bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel carbon nanozymes with enhanced phosphatase-like catalytic activity for antimicrobial applications
Authors: Nurtay Lazzat , Benassi Enrico , Nazir Faisal , Dastan Dana , Utupova Assem , Dautov Adilet , Dukenbayev Kanat , Xie Yingqiu , Pham Tri T. , Fan Haiyan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
In this work, Sulfur and Nitrogen co-doped carbon nanoparticles (SN-CNPs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method using dried beet powder as the carbon source. TEM and AFM images indicated that these SN-CNPs form a round-shape ball with an approximate diameter of 50 nm. The presence of Sulfur and Nitrogen in these carbon-based nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR and XPS analyses. These SN-CNPs were found to have strong phosphatase-like enzymatic activity. The enzymatic behavior of SN-CNPs follows the Michaelis–Menten mechanism with greater vmax and much lower Km values compared to alkaline phosphatase. Their antimicrobial properties were tested on E. coli and L. lactis, with MIC values of 63 μg mL−1 and 250 μg mL−1, respectively. SEM and AFM images of fixed and live E. coli cells revealed that SN-CNPs strongly interacted with the outer membranes of bacterial cells, significantly increasing the cell surface roughness. The chemical interaction between SN-CNPs and phospholipid modeled using quantum mechanical calculations further support our hypothesis that the phosphatase and antimicrobial properties of SN-CNPs are due to the thiol group on the SN-CNPs, which is a mimic of the cysteine-based protein phosphatase. The present work is the first to report carbon-based nanoparticles with strong phosphatase activity and propose a phosphatase natured antimicrobial mechanism. This novel class of carbon nanozymes has the potential to be used for effective catalytic and antibacterial applications.

Graphical abstract
Age-specific association of stage of hypertension at diagnosis with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among elderly patients with hypertension: a cohort study
Authors: Wu Jingyi , Han Xiaojie , Sun Di , Zhang Jie , Li Jiong , Qin Guoyou , Deng Wei , Yu Yongfu , Xu Huilin 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Hypertension affects 31.1% of adults worldwide, with higher prevalence of great than 60% in elderly. Advanced hypertension stage was associated with the higher risk of mortality. However, little is known about the age-specific association of stage of hypertension at diagnosis on cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality. Therefore, we aim to explore this age-specific association among the hypertensive elderly through stratified and interaction analyses.

Methods
This cohort study included 125,978 elderly hypertensive patients aged 60+ years from Shanghai of China. Cox regression was used to estimate the independent and joint effect of hypertension stage and age at diagnosis on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Interactions were evaluated both additively and multiplicatively. Multiplicative interaction was examined by the Wald test of the interaction term. Additive interaction was assessed by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). All analyses were performed stratified by sex.

Results
28,250 patients died during the follow-up up to 8.85 years, and 13,164 died of cardiovascular events. Older age and advanced hypertension stage were risk factors of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality. Besides, smoking, rarely exercise, BMI < 18.5 and diabetes were also the risk factors. When we compared stage 3 hypertension with stage 1 hypertension, hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality were 1.56(1.41–1.72) and 1.29(1.21–1.37) for males aged 60–69 years, 1.25(1.14–1.36) and 1.13(1.06–1.20) for males aged 70–85 years, 1.48(1.32–1.67) and 1.29(1.19–1.40) for females aged 60–69 years, and 1.19(1.10–1.29) and 1.08(1.01–1.15) for females aged 70–85 years, respectively. Negative multiplicative interaction and positive additive interaction between age at diagnosis and stage of hypertension at diagnosis on cardiovascular mortality were observed in males (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.71–0.93 RERI: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.09–1.07) and females (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70–0.93 RERI: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.10–1.23).

Conclusions
Diagnosed with stage 3 hypertension was associated with higher risks of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality, which were stronger among patients with age at diagnosis of 60–69 years compared with those with age at diagnosis of 70–85 years. Therefore, for the younger part of the elderly, the Department of Health should pay more attention to treating patients with stage 3 hypertension.
Risk of lymph node metastasis and feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection in undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer
Authors: Zhang Pengyue , Xu Tingting , Feng Hui , Zhu Zhen , Wang Jingjing , Wang Yalei 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Whether endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) applies to undifferentiated-type early gastric cancer (UEGC) remains controversial. We aimed to analyze the risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in UEGC and evaluate the feasibility of ESD.

Methods
This study included 346 patients with UEGC who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2014 and December 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the correlation between clinicopathological features and LNM were conducted, and the risk factors for exceeding the expanded ESD indications were evaluated.

