bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors on postprandial glucagon level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chai Shangyu , Zhang Ruya , Zhang Ye , Carr Richard David , Zheng Yiman , Rajpathak Swapnil , Ji Linong 
Published: October 2022

AimsHyperglucagonemia occurs in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this meta-analysis, we summarized the effects of DPP4 inhibitors on glucagon levels in patients with T2DM.Materials and methodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the influence of DPP4 inhibitors on circulating glucagon levels with placebo or other oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in patients with T2DM were identified by searches of Medline (PubMed), Embase (Ovid), and CENTER (Cochrane Library). Only studies reporting changes in glucagon level presented as total area under the curve (AUCglucagon) using a meal or oral glucose tolerance test were included. Results were combined using a random-effects model that incorporated potential heterogeneity among the included studies.ResultsA total of 36 RCTs with moderate to high quality were included. Overall, the numbers of T2DM patients included for the meta-analyses comparing DPP4 inhibitors with placebo and other OADs were 4266 and 1652, respectively. Compared to placebo, DPP4 inhibitors significantly reduced circulating glucagon levels (standard mean difference [SMD]: -0.32, 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.24, P&lt;0.001; I2 = 28%). Analysis of subgroups revealed that study characteristics had no significant effect on results, such as study design (parallel group or crossover), number of patients, mean patient age, proportion of men, baseline HbA1c, duration of diabetes, background therapy, treatment duration, or methods for glucagon measurement (all P for subgroup differences &gt;0.05). Moreover, DPP4 inhibitors significantly reduced glucagon levels compared to other OADs (SMD: -0.35, 95% CI: -0.53 to -0.16, P&lt;0.001; I2 = 66%), and the reduction in glucagon was greater in comparison with insulin secretagogues than in comparison with non-insulin secretagogues (P for subgroup difference =0.03).Systematic review registrationhttps://inplasy.com/, identifier INPLASY202280104.ConclusionsDPP4 inhibitors are effective at reducing the circulating postprandial glucagon level in T2DM patients.
Characterization and risk assessment of soil around waste rock heaps affected by acid rock drainage in an abandoned pyrite mining area
Authors: Tong Lizhi , Peng Xiangqin , Chen Di , Chen Yanzhi , Wen Yong , Wang Wei , Liu Xiaowen 
Published: October 2022

Acid rock drainage (ARD) is one of the most serious and potentially lasting environmental issues for the mining industry. Many researchers investigated the impact of ARD on downstream farmland, but few focused on the soil properties change around waste rock heaps. In this study, a total of 119 soil samples were taken around the 35 waste rock heaps which are scattered in 12 mining sites in an abandoned pyrite mining area (Baihe County, Northwest China). Both rainy and dry seasons of ARD were collected from the discharge outlet of each mining site. The bulk levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, and F, in waste rock, soil, and ARD samples were analyzed. Leaching concentration and chemical speciation of these PTEs in soils were further investigated. The results show that the ARD had very high pollution loads of PTEs both in the rainy season and dry season, continuously exporting pollutants to the surrounding soils. More than 70% of the soil samples were acidic (pH&lt;5.5). The bulk of As in 17 soil surface samples exceeded the risk control limit specified in China (60 mg/kg), while the leaching concentrations of As and other PTEs in soil were far below the regulated limits. According to the sequential extraction results, the residual fraction of As, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ni in the soil accounted for over 90%, indicating these metals were possibly retained by the silicate matrix. Considering the relatively low bioavailability of PTEs and limited exposure routes, the human health risk of the soil surrounding the waste heap is generally acceptable. This research work provides a more comprehensive understanding of the properties and effects of ARD in the pyrite mining area which is conducive to the development of a sustainable control strategy of environmental pollution in typical mining regions.
