bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and clinical evaluation of a CRISPR/Cas13a-based diagnostic test to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical specimens
Authors: Ren Weicong , Zhou You , Li Haoran , Shang Yuanyuan , Zhang Xuxia , Yuan Jinfeng , Li Shanshan , Li Chuanyou , Pang Yu 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTuberculosis diagnosis requires rapid, simple and highly sensitive methods. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and associated protein (Cas) systems are increasingly being used for clinical diagnostic applications, due to their high flexibility, sensitivity and specificity. We developed a sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-CRISPR/Cas13a detection method (CRISPR-MTB) and then evaluated its performance in detecting MTB in clinical specimens.MethodsThe conserved MTB IS1081 sequence was used to design CRISPR-derived RNAs (crRNAs) and T7 promoter sequencing-containing PCR primers for use in the CRISPR-MTB assay, then assay performance was evaluated using 401 clinical specimens.ResultsThe CRISPR-MTB assay provided a low limit of detection of 1 target sequence copy/μL and excellent specificity. Furthermore, use of the assay to detect MTB in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), sputum and pus samples provided superior sensitivity (261/268, 97.4%) as compared to sensitivities of acid-fast bacilli (130/268, 48.5%) and mycobacterial culture (192/268, 71.6%) assays, and comparable or greater sensitivity to that of GeneXpert MTB/RIF (260/268, 97.0%).ConclusionThe CRISPR-MTB assay, which provides excellent sensitivity and specificity for MTB detection in sputum, BALF and pus samples, is a viable alternative to conventional tests used to diagnose TB in resource-limited settings.
Combined therapy of bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation and ocular occlusion improves visual function in adults with amblyopia, a randomized pilot study
Authors: Castillo-Astorga Raul , Del Valle-Batalla Lucia , Mariman Juan José , Plaza-Rosales Ivan , de los Angeles Juricic Maria , Maldonado Pedro Esteban , Vogel Marlene , Fuentes-Flores Romulo 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundAmblyopia is the interocular visual acuity difference of two lines or more with the best correction in both eyes. It is treated with ocular occlusion therapy, but its success depends on neuroplasticity, and thus is effective in children but not adults. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is suggested to increase neuroplasticity.ObjectiveTo determine if combined intervention of bilateral tDCS and ocular occlusion improves visual function in adults with amblyopia.MethodsA double-blind randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted in 10 volunteers with amblyopia. While applying ocular occlusion and performing a reading task, participants received bilateral tDCS (n= 5) or sham stimulation (n= 5), with the anodal tDCS electrode in the contralateral visual cortex and the cathodal in the ipsilateral visual cortex in relation to the amblyopic eye. Visual function (through visual acuity, stereopsis, and contrast sensitivity tests) and visual evoked potential (with checkerboard pattern stimuli presentation) were evaluated immediately after.ResultsA total of 30 min after treatment with bilateral tDCS, visual acuity improved by 0.16 (± 0.025) LogMAR in the treatment group compared with no improvement (–0.02 ± 0.02) in five controls (p= 0.0079), along with a significant increase in the amplitude of visual evoked potentials of the amblyopic eye response (p= 0.0286). No significant changes were observed in stereopsis and contrast sensitivity. No volunteer reported any harm derived from the intervention.ConclusionOur study is the first to combine anodal and cathodal tDCS for the treatment of amblyopia, showing transient improved visual acuity in amblyopic adults.
