bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary prediction of semen quality based on modifiable lifestyle factors by using the XGBoost algorithm
Authors: Zhou Mingjuan , Yao Tianci , Li Jian , Hui Hui , Fan Weimin , Guan Yunfeng , Zhang Aijun , Xu Bufang 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionSemen quality has decreased gradually in recent years, and lifestyle changes are among the primary causes for this issue. Thus far, the specific lifestyle factors affecting semen quality remain to be elucidated.Materials and methodsIn this study, data on the following factors were collected from 5,109 men examined at our reproductive medicine center: 10 lifestyle factors that potentially affect semen quality (smoking status, alcohol consumption, staying up late, sleeplessness, consumption of pungent food, intensity of sports activity, sedentary lifestyle, working in hot conditions, sauna use in the last 3 months, and exposure to radioactivity); general factors including age, abstinence period, and season of semen examination; and comprehensive semen parameters [semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive and total sperm motility, sperm morphology, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI)]. Then, machine learning with the XGBoost algorithm was applied to establish a primary prediction model by using the collected data. Furthermore, the accuracy of the model was verified via multiple logistic regression following k-fold cross-validation analyses.ResultsThe results indicated that for semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive and total sperm motility, and DFI, the area under the curve (AUC) values ranged from 0.648 to 0.697, while the AUC for sperm morphology was only 0.506. Among the 13 factors, smoking status was the major factor affecting semen volume, sperm concentration, and progressive and total sperm motility. Age was the most important factor affecting DFI. Logistic combined with cross-validation analysis revealed similar results. Furthermore, it showed that heavy smoking (&gt;20 cigarettes/day) had an overall negative effect on semen volume and sperm concentration and progressive and total sperm motility (OR = 4.69, 6.97, 11.16, and 10.35, respectively), while age of &gt;35 years was associated with increased DFI (OR = 5.47).ConclusionThe preliminary lifestyle-based model developed for semen quality prediction by using the XGBoost algorithm showed potential for clinical application and further optimization with larger training datasets.
Simple new technique for macular pucker peel without forceps
Authors: Lumi Xhevat , Petrovski Beáta Eva , Petrovski Goran 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to describe the effectiveness and evaluate the anatomical and functional results of surgery for macular pucker (MP) peel using a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) cutter without forceps.MethodsThis study assessed a prospective consecutive case series of 14 eyes of 14 patients who underwent 25-gauge PPV for MP. The surgical procedure was performed using the new peeling technique. The edge of the membrane was engaged at the opening of the cutter by gradually increasing the vacuum. The peeling process was finished by holding a stable vacuum or regrasping the membrane in the same manner.ResultsThe study included six women and eight men patients with a mean age of 72.3 (range 59–84) years. MP peel was achieved in all cases without the need for microforceps. Patients were followed for at least 6 months. Visual acuity and retinal thickness were obtained 6 months after the surgery. Best corrected visual acuity improved from a mean pre-operative 0.6 on a logMAR scale to post-operative 0.23 (P &lt; 0.001). Mean pre-operative Central Retinal Thickness was significantly reduced from 489.7 to 377.6 μm post-operatively (P &lt; 0.001). There were no intra- or post-operative complications.ConclusionMP peel with a 25-gauge vitrectomy probe could be an alternative simple and safe technique. The technique does not require extra instrumentation. It results in anatomic and functional improvement in all cases.