The panorama of public officials’ meeting trips after the COVID-19 pandemic: Impact level, recovery, and prospects
Authors: Pedreira Junior Jorge Ubirajara , Galindo Ernesto Pereira , Batista Augusto Herrmann , Pitombo Cira Souza , Rodrigues da Silva Antonio Nelson 
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about considerable changes to human mobility. Although circulation restrictions are being lifted worldwide following the mitigation of the crisis, the understanding of its long-term effects is still limited. This paper addresses the situation of business meeting trips made by public officials in Brazil by gauging the level shift in the number of trips, the pace of recovery in the aftermath and whether there is any perspective of returning to a pre-pandemic baseline in the near future. To answer these questions, more than 420,000 trips comprising 5 years of operation of the “TaxiGov” ridesourcing system were evaluated in the framework of a dynamic regression model based on an Interrupted Time Series analysis with Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average errors. We found that the baseline level of meeting trips plummeted more than 80% with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented effect that was not matched by any major external shock in recent human history. Based on a counterfactual scenario, more than 138,000 expected trips did not occur considering only the first year of the pandemic (April 2020 to March 2021), which is roughly three times as much as the actual number of trips in the same period. Furthermore, based on the time series’ characteristics, a forecast for the following year indicates that the number of business trips will be still behind the baseline figures of 2018 and 2019. We provide solid evidence that the COVID-19 might have produced longstanding (and perhaps irreversible) effects in business meeting trips in the Brazilian public sector. Important policies implemented throughout this period, such as the regulation of teleworking in the public sector, and the incorporation of new working habits after an extended period of adaptation are probably the main reasons behind these findings. Finally, we emphasize that the reduced environmental impacts ensuing from this decreased mobility could be further expanded by substituting car trips with microbus/van lines serving the main origin-destination trip pairs or by adding ridesharing/carpooling options within the existing ride sourcing system.
Pain reduction in fibromyalgia syndrome through pairing transcranial direct current stimulation and mindfulness meditation: A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled pilot clinical trial
Authors: Ramasawmy Perianen , Khalid Sarah , Petzke Frank , Antal Andrea 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundThis double-blinded, randomized and sham-controlled pilot clinical trial aimed to investigate the preliminary clinical efficacy and feasibility of combining mindfulness meditation (MM) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for pain and associated symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).MethodsIncluded FMS patients (age: 33 to 70) were randomized to three different groups to receive either ten daily sessions of anodal tDCS over the left primary motor cortex paired with MM for 20 min (active + MM, n = 10), sham tDCS combined with MM (sham + MM, n = 10) or no intervention (NoT, n = 10). Patients in the bimodal therapy groups received a week of training in MM prior to the stimulation. Participants reported pain intensity, the primary outcome, by filling in a pain diary daily throughout the whole study. They were also evaluated for quality of life, pressure pain sensitivity, psychological wellbeing, sleep quality and sleep quantity. Assessments were performed at three time points (baseline, immediately after treatment and one-month follow-up).ResultsParticipants in the active + MM group did not exhibit reduced pain intensity following the bimodal therapy compared to controls. Patients in active group demonstrated clinically meaningful and significantly higher quality of life following the therapeutic intervention than other groups. There was no significant difference among groups regarding pressure pain sensitivity, sleep parameters and psychological scales. The combined treatment was well tolerated among participants, with no serious adverse effects.ConclusionThis study was the first to pair these two effective non-pharmacological therapies for pain management in FMS. In the light of an underpowered sample size, repetitive anodal tDCS combined with MM did not improve pain or FMS-associated symptoms. However, patients in the active + MM group reported higher quality of life than the control groups. Studies with more participants and longer follow-ups are required to confirm our findings.Clinical trial registration[www.drks.de], identifier [DRKS00023490].
