bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skeletal Muscle Involvement Pattern of Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis: A Study Based on Muscle MRI
Authors: Chu Xujun , Du Kang , Tang Yuwei , Zhao Xutong , Yu Meng , Zheng Yiming , Deng Jianwen , Lv He , Zhang Wei , Wang Zhaoxia , Yuan Yun , Meng Lingchao 
Published: May 2022

ObjectsThis study was intended to explore the characteristics of muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv amyloidosis) prospectively.MethodsThe clinical data of 20 patients with ATTRv amyloidosis at our hospital between July 2020 and August 2021 were analyzed. MRI of lower limbs including calf muscles was performed in all these 20 patients and MRI of thigh muscles was performed in 16 of them.ResultsThe mean age of the 20 patients with ATTRv amyloidosis was 44.2 years (ranging from 26 to 60) whose mean duration of weakness was 23.3 ± 23.0 (ranging from 0 to 84) months. All the patients presented with polyneuropathy, and 18 of them with weakness in their lower limbs. Muscle involvement was selective in these patients with ATTRv amyloidosis. The posterior group of muscles was heavily fatty, and the soleus muscle was the most heavily involved. The proportion of fatty infiltration scores at the calf level was higher than at the thigh level with paired comparison for most patients. Three of these patients had more severely fatty infiltration of muscles at the thigh level. The fatty infiltration of posterior compartments at the calf level was highly consistent with neuropathy impairment scores of lower limbs (weakness), the strength of ankle plantar flexion muscles, and the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential of the tibial nerve.ConclusionsIt was found that the pattern of muscle fatty infiltration was consistent with a distal-to-proximal gradient on the whole and that proximal involvements in MRI of lower limbs in some patients could also be observed. Selective fatty infiltration of muscles of posterior compartments and fatty infiltration of the soleus muscle might be typical of ATTRv amyloidosis.
Cerebellar Volumes and Sensorimotor Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: McKinney Walker S. , Kelly Shannon E. , Unruh Kathryn E. , Shafer Robin L. , Sweeney John A. , Styner Martin , Mosconi Matthew W. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundSensorimotor issues are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though their neural bases are not well understood. The cerebellum is vital to sensorimotor control and reduced cerebellar volumes in ASD have been documented. Our study examined the extent to which cerebellar volumes are associated with multiple sensorimotor behaviors in ASD.Materials and MethodsFifty-eight participants with ASD and 34 typically developing (TD) controls (8–30 years) completed a structural MRI scan and precision grip testing, oculomotor testing, or both. Force variability during precision gripping as well as absolute error and trial-to-trial error variability of visually guided saccades were examined. Volumes of cerebellar lobules, vermis, and white matter were quantified. The relationships between each cerebellar region of interest (ROI) and force variability, saccade error, and saccade error variability were examined.ResultsRelative to TD controls, individuals with ASD showed increased force variability. Individuals with ASD showed a reduced volume of cerebellar vermis VI-VII relative to TD controls. Relative to TD females, females with ASD showed a reduced volume of bilateral cerebellar Crus II/lobule VIIB. Increased volume of Crus I was associated with increased force variability. Increased volume of vermal lobules VI-VII was associated with reduced saccade error for TD controls but not individuals with ASD. Increased right lobule VIII and cerebellar white matter volumes as well as reduced right lobule VI and right lobule X volumes were associated with greater ASD symptom severity. Reduced volumes of right Crus II/lobule VIIB were associated with greater ASD symptom severity in only males, while reduced volumes of right Crus I were associated with more severe restricted and repetitive behaviors only in females.ConclusionOur finding that increased force variability in ASD is associated with greater cerebellar Crus I volumes indicates that disruption of sensory feedback processing supported by Crus I may contribute to skeletomotor differences in ASD. Results showing that volumes of vermal lobules VI-VII are associated with saccade precision in TD but not ASD implicates atypical organization of the brain systems supporting oculomotor control in ASD. Associations between volumes of cerebellar subregions and ASD symptom severity suggest cerebellar pathological processes may contribute to multiple developmental challenges in ASD.
Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Mortality Risk in Elderly Patients Undergoing Valve Replacement Surgery: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Li Han-biao , Fu Bing-qi , Tan Tong , Li Xiao-hua , Wang Shou-hong , Wei Xue-biao , Wang Zhong-hua 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundThe prognostic value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in elderly patients is controversial. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the preoperative LDL-C and adverse outcomes in elderly patients undergoing valve replacement surgery (VRS).MethodsA total of 2,552 aged patients (age ≥ 60 years) undergoing VRS were retrospectively recruited and divided into two groups according to LDL-C level on admission: low LDL-C (&lt;70 mg/dL, n = 205) and high LDL-C groups (≥ 70 mg/dL, n = 2,347). The association between the preoperative LDL-C with in-hospital and one-year mortality was evaluated by propensity score matching analysis and multivariate analysis.ResultsThe mean age was 65 ± 4 years and 1,263 (49.5%) were men. Patients in the low LDL-C group were significantly older (65.9 ± 4.6 vs. 64.9 ± 4.1, p = 0.002), with more male (65.4 vs. 48.1%, p &lt; 0.001), higher alanine transaminase (ALT) (21 vs. 19, p = 0.001), lower serum albumin (35.3 ± 4.6 vs. 37.1 ± 4.1, p &lt; 0.001), higher serum creatinine (92.2 ± 38.2 vs.84.6 ± 26.1, p = 0.006), lower lymphocyte count (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.6, p &lt; 0.001), lower hemoglobin (121.9 ± 22.3 vs. 130.2 ± 16.5, p &lt; 0.001), lower platelet count (171.3 ± 64.3 vs. 187.7 ± 58.7, p &lt; 0.001), lower prognostic nutrition index (44 ± 6.2 vs. 46.7 ± 5.8, p &lt; 0.001), and more severe tricuspid regurgitation (33.7 vs. 25.1%, p = 0.008). The rates of in-hospital death (11.2 vs. 3.7%, p &lt; 0.001) and major adverse clinical events (17.6 vs. 9.6%, p &lt; 0.001) were significantly higher in the low LDL-C group. The cumulative one-year death rate was significantly higher in the low LDL-C group (Log-Rank = 16.6, p &lt; 0.001). After matching analysis and multivariate analysis, no association between LDL-C level and adverse outcomes was detected (all p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionOur study did not support the negative relationship between LDL-C level and mortality risk in elderly patients undergoing VRS.
Medication Choices in Children With Tic Disorders in Mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong, and Taiwan: Perspectives of Guardians and Physicians
Authors: Yang Chunsong , Yang Yaya , Zhang Lingli , Zhao Li 
Published: May 2022

Objective: Survey pediatricians and guardians of children with tic disorder on medication needs and choices.Methods: We designed a cross-sectional survey for pediatricians in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as for the guardians of patients with tic disorder from West China Second University Hospital. We collected and analyzed information on clinicians’ medical behavior and medication choices and on guardians’ knowledge of tic disorder, medical treatment behaviors, and medication choices and needs.Results: We collected responses from 242 physicians and 610 guardians. For patients with tic disorder and without comorbidities, the first-line drugs selected by physicians were tiapride (60.74%), clonidine (32.64%), haloperidol (25.62%), aripiprazole (16.53%), and sulpiride (12.4%). Physicians reported making medication choices by considerations such as clinical guidelines, clinical efficacy, a low incidence of adverse drug reactions, sufficient clinical research evidence, convenient dosage forms, and patient adherence. Guardians reported making medication choices by considerations such as a low incidence of adverse drug reactions, physician recommendations, clinical efficacy, dose, dosage forms, and the convenience and steadiness of obtaining the medication. However, guardians exhibited insufficient knowledge of tic disorder and treatment options.Conclusions: Physicians and patient guardians differ in their considerations when selecting medications, highlighting a gap in optimizing treatment.
