bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of prognostic value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for postoperative mortality and morbidity
Authors: Zhu Yingchao , Bi Yaodan , Liu Bin , Zhu Tao 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundThe preoperative elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was reported to be associated with poorer outcomes after cancer and cardiovascular surgeries. It is unclear, however, if the predictive value is particular or if it may be applied to other types of surgery. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of preoperative NLR levels for morbidity and mortality after various surgery and determine an optimal threshold for NLR.MethodsWe conducted a cohort analysis on patients receiving surgery at Sichuan University West China Hospital between 2018 and 2020. Multivariable piecewise regression analysis were used to determine the optimal cutoff value of NLR. Subgroup analysis were performed to verify the correlation. Sensitivity analysis was used to explore the effect of different thresholds.ResultsWe obtained data from 136,347 patients. The optimal cutoff of NLR was determined as 3.6 [95% CI (3.0, 4.1)] by piecewise regression method. After multivariable adjustment, preoperative high NLR remained significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality (aOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.90–2.52; p &lt; 0.001) and ICU admission after surgery (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.59–1.79; p &lt; 0.001). Subgroup analyses confirmed the predictive value of high NLR in multiple surgical subgroups, including general, orthopedic, neurosurgical, and thoracic surgery subgroups, otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and burn plastic surgery. A NLR threshold of 3.6 gave excellent predictive value, whether employed alone or added in an extended model.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the association of elevated NLR with higher mortality and ICU admission can be extended to a wider range of procedures. NLR threshold of 3.6 could provide good prognostic value for the prognostic model.
Optimization of the growth conditions through response surface methodology and metabolomics for maximizing the auxin production by Pantoea agglomerans C1
Authors: Melini Francesca , Luziatelli Francesca , Bonini Paolo , Ficca Anna Grazia , Melini Valentina , Ruzzi Maurizio 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionThe fermentative production of auxin/indole 3-acetate (IAA) using selected Pantoea agglomerans strains can be a promising approach to developing novel plant biostimulants for agriculture use.MethodsBy integrating metabolomics and fermentation technologies, this study aimed to define the optimal culture conditions to obtain auxin/IAA-enriched plant postbiotics using P. agglomerans strain C1. Metabolomics analysis allowed us to demonstrate that the production of a selected.Results and discussion:Array of compounds with plant growth-promoting- (IAA and hypoxanthine) and biocontrol activity (NS-5, cyclohexanone, homo-L-arginine, methyl hexadecenoic acid, and indole-3-carbinol) can be stimulated by cultivating this strain on minimal saline medium amended with sucrose as a carbon source. We applied a three-level-two-factor central composite design (CCD) based response surface methodology (RSM) to explore the impact of the independent variables (rotation speed and medium liquid-to-flask volume ratio) on the production of IAA and IAA precursors. The ANOVA component of the CCD indicated that all the process-independent variables investigated significantly impacted the auxin/IAA production by P. agglomerans strain C1. The optimum values of variables were a rotation speed of 180 rpm and a medium liquid-to-flask volume ratio of 1:10. Using the CCD-RSM method, we obtained a maximum indole auxin production of 208.3 ± 0.4  mg IAAequ/L, which was a 40% increase compared to the growth conditions used in previous studies. Targeted metabolomics allowed us to demonstrate that the IAA product selectivity and the accumulation of the IAA precursor indole-3-pyruvic acid were significantly affected by the increase in the rotation speed and the aeration efficiency.
Remodeling of the gut microbiome by Lactobacillus johnsonii alleviates the development of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhong Xinqin , Zhao Yucui , Huang Lu , Liu Jiarui , Wang Kaiyue , Gao Xiumei , Zhao Xin , Wang Xiaoying 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionThe gut microbial community, which can be disturbed or repaired by changes in the internal environment, contributes to the development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Gut probiotics play a role in microbiome remodeling and nutritional intervention post-AMI. A newly isolated Lactobacillus johnsonii strain EU03 has shown potential as a probiotic. Here, we investigated the cardioprotective function and mechanism of L. johnsonii through gut microbiome remodeling in AMI rats.MethodsA rat model of left anterior descending coronary artery ligation (LAD)-mediated AMI was assessed with echocardiography, histology, and serum cardiac biomarkers to evaluate the beneficial effects of L. johnsonii. The immunofluorescence analysis was utilized to visualize the intestinal barrier changes. Antibiotic administration model was used for assessing the gut commensals’ function in the improvement of cardiac function post-AMI. The underlying beneficial mechanism through L. johnsonii enrichment was further investigated by metagenomics and metabolomics analysis.ResultsA 28-day treatment with L. johnsonii protected cardiac function, delayed cardiac pathology, suppressed myocardial injury cytokines, and improved gut barrier integrity. The microbiome composition was reprogrammed by enhancing the abundance of L. johnsonii. Microbiome dysbiosis by antibiotics abrogated the improvement of cardiac function post-AMI by L. johnsonii. L. johnsonii enrichment caused remodeling of gut microbiome by increasing the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus, and decreasing Romboutsia, Clostridia UCG-014, which were correlated with cardiac traits and serum metabolic biomarkers 16,16-dimethyl-PGA2, and Lithocholate 3-O-glucuronide.ConclusionThese findings reveal that gut microbiome remodeling by L. johnsonii ameliorates the cardiac function post-AMI and might advance microbiome-targeted nutritional intervention.
