bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender-Related Differences in Regional Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Normal Aging Brain
Authors: Feng Bei , Cao Jiang , Yu YaPing , Yang HaiYan , Jiang YangHongYan , Liu Ying , Wang Rong , Zhao Qian 
Published: February 2022

Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the gender-related differences of regional cerebral glucose metabolism in healthy people along the age using 18F-FDG PET/CT.Methods: We recruited 344 healthy volunteers, including 217 males and 127 females (age range: 40–89 years old). All subjects underwent fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose(18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). All the data were divided into four groups for every 10 years old. Each participant was carefully screened from PET, MR, and other examinations in order to exclude the abnormalities, such as neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders, alcohol/abuse, cerebral vascular disorders, metabolic diseases like diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism, and other systemic malignancies. The 40–50 years old group was set as the baseline group. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis was employed to illustrate the differences among groups.Results: Compared to the baseline group, whether in a cohort or different gender groups, the decrease of brain glucose metabolism was shown in the bilateral frontal lobe, anterior cingulate gyrus, and the bilateral temporal lobe. In males, the regions of decreased metabolism were bilateral frontal lobe, caudate nucleus, and cingulate gyrus, whereas that of females were left occipital lobe, cerebellum, and the thalamus. However, the overall decrease of brain metabolism in men and women began from the age of 60s, an aggravated decrease from 70s was only observed in males.Conclusion: (1) An obviously decreased brain metabolism was found from 60 years old, especially in the bilateral frontal lobe, bilateral temporal lobe, and inferior cingulate gyrus; (2) We found specific brain metabolic differences between genders, including the caudate nucleus region in males and the occipital lobe region in females; and (3) The aging trend is different between genders.
Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Associations With Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Chang Zihan , Xie Fen , Li Hualing , Yuan Feilan , Zeng Lina , Shi Lin , Zhu Shuzhen , Lu Xiaohe , Wei Xiaobo , Wang Qing 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveThis study intended to investigate whether retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness could become a potential marker in patients with Parkinson’s disease with cognitive impairment (PD-CI).MethodsFifty-seven PD patients and 45 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited in our cross-sectional study and completed optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluations. PD with normal cognition (PD-NC) and cognitive impairment (PD-CI) patients were divided following the 2015 Movement Disorder Society criteria. RNFL thickness was quantified in subfields of the 3.0-mm circle surrounding the optic disk; while a battery of neuropsychiatric assessments was conducted to estimate the Parkinsonism severity. General linear models and one-way ANOVA were adopted to assess RNFL thickness between subgroups with different cognitive statuses; logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the relation between RNFL and PD-CI cases.ResultsCompared with HCs, more thinning of the RNFL was observed in the inferior and temporal sectors in PD patients, especially in the PD-CI group. Inferior RNFL thickness was reduced in PD-CI compared with PD-NC patients. Logistic regression analysis found that inferior RNFL thickness was independently associated with PD-CI cases (odds ratio = 0.923,p= 0.014). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the RNFL-involved combined model provided a high accuracy in screening cognitive deficiency in PD cases (area under the curve = 0.85,p&lt; 0.001).ConclusionReduced RNFL thickness especially in the inferior sector is independently associated with PD-CI patients. Our study present new perspectives into verifying possible indicators for neuropathological processes or disease severity in Parkinsonians with cognitive dysfunction.