The Ifng antisense RNA 1 (IFNG-AS1) and growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) are novel diagnostic and prognostic markers involved in childhood ITP
Authors: Ali Marwa A. , Hussein Sherin Khamis , Khalifa Abeer A. , El Amin Ali Amani M. , Farhan Marwa S. , Ibrahim Amin Amal A. , Mohamed Esam Ali 
Published: October 2022

Background/aim:IFNG-AS1 is a long noncoding RNA that works as an enhancer for the Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) transcript. GAS5 (growth arrest-specific 5) is a lncRNA that is associated with glucocorticoid resistance. Aberrant expressions of IFNG-AS1 and GAS5 are directly linked to numerous autoimmune disorders but their levels in childhood ITP are still obscure. This study aims to elucidate expressions of target lncRNAs in childhood ITP and their association with pathophysiology and clinical features of the disease as well as their association with types and treatment responses.Method: The fold changes of target lncRNAs in blood samples from children with ITP and healthy controls were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).Results: There were overexpressed lncRNAs IFNG-AS1 and GAS5 in serum of childhood ITP patients [(median (IQR) = 3.08 (0.2–22.39) and 4.19 (0.9–16.91) respectively, Also, significant higher IFNG-AS1 and GAS5 (p &lt; 0.05) were present in persistent ITP (3–12 months) [ median (IQR) = 4.58 (0.31–22.39) and 3.77 (0.87–12.36) respectively] or chronic ITP (&gt;12 months) [ median (IQR) = 5.6 (0.25–12.59) and 5.61 (1.15–16.91) respectively] when compared to newly diagnosed &lt;3 months patients [IFNG-AS1 median (IQR) = 1.21 (0.2–8.95), and GAS5 median (IQR) = 1.07 (0.09–3.55)]. Also, significant higher lncRNAs IFNG-AS1 and GAS5 were present in patients with partial response to treatment [IFNG-AS1 median (IQR) = 4.15 (0.94–19.25), and GAS5 (median (IQR) = 4.25 (0.81–16.91)] or non-response [IFNG-AS1 median (IQR) = 4.19 (1.25–22.39) and GAS5 median (IQR) = 5.11 (2.34–15.27)] when compared to patients who completely responded to treatment (IFNG-AS1 median (IQR) = 2.09 (0.2–14.58) and GAS5 (median (IQR) = 2.51 (0.09–10.33). In addition, following therapy, the expressions of IFNG-AS1 and GAS5 are significantly negatively correlated with platelet count.Conclusion: Findings suggest that lncRNAs IFNG-AS1 and GAS5 are novel diagnostic and prognostic genetic markers for childhood ITP that can aid in a precise prediction of the disease’s progress at the time of diagnosis and could be a useful tool for treatment planning.
Functional brain changes using electroencephalography after a 24-week multidomain intervention program to prevent dementia
Authors: Park Hee Kyung , Choi Seong Hye , Kim SeonMyeong , Park Ukeob , Kang Seung Wan , Jeong Jee Hyang , Moon So Young , Hong Chang Hyung , Song Hong-Sun , Chun Buong-O , Lee Sun Min , Choi Muncheong , Park Kyung Won , Kim Byeong C. , Cho Soo Hyun , Na Hae Ri , Park Yoo Kyoung 
Published: October 2022

Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) has proven useful in predicting the response to various treatments, but, until now, no study has investigated changes in functional connectivity using QEEG following a lifestyle intervention program. We aimed to investigate neurophysiological changes in QEEG after a 24-week multidomain lifestyle intervention program in the SoUth Korean study to PrEvent cognitive impaiRment and protect BRAIN health through lifestyle intervention in at-risk elderly people (SUPERBRAIN). Participants without dementia and with at least one modifiable dementia risk factor, aged 60–79 years, were randomly assigned to the facility-based multidomain intervention (FMI) (n = 51), the home-based multidomain intervention (HMI) (n = 51), and the control group (n = 50). The analysis of this study included data from 44, 49, and 34 participants who underwent EEG at baseline and at the end of the study in the FMI, HMI, and control groups, respectively. The spectrum power and power ratio of EEG were calculated. Source cortical current density and functional connectivity were estimated by standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography. Participants who received the intervention showed increases in the power of the beta1 and beta3 bands and in the imaginary part of coherence of the alpha1 band compared to the control group. Decreases in the characteristic path lengths of the alpha1 band in the right supramarginal gyrus and right rostral middle frontal cortex were observed in those who received the intervention. This study showed positive biological changes, including increased functional connectivity and higher global efficiency in QEEG after a multidomain lifestyle intervention.Clinical trial registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03980392] identifier [NCT03980392].
