bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of a new portable system containing both FeNO analysis and spirometry measurement
Authors: Li Yong , Huang Ke , Li Wei , Peng Yaodie , Tang Xingyao , Yang Ting 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionPulmonary function tests and FeNO measurements are widely used for the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases. They are used to evaluate airway limitation and respiratory inflammation. Standard spirometers and nitric oxide (NO) analyzers are widely used in hospitals. However, their high price has made some hospitals in underdeveloped areas unable to afford or purchase these devices. The development of a new portable system (SUNVOU TM2125) combining FeNO measurement and spirometry provides additional possibilities for optimizing the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases. However, its accuracy needs further validation.MethodsThe FeNO analysis component of SUNVOU TM2125 was compared with that of a widely used NO analyzer (NIOX VERO). The spirometry component of the TM2125 was compared with a standard spirometer (Jaeger MasterScreen) for pulmonary parameters such as FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEF. Pearson correlation and Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate the agreement between the devices.ResultsFeNO values measured using TM2125 were higher than those measured using VERO, with a mean difference of 1.8 ppb. There was a strong correlation between FeNO values measured using the two devices (r = 0.988, p &lt; 0.001). Bland–Altman plots showed a high degree of agreement between the two devices, with 93.3% of values within the 95% confidence interval range. The spirometric parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEF) measured using the TM2125 were lower than those measured using the MasterScreen. Good correlations were observed between the values measured using the TM2125 and MasterScreen (r &gt; 0.9). Based on the Bland–Altman plots, there was a high degree of agreement between the devices.ConclusionThe accuracy of FeNO and spirometry measurements using SUNVOU TM2125 was validated. This can help improve the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic respiratory diseases in underdeveloped countries.
Explainability agreement between dermatologists and five visual explanations techniques in deep neural networks for melanoma AI classification
Authors: Giavina-Bianchi Mara , Vitor William Gois , Fornasiero de Paiva Victor , Okita Aline Lissa , Sousa Raquel Machado , Machado Birajara 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionThe use of deep convolutional neural networks for analyzing skin lesion images has shown promising results. The identification of skin cancer by faster and less expensive means can lead to an early diagnosis, saving lives and avoiding treatment costs. However, to implement this technology in a clinical context, it is important for specialists to understand why a certain model makes a prediction; it must be explainable. Explainability techniques can be used to highlight the patterns of interest for a prediction.MethodsOur goal was to test five different techniques: Grad-CAM, Grad-CAM++, Score-CAM, Eigen-CAM, and LIME, to analyze the agreement rate between features highlighted by the visual explanation maps to 3 important clinical criteria for melanoma classification: asymmetry, border irregularity, and color heterogeneity (ABC rule) in 100 melanoma images. Two dermatologists scored the visual maps and the clinical images using a semi-quantitative scale, and the results were compared. They also ranked their preferable techniques.ResultsWe found that the techniques had different agreement rates and acceptance. In the overall analysis, Grad-CAM showed the best total+partial agreement rate (93.6%), followed by LIME (89.8%), Grad-CAM++ (88.0%), Eigen-CAM (86.4%), and Score-CAM (84.6%). Dermatologists ranked their favorite options: Grad-CAM and Grad-CAM++, followed by Score-CAM, LIME, and Eigen-CAM.DiscussionSaliency maps are one of the few methods that can be used for visual explanations. The evaluation of explainability with humans is ideal to assess the understanding and applicability of these methods. Our results demonstrated that there is a significant agreement between clinical features used by dermatologists to diagnose melanomas and visual explanation techniques, especially Grad-Cam.
