bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inflammation in stroke: initial CRP levels can predict poor outcomes in endovascularly treated stroke patients
Authors: Finck Tom , Sperl Philipp , Hernandez-Petzsche Moritz , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias , Maegerlein Christian , Wunderlich Silke , Zimmer Claus , Kirschke Jan , Berndt Maria 
Published: June 2023

Background and purposeInflammation has been linked to poor prognoses in cardio- and cerebrovascular conditions. As it is known to increase after ischemia, C-reactive protein (CRP) may serve as a surrogate for systemic inflammation and thus be a hallmark of increased tissue vulnerability. The question arises whether CRP in the acute phase of ischemic stroke, prior to mechanical thrombectomy (MT), might help predict outcomes.Materials and methodsA single-center collective of patients with large-vessel occlusion, who were treated via MT, was analyzed in this observational case–control study. Univariate and multivariate models were designed to test the prognostic value of inflammatory markers (CRP and leukocytosis) in predicting clinical outcomes (modified Rankin score &gt;2) and all-cause mortality 90 days after MT.ResultsA total of 676 ischemic stroke patients treated with MT were included. Of these, 313 (46.3%) showed elevated CRP levels (≥5 mg/l) on admission. Poor clinical outcome and mortality at 90 days occurred in 113 (16.7%) and 335 (49.6%) patients and significantly more frequently when initial CRP levels were elevated [213 (64.5%) vs. 122 (42.1%), p &lt; 0.0001, and 79 (25.2%) vs. 34 (9.4%), p &lt; 0.0001, respectively]. CRP levels were highly predictive for impaired outcomes, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation, in both univariate and multivariate models. Interestingly, patients with initially elevated CRP levels also showed more pronounced increases in CRP post-MT.ConclusionPoor outcome and death occur significantly more often in stroke patients with elevated CRP levels before MT. Our findings suggest that stroke patients with atrial fibrillation and elevated inflammatory markers are of particular risk for poor outcomes.
Real world evidence of improved attention and cognition during physical therapy paired with neuromodulation: a brain vital signs study
Authors: Kirby Eric D. , Jones Christina B. , Fickling Shaun D. , Pawlowski Gabriela , Brodie Sonia M. , Boyd Lara A. , Venter Jan , Moser Nicholas , Kalsi-Ryan Sukhvinder , Medvedev George , D’Arcy Ryan C. N. 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundNon-invasive neuromodulation using translingual neurostimulation (TLNS) has been shown to advance rehabilitation outcomes, particularly when paired with physical therapy (PT). Together with motor gains, patient-reported observations of incidental improvements in cognitive function have been noted. Both studies in healthy individuals and case reports in clinical populations have linked TLNS to improvements in attention-related cognitive processes. We investigated if the use of combined TLNS/PT would translate to changes in objective neurophysiological cognitive measures in a real-world clinical sample of patients from two separate rehabilitation clinics.MethodsBrain vital signs were derived from event-related potentials (ERPs), specifically auditory sensation (N100), basic attention (P300), and cognitive processing (N400). Additional analyses explored the attention-related N200 response given prior evidence of attention effects from TLNS/PT. The real-world patient sample included a diverse clinical group spanning from mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and other neurological conditions. Patient data were also acquired from a standard clinical measure of cognition for comparison.ResultsResults showed significant N100 variation between baseline and endpoint following TLNS/PT treatment, with further examination showing condition-specific significant improvements in attention processing (i.e., N100 and N200). Additionally, CogBAT composite scores increased significantly from baseline to endpoint.DiscussionThe current study highlighted real-world neuromodulation improvements in neurophysiological correlates of attention. Overall, the real-world findings support the concept of neuromodulation-related improvements extending beyond physical therapy to include potential attention benefits for cognitive rehabilitation.
