bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Construction and validation of a clinical prediction model for asymptomatic obstructive coronary stenosis in patients with carotid stenosis
Authors: Qin Cuijie , Li Chuang , Luo Yunpeng , Li Zhen , Cao Hui 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundCoronary artery stenosis occurs frequently in patients with carotid artery stenosis. We developed a clinical predictive model to investigate the clinical risk of asymptomatic obstructive coronary artery stenosis in patients with carotid artery stenosis ≥ 50%.MethodsFrom January 2018 to January 2022, carotid stenosis patients hospitalized at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University's Department of Endovascular Surgery were subjected to a retrospective analysis of their clinical information and imaging results. Excluded criteria were patients with lacking data, symptomatic coronary stenosis, prior coronary artery bypass grafting, and coronary stent implantation. Patients were separated into case and control groups according to whether or not they had obstructive coronary stenosis. Independent predictors were screened using univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and their accuracy was confirmed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. A Nomogram prediction model was developed using the aforementioned filtered factors. The model's discrimination and specificity were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Internal validation employed the Bootstrap procedure. The clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) of the prediction model was developed to assess the clinical applicability of the model.ResultsThe investigation included a total of 227 patients, of whom 132 (58.1%) had coronary artery stenosis. Hypertension, Grade I plaque, HbA1c ≥ 7.0%, MPV ≥ 9.2fl, and Fib ≥ 3.0 g/L were independent predictors, with OR values of (2.506, 0.219, 0.457, 1.876, 2.005), according to multivariate logistic regression. Risk factor screening and validation using lasso regression. The predictors chosen based on the optimal λ value are consistent with the predictors identified by multiple regression. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the model based on the above predictors was 0.701 (0.633–0.770), indicating that the model discriminated well. The calibration curve of the model closely matched the actual curve, and P &gt; 0.05 in the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated the model's accuracy. The results of the DCA curve demonstrate the clinical applicability of the prediction model.ConclusionHypertension, grade I plaque, HbA1c ≥ 7.0%, MPV ≥ 9.2 fl, and Fib ≥ 3.0 g/L are predictors of asymptomatic coronary stenosis in patients with carotid stenosis ≥50%. The diagnostic model is clinically applicable and useful for identifying patients at high risk.
Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China
Authors: Song Rui , Li Xueming , Hou Xinyu 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionUrban human settlements' spatial network structures have emerged as crucial determinants impacting their health and sustainability. Understanding the influencing factors is pivotal for enhancing these settlements. This study focuses on 34 prefecture-level cities in Northeastern China from 2005 to 2020. It employs a modified gravitational model to establish spatial relationships among urban human settlements. Social network analysis techniques, including modularity and the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression model, are introduced to analyze the network's characteristics and driving factors.MethodsA modified gravitational model is applied to create the spatial association network of urban human settlements. Social network analysis tools, along with modularity and the QAP regression model, are utilized to investigate the network's attributes and influencing elements. The study evaluates the evolution of spatial correlation, network cohesion, hierarchy, and efficiency.ResultsThroughout the study period, spatial correlation among urban human settlements in Northeastern China progressively intensified. However, the network exhibited relatively low density (0.217675), implying limited interconnectivity among cities. The average network hierarchy was 0.178225, indicating the need for optimization, while the average network efficiency was 0.714025, reflecting fewer redundant relationships. The analysis reveals the emergence of a polycentric network pattern with core and sub-core cities like Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun, Daqing, and Harbin. The urban network configuration has largely stabilized. The spatial association network showcases the intertwining of "small groups" and community organizations. Geographic proximity and merit-based linkages govern feature flow. Measures such as breaking administrative barriers, reducing flow time and distance, boosting resident income, and increasing government investment are identified to foster balanced network development and structural optimization.DiscussionThe research underscores the increasing spatial correlation and evolving network pattern among urban human settlements in Northeastern China. Despite the observed strengthening correlation, challenges related to network cohesion and hierarchy persist. The formation of a polycentric network signifies positive progress in urban development. The study highlights the importance of proximity and merit-based connections for feature flow. The proposed measures offer pathways to enhance network development and optimize structure, promoting holistic urban settlement growth and sustainability.
