bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High anti-Mullerian hormone level is adversely associated with cumulative live birth rates of two embryo transfers after the first initiated cycle in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Su Nianjun , Zhan Juanxiao , Xie Meiling , Zhao Ying , Huang Cuiyu , Wang Songlu , Liao Liujun , Zhang Xiqian , Liu Fenghua 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveAnti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) has been recently identified as a potential predictor of live birth rates (LBRs) following assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. This study aimed to investigate the association between AMH levels and the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsPatients with PCOS initiating their first ovarian stimulation under the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol at the Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, China, were enrolled from November 2014 to September 2018. A total of 157 patients who underwent fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles were included in group A, whereas 187 patients who underwent frozen–thawed ET cycles were included in group B. After the failure of the first ET cycle, 94 patients underwent the second ET cycle with frozen–thawed embryos. Of these 94 patients, 52 had failed the first fresh ET cycle (group C) and 42 had failed the first frozen–thawed ET cycle (group D). Successful embryo transfer was defined as live birth. This retrospective cohort study addressed the association between AMH levels and pregnancy outcomes using logistic regression approaches. After adjusting for age, body mass index, antral follicle counts, baseline follicle-stimulating hormone levels and baseline progesterone levels, LBRs were compared among the four groups and the cumulative live birth rate after two embryo transfers (TCLBR) was calculated.ResultsThe LBRs showed no differences among the four groups. Higher serum AMH levels were found to be associated with a lower TCLBR [adjusted OR 0.937 (0.888–0.987), P = 0.015]. In patients who underwent the second ET cycle, LBRs were inversely proportional to AMH levels [crude OR 0.904 (0.828–0.986), P = 0.022 versus adjusted OR 0.845 (0.754–0.946), P = 0.004, respectively]. In addition, the LBR was approximately 61%–78% lower in the group with AMH levels of &gt;12 ng/mL [crude OR 0.391 (0.168–0.912), P = 0.030 versus adjusted OR 0.217 (0.074–0.635), P = 0.005, respectively].ConclusionsAmong PCOS patients high AMH level (&gt;12 ng/ml) is found to be associated with low TCLBR and low LBR of the second embryo transfer cycles. The results provide limited clinical inferences and warrant further investigation.
A remote sensing approach to assess the historical invasion of Phragmites australis in a brackish coastal marsh
Authors: Hagani Jason S. , Takekawa John Y. , Chappell Steven C. , Tanner Richelle L. , Ernst Adrienne R. , Kettenring Karin M. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionCoastal estuarine wetlands provide important habitats for a variety of endemic flora and fauna but are particularly vulnerable to biological invasions. Regular monitoring of changes in these vulnerable wetlands has become increasingly important for effective management, especially considering threats from climate change effects and human disturbance. Historical analyzes of plant invasions may guide targeted management strategies to eradicate harmful species. Estimating the distribution of invasive species has never been more accessible with the improved availability of high-resolution data and innovations in remote sensing, estimating the distribution of invasive species has never been more accessible.MethodsWe assessed the spread of non-native Phragmites australis subsp. australis in Suisun Marsh on the upper San Francisco Estuary, one of the largest brackish coastal wetlands in North America. Suisun Marsh consists of managed and tidal wetlands, and efforts have been made to control invasive P. australis on the managed wetlands to support habitat values for wildlife. We used remote-sensing analyzes of publicly available, biennial color-infrared images taken by the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) to map the expansion of invasive P. australis across two decades. We generated random forest classifications of representative images to map the distribution of P. australis, then calculated a variety of metrics describing the rate and spatial extent of the P. australis spread. Additionally, we ran generalized linear models to examine factors related to the growth of P. australis.ResultsOur classifications yielded accuracies of over 90% and showed a 234% (1,084 ha) increase in P. australis between 2003 and 2018. The expansion rate of P. australis patches averaged 1.32 m/year (±0.53 SD) which is higher than most reported in the literature. We found that P. australis expansion in managed areas within levees was significantly correlated with invasion in tidal areas outside the levees on the same parcel and also related to its spread on adjacent parcels.DiscussionOur findings suggest that despite individual landowner management efforts, P. australis has continued to expand substantially throughout Suisun Marsh. Future efforts to treat invasive P. australis may require emphasizing adaptive, collaborative management rather than individual management strategies to ensure the invasive species is eradicated on a large scale to preserve the valued ecosystem functions.
