bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of regional brain volumes on cognition in sickle cell anemia: A developmental perspective
Authors: Hamdule Shifa , Kölbel Melanie , Stotesbury Hanne , Murdoch Russell , Clayden Jonathan D. , Sahota Sati , Hood Anna Marie , Clark Christopher A. , Kirkham Fenella Jane 
Published: February 2023

Background and objectivesCognitive difficulties in people with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are related to lower processing speed index (PSI) and working memory index (WMI). However, risk factors are poorly understood so preventative strategies have not been explored. Brain volumes, specifically white matter volumes (WMV) which increases through early adulthood, have been associated with better cognition in healthy typically developing individuals. In patients with SCA, the reduced WMV and total subcortical volumes noted could explain cognitive deficits. We therefore examined developmental trajectories for regional brain volumes and cognitive endpoints in patients with SCA.MethodsData from two cohorts, the Sleep and Asthma Cohort and Prevention of Morbidity in SCA, were available. MRI data included T1-weighted axial images, pre-processed before regional volumes were extracted using Free-surfer. PSI and WMI from the Weschler scales of intelligence were used to test neurocognitive performance. Hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, hydroxyurea treatment and socioeconomic status from education deciles were available.ResultsOne hundred and twenty nine patients (66 male) and 50 controls (21 male) aged 8–64 years were included. Brain volumes did not significantly differ between patients and controls. Compared with controls, PSI and WMI were significantly lower in patients with SCA, predicted by increasing age and male sex, with lower hemoglobin in the model for PSI but no effect of hydroxyurea treatment. In male patients with SCA only, WMV, age and socioeconomic status predicted PSI, while total subcortical volumes predicted WMI. Age positively and significantly predicted WMV in the whole group (patients + controls). There was a trend for age to negatively predict PSI in the whole group. For total subcortical volume and WMI, age predicted decrease only in the patient group. Developmental trajectory analysis revealed that PSI only was significantly delayed in patients at 8 years of age; the rate of development for the cognitive and brain volume data did not differ significantly from controls.DiscussionIncreasing age and male sex negatively impact cognition in SCA, with processing speed, also predicted by hemoglobin, delayed by mid childhood. Associations with brain volumes were seen in males with SCA. Brain endpoints, calibrated against large control datasets, should be considered for randomized treatment trials.
Blood flow perfusion in visual pathway detected by arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging for differential diagnosis of ocular ischemic syndrome
Authors: Chen Yanan , Feng Xue , Huang Yingxiang , Zhao Lu , Chen Xi , Qin Shuqi , Sun Jiao , Jing Jing , Zhang Xiaolei , Wang Yanling 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundOcular ischemic syndrome (OIS), attributable to chronic hypoperfusion caused by marked carotid stenosis, is one of the important factors that cause ocular neurodegenerative diseases such as optic atrophy. The current study aimed to detect blood flow perfusion in a visual pathway by arterial spin labeling (ASL) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the differential diagnosis of OIS.MethodsThis diagnostic, cross-sectional study at a single institution was performed to detect blood flow perfusion in a visual pathway based on 3D pseudocontinuous ASL (3D-pCASL) using 3.0T MRI. A total of 91 participants (91 eyes) consisting of 30 eyes with OIS and 61 eyes with noncarotid artery stenosis-related retinal vascular diseases (39 eyes with diabetic retinopathy and 22 eyes with high myopic retinopathy) were consecutively included. Blood flow perfusion values in visual pathways derived from regions of interest in ASL images, including the retinal-choroidal complex, the intraorbital segments of the optic nerve, the tractus optics, and the visual center, were obtained and compared with arm-retinal circulation time and retinal circulation time derived from fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were performed to evaluate the accuracy and consistency.ResultsPatients with OIS had the lowest blood flow perfusion values in the visual pathway (all p &lt; 0.05). The relative intraorbital segments of optic nerve blood flow values at post-labeling delays (PLDs) of 1.5 s (area under the curve, AUC = 0.832) and the relative retinal–choroidal complex blood flow values at PLDs of 2.5 s (AUC = 0.805) were effective for the differential diagnosis of OIS. The ICC of the blood flow values derived from the retinal–choroidal complex and the intraorbital segments of the optic nerve between the two observers showed satisfactory concordance (all ICC &gt; 0.932, p &lt; 0.001). The adverse reaction rates of ASL and FFA were 2.20 and 3.30%, respectively.Conclusion3D-pCASL showed that the participants with OIS had lower blood flow perfusion values in the visual pathway, which presented satisfactory accuracy, reproducibility, and safety. It is a noninvasive and comprehensive differential diagnostic tool to assess blood flow perfusion in a visual pathway for the differential diagnosis of OIS.
Efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease-related constipation (PDC): A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Ying-Jia , Leong Ian-I , Fan Jing-Qi , Yan Ming-Yue , Liu Xin , Lu Wei-Jing , Chen Yuan-Yuan , Tan Wei-Qiang , Wang Yu-Ting , Zhuang Li-Xing 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating Parkinson’s disease-related constipation (PDC).Materials and methodsThis was a randomized, controlled trial in which patients, outcome assessors, and statisticians were all blinded. Seventy-eight eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the manual acupuncture (MA) or sham acupuncture (SA) groups and received 12 sessions of treatment over a 4-week period. Following treatment, patients were monitored until the eighth week. The primary outcome was the change in weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) from baseline after treatment and follow-up. The Constipation Symptom and Efficacy Assessment Scale (CSEAS), the Patient-Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire (PAC-QOL), and the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were used as secondary outcomes.ResultsIn the intention-to-treat analysis, 78 patients with PDC were included, with 71 completing the 4-week intervention and 4-week follow-up. When compared to the SA group, weekly CSBMs were significantly increased after treatment with the MA group (P &lt; 0.001). Weekly CSBMs in the MA group were 3.36 [standard deviation (SD) 1.44] at baseline and increased to 4.62 (SD, 1.84) after treatment (week 4). The SA group’s weekly CSBMs were 3.10 (SD, 1.45) at baseline and 3.03 (SD, 1.25) after treatment, with no significant change from baseline. The effect on weekly CSBMs improvement in the MA group lasted through the follow-up period (P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionAcupuncture was found to be effective and safe in treating PDC in this study, and the treatment effect lasted up to 4 weeks.Clinical trial registrationhttp://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier ChiCTR2200059979
Lentilactobacillus kefiri SGL 13 and Andrographis paniculata alleviate dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis in mice
Authors: Manna Laura , Rizzi Eleonora , Bafile Eleonora , Cappelleri Andrea , Ruscica Massimiliano , Macchi Chiara , Podaliri Vulpiani Michele , Salini Romolo , Rossi Emanuela , Panebianco Concetta , Perri Francesco , Pazienza Valerio , Federici Federica 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionInflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory conditions that typically involve diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss, with a dramatic impact on patients’ quality of life. Standard medications are often associated with adverse side effects. Thus, alternative treatments such as probiotics are of great interest. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of Lentilactobacillus kefiri (basonym: Lactobacillus kefiri) SGL 13 and Andrographis paniculata, namely, Paniculin 13™, on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)- treated C57BL/6J mice.MethodsColitis was induced by administering 1.5% DSS in drinking water for 9 days. Forty male mice were divided into four groups, receiving PBS (control), 1.5% DSS, Paniculin 13™ and 1.5% DSS + Paniculin 13™.ResultsThe results showed that body weight loss and Disease Activity Index (DAI) score were improved by Paniculin 13™. Moreover, Paniculin 13™ ameliorated DSS-induced dysbiosis, by modulating the gut microbiota composition. The gene expression of MPO, TNFα and iNOS in colon tissue was reduced and these data matched with the histological results, supporting the efficacy of Paniculin 13™ in reducing the inflammatory response. No adverse effects were associated to Paniculin 13™ administration.DiscussionIn conclusion, Paniculin 13™ could be an effective add-on approach to conventional therapies for IBD.
