bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pain interference mediates the association between epigenetic aging and grip strength in middle to older aged males and females with chronic pain
Authors: Peterson Jessica A. , Crow Joshua A. , Johnson Alisa J. , Meng Lingsong , Rani Asha , Huo Zhiguang , Foster Thomas C. , Fillingim Roger B. , Cruz-Almeida Yenisel 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionChronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability that may accelerate biological aging and reduce physical function. Epigenetic clocks provide an estimate of how the system ages and can predict health outcomes such as physical function. Physical function declines may be attributed to decreases in muscle quality due to disuse that can be measured quickly and noninvasively using grip strength. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations among self-reported pain, grip strength, and epigenetic aging in those with chronic pain.MethodsParticipants (57.91 ± 8.04 years) completed pain questionnaires, a blood draw and hand grip strength task. We used an epigenetic clock previously associated with knee pain (DNAmGrimAge), and used the subsequent difference of predicted epigenetic age from chronological age (DNAmGrimAge-Difference).ResultsExploratory pathway analyses revealed that pain intensity mediated the association between DNAmGrimAge-difference and handgrip strength in males only (β = −0.1115; CI [−0.2929, −0.0008]) and pain interference mediated the association between DNAmGrimAge-difference and handgrip strength in males β = −0.1401; CI [−0.3400, −0.0222]), and females (β = −0.024; CI [−0.2918, −0.0020]).DiscussionChronic knee pain may accelerate epigenetic aging processes that may influence handgrip strength in older age adults. Chronic pain could be a symptom of the aging body thus contributing to declines in musculoskeletal function in later life.
Foreign language learning can improve response inhibition in individuals with lower baseline cognition: Results from a randomized controlled superiority trial
Authors: Grossmann Judith Alina , Aschenbrenner Steffen , Teichmann Birgit , Meyer Patric 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionThe world’s population is aging, increasing the prevalence of dementia. Recently, foreign language learning in later life has been suggested to improve cognition and thus support healthy cognitive aging. To date, however, there are only a few studies with conflicting findings. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether learning a foreign language can improve executive attention and executive functions in healthy older adults. Additionally, we sought to identify factors affecting cognitive change in foreign language learners, such as cognitive reserve, previous foreign knowledge and usage, and global cognition at baseline.MethodsIn a randomized-controlled trial, we assigned 34 monolinguals between the ages of 65 and 80 to a language learning or a waiting list control group. The participants enrolled in a Spanish course for beginners that met five days a week for 1.5 h for a total of 3 weeks. The waiting list control group received no intervention but had the opportunity to join the language training at the end of the study. All participants underwent an assessment of executive attention (primary outcome), executive functions, verbal fluency, and attention (secondary outcomes) before, immediately after the course, or after a waiting period of 3 weeks for the control group and 3 months after the course or the waiting period.ResultsForeign language learning did not significantly improve primary or secondary outcomes, neither immediately nor 3 months after the course. However, moderation analyses revealed that participants with lower global baseline cognition tended to improve more on response inhibition than individuals with higher baseline cognition. This relationship was not evident in the waiting list control group.DiscussionOur results suggest that studying a foreign language does not generally improve executive attention or executive functioning. Nevertheless, individuals with poorer baseline cognition may benefit cognitively from foreign language learning in response inhibition, a domain particularly affected by cognitive aging. Our findings highlight the need of focusing dementia prevention efforts on groups that are more vulnerable to cognitive decline. Additionally, more individualized approaches, including utilizing technology-assisted learning, might enable participants to practice at their performance level, increasing the likelihood of discernible cognitive gains.Clinical trial registrationhttps://drks.de/search/en, identifier DRKS00016552.