Microbial succession and its correlation with the dynamics of flavor compounds involved in the fermentation of Longxi bacon
Authors: Qu Yuling , Yun Jianmin , Li Yanhu , Ai Duiyuan , Zhang Wenwei 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionLongxi bacon is a traditional fermented meat from Gansu province, China. The ripening process of the bacon is crucial for quality and flavor. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledges on the bacterial and fungal community diversity and the changes of chemical components including fatty acids and volatile compounds at different time points during the ripening of the bacon and to understand the relationship between microbial profiles and the chemical components related the bacon flavor.MethodsBacon samples were collected from days 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90. The bacterial and fungal compositions were analyzed with next generation sequencing targeting the 16S rDNA loci for bacteria and ITS loci for fungi. The fatty acids and the volatile components were analyzed by headspace solid phase micro extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS).ResultsWe found that the abundance of bacteria in bacon was higher than that of fungi, and Psychrobacter, Brochothrix, Phoma and Trichoderma was the dominant bacon’s population. The largest contributors of volatiles were aldehydes, ketones and esters, and the main fatty acids were palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. Pearson correlation analysis between microbial succession and key flavor substances showed that the production of Longxi bacon flavor is the result of a combination of bacteria and fungi. Ten bacteria genera and six fungi genera were determined as functional core microbiota for the flavor production based their dominance and functionality in microbial community. In addition, bacteria and fungi are involved in the oxidation and hydrolysis of fatty acids during the ripening of bacon, which also contributes to the formation of bacon flavor.DiscussionThis study provides a comprehensive analysis of the key microbiota involved in shaping bacon’s distinctive flavor. Here, the results presented should provide insight into the influence of the microenvironment on the microbial community in bacon and lay a foundation for further investigations into the food ecology of bacon.
The relation of ApoE and COMT gene–gene interactions to cognitive and motor function in community-dwelling older adults: a pilot study
Authors: Pizzonia Kendra L. , Suhr Julie A. , Clark Leatha A. , Clark Brian C. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionCertain genes increase the risk of age-related neurological dysfunction and/or disease. For instance, ApoE is a well-known gene carrying risk for Alzheimer’s disease, while COMT has been associated with age-related reductions in motor function. There is growing interest in the interrelationship between age-related changes in cognitive and motor function, and examining gene–gene interactions in this context. In this pilot study we examined the relations of the ApoE and COMT genes and their interaction to both cognitive and motor performance in community-dwelling older adults.MethodsWe leveraged an archived dataset from a prior study on age-related muscle weakness in community-dwelling older adults. Sample size was between 72 and 82 individuals based on missing data. We examined the relationship of ApoE (Ɛ4 presence/absence), rs4680 SNP on the COMT gene (Val/Met, Val/Val, Met/Met), and sex on (1) overall cognitive functioning and specific cognitive domains known to decline in aging (processing speed, immediate and delayed memory, semantic and phonemic fluency, and executive functioning), and (2) indices of motor function (four square step test, short physical performance battery, grip strength/forearm lean mass, and purdue pegboard test).ResultsHomozygous COMT genotypes were associated with worse global cognitive performance, immediate memory, and semantic fluency, but only for older adults with at least one ApoE Ɛ4 allele. There were main effects for COMT for delayed memory and a main effect for both COMT and ApoE for coding and phonemic fluency. Women scored higher than men in overall cognition, immediate and delayed memory, and semantic fluency. There were no main effects or gene interactions for a measure of executive functioning (trial making test part B) or any of the measures of motor function.DiscussionCOMT, ApoE, and their interaction influence cognitive performance, but not motor functioning, in community dwelling older adults. Our work supports prior literature concluding that a heterozygous COMT genotype may be beneficial to sustain healthy cognitive functioning with advancing age for those who have a higher ApoE genetic risk status (at least one Ɛ4 allele). Future research should investigate interactions between COMT and ApoE in larger samples with comprehensive assessment of cognition and motor functioning.
