bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colocalization of corneal resistance factor GWAS loci with GTEx e/sQTLs highlights plausible candidate causal genes for keratoconus postnatal corneal stroma weakening
Authors: Jiang Xinyi , Boutin Thibaud , Vitart Veronique 
Published: August 2023

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for corneal resistance factor (CRF) have identified 100s of loci and proved useful to uncover genetic determinants for keratoconus, a corneal ectasia of early-adulthood onset and common indication of corneal transplantation. In the current absence of studies to probe the impact of candidate causal variants in the cornea, we aimed to fill some of this knowledge gap by leveraging tissue-shared genetic effects.Methods: 181 CRF signals were examined for evidence of colocalization with genetic signals affecting steady-state gene transcription and splicing in adult, non-eye, tissues of the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project. Expression of candidate causal genes thus nominated was evaluated in single cell transcriptomes from adult cornea, limbus and conjunctiva. Fine-mapping and colocalization of CRF and keratoconus GWAS signals was also deployed to support their sharing causal variants.Results and discussion: 26.5% of CRF causal signals colocalized with GTEx v8 signals and nominated genes enriched in genes with high and specific expression in corneal stromal cells amongst tissues examined. Enrichment analyses carried out with nearest genes to all 181 CRF GWAS signals indicated that stromal cells of the limbus could be susceptible to signals that did not colocalize with GTEx’s. These cells might not be well represented in GTEx and/or the genetic associations might have context specific effects. The causal signals shared with GTEx provide new insights into mediation of CRF genetic effects, including modulation of splicing events. Functionally relevant roles for several implicated genes’ products in providing tensile strength, mechano-sensing and signaling make the corresponding genes and regulatory variants prime candidates to be validated and their roles and effects across tissues elucidated. Colocalization of CRF and keratoconus GWAS signals strengthened support for shared causal variants but also highlighted many ways into which likely true shared signals could be missed when using readily available GWAS summary statistics.
Tidal volume challenge–induced hemodynamic changes can predict fluid responsiveness during one-lung ventilation: an observational study
Authors: Zhang Yang , Ding Yinyin , Zhang Jiatong , Huang Tianfeng , Gao Ju 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundTo evaluate the ability of tidal volume challenge (VTC)-induced hemodynamic changes to predict fluid responsiveness in patients during one-lung ventilation (OLV).Methods80 patients scheduled for elective thoracoscopic surgery with OLV were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 18 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III, normal right ventricular function, normal left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction ≥55%), and normal or slightly impaired diastolic function. The study protocol was implemented 15 min after starting OLV. Simultaneous recordings were performed for hemodynamic variables of diameter of left ventricular outflow tract, velocity time integral (VTI) of aortic valve, and stroke volume (SV), and ΔSV-VTC, ΔVTI-VTC, and ΔMAP-VTC were calculated at four time points: with VT 5 mL/kg (T1); after VT increased from 5 mL/kg to 8 mL/kg and maintained at this level for 2 min (T2); after VT was adjusted back to 5 mL/kg for 2 min (T3); and after volume expansion (250 mL of 0.9% saline infused over 10–15 min) (T4). Patients were considered as responders to fluid administration if SV increased by ≥10%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for percent decrease in SV, VTI, and MAP by VTC were generated to evaluate their ability to discriminate fluid responders from nonresponders.ResultsOf the 58 patients analyzed, there were 32 responders (55%) and 26 nonresponders (45%). The basic characteristics were comparable between the two groups (p &gt; 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for ΔSV-VTC, ΔVTI-VTC, and ΔMAP-VTC to discriminate responders from nonresponders were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.68–0.90), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.66–0.89), and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.42–0.69). The best threshold for ΔSV-VTC was −16.1% (sensitivity, 78.1%; specificity, 84.6%); the best threshold for ΔVTI-VTC was −14.5% (sensitivity, 78.1%; specificity, 80.8%).ConclusionTidal volume challenge–induced relative change of stroke volume and velocity time integral can predict fluid responsiveness in patients during one-lung ventilation.Clinical Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, No: chictr210051310.
