bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of VSD therapy on surgical outcomes, inflammatory markers, and functional rehabilitation in patients with secondary bone infection following tibial fracture surgery
Authors: Chang Sheng , Wang Yu , Zhang Zengshan 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) treatment on surgical indicators, inflammatory factors, and functional recovery in patients with chronic osteomyelitis secondary to open tibial fractures.MethodsIn total, 87 patients with secondary bone infection after internal fixation of tibial fracture treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from December 2020 to June 2022 were selected, all of whom were tibial shaft fractures. Of these, 55 cases of primary open fracture were sutured in the first stage; 32 cases underwent internal fixation after primary debridement at the time of trauma. The patients were treated with surgical debridement, removal of internal fixation, and fixation with an external fixation frame. After debridement, those with local wounds that could not be completely closed and were complicated with exposed bone were randomly selected for either VSD covering treatment (study group, n=46) or bone cement covering treatment (control group, n=41. The distribution of pathogenic bacteria, surgical indicators, inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor⁃α(TNF⁃α), interleukin⁃6 (IL⁃6), and C⁃reactive protein (CRP) levels], functional recovery [knee, ankle, and limb function recovery], and complications were summarized.ResultsThere were 87 pathogenic bacteria strains in 87 patients, including 43 Gram⁃positive bacteria strains (49.42%), 32 Gram⁃negative bacteria strains (36.78%), and 12 fungi strains (13.80%). The number of dressing changes in the study group was less than that in the control group. The infection control time, wound sterility time, hospitalization time, and skin flap transfer operation time in the study group were shorter than those in the control group and the difference was statistically significant (P&lt;0.05). After treatment, the levels of TNF⁃α, IL⁃6, and CRP in the two groups decreased, among which the change in the study group was the most significant and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P&lt;0.05). After treatment, the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score and Baird–Jackson score of the two groups increased, among which the change in the study group was the most significant and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P&lt;0.05). The excellent and good rate of the study group (95.65%) was higher than the excellent and good rate of the control group (80.49%) and the difference was statistically significant (P&lt;0.05).ConclusionWhen a wound cannot be closed, VSD treatment of patients with secondary bone infection after internal fixation of tibial fracture can improve the level of surgical indicators and inflammatory factor levels in patients, and promote the recovery of patients’ limb function, and is thus worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Prevalence and clinical correlates of Gardnerella spp., Fannyhessea vaginae, Lactobacillus crispatus and L. iners in pregnant women in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Himschoot Lisa , Mulinganya Guy , Rogier Tess , Bisimwa Ghislain , Kampara Freddy , Kujirakwinja Yvette , Mongane Jules , Mubalama Innocent , Callens Steven , Vaneechoutte Mario , Cools Piet 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundGardnerella is a key pathogen in bacterial vaginosis (BV), but the role of the different Gardnerella species remains unclear. We investigated the role of four Gardnerella species, as well as Fannyhessea vaginae, Lactobacillus crispatus and L. iners in BV.MethodsFrom 331 pregnant women from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, BV was diagnosed using Nugent scoring and a cervicovaginal lavage was used to quantify G. leopoldii, G. piotii, G. swidsinskii, G. vaginalis, F. vaginae, L. crispatus and L. iners by qPCR. Univariate associations between these species and clinical outcomes were assessed. A logistic regression model and ROC curves were calculated to determine the best diagnostic marker for BV.ResultsHere, L. iners (75.8%) was the most prevalent species and G. vaginalis (36.0%) the most common Gardnerella species. All investigated Gardnerella spp. were prevalent (50.9-57.9%) in women with (asymptomatic) BV. Univariate analysis revealed no significant associations with clinical symptoms of BV, while F. vaginae (positive Whiff test, high pH), G. vaginalis (high pH) and L. crispatus (low pH) were associated with signs of BV. G. piotii was associated with markers of urinary tract infection. Women with L. iners had higher odds of delivering preterm. ROC analyses showed that F. vaginae was the best marker for BV (AUC 0.81), and the combined model further increased the diagnostic performance (AUC 0.90).ConclusionAll Gardnerella species were involved in BV, although none were associated with the most important clinical symptoms of BV and none emerged as a superior molecular marker for BV.
