat analysis will be conducted regardless of adherence.DiscussionThis study will be the first one to compare the thermal effect difference at lumbar area between acupuncture and moxibustion in healthy individuals. The findings of this study will provide new insights for the "Yao Bei Wei Zhong Qiu" theory of traditional Chinese medicine.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, Trial number: NCT05665426. Registered on 26 December 2022.
Economic cost of a case of diarrhoea in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cost of illness study
Authors: Katana Patrick V. , Malembaka Espoir Bwenge , Bugeme Patrick Musole , Saidi Jaime , Cumming Oliver , Gallandat Karin , Ross Ian 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

BackgroundDiarrhoea is one of the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among children below five years, though the proportion of the burden occurring amongst those aged over 70 is increasing. The cost of treating and managing diarrhoea can place a burden on individuals, their households, and society in general. The cost can be high but is often undocumented, and many studies focus on children or hospitalised patients only. This study aimed to estimate the economic cost per case of diarrhoea amongst individuals of any age in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo.MethodsThe study was cross-sectional and retrospective, and based on a household survey approximately representative of the city undertaken in September 2021. Data on quantities and prices of resources were collected in the survey, as well as interviews with staff at the Cholera Treatment Centre in the Uvira general hospital and their records on resource use and patient numbers. Direct and indirect costs were measured from the societal perspective, and multiple linear regression used to identify cost drivers.ResultsOf 2,820 members of the 528 households surveyed, 175 people (6.2%) were reported to have had diarrhoea in the previous seven days. The majority sought care (86%) of which most (63%) visited a pharmacy. The average economic cost of illness (COI) for an episode of diarrhoea was 33,366 Congolese Francs (CDF) (US$ 16.8). The median was CDF 14,000 (US$ 7.0). The average out of pocket financial COI to patients was CDF 15,111 (US$ 7.6), representing 9% of the estimated average monthly income of households. On average caregivers and patients lost 4 days per episode. A concentration index suggested a lower economic COI among poorer households (p = 0.096). A regression analysis identified that being older than 5 years or being water insecure (p = 0.029) were associated with higher COI.ConclusionHouseholds in Uvira experience many diarrhoeal episodes per year, and the COI is an important burden for them and society. These costs could be avoided if diarrhoea were prevented through public health interventions, and if care-seeking was better managed to ensure appropriate treatment.
Clean label sausage: characteristics throughout its shelf life
Authors: Sbardelotto Paula R. , Mitterer-Daltoé Marina L. , Balbinot-Alfaro Evellin , Alfaro Alexandre T. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The study aimed to develop a fresh pork sausage without synthetic additives and evaluate the effects on its physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics throughout its shelf life. Six formulations were prepared: a control formulation (CF) and five formulations with different concentrations of fermented celery extract and rosemary extract with curry. The formulations with plant extracts had lower (P < 0.05) sodium content, and no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the levels of lipid oxidation compared to CF. No direct relationship was observed between the concentration of added celery extract and the residual nitrite content. The sensory acceptance of the formulations with plant extracts was similar or even higher to CF. The characteristics of the fresh sausages produced with the plant extracts became more similar to the characteristics of the conventional product with the course of storage days.
Soil Erosion Estimation by RUSLE Model Using GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques: A Case Study of the Tertiary Hilly Regions in Bangladesh from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Shoumik Baig Abdullah Al , Khan Md. Zulfikar , Islam Md. Sanaul 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Soil erosion is a major type of land degradation in Bangladesh, especially in the tertiary hilly regions that are located at the northeastern and southeastern region of the country. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, combined with Geographic Information System, is a reliable methodology to estimate the potential soil loss in an area. The aim of this research was to use the RUSLE model to estimate the soil erosion in the tertiary hill tracts of Bangladesh from 2017 to 2021. The erosivity factor was determined from the annual average precipitation of the region, and erodibility factor was estimated from the soil database. The elevation model was used to analyze slope length steepness factors, while land use land cover was used to compute cover management factor. Lastly, land use and elevation was integrated to estimate the support practice factor. Results revealed that the potential annual soil loss from the hill tracts was higher in 2021 than 2017. Although, total annual rainfall was high in 2017, soil loss was found higher in 2021 which is an indication of land use changes. This investigation will help the policy makers to identify the erosion vulnerable areas that requires immediate soil conservation practices. However, there is no latest field-based data available for the country which is required to validate the estimated soil loss of the model. Hence, it is recommended to conduct field-based researches for validating the model-derived result, developing soil erosion model, and creating a reliable soil erosion database for the country.
Effect of infrared, hot air, and hybrid drying strategies on appearance acceptability, essential oil yield and quality of volatile compounds of lemongrass leaves (Cymbopogon citratus)
Authors: Setareh Roghayeh , Mohammadi-Ghermezgoli Khosro , Ghaffari-Setoubadi Hossein , Alizadeh-Salteh Saeideh 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of different strategies of drying with hot air (40, 50, 60°C), infrared (0.5, 0.6, 0.8w/cm2), sequential hot air/infrared, and Simultaneous hot air-infrared on the drying behavior, color, appearance and the yield and the components of essential oil of lemongrass leaves to increase the marketability of the product. Essential oils of lemongrass samples were extracted by hydro-distillation, and Volatile compounds were analyzed by GC-MS. Results showed: a) the suitable method for maintaining a higher color quality of lemongrass leaves was drying only by hot air drying at 60ºC; b) for preserving and obtaining a higher yield of the essential oil content of lemongrass, the best strategy was the simultaneous hybrid drying by hot air drying at 50ºC and infrared drying with radiation intensity of 0.6 w/cm2; and c) the data analysis represented that for obtaining the higher value of Volatile compounds of neral and geranial were drying only with infrared having the radiation intensity of 0.6 w/cm2 and drying with infrared radiation intensity of 0.8 w/cm2 respectively.
Network pharmacology-based identification for the therapeutic mechanism of Zhizi in the depression
Authors: Zhang Qiwei , Xu Bingbing , Hou Yue , Zhao Wei , Yu Haiyang , Tan Jinghe , Zhou Yanmeng , Zhang Han-Ting 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Depression is an emotional and psychiatric disease with the main symptoms of prolonged depression, delayed thinking, and decreased movement. However, the treatment of depression is still a clinical problem. Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) is a Chinese herbal medicine that has been widely used for decades to treat depression. In this study, bioinformatics analysis were used to predict the molecular mechanism of Zhizi in the treatment of depression.Methods Through the Chinese herbal medicine pharmacological data and analysis platform, the active ingredients of Zhizi were retrieved and screened. At the same time, the therapeutic target proteins for depression were screened from databases that registered various known disease targets. After that, the interaction network between "knowles" and depression was constructed to enrich the key nodes of the analysis and validated with western blot experimentsResults Thirteen branching compounds and 112 depression candidate genes were identified and a "branching-compound-target-depression" network was successfully constructed. The above targe revealed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis explain that drug treatment of the disease may be achieved by affecting apoptosis-related signaling pathways in depressed patients. Western blot experiments validated the above results.Conclusion Zhizi may improve depression by regulating autophagy and apoptosis in cells, which may be a new strategy for the depression.