An in-silico framework for modeling optimal control of neural systems
Authors: Rueckauer Bodo , van Gerven Marcel 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionBrain-machine interfaces have reached an unprecedented capacity to measure and drive activity in the brain, allowing restoration of impaired sensory, cognitive or motor function. Classical control theory is pushed to its limit when aiming to design control laws that are suitable for large-scale, complex neural systems. This work proposes a scalable, data-driven, unified approach to study brain-machine-environment interaction using established tools from dynamical systems, optimal control theory, and deep learning.MethodsTo unify the methodology, we define the environment, neural system, and prosthesis in terms of differential equations with learnable parameters, which effectively reduce to recurrent neural networks in the discrete-time case. Drawing on tools from optimal control, we describe three ways to train the system: Direct optimization of an objective function, oracle-based learning, and reinforcement learning. These approaches are adapted to different assumptions about knowledge of system equations, linearity, differentiability, and observability.ResultsWe apply the proposed framework to train an in-silico neural system to perform tasks in a linear and a nonlinear environment, namely particle stabilization and pole balancing. After training, this model is perturbed to simulate impairment of sensor and motor function. We show how a prosthetic controller can be trained to restore the behavior of the neural system under increasing levels of perturbation.DiscussionWe expect that the proposed framework will enable rapid and flexible synthesis of control algorithms for neural prostheses that reduce the need for in-vivo testing. We further highlight implications for sparse placement of prosthetic sensor and actuator components.
Prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with lung cancer treated with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Lyu Jiahua , Yang Ningjing , Xiao Ling , Nie Xinyu , Xiong Jing , Liu Yudi , Zhang Min , Zhang Hangyue , Tang Cunhan , Pan Shiyi , Liang Long , Bai Hansong , Li Churong , Kuang Hao , Li Tao 
Published: March 2023

ObjectivesIt remains controversial whether sarcopenia has any significant impact on the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the association between sarcopenia and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving EGFR-TKIs or ICIs as a first-line therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 131 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with first-line EGFR-TKIs or ICIs between 1 March 2019 and 31 March 2021. To estimate sarcopenia, we calculated skeletal muscle index (SMI) as the ratio of skeletal muscle area (cm2) to height squared (m2). Associations between sarcopenia and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank tests, respectively. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the factors associated with OS and PFS. The Student’s t-test or Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the SMI between patients with or without objective response and disease control. The chi-squared test was used to compare adverse events (AEs) between patients with and without sarcopenia.ResultsAmong the 131 patients, 35 (26.7%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was an independent predictor of poor OS and PFS (p &lt; 0.05) overall and in the EGFR-TKI- and ICI-treated cohorts. Among all patients, those with sarcopenia showed significantly shorter OS and PFS than those without sarcopenia (median OS and PFS: 13.0 vs. 26.0 months and 6.4 vs. 15.1 months; both p &lt; 0.001). These associations were consistent across the subtypes of most clinical characteristics. Statistically significant differences between the objective response (OR) and non-OR groups were also observed in the mean SMI (OR group, 43.89 ± 7.55 vs. non-OR group, 38.84 ± 7.11 cm2/m2; p &lt; 0.001). In addition, we observed similar results with disease control (DC) and non-DC groups (DC group, 42.46 ± 7.64 vs. non-DCR group, 33.74 ± 4.31 cm2/m2; p &lt; 0.001). The AEs did not differ significantly between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups.ConclusionSarcopenia before treatment might be a significant predictor of poor clinical outcomes (shorter OS and PFS, fewer ORs, less DC) in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs or ICIs as the first-line therapy.
