bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EPSTI1 as an immune biomarker predicts the prognosis of patients with stage III colon cancer
Authors: Wang Xitao , Cheng Wei , Zeng Xingzhi , Dou Xiaolin , Zhou Zhongyi , Pei Qian 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveThe poor prognosis and heterogeneity of stage III colon cancer (CC) suggest the need for more prognostic biomarkers. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in tumor progression. We aimed to explore novel immune infiltration-associated molecules that serve as potential prognostic and therapeutic targets.MethodsTME immune scores were calculated using “TMEscore” algorithm. Differentially expressed genes between the high and low TME immune score groups were identified and further investigated through a protein-protein interaction network and the Molecular Complex Detection algorithm. Cox regression, meta-analysis and immunohistochemistry were applied to identify genes significantly correlated with relapse-free survival (RFS). We estimated immune infiltration using three different algorithms (TIMER 2.0, CIBERSORTx, and TIDE). Single-cell sequencing data were processed by Seurat software.ResultsPoor RFS was observed in the low TME immune score groups (log-rank P &lt; 0.05). EPSTI1 was demonstrated to be significantly correlated with RFS (P &lt; 0.05) in stage III CC. Meta-analysis comprising 547 patients revealed that EPSTI1 was a protective factor (HR = 0.79, 95% CI, 0.65-0. 96; P &lt; 0.05)). More immune infiltrates were observed in the high EPSTI1 group, especially M1 macrophage and myeloid dendritic cell infiltration (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThe TME immune score is positively associated with better survival outcomes. EPSTI1 could serve as a novel immune prognostic biomarker for stage III CC.
Characteristic analysis of clinical trials for new traditional Chinese medicines in mainland China from 2013 to 2021
Authors: Zhou Yinghong , Yang Juan , He Yingchun , Lv Yinghua , Wang Chunli , Deng Hongyong , Huang Jihan 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveBased on the clinical trials registered on the platform for the registry and publicity of clinical drug trials of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), the registration and approval of clinical trials of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) in mainland China from 2013 to 2021 were reviewed.MethodsClinical trials of new TCMs published in Chinese were retrieved from the platform for the registry and publicity of clinical drug trials. The number of registered trials and approved trials, status of clinical trials, therapeutic area of clinical trials for the treatment of diseases, type of trial design, sample size, sponsors, and leading clinical trial centers were evaluated.ResultsFrom 2013 to 2021, a total of 965 clinical trials of new drugs applied in TCM were registered on the aforementioned NMPA platform, comprising 117 phase I trials, 586 phase II trials, 174 phase III trials, 40 phase IV trials, and 48 other clinical trials. The treatment fields included the respiratory system, alimentary tract and metabolism, genetic system and reproductive hormones, and cardiovascular system. Among the 760 phase II and phase III trials, 98.9% were randomized, 95.4% were double-blind, and 98.2% were parallel controlled trials, and the proportion of placebo-controlled trials increased year by year from 2013 to 2021. From 2013 to 2021, 123 new TCMs were approved in mainland China.ConclusionFrom 2015 to 2021, the number of registered clinical trials of new TCMs remained low. The approval rate was also low, but the clinical trial design was greatly improved.
Refraction development in anisometropic amblyopia with patching therapy
Authors: Chen Yao , Zuo Jingjing , Xiong Yue , Yu Xi , Wei Lili , Luo Yifan , Bao Jinhua , Chen Hao , Zhou Jiawei 
Published: October 2022

PurposeTo investigate the development of refraction in anisometropic amblyopia who had been with patching therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 37,528 medical records of the amblyopes who had been treated with patching therapy between July 2003 and January 2020 at the School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. We included unilateral anisometropic amblyopia with a follow-up length of not &lt; 2 years. In total, 371 cases were enrolled and followed up for a mean of 4.76 ± 2.11 years. The subjects were then divided into different groups and periods according to their initial spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the amblyopic eye. Linear mixed-effects models were fitted to calculate the annual change of SE.ResultsThe annual changes in SE were −0.32 (−0.35 to −0.30) and −0.16 (−0.19 to −0.14) D/yr for the amblyopic eye and the fellow eye, respectively. The annual changes in SE of amblyopic eyes during the treatment period and the successfully treated period were −0.36 (−0.43 to −0.29; 95% CI) and −0.27 (−0.32 to −0.23; 95% CI) D/yr, respectively; the annual SE changes of the fellow eye during the treatment period and the successfully-treated period were −0.07 (−0.14 to −0.01; 95% CI) and −0.18 (−0.22 to −0.14; 95% CI) D/yr, respectively.ConclusionThe amblyopic eye experienced a significantly greater degree of refractive error changes than the fellow eye and underwent a continuous refractive error reduction before and after 7 years old. After the patching therapy was terminated, emmetropization in the amblyopic eye remained synchronized, whereas the refractive error change was increased in the fellow eye.