Breaking the cycle: a pilot study on autonomous Digital CBTe for recurrent binge eating
Authors: Murphy Rebecca , Khera Charandeep , Osborne Emma L. 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundOnly a minority of people with eating disorders receive evidence-based psychological treatment. This is especially true for those with recurrent binge eating because the shame that accompanies binge eating affects help seeking and there is a shortage of therapists to provide psychological treatments. Digital programme-led interventions have the potential to overcome both barriers.ObjectiveThis study examined the acceptability and effectiveness of a new digital programme-led intervention directly based on enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E), which is an empirically supported psychological treatment for eating disorders.MethodsOne hundred and ten adults with recurrent binge eating (self-reporting characteristics consistent with binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and similar conditions) were recruited through an advertisement on the website of the UK's national eating disorder charity, Beat. The intervention, called Digital CBTe, comprised 12 sessions over 8–12 weeks delivered autonomously (i.e., without external support). Participants completed self-report outcome measures of eating disorder features and secondary impairment at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.ResultsMost participants identified as female, White, and were living in the United Kingdom. Most participants (85%) self-reported features that resembled binge eating disorder, and the rest self-reported features that resembled bulimia nervosa (8%) and atypical bulimia nervosa (7%). On average, participants reported that the onset of their eating disorder was more than twenty years ago. Sixty-three percent of the participants completed Digital CBTe (i.e., completed active treatment sessions). Those who completed all sessions and the post-intervention assessment (n = 55, 50%) reported significant decreases in binge eating, eating disorder psychopathology, and secondary impairment at post-intervention. These improvements were maintained at follow-up. Large effect sizes were observed for all these outcomes using a completer analysis and post-intervention data (d = 0.91–1.43). Significant improvements were also observed for all outcomes at post-intervention in the intent-to-treat analysis, with medium-to-large effect sizes.DiscussionA substantial proportion of those who completed Digital CBTe and the post-intervention assessment experienced marked improvements. This provides promising data to support the conduct of a fully powered trial to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of autonomous Digital CBTe.
The effect of training intervention based on health belief model on self-care behaviors of women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Mohammadkhah Fatemeh , Kamyab Amirhossein , Pezeshki Babak , Norouzrajabi Samira , Khani Jeihooni Ali 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is currently the most common complication of pregnancy, and the prevalence of undiagnosed hyperglycemia and overt diabetes in young women is increasing. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of training intervention based on the health belief model of self-care behaviors in women with gestational diabetes.MethodsThe present study was an interventional study, which was conducted on 160 women with gestational diabetes (80 in the interventional group and 80 in the control group), who were under treatment in healthcare centers in the city of Fasa in Fars Province, Iran, in 2022–2023. The method was simple random sampling. The collecting data tools were demographic characteristics questionnaire (age, education, occupation, monthly income of the family, gestational age (in the week), and rank of pregnancy, a knowledge assessment questionnaire, a questionnaire based on the health belief model (perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, perceived advantages, and disadvantages, self-efficiency), and the self-care behaviors questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed before the intervention and 6 weeks after the intervention. The women in the intervention group received six sessions of 50–55 min. Fasting blood sugar level and blood sugar level 2 h after the meal, A1C hemoglobin, and the need for taking insulin and the required dosage were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests (for normal distribution of data), independent t-test, paired t-test, chi-2 test, and descriptive statistics (P &lt; 0.05).ResultsThe mean age of the participants in the intervention group and control group was 32.45 ± 4.82 and 33.16 ± 4.69, respectively. The results showed that the mean scores of all structures of the health belief model in the intervention group were significantly different from those obtained after the intervention in this group (p &lt; 0.001). Also, the comparison of averages of blood sugar levels after the intervention in the two groups indicated that fasting blood sugar level, A1C hemoglobin, and blood sugar levels measured 2 h after the meal significantly decreased in the intervention group (p &lt; 0.001). The need to increase the dosage of insulin in the intervention group was lower than in the control group.Conclusionsaccording to the results, the health belief model was effective in improving clinical results of self-care behaviors in women with gestational diabetes. HBM played an important role in understanding what care and support the women need. Therefore, the incidence of various diseases can be prevented and mothers with GDM can experience such vulnerability less than before. It can also be used as a model to design, implement, and monitor health programs for women with gestational diabetes.