Construction and efficacy evaluation of an early warning scoring system for septic shock in patients with digestive tract perforation: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Peiling , Gao Jingqi , Li Jun , Yu Rongguo , Wang Ling , Xue Fangqin , Zheng Xiaochun , Gao Ling , Shang Xiuling 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveTo establish an early warning scoring system for septic shock in patients with digestive tract perforation (DTP) and evaluate its diagnostic efficacy.MethodsPatients with surgically confirmed or clinically diagnosed DTP admitted to the Department of Intensive Care Medicine of Fujian Provincial Hospital from June 2012 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. General demographic characteristics, perforation-related information, vital signs, common laboratory indicators, and common ICU scores (Glasgow Coma Scale score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score,Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score) were collected. The patients were divided into shock group and non-shock group according to whether the patients had septic shock during hospitalization. The risk factors of septic shock were screened by basic statistical analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to determine the cut-off value of the continuous indicators and discretized with reference to clinic, and the corresponding score was set according to the β regression coefficient of each variable.ResultsA total of 176 patients with DTP were included. The average age of the patients was 64.13 ± 14.67 years old, and 74.40% were males. The incidence of septic shock was 30.11% (53/176). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the highest heart rate≥105 beats/min, Glasgow Coma Scale score≤14 points, lactic acid≥5.75 mmol/L, procalcitonin≥41.47 ug/L, C-reactive protein≥222.5 mg/L were independent risk factors for septic shock in patients with DTP. The total score of clinical diagnostic scoring system of septic shock in patients with DTP was 6 points, including the highest heart rate≥105 beats/min (1 point), lactic acid≥5.75 mmol/L (two points), procalcitonin≥41.47 ug/L (one point), C-reactive protein≥222.5 mg/L (1 point), and Glasgow Coma Scale score≤14 points (1 point). The area under ROC curve (AUC) of this scoring system was 0.789 and the 95% confidence interval was 0.717–0.860 (P &lt; 0.001); when the optimal cut-off value was 2.5, the sensitivity and specificity were 54.70 and 87.80%, respectively.ConclusionThis new score system has its certain clinical value and has important guiding significance for clinicians to judge the prognosis of patients with DTP in time.
Infections and hospital bed-days among aging adults: A five-year retrospective study in a Belgian general hospital
Authors: De Cock Anne-Marie , Strens Danielle , Van Osta Peter , Standaert Baudouin 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundInfectious disease in aging adults (≥61 years) often occurs in combination with other health conditions leading to long hospital stays. Detailed studies on infection in aging adults investigating this problem are sparse.AimTo quantify the effect of primary and secondary diagnosed infections on hospitalization bed-days among aging adult patients.DesignRetrospective patient-file study.SettingZiekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen (ZNA) Hospital, a 1,858-bed general hospital in Belgium, with 364 beds allocated to geriatric patients.Data sourceDatabase of hospitalized adult patients aged ≥61 years.MethodsAll adult patients aged ≥61 years hospitalized on two wards, Geriatrics and Pulmonology, from 2010 to 2014 were included. Primary diagnosed infections were defined as infections known at entry to be treated first. Secondary diagnosed infections included infections known at entry but treated in parallel to primary non-infectious causes of entry, infections unknown at entry, and hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections. Data were analyzed by patient age, gender, year, ward type, bed-days of hospitalization, infection rates, and seasonality.ResultsThere were 3,306 primary diagnosed infections (18%) and 14,758 secondary infections (82%) identified in the two wards combined (54.7% of all hospital stays at those 2 wards). Secondary diagnosed infections accounted for a significantly higher proportion of hospitalizations in both wards (+40% for Geriatric ward; +20% for Pulmonology ward; p &lt; 0.001) and were associated with a significantly longer average hospital stay (+4 days for Geriatric ward; +5 days for Pulmonology ward; p &lt; 0.001). Nosocomial infections (12% for Geriatric ward; 7% for Pulmonology ward) were associated with particularly high bed-days of hospitalization, at approximately +15 days and +12 days on Geriatric and Pulmonology wards, respectively. Both wards showed marked seasonality for respiratory infections with winter peaks.ConclusionReal-world data showed that secondary diagnosed infections in aging adults imposed a high burden on hospital care along with longer hospital stays. This hampered bed availability during peak seasons.
