bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation analysis of balance function with plantar pressure distribution and gait parameters in patients with cerebral infarction in the basal ganglia region
Authors: Liu Sihao , Yu Huixian , Wang Zhaoxia , Dai Pei 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between balance function and gait parameters of patients with basal ganglia infarction. And to observe the influence of balance function on plantar pressure and hemiplegia gait based on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score.MethodsOne hundred and forty patients with cerebral infarction hemiplegia in the basal ganglia region (a study group, n = 140) and healthy people (a control group, n = 140) were enrolled. The study group was evaluated with the BBS, the 10 m walking test (10MWT), and the timed up-and-go test (TUGT). The gait parameters and the peak plantar pressure were measured in both groups while walking, and the differences between the groups were compared. In addition, the characteristics of the plantar pressure curve of the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides during walking and the correlation between the 10MWT, the TUGT, the plantar pressure peak, the gait parameters,and the BBS score were analyzed in the study group.ResultsThe peak plantar pressure of the forefoot and heel, stride length, lateral symmetry, stand phase, swing phase, and dual stand phase of both sides in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P &lt; 0.05). The BBS score negatively correlated with the 10MWT, the TUGT, the peak plantar pressure of the hemiplegic forefoot, midfoot, and the non-hemiplegic midfoot, the anterior to posterior position (ant/post position), hemiplegic stand phase, and the dual stand phase (P &lt; 0.05). The BBS score positively correlated with the hemiplegic swing phase and stride length (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionA correlation was found between the forefoot plantar pressure and the stand phase of the hemiplegic limbs, the ant/post position, and the balance function after basal ganglion cerebral infarction. This association can be used in walking and balance assessment for stroke rehabilitation. Correcting forefoot pressure or the front and ant/post position can improve balance function.
Serum glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) a potential biomarker of executive function in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Tong Shu-Yan , Wang Rui-Wen , Li Qian , Liu Yi , Yao Xiao-Yan , Geng De-Qin , Gao Dian-Shuai , Ren Chao 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveEvidence shows that the impairment of executive function (EF) is mainly attributed to the degeneration of frontal-striatal dopamine pathway. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), as the strongest protective neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neurons (DANs), may play a role in EF to some extent. This study mainly explored the correlation between serum GDNF concentration and EF performance in Parkinson’s disease (PD).MethodsThis study recruited 45 healthy volunteers (health control, HC) and 105 PD patients, including 44 with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), 20 with dementia (PD-D), and 20 with normal cognitive function (PD-N). Neuropsychological tests were performed to evaluate EF (working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility), attention, language, memory, and visuospatial function. All subjects were tested for serum GDNF and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels by ELISA and LC-ESI-MS/MS, respectively.ResultsPD-MCI patients showed impairments in the trail making test (TMT) A (TMT-A), TMT-B, clock drawing test (CDT) and semantic fluency test (SFT), whereas PD-D patients performed worse in most EF tests. With the deterioration of cognitive function, the concentration of serum GDNF and HVA in PD patients decreased. In the PD group, the serum GDNF and HVA levels were negatively correlated with TMT-A (rGDNF = −0.304, P &lt; 0.01; rHVA = −0.334, P &lt; 0.01) and TMT-B (rGDNF = −0.329, P &lt; 0.01; rHVA = −0.323, P &lt; 0.01) scores. Serum GDNF levels were positively correlated with auditory verbal learning test (AVLT-H) (r = 0.252, P &lt; 0.05) and SFT (r = 0.275, P &lt; 0.05) scores. Serum HVA levels showed a positively correlation with digit span test (DST) (r = 0.277, P &lt; 0.01) scores. Stepwise linear regression analysis suggested that serum GDNF and HVA concentrations and UPDRS-III were the influence factors of TMT-A and TMT-B performances in PD patients.ConclusionThe decrease of serum GDNF concentration in PD patients was associated with impaired inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and attention performances. The changes of GDNF and HVA might synergistically participate in the occurrence and development of executive dysfunction in PD patients.