Impactful publications of critical care medicine research in China: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Qiang Wei , Xiao Chuan , Li Zhe , Yang Li , Shen Feng , Zeng Lin , Ma Penglin 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundAlthough publications have been increasing rapidly, the research quality has yet to improve in the field of critical care medicine (CCM) in China. This study aimed at investigating the current status of and the influential factors for impactful publications in CCM research by Chinese authors.MethodsPublications by authors with the affiliation of critical care medicine department or intensive care unit (CCM/ICU) in Chinese as well as American hospitals from 2001 to 2020 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database for this bibliometric analysis. Moreover, statistical analyses to test factors affecting impactful publications by Chinese authors were performed.ResultsOf 13,487 articles retrieved by this search strategy, 6,622 were published by Chinese authors as first or corresponding authors. The annual publications by Chinese authors have been rapidly increasing from 2001 to 2020, and so did the citations to these articles. However, the proportion in the world of publications by Chinese authors was much less than that by American authors each year [M (IQR): 1.85 (9.592) vs. 27.77 (7.3), p &lt; 0.001]. In addition, impactful articles were significantly less published by Chinese than by American authors, including articles either in journals with a high impact factor (p &lt; 0.001) or in the top 10 journals in the field of CCM (5.4 vs 13.4%, p &lt; 0.001), and articles with high citation frequency as well (p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, the percentage of impactful publications by Chinese authors was likely associated with academic background and regions of the author's affiliations, funds support, public health events of COVID-19, and collaboration between authors.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that CCM research in China grew rapidly in the recent 20 years. However, the impactful publications remained limited, largely owing to the shortage of comprehensive research training, inactive collaboration, and underfunded CCM research.
Effect of pegylated interferon-α2b add-on therapy on renal function in chronic hepatitis B patients: A real-world experience
Authors: Peng Mei-Juan , Guo Xiao-Qing , Zhang Wei-Lu , Chen Jing , Kang Wen , Yang Xiao-Fei , Guo Ying , Zhang Ye 
Published: October 2022

Background and aimControversy remains as to pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFNα) antiviral therapy to renal function in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of PEG-IFNα2b (Y shape, 40 kD) add-on treatment for renal function in CHB patients who received entecavir therapy.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study to investigate factors related to renal function in 114 CHB patients who received PEG-IFNα2b add-on therapy to entecavir for 48 weeks. Changes of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (sCr), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which was calculated with both Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formulas, were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. A linear mixed effects model for repeated measures was used to assess the correlation between baseline information and eGFR changes at 24 and 48 weeks of therapy. The model considered the baseline age, gender, body weight, viral load, hepatitis B surface antigen, BUN, sCr, and treatment strategy as fixed effects and incorporated random effects for individual subjects.ResultsBUN and sCr was decreased, while eGFR was increased at 12 weeks of therapy. Only eGFR maintained at 24 and 48 weeks of therapy. Patients with female gender, age ≥ 40 years, and baseline HBsAg level &lt; 250 IU/mL showed significant improvement of renal function with PEG-IFNα2b add-on therapy. The linear mixed effects model revealed that female gender, baseline sCr, and PEG-IFNα2b add-on were significant positive predictors for eGFR elevation at 24 and 48 weeks of therapy.ConclusionIn real-world experience, PEG-IFNα2b add-on therapy might be associated with increased eGFR in CHB patients.
Research progress on the relationship between mitochondrial function and heart failure: A bibliometric study from 2002 to 2021
Authors: Qi Xiang , Zhu Zhide , Wang Yuhan , Wen Zhihao , Jiang Zhixiong , Zhang Liren , Pang Yan , Lu Jianqi 
Published: October 2022

Heart failure is one of the major public health problems in the world. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the relationship between heart failure and mitochondrial function. In the past 2 decades, a growing number of research papers in this field have been published. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the published literature on the relationship between MF and HF in the past 20 years by utilizing Microsoft Excel 2019, Biblio metric analysis platform, WoSCC database, VosViewer and Citespace. The results show that the papers have increased year by year and China and the United States are the leading countries in this field, as well as the countries with the most cooperation and exchanges. University of california system is the research institution with the greatest impacts on research results, and Yip H.K. is the author with more papers. The American Journal of Physiology-heart and Circulatory Physiology is probably the most popular magazine. At present, most of the published articles on mitochondria and HF are cited from internationally influential journals. The research focus includes oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis imbalance, mitochondrial quality control and mitochondrial dysfunction mediated by inflammation in the pathogenesis of HF. Targeted regulating of mitochondria will be the keynote of future research on prevention and treatment of HF.