Role of GABAA receptor depolarization-mediated VGCC activation in sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment in neonatal mice
Authors: Zeng Shuang , Zhu Ruilou , Wang Yangyang , Yang Yitian , Li Ningning , Fu Ningning , Sun Mingyang , Zhang Jiaqiang 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundIn neonatal mice, anesthesia with sevoflurane depolarizes the GABA Type A receptor (GABAAR), which leads to cognitive impairment. Calcium accumulation in neurons can lead to neurotoxicity. Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) can increase intracellular calcium concentration under isoflurane and hypoxic conditions. The underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.MethodsSix-day-old mice were anesthetized with 3% sevoflurane for 2 h/day for 3 days. The Y-Maze, new object recognition (NOR) test, the Barnes maze test, immunoassay, immunoblotting, the TUNEL test, and Golgi–Cox staining were used to assess cognition, calcium concentration, inflammatory response, GABAAR activation, VGCC expression, apoptosis, and proliferation of hippocampal nerve cells in mice and HT22 cells.ResultsCompared with the control group, mice in the sevoflurane group had impaired cognitive function. In the sevoflurane group, the expression of Gabrb3 and Cav1.2 in the hippocampal neurons increased (p &lt; 0.01), the concentration of calcium ions increased (p &lt; 0.01), inflammatory reaction and apoptosis of neurons increased (p &lt; 0.01), the proliferation of neurons in the DG area decreased (p &lt; 0.01), and dendritic spine density decreased (p &lt; 0.05). However, the inhibition of Gabrb3 and Cav1.2 alleviated cognitive impairment and reduced neurotoxicity.ConclusionsSevoflurane activates VGCCs by inducing GABAAR depolarization, resulting in cognitive impairment. Activated VGCCs cause an increase in intracellular calcium concentration and an inflammatory response, resulting in neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment.
Altered cerebral blood flow in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration
Authors: Liu Bing , Yang Aocai , Gao Wenwen , Chen Yue , Wang Yige , Liu Xiuxiu , Lv Kuan , Zhang Linwei , Ma Guolin 
Published: September 2022

ObjectivesSpinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) comprises a multitude of disorders with sporadic and hereditary forms, including spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Except for progressive cerebellar ataxia and structural atrophy, hemodynamic changes have also been observed in SCD. This study aimed to explore the whole-brain patterns of altered cerebral blood flow (CBF) and its correlations with disease severity and psychological abnormalities in SCD via arterial spin labeling (ASL).MethodsThirty SCD patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were prospectively recruited and underwent ASL examination on a 3.0T MR scanner. The Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) scores were used to evaluate the disease severity in SCD patients. Additionally, the status of anxiety, depression and sleep among all patients were, respectively, evaluated by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS). We compared the whole-brain CBF value between SCD group and HC group at the voxel level. Then, the correlation analyses between CBF and disease severity, and psychological abnormalities were performed on SCD group.ResultsCompared with HC, SCD patients demonstrated decreased CBF value in two clusters (FWE corrected P &lt; 0.05), covering bilateral dentate and fastigial nuclei, bilateral cerebellar lobules I-IV, V and IX, left lobule VI, right lobule VIIIb, lobules IX and X of the vermis in the cerebellar Cluster 1 and the dorsal part of raphe nucleus in the midbrain Cluster 2. The CBF of cerebellar Cluster 1 was negatively correlated with SARA scores (Spearman’s rho = –0.374, P = 0.042) and SDS standard scores (Spearman’s rho = –0.388, P = 0.034), respectively. And, the CBF of midbrain Cluster 2 also had negative correlations with SARA scores (Spearman’s rho = –0.370, P = 0.044) and ICARS scores (Pearson r = –0.464, P = 0.010).ConclusionThe SCD-related whole-brain CBF changes mainly involved in the cerebellum and the midbrain of brainstem, which are partially overlapped with the related function cerebellar areas of hand, foot and tongue movement. Decreased CBF was related to disease severity and depression status in SCD. Therefore, CBF may be a promising neuroimaging biomarker to reflect the severity of SCD and suggest mental changes.