De novo sequencing, assembly, and characterization of Asparagus racemosus transcriptome and analysis of expression profile of genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway
Authors: Malik Chanchal , Dwivedi Sudhanshu , Rabuma Tilahun , Kumar Ravinder , Singh Nitesh , Kumar Anil , Yogi Rajesh , Chhokar Vinod 
Published: September 2023

Asparagus racemosus is known for its diverse content of secondary metabolites, i.e., saponins, alkaloids, and a wide range of flavonoids. Flavonoids, including phenols and polyphenols, have a significant role in plant physiology and are synthesized in several tissues. Despite the diverse role of flavonoids, genetic information is limited for flavonoid biosynthesis pathways in A. racemosus. The current study explores full-scale functional genomics information of A. racemosus by de novo transcriptome sequencing using Illumina paired-end sequencing technology to elucidate the genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. The de novo assembly of high-quality paired-end reads resulted in ∼2.3 million high-quality reads with a pooled transcript of 45,647 comprising ∼76 Mb transcriptome with a mean length (bp) of 1,674 and N50 of 1,868bp. Furthermore, the coding sequence (CDS) prediction analysis from 45,647 pooled transcripts resulted in 45,444 CDS with a total length and mean length of 76,398,686 and 1,674, respectively. The Gene Ontology (GO) analysis resulted in a high number of CDSs assigned to 25,342 GO terms, which grouped the predicted CDS into three main domains, i.e., Biological Process (19,550), Molecular Function (19,873), and Cellular Component (14,577). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database was used to categorize 6,353 CDS into 25 distinct biological pathway categories, in which the majority of mapped CDS were shown to be related to translation (645), followed by signal transduction (532), carbohydrate metabolism (524), folding, sorting, and degradation (522). Among these, only ∼64 and 14 CDSs were found to be involved in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR was used to check the expression profile of fourteen potential flavonoid biosynthesis pathway genes. The qRT-PCR analysis result matches the transcriptome sequence data validating the Illumina sequence results. Moreover, a large number of genes associated with the flavonoids biosynthesis pathway were found to be upregulated under the induction of methyl jasmonate. The present-day study on transcriptome sequence data of A. racemosus can be utilized for characterizing genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways and for functional genomics analysis in A. racemosus using the reverse genetics approach (CRISPR/Cas9 technology).
Resistome-based surveillance identifies ESKAPE pathogens as the predominant gram-negative organisms circulating in veterinary hospitals
Authors: Zendri Flavia , Isgren Cajsa M. , Devaney Jane , Schmidt Vanessa , Rankin Rachel , Timofte Dorina 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionHealthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) associated with extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant gram-negative (ESC-R GN) bacteria are an emerging concern in veterinary hospitals, especially in companion animal intensive care units (ICUs).MethodsTo understand the molecular epidemiology of ESC-R GN isolates in two veterinary hospitals (equine and small animal), a 6-month pilot study was performed during which fecal and environmental samples were obtained twice from selected patients, upon ICU admission and after 48 h of hospitalization. In total, 295 ESC-R GNs were analyzed using the Acuitas Resistome® Test (OpGen, Maryland, US), a PCR-based assay screening for 50 antimicrobial resistance gene families encoding for production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs), TEM/SHV/OXA or AmpC beta-lactamases and carbapenemases. Combining organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility data to genotyping results, unique “Acuitas profiles” were generated that can be used for fast typing the isolates and tracking transmission events.ResultsESKAPE GN pathogens were the most prevalent ESC-R GN isolates circulating in both the small animal and equine hospitals, consisting of Enterobacter cloacae complex (21.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.9%), and Acinetobacter baumannii complex (13.6%) followed by Escherichia coli (12.2%), most harboring a combination of genes encoding for beta-lactamases and ESBLs. Some ESKAPE genotypes showed likely intra-hospital transmission, including E. cloacae (two genotypes, one carrying SHV4, SHV5, and TEM7 and the other TEM1, TEM3, and TEM7 enzymes) in the equine and K. pneumoniae (SHV1, SHV5, and DHA1-positive) in the small animal ICUs, respectively. Furthermore, P. aeruginosa (carrying OXA-50), A. baumannii complex (OXA-51), and E. coli (CTX-M-1) genotypes were isolated across both hospitals, suggesting possible transfer mediated via movement of staff and students. Importantly, isolates carrying transmissible resistance to last-resort antimicrobials (i.e. carbapenems) were identified within the hospital environments, consisting of three environmental Acinetobacter spp. harboring blaOXA − 23 and one clinical E. coli with blaOXA − 48.ConclusionWe describe the widespread occurrence of ESKAPE gram-negative organisms in veterinary ICU patients and hospital environments. Findings from this project provide baseline data on the epidemiology of ESKAPE pathogens in veterinary settings, which can inform infection control policies to aid in patient management and prevent transmission of nosocomial infections associated with these pathogens.