The herbicides glyphosate and glufosinate and the cyanotoxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine induce long-term motor disorders following postnatal exposure: the importance of prior asymptomatic maternal inflammatory sensitization
Authors: Oummadi Asma , Menuet Arnaud , Méresse Sarah , Laugeray Anthony , Guillemin Gilles , Mortaud Stéphane 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundPrenatal maternal immune activation (MIA) and/or perinatal exposure to various xenobiotics have been identified as risk factors for neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Epidemiological data suggest an association between early multi-exposures to various insults and neuropathologies. The “multiple-hit hypothesis” assumes that prenatal inflammation makes the brain more susceptible to subsequent exposure to several kinds of neurotoxins. To explore this hypothesis and its pathological consequences, a behavioral longitudinal procedure was performed after prenatal sensitization and postnatal exposure to low doses of pollutants.MethodsMaternal exposure to an acute immune challenge (first hit) was induced by an asymptomatic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) dose (0.008 mg/kg) in mice. This sensitization was followed by exposing the offspring to environmental chemicals (second hit) postnatally, by the oral route. The chemicals used were low doses of the cyanotoxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA; 50 mg/kg), the herbicide glufosinate ammonium (GLA; 0.2 mg/kg) or the pesticide glyphosate (GLY; 5 mg/kg). After assessing maternal parameters, a longitudinal behavioral assessment was carried out on the offspring in order to evaluate motor and emotional abilities in adolescence and adulthood.ResultsWe showed that the low LPS immune challenge was an asymptomatic MIA. Even though a significant increase in systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines was detected in the dams, no maternal behavioral defects were observed. In addition, as shown by rotarod assays and open field tests, this prenatal LPS administration alone did not show any behavioral disruption in offspring. Interestingly, our data showed that offspring subjected to both MIA and post-natal BMAA or GLA exposure displayed motor and anxiety behavioral impairments during adolescence and adulthood. However, this synergistic effect was not observed in the GLY-exposed offspring.ConclusionThese data demonstrated that prenatal and asymptomatic immune sensitization represents a priming effect to subsequent exposure to low doses of pollutants. These double hits act in synergy to induce motor neuron disease-related phenotypes in offspring. Thus, our data strongly emphasize that multiple exposures for developmental neurotoxicity regulatory assessment must be considered. This work paves the way for future studies aiming at deciphering cellular pathways involved in these sensitization processes.
Association of bevacizumab and stroke in ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Song Li , Liu Yan , Chen Zhixin , Li Zeyan , Zhu Shiqin , Zhao Yingjie , Li Huihui 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundThe prognosis for patients with ovarian cancer is bleak. Clinical trials have shown the efficacy of bevacizumab in ovarian cancer treatment. However, life-threatening strokes may limit the usage of bevacizumab and require specific follow-up strategies. This study aims to systematically evaluate the risk of stroke of bevacizumab treatment in ovarian cancer.MethodsWe retrieved all relevant articles published up to December 4th, 2022, from Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The risk of stroke in patients with ovarian cancer treated with bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy was analyzed. Meta-analysis was performed using the Stata 17 software and R 4.2.1 program.ResultsSix randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy or chemotherapy for ovarian cancer and six single-experimental-arm trials were included in this study. The meta-analysis showed a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 2.14 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88–7.99] for patients with ovarian cancer treated with bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy. Subgroup analyses showed that the incidence of stroke-related adverse events in the carboplatin + paclitaxel + bevacizumab group was 0.01% (95% CI: 0.00–0.01, p &lt; 0.01). The incidence of stroke-related adverse events was 0.01% (95% CI: 0.00–0.01, p &lt; 0.01) in patients aged ≥60. The incidence of stroke caused by cerebral ischemia and cerebral hemorrhage was 0.01% (95% CI: 0.01–0.02, p = 0.27) and 0.01% (95% CI: 0.00–0.01, p &lt; 0.01), respectively.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis indicates that chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab may not increase the incidence of stroke in patients with ovarian cancer. However, stroke-related adverse events may be higher in older patients. Cerebral hemorrhage might cause the incidence of stroke more than cerebral ischemia.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO (CRD42022381003).
