bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for persistent tomographic abnormalities at 6 months of follow-up in a cohort of hospitalized patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 living at high altitude
Authors: Rincon-Alvarez Emily , Gonzalez-Garcia Mauricio , Ali-Munive Abraham , Casas Alejandro , Proaños Nadia Juliana , Giraldo-Cadavid Luis Fernando , Moreno Angelica , Pérez Carolina , Rubiano Wendy , Cogollo Mary , Parada-Tovar Patricia , Torres-Duque Carlos A. 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionAfter COVID-19, functional and tomographic lung alterations may occur, but there are no studies at high altitude where, due to lower barometric pressure, there are lower levels of arterial oxygen pressure and saturation in both normal subjects and patients with respiratory disease. In this study, we evaluated the computed tomographic (CT), clinical, and functional involvement at 3 and 6 months post-hospitalization in survivors with moderate-severe COVID-19, as well the risk factors associated with abnormal lung computed tomography (ALCT) at 6 months of follow-up.Materials and methodsProspective cohort, after hospitalization for COVID-19, of patients older than 18 years residing at high altitude. Follow-up at 3 and 6 months with lung CT, spirometry, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), six-minute walk test (6MWT), and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Comparisons between ALCT and normal lung computed tomography (NLCT) groups with X2 and Mann–Whitney U test, and paired test for changes between 3 and 6 months. A multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the variables associated with ALCT at 6-month follow-up.ResultsWe included 158 patients, 22.2% hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU), 92.4% with typical COVID CT scan (peripheral, bilateral, or multifocal ground glass, with or without consolidation or findings of organizing pneumonia), and median hospitalization of 7 days. At 6 months, 53 patients (33.5%) had ALCT. There were no differences between ALCT and NLCT groups in symptoms or comorbidities on admission. ALCT patients were older and more frequently men, smokers and hospitalized in ICU. At 3 months, ALCT patients had more frequently a reduced forced vital capacity (&lt; 80%), and lower meters walked (6MWT) and SpO2. At 6 months, all patients improved lung function with no differences between groups, but there were more dyspnea and lower exercise SpO2 in ALCT group. The variables associated with ALCT at 6 months were age, sex, ICU stay, and typical CT scan.ConclusionAt 6-month follow-up, 33.5% of patients with moderate and severe COVID had ALCT. These patients had more dyspnea and lower SpO2 in exercise. Regardless of the persistence of tomographic abnormalities, lung function and 6MWT improved. We identified the variables associated with ALCT.
Outcome prediction in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Comparison of the performance of five severity scores
Authors: Chung Hsin-Pei , Tang Yen-Hsiang , Chen Chun-Yen , Chen Chao-Hsien , Chang Wen-Kuei , Kuo Kuan-Chih , Chen Yen-Ting , Wu Jou-Chun , Lin Chang-Yi , Wang Chieh-Jen 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe aim of our study was to externally validate the predictive capability of five developed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-specific prognostic tools, including the COVID-19 Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), Shang COVID severity score, COVID-intubation risk score-neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (IRS-NLR), inflammation-based score, and ventilation in COVID estimator (VICE) score.MethodsThe medical records of all patients hospitalized for a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis between May 2021 and June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Data were extracted within the first 24 h of admission, and five different scores were calculated. The primary and secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and mechanical ventilation, respectively.ResultsA total of 285 patients were enrolled in our cohort. Sixty-five patients (22.8%) were intubated with ventilator support, and the 30-day mortality rate was 8.8%. The Shang COVID severity score had the highest numerical area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUC-ROC) (AUC 0.836) curve to predict 30-day mortality, followed by the SEIMC score (AUC 0.807) and VICE score (AUC 0.804). For intubation, both the VICE and COVID-IRS-NLR scores had the highest AUC (AUC 0.82) compared to the inflammation-based score (AUC 0.69). The 30-day mortality increased steadily according to higher Shang COVID severity scores and SEIMC scores. The intubation rate exceeded 50% in the patients stratified by higher VICE scores and COVID-IRS-NLR score quintiles.ConclusionThe discriminative performances of the SEIMC score and Shang COVID severity score are good for predicting the 30-day mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The COVID-IRS-NLR and VICE showed good performance for predicting invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).
