bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered intraperitoneal immune microenvironment in patients with peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer
Authors: Takahashi Kazuya , Kurashina Kentaro , Yamaguchi Hironori , Kanamaru Rihito , Ohzawa Hideyuki , Miyato Hideyo , Saito Shin , Hosoya Yoshinori , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Sata Naohiro , Kitayama Joji 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThe peritoneal cavity contains many site-specific immune cells which constitute a unique immune microenvironment. However, it is unclear how the local immune signature is altered in patients with peritoneal metastases (PM).MethodsPeritoneal lavage fluid or ascites were obtained from 122 patients with various stages of gastric cancer (GC). Cells recovered from peritoneal fluids were immunostained with mAbs for lymphocyte-, macrophage- and tumor cell-specific antigens and the frequencies of leukocyte subsets and antigen expression levels were evaluated with multi-color flowcytometry.ResultsThe proportions of CD8(+) T cells, CD3(+)CD56(+) NKT-like cells, and CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cells to CD45(+) leukocytes were significantly reduced in patients with PM compared to those without PM. In patients with PM, the rates of CD8 (+) T cells and NKT-like cells correlated inversely with the tumor leukocyte ratio (TLR), the relative frequency of CD326(+) tumor cells to CD45(+) leukocytes. In contrast, the proportion of CD19(+) B cells was significantly increased in patients with PM, and their proportion correlated positively with the TLR and peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score. In patients with PM, CD14(+) macrophages tended to be increased with enhanced expression of CD14, CD16 and a M2-macrophage marker, CD163. In particular, macrophages in patients with high TLR contained many granules with high side scatter and CD14 expression in their flow profile compared to those without PM.ConclusionPM are accompanied by a drastic change in phenotypes of lymphocyte and macrophage in the peritoneal cavity, which might be involved in the development and progression of intraperitoneal tumor growth.
Association of retinal fractal dimension and vessel tortuosity with impaired renal function among healthy Chinese adults
Authors: Wu Linbin , Gong Xia , Wang Wei , Zhang Lei , Zhou Jiachen , Ming Xi , Yuan Meng , Huang Wenyong , Wang Lanhua 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis study investigated the association of retinal fractal dimension (FD) and blood vessel tortuosity (BVT) with renal function [assessed by estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR)] in healthy Chinese adults using swept-source optical coherence tomographic angiography (SS-OCTA).Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among ocular treatment–naïve healthy participants from Guangzhou, China. FD and BVT in the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus were measured by SS-OCTA with a 3 × 3 macula model. eGFR was calculated using the Xiangya equation, and impaired renal function (IRF) was defined as eGFR = 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. Linear regression was performed to evaluate the relationships between SS-OCTA metrics and renal function.ResultsA total of 729 participants with a mean age of 57.6 ± 9.1 years were included in the final analysis. Compared to participants with normal renal function, those with IRF had lower FD both in the superficial capillary plexus (1.658 ± 0.029 vs. 1.666 ± 0.024, p = 0.001) and deep capillary plexus (1.741 ± 0.016 vs. 1.746 ± 0.016, p = 0.0003), while the deep BVT was larger in participants with IRF than those with normal renal function (1.007 ± 0.002 vs. 1.006 ± 0.002, p = 0.028). The superficial FD was linearly and positively associated with eGFR after adjusting for confounders (β = 0.2257; 95% CI 0.0829–0.3685; p = 0.002), while BVT was not associated with eGFR (all p ≥ 0.05).ConclusionThe patients with IRF had lower FD and larger BVT than those with normal renal function. The superficial FD decreased linearly with renal function deterioration. Our study suggests that the retinal microvasculature can represent a useful indicator of subclinical renal microvascular abnormalities and serve as a useful non-invasive assessment to predict and monitor the progression of renal function.
