bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abnormal posterior semicircular canal function may predict poor prognosis in patients with severe and profound ISSNHL
Authors: Yang Yang , Gao Dekun , Ma Xiaobao , Shen Jiali , Zhang Qin , Chen Xiangping , Zhang Qing , Jin Yulian , Chen Jianyong , Duan Maoli , Yang Jun 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundSevere and profound idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) generally leads to unfavorable prognosis, and has a considerable impact on patient quality of life. However, related prognostic factors remain controversial.ObjectiveTo elaborate the relationship between vestibular function impairment and the prognosis of patients with severe and profound ISSNHL, and investigated the relevant factors affecting prognosis.MethodsForty-nine patients with severe and profound ISSNHL were divided into good outcome group [GO group, pure tone average (PTA) improvement &gt; 30 dB] and poor outcome group (PO group, PTA improvement ≤ 30 dB) according to hearing outcomes. The clinical characteristics and the proportion of abnormal vestibular function tests in these two groups were analyzed by univariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed for parameters with significant differences.ResultsForty-six patients had abnormal vestibular function test results (46/49, 93.88%). The number of vestibular organ injuries was 1.82 ± 1.29 in all patients, with higher mean numbers in PO group (2.22 ± 1.37) than in GO group (1.32 ± 0.99). Univariate analysis revealed no statistical differences between the GO and PO groups in terms of gender, age, side of the affected ear, vestibular symptoms, delayed treatment, instantaneous gain value of horizontal semicircular canal, regression gain value of vertical semicircular canal, abnormal rates of oVEMP, cVEMP, caloric test and vHIT in anterior and horizontal semicircular canal, however, significant differences were found in the initial hearing loss and abnormal vHIT of posterior semicircular canal (PSC). Multivariable analysis revealed that only PSC injury was an independent risk factor for predicting the prognosis of patients with severe and profound ISSNHL. Patients with abnormal PSC function had worse initial hearing impairment and prognosis than patients with normal PSC function. The sensitivity of abnormal PSC function in predicting poor prognosis in patients with severe and profound ISSNHL was 66.67%, specificity was 95.45%, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were 14.65 and 0.35, respectively.ConclusionAbnormal PSC function is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with severe and profound ISSNHL. Ischemia in the branches of the internal auditory artery supplying the cochlea and PSC may be the underlying mechanism.
The classification of brain network for major depressive disorder patients based on deep graph convolutional neural network
Authors: Zhu Manyun , Quan Yu , He Xuan 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionThe early diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) is very important for patients that suffer from severe and irreversible consequences of depression. It has been indicated that functional connectivity (FC) analysis based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data can provide valuable biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. However, previous studies mainly focus on brain disease classification in small sample sizes, which may lead to dramatic divergences in classification accuracy.MethodsThis paper attempts to address this limitation by applying the deep graph convolutional neural network (DGCNN) method on a large multi-site MDD dataset. The resting-state fMRI data are acquired from 830 MDD patients and 771 normal controls (NC) shared by the REST-meta-MDD consortium.ResultsThe DGCNN model trained with the binary network after thresholding, identified MDD patients from normal controls and achieved an accuracy of 72.1% with 10-fold cross-validation, which is 12.4%, 9.8%, and 7.6% higher than SVM, RF, and GCN, respectively. Moreover, the process of dataset reading and model training is faster. Therefore, it demonstrates the advantages of the DGCNN model with low time complexity and sound classification performance.DiscussionBased on a large, multi-site dataset from MDD patients, the results expressed that DGCNN is not an extremely accurate method for MDD diagnosis. However, there is an improvement over previous methods with our goal of better understanding brain function and ultimately providing a biomarker or diagnostic capability for MDD diagnosis.
An in vitro analysis of how lactose modifies the gut microbiota structure and function of adults in a donor-independent manner
Authors: Firrman Jenni , Liu LinShu , Mahalak Karley , Hu Weiming , Bittinger Kyle , Moustafa Ahmed , Jones Steven M. , Narrowe Adrienne , Tomasula Peggy 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionFollowing consumption of milk, lactose, a disaccharide of glucose and galactose, is hydrolyzed and absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, hydrolysis and absorption are not always absolute, and some lactose will enter the colon where the gut microbiota is able to hydrolyze lactose and produce metabolic byproducts.MethodsHere, the impact of lactose on the gut microbiota of healthy adults was examined, using a short-term, in vitro strategy where fecal samples harvested from 18 donors were cultured anaerobically with and without lactose. The data were compiled to identify donor-independent responses to lactose treatment.Results and discussionMetagenomic sequencing found that the addition of lactose decreased richness and evenness, while enhancing prevalence of the β-galactosidase gene. Taxonomically, lactose treatment decreased relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae and increased lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Streptococcaceae, and the probiotic Bifidobacterium. This corresponded with an increased abundance of the lactate utilizers, Veillonellaceae. These structural changes coincided with increased total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), specifically acetate, and lactate. These results demonstrated that lactose could mediate the gut microbiota of healthy adults in a donor-independent manner, consistent with other described prebiotics, and provided insight into how dietary milk consumption may promote human health through modifications of the gut microbiome.