Case report: Intracranial lesions of cat-scratch disease mimicking an atypical meningioma
Authors: Fang Qiang , Wang Pengju , Qin Shanshan , Liu Shangxin , He Jingzhen 
Published: February 2023

ObjectivesCat-scratch disease (CSD) is an infectious disease caused by Bartonella henselae. The most typical symptom of patients with CSD is regional lymphadenopathy, while central nervous system lesions related to CSD are rare. Here, we present a case of an aged woman with CSD involving the dura mater with a manifestation similar to that of an atypical meningioma.MethodsThe patient was followed up by our neurosurgery and radiology teams. Clinical information was recorded, and the pre- and post-operation CT results and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes were collected. The paraffin-embedded tissue was sampled for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.ResultsIn this study, we present the details of a 54 year-old Chinese woman admitted to our hospital with a paroxysmal headache for 2 years that had worsened in the past 3 months. Brain CT and MRI showed a meningioma-like lesion below the occipital plate. En bloc resection of the sinus junction area was performed. A pathological examination showed granulation tissue and fibrosis with acute and chronic inflammation, granuloma, and central stellate microabscess, which was suspected as the cat-scratch disease. The paraffin-embedded tissue was sampled for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to amplify the corresponding pathogen gene sequence, which was Bartonella henselae.ConclusionThe case in our study underscores the fact that the incubation period of CSD may be very long. On the contrary, CSD can involve the meninges, resulting in tumor-like lesions.
Acute effects of cochleostomy and electrode-array insertion on compound action potentials in normal-hearing guinea pigs
Authors: Jwair Saad , Ramekers Dyan , Thomeer Hans G. X. M. , Versnel Huib 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionElectrocochleography (ECochG) is increasingly used in cochlear implant (CI) surgery, in order to monitor the effect of insertion of the electrode array aiming to preserve residual hearing. However, obtained results are often difficult to interpret. Here we aim to relate changes in ECochG responses to acute trauma induced by different stages of cochlear implantation by performing ECochG at multiple time points during the procedure in normal-hearing guinea pigs.Materials and methodsEleven normal-hearing guinea pigs received a gold-ball electrode that was fixed in the round-window niche. ECochG recordings were performed during the four steps of cochlear implantation using the gold-ball electrode: (1) Bullostomy to expose the round window, (2) hand-drilling of 0.5–0.6 mm cochleostomy in the basal turn near the round window, (3) insertion of a short flexible electrode array, and (4) withdrawal of electrode array. Acoustical stimuli were tones varying in frequency (0.25–16 kHz) and sound level. The ECochG signal was primarily analyzed in terms of threshold, amplitude, and latency of the compound action potential (CAP). Midmodiolar sections of the implanted cochleas were analyzed in terms of trauma to hair cells, modiolar wall, osseous spiral lamina (OSL) and lateral wall.ResultsAnimals were assigned to cochlear trauma categories: minimal (n = 3), moderate (n = 5), or severe (n = 3). After cochleostomy and array insertion, CAP threshold shifts increased with trauma severity. At each stage a threshold shift at high frequencies (4–16 kHz) was accompanied with a threshold shift at low frequencies (0.25–2 kHz) that was 10–20 dB smaller. Withdrawal of the array led to a further worsening of responses, which probably indicates that insertion and removal trauma affected the responses rather than the mere presence of the array. In two instances, CAP threshold shifts were considerably larger than threshold shifts of cochlear microphonics, which could be explained by neural damage due to OSL fracture. A change in amplitudes at high sound levels was strongly correlated with threshold shifts, which is relevant for clinical ECochG performed at one sound level.ConclusionBasal trauma caused by cochleostomy and/or array insertion should be minimized in order to preserve the low-frequency residual hearing of CI recipients.