Establishment and external verification of an oxidative stress-related gene signature to predict clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses of colorectal cancer
Authors: Cao Sha , Chen Cheng , Gu Dezhi , Wang Zhengdong , Xu Guanghui 
Published: February 2023

Objective: Accumulated evidence highlights the biological significance of oxidative stress in tumorigenicity and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our study aimed to establish a reliable oxidative stress-related signature to predict patients’ clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses.Methods: Transcriptome profiles and clinical features of CRC patients were retrospectively analyzed from public datasets. LASSO analysis was used to construct an oxidative stress-related signature to predict overall survival, disease-free survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free survival. Additionally, antitumor immunity, drug sensitivity, signaling pathways, and molecular subtypes were analyzed between different risk subsets through TIP, CIBERSORT, oncoPredict, etc. approaches. The genes in the signature were experimentally verified in the human colorectal mucosal cell line (FHC) along with CRC cell lines (SW-480 and HCT-116) through RT-qPCR or Western blot.Results: An oxidative stress-related signature was established, composed of ACOX1, CPT2, NAT2, NRG1, PPARGC1A, CDKN2A, CRYAB, NGFR, and UCN. The signature displayed an excellent capacity for survival prediction and was linked to worse clinicopathological features. Moreover, the signature correlated with antitumor immunity, drug sensitivity, and CRC-related pathways. Among molecular subtypes, the CSC subtype had the highest risk score. Experiments demonstrated that CDKN2A and UCN were up-regulated and ACOX1, CPT2, NAT2, NRG1, PPARGC1A, CRYAB, and NGFR were down-regulated in CRC than normal cells. In H2O2-induced CRC cells, their expression was notably altered.Conclusion: Altogether, our findings constructed an oxidative stress-related signature that can predict survival outcomes and therapeutic response in CRC patients, thus potentially assisting prognosis prediction and adjuvant therapy decisions.
Differences in right ventricular function and response to targeted therapy between patients with IPAH and PAH-CHD
Authors: Zhu Tengteng , Wu Panyun , Tan Zhen , Jin Quan , Chen Yusi , Li Lian , Chen Zewei , Tang Yirui , Li Jiang , Fang Zhenfei 
Published: February 2023

Background and aims: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic pulmonary vascular disorder characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). Right heart failure is a life-threatening complication of PAH and predicts a poor prognosis. PAH associated with congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) and idiopathic PAH (IPAH) are two prevalent PAH subtypes in China. In this section, we set out to explore baseline right ventricular (RV) function and its response to targeted agents between IPAH and PAH-CHD.Methods and results: Consecutive patients diagnosed with IPAH or PAH-CHD by right heart catheterization (RHC) in the Second Xiangya Hospital from November 2011 to June 2020 were included. All patients received PAH-targeted therapy and the RV function was assessed by echocardiography at baseline and during follow-up. A total of 303 patients (age, 36.23 ± 13.10 years; women, 213 (70.3%); mean PAP [mPAP], 63.54 ± 16.12 mmHg; PVR, 14.74 ± 7.61 WU) with IPAH (n = 121) or PAH-CHD (n = 182) were included in this study. Compared with PAH-CHD, patients with IPAH had worse baseline RV function. As of the latest follow-up, forty-nine patients with IPAH and six patients with PAH-CHD died. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed better survival in PAH-CHD versus IPAH. After PAH-targeted therapy, patients with IPAH had less improvement in 6 MWD, World Health Organization functional class, and RV functional parameters compared with patients with PAH-CHD.Conclusion: Compared with patients with PAH-CHD, patients with IPAH had worse baseline RV function, unfavourable prognosis, and inadequate response to targeted treatment.
