bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture with twirling reinforcing and reducing manipulation shows a control of hypertension and regulation of blood pressure-related target brain regions in spontaneously hypertensive rat: a preliminary resting-state functional MRI study
Authors: Li Yin-Yin , Liu Ji-Peng , Shi Shu-Feng , Yang Ke-Zhen , Gong Yu , Sun Jiao , Xie Qi , Wu Xiao-Li , Liu Qing-Guo , Xu Meng 
Published: May 2023

AimTo observe the effects of acupuncture manipulations on blood pressure and brain function in spontaneously hypertensive rats and elucidate the anti-hypertensive effect of the manipulations’ central mechanism.MethodsThis study used acupuncture twirling reinforcing, acupuncture twirling reducing, and acupuncture twirling uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulations to act on the bilateral TaiChong point of rats. The depth of acupuncture was 1.5–2 mm, and twisting was performed at a frequency of 60 times/min within ±360° for 3 min, followed by the needle being retained for 17 min. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed at the end of the intervention. Regional homogeneity and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations were used to assess the differences in brain regions in each group of rats, and the core brain region (left hypothalamus) among the differential brain regions was selected as the seed for functional connectivity analysis.Results(1) The anti-hypertensive effect was achieved by acupuncture manipulations, and the anti-hypertensive effect of twirling reducing manipulation on spontaneously hypertensive rats was better than that of twirling uniform reinforcing-reducing and twirling reinforcing manipulations. (2) After regional homogeneity and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations analyses, the hypothalamus, the brain region related to blood pressure, was activated in the twirling uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulation group; the corpus callosum and cerebellum were activated in the twirling reinforcing manipulation group; and the hypothalamus, olfactory bulb, corpus callosum, brainstem, globus pallidum, and striatum were activated in the twirling reducing manipulation group. (3) According to the functional connectivity analysis, different acupuncture manipulations increased the functional connections between seed points and the brainstem, olfactory bulb, and cerebellum, etc.ConclusionThese results suggest that acupuncture manipulations achieved the hypotensive effect and the twirling reducing manipulation had a better hypotensive effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats than twirling uniform reinforcing-reducing and twirling reinforcing manipulations; the central mechanism of the anti-hypertensive effect of twirling reinforcing and reducing manipulation may be related to the activation of brain regions associated with blood pressure regulation and the functional connections between them. Furthermore, brain regions involved in motor control, cognition, and hearing were also activated. We hypothesize that activation of these brain regions may help prevent or mitigate the onset and progression of hypertensive brain damage.
Muscle-derived stem cell exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 promote the regeneration and repair of rat sciatic nerve after crush injury to activate the JAK2/STAT3 pathway by targeting PTEN
Authors: Zeng Xiangyu , Bian Wei , Liu Ziwen , Li Jianming , Ren Shuai , Zhang Jian , Zhang Haoran , Tegeleqi Bu , He Guanyi , Guan Mingyan , Gao Zewei , Huang Chi , Liu Jianyu 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the effect of muscle-derived stem cell (MDSC) exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 on the regeneration and repair of rat sciatic nerve after crush injury and its molecular mechanism.MethodsFirst, primary MDSCs, Schwann cells (SCs) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were isolated and cultured, and the characteristics of MDSCs-derived exosomes were identified by molecular biology and immunohistochemistry. NC mimics and miR-214 mimics were transfected to obtain exo-NC and exo-miR-214. An in vitro co-culture system was established to determine the effect of exo-miR-214 on nerve regeneration. The restoration of sciatic nerve function of rats by exo-miR-214 was evaluated by walking track analysis. Immunofluorescence for NF and S100 was used to detect the regeneration of axon and myelin sheath in injured nerve. The Starbase database was used to analyze the downstream target genes of miR-214. QRT-PCR and dual luciferase reporter assays were used to validate the miR-214 and PTEN interaction relationship. And the expression of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway-related proteins in sciatic nerve tissues were detected by western blot.ResultsThe above experiments showed that MDSCs-derived exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 was found to promote the proliferation and migration of SCs, increase the expression of neurotrophic factors, promote axon extension of DRG neurons and positively affect the recovery of nerve structure and function. In addition, PTEN was a target gene of miR-214. Exo-miR-214 can significantly inhibit the expression level of PTEN, increase the protein expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 and the ratio of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3, also MDSCs-derived exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 can reduce the occurrence of denervated muscle atrophy.ConclusionIn summary, the MDSCs-derived exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 is involved in peripheral nerve regeneration and repair in rats after sciatic nerve crush injury to activate the JAK2/ STAT3 pathway by targeting PTEN.