Presence of anti-nuclear antibody associated with worse clinical outcomes of anti-NMDAR encephalitis
Authors: Lei Chunyan , Li Yongyu , Li Haijiang , Zhu Xiaoyan , Jiang Wen , Chang Xiaolong 
Published: October 2022

PurposeSystemic autoantibodies are important for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, but their roles in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis are unknown. The purpose of our study is to investigate the characteristics and a prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis with the prevalence of autoantibodies.MethodsSystemic autoantibodies were evaluated in 64 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and 14 patients with autoimmune encephalitis with other forms. Then, according to systemic autoantibodies, patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were divided into an anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positive group and an ANA negative group. The clinical outcome was assessed by a modified Rankin score at 12 months after the disease onset.ResultsA total of 64 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were enrolled, of which 28.13% (18/64) were positive for ANA. The titers of a positive anti-NMDAR antibody in CSF (p = 0.041) and serum (p = 0.031) in the ANA-positive group were significantly higher than the ANA-negative group. Patients with ANA positive than those with ANA negative showed lower rates of headache (p = 0.047) and speech disorder (p = 0.049). The presence of ANA was associated with a worse clinical outcome at 12 months (p = 0.043).ConclusionANA was prevalent in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and associated with a worse prognosis and impaired neurological recovery.
Motor development in the first year of life predicts impairments in cognition and language at 3 years old in a Brazilian preterm cohort of low-income families
Authors: Panceri Carolina , Silveira Rita C. , Procianoy Renato Soibelmann , Valentini Nadia Cristina 
Published: October 2022

PurposeEarly identification of impairments is crucial to providing better care for preterm children, especially those from low-income families. The early motor assessment is the first step in monitoring their neurodevelopment. This study investigates if motor development in the first year of life predicts impairments in cognition and language at 3-year-old in a Brazilian preterm cohort.Materials and methodsData were collected in a follow-up clinic for high-risk infants. The Bayley Scales were used to assess children at 4, 8, 12, and 36 months of age, considering composite scores. Cognitive and language impairments were considered if scores were ≤85. Children (N = 70) were assessed at 4 and 36 months, 79 were assessed at 8 and 36 months, and 80 were assessed at 12 and 36 months. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the predictability of cognitive and language impairments, and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to analyze the sensibility and specificity of motor assessment and cognitive and language impairments.ResultsPoor motor scores at 8 and 12 months increased the chances of cognitive and language impairment at 3-year-old. The chance of cognitive impairment at 3-year-old increases by 6–7% for each point that the motor composite score decreases, and the chance of language impairment at 3-year-old increases by 4–5% for each point that the motor composite score decreases. No-significant results were found at 4-months. Adequate sensibility and specificity were found for language impairments considering 12 months scores and for cognitive impairments as soon as 8 months scores.ConclusionMonitoring preterm motor development in the first year of life helps to identify preterm children at risk for impairment in other developmental domains. Since preterm children from low-income families tend to demonstrate poorer neurodevelopment outcomes, these children need early assessment and referral to intervention to prevent school failures and support from public policies.