A bibliometric analysis of Mediterranean diet on cancer from 2012 to 2021
Authors: Liu Yafeng , Lu Jibin 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundNumerous studies have demonstrated the value of the Mediterranean diet (MD) as a nutritious eating regimen for lowering the risk of cancer. This study aims to discuss the research patterns, existing state, and possible hotspots in implementing the MD for the prevention and treatment of cancer using bibliometrics.MethodsThe Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was searched for articles on cancer that were related to the MD. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Microsoft Excel 2019, and R software were utilized for bibliometric analysis and data visualization.ResultsThere were 1,415 articles and reviews published from 2012 to 2021. Annual publication volume showed a continuous upward trend. Italy and Harvard University were the country and institution, respectively, with the highest number of publications on this topic. Nutrients ranked first in the number of documents, number of citations, and the H-index. James R. Hebert was the most productive writer, and Antonia Trichopoulou was the most co-cited author. “Alcohol consumption,” “oleic acid,” and “low density lipoprotein” were keywords used in earlier publications, while more recent hotspots focused on “gut microbiota,” “older adult,” and “polyphenol.”ConclusionOver the past decade, research on the MD in the field of cancer has received increasing attention. To improve the level of evidence for the beneficial effects of the MD on a range of cancers, more research on molecular mechanisms and better clinical studies are required.
Risk factors for postoperative myasthenia gravis in patients with thymoma without myasthenia gravis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Mingbo , Shao Yifeng , Dong Junxue , Gao Xinliang , Wei Shixiong , Ma Jianzun , Hong Yang , Li Zhiqin , Bi Taiyu , Yin Yipeng , Zhang Wenyu , Liu Wei 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionAccording to the principle, thymomas combined with myasthenia gravis (MG) require surgical treatment. However, patients with non-MG thymoma rarely develop MG and early- or late-onset MG after surgery is called postoperative MG (PMG). Our study used a meta-analysis to examine the incidence of PMG and risk factors.MethodsRelevant studies were searched for in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI,and Wanfang databases. Investigations that directly or indirectly analyzed the risk factors for PMG development in patients with non-MG thymoma were included in this study. Furthermore, risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using meta-analysis, and fixed-effects or random-effects models were used depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies.ResultsThirteen cohorts containing 2,448 patients that met the inclusion criteria were included. Metaanalysis revealed that the incidence of PMG in preoperative patients with non-MG thymoma was 8%. Preoperative seropositive acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab) (RR = 5.53, 95% CI 2.36 – 12.96, P&lt;0.001), open thymectomy (RR =1.84, 95% CI 1.39 – 2.43, P&lt;0.001), non-R0 resection (RR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.36 – 2.54, P&lt;0.001), world health organization (WHO) type B (RR =1.80, 95% CI 1.07 – 3.04, P= 0.028), and postoperative inflammation (RR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.26 – 2.12, P&lt;0.001) were the risk factors for PMG in patients with thymoma. Masaoka stage (P = 0.151) and sex (P = 0.777) were not significantly associated with PMG.DiscussionPatients with thymoma but without MG had a high probability of developing PMG. Although the incidence of PMG was very low, thymectomy could not completely prevent the occurrence of MG. Preoperative seropositive AChR-Ab level, open thymectomy, non-R0 resection, WHO type B, and postoperative inflammation were risk factors for PMG.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022360002.