Results
The overall LNM rate in UEGC was 19.94%. Among the preoperatively assessable factors, submucosal invasion (odds ratio [OR] = 4.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.14–10.66) and > 2 cm(OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.20–5.15) were independent risk factors for LNM, while postoperative independent risk factors were > 2 cm (OR = 3.35, 95% CI: 1.02–5.40) and lymphovascular invasion(OR = 13.21, 95% CI: 5.18–33.70). Patients who met the expanded indications had a low LNM risk (4.1%). Additionally, tumors located in the cardia (P = 0.03), non-elevated type (P < 0.01) were independent risk factors for exceeding the expanded indications in UEGC.

Conclusions
ESD may be applicable for UEGC meeting the expanded indications, and preoperative evaluation should be cautious when the lesion is non-elevated type or located in the cardia.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (12/05/2022 ChiCTR2200059841).
A nomogram for predicting cause-specific mortality among patients with cecal carcinoma: a study based on SEER database
Authors: Zhou Qianru , Zhan Yan , Guo Jipeng 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective
Classical Cox proportional hazard models tend to overestimate the event probability in a competing risk setup. Due to the lack of quantitative evaluation of competitive risk data for colon cancer (CC), the present study aims to evaluate the probability of CC-specific death and construct a nomogram to quantify survival differences among CC patients.

Methods
Data on patients diagnosed with CC between 2010 and 2015 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database. Patients were divided into a training dataset for the establishment of the model and a validation dataset to evaluate the performance the model at a ratio of 7:3. To evaluate the ability of multiple variables to predict cause-specific death in CC patients, univariate and multivariate analyses with Fine-Gray models were performed to screen the predictors of cause-specific death, and a nomogram for predicting cause-specific mortality was constructed. Then, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the calibration curve were plotted to evaluate the prognostic performance of the nomogram.

Results
The dataset was randomly divided into a training (n = 16,655) dataset and a validation (n = 7,139) dataset at a ratio of 7:3. In the training dataset, variables including pathological subtypes of tumors, pathological grading (degree of differentiation), AJCC staging, T-staging, surgical type, lymph node surgery, chemotherapy, tumor deposits, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, and lung metastasis were identified as independent risk factors for cause-specific death of CC patients. Among these factors, the AJCC stage had the strongest predictive ability, and these features were used to construct the final model. In the training dataset, the consistency index (C-index) of the model was 0.848, and the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) at 1, 3, and 5 years was 0.852, 0.861, and 0.856, respectively. In the validation dataset, the C-index of the model was 0.847, and the AUC at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 0.841, 0.862, and 0.852, respectively, indicating that this nomogram had an excellent and robust predictive performance.

Conclusion
This study can help clinical doctors make better clinical decisions and provide better support for patients with CC.
Total cholesterol and mortality in peritoneal dialysis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wu Junnan , Yang Ruifeng , Wang Xiaoyang , Zhan Xiaojiang , Wen Yueqiang , Feng Xiaoran , Wang Niansong , Peng Fenfen , Jian Guihua , Wu Xianfeng 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Total cholesterol is inversely associated with mortality in dialysis patients, which seems implausible in real-world clinical practice. May there be an optimal range of total cholesterol associated with a lower mortality risk? We aimed to evaluate the optimal range for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective real-world cohort study of 3565 incident PD patients from five PD centers between January 1, 2005, and May 31, 2020. Baseline variables were collected within one week before the start of PD. The associations between total cholesterol and mortality were examined using cause-specific hazard models.

Results
820 (23.0%) patients died, including 415 cardiovascular deaths, during the follow-up period. Restricted spline plots showed a U-curved association of total cholesterol with mortality. Compared with the reference range (4.10–4.50 mmol/L), high levels of total cholesterol (> 4.50 mmol/L) were associated with increased risks of all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] 1.35, 95% confidence index [CI] 1.08–1.67) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.09–1.87). Similarly, compared with the reference range, low levels of total cholesterol (< 4.10mmol/L) were also associated with high risks of all-cause (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.31–1.95) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.27–2.34).

Conclusion
Total cholesterol levels at the start of PD between 4.10 and 4.50 mmol/L (158.5 to 174.0 mg/dL), an optimal range, were associated with lower risks of death than higher or lower levels, resulting in a U-shaped association.
Fusobacterium nucleatum-derived small extracellular vesicles facilitate tumor growth and metastasis via TLR4 in breast cancer
Authors: Li Guiqiu , Sun Yan , Huang Yu , Lian Jie , Wu Shaoyuan , Luo Dixian , Gong Hui 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
The contributive role of the microbiome in tumor progression has been reported in multiple studies, such as the Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) in breast cancer (BC). This study aimed to explore the role of F. nucleatum-derived small extracellular vesicles (Fn-EVs) in BC and preliminarily uncover the mechanism.

