bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and safety of tumor-treating fields therapy for glioblastoma: A single-center study in a Chinese cohort
Authors: She Lei , Gong Xuan , Su Lin , Liu Chao 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveTumor-treating fields (TTFields) are a new therapeutic modality for patients with glioblastoma (GBM). However, studies on survival outcomes of TTFields are rarely reported in China. This study aimed to examine the clinical efficacy and safety of TTFields therapy for GBM in China.MethodsA total of 93 patients with newly diagnosed GBM (ndGBM) and recurrent GBM (rGBM) were included in our study retrospectively. They were divided into two groups based on whether they used TTFields. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicities were assessed.ResultsAmong the patients with ndGBM, there were 13 cases with TTFields and 39 cases with no TTFields. The median PFS was 15.3 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.5–24.1] months and 10.6 (95% CI: 5.4–15.8) months in the two groups, respectively, with P = 0.041. The median OS was 24.8 (95% CI: 6.8–42.8) months and 18.6 (95% CI: 11.4–25.8) months, respectively, with P = 0.368. Patients with subtotal resection (STR) who used TTFields had a better PFS than those who did not (P = 0.003). Among the patients with rGBM, there were 13 cases with TTFields and 28 cases with no TTFields. The median PFS in the two groups was 8.4 (95% CI: 1.7–15.2) months and 8.0 (95% CI: 5.8–10.2) months in the two groups, respectively, with P = 0.265. The median OS was 10.6 (95% CI: 4.8–16.4) months and 13.3 (95% CI: 11.0–15.6) months, respectively, with P = 0.655. A total of 21 patients (21/26, 80.8%) with TTFields developed dermatological adverse events (dAEs). All the dAEs could be resolved or controlled.ConclusionTTFields therapy is a safe and effective treatment for ndGBM, especially in patients with STR. However, it may not improve survival in patients with rGBM.
Admission neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to predict 30-day mortality in severe spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage
Authors: Shi Jia , Liu Yu , Wei Li , Guan Wei , Xia Weimin 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundSpontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) usually occurs in the basal ganglia and is highly lethal and disabling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with severe spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with severe basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from 2012 to 2018. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and neuroradiological data were collected. The short-term prognosis was evaluated and divided into death within 30-days and survival over 30-days. We studied the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with severe intracerebral hemorrhage, analyzed the parameters related to neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) at admission, and evaluated the predictive effect of NLR on 30-day mortality.ResultsA total of 105 patients was included in this retrospective study. The 30-day death group had a larger hematoma, a higher probability of ventricular hemorrhage, a higher ICH score and a lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission. Meanwhile, the patients in the death group had higher White blood cells (WBC) counts, neutrophil counts, NLRs and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. The risk factors for 30-day death were related to the ICH volume, GCS score, ICH score, WBC count, neutrophil count, NLR and CRP. The univariate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the risk factors showed that the NLR had the best prediction performance. Mathematical predictive models for ICH patients showed that the model with NLR had better prediction accuracy.ConclusionsThe NLR is expected to be a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with severe basal ganglia hemorrhage.
Case report: Paralysis after epidural analgesia due to a hemorrhage of pure epidural venous hemangioma
Authors: Li Jiahui , Xie Pengyun , Liu Xiaolei , Li Daheng , Tang Jing 
Published: January 2023

PurposeTo report a case of sudden paralysis after epidural analgesia to raise awareness of the condition and the importance of early identification and appropriate treatment of extradural venous angiomas.Clinical featuresA 28-year-old man with myofascial pain syndrome experienced paraplegia after receiving an epidural block for pain relief, which was later discovered to be caused by hemorrhage from extradural venous angiomas. Decompression surgery was performed immediately and successfully. A follow-up examination was performed 5 months after surgery. The patient reported improvement in urinary retention. The muscle strength in both his lower extremities had recovered to 4 out of 5 but still exhibited considerable residual spasticity.ConclusionsBefore administering epidural analgesia to relieve undetermined pain, it is prudent to carefully weigh potential benefits against potential risks to patient health to minimize the likelihood of complications.