Presbyopia-correcting performance and subjective outcomes of a trifocal intraocular lens in eyes with different axial lengths: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Sun Tong , Liu Yiyun , Zhao Xiaorui , Gao Yufei , Yang Tingting , Lan Qianqian , Tang Chuhao , Qi Hong 
Published: September 2022

PurposeTo compare the presbyopia-correcting performance, visual quality, satisfaction and life quality after implantation of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes with different axial lengths (AL).MethodsThis prospective cohort study enrolled patients with implantation of a trifocal IOL. Manifest refraction, uncorrected and distance-corrected visual acuity at different distances, contrast sensitivity, aberrations and IOL decentration were measured 3 months after surgery. Spectacle independence, adverse photic phenomena, overall satisfaction and life quality were assessed with a questionnaire.ResultsThis study included 61 eyes of 61 patients: 16 eyes in the short AL group, 28 eyes in the control group and 17 eyes in the long AL group. Postoperatively, the prediction error (PE) of spherical equivalent showed a difference (P = 0.002). The uncorrected near visual acuity in the long AL group was higher (P = 0.047). Although a higher IOL decentration was obtained in the long AL group (P = 0.034), no significant difference was found in contrast sensitivity and aberrations (all P &gt; 0.05). In the questionnaire, patients in the long AL group showed a relatively lower spectacle independence at near distance (P = 0.060) and had difficulties in near activities, mental health and role in daily life (P = 0.003, 0.021, and 0.033). However, no significant difference was observed in overall satisfaction (P = 0.124).ConclusionWith detailed preoperative evaluation, the trifocal IOL provided satisfactory visual outcomes for patients with different AL. AL had a certain influence on predictability and IOL decentration. And for patients with long AL, the inadaptability to the near focal point might become an important problem.
Comparison of EOG and VOG obtained eye movements during horizontal head impulse testing
Authors: Pleshkov Maksim , Zaitsev Vasilii , Starkov Dmitrii , Demkin Vladimir , Kingma Herman , van de Berg Raymond 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionVideo head impulse testing is frequently used to evaluate the vestibular function. During this test, eye movement responses are recorded with video-oculography (VOG). However, the use of VOG can sometimes be challenging, especially due to pupil detection problems (e.g., blinking, droopy eyelids, etc.). Therefore, this study investigated whether electro-oculography (EOG), a technique that does not depend on pupil tracking but on the orientation of the corneoretinal potential, might be an alternative to VOG for quantifying eye movement responses during head impulse testing.Subjects and methodsHead impulse testing was performed in 19 healthy subjects without a prior history of vestibular symptoms. Horizontal eye movements were recorded simultaneously with EOG (using an EOG system) and VOG (using a VHIT system: ICS Impulse). The eye movement responses to each side of both techniques were compared using a concordance correlation coefficient (rc), t-testing, and Bayes Factor (BF) paired t-testing.ResultsEOG and VOG obtained eye movement traces that correlated well with each other during head impulse testing (average rc = 0.89). Average VOR gains obtained with EOG and VOG were not significantly different from each other for all subjects during left head impulses. However, VOG gains differed between both techniques regarding right head impulses. VOG showed significant VOR gain asymmetry (5% to the right), whereas EOG showed no significant asymmetry (1% to the right).ConclusionThis study demonstrated the use of EOG to record eye movements during head impulse testing for the first time. EOG and VOG obtained eye movement traces that correlated well with each other during horizontal head impulse testing. In addition, EOG showed smaller VOR gain asymmetry in healthy individuals, in contrast to VOG. These findings indicate that EOG might potentially be applicable as an alternative to VOG for collecting eye movement responses during head impulse testing.Trial registration number10192021-38 dated 19.10.21.
Association between caloric adequacy and short-term clinical outcomes in critically ill patients using a weight-based equation: Secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lv Cheng , Jiang Xingwei , Long Yi , Liu Zirui , Lin Jiajia , Wu Cuili , Ye Xianghong , Ye Ruiling , Liu Yuxiu , Liu Man , Liu Yang , Chen Wensong , Gao Lin , Tong Zhihui , Ke Lu , Jiang Zhengying , Li Weiqin 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThere is controversy over the optimal energy delivery in intensive care units (ICUs). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between different caloric adequacy assessed by a weight-based equation and short-term clinical outcomes in a cohort of critically ill patients.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial (N= 2,772). The energy requirement was estimated as 25 kcal/kg of body weight. The study subjects were divided into three groups according to their caloric adequacy as calculated by the mean energy delivered from days 3 to 7 of enrollment divided by the estimated energy requirements: (1) received &lt; 70% of energy requirement (hypocaloric), (2) received 70–100% of energy requirement (normocaloric), and (3) received &gt; 100% of energy requirement (hypercaloric). Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association between caloric adequacy and 28-day mortality and time to discharge alive from the ICU.ResultsA total of 1,694 patients were included. Compared with normocaloric feeding, hypocaloric feeding significantly increased the risk of 28-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.590, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.162–2.176,p= 0.004), while hypercaloric feeding did not. After controlling for potential confounders, the association remained valid (adjustedHR= 1.596, 95%CI: 1.150–2.215,p= 0.005). The caloric adequacy was not associated with time to discharge alive from the ICU in the unadjusted and the adjusted models.ConclusionEnergy delivery below 70% of the estimated energy requirement during days 3–7 of critical illness is associated with 28-day mortality.Clinical trial registration[https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12233792], identifier [ISRCTN12233792].