Gender disparities in multiple sclerosis research and leadership: A Colombian perspective
Authors: Casallas-Vanegas Adriana , Guío-Sánchez Claudia , Reyes-Mantilla María I. , Restrepo-Aristizábal Carolina , Navas-Granados Angela , Guerrero-Gómez Alejandra , Zuluaga María I. 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundThe neurological academic field is an illustrative example of persistent gender-related disparities reflected in compensation, funding, leadership, promotion, publishing, and recognition. Several studies indicate that neurology is one of the most underrepresented specialties with female physicians as first authors, but also has one of the highest gender payment gaps. Neglecting the role of women in academic leadership positions hinders the visibility and recognition of research and leadership in multiple sclerosis (MS). Increasing diversity within academia has positive effects, such as widening focus and expanding the plurality of research outputs. The gender gap and visibility of female MS clinicians and researchers remains an unexplored research topic in our country despite the rising number of female neurologists.ObjectiveThis study aims to establish the gender distribution between researchers and clinical neurologists in multiple sclerosis in Colombia and raise awareness about gender disparities in this area.MethodsWe applied a cross-sectional survey study of Colombian neurologists and neurology residents currently members of the Colombian Neurology Association. Mean and standard deviation (SD) were used for quantitative variables and frequency for qualitative variables. To evaluate the influence of gender, logarithmic regression was used. Data were analyzed in SPSS 26.ResultsA total of 201 participants agreed to complete the survey, most of whom were female (n = 135, 67.2%). All the Colombian regions were represented in the survey. Of those surveyed, 31.5% (n = 64) had an interest in demyelinating diseases and MS, of which 46.8% (n = 30) were female. Of the women with MS training, only 50% (n =5) had more than three publications as the first author of a scientific article compared to men (n = 5, 83%). After adjusting the number of publications by gender, there were no significant differences between men and women (median 2.0[2, 1.21] vs. 2[2, 0.5], p = 0.904). However, only 16.6% (n = 5) of women had a visible academic, leadership, or teaching position compared with men 75.7% (n = 25). When adjusting the salary income by gender, we found a statistically significant difference between women and men (median 2.0 [5, 1.47] vs. 3 [5, 1.65], p = 0.006). Women in MS earned between USD 2,500 and 3,800 per month; while men earned between USD 3,800 to 5,070.ConclusionDespite a higher number of female neurologists trained in MS in Colombia, our data suggest considerable differences and gender gaps with regard to diverse opportunities at the academic, salary promotion, leadership, teaching, and recognition levels between male and female MS neurologists.
Isoflurane has no effect on cognitive or behavioral performance in a mouse model of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Borgstedt Laura , Bratke Sebastian , Blobner Manfred , Pötzl Christoph , Ulm Bernhard , Jungwirth Bettina , Schmid Sebastian 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundPatients with Alzheimer’s disease show a sex-dependent decline of cognitive and behavioral performance. It is controversially discussed whether general anesthesia itself can aggravate or even cause this neurocognitive decline. Therefore, we investigated the effect of general anesthesia on neurocognitive and behavioral function and amyloidopathy in a mouse model of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease with respect to sex.MethodsAfter governmental approval 10 months old Tg2576 mice and wild type (total 85 mice) either underwent general anesthesia with 1.0 minimal alveolar concentration of isoflurane for 2 h or were not exposed to isoflurane (controls). Following cognitive and behavioral testing using the modified hole board test (mHBT), brains were investigated regarding amyloidopathy, inflammation, and apoptosis. Data were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and univariate analysis of variance (UNIANOVA).ResultsTg2576 mice showed a decline in memory function (p &lt; 0.001), less anxiety (p = 0.022 and p = 0.024), increased locomotor activity (p = 0.025), and impaired fine motor skills (p &lt; 0.001). Amyloid precursor protein (p &lt; 0.001), soluble amyloid-beta (p &lt; 0.001) and insoluble amyloid deposits (p &lt; 0.001) were increased in Tg2576 animals. Neither sex nor exposure to isoflurane had an effect on cognitive or behavioral testing or expression of amyloid-related biomarkers.Discussion and conclusionWe found that 10 months old Tg2576 showed typical signs of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and corresponding histopathological alterations. Relevant sex-specific differences or an effect of isoflurane anesthesia could not be detected at this early stage of the disease.
