bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exposure to particulate pollutant increases the risk of hospitalizations for Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Zhang Tian-Ping , Dou Jing , Wang Li , Wang Shan , Wang Ping , Zhou Xiao-Hui , Yang Chun-Mei , Li Xiao-Mei 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveNumerous researches have reported the role of air pollution in the development of autoimmune diseases. However, few have evaluated the relationship between inhalable particulate matter (PM) exposure and Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). This study aimed to analyze the association between exposure to two particulate pollutants (PM2.5, PM10) and SS-related hospitalizations.MethodsDaily data were obtained on PM2.5 and PM10, meteorological factors, and hospital hospitalizations for SS between 2016 and 2021. The daily data on PM2.5 and PM10, meteorological factors, and the number of SS hospitalizations were collected between 2016 and 2021. A distributed lag non-linear model and a generalized linear model were established to explore the association between PM2.5 and PM10 exposure and hospitalizations for SS. Stratified analyses were performed to explore possible gender-, age-, and season-related differences in PM2.5 and PM10 effects.ResultsExposure to PM2.5 was related to the evaluated risk of hospitalizations for SS (RR=1.015, 95% CI: 1.001-1.029, lag 3 day), similarly, PM10 exposure had a statistically significant positive association with SS hospitalizations (RR =1.013, 95% CI: 1.001-1.026, lag 3 day). Stratified analyses found that exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited higher impact on SS-related hospitalizations in female patients and exposure to PM2.5 was also associated with the higher risk of SS-related hospitalizations in patients aged ≥ 65 years. In addition, exposure to PM2.5, PM10 in colder season were more likely to increase SS-related hospitalizations.ConclusionOur findings suggested that exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 were significantly linked to an elevated risk of hospitalizations for SS.
Structural, optical, and electrical properties of V2O5 thin films: Nitrogen implantation and the role of different substrates
Authors: Priya Bhanu , Jasrotia Priya , Kumar Arun , Singh Vinamrita , Jire L. Hmar Jehova , Kumar Raj , Kulriya Pawan Kumar , Kumar Tanuj 
Published: December 2022

This report investigates the effect of substrate and nitrogen (16 keV N+) ion implantation on the structural, morphological, compositional, and electrical properties of V2O5 thin films which are grown by thermal evaporation on various substrates, including glass, Si, and sapphire (termed V2O5:Gl, V2O5:Si, and V2O5:Sp, respectively). Structural analysis showed the formation of the mixed (α, and β-V2O5) phases on all substrates; however, the β-V2O5 phase is highly dominant in the V2O5:G and V2O5:Si samples. A deformation in the β-phase of V2O5 thin film under ion implantation-induced strain results in a change of crystallite size. Irradiation suppresses XRD peaks in relative intensities, indicating partial amorphization of the film with defect formation. Microstructural analysis confirmed the formation of uniform-sized nanorods for V2O5:Si, whereas isolated crystallites were formed for other types of substrates. Thermal conductivity may influence the size and shapes of V2O5 crystallite forms on different surfaces. Silicon absorbs heat more effectively than sapphire or glass, resulting in nanorod formation. A decrease in optical bandgap and electrical conduction has been observed due to increased oxygen vacancies, induced electron scattering, and trapping centres on N+ implantation. The present study thus offers the unique advantage of simultaneous reduction in optical band-gap and conductance of V2O5 thin films, which is important for optoelectronic applications.
