bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differentiation using minimally-invasive bioimpedance measurements of healthy and pathological lung tissue through bronchoscopy
Authors: Company-Se Georgina , Nescolarde Lexa , Pajares Virginia , Torrego Alfons , Riu Pere J. , Rosell Javier , Bragós Ramon 
Published: April 2023

PurposeTo use minimally-invasive transcatheter electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements for tissue differentiation among healthy lung tissue and pathologic lung tissue from patients with different respiratory diseases (neoplasm, fibrosis, pneumonia and emphysema) to complement the diagnosis at real time during bronchoscopic procedures.MethodsMulti-frequency bioimpedance measurements were performed in 102 patients. The two most discriminative frequencies for impedance modulus (|Z|), phase angle (PA), resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) were selected based on the maximum mean pair-wise Euclidean distances between paired groups. One-way ANOVA for parametric variables and Kruskal–Wallis for non-parametric data tests have been performed with post-hoc tests. Discriminant analysis has also been performed to find a linear combination of features to separate among tissue groups.ResultsWe found statistically significant differences for all the parameters between: neoplasm and pneumonia (p &lt; 0.05); neoplasm and healthy lung tissue (p &lt; 0.001); neoplasm and emphysema (p &lt; 0.001); fibrosis and healthy lung tissue (p ≤ 0.001) and pneumonia and healthy lung tissue (p &lt; 0.01). For fibrosis and emphysema (p &lt; 0.05) only in |Z|, R and Xc; and between pneumonia and emphysema (p &lt; 0.05) only in |Z| and R. No statistically significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) are found between neoplasm and fibrosis; fibrosis and pneumonia; and between healthy lung tissue and emphysema.ConclusionThe application of minimally-invasive electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements in lung tissue have proven to be useful for tissue differentiation between those pathologies that leads increased tissue and inflammatory cells and those ones that contain more air and destruction of alveolar septa, which could help clinicians to improve diagnosis.
Optimizing mycobacteria molecular diagnostics: No decontamination! Human DNA depletion? Greener storage at 4 °C!
Authors: Prajwal Prajwal , Neary Turlough , Rohrbach Katja , Bittel Pascal , Göller Pauline C. , Buch Thorsten , Dümcke Sebastian , Keller Peter M. 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the group of bacterial pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Timely diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant TB is a key pillar of WHO’s strategy to combat global TB. The time required to carry out drug susceptibility testing (DST) for MTBC via the classic culture method is in the range of weeks and such delays have a detrimental effect on treatment outcomes. Given that molecular testing is in the range of hours to 1 or 2 days its value in treating drug resistant TB cannot be overstated. When developing such tests, one wants to optimize each step so that tests are successful even when confronted with samples that have a low MTBC load or contain large amounts of host DNA. This could improve the performance of the popular rapid molecular tests, especially for samples with mycobacterial loads close to the limits of detection. Where optimizations could have a more significant impact is for tests based on targeted next generation sequencing (tNGS) which typically require higher quantities of DNA. This would be significant as tNGS can provide more comprehensive drug resistance profiles than the relatively limited resistance information provided by rapid tests. In this work we endeavor to optimize pre-treatment and extraction steps for molecular testing.MethodsWe begin by choosing the best DNA extraction device by comparing the amount of DNA extracted by five commonly used devices from identical samples. Following this, the effect that decontamination and human DNA depletion have on extraction efficiency is explored.ResultsThe best results were achieved (i.e., the lowest Ct values) when neither decontamination nor human DNA depletion were used. As expected, in all tested scenarios the addition of decontamination to our workflow substantially reduced the yield of DNA extracted. This illustrates that the standard TB laboratory practice of applying decontamination, although being vital for culture-based testing, can negatively impact the performance of molecular testing. As a complement to the above experiments, we also considered the best Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA storage method to optimize molecular testing carried out in the near- to medium-term. Comparing Ct values following three-month storage at 4 °C and at −20 °C and showed little difference between the two.DiscussionIn summary, for molecular diagnostics aimed at mycobacteria this work highlights the importance of choosing the right DNA extraction device, indicates that decontamination causes significant loss of mycobacterial DNA, and shows that samples preserved for further molecular testing can be stored at 4 °C, just as well at −20 °C. Under our experimental settings, human DNA depletion gave no significant improvement in Ct values for the detection of MTBC.
