bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal alcohol exposure alters mRNA expression for stress peptides, glucocorticoid receptor function and immune factors in acutely stressed neonatal brain
Authors: Ruffaner-Hanson Chaselyn D. , Fernandez-Oropeza Annette K. , Sun Melody S. , Caldwell Kevin K. , Allan Andrea M. , Savage Daniel D. , Valenzuela C. Fernando , Noor Shahani , Milligan Erin D. 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundThe amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus are critical stress regulatory areas that undergo functional maturation for stress responding initially established during gestational and early postnatal brain development. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a consequence of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), results in cognitive, mood and behavioral disorders. Prenatal alcohol exposure negatively impacts components of the brain stress response system, including stress-associated brain neuropeptides and glucocorticoid receptors in the amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus. While PAE generates a unique brain cytokine expression pattern, little is known about the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and related proinflammatory signaling factors, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines in PAE brain stress-responsive regions. We hypothesized that PAE sensitizes the early brain stress response system resulting in dysregulated neuroendocrine and neuroimmune activation.MethodsA single, 4-h exposure of maternal separation stress in male and female postnatal day 10 (PND10) C57Bl/6 offspring was utilized. Offspring were from either prenatal control exposure (saccharin) or a limited access (4 h) drinking-in-the-dark model of PAE. Immediately after stress on PND10, the hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus were collected, and mRNA expression was analyzed for stress-associated factors (CRH and AVP), glucocorticoid receptor signaling regulators (GAS5, FKBP51 and FKBP52), astrocyte and microglial activation, and factors associated with TLR4 activation including proinflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β), along with additional pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Select protein expression analysis of CRH, FKBP and factors associated with the TLR4 signaling cascade from male and female amygdala was conducted.ResultsThe female amygdala revealed increased mRNA expression in stress-associated factors, glucocorticoid receptor signaling regulators and all of the factors critical in the TLR4 activation cascade, while the hypothalamus revealed blunted mRNA expression of all of these factors in PAE following stress. Conversely, far fewer mRNA changes were observed in males, notably in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, but not the amygdala. Statistically significant increases in CRH protein, and a strong trend in increased IL-1β were observed in male offspring with PAE independent of stressor exposure.ConclusionPrenatal alcohol exposure creates stress-related factors and TLR-4 neuroimmune pathway sensitization observed predominantly in females, that is unmasked in early postnatal life by a stress challenge.
Vitamin D deficiency and risk of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: updated meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Al-Maweri Sadeq Ali , Al-Qadhi Gamilah , Halboub Esam , Alaizari Nader , Almeslet Asma , Ali Kamran , Osman Safa A. Azim 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundGrowing evidence suggests a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and RAS. Hence, the present meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis sought to investigate the potential association between low serum vitamin D levels and RAS.MethodsPubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched on December 1st, 2022 to retrieve all relevant studies. The grey literature was also searched via ProQuest. All case-control studies on the association between vitamin D and RAS were considered. The quality appraisal of the included studies was done using Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RevMan 5.0 and trial sequential analysis (TSA) programs were used for analyses.ResultsA total of 14 case-control studies with 1468 subjects (721 RAS patients and 747 controls) were included. The pooled data revealed a significant association between low serum levels of vitamin D and the risk of RAS (mean difference = – 8.73, 95% CI: – 12.02 to – 5.44, I2 = 94%, P &lt; 0.00001). Additionally, TSA findings indicated that the current studies surpassed the required information size, confirming that the differences were reliable.ConclusionThe available evidence suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may have a role in the pathogenesis of RAS. Therefore, evaluation of vitamin D should be considered in RAS patients. Additionally, the results support the possibility of using vitamin D supplements in the management of RAS patients with inadequate serum levels of vitamin D. Future interventional studies are required to evaluate the benefits of vitamin D replacement in prevention and treatment of RAS.