SY18ΔL60L: a new recombinant live attenuated African swine fever virus with protection against homologous challenge
Authors: Yang Jinjin , Zhu Rongnian , Zhang Yanyan , Fan Jiaqi , Zhou Xintao , Yue Huixian , Li Qixuan , Miao Faming , Chen Teng , Mi Lijuan , Zhang Fei , Zhang Shoufeng , Qian Aidong , Hu Rongliang 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionAfrican swine fever (ASF) is an acute and highly contagious disease and its pathogen, the African swine fever virus (ASFV), threatens the global pig industry. At present, management of ASF epidemic mainly relies on biological prevention and control methods. Moreover, due to the large genome of ASFV, only half of its genes have been characterized in terms of function.MethodsHere, we evaluated a previously uncharacterized viral gene, L60L. To assess the function of this gene, we constructed a deletion strain (SY18ΔL60L) by knocking out the L60L gene of the SY18 strain. To evaluate the growth characteristics and safety of the SY18ΔL60L, experiments were conducted on primary macrophages and pigs, respectively.ResultsThe results revealed that the growth trend of the recombinant strain was slower than that of the parent strain in vitro. Additionally, 3/5 (60%) pigs intramuscularly immunized with a 105 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) of SY18ΔL60L survived the 21-day observation period. The surviving pigs were able to protect against the homologous lethal strain SY18 and survive. Importantly, there were no obvious clinical symptoms or viremia.DiscussionThese results suggest that L60L could serve as a virulence- and replication-related gene. Moreover, the SY18ΔL60L strain represents a new recombinant live-attenuated ASFV that can be employed in the development of additional candidate vaccine strains and in the elucidation of the mechanisms associated with ASF infection.
The nuclei of the lateral lemniscus: unexpected players in the descending auditory pathway
Authors: Gómez-Martínez Mario , Rincón Héctor , Gómez-Álvarez Marcelo , Gómez-Nieto Ricardo , Saldaña Enrique 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionIn the mammalian auditory pathway, the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus (NLL) are thought to be exclusively involved in the bottom-up transmission of auditory information. However, our repeated observation of numerous NLL neurons labeled after injection of retrograde tracers into the superior olivary complex (SOC) led us to systematically investigate with retrograde tracers the descending projections from the NLL to the SOC of the rat.MethodsWe performed large injections of FluoroGold into the SOC to determine NLL contributions to descending projections, and focal injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) to pinpoint the specific nuclei of the SOC innervated by each NLL.ResultsThe SOC is innervated by thousands of neurons distributed across four nuclei or regions associated with the lateral lemniscus: the ipsilateral ventral and intermediate nuclei of the lateral lemniscus (VNLL and INLL); the medial paralemniscal region (PL) of both sides; and the ipsilateral semilunar nucleus (SLN), a previously unrecognized nucleus that wraps around the INLL dorsally, medially, and caudally and consists of small, flat neurons. In some experiments, at least 30% of neurons in the VNLL and INLL were retrogradely labeled. All nuclei of the SOC, except the medial and lateral superior olives, are innervated by abundant lemniscal neurons, and each SOC nucleus receives a unique combination of lemniscal inputs. The primary target of the projections from the VNLL is the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body (VNTB), followed by the superior paraolivary nucleus (SPON), and the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). The INLL selectively innervates the VNTB. The PL innervates dorsal periolivary regions bilaterally. The SLN preferentially innervates the MNTB and may provide the first identified non-calyceal excitatory input to MNTB neurons.DiscussionOur novel findings have strong implications for understanding acoustic information processing in the initial stages of the auditory pathway. Based on the proportion of lemniscal neurons involved in all the projections described, the NLL should be considered major players in the descending auditory pathway.
Effects of white matter hyperintensity on cognitive function in PD patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Wenhao , Cheng Bo , Zhu Tao , Cui Yingjuan , Shen Yao , Fu Xudong , Li Maogeng , Feng Yuliang , Zhang Shushan 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is often accompanied by cognitive dysfunction, which imposes a heavy burden on patients, their families, and society. Early identification and intervention are particularly important, but reliable biomarkers for identifying PD-related cognitive impairment at an early stage are currently lacking. Although numerous clinical studies have investigated the association between brain white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and cognitive decline, the findings regarding the relationships between WMH and cognitive dysfunction in PD patients have been inconsistent. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a meta-analysis of the effect of WMH on PD cognitive function.MethodsThis study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. We systematically searched relevant literature from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, and CBM. The retrieval time was limited to database records created up until December 31, 2022. Additionally, we manually retrieved references for full-text reading. Statistical data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software.ResultsThis study encompassed 23 individual studies and involved 2,429 patients with PD. The group of PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) exhibited a significantly higher overall level of WMH than the group of PD with normal cognitive function (PD-NC) (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.21–0.52, p &lt; 0.01). This finding was consistent across subgroup analyses based on different ethnicities (Asian or Caucasian), WMH assessment methods (visual rating scale or volumetry), and age matching. In addition to the overall differences in WMH load between the PD-MCI and PD-NC groups, the study found that specific brain regions, including periventricular white matter hyperintensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH), had significantly higher WMH load in the PD-MCI group compared to the PD-NC group. The study also conducted a meta-analysis of WMH load data for PD with dementia (PDD) and PD without dementia (PDND), revealing that the overall WMH load in the PDD group was significantly higher than that in the PDND group (SMD = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.56–1.41, p &lt; 0.01). This finding was consistent across subgroup analyses based on different ethnicities and age matching. Moreover, regarding specific brain regions (PVH or DWMH), the study found that the PDD group had significantly higher WMH load than the PDND group (p &lt; 0.01).ConclusionWMH was associated with PD cognitive dysfunction. The early appearance of WMH may indicate PD with MCI.