Changes in cortical activation during upright stance in individuals with chronic low back pain: An fNIRS study
Authors: Li Yan , Xu Zhaoqiang , Xie Hao , Fu Ruochen , Lo Wai Leung Ambrose , Cheng Xue , Yang Jiajia , Ge Le , Yu Quihua , Wang Chuhuai 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionPostural control deficits are a potential cause of persistent and recurrent pain in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Although some studies have confirmed that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) contributes to pain regulation in CLBP, its role in the postural control of patients with CLBP remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the DLPFC activation of patients with CLBP and healthy controls under different upright stance task conditions.MethodsTwenty patients with CLBP (26.50 ± 2.48 years) and 20 healthy controls (25.75 ± 3.57 years) performed upright stance tasks under three conditions: Task-1 was static balance with eyes open; Task-2 was static balance with eyes closed; Task-3 involved dynamic balance on an unstable surface with eyes open. A wireless functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system measured cortical activity, including the bilateral DLPFC, pre-motor cortex (PMC) and supplementary motor area (SMA), the primary motor cortex (M1), the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), and a force platform measured balance parameters during upright stance.ResultsThe two-way repeated measures ANOVA results showed significant interaction in bilateral PMC/SMA activation. Moreover, patients with CLBP had significantly increased right DLPFC activation and higher sway 32 area and velocity than healthy controls during upright stance.DiscussionOur results imply that PMC/SMA and DLPFC maintain standing balance. The patients with CLBP have higher cortical activity and upright stance control deficits, which may indicate that the patients with CLBP have low neural efficiency and need more motor resources to maintain balance.
Neuropsychiatric feature-based subgrouping reveals neural sensory processing spectrum in female FMR1 premutation carriers: A pilot study
Authors: Norris Jordan E. , Schmitt Lauren M. , De Stefano Lisa A. , Pedapati Ernest V. , Erickson Craig A. , Sweeney John A. , Ethridge Lauren E. 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionFragile X Syndrome (FXS) is rare genetic condition characterized by a repeat expansion (CGG) in the Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene where individuals with greater than 200 repeats are defined as full mutation. FXS clinical presentation often includes intellectual disability, and autism-like symptoms, including anxiety and sensory hypersensitivities. Individuals with 55 to &lt;200 CGG repeats are said to have the FMR1 premutation, which is not associated with primary characteristics of the full mutation, but with an increased risk for anxiety, depression, and other affective conditions, as well as and impaired cognitive processing differences that vary in severity. Defining subgroups of premutation carriers based on distinct biological features may identify subgroups with varying levels of psychiatric, cognitive, and behavioral alterations.MethodsThe current pilot study utilized 3 cluster subgroupings defined by previous k means cluster analysis on neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and resting EEG variables in order to examine basic sensory auditory chirp task-based EEG parameters from 33 females with the FMR1 premutation (ages 17–78).ResultsBased on the predefined, neuropsychiatric three-cluster solution, premutation carriers with increased neuropsychiatric features and higher CGG repeat counts (cluster 1) showed decreased stimulus onset response, similar to previous ERP findings across a number of psychiatric disorders but opposite to findings in individuals with full mutation FXS. Premutation carriers with increased executive dysfunction and resting gamma power (cluster 2) exhibited decreased gamma phase locking to a chirp stimulus, similar to individuals with full mutation FXS. Cluster 3 members, who were relatively unaffected by psychiatric or cognitive symptoms, showed the most normative task-based EEG metrics.DiscussionOur findings suggest a spectrum of sensory processing characteristics present in subgroups of premutation carriers that have been previously understudied due to lack of overall group differences. Our findings also further validate the pre-defined clinical subgroups by supporting links between disturbances in well-defined neural pathways and behavioral alterations that may be informative for identifying the mechanisms supporting specific risk factors and divergent therapeutic needs in individuals with the FMR1 premutation.
Relationships for vitamin D with childhood height growth velocity and low bone mineral density risk
Authors: Xiao Pei , Cheng Hong , Wang Liange , Hou Dongqing , Li Haibo , Zhao Xiaoyuan , Xie Xianghui , Mi Jie 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate how serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) affects height growth velocity and the risk of low bone mineral density (BMD) in children.DesignA population-based prospective cohort study.Patients and methodsA total of 10 450 participants with complete follow-up records from a cohort were included in the current study. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at baseline and 2-year follow-up, and the average of 2-time measurements was used for analysis. Low BMD was defined as calcaneus speed of sound Z-score ≤ −1. The associations of vitamin D with height growth velocity and the risks of incident low BMD were evaluated using adjusted β and risk ratio (RR).ResultsAfter multivariable adjustment, an inverse L-shaped association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and height growth velocity was observed, leveling off up to 40–60 nmol/L. Overall, each 10 nmol/L higher serum 25(OH)D concentration was associated with a 0.15 cm/year higher height growth velocity (P &lt; 0.001) and a 7% decreased risk of low BMD [RR (95%CI): 0.93 (0.87~0.98)]. Compared to those with vitamin D deficiency, participants who had sufficient vitamin D had a 22% lower risk for low BMD [RR(95%CI): 0.78 (0.62~0.98)]. However, no significant associations between vitamin D and the risk of low BMD were found in overweight and obese children.ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of maintenance of sufficient 25(OH)D concentrations and healthy body weight during childhood in height growth and bone health promotion.