Speed, agility, and musculoskeletal fitness are independently associated with areal bone mineral density in children
Authors: Mello Júlio B. , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Fernando , Gracia-Marco Luis , Teodoro Juliana L. , Gaya Anelise R. , Gaya Adroaldo C. A. 
Published: February 2023

Background: There is still little understanding of the associations between physical fitness variables and bone health in children taking into account key confounders.Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between performance in tests of speed, agility, and musculoskeletal fitness (power of the upper and lower limbs) with bone mass of different regions in children, considering the adjustment to maturity-offset, lean percentage, and sex.Methods: Cross-sectional study design: the sample consisted of 160 children aged 6–11 years. The physical fitness variables tested were 1) speed, assessed with the running test at a maximum speed of 20 m; 2) agility, assessed through the 4×4-m square test; 3) lower limb power, assessed using the standing long jump test, and 4) upper limb power, assessed using the 2-kg medicine ball throw test. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was obtained from the analysis of body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Simple and multiple linear regression models were performed using the SPSS software.Results: In the crude regression analyses, the results indicated a linear relationship between all the physical fitness variables and aBMD in all body segments, but maturity-offset, sex, and lean mass percentage seemed to have an effect on these relationships. Except for the upper limb power, the other physical capacities (speed, agility, and lower limb power) were associated with aBMD in at least three body regions in the adjusted analyses. These associations occurred in the spine, hip, and leg regions, and the aBMD of the legs presented the best association magnitude (R2).Conclusion: There is a significant association between speed, agility, and musculoskeletal fitness, specifically the lower limb power and aBMD. That is, the aBMD is a good indicator of the relationship between fitness and bone mass in children, but it is essential to consider specific fitness variables and skeletal regions.
The mediating role of coping strategies between depression and social support and the moderating effect of the parent–child relationship in college students returning to school: During the period of the regular prevention and control of COVID-19
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Yu , Chen Huimin , Hua Long , Wang Jun , Jin Yuelong , He Lianping , Chen Yan , Yao Yingshui 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveAccording to the WHO, compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, young people showed a significant increase in depressive symptoms. In light of the recent coronavirus pneumonia pandemic, this study was conducted to determine how social support, coping style, parent-child relationships, and depression are associated. We investigated how these factors interacted and affected the prevalence of depression during this challenging and unheard-of time. Our research may help both individuals and healthcare professionals better comprehend and assist those who are coping with the pandemic’s psychological effects.Design and main outcome measures3,763 students from a medical college in Anhui Province were investigated with Social Support Rate Scale, Trait Coping Style Questionnaire, and Self-rating Depression Scale.ResultsWhen the pandemic situation was normalizing, social support was associated with depression and the coping style of college students (p &lt; 0.01). During the period of pandemic normalization, the parent–child relationship moderated the relationship between social support and positive coping (t = −2.45, p &lt; 0.05); the parent–child relationship moderated the relationship between social support and negative coping (t = −4.29, p &lt; 0.01); and the parent–child relationship moderated the association between negative coping and depression (t = 2.08, p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionSocial support has an impact on depression in the period of the regular prevention and control of COVID-19 through the mediating role of coping style and the moderating effect of the parent–child relationship.
Stability and change in genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms in response to COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Picardi Angelo , Fagnani Corrado , Gigantesco Antonella , Toccaceli Virgilia , Stazi Maria Antonietta , Medda Emanuela 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe rapid spread of the new Coronavirus and the consequent restrictions to contain transmission generated an unprecedented psychological impact on the general population. The Italian Twin Registry performed a longitudinal study to investigate to what extent genetic and environmental influences contributed to changes in depressive symptoms.MethodsData from adult twins were collected. All participants completed an online questionnaire including the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) just before (February 2020) and immediately after the Italian lockdown (June 2020). Genetic modeling based on Cholesky decomposition was used to estimate the role of genetic (A) and both shared (C) and unshared (E) environmental factors in the observed longitudinal course of depressive symptoms.ResultsLongitudinal genetic analysis was based on 348 twin pairs (215 monozygotic and 133 dizygotic pairs) with a mean age of 42.6 years (range 18–93 years). An AE Cholesky model provided heritability estimates for depressive symptoms of 0.24 and 0.35 before and after the lockdown period, respectively. Under the same model, the observed longitudinal trait correlation (0.44) was approximately equally contributed by genetic (46%) and unshared environmental (54%) influences, while longitudinal environmental correlation was lower than genetic correlation (0.34 and 0.71, respectively).ConclusionsAlthough the heritability of depressive symptoms was rather stable across the targeted time window, different environmental as well as genetic factors seemed to act before and after the lockdown, which suggests possible gene-environment interaction.