The intracerebral injection of Aβ1-42 oligomers does not invariably alter seizure susceptibility in mice
Authors: Vande Vyver Maxime , Daeninck Louise , De Smet Gino , Aourz Najat , Sahu Surajit , Engelborghs Sebastiaan , Pauwels Kris , De Bundel Dimitri , Smolders Ilse 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesEpileptiform activity and seizures are present in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and genetic animal models of AD. Amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) oligomers are thought to be crucial in AD and can cause neuronal hyperexcitability in vitro. However, it is unclear whether these Aβ1-42 oligomers cause the increased seizure susceptibility in vivo in people with AD and in AD animal models, nor via which mechanisms it would do so. We investigated this question by injecting Aβ1-42 oligomers intracerebrally in mice and assessed its impact on seizure susceptibility.Materials and methodsWe performed a single intracerebral injection of synthetic Aβ1-42 oligomers or scrambled Aβ1-42 in NMRI mice in three different cohorts and subjected them to an i.v. infusion of a chemoconvulsant. We evoked the seizures 1.5 h, 1 week, or 3 weeks after the intracerebral injection of Aβ1-42 oligomers, covering also the timepoints and injection locations that were used by others in similar experimental set-ups.ResultsWith a thioflavine T assay and transmission electron microscopy we confirmed that Aβ1-42 monomers spontaneously aggregated to oligomers. We did not find an effect of Aβ1-42 oligomers on susceptibility to seizures – evoked 1.5 h, 1 week or 3 weeks – after their intracerebral injection.SignificanceThe lack of effect of Aβ1-42 oligomers on seizure susceptibility in our experiments contrasts with recent findings in similar experimental set-ups. Contradicting conclusions are frequent in experiments with Aβ1-42 and they are often attributed to subtle differences in the various aggregation forms of the Aβ1-42 used in different experiments. We confirmed the presence of Aβ1-42 oligomers with state-of-the-art methods but cannot ascertain that the protein aggregates we used are identical to those used by others. Whether our findings or those previously published best represent the role of Aβ1-42 oligomers on seizures in AD remains unclear.
EGb 761 reduces Ca2+ influx and apoptosis after pentylenetetrazole treatment in a neuroblastoma cell line
Authors: Ovey Ishak Suat , Ozsimsek Ahmet , Velioglu Halil Aziz , Altay Ozlem , Mardinoglu Adil , Yulug Burak 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundTransient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been found to have significant implications in neuronal outgrowth, survival, inflammatory neurogenic pain, and various epileptogenic processes. Moreover, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have a significant impact on epilepsy and its drug-resistant subtypes.ObjectiveWe postulated that EGb 761 would modulate TRPA1 channels, thereby exhibiting anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in a neuroblastoma cell line. Our rationale was to investigate the impact of EGb 761 in a controlled model of pentylenetetrazole-induced generalized epilepsy.MethodologyWe evaluated the neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of EGb 761 both before and after the pentylenetetrazole application in a neuroblastoma cell line. Specifically, we focused on the effects of EGB 761 on the activity of Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels.ResultsEGb 761 applications both before and after the pentylenetetrazole incubation period reduced Ca release and restored apoptosis, ROS changes, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase levels, suggesting a prominent prophylactic and therapeutic effect of EGb 761 in the pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptogenesis process.ConclusionOur basic mechanistic framework for elucidating the pathophysiological significance of fundamental ion mechanisms in a pentylenetetrazole treated neuroblastoma cell line provided compelling evidence for the favorable efficacy and safety profile of Egb 761 in human-relevant in vitro model of epilepsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the combined effects of EGb 761 and pentylenetetrazole on TRP channels and measure their activation level in a relevant model of human epileptic diseases.
The use of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy: case based review
Authors: Şorodoc Victoriţa , Constantin Mihai , Asaftei Andreea , Lionte Cătălina , Ceasovschih Alexandr , Sîrbu Oana , Haliga Raluca Ecaterina , Şorodoc Laurenţiu 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundHashimoto’s encephalopathy (HE) is a controversial immunological neuropsychiatric disease, with a poorly understood pathogenesis. It is characterized by symptoms of acute or subacute encephalopathy which usually occur in the presence of elevated levels of antithyroid antibodies. Even though it is also known as steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT), some cases appear to be steroid-resistant. This review examined whether treatment of Hashimoto’s encephalopathy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is associated with better clinical outcomes than the standard therapy. Additionally, we presented a case of a 59-year-old man who presented with severe neurological manifestations and was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.MethodsThe online databases PubMed and EMBASE were searched.ResultsA total of 1,365 articles were identified. After the deletion of 112 duplicates, 1,253 studies were screened by evaluating the title and abstract, focusing on Hashimoto’s encephalopathy cases where IVIG were used. 846 studies were excluded because they were not relevant to the topic or included pediatric population. Therefore, 407 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. The final analysis included 14 eligible articles after 393 were excluded (irrelevant texts, not written in English, full-text not available). In the majority of the selected case-reports, IVIG was associated with a good outcome, sometimes even with dramatic improvements in patient’s status.ConclusionIn last years, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy proved its utility in Hashimoto’s encephalopathy’s treatment, being a well tolerated therapy associated with remarkable improvement in patient’s status. Further research is still needed in order to define the optimal treatment protocol for Hashimoto’s encephalopathy and to establish if intravenous immunoglobulin can also be used as a first-line therapy, alone or in combination with steroids.