Field-friendly MUNNG® optima simple test kit for quick qualitative assessment of iodine and iron presence in double-fortified salt
Authors: Godbole Ujwala , Gupta Divya , Godbole Nachiket , Godbole Madan 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundData from several efficacy studies and a long-term effectiveness study have encouraged the governments to adopt a policy of providing double-fortified salt (DFS) in the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) programs in government schools across India. These envisaged food security events are likely to boost the manufacturing of DFS in a big way. Thus, it becomes pertinent to come up with a robust monitoring system involving community and field workers for quality checks. It is imperative to equip these field workers with simple testing kits (STKs) capable of qualitative detection of iron and iodine in DFS. As the consumer acceptance of foods is based on several factors including sensory characteristics, performance, convenience, cost, nutrition, and product image, a variety of iron compounds are in use for fortification. However, it becomes challenging to provide a kit that can overcome the chemical masking of iodine detection by iron compounds.ObjectivesWe aimed at (1) the development of a field-friendly STK for quick qualitative assessment of iodine and various forms of iron present in DFS, (2) to check its validity under field conditions.MethodsWe put in place reagents combined using known chemical reactions and balanced use of oxidants to overcome the problems of encapsulation and to maximize the use, by enabling reagent combination to react with all forms of iron.ResultsThe kit reagents successfully detect iodine as well as three commonly used iron fortificants in DFS. Published field trials confirmed the specificity and sensitivity of the developed kit. The simplicity and use of the kit by a field worker can be seen in the enclosed video.ConclusionThe combination of improvised kit reagents allows early detection of iron and iodine in DFS. Iron is detected in a variety of iron-containing fortifications. The provision of diluted H2O2ensures the presence of oxygen-free radicals that enhances iodine release captured by concentrated KI making iodine detection an easy task.
Characteristics and clinical course of patients referred to the NST
Authors: Bong Jeong Bin , Chung Ji Yeon , Kim So-Yeong , Ryu Han Uk , Shin Byoung-Soo , Kang Hyun Goo 
Published: January 2023

Background and aimsThe nutrition support team (NST) comprises doctors, nutritionists, pharmacists, and nurses who provide intensive nutritional treatment designed for each patient by evaluating their nutritional status of hospitalized patients. This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of patients referred to the NST among those admitted to a tertiary hospital and to understand the factors affecting their clinical course and changes in pressure sore grades.MethodsThis study included 1,171 adult patients aged 18 years or older referred to the NST at a tertiary hospital in a metropolitan city between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020. Patients were divided into five age groups, neuro department and non-neuro department, those treated in the intensive care unit (ICU), and those not treated in the ICU. Patients were also compared based on the presence of pressure sores at the time of NST referral and changes in pressure sore grades at the first time of NST referral and discharge (improved pressure sores, no change in pressure sores, and aggravated pressure sores). In addition, this study examined the factors affecting changes in pressure sore grades.ResultsAs age increased, the proportion of both low albumin levels and pressure sores significantly increased (p &lt; 0.001), and the neuro department showed a significantly lower proportion of low albumin levels and pressure sores (p &lt; 0.001). The proportion of patients with pressure sores was higher (64.9%), and this patient group showed significantly higher rates of low albumin levels (p &lt; 0.001) and treatment in the ICU (p &lt; 0.001). The group with aggravated pressure sore grades had a significantly higher proportion of patients in the surgery department (p = 0.009) and those treated in the ICU (p &lt; 0.001). Admission to the surgery department was a factor that aggravated the grade of pressure sores [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.985, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.168–3.371]. When patients were not treated in the ICU, the grade of the pressure sores was less likely to worsen (aOR = 0.364, 95% CI = 0.217–0.609).ConclusionPressure sores and low albumin levels are closely related, and the risk of developing and aggravating pressure sores is particularly high in patients in the surgery department and those receiving ICU treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to actively implement NST referral to ensure that overall nutrition, including albumin, is well supplied, especially for patients in the surgery department and treated in the ICU, as they are at high risk of pressure sore development and aggravation. Moreover, since low albumin levels frequently occur in elderly patients, it is necessary to consider including the elderly in the indications for referral to the NST.