Impact of Dose of Combined Conventional and Robotic Therapy on Upper Limb Motor Impairments and Costs in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Pila Ophélie , Koeppel Typhaine , Grosmaire Anne-Gaëlle , Duret Christophe 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionRobot-based training integrated into usual care might optimize therapy productivity and increase treatment dose. This retrospective study compared two doses of an upper limb rehabilitation program combining robot-assisted therapy and occupational therapy on motor recovery and costs after stroke.MethodsThirty-six subacute stroke patients [Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score 32 ± 12 points; mean ± SD] underwent a combined program of 29 ± 3 sessions of robot-assisted therapy and occupational therapy. Scheduled session time for the higher dose group (HG) was 90 min (two 45-min sessions;n= 14) and for the lower dose group (LG) was 60 min (two 30-min sessions;n= 22). Pre-/post-treatment change in FMA score (ΔFMA, %), actual active time (min), number of movements and number of movements per minute per robot-assisted therapy session were compared between groups. The costs of the combined programs were also analyzed.ResultsΔFMA did not differ significantly between groups; the HG improved by 16 ± 13 % and the LG by 11 ± 8%. A between-group difference was found for actual active time (p= 1.06E−13) and number of movements (p= 4.42E−2) but not for number of movements per minute during robot-assisted therapy: the HG performed 1,023 ± 344 movements over 36 ± 3 min and the LG performed 796 ± 301 movements over 29 ± 1 min. Both groups performed 28 movements per minute. The combined program cost was €2017 and €1162 for HG and LG, respectively.ConclusionsSimilar motor improvements were observed following two doses of movement-based training. The reduction in scheduled session time did not affect the intensity of the practice and met economic constraints.
Plaque Characteristics in Young Adults With Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Li Ling , Tang Min , Yan Xuejiao , Gao Jie , Ma Niane , Shi Xiaorui , Niu Yaxin , Wen Yu , Ai Kai , Lei Xiaoyan , Zhang Xiaoling 
Published: February 2022

PurposeTo determine how intracranial vascular wall and atherosclerosis plaque characteristics differ between young and old adults with sICAS.MethodsEighty-four consecutive patients with sICAS who underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) from December 2017 to July 2020 were retrospectively collected. These participants were divided into young adult group (18–50 years, n = 28) and old adult group (&gt;50 years, n = 56). Reviewers were blinded to any clinical information and HRMRI scans were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative indicators of vascular walls and plaque at the maximal lumen narrowing site using the independent-sample t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, chi-square test or Fisher exact test, and logistic regression analysis.ResultsYoung patients with sICAS had significantly smaller maximum wall thickness (1.45 ± 0.38 vs.1.75 ± 0.51 mm2, P = 0.003), higher prevalence of positive remodeling (53.57 vs. 21.43%, P = 0.003), and lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (14.29 vs. 35.71%, P = 0.04) than old patients. Plaque burden and other plaque features were comparable between young and old patients.ConclusionYoung patients with sICAS have smaller maximum wall thickness and greater ability to reconstruct, and are more likely to show positive remodeling, which may lead to some atherosclerotic lesions being missed. Young patients with evidence of vessel narrowing should be carefully examined for presence of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque.
Viability Study of Machine Learning-Based Prediction of COVID-19 Pandemic Impact in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patients
Authors: Tubío-Fungueiriño María , Cernadas Eva , Gonçalves Óscar F. , Segalas Cinto , Bertolín Sara , Mar-Barrutia Lorea , Real Eva , Fernández-Delgado Manuel , Menchón Jose M. , Carvalho Sandra , Alonso Pino , Carracedo Angel , Fernández-Prieto Montse 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundMachine learning modeling can provide valuable support in different areas of mental health, because it enables to make rapid predictions and therefore support the decision making, based on valuable data. However, few studies have applied this method to predict symptoms’ worsening, based on sociodemographic, contextual, and clinical data. Thus, we applied machine learning techniques to identify predictors of symptomatologic changes in a Spanish cohort of OCD patients during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods127 OCD patients were assessed using the Yale–Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and a structured clinical interview during the COVID-19 pandemic. Machine learning models for classification (LDA and SVM) and regression (linear regression and SVR) were constructed to predict each symptom based on patient’s sociodemographic, clinical and contextual information.ResultsA Y-BOCS score prediction model was generated with 100% reliability at a score threshold of ± 6. Reliability of 100% was reached for obsessions and/or compulsions related to COVID-19. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were predicted with less reliability (correlation R of 0.58 and 0.68, respectively). The suicidal thoughts are predicted with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 88%. The best results are achieved by SVM and SVR.ConclusionOur findings reveal that sociodemographic and clinical data can be used to predict changes in OCD symptomatology. Machine learning may be valuable tool for helping clinicians to rapidly identify patients at higher risk and therefore provide optimized care, especially in future pandemics. However, further validation of these models is required to ensure greater reliability of the algorithms for clinical implementation to specific objectives of interest.
