bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Endometrial Thickness on Pregnancy, Maternal, and Perinatal Outcomes of Women in Fresh Cycles After IVF/ICSI: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liao Zhiqi , Liu Chang , Cai Lei , Shen Lin , Sui Cong , Zhang Hanwang , Qian Kun 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThin endometrium on ovulation triggering day is associated with impaired pregnancy outcomes in women after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI), but the role of thick endometrium on pregnancy outcomes remains controversial. Moreover, there has been insufficient evidence currently to analyze the influence of endometrial thickness (EMT) on obstetric complications and perinatal outcomes. Thus, we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of EMT on pregnancy, maternal, and perinatal outcomes in an enlarged sample size.MethodsThe databases Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Libraries, and Web of Science were searched for English articles evaluating the correlation between EMT and pregnancy, maternal, or perinatal outcomes in women who underwent IVF/ICSI. We included studies that depicted a clear definition of outcomes and EMT grouping on ovulation triggering day. The EMT effect was analyzed in fresh cycle. Qualities of studies were assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Odds ratios (ORs) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for analyzing dichotomous and continuous outcomes respectively, under a fixed or random effect model.ResultsA total of 22 pieces of literature were included for the final meta-analysis. A decreased trend towards pregnancy outcomes was observed, such as live birth rate (LBR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and implantation rate (IR) in the thin endometrium groups (EMT &lt;7 mm). In contrast, thick endometrium (EMT &gt;14 mm) had no effect on pregnancy outcomes compared to medium EMT groups (EMT 7–14 mm). Moreover, thin endometrium (EMT &lt;7.5 mm) enhanced the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, and decreased the birthweight (BW) of babies.ConclusionsOur studies indicated that thin endometrium not only had detrimental effect on pregnancy outcomes, but also increased the risk of HDP in women and SGA of babies, or decreased BW of babies. The thick endometrium does not have an adverse effect on IVF outcomes. Therefore, patients need to be informed on possible obstetric complications and perinatal outcomes caused by thin endometrium and are encouraged to actively cooperate with perinatal care.Systematic Review Registration(https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=242637), identifier CRD42021242637.
Type 1 Diabetes Patients With Different Residual Beta-Cell Function but Similar Age, HBA1c, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Have Differing Exercise-Induced Angiogenic Cell Mobilisation
Authors: Taylor Guy S. , Shaw Andy , Scragg Jadine H. , Smith Kieran , Campbell Matthew D. , McDonald Timothy J. , Shaw James A. , Ross Mark D. , West Daniel J. 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundMany individuals with type 1 diabetes retain residual beta-cell function. Sustained endogenous insulin and C-peptide secretion is associated with reduced diabetes related complications, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Lower circulating numbers of endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells (EPCs and HPCs), and the inability to increase the count of these cells in response to exercise, are also associated with increased diabetes complications and cardiovascular disease. It is unknown whether residual beta-cell function influences HPCs and EPCs. Thus, this study examined the influence of residual beta-cell function in type 1 diabetes upon exercise-induced changes in haematopoietic (HPCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).MethodsParticipants with undetectable stimulated C-peptide (n=11; Cpepund), 10 high C-peptide (Cpephigh; &gt;200 pmol/L), and 11 non-diabetes controls took part in this observational exercise study, completing 45 minutes of intensive walking at 60% V˙O2peak. Clinically significant HPCs (CD34+) and EPCs (CD34+VEGFR2+) phenotypes for predicting future adverse cardiovascular outcomes, and subsequent cell surface expression of chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and 7 (CXCR7), were enumerated at rest and immediately post-exercise by flow cytometry.ResultsExercise increased HPCs and EPCs phenotypes similarly in the Cpephigh and control groups (+34-121% across phenotypes, p&lt;0.04); but Cpepund group did not significantly increase from rest, even after controlling for diabetes duration. Strikingly, the post-exercise Cpepund counts were still lower than Cpephigh at rest.ConclusionsResidual beta-cell function is associated with an intact exercise-induced HPCs and EPCs mobilisation. As key characteristics (age, fitness, HbA1c) were similar between groups, the mechanisms underpinning the absent mobilisation within those with negative C-peptide, and the vascular implications, require further investigation.