Exosomal MiRNAs in Osteosarcoma: Biogenesis and Biological Functions
Authors: Tang Jinxin , He Jieyu , Feng Chengyao , Tu Chao 
Published: May 2022

MiRNAs are a group of non-coding RNA molecules that function in mRNA translational inhibition via base-pairing with complementary sequences in target mRNA. In oncology, miRNAs have raised great attention due to their aberrant expression and pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of multiple malignancies including osteosarcoma. MiRNAs can be transported by exosome, the nano-extracellular vesicle with a diameter of 30–150 nm. Recently, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that exosomal miRNAs play a critical role in tumor initiation and progression, by exerting multiple biological functions including metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance and immunosuppression. In this review, we aim to depict the biogenesis of exosomal miRNAs and summarize the potential diagnostic and therapeutic functions of exosomal miRNAs in osteosarcoma.
Effects of X-Ray Irradiation on Biological Parameters and Induced Sterility of Ephestia elutella: Establishing the Optimum Irradiation Dose and Stage
Authors: Zhao Jun , Li Shujun , Xu Lu , Li Chengjun , Li Qi , Dewer Youssef , Wu Kongming 
Published: May 2022

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely used for the inundative release of sterile mass-reared males to control lepidopteran pests. SIT based on X-ray irradiation is an eco-friendly alternative to chemical control. However, its use in Ephestia elutella, a stored tobacco pest currently controlled with insecticides, is poorly explored. This study aims to investigate the effects of X-ray irradiation on E. elutella to determine the optimal sterilizing dose and processing developmental stage for improving SIT application. The pupal stage was most suitable for irradiation that was more tolerant than the other insect stages including eggs, larvae, and adults. Subsequently, male pupae were irradiated with X-ray doses of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 Gy and mated with unirradiated females. Their emergence, longevity, egg number, egg hatch rate, developmental duration, survival rate, induced sterility, and male mating competitiveness were evaluated. The results suggest that a dose of 200 Gy can be applied to effectively induce sterility in male pupae, after which induced sterility and male mating competitiveness can be balanced by increasing the release ratio (sterile:normal). When the release ratio was 15:1, it was found that 71.91% of the wild population could be suppressed. The results of this study show that the SIT based on X-ray irradiation can be successfully used to manage E. elutella, improves our understanding of the biological effects of the SIT, and expands its future application to the control of other pests.
Psychometric Properties of the “Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness—Family Carer Version” (QOLLTI-F) in Persian-Speaking Carers of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Fereidouni Armin , Ebadi Abbas , Rassouli Maryam , Hosseini Seyed Morteza , Mollahadi Mohsen , Khorshidvand Ali , Javid Mohammad , Ansari Behnam , Rezaei Mohammad Saeid , Barasteh Salman 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundMeasuring family caregivers’ quality of life plays a significant role in improving the quality, efficiency, development, and provision of efficient services for patients with COVID-19. As a result, evaluating the quality of life requires the use of valid and reliable measures that are culturally appropriate. This study was conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Quality of Life in Life-Threatening Illness–Family Carer Version (QOLLTI – F) in patients with COVID-19.MethodsThis methodological study was carried out in 2021 at Baqiyatallah Hospital in Tehran. After gaining approval from the tool creator, the translation was carried out utilizing the forward-backward approach. Cognitive interviews with 10 family caregivers of COVID-19 patients were used to demonstrate face validity. Moreover, construct validity was identified by performing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n= 251), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n= 200), and convergent validation using Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) questionnaire. For scale reliability, internal consistency and stability were performed using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient and test-retest, respectively.Results451 family caregivers of patients with COVID-19 were enrolled in this study. Three factors with a cumulative variance of 51.85% were extracted during EFA: (1) Caregiver’s physical-emotional status, (2) Satisfaction with the situation, and (3) Caregiver’s concerns. CFA showed that the model enjoyed a moderate to a good fit of information (RMSEA: 0.087; NFI: 0.98; CFI: 0.91; IFI: 0.91; GFI 0.89; standardized RMR: 0.070). A significant correlation was found between the Persian version of the ZBI and participants’ total scores of QOLLTI – F v3 (r= –0.196,P= 0.000). Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient = 0.719 and ICC stability reliability = 0.71 of the questionnaire were confirmed.ConclusionThe Persian version of the QOLLTI – F v3 is a valid and reliable scale that can measure family caregivers’ quality of life during a Life-Threatening illness in patients with COVID-19. This instrument may be utilized in clinical trials and research to enhance the quality of life for family carers in Iranian society.