Disulfidptosis-related gene signatures as prognostic biomarkers and predictors of immunotherapy response in HNSCC
Authors: Qin Haotian , Xu Juan , Yue Yaohang , Chen Meiling , Zhang Zheng , Xu Panpan , Zheng Yan , Zeng Hui , Weng Jian , Yang Jun , Yu Fei 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundDisulfidptosis is a newly discovered form of cell death associated with tumorigenesis, particularly under oxidative stress and metabolic disorder conditions. Currently, the biological mechanisms of disulfidptosis-related genes (DRGs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain unclear.MethodsThe study includes sections on methodologies, data sources, clinical data collection, subtype establishment, identification and analysis of differentially expressed genes, genetic variation, and the construction and validation of a DRG prognostic model. Various analyses are conducted, including the relationship between the risk scores model and clinicopathological features, immune status, immune checkpoints, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), ESTIMATE, mRNAsi, and drug sensitivity. The study also covers single-cell analysis and DNA methylation analysis of DRGs, and the prediction of potential microRNA and long non-coding RNA target genes. Prognostic DRGs expression in HNSCC is validated through RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The model’s predictive capability is confirmed using external validation cohorts from GEO datasets and clinical tissue samples. The role of DSTN in HNSCC is further validated through gene knockout experiments.ResultsWe identified four valuable genes (SLC3A2, NUBPL, ACTB, DSTN) and constructed a prognostic model, along with identifying two DRG-related subtypes. Analysis of the DRG risk score revealed that the low-risk group had a better prognosis compared to the high-risk group. Significant correlations were found between the DRG risk score and clinical features, immunotherapy response, drug sensitivity, and genes related to RNA epigenetic modifications. Low-risk HNSCC patients were identified as potential beneficiaries of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. A regulatory axis involving DSTN, hsa-miR-181c-5p, LUCAT1, and IGFL2-AS1 was constructed for HNSCC. RT-qPCR and IHC data further validated the upregulation of prognostic DRGs in HNSCC. The prognostic model demonstrated excellent predictive performance for the prognosis of HNSCC patients. Additionally, DSTN was significantly overexpressed in tumor cells; its knockdown inhibited tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.ConclusionThe prognostic model effectively predicts HNSCC outcomes, with better prognosis in the low-risk group. DSTN upregulation promotes tumor growth, and its knockout inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion.
Assessing donor kidney function: the role of CIRBP in predicting delayed graft function post-transplant
Authors: Leng Qianghua , Ma Maolin , Tang Zuofu , Jiang Weichen , Han Fei , Huang Zhengyu 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionDelayed graft function (DGF) shortens the survival time of transplanted kidneys and increases the risk of rejection. Current methods are inadequate in predicting DGF. More precise tools are required to assess kidney suitability for transplantation. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) expression has been linked to acute kidney injury, suggesting its potential as a new biomarker for transplanted kidney function.MethodsWe included deceased donors and recipients who had undergone successful kidney transplantation between 2016 and 2019. Recipients and their paired donors are assigned to either the DGF or immediate graft function (IGF) group, based on the recipient’s recovery of graft renal function. Donor plasma CIRBP levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit to assess their relationships with DGF.ResultsDonor plasma CIRBP concentrations in the DGF group were approximately twice as high as those in the IGF group (6.82 vs. 3.44; P&lt;0.001). DGF occurred in all cases where CIRBP concentrations exceeded 7.92 ng/mL. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate analyses (odds ratio [OR]=1.660; P&lt;0.001) confirmed that donor plasma CIRBP level was an independent risk factor for DGF. Additionally, higher CIRBP levels were associated with increased plasma creatinine at 6 months (R²=0.08; P&lt;0.001), and survival analysis showed shorter kidney survival in recipients with DGF (P=0.002).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that donor plasma CIRBP levels can effectively predict the occurrence of DGF. CIRBP is a potential novel biomarker for evaluating transplanted kidney function.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT06641622.
Construction and validation of a predictive model for the risk of prolonged preoperative waiting time in patients with intertrochanteric fractures
Authors: Gong Rui , Jin Xi-min , Xu Lian-you , Zhang Zhi-meng , Yuan Dao-tong , Xie Wen-peng , Zhang Yong-kui 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundIntertrochanteric fractures are one of the most common types of hip fractures, with delayed surgical treatment beyond 48 h associated with increased postoperative complications and mortality, especially in older adults. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for delayed preoperative waiting times in intertrochanteric fracture cases, based on previous research, to offer a valuable reference for clinical decision-making.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,116 patients with intertrochanteric fractures admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for internal fixation surgery from January 2017 to January 2024. Patient demographic data and clinical examination results were collected. A logistic regression model was used to construct a predictive model, which was then visualized through a nomogram. The model’s performance was subsequently validated.ResultsThe predictive model developed from 728 patients in the training cohort, identified key predictors, including age, sex, lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, injury location, and biochemical markers. The model demonstrated strong discriminative ability, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.749 (95% confidence interval: 0.621–0.801) for the training set, and 0.745 in the validation set. Calibration curves indicated that the predicted risk of surgical delay closely aligned with observed outcomes. Furthermore, decision curve analysis verified the model’s clinical utility, demonstrating its effectiveness in guiding treatment decisions.ConclusionThe nomogram model developed in this study provides a reliable tool for predicting delayed surgical intervention in patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures. It offers clinicians a valuable reference to anticipate delays in surgical treatment and aids in the formulation of more timely and appropriate treatment strategies, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Impact of ovotransferrin on the membrane integrity of Salmonella Enteritidis under egg-white conditions