Bioinformatic identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in carotid atherosclerosis and vascular dementia
Authors: Li Dongshi , Huang Zhixin , Dai Yingyi , Guo Linling , Lin Songbin , Liu Xintong 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundVascular disease is the second most common cause of dementia. The prevalence of vascular dementia (VaD) has increased over the past decade. However, there are no licensed treatments for this disease. Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is highly prevalent and is the main cause of ischemic stroke and VaD. We studied co-expressed genes to understand the relationships between CAS and VaD and further reveal the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of CAS and VaD.MethodsCAS and VaD differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through bioinformatic analysis Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets GSE43292 and GSE122063, respectively. Furthermore, a variety of target prediction methods and network analysis approaches were used to assess the protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, the Gene Ontology (GO) terms, and the pathway enrichment for DEGs, and the top 7 hub genes, coupled with corresponding predicted miRNAs involved in CAS and VaD, were assessed as well.ResultA total of 60 upregulated DEGs and 159 downregulated DEGs were identified, of which the top 7 hub genes with a high degree of connectivity were selected. Overexpression of these hub genes was associated with CAS and VaD. Finally, the top 7 hub genes were coupled with corresponding predicted miRNAs. hsa-miR-567 and hsa-miR-4652-5p may be significantly associated with CAS and VaD.
Developmental differences in the perception of naturalistic human movements
Authors: Ntoumanis Ioannis , Shestakova Anna , Koriakina Maria , Kadieva Dzerassa , Kopytin Grigory , Jääskeläinen Iiro P. 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionIt is widely believed that we are more attentive towards moving versus static stimuli. However, the neural correlates underlying the perception of human movements have not been extensively investigated in ecologically valid settings, nor has the developmental aspect of this phenomenon. Here, we set forth to investigate how human limb movements displayed in naturalistic videos influence the attentional engagement of children and young adults.MethodsThirty-nine healthy participants (4–26 years old) were presented with naturalistic videos featuring human goal-directed movements, while neural activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). Video scenes were automatically annotated as containing arm, leg or no movement, using a machine learning algorithm. The viewers’ attentional engagement was quantified by the intersubject correlation of EEG responses evoked by the videos.ResultsOur results demonstrate that scenes featuring limb movements, especially simultaneous arm and leg movements, elicit higher attentional engagement than scenes with no limb movement. Interestingly, this effect was found to diminish with age.DiscussionOverall, our findings extend previous work on the perception of human motion by implementing naturalistic stimuli in the experimental design and extend the list of factors influencing the viewer’s engagement exerted by naturalistic videos.
A novel visual dynamic nomogram to online predict the risk of unfavorable outcome in elderly aSAH patients after endovascular coiling: A retrospective study
Authors: Lu Wei , Tong YuLan , Zhang Cheng , Xiang Lan , Xiang Liang , Chen Chen , Guo LeHeng , Shan YaJie , Li XueMei , Zhao Zheng , Pan XiDing , Zhao ZhiHong , Zou JianJun 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundAneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Dynamic nomogram to predict the prognosis of elderly aSAH patients after endovascular coiling has not been reported. Thus, we aimed to develop a clinically useful dynamic nomogram to predict the risk of 6-month unfavorable outcome in elderly aSAH patients after endovascular coiling.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study including 209 elderly patients admitted to the People’s Hospital of Hunan Province for aSAH from January 2016 to June 2021. The main outcome measure was 6-month unfavorable outcome (mRS ≥ 3). We used multivariable logistic regression analysis and forwarded stepwise regression to select variables to generate the nomogram. We assessed the discriminative performance using the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver-operating characteristic and the risk prediction model’s calibration using the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The decision curve analysis (DCA) and the clinical impact curve (CIC) were used to measure the clinical utility of the nomogram.ResultsThe cohort’s median age was 70 (interquartile range: 68–74) years and 133 (36.4%) had unfavorable outcomes. Age, using a ventilator, white blood cell count, and complicated with cerebral infarction were predictors of 6-month unfavorable outcome. The AUC of the nomogram was 0.882 and the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed good calibration of the nomogram (p = 0.3717). Besides, the excellent clinical utility and applicability of the nomogram had been indicated by DCA and CIC. The eventual value of unfavorable outcome risk could be calculated through the dynamic nomogram.ConclusionThis study is the first visual dynamic online nomogram that accurately predicts the risk of 6-month unfavorable outcome in elderly aSAH patients after endovascular coiling. Clinicians can effectively improve interventions by taking targeted interventions based on the scores of different items on the nomogram for each variable.