Small hyperattenuating adrenal nodules in patients with lung cancer: Differentiation of metastases from adenomas on biphasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography
Authors: Cao Lixiu , Zhang Libo , Xu Wengui 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the value of biphasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in the differential diagnosis of metastasis and lipid-poor adenomas (LPAs) in lung cancer patients with unilateral small hyperattenuating adrenal nodule.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 241 lung cancer patients with unilateral small hyperattenuating adrenal nodule (metastases, 123; LPAs, 118). All patients underwent plain chest or abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and biphasic CECT scan, including arterial and venous phases. Qualitative and quantitative clinical and radiological characteristics of the two groups were compared using univariate analysis. An original diagnostic model was developed using multivariable logistic regression, and then, according to odds ratio (OR) of the risk factors of metastases, a diagnostic scoring model was developed. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of the two diagnostic models were compared by DeLong test.ResultsCompared with LAPs, metastases were older and showed more frequently irregular in shape and cystic degeneration/necrosis (all p &lt; 0.05). Enhancement ratios on venous (ERV) and arterial (ERA) phase of LAPs were noticeably higher than that of metastases, whereas CT values in unenhanced phase (UP) of LPAs were noticeably lower than that of metastases (all p &lt; 0.05). Compared with LAPs, the proportions of male and III/IV clinical stage and small-cell lung cancer (SCLL) were significantly higher for metastases (all p &lt; 0.05). As for peak enhancement phase, LPAs showed relatively faster wash-in and earlier wash-out enhancement pattern than metastases (p &lt; 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed age ≥ 59.5 years (OR: 2.269; p = 0.04), male (OR: 3.511; p = 0.002), CT values in UP ≥ 27.5 HU (OR: 6.968; p &lt; 0.001), cystic degeneration/necrosis (OR: 3.076; p = 0.031), ERV ≤ 1.44 (OR: 4.835; p &lt; 0.001), venous phase or equally enhanced (OR: 16.907; p &lt; 0.001 or OR: 14.036; p &lt; 0.001), and clinical stage II or III or IV (OR: 3.550; p = 0.208 or OR: 17.535; p = 0.002 or OR: 20.241; p = 0.001) were risk factors for diagnosis of metastases. AUCs of the original diagnostic model and the diagnostic scoring model for metastases were 0.919 (0.883–0.955) and 0.914 (0.880–0.948), respectively. There was no statistical significance of AUC between the two diagnostic model (p = 0.644).ConclusionsBiphasic CECT performed well diagnostic ability in differentiating metastases from LAPs. The diagnostic scoring model is easy to popularize due to simplicity and convenience.
Non-cancer-specific survival in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma: A multi-center cohort study
Authors: Chi Kaiyi , Zhou Ruoyun , Luo Zehao , Zhao Hongjun , Jiang Yanting , He Baixin , Li Yemin , Chen Dongting , Feng Manting , Liang Yinglan , Yang Wenting , Liu Ruisi , Yao Dunchen , Lin Xiaozhen , Xu Xiuhong 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the non-cancer-specific death risk and identify the risk factors affecting the non-cancer-specific survival (NCSS) in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).MethodsThis multi-center cohort study included 2497 patients with PCNSL in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 2007 to 2016, with a mean follow-up of 4.54 years. The non-cancer-specific death risk in patients with PCNSL and primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCNS-DLBCL) was evaluated using the proportion of deaths, standardized mortality ratio (SMR), and absolute excess risk (AER). Univariate and multivariate competing risk regression models were utilized to identify the risk factors of NCSS.ResultsPCNSL was the most frequent cause of death in PCNSL patients (75.03%). Non-cancer-specific causes constituted a non-negligible portion of death (20.61%). Compared with the general population, PCNSL patients had higher risks of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) (SMR, 2.55; AER, 77.29), Alzheimer’s disease (SMR, 2.71; AER, 8.79), respiratory disease (SMR, 2.12; AER, 15.63), and other non-cancer-specific diseases (SMR, 4.12; AER, 83.12). Male sex, Black race, earlier year of diagnosis (2007–2011), being unmarried, and a lack of chemotherapy were risk factors for NCSS in patients with PCNSL and PCNS-DLBCL (all P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionNon-cancer-specific causes were important competing causes of death in PCNSL patients. More attention is recommended to non-cancer-specific causes of death in the management of PCNSL patients.