Non-invasive and accurate risk evaluation of cerebrovascular disease using retinal fundus photo based on deep learning
Authors: An Lin , Qin Jia , Jiang Weili , Luo Penghao , Luo Xiaoyan , Lai Yuzheng , Jin Mei 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundCerebrovascular disease (CeVD) is a prominent contributor to global mortality and profound disability. Extensive research has unveiled a connection between CeVD and retinal microvascular abnormalities. Nonetheless, manual analysis of fundus images remains a laborious and time-consuming task. Consequently, our objective is to develop a risk prediction model that utilizes retinal fundus photo to noninvasively and accurately assess cerebrovascular risks.Materials and methodsTo leverage retinal fundus photo for CeVD risk evaluation, we proposed a novel model called Efficient Attention which combines the convolutional neural network with attention mechanism. This combination aims to reinforce the salient features present in fundus photos, consequently improving the accuracy and effectiveness of cerebrovascular risk assessment.ResultOur proposed model demonstrates notable advancements compared to the conventional ResNet and Efficient-Net architectures. The accuracy (ACC) of our model is 0.834 ± 0.03, surpassing Efficient-Net by a margin of 3.6%. Additionally, our model exhibits an improved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.904 ± 0.02, surpassing other methods by a margin of 2.2%.ConclusionThis paper provides compelling evidence that Efficient-Attention methods can serve as effective and accurate tool for cerebrovascular risk. The results of the study strongly support the notion that retinal fundus photo holds great potential as a reliable predictor of CeVD, which offers a noninvasive, convenient and low-cost solution for large scale screening of CeVD.
Pain catastrophizing is associated with reduced neural response to monetary reward
Authors: Cooke Megan E. , Edwards Robert R. , Wheeler Grace L. , Schmitt William A. , Nielsen Lindsay V. , Streck Joanna M. , Schuster Randi M. , Potter Kevin , Evins A. Eden , Gilman Jodi M. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionPain catastrophizing, a measure of an individual's negative emotional and cognitive appraisals of pain, has been included as a key treatment target in many psychological interventions for pain. However, the neural correlates of pain catastrophizing have been understudied. Prior neuroimaging evidence suggests that adults with pain show altered reward processing throughout the mesocorticolimbic reward circuitry.MethodsIn this study, we tested the association between Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) scores and neural activation to the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) reward neuroimaging task in 94 adults reporting a range of pain, insomnia, and mood symptoms.ResultsResults indicated that PCS score but not pain intensity was significantly associated with blunted activation in the caudate and putamen in response to feedback of successful vs. unsuccessful trials on the MID task. Mediation analyses indicated that PCS score fully mediated the relationship between depression symptoms and reward activation.DiscussionThese findings provide evidence that pain catastrophizing is independently associated with altered striatal function apart from depression symptoms and pain intensity. Thus, in individuals experiencing pain and/or co- morbid conditions, reward dysfunction is directly related to pain catastrophizing.
Case report: Exome sequencing revealed disease-causing variants in a patient with spondylospinal thoracic dysostosis
Authors: Bouchoucha Sami , Chikhaoui Asma , Najjar Dorra , Zayoud Khouloud , Zouari Mohamed , Nessib Mohamed Nabil , Kéfi Rym , Yacoub-Youssef Houda 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundSpondylocostal dysostosis is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in DLL3, MESP2, LFNG, HES7, TBX6, and RIPPLY2. A particular form of this disorder characterized by the association of spondylocostal dysostosis with multiple pterygia has been reported and called spondylospinal thoracic dysostosis. Both disorders affect the spine and ribs, leading to abnormal development of the spine. Spondylospinal thoracic dysostosis is a rare syndrome characterized by the association of multiple vertebral segmentation defects, thoracic cage deformity, and multiple pterygia. This syndrome can be considered a different form of the described spondylocostal dysostosis. However, no genetic testing has been conducted for this rare disorder so far.MethodsWe report here the case of an 18-month-old female patient presenting the clinical and radiological features of spondylospinal thoracic dysostosis. To determine the underlying genetic etiology, whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed.ResultsUsing WES, we identified a variant in the TPM2 gene c. 628C&gt;T, already reported in the non-lethal form of multiple pterygium syndrome. In addition, following the analysis of WES data, using bioinformatic tools, for oligogenic diseases, we identified candidate modifier genes, CAP2 and ADCY6, that could impact the clinical manifestations.ConclusionWe showed a potential association between TPM2 and the uncommon spondylocostal dysostosis phenotype that would require further validation on larger cohort.