Prognostic Model of Eleven Genes Based on the Immune Microenvironment in Patients With Thymoma
Authors: Yang Ying , Xie Liqing , Li Chen , Liu Liangle , Ye Xiuzhi , Han Jianbang 
Published: February 2022

Purpose: The pathogenesis of thymoma (THYM) remains unclear, and there is no uniform measurement standard for the complexity of THYM derived from different thymic epithelial cells. Consequently, it is necessary to develop novel biomarkers of prognosis estimation for patients with THYM.Methods: Consensus clustering and single-sample gene-set enrichment analysis were used to divide THYM samples into different immunotypes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between those immunotypes were used to do the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, Gene Ontology annotations, and protein-protein interaction network. Furthermore, the survival-related DEGs were used to construct prognostic model with lasso regression. The model was verified by survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve, and principal component analysis. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients of stemness index and riskscore, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and riskscore, drug sensitivity and gene expression were calculated with Spearman method.Results: THYM samples were divided into immunotype A and immunotype B. A total of 707 DEGs were enriched in various cancer-related or immune-related pathways. An 11-genes signature prognostic model (CELF5, ODZ1, CD1C, DRP2, PTCRA, TSHR, HKDC1, KCTD19, RFX8, UGT3A2, and PRKCG) was constructed from 177 survival-related DEGs. The prognostic model was significantly related to overall survival, clinical features, immune cells, TMB, and stemness index. The expression of some genes were significantly related to drug sensitivity.Conclusion: For the first time, a prognostic model of 11 genes was identified based on the immune microenvironment in patients with THYM, which may be helpful for diagnosis and prediction. The associated factors (immune microenvironment, mutation status, and stemness) may be useful for exploring the mechanisms of THYM.
Semiautomated and Automated Quantitative Analysis of Corneal Sub-Basal Nerves in Patients With DED With Ocular Pain Using IVCM
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wu Yaying , Li Wenbo , Huang Xiaodan 
Published: February 2022

PurposeInvestigate the correlation and agreement between the results of semiautomated and fully automated quantitative analysis of the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus (SNP) in patients with dry eye disease (DED) with ocular pain using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).MethodA total of 50 voluntary participants were enrolled in this study, i.e., 25 DED patients with ocular pain and 25 healthy controls. Each patient underwent an evaluation of ocular symptoms that utilized: the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS), the tear film breakup time (TBUT) test, the Schirmer test, corneal staining, and IVCM. Five SNP images of the cornea of each eye were selected and analyzed using a semiautomated analysis software (NeuronJ) and a fully automated method (ACCMetrics) to quantify corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), and corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL).ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the CNFD (0.460 [0.382–0.532], p &lt; 0.001), CNBD (0.608 [0.545–0.665], p &lt; 0.001), and CNFL (0.851 [0.822–0.875], p &lt; 0.001) represents the repeatability and consistency of measurements by the NeuronJ and ACCMetrics software. The CNFL values (r = 0.881, p &lt; 0.001) obtained using the two methods have extremely high correlation, and similarly, the CNFD values (r = 0.669, p &lt; 0.001) and CNBD values (r = 0.703, p &lt; 0.001) are highly correlated. The CNFL had the biggest area under the curve (AUC; 0.747 [0.700–0.793], p &lt; 0.001) when using ACCMetrics. In DED patients with ocular pain, the mean CNFD values for semiautomated and fully automated quantization were 23.5 ± 8.1 and 23.8 ± 8.6 n/mm2; the mean CNBD values were 46.0 ± 21.3, 35.7 ± 23.3 n/mm2; and the mean CNFL values were 19.3 ± 4.3 and 15.2 ± 3.8 mm/mm2, which were significantly lower than healthy subjects (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThere is a significant correlation between the measurements obtained via ACCMetrics and NeuronJ, especially for CNFL, which can be considered as the primary indicator in the diagnosis of DED with ocular pain. The SNP of the disease was significantly lower than that of healthy subjects.
Divergence Between Informant and Self-Ratings of Activities of Daily Living Impairments in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Becker Sara , Solbrig Susanne , Michaelis Katja , Faust Bettina , Brockmann Kathrin , Liepelt-Scarfone Inga 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo examine the agreement between self- and informant-reported activities of daily living (ADL) deficits in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients, and to examine factors influencing ADL ratings.BackgroundIn PD, the loss of functional independence is an important outcome of disease progression. The valid assessment of ADL function in PD is essential, but it is unclear to what extent informants’ and patients’ perceptions of their daily functions concur, and how other factors may influence both ratings.MethodsData of 150 PD patients who underwent cognitive and motor testing, as well as their informants were analyzed. The 10-item Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), completed separately by patients (FAQ-S) and their informants (FAQ-I), assessed ADL function. Weighted κ statistics summarized level of agreement, and a discrepancy score (FAQ-I – FAQ-S) quantified agreement. Correlation analyses between FAQ total scores, patient and informant characteristics, and cognitive scores were conducted, with post hoc regressions to determine the associations between both FAQ scores and cognition, independent of patient characteristics.ResultsThe sample included 87 patients with normal cognition, 50 with mild cognitive impairment, and 13 with dementia. Overall, there was fair to moderate agreement between patients and informants on individual FAQ items (0.27 ≤ κ ≤ 0.61, p &lt; 0.004), with greater discrepancies with increasing cognitive impairment. Patients’ age, motor severity, non-motor burden, and depression also affected both ratings (0.27 ≤ r ≤ 0.50, p &lt; 0.001), with motor severity showing the greatest influence on both ratings. Both the FAQ-I and FAQ-S were correlated with almost all cognitive domains. Post hoc regression analyses controlling for patient characteristics showed that the attention domain was a significant predictor of both the FAQ-S and FAQ-I scores, and memory was also a significant predictor of the FAQ-I score. Only 29.3% of patients agreed perfectly with informants on the FAQ total score, with informants most commonly rating ADL impairments as more severe than patients.ConclusionsPatient and informant ratings of ADL function using FAQ items showed moderate agreement, with only few items reaching substantial agreement. Ratings of both were associated with patient cognitive status, but also other characteristics. In addition to patient and informant reports, objective measures are needed to accurately classify ADL deficits in PD.