Objective assessment of dysarthric disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis depending on sex, age, and type of text read
Authors: Warmbier Wojciech A. , Popiel Małgorzata , Guzik Agnieszka , Drużbicki Mariusz , Bartosik-Psujek Halina 
Published: August 2023

PurposeTo assess dysarthric disorders in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in comparison with healthy individuals and MS patients without dysarthria depending on the patient’s sex, age, and the type of text read using an objective tool.MethodsThe study was carried out in a group of 72 persons, including 24 with MS presenting dysarthria (study group) and 24 healthy individuals (healthy control group), and 24 with MS without dysarthria (MS control group). Performance (reading) time was evaluated by means of an objective tool created for the purpose of the analysis.ResultsThe study showed significant statistical differences in the analyzed performance time of: poetry reading, prose reading, and completing a diction exercise, among persons with MS from the study group presenting dysarthria and both control groups (p &lt; 0.05). It took more time to read the poem, and prose and to perform a diction exercise in the study group with dysarthria than in both control groups (with no significant differences between the two) Similarly, the comparison between the groups in terms of sex and age showed disturbances in the above-mentioned parameter in the study group. What was not demonstrated were significant differences in the evaluated speech parameters depending on both sex and age separately in the group of MS patients with dysarthria, and both control groups (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThe objective tool created for the purpose of speech analysis is useful in detecting discrepancies in performance (reading) time among MS patients with dysarthria, and healthy individuals, as well as patients with MS without dysarthria and can be used in clinical practice for diagnostic purposes, however, further research is essential to complete its validation.
Differential effects of remotely supervised transcranial direct current stimulation on recognition memory depending on task order
Authors: Imperio Casey M. , Chua Elizabeth F. 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundPrior work has shown positive effects of High Definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on semantic memory performance and metamemory monitoring accuracy. However, HD-tDCS requires setup by a trained researcher, which is not always feasible. Few studies have used remotely supervised (rs) tDCS in healthy populations, and remote supervision has strong practical benefits.Objective/hypothesisThe goal of the current study was to test if previously shown effects of HD-tDCS over the left DLPFC on semantic memory performance and metamemory monitoring accuracy extended to conventional rs-tDCS, which is less focal than HD-tDCS, and to episodic memory and metamemory tasks.Materials and methodsA total of 36 healthy participants completed 6 weeks of rs-tDCS sessions, with either active left or right anodal DLPFC stimulation, or sham. Participants completed semantic and episodic memory and metamemory tasks, which each lasted for three consecutive sessions, and session order was counterbalanced across participants.ResultsOverall, there were no main effects of rs-tDCS on metamemory monitoring accuracy or memory performance for either the semantic or the episodic tasks. However, there were effects of rs-tDCS that depended on the order of completing the episodic and semantic task sessions. When participants completed the semantic task sessions after the episodic task sessions, semantic recognition was greater in the left anodal DLPFC condition. In a parallel effect, when participants completed the episodic task sessions after the semantic task sessions, episodic recognition was greater in the right anodal DLPFC condition.ConclusionPrior experience with tDCS is a factor for effects of rs-tDCS on cognition. Additionally, the current experiment provides evidence for the feasibility of fully remotely supervised tDCS in healthy participants.
Improving depressive symptoms and maintaining cognitive abilities of seniors within the nursing homes: A pilot study of brief mindfulness-based interventions for seniors in a semi-randomized trial
Authors: Aisenberg-Shafran Daniela , Harmatz Margalit 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionSeniors in nursing homes are at higher risk for depression and emotional distress. The COVID-19 crisis and isolation have even increased the risk for cognitive decline and suicidality. Since social media is often unfamiliar to older adults, their treatment options were diminished during quarantine. Recently, studies showed the potential for Mindfulness-Based Intervention in improving cognitive functioning and psychological well-being among healthy older adults. Standardized courses such as MBSR and MBCT are not suited to the majority of seniors for several reasons. First, the interventions are too long and demanding, physically and cognitively. Second, they require an instructed counselor for delivery, which makes it almost impossible in times of quarantine, and third, very expensive. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine whether similar improvements in emotional distress and cognitive functioning can be achieved through a brief intervention, that can be delivered by workers in nursing homes.MethodsA course of 8 half-hour sessions each (MBIS: Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Seniors) was employed in two versions: (1) An 8-week course with weekly meetings (2) A 4-week course with 2 sessions per week and compared to a control care-as-usual group. Depression and mood were measured, as well as cognitive abilities in the Simon task. In addition, the level of Mindfulness skills was measured before and after the interventions.ResultsWe showed that brief interventions succeeded in improving mindfulness Non-reactivity and produced changes in the facets Acting with awareness and Non-judging. More importantly, the brief intervention, in both frequency versions, improved the level of depression and mood (BDI and PHQ-9). At the cognitive level, an adaptive sequential effect appeared after the intervention only in the 8-week MBIS group.DiscussionThese findings indicate the effectiveness of this pilot of a short, simple, mindfulness-based intervention, in improving depression and psychological distress, as well as improving cognitive control over time. This may enhance significant developments in the field of treatment solutions for seniors, with a ready-to-use protocol to administer in nursing homes.