Potentially inappropriate medication among older patients with diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Wang Yuping , Zhu Jie , Shan Luchen , Wu Ling , Wang Cunchuan , Yang Wah 
Published: February 2023

Objective: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) contribute to poor outcomes in older patients, making it a widespread health problem. The study explored the occurrence and risk factors of PIM in older diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients during hospitalization and investigated whether polypharmacy was associated with it.Methods: Retrospective analysis of the patients ≥ 65 years old diagnosed with DKD from July to December 2020; the PIM was evaluated according to the American Beers Criteria (2019). Factors with statistical significance in univariate analysis were included in Logistic multivariate analysis to explore the potential risk factors related to PIM.Results: Included 186 patients, 65.6% of patients had PIM, and 300 items were confirmed. The highest incidence of PIM was 41.7% for drugs that should be carefully used by the older, followed by 35.3% that should be avoided during hospitalization. The incidence of PIM related to diseases or symptoms, drug interactions to avoid, and drugs to avoid or reduce dose for renal insufficiency patients were 6.3%, 4.0% and 12.7%, respectively. The medications with a high incidence of PIM were diuretics (35.0%), benzodiazepines (10.7%) and peripheral ɑ1 blockers (8.7%). Compared with hospitalization, there were 26% of patients had increased PIM at discharge. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that polypharmacy during hospitalization was an independent risk factor for PIM, OR = 4.471 (95% CI: 2.378, 8.406).Conclusion: The incidence of PIM in hospitalized older DKD patients is high; we should pay more attention to the problem of polypharmacy in these patients. Pharmacists identifying the subtypes and risk factors for PIM may facilitate risk reduction for older DKD patients.
Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (Shu Dihuang) exerts neuroprotective effects on ICV-STZ-induced Alzheimer’s disease mice through modulation of INSR/IRS-1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway and intestinal microbiota
Authors: Su Yunfang , Liu Ningning , Sun Ruiqin , Ma Jinlian , Li Zhonghua , Wang Pan , Ma Huifen , Sun Yiran , Song Junying , Zhang Zhenqiang 
Published: February 2023

Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (RRP, Shu Dihuang in Cinese) is widely used as primal medicine in Chinese herbal formula for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanism of RRP for AD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of RRP on intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)-induced AD model mice and its potential mechanism. ICV-STZ mice were continuously gavaged with RRP for 21 days. The pharmacological effects of RRP were evaluated by behavioral tests, brain tissue H&amp;E staining and hippocampal tau protein phosphorylation levels. The expression levels of insulin receptor (INSR), IRS-1, pSer473-AKT/AKT and pSer9-GSK-3β/GSK-3β proteins in hippocampal and cortical tissues were detected by Western-blot method. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the changes of intestinal microbiota in mice. The compounds in RRP were analyzed by mass spectrometry and their binding ability to INSR proteins was detected by molecular docking. The results showed that RRP ameliorated cognitive dysfunction and neuronal pathological changes of brain tissue in ICV-STZ mice, reduced tau protein hyperphosphorylation, INSR, IRS-1, pSer473-AKT/AKT, and pSer9-GSK-3β/GSK-3β levels in hippocampal and cortical tissues. Meanwhile, RRP reversed ICV-STZ-induced dysregulation of intestinal microbiota in AD mice. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that the RRP consisted mainly of seven compounds, namely Acteoside (Verbascoside), 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF), Apigenin7-O-glucuronide, Icariin, Gallic acid, Quercetin-3β-D-glucoside, and Geniposide. Molecular docking results further indicated that the compounds in RRP have binding ability to INSR protein and potential multiple synergistic effects. RRP ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and brain histopathological changes in AD mice. The mechanism of RRP ameliorating AD may be related to the regulation of INSR/IRS-1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway and intestinal microbiota. This study supports the potential anti-AD efficacy of RRP and initially reveals the pharmacological mechanism of RRP, providing a theoretical basis for further clinical application of RRP.