Drug-Coated Balloon for the Treatment of Nonacute Symptomatic Intracranial Carotid Artery Terminus Occlusion: Initial Experience and Follow-Up Outcome
Authors: Yin Hao , Zhang Jinping , Zhao Wei , Zheng Meimei , Song Yun , Sun Lili , Zhang Jun , Han Ju 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundStudies on the recanalization for occlusion of the internal carotid artery terminus are scattered. Recently, drug-coated balloon (DCB) has been increasingly applied in the intracranial artery occlusion and achieved encouraging results. However, there seems no convincing data for the nonacute symptomatic internal carotid artery terminus occlusion (sICATO).ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and effectiveness (safety) of DCB for patients with nonacute sICATO refractory to medical therapy.ApproachThis study included 30 patients with nonacute sICATO treated with DCBs and/or remedial stenting. The rate of successful recanalization, periprocedural complications, and clinical and vascular imaging follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsDrug-coated balloon (DCB) dilatation of nonacute sICATO gives a 100% rate of successful recanalization, with a low complication rate (10.00%), good clinical outcomes (86.20%), low restenosis/reocclusion rate (3.45%), and one asymptomatic ipsilateral infarction (3.45%).ConclusionDrug-coated balloon dilation seems to be the promising treatment option for nonacute sICATO considering its safety and feasibility.
Failure Patterns of Recurrence and Metastasis After Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Results of a Multicentric Clinical Study
Authors: Chen Sixia , Yang Dong , Liao Xueyin , Lu Ying , Yu Bin , Xu Meng , Bin Ying , Zhou Pingting , Yang Zhendong , Liu Kang , Wang Rensheng , Zhao Tingting , Kang Min 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to explore factors associated with recurrence and metastasis after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and provide evidence for NPC treatment.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed the treatment dose and survival outcomes of 645 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma without distant metastases treated with IMRT for the first time at three treatment centres in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, between January 2009 and December 2012.ResultsThere were 9.3% of patients (60/645) had recurrence and 17.5% (113/645) had distant metastasis 5 years after treatment. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year local recurrence rates were 0.9%, 6.5% and 9.0% respectively. And the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year distant metastasis rates were 3.4%, 10% and 17.2%, respectively. In the 60 patients with recurrence, the in-field, marginal-field, and out-field recurrence rates were 93.3% (56/60), 5.0% (3/60) and 1.7% (1/60), respectively. Recurrence failures occurring within the first three years after treatment accounted for 81.7% (49/60). In the 113 patients with metastasis, the size of the cervical lymph node, the presence of lower cervical lymph node metastasis, the residual cervical lymph node size and the time of residual cervical lymph node complete response (CR) were independent prognostic factors for DMFS (P &lt;0.05).ConclusionMost recurrences occured in the first three years after IMRT. In-field recurrence was the most common pattern for loco-regional failure of NPC treatment. The risk of distant metastasis was positively correlated with higher N stage, lower neck nodal metastasis, larger size of cervical lymph nodes, and longer time to response for residual NPC in cervical adenopathy.