Ring attractor bio-inspired neural network for social robot navigation
Authors: Rivero-Ortega Jesús D. , Mosquera-Maturana Juan S. , Pardo-Cabrera Josh , Hurtado-López Julián , Hernández Juan D. , Romero-Cano Victor , Ramírez-Moreno David F. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionWe introduce a bio-inspired navigation system for a robot to guide a social agent to a target location while avoiding static and dynamic obstacles. Robot navigation can be accomplished through a model of ring attractor neural networks. This connectivity pattern between neurons enables the generation of stable activity patterns that can represent continuous variables such as heading direction or position. The integration of sensory representation, decision-making, and motor control through ring attractor networks offers a biologically-inspired approach to navigation in complex environments.MethodsThe navigation system is divided into perception, planning, and control stages. Our approach is compared to the widely-used Social Force Model and Rapidly Exploring Random Tree Star methods using the Social Individual Index and Relative Motion Index as metrics in simulated experiments. We created a virtual scenario of a pedestrian area with various obstacles and dynamic agents.ResultsThe results obtained in our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of this architecture in guiding a social agent while avoiding obstacles, and the metrics used for evaluating the system indicate that our proposal outperforms the widely used Social Force Model.DiscussionOur approach points to improving safety and comfort specifically for human-robot interactions. By integrating the Social Individual Index and Relative Motion Index, this approach considers both social comfort and collision avoidance features, resulting in better human-robot interactions in a crowded environment.
Efficacy and safety of perampanel as early add-on therapy in Chinese patients with focal-onset seizures: a multicenter, open-label, single-arm study
Authors: Gao Lehong , Lu Qiang , Wang Zan , Yue Wei , Wang Guoping , Shao Xiaoqiu , Guo Yi , Yi Yonghong , Hong Zhen , Jiang Yuwu , Xiao Bo , Cui Guiyun , Gao Feng , Hu Jiasheng , Liang Jianmin , Zhang Meiyun , Wang Yuping 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundNo interventional study has been conducted in China to assess efficacy and safety of perampanel in treating Chinese patients with epilepsy, nor has there been any study on perampanel early add-on therapy in China. This interventional study aimed to assess efficacy and safety of perampanel as an early add-on treatment of focal-onset seizures (FOS) with or without focal-to-bilateral tonic–clonic seizures (FBTCS) in Chinese patients.MethodsIn this multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase 4 interventional study, Chinese patients ≥ 12 years old with FOS with or without FBTCS who failed anti-seizure medication (ASM) monotherapy from 15 hospitals in China were enrolled and treated with perampanel add-on therapy (8-week titration followed by 24-week maintenance). The primary endpoint was 50% responder rate. Secondary endpoints included seizure-freedom rate and changes in seizure frequency from baseline. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and drug-related TEAEs were recorded.ResultsThe full analysis set included 150 patients. The mean maintenance perampanel dose was 5.9 ± 1.5 mg/day and the 8-month retention rate was 72%. The 50% responder rate and seizure-freedom rate for all patients during maintenance were 67.9 and 30.5%, respectively. Patients with FBTCS had higher 50% responder rate (96.0%) and seizure-freedom rate (76.0%) during maintenance. Patients on concomitant sodium valproate had a significantly higher seizure-freedom rate than those on concomitant oxcarbazepine. Eight-six (55.1%) patients experienced treatment-related TEAEs, and the most common TEAEs were dizziness (36.5%), hypersomnia (11.5%), headache (3.9%), somnolence (3.2%), and irritability (3.2%). Withdrawal due to TEAEs occurred to 14.7% of the patients.ConclusionPerampanel early add-on was effective and safe in treating Chinese patients≥12 years old with FOS with or without FBTCS.Clinical trial registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, Identifier ChiCTR2000039510.