The prognostic predictive value of systemic immune index and systemic inflammatory response index in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Li , Qin Xianfei , Zhang Yu , Xue Shouyu , Song Xicheng 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveTo study the predictive value of systemic immune index (SII) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) in the prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.MethodsTwo researchers independently searched PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science databases (until March 18, 2022) for all studies on SII, SIRI, and prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Quality assessment of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). In addition, a bivariate mixed-effects model was used to explore predictive value.ResultsA total of 9 studies that satisfied the requirements were included, involving, 3187 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results of the meta-analysis showed that SII could be an independent predictor of OS (HR=1.78, 95%CI [1.44-2.20], Z=5.28, P&lt;0.05), and SII could also be an independent predictor of PFS (HR=1.66, 95%CI [1.36-2.03], Z=4.94, P&lt;0.05). In addition, SIRI could also serve as an independent predictor of OS (HR=2.88, 95%CI [1.97-4.19], Z=5.51, P&lt;0.05). The ROC area was 0.63, the sensitivity was 0.68 (95%CI [0.55-0.78]), and the specificity was 0.55 (95%CI [0.47-0.62]), all of which indicated that SII had a certain predictive value for OS.ConclusionSII and SIRI can be used as independent predictors to predict the prognosis and survival status of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and have certain predictive accuracy. Therefore, SII and SIRI should be considered in studies that update survival risk assessment systems.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.ytyhdyy.com/, identifier PROSPERO (CRD42022319678).
Population-based temporal trends and ethnic disparity in breast cancer mortality in South Africa (1999-2018): Joinpoint and age–period–cohort regression analyses
Authors: Olorunfemi Gbenga , Libhaber Elena , Ezechi Oliver Chukwujekwu , Musenge Eustasius 
Published: February 2023

Globally, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for 15.5% of female cancer deaths in 2020. Breast cancer is also the leading cause of female cancers in South Africa. The rapid epidemiological transition in South Africa may have an impact on the trends in breast cancer mortality in the country. We therefore evaluated the trends in the breast cancer mortality in SA over 20 years (1999–2020).MethodsJoinpoint regression analyses of the trends in crude and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) of breast cancer among South African women were conducted from 1999 to 2018 using mortality data from Statistics South Africa. Age–period–cohort regression analysis was then conducted to evaluate the independent effect of age, period, and cohort on breast cancer mortality, and analysis was stratified by ethnicity.ResultsThe mortality rate of breast cancer (from 9.82 to 13.27 per 100,000 women) increased at around 1.4% per annum (Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC): 1.4%, 95% CI:0.8–2.0, P-value&lt; 0.001). Young women aged 30–49 years (1.1%–1.8%, P-value&lt; 0.001) had increased breast cancer mortality. The risk of breast cancer mortality increased among successive birth cohorts from 1924 to 1928 but decreased among recent cohorts born from 1989 to 1993. In 2018, the breast cancer mortality rate among Blacks (9.49/100,000 women) was around half of the rates among the non-Blacks. (Coloreds: 18.11 per 100,000 women; Whites: 17.77/100,000 women; Indian/Asian: 13.24 per 100,000 women).ConclusionsContrary to the trends in high- and middle-income countries, breast cancer mortality increased in South Africa especially among young women. Breast cancer prevention programs should be intensified and should also target young women. The marked disparity in ethnic burden of breast cancer should be considered during planning and implementation of interventions.