SHP-2-induced M2 polarization of tumor associated macrophages via IL-4 regulate colorectal cancer progression
Authors: Li Zhihan , Xi Jinchuan , Li Baokun , Liu Youqiang , Wang Guiying , Yu Bin , Ma Hongqing , Li Zhilin , Zhang Zhenya 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and molecular mechanism of Src homology region 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2) in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) repressing the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.MethodsThe relevant data sets of human colon specimens were obtained from GEO database, and then the performed correlation analysis, principal component analysis and differentially expressed gene (DEGs) analysis on the samples were conducted. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed on the common DEGs, and then functional interaction prediction was performed to verify the gene regulatory circuit of SHP-2. Furthermore, western blot was used to detect the effect of low expression of SHP-2 on related proteins, including the markers of promoting M2 polarization and exosome secretion, and keys proteins of the PI3K pathway. The relationship between SHP-2 and PI3K pathway was further verified by adding PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Finally, the effect of SHP-2 on the function of colon cancer cells was confirmed by wound healing assay and Transwell assay.ResultsThrough bioinformatics analysis, SHP-2 was screened as a possible key gene affecting CRC. The low expression of SHP-2 promoted the protein levels of Arginase-1 and IL-10 in IL-4 induced M2 macrophages, while inhibited the protein levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Meanwhile, low expression of SHP-2 was found to similarly promote the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and the release of exosomes. Interestingly, the promotion was suppressed after the addition of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. In terms of cellular behavior, wound healing and transwell data showed that low expression of SHP-2 enhanced the migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells.ConclusionThe low expression of SHP-2 induced by PHPS1 may regulate M2 polarization of TAMs and release of exosomes through PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby enhancing the migration and invasion ability of CRC cells.
Six-month multidisciplinary follow-up in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: An Italian single-center experience
Authors: Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Calcaterra Valeria , Mannarino Savina , D’Auria Enza , Bova Stefania Maria , Fiori Laura , Verduci Elvira , Milanese Alberto , Marano Giuseppe , Garbin Massimo , Zirpoli Salvatore , Fabiano Valentina , Carlucci Patrizia , Olivotto Sara , Gianolio Laura , De Santis Raffaella , Pelizzo Gloria , Zoia Elena , Dilillo Dario , Biganzoli Elia Mario 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundA severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) related to SARS-CoV-2 has been described after infection. A limited number of reports have analyzed the long-term complications related to pro-inflammatory status in MIS-C. We evaluated multiorgan impairment at the 6-month follow-up in MIS-C.MethodsWe enrolled 33 pediatric patients consecutively hospitalized for MIS-C and monitored for almost 6 months. The inter-relationship of patient's features and disease severity at admission with long term complications was studied by multivariate analysis.ResultsEndo-metabolic derangement, cardiac injury, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal manifestations and neurological involvement are part of the initial presentation. The most abnormalities appear to resolve within the first few weeks, without significant long term dysfunction at the 6-months follow-up, except for endocrine (non-thyroidal illness syndrome in 12.1%, insulin resistance in 21.2%) and neurological system (27.3% cognitive or psychological, behavioral, adaptive difficulties). Endocrine and heart involvement at admission represent a significant factor on the long term sequelae; however no association between severity score and long-term outcome was noted.ConclusionsThe severity of initial clinical presentation may be associated to organ domain, however it is not related to long term sequelae. The prevalent organ restoration supports a predominant indirect immune-mediated injury triggered by a systemic inflammatory response; however a direct damage due to the viral entry could be not excluded. Eventhought our preliminary results seem to suggest that MIS-C is not a long-term risk condition for children health, a longer follow-up is mandatory to confirm this hypothesis.