The effects of vitamin D on all-cause mortality in different diseases: an evidence-map and umbrella review of 116 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cao Mingyu , He Chunrong , Gong Matthew , Wu Song , He Jinshen 
Published: June 2023

PurposeTo conduct a solid evidence by synthesizing meta-analyses and updated RCTs about the effects of vitamin D on all-cause mortality in different health conditions.MethodsData sources: Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar from inception until 25th April, 2022. Study selection: English-language, meta-analyses and updated RCTs assessing the relationships between vitamin D and all-cause mortality. Data synthesis: Information of study characteristics, mortality, supplementation were extracted, estimating with fixed-effects model. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, and funnel plot was used to assess risk of bias. Main outcomes: All-cause mortality, cancer mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality.ResultsIn total of 27 meta-analyses and 19 updated RCTs were selected, with a total of 116 RCTs and 149, 865 participants. Evidence confirms that vitamin D reduces respiratory cancer mortality (RR, 0.56 [95%CI, 0.33 to 0.96]). All-cause mortality is decreased in patients with COVID-19 (RR, 0.54[95%CI, 0.33 to 0.88]) and liver diseases (RR, 0.64 [95%CI, 0.50 to 0.81]), especially in liver cirrhosis (RR, 0.63 [95%CI, 0.50 to 0.81]). As for other health conditions, such as the general health, chronic kidney disease, critical illness, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, sepsis, type 2 diabetes, no significant association was found between vitamin D and all-cause mortality.ConclusionsVitamin D may reduce respiratory cancer mortality in respiratory cancer patients and all-cause mortality in COVID-19 and liver disorders' patients. No benefits showed in all-cause mortality after vitamin D intervention among other health conditions. The hypothesis of reduced mortality with vitamin D still requires exploration.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=252921, identifier: CRD42021252921.
Associations of lifestyle with mental health and well-being in Chinese adults: a nationwide study
Authors: Wang Xue , Wu Yibo , Shi Xinji , Chen Yu , Xu Yahong , Xu Hongbo , Ma Yanan , Zang Shuang 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundA healthy lifestyle is beneficial to individuals’ health. However, little is known about the associations of lifestyle factors with mental health and well-being. This study examined the associations of lifestyle factors with mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, loneliness, perceived pressure, and self-rated health status) and well-being in Chinese adults.MethodsA nationally representative survey was conducted in China from 20 June 2022 to 31 August 2022. Data from the survey were analyzed using multiple linear regression to determine the associations of lifestyle with mental health and well-being in Chinese adults. Standardized regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple linear regression.ResultsThe survey included 28,138 Chinese adults. Multiple linear regression results showed that there were significant negative associations of lifestyle scores with scores of depression (β = −0.93, 95% CI: −0.98, −0.88), anxiety (β = −0.71, 95% CI: −0.76, −0.67), loneliness (β = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.24, −0.21), and perceived pressure (β = −0.19, 95% CI: −0.22, −0.16). Moreover, there were significant positive associations of lifestyle with self-rated health status (β = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.79, 2.20) and well-being (β = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.02).ConclusionThis study provides insight into the associations of lifestyle factors with mental health and well-being and highlights the importance of improving and maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors for favorable mental health and well-being.
Dietary biomarkers and food records indicate compliance to study diets in the ADIRA (Anti-inflammatory Diet In Rheumatoid Arthritis) trial
Authors: Wadell Anna Turesson , Bärebring Linnea , Hulander Erik , Gjertsson Inger , Landberg Rikard , Lindqvist Helen , Winkvist Anna 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundIn the ADIRA (Anti-inflammatory Diet In Rheumatoid arthritis) trial, compliance to the study diets has previously been described primarily with a score based on reported intake of trial foods from telephone interviews. The aim of this study was to evaluate compliance using objective dietary biomarkers for whole grain, fruit and vegetables, margarine and oil, seafood and overall fat quality, as well as reported intake from food records of key components of the study diets.MethodsFifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomized to begin with the intervention diet (rich in whole grain, fruit and vegetables, margarine/oil and seafood) or the control diet (rich in meat and high-fat dairy) for 10 weeks, followed by a ~ 4 months wash-out period, and then switched diet. Compliance was evaluated using plasma alkylresorcinols (AR) as biomarkers for intake of whole grain wheat and rye, serum carotenoids for fruit and vegetables, plasma linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6) and -α-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3) for margarine and cooking oil, plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3), −docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 22:6, n-3) and -docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-3) for seafood, and plasma fatty acid pattern for the overall dietary fat quality. Reported intake of whole grain, fruit, berries and vegetables, seafood, red meat, and fat quality was extracted from 3-d food records.ResultsPlasma AR C21:0 and C23:0, LA, EPA, and DHA were higher while total serum carotenoids were lower after the intervention diet period compared to the control diet period (AR and carotenoids: p = &lt;0.05, fatty acids: p = &lt;0.001). Reported intake of whole grain, fruit, berries and vegetables, and seafood was higher and reported intake of red meat was lower during the intervention diet period compared to the control diet period (p = &lt;0.001). Plasma- and reported fatty acid pattern differed as intended between the diet periods.ConclusionThis study indicates that the participants in the ADIRA trial were compliant to the study diets regarding intake of whole grain, cooking fat, seafood, and red meat, and the intended overall dietary fat quality. Compliance to instructions on fruit- and vegetable intake remains uncertain.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02941055?term=NCT02941055&amp;draw=2&amp;rank=1, NCT02941055.