Clinical and pathological heterogeneity of four common fusion subtypes in Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Guo Wei , Zhu Yiqi , Pu Xiaohong , Guo Hongqian , Gan Weidong 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundXp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma (Xp11.2 tRCC) is a group of rare and highly heterogeneous renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The translocation involving TFE3 and different fusion partners lead to overexpression of the chimeric protein. The purpose of this study is to explore the clinicopathological features of Xp11.2 tRCC with four common fusion subtypes.MethodsWe screened out 40 Xp11.2 tRCC patients from January 2007 to August 2021 in our institution. The diagnosis was initially confirmed by TFE3 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay and their fusion partners were verified by RNA sequencing. Then the 40 cases were divided into two groups (DBHS family and non-DBHS family group) and a clinical comparison among the four common fusion subtypes was performed.ResultsAmong the 40 cases, 11 cases with SFPQ-TFE3 gene fusion and 7 cases with NONO-TFE3 gene fusion were classified in DBHS group, the remaining cases with ASPL-TFE3 (11 cases) or PRCC-TFE3 (11 cases) gene fusion were classified in non-DBHS group. Lymph node (LN) metastasis (P=0.027) and distant metastasis (P=0.009) were more common seen in non-DBHS family group than DBHS family group and cases in DBHS family group have better progressive-free survival (PFS) (P=0.02). In addition, ASPL-TFE3 fusion was associated with worse outcome (P=0.03) while NONO-TFE3 fusion (P=0.04) predicted a better prognosis.ConclusionsDifferent fusion partner genes may play a functional role in various morphology, molecular and biological features of Xp11.2 tRCCs. The impact of fusion partners on clinical characteristics of Xp11.2 tRCCs deserves further exploration.
Bibliometric study on the knowledge graph of immunotherapy for head and neck cancer
Authors: Wang Ji , Gong Zhengpeng , Yu Ming 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignant tumor with a significant mortality rate, especially in patients at locally advanced stage, or with recurrence and metastasis. Immunotherapy has shown remarkable breakthrough in the treatment of locally advanced cancer, recurrence and metastasis in recent years. During this time, a large number of HNSCC immunotherapy studies have been published. However, few studies employed bibliometric analysis. This work analyzes HNSCC immunotherapy trends and hotspots using bibliometric analysis to get better understanding of the current state and future direction of HNSCC immunotherapy.MethodsRelevant articles and publications about immunotherapy of HNSCC were extracted from Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Bibliometrics was used to study these publications in terms of countries/regions, institutions, authors (cited authors), journals (cited journals), references, and keywords, so as to identify research hotspots and to predict future research trends in this field.ResultsA total of 1377 English articles published between 2000 and 2022 were collected. It is found that the number of articles increases rapidly from 2016. The United States has the largest number of publications (n=538), followed by China (n=407) and Germany (n=175). The institute with the highest published papers is the University of Pittsburgh (n=67). In terms of author, Robert L Ferris ranks first among the top ten cited authors. Oral Oncology (impact factor (IF) (2021) = 5.972) is the most prolific academic journal in immunotherapy of HNSCC. According to the reference cluster analysis, the research hot topic has shifted from basic research on immunotherapy of head and neck cancer to the study of prognosis. Keywords analysis also reveals that the study of patients’ prognoses is at the core of immunotherapy for HNSCC.ConclusionCurrently, head and neck cancer research focus primarily on prognostic significance, cancer treatment, and poor prognosis. However, the researches on immunotherapy for head and neck malignancies is the growing trend in near future. Notably, United States has made significant contributions to this field.