Activation of ventral tegmental area vesicular GABA transporter (Vgat) neurons alleviates social defeat stress-induced anxiety in APP/PS1 mice
Authors: Yao Di , Li Rong , Kora Musa , Huang Hongqing , Liu Xinghua , Gong Song 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that results in cognitive impairment and is often accompanied by anxiety. In this study, we investigated whether the activation of VTAVgat neurons could reduce anxiety in APP/PS1 mice. We hypothesized that acute social defeat stress (SDS) would lead to anxiety in APP/PS1 mice, and that the activation of VTAVgat neurons would alleviate this anxiety.MethodsWe exposed APP/PS1 mice to acute SDS and assessed anxiety using the open field test and elevated plus-arm test. Activated VTAVgat neurons was tested by cfos staining. Sleep quality was detected using electroencephalogram after SDS or non-SDS procedure. Sleep duration, sleep latency, and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) percentage were analyzed. VTAVgat neurons were chemogenetically activated by deschloroclozapine.ResultsOur results showed that acute SDS led to anxiety in APP/PS1 mice, as evidenced by increased anxiety-related behaviors in the open field and elevated plus-arm tests. Activation of VTAVgat neurons by SDS led to an increase in sleep duration, primarily due to a decrease in sleep latency and an increase in NREMs. However, the quality of sleep was poor. Chemogenetical activation of VTAVgat neurons improved sleep quality and relieved SDS-induced anxiety. Furthermore, the anxiety state correlated negatively with sleep duration and NREM percentage and correlated positively with theta power density in APP/PS1 mice.DiscussionOur study provides evidence that the activation of VTAVgat neurons alleviates SDS-induced anxiety in APP/PS1 mice, suggesting that poor sleep quality may exacerbate anxiety in AD. These findings may have important implications for the treatment of anxiety in AD, as targeting VTAVgat neurons could be a potential therapeutic approach.
Endovascular intervention vs. microsurgery on the prognosis of anterior circulation blood blister-like aneurysm: A cohort study
Authors: Tan Haibin , Zhang Tian , Huang Guangfu , Li Zhili , Wang Zhenyu , Cheng Meixong , Liu Ling , Liu Lingtong 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundThere are no universally acknowledged standardized treatment strategies for blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs). This study compared the prognosis of patients with BBA who underwent craniotomy microsurgery vs. endovascular intervention.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients with BBA treated between September 2009 and August 2020 at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital affiliated to the Sichuan Academy of Medical Science. Patients were divided into the microsurgery and endovascular groups. The preoperative Hunt-Hess grade and modified Fisher grade were collected. The intraoperative and postoperative complications (including intraoperative aneurysm rupture and hemorrhage, postoperative cerebral hemorrhage, and BBA recurrence) were recorded.ResultsSeventy-two patients were included: 28 and 44 in the microsurgery and endovascular groups, respectively. Only the preoperative Fisher grade was different between the two groups (P = 0.041). The proportion of patients with good outcomes was lower in the microsurgery group (28.6%) than in the endovascular group (72.7%), and the mortality rate was higher in the microsurgery group (32.1%) than in the endovascular group (11.4%) (P &lt; 0.05). After adjustment for the modified Fisher grade, the multivariable analysis showed that compared with craniotomy microsurgery, an endovascular intervention was associated with the prognosis of patients with BBA (OR = 0.128, 95%CI: 0.040–0.415, P &lt; 0.001). The rate of complications (intraoperative hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and recurrence) was higher in the microsurgery group than in the endovascular group.ConclusionIn patients with BBA, an endovascular intervention appears to be associated with a better prognosis compared with craniotomy microsurgery.