The relative and interactive effects of urinary multiple metals exposure on hyperuricemia among urban elderly in China
Authors: Huang Chao , Gao Erwei , Xiao Feng , Wu Qiongzhen , Liu Wei , Luo Yi , Ren Xiaohu , Chen Xiao , He Kaiwu , Huang Haiyan , Sun Qian , Wu Desheng , Liu Jianjun 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveIndependent and interactive effects of multiple metals levels in urine on the risk of hyperuricemia (HUA) in the elderly were investigated.MethodsA total of 6,508 individuals from the baseline population of the Shenzhen aging-related disorder cohort were included in this study. We detected urinary concentrations of 24 metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, fitted unconditional logistic regression models, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression models for the selection of metals as well as unconditional stepwise logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline logistic regression models for assessing the associations of urinary metals and HUA risk, and finally applied generalized linear models to determine the interaction with urinary metals on the risk of HUA.ResultsUnconditional stepwise logistic regression models showed the association between urinary vanadium, iron, nickel, zinc, or arsenic and HUA risk (all P &lt; 0.05). We revealed a negative linear dose–response relationship between urinary iron levels and HUA risk (Poverall &lt; 0.001, Pnonliner = 0.682), a positive linear dose–response relationship between urinary zinc levels and HUA risk (Poverall &lt; 0.001, Pnonliner = 0.513), and an additive interaction relationship between urinary low-iron and high-zinc levels and HUA risk (RERI = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.03–0.59; AP = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.02–0.34; S = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.69–3.49).ConclusionUrinary vanadium, iron, nickel, zinc, or arsenic levels were associated with HUA risk, and the additive interaction of low-iron (&lt;78.56 μg/L) and high-zinc (≥385.39 μg/L) levels may lead to a higher risk of HUA.
Facilitators and inhibitors in hospital-to-home transitional care for elderly patients with chronic diseases: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies
Authors: Sun Mengjie , Liu Lamei , Wang Jianan , Zhuansun Mengyao , Xu Tongyao , Qian Yumeng , Dela Rosa Ronnell 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundChronic diseases are long-term, recurring and prolonged, requiring frequent travel to and from the hospital, community, and home settings to access different levels of care. Hospital-to-home transition is challenging travel for elderly patients with chronic diseases. Unhealthy care transition practices may be associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes and readmission rates. The safety and quality of care transitions have gained global attention, and healthcare providers have a responsibility to help older adults make a smooth, safe, and healthy transition.ObjectiveThis study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of what may shape health transitions in older adults from multiple perspectives, including older chronic patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.MethodsSix databases were searched during January 2022, including Pubmed, web of science, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL (EBSCO), and PsycINFO (Ovid). The qualitative meta-synthesis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. The quality of included studies was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative research appraisal tool. A narrative synthesis was conducted informed by Meleis's Theory of Transition.ResultsSeventeen studies identified individual and community-focused facilitators and inhibitors mapped to three themes, older adult resilience, relationships and connections, and uninterrupted care transfer supply chain.ConclusionThis study identified potential transition facilitators and inhibitors for incoming older adults transitioning from hospital to home, and these findings may inform the development of interventions to target resilience in adapting to a new home environment, and human relations and connections for building partnerships, as well as an uninterrupted supply chain of care transfer at hospital-home delivery.Systematic review registrationwww.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022350478.