Efficacy of different acupuncture therapies on postherpetic neuralgia: A Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Cui Yang , Zhou Xinyu , Li Quan , Wang Delong , Zhu Jiamin , Zeng Xiangxin , Han Qichen , Yang Rui , Xu Siyu , Zhang Dongxu , Meng Xiangyue , Zhang Shuo , Sun Zhongren , Yin Hongna 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundPostherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common, complex, and refractory type of neuropathic pain. Several systematic reviews support the efficacy of acupuncture and related treatments for PHN. Nevertheless, the efficacy of various acupuncture-related treatments for PHN remains debatable.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related treatments for PHN, identify the most effective acupuncture-related treatments, and expound on the current inadequacies and prospects in the applications of acupuncture-related therapies.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical, Chongqing VIP, and Wan Fang databases), clinical research registration platform (World Health Organization International Clinical Trial Registration platform, China Clinical Trial Registration Center) for relevant studies. We also examined previous meta-analyses; gray literature; and reference lists of the selected studies. We then evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies and performed a Bayesian multiple network meta-analysis.ResultsWe included 29 randomized controlled trials comprising 1,973 patients, of which five studies showed a high risk of bias. The pairwise meta-analysis results revealed that the efficacy of all acupuncture-related treatments for pain relief related to PHN was significantly better than antiepileptics. The network meta-analysis results showed that pricking and cupping plus antiepileptics were the most effective treatment, followed by electroacupuncture (EA) plus antiepileptics for pain relief in patients with PHN. EA plus antiepileptics ranked the best regarding reduced Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores in patients with PHN. No results were found regarding the total response rate or quality of life in this study. Acupuncture-related treatments showed a lower incidence of adverse events than that of antiepileptics.ConclusionAcupuncture-related therapies are potential treatment options for PHN and are safe. Pricking and cupping plus antiepileptics, are the most effective acupuncture-related techniques for pain relief, while EA plus antiepileptics is the best acupuncture-related technique for improving PHN-related insomnia and depression symptoms. However, owing to the limitations of this study, these conclusions should be cautiously interpreted, and future high-quality studies are needed.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021226422, identifier CRD42021226422.
Sensory impairment and cognitive decline among older adults: An analysis of mediation and moderation effects of loneliness
Authors: Ge Shaoqing , Pan Wei , Wu Bei , Plassman Brenda L. , Dong XinQi , McConnell Eleanor S. 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundMultiple studies have reported that hearing and vision impairment are linked to cognitive decline. Yet little is known about factors that may influence the association between sensory impairment and cognitive decline. This study examined if loneliness mediates or moderates the impact of sensory impairment on cognitive decline as individuals age.MethodsThis was a longitudinal study using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and The Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS) (N = 243). We used one timepoint of hearing and vision (ADAMS 2006–2008), one timepoint of loneliness (HRS 2006–2008), and five waves of cognition (HRS 2006–2014). Hearing impairment was defined by an inability to hear pure-tone stimuli of 25 dB at frequencies between 0.5 and 4.0 kHz in either ear. Visual impairment was defined as having corrected binocular vision worse than 20/40. Longitudinal parallel-process (LPP) analysis was conducted at a significance level of α = 0.05 (one-tailed).ResultsLoneliness moderated but did not mediate the association between visual impairment and the rate of cognitive decline (standardized β =−0.108, p &lt; 0.05). No moderation or mediation effect of loneliness was found for the association between hearing impairment and cognitive decline. Both vision and hearing impairment were significantly associated with increased severity of loneliness.ConclusionVisual impairment combined with an elevated level of loneliness may produce a more synergistic, deleterious impact on older adults’ cognitive function than visual impairment alone. This study highlights the importance of promoting a healthy social and psychological status for older adults with sensory impairment.
Birth outcomes, puberty onset, and obesity as long-term predictors of biological aging in young adulthood
Authors: Jáni Martin , Zacková Lenka , Piler Pavel , Andrýsková Lenka , Brázdil Milan , Marečková Klára 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundBiological aging and particularly the deviations between biological and chronological age are better predictors of health than chronological age alone. However, the predictors of accelerated biological aging are not very well understood. The aim was to determine the role of birth outcomes, time of puberty onset, body mass index (BMI), and body fat in accelerated biological aging in the third decade of life.MethodsWe have conducted a second follow-up of the Czech part of the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC-CZ) prenatal birth cohort in young adulthood (52% male; age 28–30; n = 262) to determine the role of birth outcomes, pubertal timing, BMI, and body fat on biological aging. Birth outcomes included birth weight, length, and gestational age at birth. Pubertal timing was determined by the presence of secondary sexual characteristics at the age of 11 and the age of first menarche in women. Biological age was estimated using the Klemera-Doubal Method (KDM), which applies 9-biomarker algorithm including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), systolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase. Accelerated/decelerated aging was determined as the difference between biological and chronological age (BioAGE).ResultsThe deviations between biological and chronological age in young adulthood ranged from −2.84 to 4.39 years. Accelerated biological aging was predicted by higher BMI [in both early (R2adj = 0.05) and late 20s (R2adj = 0.22)], subcutaneous (R2adj = 0.21) and visceral fat (R2adj = 0.25), puberty onset (ηp2 = 0.07), birth length (R2adj = 0.03), and the increase of BMI over the 5-year period between the two follow-ups in young adulthood (R2adj = 0.09). Single hierarchical model revealed that shorter birth length, early puberty onset, and greater levels of visceral fat were the main predictors, together explaining 21% of variance in accelerated biological aging.ConclusionOur findings provide comprehensive support of the Life History Theory, suggesting that early life adversity might trigger accelerated aging, which leads to earlier onset of puberty but decreasing fitness in adulthood, reflected by more visceral fat and higher BMI. Our findings also suggest that reduction of BMI in young adulthood slows down biological aging.