Segmentation of incident lacunes during the course of ischemic cerebral small vessel diseases
Authors: Lebenberg Jessica , Zhang Ruiting , Grosset Lina , Guichard Jean Pierre , Fernandes Fanny , Jouvent Eric , Chabriat Hugues 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundLacunes represent key imaging markers of cerebral small vessel diseases (cSVDs). During their progression, incident lacunes are related to stroke manifestations and contribute to progressive cognitive and/or motor decline. Assessing new lesions has become crucial but remains time-consuming and error-prone, even for an expert. We, thus, sought to develop and validate an automatic segmentation method of incident lacunes in CADASIL caused by cysteine mutation in the EGFr domains of the NOTCH3 gene, a severe and progressive monogenic form of cSVD.MethodsIncident lacunes were identified based on difference maps of 3D T1-weighted MRIs obtained at the baseline and 2 years later. These maps were thresholded using clustering analysis and compared with results obtained by expert visual analysis, which is considered the gold standard approach.ResultsThe median number of lacunes at the baseline in 30 randomly selected patients was 7 (IQR = [2, 11]). The median number of incident lacunes was 2 (IQR = [0, 3]) using the automatic method (mean time-processing: 25 s/patient) and 0.5 (IQR = [0, 2]) using the standard visual approach (mean time-processing: 8 min/patient). The complementary analysis of segmentation results is enabled to quickly remove false positives detected in specific locations and to identify true incident lesions not previously detected by the standard analysis (2 min/case). A combined approach based on automatic segmentation of incident lacunes followed by quick corrections of false positives allowed to reach high individual sensitivity (median at 0.66, IQR = [0.21, 1.00]) and global specificity scores (0.80).ConclusionThe automatic segmentation of incident lacunes followed by quick corrections of false positives appears promising for properly and rapidly quantifying incident lacunes in large cohorts of cSVDs.
Echocardiographic correlates of MRI imaging markers of cerebral small-vessel disease in patients with atrial-fibrillation-related ischemic stroke
Authors: Ye Kaili , Tao Wendan , Wang Zhetao , Li Dayan , Xu Mangmang , Liu Junfeng , Liu Ming 
Published: March 2023

Background and objectivesAtrial fibrillation (AF) has been linked to dementia risk, partly explained by cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Since AF and cardiovascular comorbidities were associated with cardiac dysfunction, we aimed to determine the association between echocardiographic parameters and neuroimaging markers of CSVD in patients with AF-related ischemic stroke.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled patients with AF-related ischemic stroke from March 2013 to December 2019 who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and brain 3T MRI, including T1, T2, Flair, and SWI imaging sequences. We assessed the presence of lacunes and cerebellar microbleeds (CMBs), the severity of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) scored by the Fazekas scale (0-6), and the severity of enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) in basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO) classified into three categories (0–10, 10–25, and &gt;25). CSVD burden was rated on a 0-to-4 ordinal scale. Generalized linear regression analysis and post hoc comparisons with Bonferroni correction were performed to assess the association between various echocardiographic parameters and these lesions, adjusted for demographics and potential confounders.Results119 patients (68.38 ± 12.692 years; male 45.4 %) were included for analysis, of whom 55 (46.2%) had lacunes, 40 (33.6%) had CMBs, and median severity for WMH, BG-EPVS, CSO-EPVS, and CSVD burden were 2 (IQR: 1–3), 1 (IQR: 1–2), 1 (IQR: 0–1), and 1 (IQR: 1–2) respectively. In multivariable, fully adjusted models, left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) was associated with a higher risk of lacunes (RR 1.899, 95% CI: 1.342–2.686) and CSVD burden (RR = 2.081, 95%CI: 1.562–2.070). Right atrial diameter (RAD) was associated with greater CSO-EPVS (RR = 2.243, 95%CI: 1.234–4.075). No echocardiographic parameters were revealed to be associated with CMBs and WMH.ConclusionIn patients with AF-related ischemic stroke, LVPW is associated with a higher risk of lacunes and CSVD burden, while RAD was associated with greater CSO-EPVS. Larger studies are required to determine these associations and to elucidate if these associations can help facilitate cognitive evaluation and brain MRI screening.