Best Practice in the chemical characterisation of extracts used in pharmacological and toxicological research—The ConPhyMP—Guidelines12
Authors: Heinrich Michael , Jalil Banaz , Abdel-Tawab Mona , Echeverria Javier , Kulić Žarko , McGaw Lyndy J. , Pezzuto John M. , Potterat Olivier , Wang Jia-Bo 
Published: September 2022

Background: Research on medicinal plants and extracts derived from them differs from studies performed with single compounds. Extracts obtained from plants, algae, fungi, lichens or animals pose some unique challenges: they are multicomponent mixtures of active, partially active and inactive substances, and the activity is often not exerted on a single target. Their composition varies depending on the method of preparation and the plant materials used. This complexity and variability impact the reproducibility and interpretation of pharmacological, toxicological and clinical research.Objectives: This project develops best practice guidelines to ensure reproducibility and accurate interpretations of studies using medicinal plant extracts. The focus is on herbal extracts used in pharmacological, toxicological, and clinical/intervention research. Specifically, the consensus-based statement focuses on defining requirements for: 1) Describing the plant material/herbal substances, herbal extracts and herbal medicinal products used in these studies, and 2) Conducting and reporting the phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts used in these studies in a reproducible and transparent way.The process and methods: We developed the guidelines through the following process: 1) The distinction between the three main types of extracts (extract types A, B, and C), initially conceptualised by the lead author (MH), led the development of the project as such; 2) A survey among researchers of medicinal plants to gather global perspectives, opportunities, and overarching challenges faced in characterising medicinal plant extracts under different laboratory infrastructures. The survey responses were central to developing the guidelines and were reviewed by the core group; 3) A core group of 9 experts met monthly to develop the guidelines through a Delphi process; and. 4) The final draft guidelines, endorsed by the core group, were also distributed for feedback and approval to an extended advisory group of 20 experts, including many journal editors.Outcome: The primary outcome is the “Consensus statement on the Phytochemical Characterisation of Medicinal Plant extracts“ (ConPhyMP) which defines the best practice for reporting the starting plant materials and the chemical methods recommended for defining the chemical compositions of the plant extracts used in such studies. The checklist is intended to be an orientation for authors in medicinal plant research as well as peer reviewers and editors assessing such research for publication.
Acceptance and needs of medication literacy education among children by their caregivers: A multicenter study in mainland China
Authors: Xu Xiaolin , Wang Zhonglan , Li Xialei , Li Ying , Wang Yu , Wu Xuexin , Hao Lina , Wang Xiaoling 
Published: September 2022

Background: This study aims to investigate the needs of child caregivers for popular science about safe medication for children, to deeply explore the characteristics of child caregivers’ demand for safe medication and the shortcomings of current popular science work, and then to seek better coping strategies to ensure children’s safe medication.Methods: A questionnaire was designed based on Lasswell’s “5W” communication model to investigate the needs of child caregivers in terms of content, channels, and forms of popular healthcare science on the safe usage of children’s medication.Results: The primary ways caregivers receive popular healthcare science education concerning safe medication usage knowledge are through medical institutions, notification by medical staff, and personal media. The caregivers of children have a high demand for the presentation of text, pictures, and videos in three forms of popular healthcare science content. Caregivers placed significant importance on the popularization of safe medication usage for children. The survey results showed that the top 3 ways for caregivers to think that the quality of popular healthcare science content was “very good” came from medical institutions, medical staff notifications, and personal media, effectively increasing popular healthcare information accuracy. The intelligibility and pertinence of content expression are urgently needed within the caregiver population.Conclusion: Caregivers are very concerned about the popular science of safe medication for children, and are willing to learn about relevant content. Guided by the demand, we should actively disseminate accurate and easy-to-understand popular science about safe medication for children to caregivers through online or offline channels so as to promote safe medication for children.
Effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate infusion on mortality for elderly septic patients with acute metabolic acidosis
Authors: Huang Sai , Peng Yaojun , Wang Lili , Wang Jing , Zhou Xuan , Cui Xiang , Chen Li , Yang Bo , Feng Cong 
Published: September 2022

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate (SB) infusion on mortality in elderly septic patients with acute metabolic acidosis (MA) and in other subgroups.Methods: Retrospective analysis of a large ICU database (MIMIC-IV) was performed. Elderly septic patients with acute MA were identified from MIMIC-IV. Propensity score analysis (PSA) was performed to explain for the baseline differences in the probability to receive SB or not. The marginal structural Cox model (MSCM) was developed to adjust for both baseline and time-varying confounding variables. The primary outcome was the ICU and hospital mortality.Results: A total of 869 elderly septic patients with acute MA were identified in this study, including 361 in the SB group and 508 in the non-SB group. In the PSA, SB infusion was not associated with reduced ICU (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.62–1.10; p = 0.19) or hospital (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.74–1.19; p = 0.60) mortality in overall elderly septic patients with acute MA. In the subgroup of severe metabolic acidosis, SB infusion could not improve the ICU (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.62–1.10; p =0.19) and hospital (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.74–1.19; p =0.60) mortality on elderly septic patients. However, In the subgroup of moderate metabolic acidosis, SB infusion could be found associated with improved ICU (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43–0.95; p &lt;0.05) and hospital (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50–0.99; p &lt;0.05) survival in elderly septic patients. In the MSCM, the results were similar with PSA.Conclusion: SB infusion could improve both ICU and hospital survival for elderly septic patients with acute metabolic acidosis.