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of an Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) extract (HolixerTM) on stress, mood, and sleep in adults experiencing stress
Authors: Lopresti Adrian L. , Smith Stephen J. , Metse Alexandra P. , Drummond Peter D. 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundIn Ayurveda, Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil) is referred to as “the elixir of life” and is believed to promote longevity and general wellbeing. Although limited, there are clinical trials to suggest Ocimum tenuiflorum has anti-stress effects.PurposeExamine the effects of a standardized Ocimum tenuiflorum extract (HolixerTM) on subjective and objective measures of stress and sleep quality in adults experiencing stress.Study designTwo-arm, parallel-group, 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry trial registration number ACTRN12621000609853.MethodsOne hundred volunteers aged 18–65 years received either 125 mg of Ocimum tenuiflorum twice daily or a placebo. Outcome measures included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (primary outcome measure), Profile of Mood States, Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29. Sleep quality was also assessed using a wrist-worn sleep tracker (Fitbit), and stress changes were examined by measuring between-group differences in hair cortisol and stress responses after exposure to an experiment stress procedure known as the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST).ResultsCompared to the placebo, Ocimum tenuiflorum supplementation was associated with greater improvements in PSS (p = 0.003) and AIS (p = 0.025) scores; and at week 8, concentrations in hair cortisol were also lower (p = 0.025). Moreover, Ocimum tenuiflorum supplementation was associated with a buffered stress responses after exposure to the MAST as demonstrated by significantly lower concentrations in salivary cortisol (p = 0.001), salivary amylase (p = 0.001), systolic (p = 0.010) and diastolic (p = 0.025) blood pressure, and subjective stress ratings (p &lt; 0.001). Ocimum tenuiflorum supplementation was well-tolerated with no reports of major adverse effects.ConclusionThe results from this trial suggest that 8 weeks of supplementation with an Ocimum tenuiflorum extract (HolixerTM) may reduce objective and subjective measures of stress, and improve subjective measures of sleep quality. However, further research using gold-standard objective sleep measures will be required to substantiate the sleep-related findings.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621000609853p.aspx, identifier: ACTRN12621000609853p.
Association of circulating branched-chain amino acids with risk of moyamoya disease
Authors: Zeng Chaofan , Ge Peicong , Liu Chenglong , Yu Xiaofan , Zhai Yuanren , Liu Wei , He Qiheng , Li Junsheng , Liu Xingju , Wang Jia , Ye Xun , Zhang Qian , Wang Rong , Zhang Yan , Zhao Jizong , Zhang Dong 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveBranched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) has been identified as a risk factor for circulatory disease. Nevertheless, the effects and mechanisms of BCAAs on the risk of moyamoya disease (MMD) remain unrecognized. Hence, we aimed to elucidate the association between circulating BCAAs and the risk of MMD and clinical subtypes.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study of 360 adult MMD patients and 89 matched healthy controls consecutively recruited between September 2020 and December 2021. Serum level of BCAAs was quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The associations between BCAAs and risk of MMD were evaluated.ResultsIncreased level of serum BCAAs was observed in MMD patients (P &lt; 0.001). After adjusting for traditional confounders, the elevated BCAAs level was significantly associated with the risk of MMD (Q4 vs. Q1: odds ratio, 3.10 [95% CI, 1.29–7.50]). The risk of subtypes in MMD also increased with each increment in the quartiles of BCAAs. Furthermore, BCAAs offered substantial improvement in risk reclassification and discrimination for MMD and subtypes.ConclusionHigher level of circulating BCAAs was associated with increased risk of MMD and clinical subtypes. This study will help to elucidate the pathogenesis of MMD, which may provide the support for facilitating the treatments and preventions.