Noise-robustness test for ultrasound breast nodule neural network models as medical devices
Authors: Jiang Jiaxin , Jiang Xiaoya , Xu Lei , Zhang Yan , Zheng Yuwen , Kong Dexing 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundDeep learning technology has been widely applied to medical image analysis. But due to the limitations of its own imaging principle, ultrasound image has the disadvantages of low resolution and high Speckle Noise density, which not only hinder the diagnosis of patients’ conditions but also affect the extraction of ultrasound image features by computer technology.ObjectiveIn this study, we investigate the robustness of deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for classification, segmentation, and target detection of breast ultrasound image through random Salt &amp; Pepper Noise and Gaussian Noise.MethodsWe trained and validated 9 CNN architectures in 8617 breast ultrasound images, but tested the models with noisy test set. Then, we trained and validated 9 CNN architectures with different levels of noise in these breast ultrasound images, and tested the models with noisy test set. Diseases of each breast ultrasound image in our dataset were annotated and voted by three sonographers based on their malignancy suspiciousness. we use evaluation indexes to evaluate the robustness of the neural network algorithm respectively.ResultsThere is a moderate to high impact (The accuracy of the model decreased by about 5%-40%) on model accuracy when Salt and Pepper Noise, Speckle Noise, or Gaussian Noise is introduced to the images respectively. Consequently, DenseNet, UNet++ and Yolov5 were selected as the most robust model based on the selected index. When any two of these three kinds of noise are introduced into the image at the same time, the accuracy of the model will be greatly affected.ConclusionsOur experimental results reveal new insights: The variation trend of accuracy with the noise level in Each network used for classification tasks and object detection tasks has some unique characteristics. This finding provides us with a method to reveal the black-box architecture of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems. On the other hand, the purpose of this study is to explore the impact of adding noise directly to the image on the performance of neural networks, which is different from the existing articles on robustness in the field of medical image processing. Consequently, it provides a new way to evaluate the robustness of CAD systems in the future.
Effect of traditional Chinese medicine on postoperative depression of breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yan , Liu Suying , Zhang Ying , Zhu Guanghui , Wang Heping , Xu Bowen , Xie Yi , Yang Shuhan 
Published: June 2023

Background: Depression is one of the common complications in patients with postoperative breast cancer (BC). Conventional therapies for postoperative depression of BC always have modest treatment outcomes and undesirable side effects. Clinical practice and many studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a good effect on postoperative depression of BC. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the clinical effect of TCM as an add-on treatment for postoperative depression of BC.Methods: A systematic and thorough search was conducted on eight online electronic databases up to 20 July 2022. The control group received conventional therapies, and intervention groups received what control groups received plus TCM treatment. Review Manager 5.4.1 was used for statistical analysis.Results: Nine RCTs involved 789 participants who met the inclusion standards. The results showed the intervention group was better at decreasing the score of the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) (mean difference, MD = −4.21, 95% CI −5.54 to −2.88) and the self-rating depression scale (SDS) (MD = −12.03, 95% CI −15.94 to −8.13), improving clinical efficacy (RR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.14–1.37), increasing the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (MD = 0.27, 95% CI 0.20–0.34), dopamine (DA) (MD = 26.28, 95% CI 24.18–28.77), and norepinephrine (NE) (MD = 11.05, 95% CI 8.07–14.04), and influencing the immune index, including the levels of CD3+ (MD = 15.18, 95% CI 13.61–16.75), CD4+ (MD = 8.37, 95% CI 6.00–10.74), and CD4+/CD8+ (MD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.27–0.39). The level of CD8+ (MD = −4.04, 95% CI −11.98 to 3.99) had no obvious difference between the two groups.Conclusion: The meta‐analysis stated that a therapeutic regimen involving TCM could better improve the depression status in postoperative BC.