Prediction models for neutralization activity against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Goto Atsushi , Miyakawa Kei , Nakayama Izumi , Yagome Susumu , Xu Juan , Kaneko Makoto , Ohtake Norihisa , Kato Hideaki , Ryo Akihide 
Published: April 2023

ObjectiveDespite extensive vaccination campaigns to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, variants of concern, particularly the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529 or BA.1), may escape the antibodies elicited by vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate 50% neutralizing activity (NT50) against SARS-CoV-2 D614G, Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron BA.2 and to develop prediction models to predict the risk of infection in a general population in Japan.MethodsWe used a random 10% of samples from 1,277 participants in a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in January and February 2022 in Yokohama City, the most populous municipality in Japan. We measured NT50 against D614G as a reference and three variants (Delta, Omicron BA.1, and BA.2) and immunoglobulin G against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP-IgG).ResultsAmong 123 participants aged 20–74, 93% had received two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The geometric means (95% confidence intervals) of NT50 were 65.5 (51.8–82.8) for D614G, 34.3 (27.1–43.4) for Delta, 14.9 (12.2–18.0) for Omicron BA.1, and 12.9 (11.3–14.7) for Omicron BA.2. The prediction model with SP-IgG titers for Omicron BA.1 performed better than the model for Omicron BA.2 (bias-corrected R2 with bootstrapping: 0.721 vs. 0.588). The models also performed better for BA.1 than for BA.2 (R2 = 0.850 vs. 0.150) in a validation study with 20 independent samples.ConclusionIn a general Japanese population with 93% of the population vaccinated with two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, neutralizing activity against Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 were substantially lower than those against D614G or the Delta variant. The prediction models for Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 showed moderate predictive ability and the model for BA.1 performed well in validation data.
Functional neurological symptoms are a frequent and relevant comorbidity in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Piliavska Katya , Dantlgraber Michael , Dettmers Christian , Jöbges Michael , Liepert Joachim , Schmidt Roger 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionFunctional neurological symptoms (FNS) in multiple sclerosis (MS) have shown to be underinvestigated even though neurological diseases such as MS represent a risk factor for developing FNS. Comorbidity of FNS and MS can produce high personal and social costs since FNS patients have high healthcare utilization costs and a quality of life at least as impaired as in patients with disorders with underlying structural pathology. This study aims to assess comorbid FNS in patients with MS (pwMS) and investigate whether FNS in pwMS are associated with poorer health-related quality of life and work ability.MethodsNewly admitted patients (234) with MS were studied during their stay at Kliniken Schmieder, a neurological rehabilitation clinic in Konstanz, Germany. The degree to which the overall clinical picture was explained by MS pathology was rated by neurologists and allied health practitioners on a five-point Likert scale. Additionally, neurologists rated each symptom reported by the patients. Health-related quality of life was assessed using a self-report questionnaire and work ability was assessed using the mean number of hours worked per day and information regarding disability pension as reported by patients.ResultsIn 55.1% of cases, the clinical picture was completely explained by structural pathology due to MS. 17.1% of pwMS presented an overall clinical picture half or less of which could be explained by underlying structural pathology. PwMS with a higher comorbid FNS burden had a lower health-related quality of life and reported fewer working hours per day than pwMS with symptoms explained by structural pathology. Furthermore, pwMS with a full disability pension had a higher comorbid FNS burden than pwMS with no or partial disability pension.DiscussionThese results show that FNS should be addressed diagnostically and therapeutically since such symptoms are an important comorbidity in MS that is related to poorer health-related quality of life and lower work ability.
Unilateral biportal endoscopic foraminotomy and diskectomy combined with piezosurgery for treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with neuropathic radicular pain
Authors: Zhang Peng , Jin Yanghui , Zhu Bo , Zheng Mingfeng , Ying Xiaozhang , Zheng Qi 
Published: April 2023

ObjectiveUnilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) represents a relatively recent development in minimally invasive spine surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of UBE foraminotomy and diskectomy combined with piezosurgery for treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) with neuropathic radicular pain.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the outcomes in 12 patients with CSR who underwent UBE foraminotomy and diskectomy combined with piezosurgery. The intraoperative blood loss, operative time, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for the neck and arm, neck disability index (NDI) scores, and complications were recorded.ResultsPostoperative VAS scores of the neck and arm and NDI scores were significantly improved. Additionally, a postoperative CT scan revealed adequate enlargement of the cervical canal and nerve root. No specific complications occurred during surgery and the immediate postoperative period.ConclusionsThis primary study indicated that the UBE foraminotomy and diskectomy with piezosurgery is a promising technique for treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with neuropathic radicular pain.
