bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enriched environment promotes post-stroke angiogenesis through astrocytic interleukin-17A
Authors: Chen Xiuping , Liu Lingling , Zhong Yingjun , Liu Yang 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveOur previous studies have revealed that the protective effect of an enriched environment (EE) may be linked with astrocyte proliferation and angiogenesis. However, the relationship between astrocytes and angiogenesis under EE conditions still requires further study. The current research examined the neuroprotective effects of EE on angiogenesis in an astrocytic interleukin-17A (IL-17A)-dependent manner following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.MethodsA rat model of ischemic stroke based on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 120 min followed by reperfusion was established, after which rats were housed in either EE or standard conditions. A set of behavior tests were conducted, including the modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) and the rotarod test. The infarct volume was evaluated by means of 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. To evaluate the levels of angiogenesis, the protein levels of CD34 were examined by means of immunofluorescence and western blotting, while the protein and mRNA levels of IL-17A, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the angiogenesis-associated factors interleukin-6 (IL-6), JAK2, and STAT3 were detected by western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).ResultsWe found that EE promoted functional recovery, reduced infarct volume, and enhanced angiogenesis compared to rats in standard conditions. IL-17A expression in astrocytes was also increased in EE rats. EE treatment increased the levels of microvascular density (MVD) and promoted the expression of CD34, VEGF, IL-6, JAK2, and STAT3 in the penumbra, while the intracerebroventricular injection of the IL-17A-neutralizing antibody in EE rats attenuated EE-mediated functional recovery and angiogenesis.ConclusionOur findings revealed a possible neuroprotective mechanism of astrocytic IL-17A in EE-mediated angiogenesis and functional recovery after I/R injury, which might provide the theoretical basis for EE in clinical practise for stroke patients and open up new ideas for the research on the neural repair mechanism mediated by IL-17A in the recovery phase of stroke.
Selective intraarterial hypothermia combined with mechanical thrombectomy for acute cerebral infarction based on microcatheter technology: A single-center, randomized, single-blind controlled study
Authors: Wan Yue , Tian Hao , Wang Hui , Wang DaPeng , Jiang HaiWei , Fang Qi 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of selective intraarterial hypothermia combined with mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction based on microcatheter technology.MethodsA total of 142 patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion were randomly assigned to the hypothermic treatment group (test group) and the conventional treatment group (control group). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, postoperative infarct volume, the 90-day good prognosis rate (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2 points), and the mortality rate of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Blood specimens were collected from patients before and after treatment. Serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) were measured.ResultsThe 7-day postoperative cerebral infarct volume [(63.7 ± 22.1) ml vs. (88.5 ± 20.8) ml] and NIHSS scores at postoperative Days 1, 7, and 14 [(6.8 ± 3.8) points vs. (8.2 ± 3.5) points; (2.6 ± 1.6) points vs. (4.0 ± 1.8) points; (2.0 ± 1.2) points vs. (3.5 ± 2.1) points] in the test group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The good prognosis rate at 90 days postoperatively (54.9 vs. 35.2%, P = 0.018) was significantly higher in the test group than in the control group. The 90-day mortality rate was not statistically significant (7.0 vs. 8.5%, P = 0.754). Immediately after surgery and 1 day after surgery, SOD, IL-10, and RBM3 levels in the test group were relatively higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant. Immediately after surgery and 1 day after surgery, MDA and IL-6 levels in the test group were relatively reduced compared with those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). In the test group, RBM3 was positively correlated with SOD and IL-10.ConclusionMechanical thrombectomy combined with intraarterial cold saline perfusion is a safe and effective measure for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Postoperative NIHSS scores and infarct volumes were significantly improved with this strategy compared with simple mechanical thrombectomy, and the 90-day good prognosis rate was improved. The mechanism by which this treatment exerts its cerebral protective effect may be by inhibiting the transformation of the ischaemic penumbra of the infarct core area, scavenging some oxygen free radicals, reducing inflammatory injury to cells after acute infarction and ischaemia–reperfusion, and promoting RBM3 production in cells.
Correlation of blood–brain barrier leakage with cerebral small vessel disease including cerebral microbleeds in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Cheng Zhaozhao , Dai Linbin , Wu Yan , Cao Yuqin , Chai Xianliang , Wang Peng , Liu Chang , Ni Ming , Gao Feng , Wang Qiong , Lv Xinyi 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundBlood–brain barrier (BBB) damage is considered an important part of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, and cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD) is commonly associated with AD. However, the relationship between BBB damage, small cerebrovascular lesions, especially cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and amyloid and tau biomarkers remains controversial. Therefore, our study aimed to further investigate their association in our cohort of patients with AD.MethodsA total of 139 individuals were divided into probable AD (18F-florbetapir PET positive, n = 101) and control group (cognitively normal, n = 38). The levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma t-tau, p-tau181, Aβ40, Aβ42, and albumin were measured using corresponding commercial assay kits, and the CSF/plasma albumin ratio (Qalb), an indicator of BBB dysfunction, was calculated. CSVD burden and the number of CMBs were defined using magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsPatients with AD had higher Qalb (p = 0.0024), higher numbers of CMBs (p = 0.03), and greater CSVD burden (p &lt; 0.0001). In the AD group, CMBs and CSVD correlated with a higher Qalb (p = 0.03), and the numbers of CMBs negatively correlated with CSF Aβ42 (p = 0.02).ConclusionBlood–brain barrier damage was accompanied by a more severe burden of CSVD, including CMB, in patients with AD.