Immunodeficiency with susceptibility to lymphoma with complex genotype affecting energy metabolism (FBP1, ACAD9) and vesicle trafficking (RAB27A)
Authors: Brauer Nina , Maruta Yuto , Lisci Miriam , Strege Katharina , Oschlies Ilske , Nakamura Hikari , Böhm Svea , Lehmberg Kai , Brandhoff Leon , Ehl Stephan , Parvaneh Nima , Klapper Wolfram , Fukuda Mitsunori , Griffiths Gillian M. , Hennies Hans Christian , Niehues Tim , Ammann Sandra 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionInborn errors of immunity (IEI) are characterized by a dysfunction of the immune system leading to increased susceptibility to infections, impaired immune regulation and cancer. We present a unique consanguineous family with a history of Hodgkin lymphoma, impaired EBV control and a late onset hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).Methods and resultsOverall, family members presented with variable impairment of NK cell and cytotoxic T cell degranulation and cytotoxicity. Exome sequencing identified homozygous variants in RAB27A, FBP1 (Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1) and ACAD9 (Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family member 9). Variants in RAB27A lead to Griscelli syndrome type 2, hypopigmentation and HLH predisposition.DiscussionLymphoma is frequently seen in patients with hypomorphic mutations of genes predisposing to HLH. We hypothesize that the variants in FBP1 and ACAD9 might aggravate the clinical and immune phenotype, influence serial killing and lytic granule polarization by CD8 T cells. Understanding of the interplay between the multiple variants identified by whole exome sequencing (WES) is essential for correct interpretation of the immune phenotype and important for critical treatment decisions.
Incidence and risk factors of tuberculosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a multi-center prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Lifan , Zou Xiaoqing , Jiang Nan , Xie Lantian , Liu Jianghao , Yang Zhengrong , Cao Qifei , Li Chunlei , Sun Xiaochuan , Zhang Fengchun , Zhao Yan , Zeng Xiaofeng , Shi Xiaochun , Liu Xiaoqing ,   for the ETHERTB study team
Published: June 2023

ObjectivesBoth burdens of tuberculosis (TB) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in China are ranked as top three in the world. SLE patients are at high risk for TB, but so far, there are no guidelines for TB prevention and management targeting this population in China. This study aims to investigate the incidence of active tuberculosis (ATB) and to explore the risk factors for developing ATB in SLE patients, and to provide evidence for TB prevention and management for SLE patients in China.MethodsA multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted. SLE patients were enrolled from clinics and wards of 13 tertiary hospitals in Eastern, Middle, and Western China from September 2014 to March 2016. Baseline demographic features, TB infection status, clinical information, and laboratory data were collected. ATB development was examined during follow-up visits. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to plot survival curves, and Log-rank test was used to evaluate differences. Cox proportional-hazards model was used to explore the risk factors for ATB development.ResultsWith a median follow-up time of 58 months [interquartile range (IQR): 55-62], 16 out of 1361 SLE patients developed ATB. The 1-year incidence of ATB was 368 [95% confidence interval (CI): 46-691] per 100,000. Over a 5-year period, the cumulative incidence of ATB was 1141 [95% CI: 564-1718] per 100,000, and the incidence density was 245 per 100,000 person-years. Cox regression models were constructed with maximum daily dose of glucocorticoids (GCs) as a continuous variable and a categorical variable, respectively. In model 1, maximum daily dose of GCs (pills per day) [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=1.16, 95%CI: 1.04-1.30, p=0.010] and TB infection (aHR=8.52, 95%CI: 3.17-22.92, p&lt;0.001) were independent risk factors for ATB development. In model 2, maximum daily dose of GCs≥30 mg/d (aHR =4.81, 95%CI: 1.09-22.21, P=0.038) and TB infection (aHR=8.55, 95%CI: 3.18-23.00, p&lt;0.001] were independent risk factors for ATB development.ConclusionsSLE patients had a higher incidence of ATB compared to the general population. The risk of developing ATB was even higher with increased daily dose of GCs or in a status of TB infection, in which case TB preventive treatment should be considered.