Effects of 8 months of high-intensity interval training on physical fitness and health-related quality of life in substance use disorder
Authors: Tan Jun , Wang Jingsong , Guo Yin , Lu Chunxia , Tang Wanke , Zheng Lan 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 months of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical fitness and health-related quality of life in substance use disorder.MethodsSixty substance use disorder were randomly assigned to either the HIIT group or the control group according to a random sampling method. The HIIT group received 8 months of four 60-min sessions per week under supervision. Weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, heart rate, blood pressure, VO2max, reaction time, grip strength, standing on one foot with eyes closed, sitting forward flexion, and quadrant jumping, standing on one foot with eyes closed, the number of push-ups, quality of life (SF-36) score, and craving (VAS) scored were monitored in the HIIT and control groups at baseline, 4 months, and 8 months. SPSS 22.0 was used to conduct repeated measurement analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis on the collected subject data.ResultsCompared with baseline, weight (p &lt; 0.001), waist circumference (p &lt; 0.001), body fat percentage (p &lt; 0.001), heart rate (p &lt; 0.05), Systolic blood pressure (p &lt; 0.01), systolic blood pressure (p &lt; 0.05), reaction time (p &lt; 0.001),PSQI (p &lt; 0.001), Total cholesterol (p &lt; 0.001), Triglyceride (p &lt; 0.001), Blood sugar (p &lt; 0.001) and VAS score (p &lt; 0.001) were significantly decreased after 8 months of exercise intervention. Contrastingly, VO2max (p &lt; 0.05), grip strength (p &lt; 0.05), eyes closed and one foot Standing (p &lt; 0.001), sitting forward flexion (p &lt; 0.001), quadrant jumping (p &lt; 0.001), push-ups (p &lt; 0.001), PCS (p &lt; 0.001), and MCS (p &lt; 0.001) were significantly increased. VO2max was significantly negatively correlated with VAS (r = −0.434, p &lt; 0.001), and significantly positively correlated with PCS (r = 0.425, p &lt; 0.001). There was a positive correlation between standing on one foot with closed eyes and MCS (r = 0.283, p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionEight months of HIIT can comprehensively improve the physical health level and health-related quality of life of men with substance use disorders, reduce the desire for drugs, and lay the foundation for better starting a happy life.
An examination of large-scale electronic health records implementation in Primary Healthcare Centers in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study
Authors: Alzghaibi Haitham A. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionDigital transformation has become a buzzword in almost every industry in the twenti first century. Healthcare is not an exception. In the healthcare industry, digital transformation includes the utilization of electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, health information exchange, mobile health, and other interactive platforms. The importance of digital transformation in healthcare cannot be overemphasized as it has proven to be critical in improving patient outcomes, making healthcare delivery more efficient, and reducing costs. The positive impact of electronic health records was noticed almost immediately in the field of primary healthcare. It has been suggested that implementing electronic health records will enhance the accessibility and the process of distribution of health records between authorized users. As part of Saudi vision 2030, all healthcare organizations in Saudi Arabia are going to shift to digital transformation.MethodsThis study follows a qualitative, semi-structure, face-to-face interview approach. The collected data were analyzed using NVivo V10 software. Inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the collected data from the interviews.ResultSeventeen project team members, from different positions and backgrounds were purposively chosen to be interviewed. Three main themes and 38 codes were generated from the analysis of transcripts. The informants describe the implementation of electronic health records in the PHCs based on two different experiences. The participants reported that a previous attempt failed due to inappropriate infrastructure, lack of technical support, and low level of user acceptance. Therefore, the policymakers adopted several steps to increase the level of success and avoid failure causes. They initially established well-defined requests for proposals followed by continuous commendation among the project team and conducted a consultation on multiple levels (country level; organizational level and individual level).ConclusionThis study concluded that the main causes that lead to the failure of the large-scale project were lack of connectivity, lack of technical support, and staff changes, particularly those who occupied high-level positions in the Saudi ministry of Health. The success rate of EHRs implementation can be directly impacted by the size of the project. Large-scale projects are complicated and may be subject to numerous challenges compared with small projects. Significant factors such as training, support, legal issues, and organizational workflow and redesign were a concern of the project team during the pre-implementation phase. In addition, other factors related to technology and end-users were included in the EHRs implementation plan.