Procedural outcome following and Hemodynamic imaging analysis for anterior communicating artery wide-necked aneurysms by four different stents assisted coil embolization
Authors: Qiu Yulong , Jiang Li , Peng Shixin , Zhu Ji , Zhang Xiaodong , Xu Rui 
Published: February 2023

Background: Anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysm is the most common intracranial aneurysm (IA) and has the highest rupture rate. Previously, the preferred surgical treatment for intracranial aneurysms was microsurgery clipping (MC). With the gradual maturation of endovascular treatment (EVT), an increasing number of patients are inclined to treat IA with EVT. In recent years, an increasing number of scholars have suggested that the preferred treatment for wide-necked aneurysms is stent-assisted coiling (SAC). Currently, there are few studies on comparative analyses of the procedural results of SAC in AcomA aneurysms.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutively treated patients who received SAC for AcomA aneurysms between 12 February 2013, and 20 January 2021. The primary procedural outcome was the occlusion rate evaluated with the Raymond–Roy occlusion classification (RROC) assessed on DSA at follow-up. Safety assessment included 1) ischemic complications (asymptomatic ischemia; intrastent thrombosis; coils falling off plug; arterial dissection); 2) bleeding complications (SAH; ICH); and 3) death. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine patient baseline and aneurysm characteristics associated with total aneurysm occlusion at follow-up. Hemodynamic analysis was performed in one representative case each of the four stents, and six hemodynamic parameters were chosen, including wall shear stress (WSS), cavity blood flow velocity (CBFV), residual blood in the aneurysm (RBA), neck blood flow velocity (NBFV), blood flow inflow (BFI); and inflow concentration index (ICI).Results: A total of 154 patients who underwent EVT via SAC were enrolled for comparative analysis of procedural outcomes. The median age was 55 years, and 56.49% (87) were female. At the first (6–10 months), second (12–15 months) and last (24–48 months) follow-up, complete aneurysm occlusion was observed in 94.8%, 94.8%and 94.2% of patients, respectively. There were no differences regarding the occlusion rates stratified by stent. Each stent showed a variable decrease in all hemodynamic parameters.Conclusion: Hemodynamic parameters all decreased significantly after SAC with all four different stents, and the effect of laser-cut stents on the hemodynamic decline of aneurysms appeared to be more significant than that of woven stents. No significant difference was observed in the follow-up RROC grade among the four stents.
Effects of bis-chelated copper in growth performance and gut health in broiler chickens subject to coccidiosis vaccination or coccidia challenge
Authors: Chen Juxing , Yan Frances , Kuttappan Vivek A. , Wedekind Karen , Vázquez-Añón Mercedes , Hancock Deana 
Published: February 2023

Copper (Cu) is widely used at high levels as growth promoter in poultry, the alternative source of Cu to replace the high level of inorganic Cu at poultry farm remains to be determined. Three floor pen experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of Cu methionine hydroxy-analogue chelate (Cu-MHAC, MINTREX®Cu, Novus International, Inc.) on growth performance and gut health in broilers in comparison to CuSO4 and/or tribasic copper chloride (TBCC). There were 3 treatments in experiment#1 (0, 30 and 75 ppm Cu-MHAC) and experiment#2 (15 and 30 ppm Cu-MHAC, and 125 ppm CuSO4), and 4 treatments in experiment #3 (15 and 30 ppm Cu-MHAC, 125 ppm CuSO4 and 125 ppm TBCC) with nine replicates pens of 10–13 birds in each treatment. The levels of other minerals were equal among all treatments within each experiment. All birds were orally gavaged with a coccidiosis vaccine at 1x recommended dose on d0 in experiment#1 and #2 and 10x recommended dose on d15 in experiment #3. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, means were separated by Fisher’s protected LSD test. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically different. In experiment #1, 30 and 75 ppm Cu-MHAC improved FCR during grower phase, increased jejunal villus height and reduced jejunal crypt depth, 30 ppm Cu-MHAC increased cecal Lactobacillus spp. abundance in 41 days broilers. In experiment #2, compared to CuSO4, 15ppm Cu-MHAC increased cumulative performance index in 28 days broilers, 15 and/or 30 ppm Cu-MHAC improved gut morphometry, and 30 ppm Cu-MHAC reduced the abundance of E. coli and Enterobacteriaceae in cecum in 43 days broilers. In experiment #3, 15 ppm and 30 ppm Cu-MHAC improved FCR vs. CuSO4 during starter phase, reduced the percentage of E. coli of total bacteria vs. TBCC, 30 ppm Cu-MHAC increased the percentages of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus spp. and Clostridium cluster XIVa of total bacteria vs. both CuSO4 and TBCC in the cecum of 27 days broilers. In summary, low doses of Cu-MHAC had comparable growth performance to high dose of TBCC and CuSO4 while improving gut microflora and gut morphometry in broilers subject to coccidiosis vaccination or coccidia challenge, indicating that low doses of bis-chelated Cu could be used as a complimentary strategy to improve animal gut health.