bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect comparison of ILM flap and traditional ILM peeling in iMH
Authors: Chen Yiqi , Xu Yijun , Ye Xin , Yu Jiafeng , Wang Chenxi , Zhang Zhengxi , Mao Jianbo , Shen Lijun 
Published: February 2023

PurposeTo compare the changes in anatomical structure and visual function after idiopathic macular hole (iMH) treatment with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and inverted ILM flap and determine the value of the inverted ILM flap for the treatment of iMH.MethodsForty-nine patients with iMH (49 eyes) were included in this study and followed up for 1 year (12 months) after treatment with inverted ILM flap and ILM peeling respectively. The main foveal parameters assessed included the preoperative minimum diameter (MD), intraoperative residual fragments, and postoperative ELM reconstruction. Visual function was assessed using best-corrected visual acuity.ResultsThe hole closure rate was 100% for 49 patients; 15 patients were treated with the inverted ILM flap, and 34 patients underwent ILM peeling. There were no differences between the postoperative best-corrected visual acuities and the rates of ELM reconstruction for the flap and peeling groups with different MDs. In the flap group, ELM reconstruction was associated with the preoperative MD, presence of an ILM flap, and hyperreflective changes in the inner retina 1 month after surgery. In the peeling group, ELM reconstruction was associated with the preoperative MD, intraoperative residual fragments at the hole edge, and hyperreflective changes in the inner retina.ConclusionThe inverted ILM flap and the ILM Peeling were both able to obtain high closure rate. However, the inverted ILM flap showed no obvious advantages related to anatomical morphology and visual function over ILM peeling.
The DETAIL questionnaire is a useful and effective tool to assess spondyloarthritis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Keskin Onur , Farisogullari Bayram , Yardimci Gozde Kubra , Gurbuz Burcu , Kole Melike , Parlak Erkan , Karadag Omer , Kav Taylan , Kalyoncu Umut 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionThis study aimed to determine the effectiveness of adding a simple questionnaire related to musculoskeletal system to routine outpatient examination to detect undiagnosed axial and peripheral arthropathy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Materials and methodsA musculoskeletal symptom questionnaire was given to all patients with IBD during their follow-up examinations between January 2020 and November 2021. The DETAIL questionnaire consisting of six questions about the musculoskeletal system was administered by asking the patients with IBD. All patients who answered yes to at least one of these questions were directed to specialists in the rheumatology department to undergo a detailed examination. The patients who were diagnosed with rheumatological disease after further investigation were recorded. Patients with a known diagnosis of rheumatological disease were excluded from the study.FindingsThere were 333 patients with IBD included in the study. Of these patients, 41 (12.3%) had a previously diagnosed rheumatological disease and were excluded from the evaluation. Of the remaining 292 patients (147 with ulcerative colitis, 139 with Crohn’s disease and six with indeterminate colitis; mean age 42 years), 67 (23%) answered yes to at least one of the questions and were referred to a rheumatology consultation. Rheumatological examination was completed in 52 patients. As a result of the evaluations, 24 patients (8.2%) were diagnosed with enteropathic arthritis (14 axial, 9 peripheral, and 1 axial plus peripheral). Patients with newly diagnosed enteropathy had a lower median disease age than patients without enteropathy.ConclusionThe DETAIL questionnaire is an effective and easy tool for identifying missed cases of SpA in patients with IBD.
SARS-CoV-2 evolution among patients with immunosuppression in a nosocomial cluster of a Japanese medical center during the Delta (AY.29 sublineage) surge
Authors: Hosaka Yoshie , Yan Yan , Naito Toshio , Oyama Rieko , Tsuchiya Koji , Yamamoto Norio , Nojiri Shuko , Hori Satoshi , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Tabe Yoko 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that patients with immunosuppression tend to have longer-lasting SARS-CoV-2 infections and a number of mutations were observed during the infection period. However, these studies were, in general, conducted longitudinally. Mutation evolution among groups of patients with immunosuppression have not been well studied, especially among Asian populations.MethodsOur study targeted a nosocomial cluster of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a Japanese medical center during Delta surge (AY.29 sublineage), involving ward nurses and inpatients. Whole-genome sequencing analyses were performed to examine mutation changes. Haplotype and minor variant analyses were furtherly performed to detect the mutations on the viral genomes in detail. In addition, sequences of the first wild-type strain hCoV-19/Wuhan/WIV04/2019 and AY.29 wild-type strain hCoV-19/Japan/TKYK15779/2021 were used as references to assess the phylogenetical development of this cluster.ResultsA total of 6 nurses and 14 inpatients were identified as a nosocomial cluster from September 14 through 28, 2021. All were Delta variant (AY.29 sublineage) positive. 92.9% of infected patients (13 out of 14) were either cancer patients and/or receiving immunosuppressive or steroid treatments. Compared to AY.29 wild type, a total of 12 mutations were found in the 20 cases. Haplotype analysis found one index group of eight cases with F274F (N) mutation and 10 other haplotypes with one to three additional mutations. Furthermore, we found that cases with more than three minor variants were all cancer patients under immunosuppressive treatments. The phylogenetical tree analysis, including 20 nosocomial cluster-associated viral genomes, the first wild-type strain and the AY.29 wild-type strain as references, indicated the mutation development of the AY.29 virus in this cluster.ConclusionOur study of a nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 cluster highlights mutation acquisition during transmission. More importantly, it provided new evidence emphasizing the need to further improve infection control measures to prevent nosocomial infection among immunosuppressed patients.