Isometric handgrip exercise impacts only on very short-term blood pressure variability, but not on short-term blood pressure variability in hypertensive individuals: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bertoletti Otávio A. , Ferrari Rodrigo , Ferlin Elton L. , Barcellos Ozi M. , Fuchs Sandra C. 
Published: September 2022

Background: The effect of a single isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) on blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) has not been addressed. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of IHG vs. sham on BPV and BP.Methods: Hypertensive patients using up to two BP-lowering medications were randomly assigned to IHG (4 × 2 min; 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, MVC, with 1 min rest between sets, unilateral) or sham (protocol; 0.3% of MVC). Systolic and diastolic BP were assessed beat-to-beat in the laboratory before, during, and post-intervention and also using 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). BPV was expressed as average real variability (ARV) and standard deviation (SD).Results: Laboratory BPV, ARV and SD variability, had marked increase during the intervention, but not in the sham group, decreasing in the post-intervention recovery period. The overall change in ARV from pre- to 15 min post-intervention were 0.27 ± 0.07 (IHG) vs. 0.05 ± 0.15 (sham group), with a statistically significant p-value for interaction. Similarly, mean systolic BP increased during the intervention (IHG 165.4 ± 4.5 vs. sham 152.4 ± 3.5 mmHg; p = 0.02) as did diastolic BP (104.0 ± 2.5 vs. 90.5 ± 1.7 mmHg, respectively; p &lt; 0.001) and decreased afterward. However, neither the short-term BPV nor BP assessed by ABPM reached statistically significant differences between groups.Conclusion: A single session of IHG reduces very short-term variability but does not affect short-term variability. IHG promotes PEH in the laboratory, but does not sustain 24-h systolic and diastolic PEH beyond the recovery period.
Development of breast muscle parameters, glycogen reserves, and myogenic gene expression in goslings during pre- and post-hatching periods
Authors: Dang De Xin , Zhou Haizhu , Lou Yujie , Liu Xiao , Li Desheng 
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to better understand the development patterns of breast muscle and glycogen reserves in goslings during pre- and post-hatching periods. The timepoints for sampling were embryonic days 23 and 27 of hatching and days 1, 4, and 7 post hatching. We found that the body weight of goslings increased with age. The small intestine developed with age and remained reasonably constant on day 4 post hatching. The breast muscle development decreased with age and stayed relatively stable on day 1 post hatching. The diameter of myofiber increased prior to hatching and then decreased while hatching. The development patterns of breast muscle glycogen reserves were similar to the diameter of myofiber. In contrast, the contents of liver glycogen began to decrease before hatching and then increased rapidly after hatching. Moreover, the expression of Myf-5 increased with age. The expression of MSTN was maintained at high levels prior to hatching, dropped immediately after hatching, and then gradually increased with age. Additionally, we also observed that the glycogen content in the breast muscle was positively correlated with the diameter of the myofiber. The liver glycogen content was positively correlated to the relative weight of the breast muscle, the diameter of the myofiber, and the breast muscle glycogen content. The development pattern of the myofiber was synchronized with the change in the MSTN/Myf-5 ratio. This study provided a profile to understand the development patterns of breast muscle, glycogen reserves, and myogenic gene expression in goslings, which was beneficial to understanding the characteristics of energy reserves during the early life of goslings.