Association between hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio and hospital mortality in patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Liu Jiuling , Wang Junhong 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundIn patients with ischemic stroke, low hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) was associated with an increased risk of mortality. However, it was unknown in the non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) population. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between baseline HRR and in-hospital mortality in patients with non-traumatic SAH.MethodsNon-traumatic SAH patients were screened out of the Medical Information Mart for Intensive IV (MIMIC-IV) database between 2008 and 2019. The Cox proportional hazard regression models were utilized to analyze the association between baseline HRR and in-hospital mortality. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis was utilized to determine the relationship curve between hospital mortality and the HRR level and examine the threshold saturation effect. We further applied Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis to examine the consistency of these correlations. The interaction test was used to identify subgroups with differences.ResultsA total of 842 patients were included in this retrospective cohort study. Compared with individuals with lower HRR Q1 ( ≤ 7.85), the adjusted HR values in Q2 (7.86–9.15), Q3 (9.16–10.16), and Q4 (≥10.17) were 0.574 (95% CI: 0.368–0.896, p = 0.015), 0.555 (95% CI: 0.346–0.890, p = 0.016), and 0.625 (95% CI: 0.394–0.991, p = 0.045), respectively. The association between the HRR level and in-hospital mortality exhibited a non-linear relationship (p &lt; 0.05). The threshold inflection point value of 9.50 was calculated using RCS analysis. When the HHR level was lower than 9.50, the risk of in-hospital mortality rate decreased with an adjusted HR of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70–0.90, p = 0.0003). When the HRR level was higher than 9.50, the risk of in-hospital mortality almost hardly increased with the increase in the HRR level (adjusted HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.91–1.53, p = 0.2158). K-M analysis showed that patients with low HRR levels had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThere was a non-linear connection between the baseline HRR level and in-hospital mortality. A low level of HRR could increase the risk of death in participants with non-traumatic SAH.
Skull base reconstruction using in situ bone flap in patients with pituitary adenomas treated by endoscopic endonasal approach
Authors: Chen Kaile , Dai Kexiang , Liu Zhiyuan , Liu Jinlai , Yu Kuo , Lu Ailin , Zhao Peng 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to study the effect of in situ bone flap (ISBF) repositioning, a recently proposed rigid skull base reconstruction technique, on patients diagnosed with pituitary adenoma undergoing endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA).MethodA retrospective analysis was conducted on 188 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent EEA from February 2018 to September 2022. Patients were divided into the ISBF group and non-ISBF group, according to whether ISBF was used during skull base reconstruction.ResultsOf the 75 patients in the non-ISBF group, 6 had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (8%), while only 1 of 113 patients in the ISBF group (0.8%) had postoperative CSF leakage, indicating that the incidence of postoperative CSF leakage in the ISBF group was significantly lower than that in the non-ISBF group (P = 0.033). In addition, we also found that the postoperative hospitalization days of patients in the ISBF group (5.34 ± 1.24) were significantly less than those in the non-ISBF group (6.83 ± 1.91, P = 0.015).ConclusionISBF repositioning is a safe, effective, and convenient rigid skull base reconstruction method for patients with pituitary adenoma treated by EEA, which can significantly reduce the rate of postoperative CSF leakage and shorten postoperative hospital stays.