Targeting potential receptor molecules in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using in silico approaches
Authors: Kirubhanand C. , Merciline Leonora J. , Anitha S. , Sangeetha R. , Nachammai K. T. , Langeswaran K. , Gowtham Kumar S. 
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in lung cancer. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other conventional cancer treatments have a low success rate. Thus, creating new medications is essential to halt the spread of lung cancer.Methods: In this study bioactive nature of lochnericine against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) was analyzed using various computational approaches such as quantum chemical calculations, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation. Furthermore, the MTT assay shows the anti-proliferation activity of lochnericine.Results and Discussion: Using Frontier Molecular Orbital (FMO), the calculated band gap energy value associated with bioactive compounds and the molecule’s potential bioactivity is confirmed. The H38 hydrogen atom and O1 oxygen atom in the molecule are effectively electrophilic, and potential nucleophilic attack sites were confirmed through analysis of the Molecular electrostatic potential surface. Furthermore, the electrons within the molecule were delocalized, which confers bioactivity on the title molecule and was authorized through Mulliken atomic charge distribution analysis. A molecular docking study revealed that lochnericine inhibits non-small cell lung cancer-associated targeted protein. The lead molecule and targeted protein complex were stable during molecular dynamics simulation studies till the simulation period. Further, lochnericine demonstrated remarkable anti-proliferative and apoptotic features against A549 lung cancer cells. The current investigation powerfully suggests that lochnericine is a potential candidate for lung cancer.
Visual-spatial processing impairment in the occipital-frontal connectivity network at early stages of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Plaza-Rosales Iván , Brunetti Enzo , Montefusco-Siegmund Rodrigo , Madariaga Samuel , Hafelin Rodrigo , Ponce Daniela P. , Behrens María Isabel , Maldonado Pedro E. , Paula-Lima Andrea 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, but its pathophysiological phenomena are not fully elucidated. Many neurophysiological markers have been suggested to identify early cognitive impairments of AD. However, the diagnosis of this disease remains a challenge for specialists. In the present cross-sectional study, our objective was to evaluate the manifestations and mechanisms underlying visual-spatial deficits at the early stages of AD.MethodsWe combined behavioral, electroencephalography (EEG), and eye movement recordings during the performance of a spatial navigation task (a virtual version of the Morris Water Maze adapted to humans). Participants (69–88 years old) with amnesic mild cognitive impairment–Clinical Dementia Rating scale (aMCI–CDR 0.5) were selected as probable early AD (eAD) by a neurologist specialized in dementia. All patients included in this study were evaluated at the CDR 0.5 stage but progressed to probable AD during clinical follow-up. An equal number of matching healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated while performing the navigation task. Data were collected at the Department of Neurology of the Clinical Hospital of the Universidad de Chile and the Department of Neuroscience of the Faculty of Universidad de Chile.ResultsParticipants with aMCI preceding AD (eAD) showed impaired spatial learning and their visual exploration differed from the control group. eAD group did not clearly prefer regions of interest that could guide solving the task, while controls did. The eAD group showed decreased visual occipital evoked potentials associated with eye fixations, recorded at occipital electrodes. They also showed an alteration of the spatial spread of activity to parietal and frontal regions at the end of the task. The control group presented marked occipital activity in the beta band (15–20 Hz) at early visual processing time. The eAD group showed a reduction in beta band functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortices reflecting poor planning of navigation strategies.DiscussionWe found that EEG signals combined with visual-spatial navigation analysis, yielded early and specific features that may underlie the basis for understanding the loss of functional connectivity in AD. Still, our results are clinically promising for early diagnosis required to improve quality of life and decrease healthcare costs.