A novel simulator-based checklist for evaluating residents' competence in cerebral angiography in China
Authors: Yi Xuxia , Wang Gang , Zhang Nai , Si Weixin , Lv Jianping 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundNowadays, with the fast-increasing demand for neuro-endovascular therapy, surgeons in this field are in urgent need. Unfortunately, there is still no formal skill assessment in neuro-endovascular therapy in China.MethodsWe used a Delphi method to design a newly objective checklist for standards of cerebrovascular angiography in China and evaluated its validity and reliability. A total of 19 neuro-residents with no interventional experience and 19 neuro-endovascular surgeons from two centers (Guangzhou and Tianjin) were recruited; they were divided into two groups: residents and surgeons. Residents completed a simulation-based cerebrovascular angiography operation training before assessment. Assessments were under live and video record forms with two tools: the existing global rating scale (GRS) of endovascular performance and the new checklist.ResultsThe average scores of residents were significantly increased after training in two centers (p &lt; 0.05). There is good consistency between GRS and the checklist (p = 0.856). Intra-rater reliability (Spearman's rho) of the checklist was &gt;0.9, and the same result was also observed in raters between different centers and different assessment forms (p &lt; 0.001, rho &gt; 0.9). The reliability of the checklist was higher than that of the GRS (Kendall's harmonious coefficient is 0.849, while GRS is 0.684).ConclusionThe newly developed checklist appears reliable and valid for evaluating the technical performance of cerebral angiography and differentiating between trained and untrained trainees' performance well. For its efficiency, our method has been proven to be a feasible tool for resident angiography examination in certification nationwide.
Identification and validation of a novel ubiquitination-related gene UBE2T in Ewing’s sarcoma
Authors: Qu Guoxin , Xu Yuanchun , Qu Ye , Qiu Jinchao , Chen Guosheng , Zhao Nannan , Deng Jin 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundEwing’s sarcoma (ES) is one of the most prevalent malignant bone tumors worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms of the genes and signaling pathways of ES are still not well sufficiently comprehended. To identify candidate genes involved in the development and progression of ES, the study screened for key genes and biological pathways related to ES using bioinformatics methods.MethodsThe GSE45544 and GSE17618 microarray datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and functional enrichment analysis was performed. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was built, and key module analysis was performed using STRING and Cytoscape. A core-gene was gained and was validated by the validation dataset GSE67886 and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The diagnostic value and prognosis evaluation of ES were executed using, respectively, the ROC approach and Cox Regression.ResultsA total of 187 DEGs, consisting of 56 downregulated genes and 131 upregulated genes, were identified by comparing the tumor samples to normal samples. The enriched functions and pathways of the DEGs, including cell division, mitotic nuclear division, cell proliferation, cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, were analyzed. There were 149 nodes and 1246 edges in the PPI network, and 15 hub genes were identified according to the degree levels. The core gene (UBE2T) showed high expression in ES, validated by using GSE67886 and IHC. The ROC analysis revealed UBE2T had outstanding diagnostic value in ES (AUC = 0.75 in the training set, AUC = 0.90 in the validation set). Kaplan-Meier (analysis of survival rate) and Cox Regression analyses indicated that UBE2T was a sign of adverse results for sufferers with ES.ConlusionUBE2T was a significant value biomarker for diagnosis and treatment of ES, thereby presenting a novel potential therapeutic target for ES as well as a new perspective for assessing the effect of treatment and prognostic prediction.