Development of ensemble learning models for prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients underwent postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Liang Yuxin , Wang Zirui , Peng Yujiao , Dai Zonglin , Lai Chunyou , Qiu Yuqin , Yao Yutong , Shi Ying , Shang Jin , Huang Xiaolun 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundPostoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PA-TACE) has been increasing widely used to improve the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, clinical outcomes vary from patient to patient, which calls for individualized prognostic prediction and early management.MethodsA total of 274 HCC patients who underwent PA-TACE were enrolled in this study. The prediction performance of five machine learning models was compared and the prognostic variables of postoperative outcomes were identified.ResultsCompared with other machine learning models, the risk prediction model based on ensemble learning strategies, including Boosting, Bagging, and Stacking algorithms, presented better prediction performance for overall mortality and HCC recurrence. Moreover, the results showed that the Stacking algorithm had relatively low time consumption, good discriminative ability, and the best prediction performance. In addition, according to time-dependent ROC analysis, the ensemble learning strategies were found to perform well in predicting both OS and RFS for the patients. Our study also found that BCLC Stage, hsCRP/ALB and frequency of PA-TACE were relatively important variables in both overall mortality and recurrence, while MVI contributed more to the recurrence of the patients.ConclusionAmong the five machine learning models, the ensemble learning strategies, especially the Stacking algorithm, could better predict the prognosis of HCC patients following PA-TACE. Machine learning models could also help clinicians identify the important prognostic factors that are clinically useful in individualized patient monitoring and management.
All-oral low-dose chemotherapy TEPIP is effective and well-tolerated in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Fante Matthias A. , Harrer Dennis C. , Zartner Barbara , Lüke Florian , Mayer Stephanie , Menhart Karin , Reichle Albrecht , Herr Wolfgang , Vogelhuber Martin , Heudobler Daniel 
Published: May 2023

PurposePeripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare and heterogenous hematologic malignancy with poor prognosis especially in elderly and frail patients who are not eligible for intensive treatment. The resulting palliative setting necessitates tolerable but effective schedules for outpatient treatment. TEPIP is a locally developed, all-oral low-dose regimen comprising trofosfamide, etoposide, procarbazine, idarubicin, and prednisolone.MethodsIn this observational retrospective, single-center study, the safety and efficacy of TEPIP was evaluated in 12 patients (pts.) with PTCL treated at the University Medical Center Regensburg between 2010 and 2022. The endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS), and adverse events were individually reported according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) criteria.ResultsThe enrolled cohort was characterized by advanced age (median 70 years), extensive disease (100% Ann Arbor ≥stage 3), and poor prognosis (75% high/high-intermediate international prognostic index). The most common subtype was angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (8/12), and 11/12 patients had relapsed or refractory disease at TEPIP onset with a median of 1.5 prior treatment regimens. After a median of 2.5 TEPIP cycles (total of 83 cycles), the ORR was 42% (complete remission 25%), and the OS reached a median of 185 days. Any grade of adverse event (AE) occurred in 8/12 patients, with four patients showing AE ≥CTCAE grade 3 (33%), and the AEs were mainly non-hematological.ConclusionTEPIP demonstrated competitive efficacy with a tolerable safety profile in a highly palliative cohort of patients with difficult-to-treat PTCL. The all-oral application, which makes outpatient treatment possible, is particularly noteworthy.
Effect of a BSHP process on clinical work ability of nurses in a children's cardiac intensive care unit
Authors: Ma Fangyan , Shi Aiguo , Bian Lanzheng , Li Mei , Li Mingxiong , Xu Banghong 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundNurse shift change is the key step to ensuring the integrity, dynamics, and continuity of clinical nursing in intensive care units.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of a bedside shift handover process (BSHP) on the clinical work ability of first-line clinical nurses in a children's cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).MethodsThis quasi-experimental study was performed on the first-line clinical nurses working in a pediatric CICU at Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between July and December, 2018. Participants were trained by the BSHP. This article is based on the STROBE checklist.ResultsA total of 41 nurses were trained, with 34 women. The nurses in the intensive care unit showed significantly improved clinical work ability, including the ability to assess illness/find problems, master professional knowledge, standardized hands-on ability, ability to express communication, strain handling capacity, and humanistic care and accomplishment (all P &lt; 0.05), after training.ConclusionBSHP might improve the clinical work ability for pediatric CICU nurses through a standardization shift handover. The traditional oral shift change in CICU can easily cause an information distortion, and it is difficult or even impossible to arouse the nurses' enthusiasm. This study suggested that BSHP might be an alternative shift change process for pediatric CICU nurses.