Systematic review of probiotics as an adjuvant treatment for psychiatric disorders
Authors: Forth Evan , Buehner Benjamin , Storer Ana , Sgarbossa Cassandra , Milev Roumen , Chinna Meyyappan Arthi 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionMany psychiatric illnesses have been linked to the gut microbiome, with supplements such as probiotics showing some efficacy in alleviating the symptoms of some psychiatric illnesses. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current literature investigating the effects of adjuvant probiotic or synbiotic administration in combination with first-line treatments for psychiatric illnesses.MethodA systematic search of four databases was conducted using key terms related to treatments for psychiatric illnesses, the gut microbiome, and probiotics. All results were then evaluated based on specific eligibility criteria.ResultsEight studies met eligibility criteria and were analyzed for reported changes in outcome measures used to assess the symptoms of psychiatric illness and the tolerability of treatment. All Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (n = 5) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (n = 1) studies found adjuvant probiotic or synbiotic treatment to be more efficacious in improving the symptoms of psychiatric illness than the first-line treatment alone or with placebo. The schizophrenia studies (n = 2) found adjuvant probiotic treatment to have no significant difference in clinical outcomes, but it was found to improve the tolerability of first-line antipsychotics.Discussion and conclusionThe findings of the studies included in this review suggest the use of adjuvant probiotic treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for MDD and GAD to be superior to SSRI treatment alone. Probiotic adjuvant treatment with antipsychotics could be beneficial for improving the tolerability of the antipsychotics, but these findings do not suggest that adjuvant probiotic treatment would result in improved clinical outcomes for symptoms of schizophrenia.
Efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy caused by Utidelone: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lu Chao , Li Guangliang , Deng Dehou , Li Rongrong , Li Xiaoyu , Feng Xukang , Wu Taoping , Shao Xiying , Chen Weiji 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionUtidelone (UTD1) is a new chemotherapeutic drug for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. However, it usually leads to severe peripheral neuropathy (PN) and causes numbness of the hands and feet and significant pain in patients' life. Electroacupuncture (EA) is considered beneficial in improving PN and relieving numbness of the hands and feet. This trial aims to evaluate the therapeutic effect of EA on PN caused by UTD1 in patients with advanced breast cancer.Methods and analysisThis study is a prospective randomized controlled trial. A total of 70 patients with PN caused by UTD1 will be randomly assigned to the EA treatment group and the control group in a ratio of 1:1. The patients in the EA treatment group will receive 2 Hz EA three times a week for 4 weeks. The patients in the control group will take mecobalamin (MeCbl) tablets orally, one tablet each, three times a day for 4 weeks. The main outcome measures will be the evaluation scale of peripheral neurotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-CIPN 20-item (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) and the peripheral neurotoxicity assessment rating according to NCI CTCAE version 5.0. Secondary outcomes will be the quality of life scale according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). The results will be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment phase, and follow-up. All major analyses will be based on the intention-to-treat principle.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Zhejiang Cancer Hospital on 26 July 2022. The license number is IRB-2022-425. This study will provide clinical efficacy data on EA in the treatment of PN caused by UTD1 and will help to prove whether EA is an effective and safe therapy. The study results will be shared with healthcare professionals through the publication of manuscripts and conference reports.Trial registration numberChiCTR2200062741.
Effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation with high-frequency alternating currents at 30 kHz on the sensory-motor system
Authors: Álvarez David Martín-Caro , Serrano-Muñoz Diego , Fernández-Pérez Juan José , Gómez-Soriano Julio , Avendaño-Coy Juan 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundUnmodulated high-frequency alternating currents (HFAC) are employed for producing peripheral nerves block. HFAC have been applied in humans with frequencies up to 20 kHz, whether transcutaneously, percutaneously, or via surgically-implanted electrodes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of percutaneous HFAC, applied with ultrasound-guided needles at 30 kHz, on the sensory-motor nerve conduction of healthy volunteers.MethodsA parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trial with a placebo control was conducted. Percutaneous HFAC at 30 kHz or sham stimulation was applied via ultrasound-guided needles in 48 healthy volunteers (n = 24 in each group) for 20 min. The assessed outcome variables were pressure pain threshold (PPT), mechanical detection threshold (MDT), maximal finger flexion strength (MFFS), antidromic sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), hand temperature, and subjective sensations by the participants. The measurements were recorded pre-intervention, during the stimulation (at 15 min), immediately post-intervention (at 20 min), and 15 min after the end of treatment.ResultsThe PPT increased in the active group compared with sham stimulation, both during the intervention [14.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.4–25.0], immediately post-intervention (16.9%; 95% CI: −7.2–26.5), and 15 min after the end of the stimulation (14.3%; 95% CI: 4.4–24.3) (p &lt; 0.01). The proportion of participants who reported feelings of numbness and heaviness was significantly higher in the active group (46 and 50%, respectively) than in the sham group (8 and 18%, respectively) (p &lt; 0.05). No intergroup differences were observed in the remaining outcome variables. No unexpected adverse effects derived from the electrical stimulation were reported.ConclusionPercutaneous stimulation with HFAC at 30 kHz applied to the median nerve increased the PPT and subjective perception of numbness and heaviness. Future research should evaluate its potential therapeutic effect in people with pain.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04884932, identifier NCT04884932.