The effect of perioperative blood transfusion on survival after renal cell carcinoma nephrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Yang , Deng Xianzhong , Wen Zhi , Huang Jing , Wang Chongjian , Chen Caixia , Yang Xuesong 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe effect of perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) on postoperative survival in RCC patients who underwent partial nephrectomy (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) remains controversial. Two meta-analyses in 2018 and 2019 reported the postoperative mortality of PBT patients with RCC, but they did not investigate the effect on the survival of patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant literature to demonstrate whether PBT affected postoperative survival in RCC patients who received nephrectomy.MethodsPubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched. Studies comparing RCC patients with or without PBT following either RN or PN were included in this analysis. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature, and hazard ratios (HRs) of overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS), as well as 95% confidence intervals, were considered as effect sizes. All data were processed using Stata 15.1.ResultsTen retrospective studies involving 19,240 patients were included in this analysis, with the publication dates ranging from 2014 to 2022. Evidence revealed that PBT was significantly associated with the decline of OS (HR, 2.62; 95%CI: 1,98-3.46), RFS (HR, 2.55; 95%CI: 1.74-3.75), and CSS (HR, 3.15; 95%CI: 2.3-4.31) values. There was high heterogeneity among the study results due to the retrospective nature and the low quality of the included studies. Subgroup analysis findings suggested that the heterogeneity of this study might be caused by different tumor stages in the included articles. Evidence implied that PBT had no significant influence on RFS and CSS with or without robotic assistance, but it was still linked to worse OS (combined HR; 2.54 95% CI: 1.18, 5.47). Furthermore, the subgroup analysis with intraoperative blood loss lower than 800 ML revealed that PBT had no substantial impact on OS and CSS of postoperative RCC patients, whereas it was correlated with poor RFS (1.42, 95% CI: 1.02-1.97).ConclusionsRCC patients undergoing PBT after nephrectomy had poorer survival.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022363106.
Clinical and non-clinical determinants of cervical cancer mortality: A retrospective cohort study in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Ola Idris Olasunmbo , Okunowo Adeyemi Adebola , Habeebu Muhammad Yaqub , Miao Jonasson Junmei 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionCervical cancer (CCa) is the fourth most frequent and a common cause of cancer mortality in women, the majority of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. Data on CCa mortality and its determinants have been poorly studied in Nigeria, resulting in a paucity of information that can assist patient management and cancer control policy.AimThe purpose of this study was to assess the mortality rate among CCa patients in Nigeria as well as the major factors influencing CCa mortality.Study designData from the medical records of 343 CCa patients seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center from 2015 to 2021 were used in a retrospective cohort analysis. The hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CI) associated with the exposure variables and CCa mortality were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression.ResultsThe CCa mortality rate was 30.5 per 100 women-years after 2.2 years of median follow-up. Clinical factors such as HIV/AIDS (adjusted HR [aHR]: 11.9; 95% CI: 4.6, 30.4), advanced clinical stage (aHR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 4.7), and anemia at presentation (aHR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.0) were associated with a higher mortality risk, as were non-clinical factors such as age at diagnosis &gt;50 years (aHR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.9) and family history of CCa (aHR: 3.5; 95%CI: 1.1, 11.1)ConclusionCCa has a high mortality rate in Nigeria. Incorporating these clinical and non-clinical factors into CCa management and control policies may improve women’s outcomes.
Characteristics of recurrence, predictors for relapse and prognosis of rapid relapse triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Cai Shuang-Long , Liu Jing-Jing , Liu Ying-Xue , Yu Shao-Hong , Liu Xu , Lin Xiu-Quan , Chen Hong-Dan , Fang Xuan , Ma Tao , Li Ya-Qing , Li Ying , Li Chun-Yan , Zhang Sheng , Chen Xiao-Geng , Guo Xiao-Jing , Zhang Jin 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients who recur at different times are associated with distinct biological characteristics and prognoses. Research on rapid-relapse TNBC (RR-TNBC) is sparse. In this study, we aimed to describe the characteristics of recurrence, predictors for relapse, and prognosis in rrTNBC patients.MethodsClinicopathological data of 1584 TNBC patients from 2014 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The characteristics of recurrence were compared between patients with RR-TNBC and slow relapse TNBC(SR-TNBC). All TNBC patients were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set to find predictors for rapid relapse. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the data of the training set. C-index and brier score analysis for predicting rapid relapse in the validation set was used to evaluate the discrimination and accuracy of the multivariate logistic model. Prognostic measurements were analyzed in all TNBC patients.ResultsCompared with SR-TNBC patients, RR-TNBC patients tended to have a higher T staging, N staging, TNM staging, and low expression of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs). The recurring characteristics were prone to appear as distant metastasis at the first relapse. The first metastatic site was apt to visceral metastasis and less likely to have chest wall or regional lymph node metastasis. Six predictors (postmenopausal status, metaplastic breast cancer,≥pT3 staging,≥pN1 staging, sTIL intermediate/high expression, and Her2 [1+]) were used to construct the predictive model of rapid relapse in TNBC patients. The C-index and brier score in the validation set was 0.861 and 0.095, respectively. This suggested that the predictive model had high discrimination and accuracy. The prognostic data for all TNBC patients showed that RR-TNBC patients had the worst prognosis, followed by SR-TNBC patients.ConclusionRR-TNBC patients were associated with unique biological characteristics and worse outcomes compared to non-RR-TNBC patients.