Methods
Ten normal and 20 cancerous breast tissues were harvested to investigate the gDNA expression of F. nucleatum and its relation with the clinical characteristics of BC patients. After isolating Fn-EVs by ultracentrifugation from F. nucleatum (ATCC 25,586), both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were treated with PBS, Fn, or Fn-EVs, followed by being subjected to CCK-8, Edu staining, wound healing, and Transwell assays to detect their cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion. TLR4 expression in BC cells with diverse treatments was assessed by western blot. In vivo experiments were performed to verify its role in tumor growth and liver metastasis.

Results
The F. nucleatum gDNA levels of breast tissues in BC patients were significantly higher than those in normal subjects, and positively associated with tumor size and metastasis. Fn-EVs administration significantly enhanced the cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of BC cells, while knocking down TLR4 in BC cells could block these effects. Furthermore, in vivo study verified the contributive role of Fn-EVs in tumor growth and metastasis of BC, which might rely on its regulation of TLR4.

Conclusions
Collectively, our results suggest that F. nucleatum plays an important role in BC tumor growth and metastasis by regulating TLR4 through Fn-EVs. Thus, a better understanding of this process may aid in the development of novel therapeutic agents.
Aprepitant inhibits the development and metastasis of gallbladder cancer via ROS and MAPK activation
Authors: Cao Xueyan , Yang Yang , Zhou Wei , Wang Yue , Wang Xue , Ge Xianxiu , Wang Fei , Zhou Fangfang , Deng Xueting , Miao Lin 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Aprepitant, as a neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist, originally applied for curing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, has been reported to have significant antitumor effect on several malignant tumors. However, the effect of aprepitant on gallbladder cancer (GBC) is not clear yet. This study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor activity of aprepitant on GBC and the potential mechanisms.

Methods
The NK-1R expression of gallbladder cancer cells were examined by immunofluorescence. MTT assay, wound healing and transwell migration assay were applied to detect the effect of aprepitant on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate. The effects of aprepitant on the expressions of cytokine were examined by real-time quantitative PCR and MAPK activation were detected via immunofluorescence and western blotting. Besides, xenograft model was established to investigate the effect of aprepitant in vivo.

Results
Our results indicated that NK‐1R was markedly expressed in gallbladder cancer cells and aprepitant effectively inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, the apoptosis, ROS and inflammation response were significantly boosted by aprepitant in GBC. Aprepitant induced NF‐κB p65 nuclear translocationin and increased the expressions of p-P65, p-Akt, p-JNK, p-ERK and p-P38, as well as the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Consistently, aprepitant suppressed the growth of GBC in xenograft mice model.

Conclusion
Our study demonstrated that aprepitant could inhibit the development of gallbladder cancer via inducing ROS and MAPK activation, which suggested that aprepitant may become a promising therapeutic drug against GBC.
The effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on sexual function in reproductive aged women with hypothyroidism: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Sheikh Miri Azam , Iravani Mina , Boostani Hatam , Latifi Mahmoud 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Hypothyroidism is the most common clinical disorder of the thyroid gland which is associated with an increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction even if treated with medication.

Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on sexual function in reproductive-aged women with hypothyroidism.

Materials and methods
This randomized clinical trial was performed on 66 reproductive-aged women with hypothyroidism referring to selected health centers in Izeh, Iran. Data collection tools included demographic information form and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Eligible individuals were randomly assigned to case (n = 33) and control (n = 33) groups using block randomization with the block size of 4. In addition to standard hypothyroidism treatment, the case group received 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral group therapy, while the control group received only standard treatment.

Results
Before of treatment, there was no significant difference between the mean score of sexual function and its dimensions between the case and control groups (p < 0.05). However, immediately and 4 weeks after completion of treatment, the mean total score of sexual function and its dimensions in the case group increased significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion
According to the results of this study, CBT can be effective in improving sexual dysfunction in reproductive-aged women with hypothyroidism. However, before recommending this therapy to women suffering from hypothyroidism, more detailed studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of this intervention, as an adjuvant treatment to the standard pharmacotherapy.
Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in Rwanda
Authors: Semakula Muhammed , Niragire François , Nsanzimana Sabin , Remera Eric , Faes Christel 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Africa was threatened by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the limited health care infrastructure. Rwanda has consistently used non-pharmaceutical strategies, such as lockdown, curfew, and enforcement of prevention measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Despite the mitigation measures taken, the country has faced a series of outbreaks in 2020 and 2021.
In this paper, we investigate the nature of epidemic phenomena in Rwanda and the impact of imported cases on the spread of COVID-19 using endemic-epidemic spatio-temporal models. Our study provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of the epidemic in Rwanda and monitoring its phenomena to inform public health decision-makers for timely and targeted interventions.