Rumination’s Role in Second Victim Nurses’ Recovery From Psychological Trauma: A Cross-Sectional Study in China
Authors: Sun Lianrong , Deng Juan , Xu Jixin , Ye Xuchun 
Published: May 2022

Background: Nurses can experience psychological trauma after adverse nursing events, making it likely for them to become second victims (SVs). This negatively impacts patient safety and nurses’ development. This study aims to understand the status of psychological trauma and recovery of nurses as SVs in domestic China and examine the influencing mechanism of cognitive rumination during their recovery from psychological damage.Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. An online questionnaire was completed by 233 nurses from across China. Data were collected using Chinese versions of the Second Victim Experience and Support Evaluation Scale, the Incident-related Rumination Meditation Questionnaire, and the post-traumatic growth (PTG) Rating Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression, as well as mediation analysis, were used for different analyses in this study.Results: Participants experienced apparent psychological traumas (4.65 ± 0.5583) with a certain degree of PTG (76.18 ± 16.0040); they reported a strong need for psychological support (95.7%). Psychological trauma was positively and negatively correlated with rumination and PTG (r = 0.465, p &lt; 0.001; r = −0.155, p &lt; 0.05) respectively. Both psychologically impaired experience and rumination had significant predictive effects on participants’ PTG (both, p &lt; 0.001). Nurses’ active rumination significantly mediated their psychological recovery from trauma to PTG (p &lt; 0.05), but the effect of invasive rumination was not significant (p &gt; 0.05).Limitation: The specific manifestations of the mechanism of invasive rumination are not clarified in this study.Conclusion: The present study investigated the psychological trauma of SV nurses as well as their support needs, and explored the role of cognitive rumination in the psychological repair and PTG of SV nurses. Results showed that SV nurses’ active rumination on adverse nursing events could promote their recovery from psychological trauma, but invasive rumination could not. This study provides a trauma-informed approach to care at the clinical level for nurses who experience psychological trauma caused by adverse events.
Association of Different Restriction Levels With COVID-19-Related Distress and Mental Health in Somatic Inpatients: A Secondary Analysis of Swiss General Hospital Data
Authors: Aebi Nicola Julia , Fink Günther , Wyss Kaspar , Schwenkglenks Matthias , Baenteli Iris , Caviezel Seraina , Studer Anja , Trost Sarah , Tschudin Sibil , Schaefert Rainer , Meinlschmidt Gunther ,   the SomPsyNet Consortium
Published: May 2022

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related countermeasures hinder health care access and affect mental wellbeing of non-COVID-19 patients. There is lack of evidence on distress and mental health of patients hospitalized due to other reasons than COVID-19—a vulnerable population group in two ways: First, given their risk for physical diseases, they are at increased risk for severe courses and death related to COVID-19. Second, they may struggle particularly with COVID-19 restrictions due to their dependence on social support. Therefore, we investigated the association of intensity of COVID-19 restrictions with levels of COVID-19-related distress, mental health (depression, anxiety, somatic symptom disorder, and mental quality of life), and perceived social support among Swiss general hospital non-COVID-19 inpatients.MethodsWe analyzed distress of 873 hospital inpatients not admitted for COVID-19, recruited from internal medicine, gynecology, rheumatology, rehabilitation, acute geriatrics, and geriatric rehabilitation wards of three hospitals. We assessed distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and four indicators of mental health: depressive and anxiety symptom severity, psychological distress associated with somatic symptoms, and the mental component of health-related quality of life; additionally, we assessed social support. The data collection period was divided into modest (June 9 to October 18, 2020) and strong (October 19, 2020, to April 17, 2021) COVID-19 restrictions, based on the Oxford Stringency Index for Switzerland.ResultsAn additional 13% (95%-Confidence Interval 4–21%) and 9% (1–16%) of hospital inpatients reported distress related to leisure time and loneliness, respectively, during strong COVID-19 restrictions compared to times of modest restrictions. There was no evidence for changes in mental health or social support.ConclusionsFocusing on the vulnerable population of general hospital inpatients not admitted for COVID-19, our results suggest that tightening of COVID-19 restrictions in October 2020 was associated with increased COVID-19-related distress regarding leisure time and loneliness, with no evidence for a related decrease in mental health. If this association was causal, safe measures to increase social interaction (e.g., virtual encounters and outdoor activities) are highly warranted.Trial registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04269005.