How to use participatory design to develop an eHealth intervention to reduce preprocedural stress and anxiety among children visiting the hospital: The Hospital Hero app multi-study and pilot report
Authors: Poot Charlotte C. , Meijer Eline , Bruil Annet , Venema Melanie , Vegt Niko J. H. , Donkel Nicole , van Noort Veronique , Chavannes Niels H. , Roest Arno A. W. 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundMedical procedures can cause considerable stress and anxiety among children. Current interventions mainly diminish stress and anxiety during procedures, while stress and anxiety often build up at home. Moreover, interventions often focus on either distraction or preparation. eHealth can combine multiple strategies and provide a low-cost solution that can be used outside the hospital.ObjectiveTo develop an eHealth solution to diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety, and to evaluate the app on use, usability and user experience in practice. We also aimed to gain in-depth insights in children's and caregivers' opinions and experiences to inform future improvements.MethodsThis is a multi-study report on the development (Study 1) and evaluation (Study 2) of a first version of the developed app. In study 1 we adopted a participatory design approach in which children's experiences were central to the design process. We performed an experience journey session with stakeholders (n = 13) to map the child's outpatient journey, identify pains and gains, and formulate the desired experience journey. Iterative development and testing with children (n = 8) and caregivers (n = 6) resulted in a working prototype. The prototype was tested with children, resulting in a first version of the Hospital Hero app. The app was evaluated on use, user-experience and usability during an eight-week pilot study in practice (Study 2). We triangulated data from online interviews with children and caregivers (n = 21) and online questionnaires (n = 46).ResultsMultiple stress and anxiety experience touchpoints were identified. The Hospital Hero app supports children in their hospital journey by facilitating preparation at home and providing distraction at the hospital. The pilot study showed that the app was evaluated positively on usability and user-experience and is considered feasible. Qualitative data showed five themes: (1) user-friendliness, (2) coherence and power of storytelling, (3) motivation and reward, (4) fit with real hospital journey, (5) procedural comfort.DiscussionUsing participatory design, we developed a child-centered solution that supports children in the entire hospital journey and may diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety. Future efforts should create a more tailored journey, define an optimal engagement window and formulate implementation strategies.
How do risks and benefits affect user’ privacy decisions? An event-related potential study on privacy calculus process
Authors: Fu Jialin , Zhang Jiaming , Li Xihang 
Published: February 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how risks and benefits affect users’ privacy-related decision-making processes.Design/methods/approachThis study collected and analyzed the neural activity processes of users’ privacy-related decisions when faced with personalized services with different risks and benefits through an ERP experiment that included 40 participants.Findings/resultsThe findings show that users subconsciously categorize personalized services based on benefit; Privacy calculus affects privacy decision by influencing the allocation of cognitive resources for personalized service, and the scarcity of cognitive resources increases the degree of privacy disclosure; Emotional change in privacy decision is the result of many factors, not the result of privacy risk alone.Originality/DiscussionThis study provides a new perspective to explain the process of privacy decision-making, and a new approach to investigate the privacy paradox.
On offer to Ontario consumers three years after legalization: A profile of cannabis products, cannabinoid content, plant type, and prices
Authors: Tassone Felicia , Di Ciano Patricia , Liu Yuxin , Rueda Sergio 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionCannabis was legalized in Canada in October 2018, regulating the production, distribution, sale, and possession of dried cannabis and cannabis oils. Additional products were legalized 1 year later, including edibles, concentrates, and topicals, with new lines of commercial products coming to market. Ontario is the most populous province in Canada and has the largest cannabis market with the highest number of in-person retail stores and the most cannabis products available online. This study aims to create a profile of products available to consumers three years after legalization by summarizing types of products, THC and CBD potency, plant type, and prices of product sub-categories.MethodsWe extracted data from the website of the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS)—the public agency overseeing the only online store and sole wholesaler to all authorized in-person stores—in the first quarter of 2022 (January 19–March 23). We used descriptive analyses to summarize the data. A total of 1,771 available products were mapped by route of administration into inhalation (smoking, vaping, and concentrates), ingestible (edibles, beverages, oils, and capsules) and topical.ResultsMost inhalation products included ≥20%/g THC (dried flower: 94%; cartridges: 96%; resin: 100%) while ingestible products had similar proportions of THC and CBD content. Indica-dominant products tend to be more prominent in inhalation products while sativa-dominant products tend to be more prominent in ingestible products. The average sale price of cannabis was 9.30 $/g for dried flower, 5.79 $/0.1g for cartridges, 54.82 $/g for resin, 3.21 $/unit for soft chews, 1.37 $/ml for drops, 1.52 $/unit for capsules, and 39.94 $/product for topicals.DiscussionIn summary, a wide variety of cannabis products were available to Ontarians for different routes of administration and provides numerous indica-dominant, sativa-dominant, and hybrid/blend options. The current market for inhalation products however is geared towards the commercialization of high-THC products.