SNAP: a structure-based neuron morphology reconstruction automatic pruning pipeline
Authors: Ding Liya , Zhao Xuan , Guo Shuxia , Liu Yufeng , Liu Lijuan , Wang Yimin , Peng Hanchuan 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundNeuron morphology analysis is an essential component of neuron cell-type definition. Morphology reconstruction represents a bottleneck in high-throughput morphology analysis workflow, and erroneous extra reconstruction owing to noise and entanglements in dense neuron regions restricts the usability of automated reconstruction results. We propose SNAP, a structure-based neuron morphology reconstruction pruning pipeline, to improve the usability of results by reducing erroneous extra reconstruction and splitting entangled neurons.MethodsFor the four different types of erroneous extra segments in reconstruction (caused by noise in the background, entanglement with dendrites of close-by neurons, entanglement with axons of other neurons, and entanglement within the same neuron), SNAP incorporates specific statistical structure information into rules for erroneous extra segment detection and achieves pruning and multiple dendrite splitting.ResultsExperimental results show that this pipeline accomplishes pruning with satisfactory precision and recall. It also demonstrates good multiple neuron-splitting performance. As an effective tool for post-processing reconstruction, SNAP can facilitate neuron morphology analysis.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and butyrate supplementation in rats with bone cancer reduces mechanical allodynia and increases expression of μ-opioid receptor in the spinal cord
Authors: Yuan Wenxi , Xiao Jie , Liao Huabao , Xie Zhiyuan , Zhao Yiran , Li Cheng , Zhou Keying , Song Xue-Jun 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionChronic cancer pain is one of the most unbearable symptoms for the patients with advanced cancer. The treatment of cancer pain continues to possess a major challenge. Here, we report that adjusting gut microbiota via probiotics can reduce bone cancer pain (BCP) in rats.MethodsThe model of BCP was produced by tumor cell implantation (TCI) to the tibia in rats. Continuous feeding of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) was used to modulate the gut microbiota. Mechanical allodynia, bone destruction, fecal microbiota, and neurochemical changes in the primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the spinal dorsal horn (DH) were assessed.ResultsLGG supplementation (109 CFU/rat/day) delayed the production of BCP for 3–4 days and significantly alleviated mechanical allodynia within the first 2 weeks after TCI. TCI-induced proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-β in the DH, and TCI-induced bone destruction in the tibia were both significantly reduced following LGG supplementation examined on day 8 after TCI. Meanwhile, we found that LGG supplementation, in addition to inhibiting TCI-induced pain, resulted in a significantly increased expression of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in the DH, but not in the DRG. LGG supplementation significantly potentiated the analgesic effect of morphine. Furthermore, LGG supplementation led to an increase in butyrate levels in the feces and serum and a decrease in histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) expression in the DH. Feeding TCI-rats with sodium butyrate solution alone, at a dose of 100 mg/kg, resulted in decreased pain, as well as decreased HDAC2 expression and increased MOR expression in the DH. The increased expression of MOR and decreased HDAC2 were also observed in neuro-2a cells when we treated the cells with serum from TCI rats with supplementation of LGG or sodium butyrate.DiscussionThis study provides evidence that reshaping the gut microbiota with probiotics LGG can delay the onset of cancer pain. The butyrate-HDAC2-MOR pathway may be the underlying mechanism for the analgesic effect of LGG. These findings shed light on an effective, safe, and non-invasive approach for cancer pain control and support the clinical implication of probiotics supplementation for patients with BCP.