Social Contacts and Transmission of COVID-19 in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Ringa Notice , Iyaniwura Sarafa A. , David Samara , Irvine Mike A. , Adu Prince , Spencer Michelle , Janjua Naveed Z. , Otterstatter Michael C. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundClose-contact rates are thought to be a driving force behind the transmission of many infectious respiratory diseases. Yet, contact rates and their relation to transmission and the impact of control measures, are seldom quantified. We quantify the response of contact rates, reported cases and transmission of COVID-19, to public health contact-restriction orders, and examine the associations among these three variables in the province of British Columbia, Canada.MethodsWe derived time series data for contact rates, daily cases and transmission of COVID-19 from a social contacts survey, reported case counts and by fitting a transmission model to reported cases, respectively. We used segmented regression to investigate impacts of public health orders; Pearson correlation to determine associations between contact rates and transmission; and vector autoregressive modeling to quantify lagged associations between contacts rates, daily cases, and transmission.ResultsDeclines in contact rates and transmission occurred concurrently with the announcement of public health orders, whereas declines in cases showed a reporting delay of about 2 weeks. Contact rates were a significant driver of COVID-19 and explained roughly 19 and 20% of the variation in new cases and transmission, respectively. Interestingly, increases in COVID-19 transmission and cases were followed by reduced contact rates: overall, daily cases explained about 10% of the variation in subsequent contact rates.ConclusionWe showed that close-contact rates were a significant time-series driver of transmission and ultimately of reported cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia, Canada and that they varied in response to public health orders. Our results also suggest possible behavioral feedback, by which increased reported cases lead to reduced subsequent contact rates. Our findings help to explain and validate the commonly assumed, but rarely measured, response of close contact rates to public health guidelines and their impact on the dynamics of infectious diseases.
Effect of Oral Chinese Herbal Preparations Regulating Intestinal Flora on Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Controlled Clinical Studies
Authors: Gong Wenqian , Zhang Wuguang , Chang Chunyang 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundLipid metabolism disorders can damage human health, and the changes in human intestinal flora are closely related to lipid metabolism disorders. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can play a role in regulating intestinal flora and balancing intestinal microecology. In this meta-analysis, the role of oral preparations of TCM that regulate intestinal flora, in the prevention and treatment of lipid metabolism disorders, was systematically evaluated.MethodsThe databases CBM, Pubmed, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, and Google Scholar were searched by rapid matching of keywords to obtain clinical controlled studies related to oral preparations of TCMs regulating intestinal flora. After screening and quality evaluation, meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software.ResultsTotal of 835 patients were enrolled in the 10 articles included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that TCM intervention could reduce the level of total cholesterol (TC) in patients with abnormal lipid metabolism [mean difference (MD) = −0.61, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) (−0.80, −0.42), p &lt; 0.00001], reduce triacylglycerol (TG) level [MD = −0.46, 95%CI (−0.60, −0.33), p &lt; 0.00001], increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level [MD = 0.25, 95%CI (0.17, 0.34), p &lt; 0.00001], reduce the number of intestinal enterobacteria [MD = −0.64, 95%CI (−0.79, −0.49), p &lt; 0.00001], reduce the number of enterococci [MD = −1.14, 95%CI (−1.66, −0.63), p &lt; 0.00001], increase the number of intestinal lactobacillus [MD = 0.41, 95%CI (0.09, 0.74), p = 0.01], and increase the number of intestinal bifidobacteria [MD = 0.94, 95%CI (0.20, 1.68), p = 0.01].ConclusionThe application of oral preparations of TCMs that regulate intestinal flora, in the prevention and treatment of lipid metabolism disorders, can increase the colonization of beneficial bacteria in the intestine of patients, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, and restore the intestinal microecological balance, thus indirectly acting on the regulation of blood lipids in patients and contributing to the recovery of dyslipidemia.