Case report: Clinical highlights and radiological classification of IgG4-related spinal pachymeningitis: A rare case series and updated review of the literature
Authors: Yang Fan , Liu Zhengang , Zhang Yibo , Li Pengfu , Zhu Yuhang , Zhu Qingsan , Zhang Boyin 
Published: January 2023

PurposeHypertrophic pachymeningitis associated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) has been rarely reported, and there is little information and no clear consensus on the management of IgG4-related spinal pachymeningitis (IgG4-RSP). The present study described its possible clinical features, including the symptoms, imaging, treatment and prognosis of patients with IgG4-RSP.MethodsWe report three patients who presented with progressive neurological dysfunction due to spinal cord compression. Relevant articles were searched from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, and the resulting literature was reviewed.ResultsThe literature review provided a summary of 45 available cases, which included three cases from our center. Progressive worsening of neurological impairment was observed in 22 patients (48.9%). The lesions involved the thoracic spine (n=28, 62.2%), cervical spine (n=26, 57.8%), lumbar spine (n=9, 20.0%), and sacral spine (n=1, 2.2%). Furthermore, the lesions were located in the dura mater (n=18, 40.0%), epidural space (n=17, 37.8%), intradural-extramedullary space (n=9, 20.0%), and intramedullary space (n=1, 2.2%). On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesions generally appeared as striated, fusiform, or less often lobulated oval changes, with homogeneous (n=17,44.7%) and dorsal (n=15,39.5%) patterns being the most common. Thirty-five patients had homogeneous T1 gadolinium enhancement. Early surgical decompression, corticosteroid treatment, and steroid-sparing agents offered significant therapeutic advantages. A good therapeutic response to disease recurrence was observed with the medication.ConclusionThe number of reported cases of IgG4-RSP remains limited, and patients often have progressive worsening of their neurological symptoms. The features of masses identified on the MRI should be considered. The prognosis was better with decompression surgery combined with immunosuppressive therapy. Long-term corticosteroid treatment and steroid-sparing agent maintenance therapy should be ensured. A systemic examination is recommended to identify the presence of other pathologies.
Comprehensive analysis of alfa defensin expression and prognosis in human colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhao Xinliang , Lu Mengnan , Liu Zhigang , Zhang Mingming , Yuan Hongmei , Dan Zhaoqiang , Wang Daihua , Ma Bingbing , Yang Yanqi , Yang Funing , Sun Ruifang , Li Lin , Dang Chengxue 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious threat to human health. Screening new biomarkers can provide basis for improving the prognosis and individualized treatment of CRC. Although some members of the defensin family were found increased in pancreatic cancer and CRC, their exact function and clinical significance remain unclear.MethodsIn this study, the expression, correlation, mutation, and functional enrichment of several defensin family members in pancreatic cancer and CRC were analyzed using tumor public databases and verified in several patients.ResultsResults showed no significant correlation between the expression levels of DEFA1-4 and CRC. The expression levels of DEFA5 and DEFA6 significantly increased in CRC tissues compared with those in normal tissues. DEFA5 may be associated with better prognosis of CRC, while DEFA6 may be associated with poor prognosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments showed that the expression of DEFA6 was significantly higher in adenoma than in normal mucosa and slightly higher in carcinoma than in normal mucosa. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis found that DEFAs were closely related to hsa05202: transcriptional misregulation in cancer and Hsa04015: Rap1 signaling pathway. DEFA5 may be a stable and good prognostic marker, and DEFA6 may be a poor prognostic marker in CRC of metastasis.ConclusionOverall, DEFA5 and DEFA6 have a certain degree of sensitivity and specificity in predicting CRC.