Branched-chain amino acids and risk of stroke: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Yang , Duan Yunxia , Jiang Miaowen , He Xiaoduo , Xu Shuaili , Guo Jiaqi , Li Ming , Zhou Chen , Wu Di , Liu Guiyou , Ji Xunming 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe causality between plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) levels and stroke remains uncertain and the stratified research on the association between BCAAs levels and subtypes of stroke is not well studied. Therefore, the association of genetically proxied circulating BCAA levels with the risks of stroke and its subtypes was explored by Mendelian randomization (MR) in this study.MethodsSummary-level data derived from the published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were employed for analyses. Data for plasma BCAA levels (n = 16,596) were obtained from a meta-analysis of GWAS. The MEGASTROKE consortium provided data for ischemic stroke (n = 440,328) and its subtypes and data for hemorrhagic stroke were available from 2 meta-analyses of GWAS of European-ancestry groups (intracerebral hemorrhage, n = 3,026; subarachnoid hemorrhage, n = 77,074). The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was selected as the primary MR analysis. Supplementary analysis used included the weighted median, MR-Egger regression, Cochran’s Q statistic, MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier global test, and leave-one-out analysis method.ResultsAccording to IVW analysis, 1-SD increment in genetically determined circulating isoleucine was associated with increased risks of cardioembolic stroke (CES) (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21–2.20, P = 0.0007), but not with risks of other stroke subtypes. We could not discover any proof that leucine and valine levels could increase risk of any stroke subtype. All heterogeneity tests produced stable findings, and there was no concrete evidence to indicate the perturbation of horizontal multiplicity.ConclusionIncreasing plasma isoleucine level had a causal effect on the risk of CES but not on the risk of other stroke subtypes. Further research is needed to identify the mechanisms of the causal associations between BCAAs and stroke subtypes.
Quality assessment of maize tortillas produced from landraces and high yield hybrids and varieties
Authors: Acosta-Estrada Beatriz A. , Serna-Saldívar Sergio O. , Chuck-Hernández Cristina 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionDifferent analyses of the profiles of tortillas have been made using the traditional method, whether from landraces or hybrids versus those made with dry masa flour in which significant variability (p &lt; 0.05) is reported in favor or against each type of tortilla which may be due to various factors such as the type of maize or the processing methods.MethodsTwenty-two samples including hybrids, hybrid mixtures, varieties, landraces and dry masa flours were processed to masa and tortilla under similar and controlled conditions and tortilla quality evaluated. In total, 70 characteristics were analyzed as physicochemical properties of the maize (e.g., hectoliter weight and dimensions), processability characteristics, masa characteristics [e.g. viscoamylographic parameters (RVA)], and quality parameters of tortillas (e.g., sensory performance, color and texture).Results and discussiónThe studied materials presented variability among genotypes, especially within landraces. The physical and chemical properties of corn affected the processability and quality characteristics of tortillas (sensory and composition), and it was found that high producing hybrids and varieties (p &lt; 0.05) were better and more consistent in all stages of processing. Forty percent of the landraces yielded masa with poor machinability.ConclusionLandraces averaged 1.27 percentage points more protein (p &lt; 0.05) than other analyzed samples and they comparatively yielded tortillas with lower extensibility (12.34%) compared to counterparts produced from hybrids and varieties. This work provides valuable information on how the chemical and physical characteristics of different types of maize genotypes affect the nixtamalization process and the quality of tortillas to provide more elements in the selection of the most appropriate genotypes for tortilla production.
The role of Gamma Knife radiosurgery in the management of skull base chordoma
Authors: Wang Kuanyu , Gao Dezhi , Pan Jian , Bao Enmeng , Sun Shibin 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveChordoma is a slow-growing and locally aggressive cancer, which arises from the remnants of the primitive notochord. The first line treatment for the skull base chordoma is neurosurgery. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) is often be chosen especially in the setting of residual or recurrent chordomas. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognosis of patients with skull base chordoma who underwent GKS.MethodsThe present study was a retrospective analysis of 53 patients with skull base chordomas who underwent GKS. Univariate Cox and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed to analyze the relationship between the tumor control time and the clinical characteristics.ResultsThe 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year progression free survival (PFS) rates were 87, 71, 51, and 18%, respectively. After performing the univariate analysis, the clinical characteristics were not found to be significantly associated with the time of PFS; however, surgical history, peripheral dose, and tumor volume did have tendencies to predict the prognosis.ConclusionGKS provided a safe and relatively effective treatment for residual or recurrent chordomas after surgical resection. A higher tumor control rate depends on two approaches, an appropriate dose of radiation for the tumor and the accurate identification of the tumor margins.