The contribution of the left precuneus to emotion memory in migraine without aura patients
Authors: Li Meiqin , Li Xiaoshu , Zhu Wanqiu , Zhu Jiajia , Wang Haibao , Gao Ziwen , Wu Xingqi , Zhou Shanshan , Wang Kai , Yu Yongqiang 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundThe impact of migraine without aura (MWoA) on cognitive function remains controversial, especially given the sparse literature on emotional memory.MethodsTwenty seven MWoA patients and 25 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Emotional memory behavior was evaluated by combining incidental encoding with intentional encoding of five emotional categories of visual stimulus [positive valence + high arousal (PH), negative valence + high arousal (NH), positive valence + low arousal (PL), negative valence + low arousal (NL), and neutral (N)]. The recollection performance (Pr) was measured and compared. Then, the neural relevance was explored by correlating the Pr with gray matter volume (GMV) and resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) based on structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsNo significant differences in recollection performance or emotional enhancement of memory effect were observed. However, MWoA patients were more sensitive to the valence and arousal of emotional stimuli under incidental encoding. Significantly, the Pr-PH under incidental encoding and Pr-PL under intentional encoding were negatively correlated with the GMV of the left precuneus, and the rs-FC between the left precuneus and putamen was positively correlated with Pr-PL under intentional encoding in MWoA patients.ConclusionOur study demonstrated the tendency for the influence of migraine on emotional memory and revealed the left precuneus as a critical contributor to recollection performance, providing novel insights for understanding emotional memory and its neural mechanisms in MWoA patients.
Brain white matter hyperintensities in Kawasaki disease: A case–control study
Authors: Laukka Dan , Parkkola Riitta , Hirvonen Jussi , Ylikotila Pauli , Vahlberg Tero , Salo Eeva , Kivelev Juri , Rinne Jaakko , Rahi Melissa 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundCerebrovascular involvement of Kawasaki disease (KD) is poorly studied. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) indicate cerebral small vessel disease and increase the risk for stroke.PurposeTo investigate whether childhood KD is associated with WMHs and other cerebrovascular findings later in adulthood.Materials and methodsIn this case-control study, patients diagnosed with KD (cases) at our tertiary hospital between 1978 and 1995 were invited to brain magnetic resonance (MRI) between 2016 and 2017. Migraine patients (controls) with available brain MRI were matched with cases (ratio 4:1) by age (±2 years) and sex. Two blinded neuroradiologists evaluated independently cerebrovascular findings from the brain MRI scans. Modified Scheltens' visual rating scale was used to evaluate WMH burden and the total WMH volume was measured using manual segmentation.ResultsMean age [years, (SD)] at the time of brain MRI was 33.3 (3.8) and 32.8 (4.0) for cases (n = 40) and controls (n = 160), respectively (P = 0.53). Mean follow-up time for cases was 29.5 years (4.3). Total volume of WMHs (median) was 0.26 cm3 (IQR 0.34) for cases and 0.065 cm3 (IQR 0.075) for controls, P = 0.039. Cases had higher total WMH burden (P = 0.003), deep WMH burden (P = 0.003), and more periventricular WMHs (prevalence 7.5 vs. 0%, P = 0.008) than controls. Cases had greater risk of having total Scheltens' score ≥2 vs. &lt; 2 (odds ratio, 6.88; 95% CI: 1.84–25.72, P = 0.0041) and ≥3 vs. &lt; 3 (odds ratio, 22.71; 95% CI: 2.57–200.53, P = 0.0049). Diabetes type 1/type 2, hypertension, smoking status or hypercholesterolemia were not risk factors for WMH burden, p &gt; 0.1. Myocarditis at the acute phase of KD increased the risk for periventricular WMHs (P &lt; 0.05). Three cases (7.5%) and three controls (1.9%) had lacune of presumed vascular origin (P = 0.0096).ConclusionHistory of KD could be associated with an increased WMH burden. More studies are needed to confirm our results.
A structure-activity relationship analysis of anthraquinones with antifouling activity against marine biofilm-forming bacteria
Authors: Preet Gagan , Gomez-Banderas Jessica , Ebel Rainer , Jaspars Marcel 
Published: October 2022

Anthraquinones (AQs) are chemical scaffolds that have been used both naturally and synthetically for centuries in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and paint industries. AQs, such as citreorosein and emodin, are common additives in antifouling paints which help prevent the global issue of biofouling. To determine the antifouling potential of a family of structurally related compounds nineteen AQs (1–19), were tested for their microbial growth and biofilm adhesion inhibition activity against three marine biofilm forming bacteria, Vibrio carchariae, Pseudoalteromonas elyakovii and Shewanella putrefaciens. More than three-quarters of the tested AQ compounds exhibited activity against both V. carchariae and P. elyakovii at 10 μg/ml whilst exhibiting low antimicrobial effects. The most active compounds (1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 18, 19) were tested for their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) which highlighted that all the tested compounds were highly effective at inhibiting the biofilm growth of P. elyakovii at a very low concentration of 0.001 μg/ml. The variability in MIC for inhibiting the biofilm growth of V. carchariae was assessed by analysing the structure-activity relationships (SARs) between the AQ compounds, and the key structural features leading to improved biofilm growth inhibition activity are reported. Molecular docking analysis was also performed to assess whether interruption of quorum sensing in V. carchariae could be a possible mode of action for the antifouling activity observed.