Structural connectivity and brain network analyses in Parkinson's disease: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Bergamino Maurizio , Keeling Elizabeth G. , Ray Nicola J. , Macerollo Antonella , Silverdale Monty , Stokes Ashley M. 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionParkinson's disease (PD) is an idiopathic disease of the central nervous system characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reveal underlying brain changes associated with PD.ObjectiveIn this study, structural connectivity and white matter networks were analyzed by diffusion MRI and graph theory in a cohort of patients with PD and a cohort of healthy controls (HC) obtained from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database in a cross-sectional analysis. Furthermore, we investigated longitudinal changes in the PD cohort over 36 months.ResultCompared with the control group, participants with PD showed lower structural connectivity in several brain areas, including the corpus callosum, fornix, and uncinate fasciculus, which were also confirmed by a large effect-size. Additionally, altered connectivity between baseline and after 36 months was found in different network paths inside the white matter with a medium effect-size. Network analysis showed trends toward lower network density in PD compared with HC at baseline and after 36 months, though not significant after correction. Significant differences were observed in nodal degree and strength in several nodes.ConclusionIn conclusion, altered structural and network metrics in several brain regions, such as corpus callosum, fornix, and cingulum were found in PD, compared to HC. We also report altered connectivity in the PD group after 36 months, reflecting the impact of both PD pathology and aging processes. These results indicate that structural and network metrics might yield insight into network reorganization that occurs in PD.
Neoadjuvant radiotherapy plus single-incision thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of type B3 thymomas
Authors: Li Wenshan , Wu Yimin , Huang Lijian , Chai Ying 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundAlthough minimally invasive surgery is the standard treatment for thymomas, minimally invasive thymectomy is difficult for patients with type B3 thymomas, especially for giant or aggressive lesions. These tumors are frequently treated with radical radiation therapy or surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy. Few studies, however, have tested the efficacy of neoadjuvant radiotherapy prior to thoracoscopic surgery.MethodsPatients with type B3 thymomas &gt;5 cm or with infiltrates into vital organs on CT-guided puncture biopsy who underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by single-incision minimally invasive thymectomy from March 2016 to July 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. Reduction ratios, TNM stage changes according to WHO stage criteria, resectability, long-term survival, and the response in terms of RECIST v1.1 criteria achieved by preoperative RT were analyzed.ResultsThe 11 patients who underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy plus minimally invasive thymectomy included five men and six women, of mean age 49.5 years. Four patients had myasthenia gravis. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy consisted of 50 Gy in 25 fractions, with all patients showing varying degrees of lesion reduction after radiotherapy. Surgery was performed about 1 month after neoadjuvant radiotherapy, with none of these patients having severe radiation pneumonitis. All patients underwent radical resection of the tumor and adjacent tissue, with none experiencing tumor seeding or rupture during surgery. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days (range: 2–6 days) and the frequency of additional regular analgesics (including those for wound pain and neuralgia) was 2.5 times per person. On follow-up, one patient experienced pleural metastasis and one experienced pulmonary metastasis, with the other nine patients showing no evidence of tumor recurrence.ConclusionNeoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by minimally invasive surgery was a safe and efficacious procedure for the treatment of type B3 thymomas, with less postoperative pain and faster recovery. This strategy, of tumor shrinkage prior to surgery, may make possible the easier removal of type B3 thymomas by single-incision thoracoscopy.
Venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents versus intensive chemotherapy for hematological relapse of myeloid malignancies after allo-HSCT
Authors: Chen Zhangjie , Zhen Sisi , Zhang Tingting , Shen Yuyan , Pang Aiming , Yang Donglin , Zhang Rongli , Ma Qiaoling , He Yi , Wei Jialin , Zhai Weihua , Chen Xin , Jiang Erlie , Han Mingzhe , Feng Sizhou 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionSince allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is considered one of the curative treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), hematological relapse following allo-HSCT remained a crucial concern for patients’ survival. MethodsWe retrospectively compared patients who received venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents (VEN+HMA, n=23) or intensive chemotherapy (IC, n=42) for hematological relapse of myeloid malignancies after allo-HSCT. HMA selection included decitabine (n=2) and azacitidine (n=21), and combined donor lymphocyte infusion was administered to 21 and 42 patients in VEN+HMA and IC groups, respectively. ResultsMedian age of all patients was 39 (16-64) years old. Overall response rates, including complete response (CR), CR with incomplete recovery of normal neutrophil or platelet counts (CRi) and partial response (PR), were not significantly different between VEN+HMA and IC groups (60.1% versus 64.3%, P=0.785). CR/CRi rate was 52.2% in VEN+HMA and 59.5% in IC group (P=0.567). The rate of relapse after response was 66.7% in VEN+HMA group and 40.7% in IC group (P=0.176). Median overall survival was 209.0 (95%CI 130.9-287.1) days for VEN+HMA group versus 211.0 (95%CI 28.7-393.3) days for IC group (P=0.491). The incidence of lung infection (17.4% versus 50.0%, P=0.010), thrombocytopenia (73.9% versus 95.2%, P=0.035) and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) (50.0% versus 13.0%, P=0.003) was significantly higher in IC group. DiscussionIn conclusion, VEN+HMA is not inferior to IC regimen in terms of improving response and survival, and is associated with a lower incidence of adverse events and aGvHD. However, further research is required to enhance long-term survival.