Release of an encrypted, highly potent ACE-inhibitory peptide by enzymatic hydrolysis of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) protein
Authors: Goyal Nancy , Hajare Sachin N. , Gautam Satyendra 
Published: June 2023

AimDietary approaches for the regulation of blood pressure are the need of the hour. Hence, identifying the foods possessing such activity is gaining importance. With this aim, moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia), an underutilized pulse, was explored for the presence of antihypertensive activity in terms of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibition bioactivity.MethodsDefatted moth bean protein concentrate was hydrolyzed by using different proteases including Alcalase, papain, and trypsin, to identify the enzyme producing highly potent ACE inhibitory peptides. The hydrolysate showing the highest ACE inhibitory activity was further fractionated using an ultrafiltration membrane (10, 3 and 1 kDa) based on ACE inhibitory activity. The active fraction was further subjected to the ion-exchange chromatography followed by RP-HPLC and LC-MS/MS analysis for the enrichment and identification of ACE inhibitory peptides. Finally, based on the bioinformatic analysis, few peptides were synthesized and evaluated for ACE inhibitory activity, followed by docking study and molecular dynamic simulation of a peptide with the highest ACE inhibitory activity.Results and discussionOut of the three proteases, Alcalase-derived hydrolysate showed the highest (~59%) ACE inhibition activity. Molecular weight-based fractionation revealed that &lt;1 kDa fraction possessed the highest ACE inhibitory activity. Activity guided separation of 1 kDa fraction using ion-exchange chromatography, RP-HPLC and LC-MS/MS showed the presence of about 45 peptides. Based on the bioinformatic analysis, 15 peptides were synthesized and evaluated for ACE inhibitory activity. Among these, a novel octapeptide FPPPKVIQ showed the highest ACE inhibitory activity (93.4%) with an IC50 of 0.24 μM. This peptide retained about 59% activity post gastrointestinal digestion simulation. A Dixon plot as well as docking studies revealed the uncompetitive inhibitory nature of this peptide with a Ki value of 0.81 μM. Molecular dynamic simulation studies till 100 ns ensured the stability of the ACE-peptide complex.ConclusionThus, present study identified a novel potent ACE inhibitory peptide from moth bean that can be incorporated in a functional dietary formulation for regulation of hypertension.
The paradox of obesity with normal weight; a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lahav Yair , Kfir Aviv , Gepner Yftach 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of excessive adiposity among normal-weight individuals, and their cardiometabolic risk.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 3,001 participants (ages 20–95, 52% men, BMI 28.0 ± 5.5 kg/m2) who completed an anthropometric evaluation, dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan to measure body composition, and cardiometabolic blood markers. Excess adiposity was defined as ≥25% for men and ≥ 35% for women.ResultsOf the entire study participants, 967 were in normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) with a wide body fat distribution (4–49%). Of them, 26% of men and 38% of women were classified with excess adiposity. As compared to normal-weight lean participants, normal-weight obese men and women had higher triglycerides (76.5 ± 37.3 vs. 101.2 ± 50.3 mg/dL, p = 0.004 and 84 ± 44.2 vs. 101.4 ± 91.1 mg/dL, p = 0.030; respectively) and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (103.3 ± 31.7 vs. 119.6 ± 45.5 mg/dL, p = 0.011) and total cholesterol (171.5 ± 40.3 vs. 190.2 ± 39 mg/dL, p = 0.007) for men only. Among NWO, abdominal circumference was prevalent in 60% of the females with NWO (≥88 cm), but only in 4% of males (≥102 cm).ConclusionHigher adiposity, even within normal weight, increases cardiometabolic risk, and abdominal waist circumference misclassified obesity in normal-weight individuals. This study highlights the need for a body composition evaluation to determine cardiometabolic risk for adults with normal body weight.