Serum B-cell activating factor and lung ultrasound B-lines in connective tissue disease related interstitial lung disease
Authors: Wang Yukai , Xie Xuezhen , Zheng Shaoyu , Du Guangzhou , Chen Shaoqi , Zhang Weijin , Zhuang Jinghua , Lin Jianqun , Hu Shijian , Zheng Kedi , Mikish Angelina , Xu Zhuangyong , Zhang Guohong , Gargani Luna , Bruni Cosimo , Hoffmann-Vold Anna-Maria , Matucci-Cerinic Marco , Furst Daniel E. 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and lung ultrasound (LUS) B-lines in connective tissue disease related interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD), and their association with different ILD patterns on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of chest.MethodsWe measured the levels of BAFF and KL-6 by ELISA in the sera of 63 CTD-ILD patients [26 with fibrotic ILD (F-ILD), 37 with non-fibrotic ILD (NF-ILD)], 30 CTD patients without ILD, and 26 healthy controls. All patients underwent chest HRCT and LUS examination.ResultsSerum BAFF levels were significantly higher in CTD patients compared to healthy subjects (617.6 ± 288.1 pg/ml vs. 269.0 ± 60.4 pg/ml, p &lt; 0.01). BAFF concentrations were significantly different between ILD group and non-ILD group (698.3 ± 627.4 pg/ml vs. 448.3 ± 188.6 pg/ml, p &lt; 0.01). In patients with ILD, BAFF concentrations were significantly correlated with B-lines number (r = 0.37, 95% CI 0.13–0.56, p &lt; 0.01), KL-6 level (r = 0.26, 95% CI 0.01–0.48, p &lt; 0.05), and Warrick score (r = 0.33, 95% CI 0.09–0.53, p &lt; 0.01), although all correlations were only low to moderate. B-lines number correlated with Warrick score (r = 0.65, 95% CI 0.48–0.78, p &lt; 0.01), and KL-6 levels (r = 0.43, 95% CI 0.21–0.61, p &lt; 0.01). Patients with F-ILD had higher serum BAFF concentrations (957.5 ± 811.0 pg/ml vs. 516.1 ± 357.5 pg/ml, p &lt; 0.05), KL-6 levels (750.7 ± 759.0 U/ml vs. 432.5 ± 277.5 U/ml, p &lt; 0.05), B-lines numbers (174.1 ± 82 vs. 52.3 ± 57.5, p &lt; 0.01), and Warrick score (19.9 ± 4.6 vs. 13.6 ± 3.4, p &lt; 0.01) vs. NF-ILD patients. The best cut-off values to separate F-ILD from NF-ILD using ROC curves were 408 pg/ml for BAFF (AUC = 0.73, p &lt; 0.01), 367 U/ml for KL-6 (AUC = 0.72, p &lt; 0.05), 122 for B-lines number (AUC = 0.89, p &lt; 0.01), and 14 for Warrick score (AUC = 0.87, p &lt; 0.01) respectively.ConclusionSerum BAFF levels and LUS B-lines number could be useful supportive biomarkers for detecting and evaluating the severity and/or subsets of CTD-ILD. If corroborated, combining imaging, serological, and sonographic biomarkers might be beneficial and comprehensive in management of CTD-ILD.
Effect and safety of drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets (II) for dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shi Jinghua , Leng Jinhua 
Published: December 2022

AimThis systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Drospirenone and Ethinylestradiol Tablets (II) in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.MethodsElectronic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, Science, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP, were searched before September 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and single-arm studies were included. Furthermore, the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Systematic Reviews version 1 was used for the risk of bias assessment on RCTs. The Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool was used for risk of bias assessment on non-randomized studies. The risk ratio (RR) was calculated for dichotomous data. Mean difference (MD) or standardized MD (SMD) were used as the effect size for continuous data.ResultsA total of 11 studies involving 2,251 participants with dysmenorrhea were included. When Drospirenone and Ethinylestradiol Tablets (II) conventional 24/4-day regimen was compared with placebo, the total efficiency rate (defined as pain symptom disappearing or being relieved) in Drospirenone and Ethinylestradiol Tablets (II) 24/4-day regimen group was higher than in placebo group (RR = 5.55, 95%CI: 2.48–12.39, P &lt; 0.0001). No clear differences were found on risk of overall adverse events or specific adverse events. When Drospirenone and Ethinylestradiol Tablets (II) was compared with active control drugs, no clear differences were found on the total efficiency rate or visual analog scale (VAS) scores for dysmenorrhea and other related pain. The risk of overall adverse events decreased in Drospirenone and Ethinylestradiol Tablets (II) conventional 24/4-day regimen (13/53 vs. 66/148, RR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.33–0.91) when compared with active control drugs group. When Drospirenone and Ethinylestradiol Tablets (II) flexible extended regimen was compared with conventional 24/4-day regimen, the number of days of dysmenorrhea (MD=−3.98, 95%CI: −5.69 to −2.27), and dysmenorrhea associated with unscheduled bleedings (MD = −1.6, 95%CI: −2.8 to −0.5), were fewer in flexible extended regimen. In addition, there were no differences found on risk of adverse events (including mood changes, spotting, headache, breast pain, nausea, and vomiting) between compared groups (P &gt; 0.05).ConclusionDrospirenone and Ethinylestradiol Tablets (II) could improve symptoms of dysmenorrhea and decrease other related pain symptoms. More high-quality evidence is needed to confirm the advantages.Systematic review registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021271605], identifier [CRD42021271605].