Is a high-risk clinical target volume required? Evaluation of the dosimetric feasibility based on T staging
Authors: Yuan Xingxing , Yan Chao , Peng Shiyi , Chen Zhiping , Lu Tianzhu , Gong Qiaoying , Qiu Yang , Xiong Wenming , Ao Fenghua , Li Guoqing , Li Jingao , Tu Ziwei 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundClinical target delineation is a primary focus in the field of radiotherapy. This study aimed to investigate whether high-risk clinical target volume can be removed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with different T stages.Materials and methodsWe designed a test plan without the high-risk clinical target volume for 111 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and further compared the test plans with the treatment plans in the parameters of planning target volumes and the radiation dose to normal organs.ResultsOur data showed that when high-risk clinical target volume was abnegated, target coverage, conformity indices, and homogeneity indices of planning target volumes and doses of normal organs were not influenced in the T4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, and more than 95% of the high-risk planning target volume area could still be covered by the 60 Gy dose line. However, only some T1–3 patients achieved the ideal dose coverage, and even fewer after induction chemotherapy (62.8% vs. 41.2%, p = 0.018). Gross tumor volume was positively correlated with the target coverage of the original high-risk planning target volume in the test-plan (p = 0.0001). Gross tumor volume can be used to predict whether the target coverage of high-risk planning target volume is more than 95% (area under the curve = 0.868).ConclusionOmitting high risk clinical target volume can be considered in patients with T4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma according to physical evaluations. However, this approach is only suitable for a specific subset of T1–3 patients.
Knockdown of NDUFC1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Han Fang , Liu Junwei , Chu Hongwu , Cao Dan , Wu Jia , Fu Hong , Guo Anyang , Chen Weiqin , Xu Yingping , Cheng Xiangdong , Zhang Yuhua 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundNADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit C1(NDUFC1) encodes a subunit of the Complex I, which may support the structural stability of Complex I and assist in its biogenesis. The expression and functional roles of NDUFC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown.ResultWe knocked down the expression of NDUFC1 in HCC cell lines to explore the effects of NDUFC1 downregulation on HCC in vitro. MTT assay determined that downregulation of NDUFC1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Flow cytometry with (propidium iodide) PI staining indicated silencing of NDUFC1 arrested cell cycle of BEL-7404 cells at G2 phase and SK-HEP-1 cells at S/G2 phase. Annexin V-PI double staining and flow cytometric analysis showed that the downregulation of NDUFC1 significantly increased the population of apoptotic cells. Wound-healing assay and transwell assay indicated that the downregulation of NDUFC1 suppressed the migration and invasion of HCC cells. According to the detection of complex1 activity, we found that the activity of NDUFC1 silenced group decreased, whereas the content of ROS increased. Furthermore, combined with bioinformatics analysis of senescence-related genes, we found that the silence of NDUFC1 in HCC could induce senescence and inhibit autophagy. In addition, NDUFC1 could correlate positively with cancer-related pathways, among which the p53 pathways and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. Finally, NDUFC1 is high expression in HCC specimens. High NDUFC1 expression was associated with poor prognosis and was an independent risk factor for reduced overall survival (OS).ConclusionsOur study indicated, for the first time, that NDUFC1 is an independent risk factor for the poor prognosis of HCC patients. NDUFC1 may promote tumor progression by inhibiting mitochondrial Complex I and up-regulating ROS through multiple cancer-related and senescence-related pathways of HCC, including p53 pathways and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. We suppose that NDUFC1 might be a potential target for the mitochondrial metabolism therapy of HCC.
Acupuncture for adult lung cancer of patient-reported outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xi Ziqi , Wei Xuqiang , Ye Zi , Wang Ke , Zhou Jia 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the effects of acupuncture on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in adults with lung cancer.MethodsElectronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (CQVIP), Wanfang Data, SinoMed, and gray literatures were retrieved from inception to 1 July 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Acupuncture was defined as an experimental intervention, and the patients of the control groups included either treatment including conventional therapy (usual care, sham/placebo acupuncture, pharmacotherapy including Western medicine and Chinese traditional medicine). PROs for this study were measured by seven scales of primary outcomes including the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Lung Cancer Subscale, Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ score), the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) item short form health survey (SF-36), and the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, and 12 scales of secondary outcomes. Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used to assess the risks of bias. Data were combined and analyzed with RevMan 5.4 and Stata/SE 16.0.ResultsWe retrieved 3,002 lung cancer patients from 33 trials. KPS included with 1,000 patients showed that acupuncture could significantly improve the quality of life (QOL) compared with the control group regardless of different tumor–node–metastasis stages or the different stages of disease. The study showed that acupuncture significantly improved lung cancer–related symptoms in the QOL, pain, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, anxiety and depression, fatigue, and constipation compared with the control group. Eight RCTs reported the occurrence of adverse events, whereas four reported none and four RCTs reported that the events in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group.ConclusionAcupuncture proved to be a promising intervention, both postoperatively and after chemotherapy, and should be recommended as a beneficial alternative strategy to promote PROs in lung cancer patients at all stages of application. Considering the low quality, we suggest more rigorous clinical trials of acupuncture for lung cancer in the future and more emphasis on the effect of acupuncture in patients with lung cancer on their PROs, mainly in the aspect of the QOL.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, identifier [CRD42021274122].