Traumatic Brain Injury Is Associated With Both Hemorrhagic Stroke and Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Qu Donghao , Li Wenchen , Zhang Shuyan , Li Ri , Wang Haifeng , Chen Bo 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered a risk factor for the development of stroke (Hemorrhagic Stroke and Ischemic Stroke). We performed this systemic review and meta-analysis to determine the association of prior TBI with the subsequent diagnosis of stroke.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for cohort studies involving TBI patients who subsequently developed stroke. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two separate researchers. Data were analyzed with random-effects models, and a secondary analysis stratified by the type of stroke was performed.ResultsOf the 741 identified studies, 6 studies were eligible for inclusion, with more than 2,200,000 participants. TBI predicted the occurrence of stroke in the random-effect model, with a relative risk of 2.14 (95% CI 1.97–2.32, P &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, in the analysis of each type of stroke, TBI was associated with the incidence of ischemic stroke (RR 1.351 95% CI 1.212–1.506, P &lt; 0.001), and TBI was associated with an even greater increase in the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke (RR 6.118 95% CI 5.265–7.108, P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionOur meta-analysis showed that TBI was associated with a more than two-fold increase in the risk of stroke. However, owing to the high degree of heterogeneity, decisions should be made on a patient-by-patient basis. The occurrence of TBI is associated with the development of both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is much higher than that of ischemic stroke in TBI patients.
Using Collagen Peptides From the Skin of Monkfish (Lophius litulon) to Ameliorate Kidney Damage in High-Fat Diet Fed Mice by Regulating the Nrf2 Pathway and NLRP3 Signaling
Authors: Miao Bingtao , Zheng Jiawen , Zheng Guoping , Tian Xiaoxiao , Zhang Wen , Yuan Falei , Yang Zuisu 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundOxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in high-fat diet (HFD) induced kidney damage. Previous studies show that the collagen extracted from the skin of monkfish (Lophius litulon) with pepsin (pepsin-solubilized collagen, PSC) exhibits good biological activities. This study investigates the protective effect of PSCP against chronic kidney injury in HFD-fed mice.MethodsPepsin-solubilized collagen was further hydrolyzed into collagen peptides, and the compound with the best 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) clearance rate was named pepsin-solubilized collagen peptide (PSCP). A group of mice were fed an HFD for 4 weeks, and then for another 6 weeks PSCP was added to their diet at the amount of either 100 or 200 mg/kg.ResultsPepsin-solubilized collagen peptide treatment (200 mg/kg) reduced the mice's serum levels of uric acid (UA), creatinine (CRE), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) by 27, 20, and 37%, respectively. This treatment also remarkably improved renal histopathology. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) were increased by 96, 52, and 74%, respectively, and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level by 36%. Additionally, PSCP activated the Nrf2 pathway and inhibited NLRP3 signaling to significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α.ConclusionsOur results indicate that compound PSCP has the potential to prevent or control chronic kidney damage.