Antiarthritic potential of the butanol fraction of Sesuvium sesuvioides: An in vitro, in vivo, and in silico evaluation
Authors: Sajid-ur-Rehman Muhammad , Ishtiaq Saiqa , Aati Hanan Y. , Sherif Asmaa E. , Abbas Khan Mohsin , Hussain Mussadique , Sohaib Khan Muhammad , Ahmed Maqsood , Naseem Muhammad Jawad , Khan Kashif-ur-Rehman 
Published: May 2023

Sesuvium sesuvioides (Fenzl) Verdc (Aizoaceae) has been traditionally used in the treatment of inflammation, arthritis, and gout. However, its antiarthritic potential has not been evaluated scientifically. The current study was designed to assess the antiarthritic properties of the n-butanol fraction of S. sesuvioides (SsBu) by phytochemical analysis, in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities, and in silico studies. Phytochemical analysis showed total phenolic contents (90.7 ± 3.02 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid contents (23.7 ± 0.69 mg RE/g), and further analysis by GC-MS identified possible bioactive phytocompounds belonging to phenols, flavonoids, steroids, and fatty acids. The in vitro antioxidant potential of SsBu was assessed by DPPH (175.5 ± 7.35 mg TE/g), ABTS (391.6 ± 17.1 mg TE/g), FRAP (418.2 ± 10.8 mg TE/g), CUPRAC (884.8 ± 7.97 mg TE/g), phosphomolybdenum (5.7 ± 0.33 mmol TE/g), and metal chelating activity (9.04 ± 0.58 mg EDTAE/g). Moreover, in the in vitro studies, inhibition (%) of egg albumin and bovine serum albumin denaturation assays showed that the anti-inflammatory effect of SsBu at the dose of 800 μg/ml was comparable to that of diclofenac sodium used as a standard drug. The in vivo antiarthritic activity was assessed to determine the curative impact of SsBu against formalin-induced (dose-dependent significant (p &lt; 0.05) effect 72.2% inhibition at 750 mg/kg compared to standard; 69.1% inhibition) and complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis (40.8%; inhibition compared to standard, 42.3%). SsBu significantly controlled PGE-2 level compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.001) and restored the hematological parameters in rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment with SsBu significantly reduced oxidative stress by reinstating superoxide dismutase, GSH, and malondialdehyde along with pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α) in arthritic rats. Molecular docking revealed the antiarthritic role of major identified compounds. Kaempferol-3-rutinoside was found to be more potent for COX-1 (−9.2 kcal/mol) and COX-2 inhibition (−9.9 kcal/mol) than diclofenac sodium (COX-1, −8.0 and COX-2, −6.5 kcal/mol). Out of the 12 docked compounds, two for COX-1 and seven for COX-2 inhibition showed more potent binding than the standard drug. The results from the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches finally concluded that the n-butanol fraction of S. sesuvioides had antioxidant and antiarthritic potential, which may be due to the presence of potential bioactive compounds.
Sulfosuccinimidyl oleate ameliorates the high-fat diet-induced obesity syndrome by reducing intestinal and hepatic absorption
Authors: Ma Qiming , Wen Li , Tian Yanxia , Ma Liqin , Wen Zhangsheng , Kun Yang , Xu Mengping , Liu Xiaoping 
Published: May 2023

Background: A high-fat Western diet is a risk factor for obesity and steatosis. Reducing intestinal absorption of a high-fat diet (HFD) is a feasible strategy to control obesity. Sulfosuccinimidyl oleate (SSO) inhibits intestinal fatty acid transport. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SSO on HFD-induced glucose and lipid metabolism in mice and its possible underlying mechanisms.Methods: Male C57/BL were fed a HFD (60% calories) for 12 weeks and were administered an oral dose of SSO (50 mg/kg/day). The expression of lipid absorption genes (CD36, MTTP, and DGAT1) and the serum levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), and free fatty acids (FFAs) were detected. Lipid distribution in the liver was detected by oil red and hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, serum levels of inflammatory factors, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured to detect side effects.Results: SSO was effective in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome induced by HFD in mice. It attenuated the assembly of intestinal epithelial chylomicrons by inhibiting intestinal epithelial transport and absorption of fatty acids, thereby reducing the gene expression levels of MTTP and DGAT1, resulting in decreased plasma TG and FFA levels. At the same time, it inhibited the transport of fatty acids in the liver and improved the steatosis induced by a HFD. The results of oil red staining showed that SSO treatment can reduce lipid accumulation in the liver by 70%, with no drug-induced liver injury detected on the basis of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, ALT, and AST levels. In addition, SSO treatment significantly improved insulin resistance, decreased fasting blood glucose levels, and improved glucose tolerance in HFD-fed mice.Conclusion: SSO is effective in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome induced by a HFD in mice. SSO reduces intestinal fatty acid absorption by reducing the inhibition of intestinal CD36 expression, followed by decreased TG and FFA levels, which attenuates HFD-induced fatty liver.