Development of NMDA receptors contributes to the enhancement of electroencephalogram oscillations under volatile anesthetics in rats
Authors: Zhang Mingyue , Chen Yali , Liu Jin , Yang Yaoxin , Wang Rurong , Zhang Donghang , Zhu Tao 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundVolatile anesthetics including sevoflurane and isoflurane enhance oscillations of cortical electroencephalogram (EEG), partly by their modulations on glutamate-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission. Expression of NMDA receptors is increased during neonatal development. However, how the development of NMDA receptors influences EEG under volatile anesthesia remains unclear.MethodsExpressions of NMDA receptor subtypes (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B) during neonatal development were measured by Western blotting. MAC (minimal alveolar concentration) of isoflurane and sevoflurane that inducing loss of righting reflex (LORR) and no response to tail-clamp (immobility) were measured to verify the effect of NR1 expression on anesthetic potency during neonatal development. Cortical electroencephalogram recording was used to examine the influence of NR1 expression on the power density of EEG.ResultsThe expressions of GluNR1, GluNR2A and GluNR2B receptors were gradually increased during neonatal development in cortex, hippocampus and thalamus of rats. Knockdown of NR1 enhanced the sedative potency of volatile anesthetics but not on immobility potency in postnatal day 14 (P14)-P17 rats. For cortical EEG, along with the increased concentration of volatile anesthetics, cortical slow-delta oscillations of P5 rats were inhibited, theta and alpha oscillations were not changed significantly; while these oscillations were enhanced until high anesthetic concentrations in P21 rats. Knockdown of NR1 in forebrain suppressed the enhancement of cortical EEG oscillations in P21 rats.ConclusionThe development of NMDA receptors may contribute to the enhancement of cortical EEG oscillations under volatile anesthetics.
Diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative brainstem auditory evoked potential for predicting hearing loss after vestibular schwannoma surgery
Authors: Gu Feng , Yang Xingyu , Wang Zilan , Tan Xin , Xue Tao , Chen Zhouqing , Wang Zhong , Chen Gang 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveThis meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic value of intraoperative brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) for predicting post-operative hearing loss.MethodsResearch articles in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched and selected up to 20 January 2022, and data were extracted following a standard procedure. A diagnostic accuracy test meta-analysis was performed using a mixed-effect binary regression model.ResultsA total of 693 patients from 15 studies were extracted. The change in intraoperative BAEP showed high sensitivity (0.95) but low specificity (0.37), with an area under the curve of 0.83. Diagnostic accuracy of the loss of potentials showed high sensitivity (0.82) and specificity (0.79). The area under the curve was 0.88. No factor was found to account for the heterogeneity of the results according to the meta-regression and subgroup analyses (all P-values &gt; 0.05).ConclusionsOur results showed that the loss of BAEP has meaningful value for predicting hearing loss after vestibular schwannoma surgery. The change in BAEP is also important for its high sensitivity during hearing preservation surgery.
Diffusion tensor imaging of the brain white matter microstructure in patients with chronic kidney disease and its correlation with cognition
Authors: Zhang Chaoyang , Yu Huan , Cai Yan , Wu Ning , Liang Shuang , Zhang Chun , Duan Zhiyu , Zhang Zhou , Cai Guangyan 
Published: December 2022

PurposeIn individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), neurological damage is commonly observed. This neurodegeneration is closely linked to microstructural damage to the brain white matter due to the high incidence of cognitive dysfunction. However, the specific pathogenesis of CKD nephropathy caused by cognitive system developmental disorders remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the correlation between cognitive impairment and diffusion parameters obtained on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of abnormal white matter tracts in CKD patients.MethodsSixty-four patients with CKD were divided into the non-dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) group (N = 26) and dialysis-dependent CKD (DD-CKD) group (N = 38) according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate, whereas 43 healthy control subjects (normal control [NC]) were included and underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging during the same period. Differences in the abnormal white matter microstructure and correlations between them and cognitive scores were assessed using several parameters between the groups.ResultsThere were more extensive peri-lesions and distant white matter microstructural changes in the DD-CKD and NDD-CKD groups than in the NC group. DTI diffusion parameters in abnormal white matter regions were associated with impaired cognitive function in CKD patients. The DD-CKD group had worse cognitive function and more severe microstructural damage in the cerebral white matter than the NDD-CKD group.ConclusionCKD patients showed cognitive impairment and changes in the brain white matter microstructure; CKD can lead to extensive white matter tract damage. Additionally, diffusion parameters can be used as a complement to describe structural brain damage in CKD patients.