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in LEP and LEPR Associated With Breast Cancer Risk: Results From a Multicenter Case–Control Study in Chinese Females
Authors: Li Liang , Meng Xingchen , Liu Liyuan , Xiang Yujuan , Wang Fei , Yu Lixiang , Zhou Fei , Zheng Chao , Zhou Wenzhong , Cui Shude , Tian Fuguo , Fan Zhimin , Geng Cuizhi , Cao Xuchen , Yang Zhenlin , Wang Xiang , Liang Hong , Wang Shu , Jiang Hongchuan , Duan Xuening , Wang Haibo , Li Guolou , Wang Qitang , Zhang Jianguo , Jin Feng , Tang Jinhai , Li Liang , Zhu Shiguang , Zuo Wenshu , Ye Chunmiao , Yin Gengshen , Ma Zhongbing , Huang Shuya , Yu Zhigang 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundLeptin (LEP) plays a physiological role through its specific receptor (LEPR) and is involved in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. Our current study aimed at determining the influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes coding for LEP and LEPR on breast cancer risk.MethodsIn the present study, 963 breast cancer cases and 953 controls were enrolled. Five SNPs of LEP and two of LEPR were chosen to evaluate the correlation of selected SNPs with breast cancer susceptibility among women in northern and eastern China. Analyses were further stratified by body mass index (BMI), waist–hip rate (WHR), estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor status. The expression patterns of risk variant-associated genes were detected by expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis with eQTLGen and The Cancer Genome Atlas database.ResultsThere were significant differences between breast cancer cases and control groups in the menopausal status and family history of breast cancer. Two SNPs (rs1137101 and rs4655555) of the LEPR gene decreased overall breast cancer risk, and other five SNPs showed no significant association with breast cancer risk. rs1137101 (GA vs. GG; adjusted OR = 0.719, 95% CI = 0.578–0.894, p = 0.003) and rs4655555 (TT vs. AA; adjusted OR = 0.574, 95% CI = 0.377–0.873, p = 0.009) significantly decreased breast cancer risk after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. In subgroup analyses, the GA and GA + AA genotypes of LEPR rs1137101 associated with decreased breast cancer risk in the subgroup of BMI ≤ 24 kg/m2 or WHR ≥ 0.85 after Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, we found that the expressions of rs4655555-associated gene LEPR and leptin receptor overlapping transcript (LEPROT) were upregulated in breast cancer tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, and a higher expression of LEPR in tumor tissues was correlated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients using The Cancer Genome Atlas Breast Invasive Carcinoma (TCGA-BRCA) data.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that the polymorphisms rs1137101 and rs4655555 located in the LEPR gene decreased breast cancer risk in Chinese females, which might be a research-worthy bio-diagnostic marker and applied for early prediction and risk assessment of breast cancer.
Role of Corticosteroids in Drug-Induced Liver Injury. A Systematic Review
Authors: Björnsson Einar S. , Vucic Vesna , Stirnimann Guido , Robles-Díaz Mercedes 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Apart from cessation of the implicated agent leading to drug-induced liver injury (DILI), there is no standard therapy for DILI. Corticosteroids have been used in DILI, although their efficacy is unclear. Published data showed either beneficial effects or no improvement associated with steroid therapy. The aim of the current study was to perform a systematic review of the role of corticosteroids in the treatment of DILI.Methods: A search was performed in PubMed, searching for the terms: “corticosteroids” and “drug-induced liver injury”. Observation studies were included, but case reports excluded.Results: A total of 24 papers were retrieved. Most of these were observational studies on the effects of corticosteroids in moderate/severe DILI (n = 8), reports on the corticosteroid treatment in patients with drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis (DI-AIH) (n = 5), and effects of corticosteroids in drug-induced fulminant acute liver failure (ALF, n = 2). Furthermore, treatment of corticosteroids in patients with liver injury due to check point inhibitors (CPIs) was addressed in nine studies. In moderate/severe DILI, six out of eight studies suggested steroid treatment to be beneficial, whereas two studies showed negative results. All five observational studies on the effects of corticosteroids in DI-AIH showed good therapeutic response with rapid and long lasting effects after discontinuation of corticosteroids and without evidence of relapse. Steroid therapy was not associated with improved overall survival in patients with drug-induced fulminant ALF. CPIs-induced liver injury was found to improve spontaneously in 33–50% without corticosteroids, and the rate of patients who were treated responded to steroids in 33–100% (mean 72%).Conclusions: The majority of studies analyzing the effects of corticosteroids in moderate/severe DILI have demonstrated beneficial effects. However, this was not the case in drug-induced fulminant ALF. Patients with DI-AIH had an excellent response to corticosteroids. The majority of those with CPIs-induced liver injury responded to corticosteroids; however, patients without treatment usually recovered spontaneously. The observational design and comparison with historical controls in these studies makes it very difficult to draw conclusions on the efficacy of corticosteroids in DILI. Therefore, there is a strong need for a randomized controlled trial to properly assess the role of corticosteroids in DILI.
Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Training Combined With Regular Tennis Training Program on Sprint and Change of Direction of Children
Authors: Wang Zhi-Hai , Pan Rui-Cheng , Huang Meng-Ru , Wang Dan 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of integrative neuromuscular training (NMT) on sprint and the ability to change direction for children who are between the ages of 7 and 8 and beginning to play tennis.MethodsThirty-two participants were randomized into a training group (TG; n = 16) and a control group (CG; n = 16). All participants attended tennis classes twice a week for a continuous 8 weeks. In addition, the TG received NMT (e.g., 20-m sprints, running at four corners, rope ladder drills, etc.), which progressed in difficulty every 2 weeks. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measurements, including a 30-m sprint test, a 5–10–5 test, and a 3 × 10 m shuttle run test, were assessed by a Smartspeed laser timing gate system, while the spider agility test was evaluated with a stopwatch.ResultsTwo-way repeated measures ANOVA found significant differences in the interaction between time and group among variables measured. Results were as follows: time in the 30 m sprint (F = 13.467, 95% CI = 7.163–7.506, p = 0.001, η2p = 0.310, Δ = 0.42 s); 5–10–5 test (F = 13.975, 95% CI = 8.696–9.017, p = 0.001, η2p = 0.318, Δ = 0.78 s); 3 × 10 m shuttle run (F = 7.605, 95% CI = 11.213–11.642, p = 0.01, η2p = 0.202, Δ = 0.77 s); and spider agility test (F = 34.555, 95% CI = 28.258–29.670, p &lt; 0.001, η2p = 0.535, Δ = 3.96 s). The results demonstrated a greater decrease in sprint and change of direction (COD) time among the TG than the CG from pre-intervention to post-intervention.ConclusionA regular tennis training combined with NMT program could produce greater improvement in a player’s sprint and ability to change direction when introduced to childhood tennis beginners in a sensitive period, compared to tennis class intervention only.
Local Prefrontal Cortex TMS-Induced Reactivity Is Related to Working Memory and Reasoning in Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Redondo-Camós María , Cattaneo Gabriele , Perellón-Alfonso Ruben , Alviarez-Schulze Vanessa , Morris Timothy P. , Solana-Sanchez Javier , España-Irla Goretti , Delgado-Gallén Selma , Pachón-García Catherine , Albu Sergiu , Zetterberg Henrik , Tormos Josep M. , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Bartres-Faz David 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionThe prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a crucial role in cognition, particularly in executive functions. Cortical reactivity measured with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation combined with Electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) is altered in pathological conditions, and it may also be a marker of cognitive status in middle-aged adults. In this study, we investigated the associations between cognitive measures and TMS evoked EEG reactivity and explored whether the effects of this relationship were related to neurofilament light chain levels (NfL), a marker of neuroaxonal damage.MethodsFifty two healthy middle-aged adults (41–65 years) from the Barcelona Brain Health Initiative cohort underwent TMS-EEG, a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, and a blood test for NfL levels. Global and Local Mean-Field Power (GMFP/LMFP), two measures of cortical reactivity, were quantified after left prefrontal cortex (L-PFC) stimulation, and cognition was set as the outcome of the regression analysis. The left inferior parietal lobe (L-IPL) was used as a control stimulation condition.ResultsLocal reactivity was significantly associated with working memory and reasoning only after L-PFC stimulation. No associations were found between NfL and cognition. These specific associations were independent of the status of neuroaxonal damage indexed by the NfL biomarker and remained after adjusting for age, biological sex, and education.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that TMS evoked EEG reactivity at the L-PFC, but not the L-IPL, is related to the cognitive status of middle-aged individuals and independent of NfL levels, and may become a valuable biomarker of frontal lobe-associated cognitive function.