Dietary xenobiotics, (poly)phenols and fibers: Exploring associations with gut microbiota in socially vulnerable individuals
Authors: Zapico Aida , Arboleya Silvia , Ruiz-Saavedra Sergio , Gómez-Martín María , Salazar Nuria , Nogacka Alicja M. , Gueimonde Miguel , de los Reyes-Gavilán Clara G. , González Sonia 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesAlthough xenobiotics derived from food processing may cause modifications in the composition of the gut microbiota (GM) evidence is scarce. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of potential dietary carcinogens as heterocyclic amines (HAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrates, nitrites, nitroso compounds and acrylamide, in combination to fibers (poly)phenols on the GM composition in a group of materially deprived subjects.Study designTransversal observational study in a sample of 19 subjects recipients of Red Cross food aid. Dietary information was recorded by means of 3 non-consecutive 24 h recalls. Questions focused on the type of cooking and the extent of cooking and roasting were included. Information on potential carcinogens was mainly obtained from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and Computerized Heterocyclic Amines Resource for Research in Epidemiology of Disease (CHARRED) Carcinogen Databases. Microbial composition was determined by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing in fecal samples.ResultsHigher levels of Lachnospiraceae and Eggerthellaceae families were found in individuals consuming less than 50 ng/day of 2-amino-3,8 dimethylimidazo (4,5,f) quinoxaline (MeIQx) (considered as lower risk dose for colorectal adenoma) while those consuming more than 40 ng/day of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo (4,5,b) pyridine (PhIP) (higher risk for colorectal adenoma) showed lower relative abundance of Muribaculaceae and greater presence of Streptococcaceae and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group.ConclusionThe associations identified between diet and processing by-products on GM in this study could be used as potential targets for the designing of dietary interventions tailored to this collective.
Association study between hypothalamic functional connectivity, early nutrition, and glucose levels in healthy children aged 6 years: The COGNIS study follow-up
Authors: Diéguez Estefanía , Nieto-Ruiz Ana , Martín-Pérez Cristina , Sepúlveda-Valbuena Natalia , Herrmann Florian , Jiménez Jesús , De-Castellar Roser , Catena Andrés , García-Santos José Antonio , Bermúdez Mercedes G. , Campoy Cristina 
Published: October 2022

Breastfeeding (BF) is the gold standard in infant nutrition; knowing how it influences brain connectivity would help understand the mechanisms involved, which would help close the nutritional gap between infant formulas and breast milk. We analyzed potential long-term differences depending on the diet with an experimental infant formula (EF), compared to a standard infant formula (SF) or breastfeeding (BF) during the first 18 months of life on children's hypothalamic functional connectivity (FC) assessed at 6 years old. A total of 62 children participating in the COGNIS randomized clinical trial (Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02094547) were included in this study. They were randomized to receive an SF (n = 22) or a bioactive nutrient-enriched EF (n = 20). BF children were also included as a control study group (BF: n = 20). Brain function was evaluated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and mean glucose levels were collected through a 24-h continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device at 6 years old. Furthermore, nutrient intake was also analyzed during the first 18 months of life and at 6 years old through 3-day dietary intake records. Groups fed with EF and BF showed lower FC between the medial hypothalamus (MH) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in comparison with SF-fed children. Moreover, the BF children group showed lower FC between the MH and the left putamen extending to the middle insula, and higher FC between the MH and the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) compared to the EF-fed children group. These areas are key regions within the salience network, which is involved in processing salience stimuli, eating motivation, and hedonic-driven desire to consume food. Indeed, current higher connectivity found on the MH-IFG network in the BF group was associated with lower simple sugars acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (AMDRs) at 6 months of age. Regarding linoleic acid intake at 12 months old, a negative association with this network (MH-IFG) only in the BF group was found. In addition, BF children showed lower mean glucose levels compared to SF-fed children at 6 years old. Our results may point out a possible relationship between diet during the first 18 months of life and inclined proclivity for hedonic eating later in life.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT02094547.
Congenital medulloblastoma in two brothers with SUFU-mutated Gorlin-Goltz syndrome: Case reports and literature review
Authors: Chen Yufan , Zhang Haibo , Zhao Yang , Ma Jie 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundCongenital medulloblastoma is very rare, and many cases involve germline mutations that can lead to inherited syndromes. Here, we first report two brothers with congenital medulloblastoma who were diagnosed with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome caused by SUFU mutation.Clinical presentationMedulloblastoma was detected in two brothers at 2 and 3 months of age, with very similar imaging features. Genetic testing revealed that both children and their mother carried SUFU gene germline mutations, and both brothers were diagnosed with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome.ConclusionGorlin-Goltz syndrome-associated congenital medulloblastoma with SUFU germline mutation is very rare. Pathological types mostly involve desmoplastic/nodular or extensive nodularity; chemotherapy is the main treatment, and studies revealing prognostic data are scarce.