Results
The findings provide insights into the effects of lockdown and imported infections in Rwanda’s COVID-19 outbreaks. The findings showed that imported infections are dominated by locally transmitted cases. The high incidence was predominant in urban areas and at the borders of Rwanda with its neighboring countries. The inter-district spread of COVID-19 was very limited due to mitigation measures taken in Rwanda.

Conclusion
The study recommends using evidence-based decisions in the management of epidemics and integrating statistical models in the analytics component of the health information system.
Determinants of spousal physical violence against women in Zambia: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Phiri Million , Namayawa Sibongile , Sianyeuka Bruce , Sikanyiti Palver , Lemba Musonda 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundViolence against women and girls is a major public health issue, a violation of human rights, and is linked to a number of harmful effects on one’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health. Studies conducted in other parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) suggest that there is an association between contextual factors and experience of intimate partner violence. However, in Zambia, this association is not well documented. Thus, this study was conducted to examine how individual and community-level characteristics influence spousal violence against women in Zambia.MethodsData from the most recent Zambia Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2018 was used. A sample of 7,358 ever-married women aged 15–49 years was used in the analysis. Two level multilevel binary logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between individual and contextual-level factors and experience of spousal violence.ResultsThe prevalence of spousal physical violence against women in Zambia was 21.1% [95% CI, 19.8, 22.5]. Women aged 15–19 [aOR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.34–4.14] and 20–24 [aOR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.38–3.22], who did not own mobile phone [aOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.10–1.69], and had low decision making autonomy [aOR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01–1.54] were more likely experience spousal physical violence. Furthermore, communities which had a low proportion of women with decision making power [aOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.26–2.19] were more likely experience spousal physical violence. Additionally, women whose partners’ drank alcohol [aOR = 2.81, 95% CI = 2.30–3.45] and those whose partners exhibited jealous behaviour [aOR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.88–3.21] were more likely to experience spousal physical violence.ConclusionBoth individual and community-level factors influenced spousal physical violence in Zambia. Integrating community level factors when designing interventions to address gender-based would be key to reduce women’s vulnerability to gender based violence in the country. There is need to re-evaluate and re-strategize current strategies being implemented to address gender based violence in the country to make them context specific.
Characteristics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis -associated cough. a case-control study
Authors: Saari Eeva , Mononen Minna , Hasala Hannele , Lätti Anne , Kaulamo Johanna , Nurmi Hanna , Kaarteenaho Riitta , Purokivi Minna , Koskela Heikki O 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Most patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) complain of cough. IPF-associated cough is widely characterized as dry or non-productive. The aim of this study was to compare chronic cough in early stage IPF patients to cough in subjects with chronic cough from a community-based sample and, especially, to investigate whether cough in IPF is less productive than chronic cough in a community-based sample.

Methods
The IPF cough population consisted of 46 biopsy-confirmed patients who complained of chronic cough. Control population consisted of subjects with chronic cough, gathered by a community-based email survey sent to public service employees and the Finnish Pensioners’ Federation. A case-control setting was applied by having four age, gender, and smoking-status matched subjects from the community sample for each IPF cough patient. A cough specific quality of life questionnaire (Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ)) was filled in by all subjects. The LCQ questionnaire contains 19 questions, each question is scored from 1 to 7 and total score from 3 to 21 with a smaller value indicating more severe impairment.

Results
The sputum production frequency, as assessed by LCQ question 2, was 5.0 (3.0-6.0) in the IPF chronic cough population and 5.0 (3.0–6.0) in the community-based chronic cough population (median and interquartile range p= 0.72). The LCQ total score was 14.8 (11.5-18.1) in the IPF chronic cough population and 15.4 (13.0–17.5) in the community-based chronic cough population (p=0.76). The domain impact scores were physical, 4.9 (3.9–6.1) vs. 5.1 (4.5–5.6) (p=0.80); psychological, 4.6 (3.7–5.9) vs. 4.7 (3.9–5.7) (p=0.90); and social, 5.5 (3.7–6.5) vs. 5.5 (4.5–6.3) (p=0.84), respectively. Furthermore, cough response to paint or fumes, cough disturbing sleep, and cough frequency per day did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion
Cough in early stage IPF patients was not distinguishable from chronic cough in the community-based population by LCQ. Especially, there was no difference in the self-reported frequency of cough-associated sputum production.