The role of catastrophizing and basic psychological needs satisfaction on health-related quality of life and pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Ionescu Daniela , Iacob Claudia Iuliana , Brehar Felix Mircea , Avram Eugen 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionLumbar disc herniation (LDH) is one of the most common conditions associated with functional disability, affecting patients’ quality of life (QOL). Disability can be affected by cognitive factors, such as pain catastrophizing. Similarly, unfulfilled basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness) are associated with biases in pain perception and QOL. Using the fear-avoidance model and the self-determination theory, this study investigates: (1) the separate contribution of pain-related variables and basic psychological needs satisfaction in predicting QOL in patients proposed for LDH surgery; (2) pre- and post-surgical differences in pain catastrophizing and basic psychological needs satisfaction.MethodsFirst, we used hierarchical regression on 193 patients (Mage = 46.10, SDage = 11.40) to identify predictors of QOL. Second, we performed paired t-tests on 55 patients to investigate pre- and post-surgical differences in pain catastrophizing and basic psychological needs satisfaction.ResultsHierarchical regression showed that the model predicts 27% of the variance in QOL; medium pain level, age, pain catastrophizing, and basic psychological needs satisfaction were significant predictors. Also, pain catastrophizing significantly decreased after surgery [t (54) = 6.07, p &lt; 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.81], but basic psychological needs satisfaction did not modify significantly.DiscussionThis research confirms the importance of pain perception and pain catastrophizing for LDH patients’ QOL and broadens the applicability of the self-determination theory for spinal patients.
Mental health at different stages of cancer survival: a natural language processing study of Reddit posts
Authors: Podina Ioana R. , Bucur Ana-Maria , Todea Diana , Fodor Liviu , Luca Andreea , Dinu Liviu P. , Boian Rareș F. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to use text-based social media content analysis from cancer-specific subreddits to evaluate depression and anxiety-loaded content. Natural language processing, automatic, and lexicon-based methods were employed to perform sentiment analysis and identify depression and anxiety-loaded content.MethodsData was collected from 187 Reddit users who had received a cancer diagnosis, were currently undergoing treatment, or had completed treatment. Participants were split according to survivorship status into short-term, transition, and long-term cancer survivors. A total of 72524 posts were analyzed across the three cancer survivor groups.ResultsThe results showed that short-term cancer survivors had significantly more depression-loaded posts and more anxiety-loaded words than long-term survivors, with no significant differences relative to the transition period. The topic analysis showed that long-term survivors, more than other stages of survivorship, have resources to share their experiences with suicidal ideation and mental health issues while providing support to their survivor community.DiscussionThe results indicate that Reddit texts seem to be an indicator of when the stressor is active and mental health issues are triggered. This sets the stage for Reddit to become a platform for screening and first-hand intervention delivery. Special attention should be dedicated to short-term survivors.
From economic difficulties to psychological maladjustment in Italian women during the Covid-19 pandemic: does marital dissatisfaction moderate or mediate this association?
Authors: Camisasca Elena , Covelli Venusia , Cafagna Dario , Manzoni Gian Mauro , Cantoia Manuela , Bavagnoli Alessandra , Crescenzo Pietro , Marsicovetere Vincenzo , Pesce Mario , Visco Marina Angela 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionThe empirical study about the negative impact of economic difficulties due to Covid- 19 on the psychological well-being of Italian women by considering perceived stress and marital satisfaction is an area worthy of investigation. The study explored these variables by hypothesizing that marital satisfaction (DAS) could moderate or mediate the links between economic difficulties, perceived stress (PSS), and psychological maladjustment (PGWBI).MethodsA total of 320 Italian women completed an online survey about the study’s variables during the lockdown period. Women’s perceptions of economic difficulties due to COVID- 19 restrictions were detected through an ad-hoc specific question. Perceived stress, marital satisfaction and psychological maladjustment were assessed by standardized questionnaires (Perceived Stress Scale 10, Dyadic Satisfaction Scale and Psychological General Well-being Inventory).Results39.7% of women who answered the online survey said that the Covid-19 significantly impacted their family income. Results indicated that marital satisfaction did not moderate the associations investigated. Conversely, data showed how economic difficulties (X) predicted lower psychological maladjustment through the mediation of perceived Stress (M1), which, in turn, was associated with higher levels of marital dissatisfaction (M2).ConclusionThe results of the present study confirm the significant role of marital dissatisfaction in explaining the indirect effects of economic difficulties on psychological maladjustment in women. In particular, they indicated a significant spillover effect which transmitted strains experienced in one domain (economic difficulties) to another (the dissatisfaction of the couple), which in turn affected the psychological maladjustment.