Prognostic significance of eighth edition TNM stage criteria in combined small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhao Ziran , Gao Yibo , Tan Fengwei , Xue Qi , Gao Shugeng , He Jie 
Published: March 2023

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the eighth edition TNM stage criteria in patients with combined small-cell lung cancer (C-SCLC) on a population level.MethodsUsing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, patients diagnosed with C-SCLC (histology code 8245) between the years 2004 and 2015 were identified. We performed a Kaplan–Meier analysis and used the multivariable cox regression proportional hazards model to obtain prognostic overall survival estimates for each group of patients.ResultsA total of 477 patients diagnosed with C-SCLC were identified. The T, N, M, TNM, and combined TNM stage status of the eighth edition were all significant prognostic factors for patients’ overall survivals, with the best discrimination identified in the combined stages. Surgery was also found to be a prognostic factor (HR =1.95, 95%CI =1.49-2.56, p&lt;0.01) for patients with C-SCLC.ConclusionsThe combined eighth edition of the TNM staging criteria shows reliable prognostic significance in patients with C-SCLC. Moreover, surgery might be significant for improving the patients’ prognosis.
Advances and trends in meningioma research over the last decade: A scientometric and visual analysis
Authors: Zhang Tingbao , Feng Yu , Liu Kui , Liu Zheng 
Published: March 2023

ObjectiveWe conducted a scientometric and visual analysis of meningioma studies in the past ten years and discussed the current status and trends of meningioma research to provide a reference basis for conducting relevant clinical practice or research.MethodA search of the topic of meningioma in the Web of Science Core Collection database was conducted for January 2012-December 2021. The scientometric tools CiteSpace (version 5.8.R3), VOS viewer (version 1.6.17), and the Bibliometrix package of R software (version 4.2.1) were used to visualize and analyze the country of publication, institution, author, keywords, and cited literature of meningioma.ResultsA total of 10,397 documents related to meningioma were collected, of which 6,714 articles were analyzed. The annual analysis shows an increase in published articles, with an annual growth rate of 8.9%. 26,696 authors from 111 countries or regions were involved in publishing relevant studies. The country with the highest number of publications was the United States (1671), and the institution with the highest number of publications was the University of California, San Francisco (242). The keyword clustering of current studies can be grouped into five groups: meningioma characteristics and basic research, surgical treatment, radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and management of complications. Keyword trend analysis shows that meningioma classification and molecular characteristics are emerging hotspots for meningioma research in recent years.ConclusionThe scientometric and visual analysis demonstrated the research status and trends of meningioma. Over the past decade, meningioma research has focused on managing meningiomas with a predominance of surgical treatment and radiation therapy. At the same time, meningioma classification and molecular characteristics are emerging as current and possible research hotspots in the coming period.
Dose-dependent effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell treatment in hyperoxia-induced lung injury of neonatal rats
Authors: Xiong Jing , Ai Qing , Bao Lei , Gan Yuanshan , Dai Xiaoyu , Han Mei , Shi Yuan 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells that have been reported to possess great potential for the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).ObjectiveOur study aims to assess the effects of three different doses of intraperitoneal administration of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) on a hyperoxia-induced BPD model of newborn rat.MethodsNeonatal Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were reared in either hyperoxia (75% O2) or room air (RA) from postnatal days (PN) 1-14. At PN5, hUC-MSCs (1 × 106, 5× 106,or 1× 107 cells per pup) were given intraperitoneally to newborn rats exposed to 75% O2 from birth; the controls received an equal volume of normal saline (NS). At PN14, the lung tissues, serum, and bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) were collected for histologic examination, wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio analysis, engraftment, myeoloperoxidase (MPO) activity analysis, cytokine analysis, and western blot analysis of protein expression.ResultsCompared to rat pups reared in RA, rat pups reared in hyperoxia had a significant lower survival rate (53.3%) (P &lt; 0.01). Hyperoxia-exposed rats exhibited pulmonary inflammation accompanied by alveolar-capillary leakage, neutrophile infiltration, augmented myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, prominent alveolar simplification, and increased mean linear intercept (MLI), which was ameliorated by hUC-MSCs treatment. Increased oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production were also reduced. Importantly, the expression of Fas, an apoptosis-associated protein that was increasingly expressed in hyperoxia-exposed rats (P &lt; 0.05), was downregulated after administration of hUC-MSCs (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsOur results suggest that intraperitoneal administration of high number hUC-MSCs (1 × 107 cells) may represent an effective modality for the treatment of hyperoxia-induced BPD in neonatal rats.