Modelling spatiotemporal dynamics of cerebral blood flow using multiple-timepoint arterial spin labelling MRI
Authors: Pinto Joana , Blockley Nicholas P. , Harkin James W. , Bulte Daniel P. 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is an important physiological parameter that can be quantified non-invasively using arterial spin labelling (ASL) imaging. Although most ASL studies are based on single-timepoint strategies, multi-timepoint approaches (multiple-PLD) in combination with appropriate model fitting strategies may be beneficial not only to improve CBF quantification but also to retrieve other physiological information of interest.Methods: In this work, we tested several kinetic models for the fitting of multiple-PLD pCASL data in a group of 10 healthy subjects. In particular, we extended the standard kinetic model by incorporating dispersion effects and the macrovascular contribution and assessed their individual and combined effect on CBF quantification. These assessments were performed using two pseudo-continuous ASL (pCASL) datasets acquired in the same subjects but during two conditions mimicking different CBF dynamics: normocapnia and hypercapnia (achieved through a CO2 stimulus).Results: All kinetic models quantified and highlighted the different CBF spatiotemporal dynamics between the two conditions. Hypercapnia led to an increase in CBF whilst decreasing arterial transit time (ATT) and arterial blood volume (aBV). When comparing the different kinetic models, the incorporation of dispersion effects yielded a significant decrease in CBF (∼10–22%) and ATT (∼17–26%), whilst aBV (∼44–74%) increased, and this was observed in both conditions. The extended model that includes dispersion effects and the macrovascular component has been shown to provide the best fit to both datasets.Conclusion: Our results support the use of extended models that include the macrovascular component and dispersion effects when modelling multiple-PLD pCASL data.
Trait and state-related characteristics of thalamo-cortical circuit disruption in bipolar disorder: a prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Zeng Can , Liao SuQun , Pu Weidan 
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate the shared and distinct thalamic-cortical circuit between bipolar depression and remission, as well as to investigate the trait and state-related characteristics of the abnormal thalamic-cortical circuit in bipolar disorder.MethodsResting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 38 bipolar depression patients, 40 bipolar remission patients, and 39 gender-matched healthy controls (rsfMRI). The thalamic subregions were used as seed points to draw the functional connectivity of the entire brain, and then the shared and distinct thalamic-cortical circuits between bipolar depression and remission were compared.ResultsWhen compared to the healthy group, both groups of patients had significantly lower functional connectivity between the rostral temporal thalamus and the lingual gyrus, the posterior parietal thalamus, the precuneus/cerebellum, and the occipital thalamus and the precuneus; however, functional connectivity between the premotor thalamus and the superior medial frontal was significantly lower in depression.ConclusionThis study discovered that both bipolar depression and remission had abnormal sensorimotor-thalamic functional connectivity, implying that it is a trait-related characteristic of bipolar disorder; however, the decline in prefrontal-thalamic connectivity exists specifically in bipolar depression, implying that it is a state-related characteristic of bipolar disorder.
Research on patient-centered design for post-stroke depression patients based on SEM and comprehensive evaluation
Authors: Li Yuxuan , Zhang Qi , Fang Xing 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionSince COVID-19, medical resources have been tight, making it inconvenient to go offline for the sequelae of diseases such as post-stroke depression (PSD) that require long-term follow-up. As a new digital therapy, VRTL began to gain popularity.MethodThe research is divided into two parts: pre-test and post-test. In the pre-test, an evaluation method integrating reality-based interaction (RBI), structural equation model (SEM), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and entropy weight method is proposed. In the post-test the patients’ physiological indicators (Diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure and heart rate) are measured to verify the effectiveness of RBI-SEM model using T-test method.ResultsIn the pre-test, using SEM, it was confirmed that Pi physical awareness, Bi body awareness, Ei environmental awareness, and Si social awareness were significantly correlated and positively affected VRTL satisfaction (p &gt;&gt; F 0.217; B &gt;&gt; F 0.130; E &gt;&gt; F 0.243; S &gt;&gt; F 0.122). The comprehensive weight ranking based on RBI-SEM considered light environment (0.665), vegetation diversity (0.667), accessible roaming space (0.550) et al. relatively of importance. And T-tset in the post-test experiment considered that the data of the two measurements before and after the VRTL experience, systolic blood pressure (p &lt; 0.01), diastolic blood pressure (p &lt; 0.01), and blood pressure (p &lt; 0.01) were significantly decreased; one-way ANOVA concluded that there was no significant difference in the changes of blood pressure and heart rate among participants of different ages and genders (p &gt; 0.01).ConclusionThis research validated the effectiveness of RBI theory for VRTL design guidelines, established an RBI-SEM based VRTL evaluation model, and the output VRTL for PSD in the older adults was confirmed to have significant therapeutic benefits. This lays the foundation for designers to decompose design tasks and integrate VRTL into traditional clinical treatment systems.Contribution from the public or patientsFour public health department employees helped to improve the research’s content.