Performance comparison of 2D and 3D MRI radiomics features in meningioma grade prediction: A preliminary study
Authors: Duan Chongfeng , Li Nan , Liu Xuejun , Cui Jiufa , Wang Gang , Xu Wenjian 
Published: March 2023

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare the predictive performance of 2D and 3D radiomics features in meningioma grade based on enhanced T1 WI images.MethodsThere were 170 high grade meningioma and 170 low grade meningioma were selected randomly. The 2D and 3D features were extracted from 2D and 3D ROI of each meningioma. The Spearman correlation analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to select the valuable features. The 2D and 3D predictive models were constructed by naive Bayes (NB), gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), and support vector machine (SVM). The ROC curve was drawn and AUC was calculated. The 2D and 3D models were compared by Delong test of AUCs and decision curve analysis (DCA) curve.ResultsThere were 1143 features extracted from each ROI. Six and seven features were selected. The AUC of 2D and 3D model in NB, GBDT, and SVM was 0.773 and 0.771, 0.722 and 0.717, 0.733 and 0.743. There was no significant difference in two AUCs (p=0.960, 0.913, 0.830) between 2D and 3D model. The 2D features had a better performance than 3D features in NB models and the 3D features had a better performance than 2D features in GBDT models. The 2D features and 3D features had an equal performance in SVM models.ConclusionsThe 2D and 3D features had a comparable performance in predicting meningioma grade. Considering the issue of time and labor, 2D features could be selected for radiomics study in meningioma.Key pointsThere was a comparable performance between 2D and 3D features in meningioma grade prediction. The 2D features was a proper selection in meningioma radiomics study because of its time and labor saving.
Intraoperative ultrasound in recurrent gliomas surgery: Impact on residual tumor volume and patient outcomes
Authors: Wang Meiyao , Yu Jin , Zhang Jibo , Pan Zhiyong , Chen Jincao 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundReoperation may be beneficial for patients with recurrent gliomas. Minimizing the residual tumor volume (RTV) while ensuring the functionality of relevant structures is the goal of the reoperation of recurrent gliomas. Intraoperative ultrasound (IoUS) may be helpful for intraoperative tumor localization, intraoperative real-time imaging to guide surgical resection, and postoperative evaluation of the RTV in the reoperation for recurrent gliomas.ObjectiveTo assess the effect of real-time ioUS on minimizing RTV in recurrent glioma surgery compared to Non-ioUS.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data from 92 patients who had recurrent glioma surgical resection: 45 were resected with ioUS guidance and 47 were resected without ioUS guidance. RTV, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) at 6 months after the operation, the number of recurrent patients, and the time to recurrence were evaluated.ResultsThe average RTV in the ioUS group was significantly less than the Non-ioUS group (0.27 cm3 vs. 1.33 cm3, p = 0.0004). Patients in the ioUS group tended to have higher KPS scores at 6 months of follow-up after the operation than those in the Non-ioUS group (70.00 vs. 60.00, p = 0.0185). More patients in the Non-ioUS group experienced a recurrence than in the ioUS group (43 (91.49%) vs. 32 (71.11%), p = 0.0118). The ioUS group had a longer mean time to recurrence than the Non-ioUS group (7.9 vs. 6.3 months, p = 0.0013).ConclusionThe use of ioUS-based real-time for resection of recurrent gliomas has been beneficial in terms of both RTV and postoperative outcomes, compared to the Non-ioUS group.