Case report: Transvenous coil embolization of a high-grade Galenic dural arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Cornea Christiana M. , Quig Nathan , Yap Edward , Solander Sten Y. 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionGalenic dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are a rare form of dAVF and rarely described in the literature. Their distinct location requires different surgical approaches than dAVFs occurring at the nearby sites of the straight sinus and torcular Herophili, and their high risk of hemorrhage makes these dAVFs very challenging to approach surgically. In this report, we present a unique case of Galenic dAVF.Case descriptionThe patient is a 54-year-old female who presented with a 2-year history of progressive headaches, cognitive decline, and papilledema. A cerebral angiogram demonstrated a complex dAVF to the vein of Galen (VoG). She underwent transarterial embolization with Onyx-18 which resulted in minimal reduction in arterial venous shunting. She subsequently underwent a successful transvenous coil embolization resulting in complete occlusion of dAVF. The patient’s postoperative course was complicated by interventricular hemorrhage; however, she had a remarkable clinical recovery with resolution of headaches and improvement in cognitive function. A follow-up angiogram completed 6  months post-embolization demonstrated very mild residual shunting.ConclusionIn the unique case presented here, we demonstrate the efficacy of transvenous embolization via an occluded straight sinus as an alternative therapeutic option to eliminate cortical venous reflux.
Bibliometric analysis of stroke and quality of life
Authors: Chen Mengtong , Zhang Yuting , Dong Lijuan , Guo Xiaomei 
Published: April 2023

ObjectiveTo perform a bibliometric analysis of stroke and quality of life studies between 2000 and 2022 using VOSviewer and CiteSpace.MethodsThe literature data source for this study was the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to analyze publications in relation to authors, countries, institutions, journals, references, and keywords.ResultsA total of 704 publications were obtained for the bibliometric analysis. The number of publications has gradually increased over 23 years, with an annual increase of 728.6%. Kim S is the most prolific author in the field (10 publications), and the United States and Chinese University of Hong Kong have the most publications. Stroke is the most prolific journal with the most citations per paper (91.58) and the highest impact factor (IF 2021, 10.17). The most high-frequency keywords are “stroke,” “quality of life,” “rehabilitation,” and “depression.”ConclusionA bibliometric analysis of stroke and quality of life over the last 23  years provides future research directions.
Linking dietary intake, circadian biomarkers, and clock genes on obesity: A study protocol
Authors: Lages Marlene , Barros Renata , Carmo-Silva Sara , Guarino Maria P. 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity continues to rise, and although this is a complex disease, the screening is made simply with the value of the Body Mass Index. This index only considers weight and height, being limited in portraying the multiple existing obesity phenotypes. The characterization of the chronotype and circadian system as an innovative phenotype of a patient’s form of obesity is gaining increasing importance for the development of novel and pinpointed nutritional interventions.ObjectiveThe present study is a prospective observational controlled study conducted in Portugal, aiming to characterize the chronotype and determine its relation to the phenotype and dietary patterns of patients with obesity and healthy participants.MethodsAdults with obesity (study group) and healthy adults (control group), aged between 18 and 75, will be enrolled in this study. Data will be collected to characterize the chronotype, dietary intake, and sleep quality through validated questionnaires. Body composition will also be assessed, and blood samples will be collected to quantify circadian and metabolic biomarkers.DiscussionThis study is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of obesity and dietary intake on circadian biomarkers and, therefore, increase scientific evidence to help future therapeutic interventions based on chronobiology, with a particular focus on nutritional interventions.
Tryptophan intake, not always the more the better
Authors: Hu Dongmei , Liu Junyi , Yu Wanlin , Li Chuan , Huang Lihua , Mao Wei , Lu Zhaoyu 
Published: April 2023

ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of excessive tryptophan intake on the body and the effects of tryptophan metabolism-related aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway in healthy rats and chronic kidney disease rats, to study the adverse effects of excess tryptophan.DesignIn Part I Experiment, the healthy rats were fed with diet containing 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8% tryptophan for 12 weeks. After the intervention, the blood and kidney tissues were collected. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were detected. Hematoxylin–eosin (H&amp;E) staining was used to observe renal pathological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum kynurenic acid and AhR levels. The kidney levels of AhR, CyP1A1 and CyP1B1 were detected by western-blot. In Part II Experiment, the chronic kidney disease (CKD) model was induced by intra-gastric gavage with adenine for 4 weeks. Then the CKD rats were given tryptophan at a dose of 100 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg for eight weeks. Rat survival curve, renal function, renal tissue pathology and serum AhR were detected. Tryptophan-targeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MRM-MS) was employed to quantitatively access the tryptophan-targeted metabolites in two parts experiments.ResultsIn part I experiment, high tryptophan diet can increase the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in healthy rats and induce focal renal tubulointerstitial injury. Tryptophan-targeted analyzes showed that high tryptophan diet feeding can significantly increase the concentration of kynurenine and indole metabolites. The serum AhR level and kidney AhR, CyP1A1 and CyP1B1 were also significantly increased in high tryptophan diet rats. In part II experiment, high tryptophan intervention induced a significant increase in mortality, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen levels, and renal pathological damage in CKD rats. The levels of tryptophan-targeted metabolites, kynurenine, xanthurenate, picolinic acid, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-lactic acid, indoleacetate and indoxyl sulfate, showed an upward trend in the high-dose tryptophan group (Ade + Trp-H) compared with the adenine group. The serum AhR of Ade + Trp-H rats was significantly higher than those of adenine rats.ConclusionModerate tryptophan intake may be beneficial, but excessive tryptophan can lead to accumulation of kynurenine and indole metabolites, activate AhR pathway and induce kidney injury.