Adherence and eating experiences differ between participants following a flexitarian diet including red meat or a vegetarian diet including plant-based meat alternatives: findings from a 10-week randomised dietary intervention trial
Authors: Gillies Nicola A. , Worthington Anna , Li Larissa , Conner Tamlin S. , Bermingham Emma N. , Knowles Scott O. , Cameron-Smith David , Hannaford Rina , Braakhuis Andrea 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundFlexitarian, vegetarian and exclusively plant-based diets are increasingly popular, particularly amongst young adults. This is the first randomised dietary intervention to investigate the health, wellbeing, and behavioural implications of consuming a basal vegetarian diet that additionally includes low-to-moderate amounts of red meat (flexitarian) compared to one containing plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs, vegetarian) in young adults (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04869163). The objective for the current analysis is to measure adherence to the intervention, nutrition behaviours, and participants’ experience with their allocated dietary group.MethodsEighty healthy young adults participated in this 10-week dietary intervention as household pairs. Household pairs were randomised to receive either approximately three serves of red meat (average of 390 g cooked weight per individual, flexitarian group) or PBMAs (350–400 g per individual, vegetarian group) per week on top of a basal vegetarian diet. Participants were supported to adopt healthy eating behaviours, and this intervention was developed and implemented using a behaviour change framework. Adherence (eating allocated red meat or PBMA, abstaining from animal-based foods not provided by researchers) was continuously monitored, with total scores calculated at the end of the 10-week intervention period. Eating experiences were measured by the Positive Eating Scale and a purpose-designed exit survey, and a food frequency questionnaire measured dietary intake. Analyses used mixed effects modeling taking household clustering into account.ResultsThe total average adherence score was 91.5 (SD = 9.0) out of a possible 100, with participants in the flexitarian group scoring higher (96.1, SD = 4.6, compared to 86.7, SD = 10.0; p &lt; 0.001). Those receiving red meat were generally more satisfied with this allocation compared to those receiving the PBMAs, even though a leading motivation for participants joining the study was an opportunity to try plant-based eating (35% expressed that their interest in taking part was related to trying plant-based eating). Participants in both intervention groups had increased vegetable intake (p &lt; 0.001), and reported more positive eating experiences (p = 0.020) and satisfaction with eating (p = 0.021) at the end of the 10-week intervention relative to baseline values.ConclusionMethods to encourage engagement with the trial were successful, as participants demonstrated excellent adherence to the intervention. Observed differences in participants’ adherence and experiences between flexitarian and vegetarian groups holds implications for the adoption of healthy, sustainable dietary patterns beyond this study alone.
A phase II randomized clinical trial to assess toxicity and quality of life of breast cancer patients with hypofractionated versus conventional fractionation radiotherapy with regional nodal irradiation in the context of COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Gil Gabriel Oliveira Bernardes , de Andrade Warne Pedro , Diniz Paulo Henrique Costa , Cantidio Farley Soares , Queiroz Izabella Nobre , Gil Maria Luísa Braga Vieira , Almeida Conceição Aparecida Medeiros , Caldeira Paola Palmer Reis , Regalin Marcos , Silva-Filho Agnaldo Lopes 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThis study, conducted during the COVID-19 crisis, primarily aimed to compare the acute toxicity between conventional fractionated radiation therapy (CF-RT) with hypofractionated radiation therapy (HF-RT) among patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy in whom breast or chest wall and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) were indicated. The secondary endpoints were both acute and subacute toxicity, cosmesis, quality of life, and lymphedema features.MethodsIn this open and non-inferiority randomized trial, patients (n = 86) were randomly allocated 2:1 in the CF-RT arm (n = 33; 50 Gy/25 fractions ± sequential boost [10 Gy/5 fractions]) versus the HF-RT arm (n = 53; 40 Gy/15 fractions ± concomitant boost [8 Gy/15 fractions]). Toxic effects and cosmesis evaluation used the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.03 (CTCAE) and the Harvard/National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scale. For the patient-reported quality of life (QoL), the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the breast cancer-specific supplementary questionnaire (QLQ-BR23) were used. Lymphedema was assessed by comparing volume differences between the affected and contralateral arms using the Casley–Smith formula.ResultsGrade 2 and grade 3 dermatitis were lower with HF-RT than with CF-RT (28% vs. 52%, and 0% vs. 6%, respectively; p = 0.022). HF-RT had a lower rate of grade 2 hyperpigmentation (23% vs. 55%; p = 0.005), compared to CF-RT. No other differences in overall rates of physician-assessed grade 2 or higher and grade 3 or higher acute toxicity between HF-RT and CF-RT were registered. There was no statistical difference between groups regarding cosmesis, lymphedema rate (13% vs. 12% HF-RT vs. CF-RT; p = 1.000), and functional and symptom scales, during both the irradiation period and after 6 months of the end of treatment. The results revealed that the subset of patients up to 65 years or older did not show a statistical difference between both arm fractionation schedules (p &gt; 0.05) regarding skin rash, fibrosis, and lymphedema.ConclusionHF-RT was non-inferior to CF-RT, and moderate hypofractionation showed lower rates of acute toxicity, with no changes in quality-of-life outcomes.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT 40155531.