The correlation of muscle quantity and quality between all vertebra levels and level L3, measured with CT: An exploratory study
Authors: Van den Broeck Jona , Sealy Martine J. , Brussaard Carola , Kooijman Jasmijn , Jager-Wittenaar Harriët , Scafoglieri Aldo 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionIn patients with cancer, low muscle mass has been associated with a higher risk of fatigue, poorer treatment outcomes, and mortality. To determine body composition with computed tomography (CT), measuring the muscle quantity at the level of lumbar 3 (L3) is suggested. However, in patients with cancer, CT imaging of the L3 level is not always available. Thus far, little is known about the extent to which other vertebra levels could be useful for measuring muscle status. In this study, we aimed to assess the correlation of the muscle quantity and quality between any vertebra level and L3 level in patients with various tumor localizations.MethodsTwo hundred-twenty Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-CT images of patients with four different tumor localizations were included: 1. head and neck (n = 34), 2. esophagus (n = 45), 3. lung (n = 54), and 4. melanoma (n = 87). From the whole body scan, 24 slices were used, i.e., one for each vertebra level. Two examiners contoured the muscles independently. After contouring, muscle quantity was estimated by calculating skeletal muscle area (SMA) and skeletal muscle index (SMI). Muscle quality was assessed by calculating muscle radiation attenuation (MRA). Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine whether the other vertebra levels correlate with L3 level.ResultsFor SMA, strong correlations were found between C1–C3 and L3, and C7–L5 and L3 (r = 0.72–0.95). For SMI, strong correlations were found between the levels C1–C2, C7–T5, T7–L5, and L3 (r = 0.70–0.93), respectively. For MRA, strong correlations were found between T1–L5 and L3 (r = 0.71–0.95).DiscussionFor muscle quantity, the correlations between the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar levels are good, except for the cervical levels in patients with esophageal cancer. For muscle quality, the correlations between the other levels and L3 are good, except for the cervical levels in patients with melanoma. If visualization of L3 on the CT scan is absent, the other thoracic and lumbar vertebra levels could serve as a proxy to measure muscle quantity and quality in patients with head and neck, esophageal, lung cancer, and melanoma, whereas the cervical levels may be less reliable as a proxy in some patient groups.
Perioperative lidocaine and dexmedetomidine intravenous infusion reduce the serum levels of NETs and biomarkers of tumor metastasis in lung cancer patients: A prospective, single-center, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ren Baiqing , Cheng Muqiao , Liu Chao , Zheng Huiwen , Zhang Jingyue , Chen Wei , Song Jie , Zhuang Jingwen , Liu Tianya , Wang Rui , Wang Zhiping 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundNeutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can enhance the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As biomarkers of tumor metastasis, metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) together with NETs are essential to endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We hypothesized that intravenous infusion of lidocaine and dexmedetomidine could reduce the production of NETs and biomarkers of tumor metastasis after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in NSCLC patients.MethodThe trial included 132 NSCLC patients undergoing VATS. The patients were equally randomized to a placebo group (Group C), a lidocaine group (Group L, intravenous lidocaine 8 mg/kg/h for 15 minutes before anesthesia, 2 mg/kg/h during surgery, and 1 mg/kg/h until 24 hours after surgery), a dexmedetomidine group (Group D, intravenous dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg/h for 15 minutes before anesthesia, 0.5 μg/kg/h during surgery, and 0.25 μg/kg/h until 24 hours after surgery), and a dexmedetomidine plus lidocaine group (Group LD, combination use of lidocaine and dexmedetomidine). The primary outcome was the production of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and citrullinated histone-3 (H3Cit), biomarkers of NETs, on postoperative day (POD) 1. MMP-3, MMP-9, and VEGF-α, as biomarkers of tumor metastasis, were also evaluated on POD 1.ResultsThe baseline patient characteristics and perioperative data did not differ between the study groups. MPO was significantly decreased in Groups L, D, and LD (-197.08 ± 34.01, -137.37 ± 32.41, and -189.45 ± 33.73 U/ml, P&lt;0.001, respectively) compared with Group C (-106.51 ± 25.44 U/ml). H3Cit was also lessened in Groups L, D, and LD (-49.51 ± 9.11, -34.80 ± 10.37, and -51.82 ± 8.98 ng/ml, P&lt;0.001, respectively) compared with Group C (-24.73 ± 7.65 ng/ml). Lidocaine and dexmedetomidine also reduced MMP-3 (-69.08 ± 13.22, -52.84 ± 13.78, -85.34 ± 12.59 vs. -40.55 ± 10.71 ng/ml in Group L, D, LD vs. Group C, P&lt;0.001, respectively), MMP-9 (-8.46 ± 1.68, -6.07 ± 1.82, -9.67 ± 1.43 vs. -4.28 ± 1.29 ng/ml in Group L, D, LD vs. Group C, P&lt;0.001, respectively), and VEGF-α (-95.55 ± 22.53, -71.65 ± 18.77, -104.89 ± 15.49 vs. -51.73 ± 16.27 pg/ml in Group L, D, LD vs. Group C, P&lt;0.001, respectively) on POD 1.ConclusionIn NSCLC patients, continuous perioperative intravenous infusion of lidocaine and dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the production of NETs and tumor metastasis biomarkers on POD 1. Meanwhile, it also decreased inflammation, protected cellular immune function, reduced pain and opioid consumption, and improved the quality of postoperative recovery.Clinical trial registrationchictr.org.cn, identifier: 187049.
Yoga and pain: A mind-body complex system
Authors: Chopra Deepak , Stern Eddie , Bushell William C. , Castle Ryan D. 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionThe human body's response to pain is indicative of a complex adaptive system. Therapeutic yoga potentially represents a similar complex adaptive system that could interact with the pain response system with unique benefits.ObjectivesTo determine the viability of yoga as a therapy for pain and whether pain responses and/or yoga practice should be considered complex adaptive systems.MethodsExamination through 3 different approaches, including a narrative overview of the evidence on pain responses, yoga, and complex system, followed by a network analysis of associated keywords, followed by a mapping of the functional components of complex systems, pain response, and yoga.ResultsThe narrative overview provided extensive evidence of the unique efficacy of yoga as a pain therapy, as well as articulating the relevance of applying complex systems perspectives to pain and yoga interventions. The network analysis demonstrated patterns connecting pain and yoga, while complex systems topics were the most extensively connected to the studies as a whole.ConclusionAll three approaches support considering yoga a complex adaptive system that exhibits unique benefits as a pain management system. These findings have implications for treating chronic, pervasive pain with behavioral medicine as a systemic intervention. Approaching yoga as complex system suggests the need for research of mind-body topics that focuses on long-term systemic changes rather than short-term isolated effects.
Adherence, reliability, and variability of home spirometry telemonitoring in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Beaufils Fabien , Enaud Raphaël , Gallode François , Boucher Grégory , Macey Julie , Berger Patrick , Fayon Michael , Bui Stéphanie 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionForced spirometry is the gold standard to assess lung function, but its accessibility may be limited. By contrast, home spirometry telemonitoring allows a multi-weekly lung function follow-up but its real-life adherence, reliability, and variability according to age have been poorly studied in patients with CF (PwCF). We aimed to compare real-life adherence, reliability and variability of home spirometry between children, teenagers and adults with CF.MethodsThis real-life observational study included PwCF followed for six months in whom lung function (i.e, forced expiratory volume maximum in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF) and FEV1/FVC ratio) was monitored by both conventional and home spirometry between July 2015 and December 2021. The adherence, reliability and variability of home spirometry was assessed in all PwCF and compared between children (&lt;12years old), teenagers (12–18 years old) and adults.Results174 PwCF were included (74 children, 43 teenagers and 57 adults). Home spirometry was used at least one time per week by 64.1 ± 4.9% PwCF, more frequently in children and teenagers than in adults (79.4 ± 2.9%, 69.2 ± 5.5% and 40.4 ± 11.5% respectively). The reliability to conventional lung function testing was good for all assessed parameters (e.g., FEV1: r = 0.91, p &lt; 0.01) and the variability over the 6 months of observation was low (FEV1 coefficient of variation = 11.5%). For each parameter, reliability was better, and the variability was lower in adults than in teenagers than in childrenConclusionHome spirometry telemonitoring appears to be a reliable tool for multi-weekly lung function follow-up of PwCF.
Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines combined with cyclophosphamide for connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Yin Xietian , Zhao Shichao , Xiang Nan , Chen Jidong , Xu Jun , Zhang Yudan 
Published: February 2023

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) combined with cyclophosphamide (CTX) for connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) by performing a meta-analysis.Methods: We searched RCTs of Chinese herbal medicines therapy for connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease in ten databases. Methodological quality assessment was performed by the Cochrane collaboration tool. RevMan v5.3 and Stata v14.0 software were used for performing data analysis. This study was conducted and reported following the PRISMA checklist.Results: Overall, seven RCTs with 506 participants were included for this analysis. Current data indicated that Chinese herbal medicines combined with cyclophosphamide contributed to a betterment in improving the clinical efficacy rate of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease [risk ratio (RR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.09, 1.35), p = 0.0003], tended to benefit improvement of lung function, which included VC [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 9.49, 95% CI: (5.54, 13.45), p &lt; 0.00001], FVC [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.83, 95% CI: (0.36, 1.29), p = 0.0005], FEV1 [SMD = 0.54, 95% CI: (0.23, 0.86), p = 0.0008], TLC [SMD = 0.90, 95% CI: (0.68, 1.13), p &lt; 0.00001], DLCO [SMD = 1.05, 95% CI: (0.38, 1.73), p = 0.002], and MVV [SMD = 0.83, 95% CI: (0.50, 1.17), p &lt; 0.00001], and it also could significantly reduce the HRCT integral of lungs [SMD = −2.02, 95% CI: (−3.14, −0.91), p = 0.0004] and the level of ESR [WMD = −13.33, 95% CI: (−18.58, −8.09), p &lt; 0.00001]. Furthermore, there was no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse events (AEs), which indicate that Chinese herbal medicines combined with cyclophosphamide is safe and does not increase adverse events compared with cyclophosphamide alone.Conclusion: Our analysis indicates that Chinese herbal medicines combined with cyclophosphamide may be a more effective strategy on the treatment of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease in the clinic. Because it included studies with relatively small sample size, the results need to be confirmed by more well-designed and large-scale RCTs.Systematic Review Registration:https://10.37766/inplasy2022.12.0010.
Self-chaotic microlasers for random bit generation
Authors: Xiao Jin-Long , Xiao Zhi-Xiong , Ma Chun-Guang , Hao You-Zeng , Li Ya-Li , Yang Yue-De , Huang Yong-Zhen 
Published: February 2023

Semiconductor lasers with optical feedback can produce plentiful non-linear dynamics, including periodic and chaotic oscillations, which are usually applied to microwave signals and physical random number generation, respectively. Chaotic semiconductor lasers are especially successful in generating random numbers compared with pseudorandom numbers generated by a computing process. We report a self-chaotic microlaser based on the internal mode interaction of nearly degenerate modes. A special resonator is designed and demonstrated with the two modes’ frequency intervals on the order of GHz. These modes with strong mode beating result in chaos, and physical random bits are obtained from the laser output power at 10 Gb/s. Our proposals provide a novel scheme to generate laser chaos for high-speed random number generation.
Trained hypertensive rats exhibit decreased transcellular vesicle trafficking, increased tight junctions’ density, restored blood-brain barrier permeability and normalized autonomic control of the circulation
Authors: Candido Vanessa B. , Perego Sany M. , Ceroni Alexandre , Metzger Martin , Colquhoun Alison , Michelini Lisete C. 