“Drying effect” of fructus aurantii components and the mechanism of action based on network pharmacology and in vitro pharmacodynamic validation
Authors: Zhu Jing , Luo Yi , Tong Hengli , Zhong Lingyun , Gong Qianfeng , Wang Yaqi , Yang Ming , Song Qing 
Published: March 2023

Background: Fructus aurantii (FA) is the dried, unripe fruit of the plant Citrus aurantium L. and its cultivated varieties. We investigated the drying effect of FA components and how this drying affect is achieved.Methods: We employed systems pharmacology to predict the components and targets of FA that produce its drying effect. These predictions were verified by computer simulation and animal experiments. In the latter, we measured the bodyweight, water consumption, urine output, fecal water content, rate of salivary secretion, and cross-sectional area of the long axis of the submandibular gland of mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure expression of aquaporin (AQP)5 in the submandibular gland, AQP2 in the kidney, and AQP3 in the colon. ELISA kits were used to measure the horizontal variation of cyclic adenosine monsophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and interferon-γ.Results: Sixty-seven potentially active components of FA were screened out. FA could produce a drying effect after regulating 214 targets through 66 active components. A total of 870 gene ontology (GO) terms and 153 signaling pathways were identified. The hypoxia inducible factor-1 signaling pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, and Ras signaling pathway may have important roles in the drying effect of FA. Four components of FA were identified: sinensetin, tangeretin, 5-demethylnobiletin and chrysin. These four components could increase the serum level of interferon-γ and ratio of cyclic adenosine monophosphate:cyclic guanosine monophosphate in mice, and affect their water consumption, urine output, fecal water content and rate of salivary secretion.Conclusion: Four components of FA (tangeretin, sinensetin, chrysin, 5-Demethylmobiletin) were closely related to the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (JAK-STAT3), PI3K-AKT, and the other signaling pathways. They can regulate the protein expression of JAK2, STAT3, PI3K, lymphocyte cell-specific protein-tyrosine kinase, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and protein kinase B1, affect water metabolism in the body and, finally, result in a drying effect.
Ambient carbon monoxide and cardiovascular-related hospital admissions: A time-series analysis
Authors: Taheri Marzieh , Nouri Fatemeh , Ziaddini Mahdi , Rabiei Katayoun , Pourmoghaddas Ali , Shariful Islam Sheikh Mohammed , Sarrafzadegan Nizal 
Published: March 2023

Background and aims: Although several studies have investigated the association between air pollutants and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in recent years, a lack of evidence exists regarding carbon monoxide (CO) exposure, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean’s polluted regions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the short-term effect of CO exposure on daily CVD hospital admissions in Isfahan, a major city in Iran.Methods: Data were extracted from the CAPACITY study on daily CVD hospital admissions in Isfahan from March 2010 to March 2012. The 24-h mean CO concentrations were obtained from four local monitoring stations. In a time-series framework, the association between CO and daily hospitalizations for total and cause-specific CVDs in adults (ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), and cerebrovascular disease) was conducted using Poisson’s (or negative binomial) regression, after adjusting for holidays, temperature, dew point, and wind speed, considering different lags and mean lags of CO. The robustness of the results was examined via two- and multiple-pollutant models. Stratified analysis was also conducted for age groups (18–64 and ≥65 years), sex, and seasons (cold and warm).Results: The current study incorporated a total of 24,335 hospitalized patients, (51.6%) male with a mean age of 61.9 ± 16.4 years. The mean CO concentration was 4.5 ± 2.3 mg/m³. For a 1 mg/m3 increase in CO, we found a significant association with the number of CVD hospitalizations. The largest adjusted percent change in HF cases was seen in lag0, 4.61% (2.23, 7.05), while that for total CVDs, IHD, and cerebrovascular diseases occurred in mean lag2–5, 2.31% (1.42, 3.22), 2.23% (1.04, 3.43), and 5.70% (3.59, 7.85), respectively. Results were found to be robust in two- and multiple-pollutant models. Although the associations changed for sex, age groups, and seasons, they remained significant for IHD and total CVD, except for the warm season, and for HF, except for the younger age group and cold seasons. Additionally, the exposure–response relationship curve of the CO concentrations with total and cause-specific CVD admissions showed non-linear relationships for IHD and total CVDs.Conclusions: Our results showed that exposure to CO contributed to an increase in the number of CVD hospitalizations. The associations were not independent of age groups, season, and sex.
The impact of biological age of red blood cell on in vitro endothelial activation markers
Authors: Alshalani Abdulrahman , Beuger Boukje M. , Tuip-de Boer Anita M. , van Bruggen Robin , Acker Jason P. , Juffermans Nicole P. 
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Blood donor characteristics influence red blood cell transfusion outcomes. As donor sex affects the distribution of young to old RBCs in the circulation, we hypothesized that the amount of circulating young RBCs in the blood product are associated with immune suppression.Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers and density fractionated into young and old subpopulations. In an activated endothelial cell model, RBC adhesion to endothelium and secretion of endothelial activation markers were assessed. The impact of RBC biological age was also assessed in a T cell proliferation assay and in a whole blood stimulation assay.Results: After Percoll fractionation, young RBCs contained more reticulocytes compared to old RBCs. Young RBCs associated with lower levels of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and vWF from activated endothelial cells compared to old RBCs. RBC subpopulations did not affect T cell proliferation or cytokine responses following whole blood stimulation.Conclusion: Young RBCs contain more reticulocytes which are associated with lower levels of endothelial activation markers compared to old RBCs.