The relationship between father absence and hostility among Chinese depressed youths: A serial mediation model and the role of self-esteem and frustration tolerance
Authors: Liu Xiao-Ge , Li Yang , Xiong Fang , Li Wen-Tian , Liu Lian-Zhong , John S. Sullivan 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundWhile the association between father absence and youth hostility has been well-documented among depressed youths, there is a lack of research on the potential mechanism underlying such an association. This study aimed to test a serial mediation model of self-esteem and frustration tolerance on the link between father absence and youth hostility.MethodsA total of 137 Chinese youths with major depressive disorder were recruited from Wuhan Mental Health Center. They completed a survey including the Father Absence Questionnaire to measure father absence, the Chinese Hostility Inventory (CHI) to measure hostility, the Psychological Endurance Questionnaire to measure frustration tolerance, and the Self-esteem Scale (SES) to measure self-esteem. A series of multiple linear regression models were employed to assess the associations among father absence, self-esteem, frustration tolerance, and hostility.ResultsAlthough father absence was modestly associated with hostility (r = 0.30, p &lt; 0.001), subsequent serial mediation analysis showed that father absence was not directly related to hostility (β = 0.06, p = 0.29) when self-esteem and frustration tolerance were included in the model. High levels of father absence had an adverse effect on levels of self-esteem, which decreased levels of frustration tolerance, and thus higher levels of hostility among depressed youths. The indirect effects of father absence on hostility through self-esteem, frustration tolerance, as well as through self-esteem and frustration tolerance serially accounted for 28%, 24%, and 24% of the total effect, respectively.ConclusionOur study tested a serial mediation model of self-esteem and frustration tolerance as mediators between father absence and hostility among depressed youths. The findings strengthened our understanding of the potential mechanism underlying the association between self-esteem and frustration tolerance, which may provide useful guidance for future intervention programs.
Mutations and clinical characteristics of dRTA caused by SLC4A1 mutations: Analysis based on published patients
Authors: Yang Mengge , Sheng Qiqi , Ge Shenghui , Song Xinxin , Dong Jianjun , Guo Congcong , Liao Lin 
Published: January 2023

Background and AimsThe genetic and clinical characteristics of patients with distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) caused by SLC4A1 mutations have not been systematically recorded before. Here, we summarized the SLC4A1 mutations and clinical characteristics associated with dRTA.MethodsDatabase was searched, and the mutations and clinical manifestations of patients were summarized from the relevant articles.ResultsFifty-three eligible articles involving 169 patients were included and 41 mutations were identified totally. Fifteen mutations involving 100 patients were autosomal dominant inheritance, 21 mutations involving 61 patients were autosomal recessive inheritance. Nephrocalcinosis or kidney stones were found in 72.27%, impairment in renal function in 14.29%, developmental disorders in 61.16%, hematological abnormalities in 33.88%, and muscle weakness in 13.45% of patients. The age of onset was younger (P &lt; 0.01), urine pH was higher (P &lt; 0.01), and serum potassium was lower (P &lt; 0.001) in recessive patients than patients with dominant SLC4A1 mutations. Autosomal recessive inheritance was more often found in Asian patients (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsThe children present with metabolic acidosis with high urinary pH, accompanying hypokalemia, hyperchloremia, nephrocalcinosis, growth retardation and hematological abnormalities should be suspected as dRTA and suggested a genetic testing. The patients with recessive dRTA are generally more severely affected than that with dominant SLC4A1 mutations. Autosomal recessive inheritance was more often found in Asian patients, and more attentions should be paid to the Asian patients.
Efficacy and safety of riociguat replacing PDE-5is for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Yu-Yang , Qu Yi-Yang , Wang Shang , Luo Ci-Jun , Qiu Hong-Ling , Li Hui-Ting , Yuan Ping , Wang Lan , Li Jin-Ling , Jiang Rong , Zhang Rui 
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease. Some patients treated with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5is) fail to reach treatment goals. As a novel soluble guanylate cyclase agonist, riociguat acts on the same pathway as PDE-5is but functions via different mechanisms. Whether riociguat is more effective and safer than PDE-5is is ambiguous. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching from PDE-5is to riociguat among these patients.Methods: Original published articles were retrieved from PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Open Grey and Google Scholar. Studies that assessed the World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC), 6-min walking distance (6MWD), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), cardiac index (CI) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were collected. Adverse events after switching were evaluated.Results: Ten published studies were included. Compared to PDE-5is, riociguat significantly increased the 6MWD by 26.45 m weighted mean difference (WMD) = 26.45 m, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 9.70–43.2 m, p = 0.002) and improved mPAP (WMD = −3.53, 95% CIs: −5.62–1.44 mmHg, p = 0.0009), PVR (WMD = −130.24 dyn·s·cm−5, 95% CI −187.43–73.05, p &lt; 0.0001), CIs (WMD = 0.36 L/min·cm−2, 95% CIs: 0.25–0.47, p &lt; 0.00001) and WHO-FC (OR = 0.11, 95% CIs: 0.08–0.16, p &lt; 0.0001) but not NT-proBNP. In addition, we did not observe the most common side effects during the replacement of riociguat for PDE-5is.Conclusions: Compared to PDE5i, PAH patients benefit more from riociguat in hemodynamics, 6MWD, WHO-FC and biomarkers.