The mediatory effect of inflammatory markers on the association between a body shape index and body roundness index with cardiometabolic risk factor in overweight and obese women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mirzababaei Atieh , Abaj Faezeh , Khosravinia Darya , Ghorbani Moloud , Valisoltani Neda , Clark Cain C. T. , Radmehr Mina , Mirzaei Khadijeh 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundObesity affects body composition and anthropometric measurements. A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Body Roundness Index (BRI) are reportedly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between ABSI, BRI, cardiometabolic factors, and inflammatory elements is not well-elucidated. Therefore, this study sought to examine the mediatory effect of inflammatory markers on the association between ABSI and BRI with cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 394 obese and overweight women. The typical food intake of individuals was assessed using a 147-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Biochemical parameters, such as inflammatory markers and anthropometric components, were also assessed. For each participant, all measurements were carried out on the same day.ResultThere was a significant positive association between ABSI and AC and CRI.I in subjects with higher ABSI scores before and after adjustment (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, there was a significant positive association between BRI and FBS, TC, TG, AIP, AC, CRI.I, CRI.II, and TyG in participants with higher BRI scores before and after adjustment (P &lt; 0.05). We found that hs-CRP, PAI-1, MCP-1, TGF-β, and Galectin-3 were mediators of these relationships (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionInflammation can play an important role in the relationship between body shape indices and cardiometabolic risk factors among overweight and obese women.
Ultra-processed food consumption and increased risk of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Shu Long , Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhou Jianying , Zhu Qin , Si Caijuan 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundAlthough higher consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) has been linked to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), the results remain controversial. Herein, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to clarify the relationship between UPF consumption defined by the NOVA framework and risk of MetS.MethodsAn extensive literature search on PubMed, ISI Web of Science, EBSCO and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was conducted to search for the relevant articles published priori to January 2023, and newly published articles between January 2023 and March 2023 were re-searched. Random-effects or fixed-effects models were adopted to calculate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The between-study heterogeneity was explored using the Cochran's Q test and I-square (I2). Publication bias was investigated using the visual inspection of asymmetry in funnel plots and Begg's and Egger's tests.ResultsNine studies (six cross-sectional and three prospective cohort studies) totaling 23,500 participants with 6,192 MetS cases were included in the final analysis. The pooled effect size for the highest vs. lowest categories of UPF consumption indicated a positive association with the risk of MetS (RR: 1.25, 95%CI: 1.09–1.42, P &lt; 0.0001). Subgroup analyses revealed a positive association between consumption of UPF and MetS risk in cross-sectional studies (RR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.16–1.87, P = 0.002), and no significant association in cohort studies (RR: 1.10, 95%CI: 0.96–1.27, P = 0.104), respectively. In addition, a more significant association between UPF consumption and increased risk of MetS was found in the subgroups of study quality &lt;7 (RR: 2.22; 95%CI: 1.28–3.84, P = 0.004) than study quality ≥7 (RR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.06–1.36, P = 0.005). Similarly, when we performed analyses separately by sample size, there was a significant association between UPF consumption and MetS risk in sample size ≥5,000 (RR: 1.19; 95%CI: 1.11–1.27, P &lt; 0.0001), and in sample size &lt;5,000 (RR: 1.43; 95%CI: 1.08–1.90, P = 0.013), respectively.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that higher consumption of UPF is significantly associated with an increased risk of MetS. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the effect of UPF consumption on MetS.