Complicated Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Caused by SERAC1 Variants in a Chinese Family
Authors: Yan Dandan , Chen Shaopei , Cai Fengying , Shu Jianbo , Zhi Xiufang , Zheng Jie , Zhang Chunhua , Li Dong , Cai Chunquan 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe serine active site-containing protein 1 (SERAC1) biallelic variant usually causes MEGDEL syndrome, clinically characterized by increased excretion of 3-methylglutaconic in the urine, muscle hypotonia, sensorineural deafness, and Leigh-like lesions on brain MRI scans. In this study, we present a case from a Chinese family with disordered metabolism and dystonia owing to SERAC1 variants; the clinical phenotypes of the proband were different from those of MEGDEL syndrome but were similar to those juvenile-onset complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia. Thus, in this study, we aimed to confirm the relationship between SERAC1 variants and complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia.MethodsMRI and laboratory tests, including gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), were carried out for the proband. Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect the candidate SERAC1 variants. Variants were verified using Sanger sequencing. Various software programs (PolyPhen-2, MutationTaster, PROVEAN, and SIFT) were used to predict the pathogenicity of novel variants.ResultsBrain MRI scans showed a symmetric flake abnormal signal shadow in the bilateral basal ganglia in T2-weighted image (T2WI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) analyses. The excretion of 3-methylglutaconic acid was found to be increased in our GC/MS analysis. Whole-exome sequencing showed novel compound heterozygous variants, including a novel c.1495A&gt;G (p.Met499Val) variant in exon 14 of SERAC1 inherited from the father and a novel c.721_722delAG (p.Leu242fs) variant in exon 8 inherited from the mother. The pathogenicity prediction results showed that these two variants were deleterious.ConclusionsThis study presented a patient with complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia caused by SERAC1 variants. These findings expand the number of known SERAC1 variants and the phenotypic spectrum associated with SERAC1 deficiency. This study may contribute to counseling and prevention of hereditary diseases through prenatal.
Quercetin Administration Following Hypoxia-Induced Neonatal Brain Damage Attenuates Later-Life Seizure Susceptibility and Anxiety-Related Behavior: Modulating Inflammatory Response
Authors: Wu Yan , Wei Huiping , Li Pei , Zhao Hui , Li Ruifang , Yang Feiyun 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundNeonatal seizures commonly caused by hypoxia could lead to brain injury and cognitive deficits. Quercetin could cross the blood brain barrier and exerts neuroprotective effects in many neurological disease settings. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of quercetin in attenuating cognitive impairment following hypoxia-induced neonatal seizure (HINS).MethodSprague-Dawley rats at P7 were exposed to a premixed gas in a hypoxic chamber to induce brain injury, and then continuously administered with quercetin for 21 days. Pentylenetetrazol kindling was used to induce seizures in the evolution. After the hypoxic lesion was stablished, anxiety-related behavior of rats after HINS was assessed using open field test. Memory impairment of rats after HINS was evaluated using novel object-recognition test and elevated plus maze test. The serum and hippocampal concentrations of TNF-a, iNOS, IL-6 MCP-1, and IL-1β were measured using ELISA. The mRNA expression levels of TNF-a, iNOS, IL-6 in the hippocampus were determined using qRT-PCR. The protein levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, and p-NF-κB p65 in the hippocampus were determined using Western blot.ResultsQuercetin administration significantly reduced later-life seizure susceptibility, anxiety-related behavior, and memory impairments in the rats following the HINS when compared to the HINS group without treatment. Both serum and hippocampal proinflammatory cytokines levels were significantly elevated in the rat after HINS. TLR4 protein expressions were increased in the HINS group when compared to control group, and decreased in the group of quercetin. The protein level of p-NF-κB p65 was significantly lower in the quercetin group compared to the HINS group.ConclusionWe demonstrated that Quercetin significantly reduced susceptibility to later-life seizures. Quercetin could downregulate inflammatory response through TLR4/ NF-κB pathway, thereby attenuating HINS-induced anxiety, hippocampal memory impairment, and cognitive impairment in later life following HINS.
Avasimibe Alleviates Disruption of the Airway Epithelial Barrier by Suppressing the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhou Zicong , Liang Shixiu , Zhou Zili , Liu Jieyi , Meng Xiaojing , Zou Fei , Yu Changhui , Cai Shaoxi 
Published: February 2022

Avasimibe (Ava) is an acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) specific inhibitor and an established medicine for atherosclerosis, owing to its excellent and safe anti-inflammation effects in humans. However, its efficacy in asthma has not yet been reported. We first administered varying concentrations of avasimibe to house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthmatic mice; results showed that 20 mg/kg avasimibe most significantly reduced IL-4 and IL-5 production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total IgE in serum, and the avasimibe treatment also exhibited lower mucus secretion, decreased goblet and basal cells but increased ciliated cells compared to the HDM group. And the redistribution of adherens junction (AJ) proteins induced by HDM was far more less upon avasimibe administration. However, avasimibe did not reduce the cholesterol ester ratio in lung tissues or intracellular cholesterol ester, which is avasimibe’s main effect. Further analysis confirmed that avasimibe impaired epithelial basal cell proliferation independent of regulating cholesterol metabolism and we analyzed datasets using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and then found that the KRT5 gene (basal cell marker) expression is correlated with the β-catenin gene. Moreover, we found that β-catenin localized in cytomembrane upon avasimibe treatment. Avasimibe also reduced β-catenin phosphorylation in the cytoplasm and inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway induced by HDMs, thereby alleviating the airway epithelial barrier disruption. Taken together, these findings indicated that avasimibe has potential as a new therapeutic option for allergic asthma.