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Chronic hypertension is accompanied by either blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage and autonomic dysfunction. There is no consensus on the mechanism determining increased BBB permeability within autonomic areas. While some reports suggested tight junction’s breakdown, others indicated the involvement of transcytosis rather than paracellular transport changes. Interestingly, exercise training was able to restore both BBB permeability and autonomic control of the circulation. We sought now to clarify the mechanism(s) governing hypertension- and exercise-induced BBB permeability.Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive controls submitted to 4-week aerobic training (T) or sedentary protocol (S) were chronically cannulated for baseline hemodynamic and autonomic recordings and evaluation of BBB permeability. Brains were harvested for measurement of BBB function (FITC-10 kDa leakage), ultrastructural analysis of BBB constituents (transmission electron microscopy) and caveolin-1 expression (immunofluorescence).Results: In SHR-S the increased pressure, augmented sympathetic vasomotor activity, higher sympathetic and lower parasympathetic modulation of the heart and the reduced baroreflex sensitivity were accompanied by robust FITC-10kDa leakage, large increase in transcytotic vesicles number/capillary, but no change in tight junctions’ density within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, the nucleus of the solitary tract and the rostral ventrolateral medulla. SHR-T exhibited restored BBB permeability and normalized vesicles counting/capillary simultaneously with a normal autonomic modulation of heart and vessels, resting bradycardia and partial pressure reduction. Caveolin-1 expression ratified the counting of transcellular, not other cytoplasmatic vesicles. Additionally, T caused in both groups significant increases in tight junctions’ extension/capillary border.Discussion: Data indicate that transcytosis, not the paracellular transport, is the primary mechanism underlying both hypertension- and exercise-induced BBB permeability changes within autonomic areas. The reduced BBB permeability contributes to normalize the autonomic control of the circulation, which suppresses pressure variability and reduces the occurrence of end-organ damage in the trained SHR. Data also disclose that hypertension does not change but exercise training strengthens the resistance of the paracellular pathway in both strains.
Correlation between diffusion tensor indices and fascicular morphometric parameters of peripheral nerve
Authors: Pušnik Luka , Serša Igor , Umek Nejc , Cvetko Erika , Snoj Žiga 
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that measures the anisotropy of water diffusion. Clinical magnetic resonance imaging scanners enable visualization of the structural integrity of larger axonal bundles in the central nervous system and smaller structures like peripheral nerves; however, their resolution for the depiction of nerve fascicular morphology is limited. Accordingly, high-field strength MRI and strong magnetic field gradients are needed to depict the fascicular pattern. The study aimed to quantify diffusion tensor indices with high-field strength MRI within different anatomical compartments of the median nerve and determine if they correlate with nerve structure at the fascicular level.Methods: Three-dimensional pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE) imaging sequence in 19 different gradient directions and b value 1,150 s/mm2 was performed on a 9.4T wide-bore vertical superconducting magnet. Nine-millimeter-long segments of five median nerve samples were obtained from fresh cadavers and acquired in sixteen 0.625 mm thick slices. Each nerve sample had the fascicles, perineurium, and interfascicular epineurium segmented. The diffusion tensor was calculated from the region-average diffusion-weighted signals for all diffusion gradient directions. Subsequently, correlations between diffusion tensor indices of segmentations and nerve structure at the fascicular level (number of fascicles, fascicular ratio, and cross-sectional area of fascicles or nerve) were assessed. The acquired diffusion tensor imaging data was employed for display with trajectories and diffusion ellipsoids.Results: The nerve fascicles proved to be the most anisotropic nerve compartment with fractional anisotropy 0.44 ± 0.05. In the interfascicular epineurium, the diffusion was more prominent in orthogonal directions with fractional anisotropy 0.13 ± 0.02. Diffusion tensor indices within the fascicles and perineurium differed significantly between the subjects (p &lt; 0.0001); however, there were no differences within the interfascicular epineurium (p ≥ 0.37). There were no correlations between diffusion tensor indices and nerve structure at the fascicular level (p ≥ 0.29).Conclusion: High-field strength MRI enabled the depiction of the anisotropic diffusion within the fascicles and perineurium. Diffusion tensor indices of the peripheral nerve did not correlate with nerve structure at the fascicular level. Future studies should investigate the relationship between diffusion tensor indices at the fascicular level and axon- and myelin-related parameters.