A new paradigm for epidermal growth factor receptor expression exists in PTC and NIFTP regulated by microRNAs
Authors: Al-Abdallah Abeer , Jahanbani Iman , Ali Rola H. , Al-Brahim Nabeel , Prasanth Jeena , Al-Shammary Bashayer , Al-Bader Maie 
Published: April 2023

IntoductionIdentification of molecular alterations associated with tumor behavior is necessary to guide clinical management. The 2022 WHO classification has organized the thyroid follicular cell-derived neoplasms into benign, low-risk and high-risk neoplasms, and emphasized the value of biomarkers that may provide differential diagnostic and prognostic information to avoid overtreatment of low risk neoplasms. This work aims to study the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, functional and spatial dynamics in relation to specific miRNAs alterations in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and in non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) considered as models of high-risk and low-risk thyroid tumors respectively.MethodsPrimary thyroid cultured cells were used for miRNA gain/loss of function and luciferase reporter assays. Paraffin embedded tissues were used for real time PCR, immuno-fluorescence stain and confocal microscopy experiments.ResultsOur results showed that in PTC, EGFR mRNA is reduced as an effect of miR-146b-5p upregulation. The EGF expression is low and the ERK pathway is inhibited. The EGFR protein high cytoplasmic expression and colocalization with the endosomal/exosomal markers, ALIX and CD63, suggest the occurrence of stress-induced EGFR internalization, accumulation in endosomal vesicles and secretion via exosomes. In NIFTP EGFR transcription is increased in association with downregulation of miR-7-5p and the EGFR/ERK pathway is active indicating dependence on the canonical EGFR pathway for growth.ConclusionDownregulation of transcript level along with cytoplasmic accumulation of undegraded protein is a new pattern of EGFR regulation associated with malignancy in thyroid. Further research is needed to elucidate the intracellular trafficking defects responsible for this specific EGFR dynamic in PTC.
Treatment options for recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis based on RCTs
Authors: Li Juan , Zou Guorong , Wang Wei , Yin Chen , Yan Haowen , Liu Shengpeng 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundThere are a variety of treatment options for recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and the optimal specific treatment still remains to be determined. Therefore, this Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the optimal treatment options for recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.MethodsPubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for articles published until 15 June 2022. The outcome measures for this meta-analysis were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events (AEs) of Grade 3-4. The Cochrane assessment tool for risk of bias was used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included original studies. The Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022347273).ResultsOur systematic review included 11 RCTs involving 1871 patients and 11 treatments other than chemotherapy. The results of meta-analysis showed that the overall survival (OS) was the highest in adavosertib + gemcitabine compared with conventional chemotherapy, (HR=0.56,95%CI:0.35-0.91), followed by sorafenib + topotecan (HR=0.65, 95%CI:0.45-0.93). In addition, Adavosertib + Gemcitabine regimen had the highest PFS (HR=0.55,95%CI:0.34-0.88), followed by Bevacizumab + Gemcitabine regimen (HR=0.48,95%CI:0.38-0.60) and the immunotherapy of nivolumab was the safest (HR=0.164,95%CI:0.312-0.871) with least adverse events of Grades 3-4.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicated that Adavosertib (WEE1 kinase-inhibitor) + gemcitabine regimen and Bevacizumab + Gemcitabine regimen would be significantly beneficial to patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and could be preferred for recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The immunotherapeutic agent, Nivolumab, is of considerable safety, with a low risk for grade-III or IV adverse events. Its safety is comparable to Adavosertib + gemcitabine regimen. Pazopanib + Paclitaxel (weekly regimen), Sorafenib + Topotecan/Nivolumab could be selected if there are contraindications of the above strategies.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022347273.