EEG-based clinical decision support system for Alzheimer's disorders diagnosis using EMD and deep learning techniques
Authors: AlSharabi Khalil , Salamah Yasser Bin , Aljalal Majid , Abdurraqeeb Akram M. , Alturki Fahd A. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionDespite the existence of numerous clinical techniques for identifying neurological brain disorders in their early stages, Electroencephalogram (EEG) data shows great promise as a means of detecting Alzheimer's disease (AD) at an early stage. The main goal of this research is to create a reliable and accurate clinical decision support system leveraging EEG signal processing to detect AD in its initial phases.MethodsThe research utilized a dataset consisting of 35 neurotypical individuals, 31 patients with mild AD, and 22 patients with moderate AD. Data were collected while participants were at rest. To extract features from the EEG signals, a band-pass filter was applied to the dataset and the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) technique was employed to decompose the filtered signals. The EMD technique was then leveraged to generate feature vectors by combining multiple signal features, thereby enhancing diagnostic performance. Various artificial intelligence approaches were also explored and compared to identify features of the extracted EEG signals distinguishing mild AD, moderate AD, and neurotypical cases. The performance of the classifiers was evaluated using k-fold cross-validation and leave-one-subject-out (LOSO) cross-validation methods.ResultsThe results of this study provided valuable insights into potential avenues for the early diagnosis of AD. The performance of the various offered methodologies has been compared and evaluated by computing the overall diagnosis precision, recall, and accuracy. The proposed methodologies achieved a maximum classification accuracy of 99.9 and 94.8% for k-fold and LOSO cross-validation techniques, respectively.ConclusionThe study aims to assess and compare different proposed methodologies and determine the most effective combination approach for the early detection of AD. Our research findings strongly suggest that the proposed diagnostic support technique is a highly promising supplementary tool for discovering prospective diagnostic biomarkers that can greatly aid in the early clinical diagnosis of AD.
Association of dietary inflammatory index with sarcopenia in asthmatic patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lin Shuqiong , Su Xia , Chen Liqun , Cai Zhiming 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundSarcopenia is a complication of asthma, and asthmatics with sarcopenia are at an increased risk of poor prognosis. Anti-inflammatory intervention promising as an effective measure to prevent sarcopenia among patients with asthma. Diet is an important way to regulate inflammation throughout the body. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) is an index that assesses an individual’s overall dietary inflammatory potential. The relationship between DII and sarcopenia among patients with asthma is not clear.ObjectiveTo examine the correlation between DII and the sarcopenia among individuals with asthma.MethodsThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was the data source utilized in this study, spanning two time periods from 1999 to 2006 and 2011 to 2018. The study encompassed 3,389 participants in total. DII was calculated using the results of the participants’ 24-h dietary recall interviews. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the DII tertile: T1 group (n = 1,130), T2 group (n = 1,129), and T3 group (n = 1,130). Logistic regression analysis, taking into account the NHANES recommended weights, was performed to assess the relationship between DII and sarcopenia.ResultsAfter full adjustment, there was a significant positive correlation between DII levels and the risk of sarcopenia in asthmatic patients (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.13–1.42, p &lt; 0.001). Compared with T1 group, T3 group had higher risk of sarcopenia (T2: OR: 1.39, 95%CI: 0.88–2.18, p = 0.157; T3: OR: 2.37, 95%CI: 1.47–3.83, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThere was a significant positive correlation between DII and the risk of sarcopenia.
A randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a multi-strain probiotic on self-reported indicators of depression, anxiety, mood, and associated biomarkers
Authors: Walden Kylie E. , Moon Jessica M. , Hagele Anthony M. , Allen Leah E. , Gaige Connor J. , Krieger Joesi M. , Jäger Ralf , Mumford Petey W. , Pane Marco , Kerksick Chad M. 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveTo examine the efficacy of supplementing with a multi-strain probiotic (MSP) on changes associated with mood, anxiety, and neurotransmitter levels.MethodIn a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion, 70 healthy men and women (31.0 ± 9.5 years, 173.0 ± 10.4 cm, 73.9 ± 13.8 kg, 24.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2) supplemented with a single capsule of MSP (a total daily dose of 4 × 109 live cells comprised of a 1 × 109 live cells dose from each of the following strains: Limosilactobacillus fermentum LF16, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR06, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP01, and Bifidobacterium longum 04, Probiotical S.p.A., Novara, Italy) or a maltodextrin placebo (PLA). After 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of supplementation and 3 weeks after ceasing supplementation, study participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity (LEIDS-R) questionnaires and had plasma concentrations of cortisol, dopamine, serotonin, and C-reactive protein determined.ResultsBDI, STAI, and total LEIDS-R scores were reduced from baseline (p &lt; 0.05) with MSP supplementation after 4 and 6 weeks of supplementation and 3 weeks after supplementation while no changes (p &gt; 0.05) were reported in PLA. When compared to PLA, MSP scores for state anxiety, trait anxiety, and LEIDS-R (hopeless, aggression, rumination, and total score) were significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05) after supplementation. Plasma serotonin concentrations in MSP were increased from baseline after 6 weeks of supplementation and 3 weeks after ceasing supplementation. No changes (p &gt; 0.05) in plasma dopamine, C-reactive protein, or cortisol concentrations were observed between groups.ConclusionMSP supplementation resulted in widespread improvements in several questionnaires evaluating mood, anxiety, and depression in young, healthy men and women. MSP supplementation increased serotonin increased after 6 weeks of MSP supplementation with no change in dopamine, C-reactive protein, or cortisol.Clinical trial registrationhttps://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05343533, NCT05343533.
Transarterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer with airway stenosis
Authors: Zhou Gang , Yin Meipan , He Wei , Ma Yaozhen , Li Chunxia , Li Zhen , Li Xiaobing , Wang Shuai , Wu Gang 
Published: August 2023

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of transarterial infusion chemotherapy for the treatment of esophageal cancer with airway stenosis.MethodsData of patients with advanced esophageal cancer complicated with airway stenosis treated with transarterial infusion chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Dyspnea, clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated.ResultsOf these patients, 27 had grade II preoperative dyspnea, and 31 had grade III preoperative dyspnea, 26 had grade I postoperative dyspnea, 25 had grade II postoperative dyspnea, and 7 had grade III postoperative dyspnea. Among 3 patients with left main bronchial stenosis and atelectasis, 2 had complete remission after transarterial infusion chemotherapy, and 1 demonstrated partial remission. After treatment, complete response, partial response, and stable disease were observed in 7, 34, and 17 cases, respectively. Total objective effective rate and disease control rate were 70.6% (41/58) and 100.0%, respectively. During follow up, 24 patients died of organ failure, and 17 patients died of tumor-related respiratory failure. Seven patients died of gastrointestinal bleeding, 1 patient died of myocardial infarction, and 9 patients survived.ConclusionsTransarterial infusion chemotherapy is safe and effective for the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer with airway stenosis.
Comparison of the effectiveness and safety of perampanel and oxcarbazepine as monotherapy in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy
Authors: Yi Jia-Qin , Huang Sheng , Wu Miao-Juan , Ma Jie-Hui , Huang Li-Juan , Liang Song , Sun Dan 
Published: August 2023

Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of perampanel and oxcarbazepine as monotherapy in children with focal epilepsy (FE).Methods: This is an ambispective, single-center, non-inferiority study comparing the effectiveness and safety of perampanel (PER) monotherapy and oxcarbazepine (OXC) monotherapy in children with newly diagnosed FE. The primary endpoint was a six-month seizure freedom rate. The secondary endpoints included retention, responder, and seizure freedom rates at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded for both groups.Results: One hundred and thirty children and adolescents aged from 4 to 18years newly diagnosed with FE between May 2020 and November 2022 in Wuhan Children’s Hospital were included. There were 71 patients in the PER group and 59 patients in the OXC group. In the per protocol set (PPS), 50 (78.1%) in the PER group and 43 (78.2%) in the OXC group completed six months of treatment without seizures. The lower 95% CI (66.0%–87.5%) limit of PER was higher than the non-inferiority margin of 62.4% (80% of the 6-month seizure freedom rate in the OXC group); PER was non-inferior to OXC. The 3-month and 12-month seizure freedom rates were 77.1% and 82.9% for the PER group, respectively, while they were 80.4% and 75.8% for the OXC group. There were no serious adverse events in both groups.Conclusion: PER showed comparable effectiveness and safety compared with OXC in children with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy, which might be an effective and safe treatment for children and adolescents with newly diagnosed FE.Clinical Trial Registration: Identifier ChiCTR2300074696