Speech biomarkers of risk factors for vascular dementia in people with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Martínez-Nicolás Israel , Llorente Thide E. , Martínez-Sánchez Francisco , Meilán Juan J. G. 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionIn this study we intend to use speech analysis to analyze the cognitive impairments caused by pathologies of vascular origin such as diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and heart disease, predictors of the development of vascular dementia.MethodsIn this study, 40 participants with mild cognitive impairment were asked to read while being recorded and they were inquired about their history of the aforementioned conditions. Their speech was then analyzed.ResultsWe found that some speech parameters of frequencies and syllabic rhythm vary due to these pathologies. In addition, we conducted a discriminant analysis in which we found that diabetes and hypertension can be predicted with an accuracy over 95% with few speech parameters, and hypercholesterolemia and heart disease with an accuracy over 80%.DiscussionThe predictor parameters found are heterogeneous, including voice quality, amplitude, frequency, and rhythm parameters. This result may lead to investigate why such important qualitative changes occur in the voice of older adults with these pathologies. Rather than trying to find a diagnostic procedure already existing in classical medicine, we expect this finding to contribute to explore the causes and concomitant pathologies of these diseases. We discuss the implications of behavioral traits, such as speech, as digital biomarkers.
Inhibition by rno-circRNA-013017 of the apoptosis of motor neurons in anterior horn and descending axonal degeneration in rats after traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Qin Chuan , Liu Yi , Xu Pei-Pei , Zhang Xin , Talifu Zuliyaer , Liu Jia-Yi , Jing Ying-Li , Bai Fan , Zhao Li-Xi , Yu Yan , Gao Feng , Li Jian-Jun 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionSpinal cord injury (SCI) often causes continuous neurological damage to clinical patients. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are related to a lot of diseases, including SCI. We previously found five candidate circRNAs which were likely to regulate the secondary pathophysiological changes in rat model after traumatic SCI.MethodsIn this study, we first selected and overexpressed target circRNA in rats. We then explored its functional roles using various functional assays in a rat model after SCI.ResultsWe found that rno-circRNA-013017—the selected target circRNA—reduced neuron apoptosis, preserved the survival and activity of motor neurons, and regulated apoptosis-related proteins at 3 days post-SCI using western blot, immunofluorescence and polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, we found that rno-circRNA-013017 inhibited descending axonal degeneration and preserved motor neurons and descending axons at 6 weeks post-SCI using immunofluorescence, biotin dextran amine diffusion tensor imaging. Finally, the overexpression of rno-circRNA-013017 promoted the locomotor function of rats after SCI using open-field test and gait analysis.ConclusionFocusing on the functions of rno-circRNA-013017, this study provides new options for future studies exploring therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms for SCI.
Effect of lifelong sucrose consumption at human-relevant levels on food intake and body composition of C57BL/6N mice
Authors: Yan Ruolin , Choi Vivian Wai Wan , Hartono Tania , Tse Iris Mei Ying , Tse Margaret Chui Ling , Zhou Yunpeng , Xu Jinfeng , Sit Wai Hung , Wan Jennifer Man Fan , Li Edmund Tsz Shing , Chan Chi Bun , Louie Jimmy Chun Yu 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionControversies surround the issue if chronic consumption of a high-sugar diet is detrimental to health or not. This study investigates whether lifelong consumption of a higher sucrose diet will induce overeating, and obesity, and cause metabolic dysfunctions such as hyperglycemia and dyslipidaemia in C57BL/6N mice, compared to a lower sucrose diet.MethodsMale C57BL/6N mice at 3 weeks of age were randomized into consuming a diet with 25 or 10% kcal from sucrose for the rest of their lives. Body weight, food and water intake, fasting blood glucose, insulin, and lipid levels were measured at regular intervals. At the end of the study, organs and tissues were collected and gene expression was measured.ResultsThere was no discernible difference in the impact on food intake, body composition, glucose and lipid homeostasis, liver triglyceride content, life expectancy, as well as gene expression related to intermediary metabolism between mice fed a diet with 10 vs. 25% kcal as sucrose over their lifespan. We also showed that switching from a 25% kcal diet to a 10% kcal diet at different life stages, or vice versa, did not appear to affect these outcomes of interest.DiscussionThe results from our study suggest that lifelong consumption of a higher sugar diet generally did not induce overeating and obesity, disrupt carbohydrate metabolism and lipid homeostasis, and reduce life expectancy compared with a lower sugar diet. Our unorthodox findings disagreed with the popular belief that higher sugar consumption is detrimental to health, which should be confirmed in future studies.