Authors: Legros Julie , Bonnassie Sylvie , Cochet Marie-Françoise , Jan Sophie , Andrews Simon C. , Baron Florence 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionEggs can mediate foodborne disease resulting in salmonellosis outbreaks that are most commonly caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. Ovotransferrin is a prominent egg-white antimicrobial glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family, members of which exhibit powerful iron-chelating activity. However, several studies have also described the ability of transferrin proteins to disrupt bacterial membranes. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of ovotransferrin toward S. Enteritidis membranes at 30°C under egg-white conditions.Materials and methodsThis aim was supported by the deployment of a synthetic medium designed to mimic egg-white (matching the ionic composition and pH). The ability of ovotransferrin to induce bacterial membrane permeabilization in S. Enteritidis was investigated by measuring substrate accessibility to periplasmic β-lactamase and cytosolic β-galactosidase.ResultsThe depolarization of the inner membrane of S. Enteritidis was measured using a fluorescence probe [DiSC3(5)]. The results show that ovotransferrin induces permeabilization of the outer membrane but not the inner membrane whereas egg white permeabilizes both membranes. In addition, the dissipation of the proton motive force by egg white was found to involve a contribution by ovotransferrin since this protein provoked inner-membrane depolarization.DiscussionIt can thus be concluded that ovotransferrin exerts a membranes perturbation activity on S. Enteritidis under egg-white conditions, in addition to its well-known iron-chelation activity.
Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis using rhythmic power changes and phase differences: a low-density EEG study
Authors: Wang Juan , Zhao Jiamei , Chen Xiaoling , Yin Bowen , Li Xiaoli , Xie Ping 
Published: January 2025

ObjectivesThe future emergence of disease-modifying treatments for dementia highlights the urgent need to identify reliable and easily accessible tools for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive and cost-effective technique commonly used in the study of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the specific alterations in EEG biomarkers associated with AD remain unclear when using a limited number of electrodes.MethodsWe studied pathological characteristics of AD using low-density EEG data collected from 26 AD and 29 healthy controls (HC) during both eye closed (EC) and eye opened (EO) resting conditions. The analysis including power spectrum, phase lock value (PLV), and weighted lag phase index (wPLI) and power-to-power frequency coupling (theta/beta) analysis were applied to extract features in the delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands.ResultsDuring the EC condition, the AD group exhibited decreased alpha power compared to HC. Additionally, both analysis of PLV and wPLI in the theta band indicated that the alterations in the AD brain network predominantly involved in the frontal region with the opposite changes. Moreover, the AD group had increased frequency coupling in the frontal and central regions. Surprisingly, no group difference was found in the EO condition. Notably, decreased theta band functional connectivity within the fronto-central lobe and increased frequency coupling in frontal region were found in AD group from EC to EO. More importantly, the combination of EC and EO quantitative EEG features improved the inter-group classification accuracy when using support vector machine (SVM) in older adults with AD. These findings highlight the complementary nature of EC and EO conditions in assessing and differentiating AD cohorts.ConclusionOur results underscore the potential of utilizing low-density EEG data from resting-state paradigms, combined with machine learning techniques, to improve the identification and classification of AD.
Modeled sustainability impacts of increasing pork consumption among adults in the United States
Authors: Conrad Zach , Repoulis Vincent , Zavela Catherine 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionLittle is known about the role of pork in sustainable diet patterns, given that it is often aggregated with other animal proteins or not evaluated at all. To address this gap, this study modeled the sustainability impacts of replacing different protein foods with pork in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States (US).MethodsData on dietary intake, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), cumulative energy demand, water scarcity footprint, land, pesticides, fertilizer nutrients, food prices, and diet quality were obtained from publicly available repositories. A food substitution model was constructed to evaluate the change in each sustainability impact when 1–3 servings of beef, poultry, seafood, eggs, or legumes were replaced by pork.ResultsModeled substitution of beef with pork was associated with reductions in GHGE, land, pesticides, and fertilizer nutrients by 11–35%, and substitution of seafood with pork was associated with reductions in cumulative energy demand by 6% and diet cost by &lt;1%. All other substitutions led to an increase in sustainability impacts of up to 5%, including all outcomes associated with substituting poultry, eggs, and legumes with pork.DiscussionThe US federal government can play an important role in improving data collection methods that distinguish between pork and other meats. This can facilitate further research to evaluate sustainability trade-offs, which can inform clinical practice and public policy to support informed food choices for consumers.