Combined with prognostic nutritional index and IgM for predicting the clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients who received surgery
Authors: Du Zhongze , Sun Hao , Zhao Ruihu , Deng Guiming , Pan Hongming , Zuo Yanjiao , Huang Rong , Xue Yingwei , Song Hongjiang 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveAlthough the survival rate of patients who undergo surgery for gastric cancer has greatly improved, still many patients have a poor prognosis. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the predictive ability of the PNI-IgM score, a combined prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and immunoglobulin M (IgM), on the prognosis of patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer.Methods340 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgery from January 2016 to December 2017 were selected. The PNI-IgM score ranged from 1 to 3: score of 1, low PNI (&lt; 48.45) and low IgM (&lt; 0.87); score of 2, low PNI and high IgM, or high PNI and low IgM; score of 3, high PNI and high IgM. We compared the differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) among the three groups, while univariate and multivariate analyses calculated prognostic factors for DFS and OS. In addition, the nomograms were constructed based on the results of multivariate analysis to estimate the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probability.ResultsThere were 67 cases in the PNI-IgM score 1 group, 160 cases in the PNI-IgM score 2 group, and 113 cases in the PNI-IgM score 3 group. The median survival times of DFS in the PNI-IgM score group 1, the PNI-IgM score group 2, and the PNI-IgM score group 3 were 62.20 months, not reached, and not reached, and 67.57 months vs. not reached vs. not reached in three groups for OS. Patients in the PNI-IgM score group 1 had a lower DFS than the PNI-IgM score group 2 (HR = 0.648, 95% CI: 0.418-1.006, P = 0.053) and the PNI-IgM score group 3 (HR = 0.337, 95% CI: 0.194-0.585, P &lt; 0.001). In stratified analysis, PNI-IgM score 1 had a worse prognosis in the age &lt; 60 years group and CA724 &lt; 2.11 U/m group.ConclusionPNI-IgM score is a novel combination of nutritional and immunological markers that can be used as a sensitive biological marker for patients with gastric cancer who undergo surgery. The lower the PNI-IgM score, the worse the prognosis.
Protective factors for early initiation of breastfeeding among Brazilian nursing mothers
Authors: Lemos Giovana Gaglianone , Sousa Taciana Maia de , Souza Rafaela Cristina Vieira e , Ferreira Larissa Bueno , Miranda Cristianny , Santos Luana Caroline dos 
Published: June 2023

ObjectivesEvaluate the protective factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding.MethodsCross-sectional study conducted with Brazilian nursing mothers. Breastfeeding in the first hour of life and difficulty initiating breastfeeding in the birth room were adopted as outcome variables and associated with other maternal and child information. Poisson regression was conducted to synthesize the data.ResultsAmong 104 nursing mothers evaluated, 56.7% reported breastfeeding in the first hour of life and 43% had difficulty initiating breastfeeding in the birth room. There was a higher prevalence of breastfeeding in the first hour of life among mothers with previous breastfeeding experience (PR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.04–2.07). Difficulty initiating breastfeeding in the birth room was more prevalent among mothers who did not receive breastfeeding guidance during antenatal care (PR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.43–4.32) and those without previous breastfeeding experience (PR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.24–6.45).ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of adequate professional guidance, especially for primiparous mothers.
Neuroprotective effect of Astragali Radix on cerebral infarction based on proteomics
Authors: Li Ying , Wang Daoping , Guo Rongjuan , Ma Bo , Miao Lan , Sun Mingqian , He Lijuan , Lin Li , Pan Yinghong , Ren Junguo , Liu Jianxun 
Published: June 2023

Objective: Astragali Radix (AR, Huangqi in Chinese) has a neuroprotective effect on cerebral infarction (CI). In order to explore the biological basis and therapeutic mechanism of AR in CI, a double-blind randomized controlled trial was established in this study, and proteomics analysis was carried out on serum samples of patients.Methods: The patients were divided into the AR group (n = 35) and the control group (n = 30). The curative effect was evaluated by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score and clinical indicators, and the serum of the two groups was analyzed by proteomics. Based on bioinformatics analysis methods, the changes in differential proteins between two groups of samples were explored, and the key proteins were validated through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The results of this study showed that the scores of deficiency of vital energy (DVE), blood stasis (BS), and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05), while the scores of the Barthel Index (BI) increased, indicating that AR could significantly improve the symptoms of CI patients. In addition, we found that compared with the control group, AR upregulated 43 proteins and downregulated 20 proteins, especially focusing on anti-atherosclerosis and neuroprotective effects. Moreover, ELISA indicated the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, VCAM-1, MCP-1, and ICAM-1 were significantly decreased in the serum of the AR group (p &lt; 0.05, p &lt; 0.01).Conclusion: This study found that AR can significantly recover the clinical symptoms of CI. Serum proteomics research results show that AR may act on IL-6, TNF-α, VCAM-1, MCP-1, and ICAM-1, and play anti-atherosclerosis and neuroprotective roles.Clinical Trial Registration: [clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT02846207]