Iodine-125 brachytherapy treatment for newly diagnosed brain metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer: A biocentric analysis
Authors: Yang Lili , Wang Congxiao , Zhang Wei , Liu Shifeng , Xuan Tiantian , Jiang Han , Hu Xiaokun , Hu Man , Li Huanting 
Published: December 2022

PurposeThe aim of the present study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of iodine-125 brachytherapy for newly diagnosed brain metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Materials and methodsThe study included 158 NSCLC patients diagnosed with brain metastasis from December 2003 to August 2017. Ninety-nine patients underwent external beam radiotherapy (EBRT group), and 59 patients received iodine-125 brachytherapy (125I group). In addition, the 6- and 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates and the 12- and 24-month overall survival (OS) rates were compared between the EBRT group and the 125I group. Median OS and PFS were analyzed using the Kaplan−Meier method with a log-rank test.ResultsThe 6-month PFS rate was significantly higher in the 125I group (p = 0.002) than in the EBRT group, while no differences were found in the 12-month PFS rate (p = 0.184). Additionally, the 12- (p = 0.839) and 24-month (p = 0.284) OS rates were not significantly different between the two groups. No significant differences in median OS (p = 0.525) or PFS (p = 0.425) were found between the two groups.ConclusionsIodine-125 brachytherapy is an alternative therapy for patients unable to undergo surgical resection.
Nomogram predicts CR-POPF in open central pancreatectomy patients with benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic neoplasms
Authors: Ouyang Liu , Liu Ren-dong , Ren Yi-wei , Nie Gang , He Tian-lin , Li Gang , Zhou Ying-qi , Huang Zhi-ping , Zhang Yi-jie , Hu Xian-gui , Jin Gang 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionCentral pancreatectomy (CP) is a standard surgical procedure for benign and low-grade malignant pancreatic neoplasms in the body and neck of the pancreas. Higher incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after CP than after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP) has been reported, but no nomogram for prediction of CR-POPF after open CP has been previously established.MethodsPatients undergoing open CP for benign or low-grade malignant pancreatic neoplasms in the department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic (HBP) surgery of Shanghai Changhai Hospital affiliated to Naval Medical University between January 01, 2009 and December 31,2020 were enrolled. Pre-, intra- and post-operative parameters were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsA total of 194 patients, including 60 men and 134 women, were enrolled with median age of 52 years (21~85 years). 84 patients (43.3%) were overweight (BMI&gt;23.0 Kg/m2) and 14 (7.2%) were obese (BMI&gt;28.0 Kg/m2). Pathological diagnoses ranged from serous cystic neoplasm (32.5%), solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (22.2%), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (20.1%), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (18.0%) to mucinous cystic neoplasm (5.2%). All patients had soft pancreatic texture. Main pancreatic duct diameters were ≤0.3cm for 158 patients (81.4%) and were ≥0.5cm in only 12 patients (6.2%). A stapler (57.7%) or hand-sewn closure (42.3%) were used to close the pancreatic remnant. The pancreatic anastomosis techniques used were duct to mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ)-interrupted suture (47.4%), duct to mucosa PJ-continuous suture (43.3%), duct to mucosa “HO” half-purse binding PJ (5.2%) and invaginating pancreaticogastrostomy (4.1%). Post-surgical incidences of CR-POPF of 45.9%, surgical site infection of 28.9%, postpancreatectomy hemorrhage of 7.7% and delayed gastric emptying of 2.1% were found. Obesity and pancreatic anastomosis technique were independent risk factors of CR-POPF, with a concordance index of 0.675 and an Area Under the Curve of 0.678.DiscussionThis novel nomogram constructed according to obesity and pancreatic anastomosis technique showed moderate predictive performance of CR-POPF after open CP.