bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Normal Urinary Albumin–Creatinine Ratio Is Associated With Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, HTN With T2DM, Dyslipidemia, and Cardiovascular Diseases in the Chinese Population: A Report From the REACTION Study
Authors: Wang Jie , Wang Yun , Li Yijun , Hu Ying , Jin Lingzi , Wang Weiqing , Gao Zhengnan , Tang Xulei , Yan Li , Wan Qin , Luo Zuojie , Qin Guijun , Chen Lulu , Gu Weijun , Lyv Zhaohui , Mu Yiming 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAlbuminuria has been widely considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which is associated with hypertension (HTN), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), HTN with T2DM, and dyslipidemia. However, the associations between albuminuria and HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs are still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association of albuminuria thoroughly, especially within the normal range, with the abovementioned diseases in the Chinese population.MethodsThis study included 40,188 participants aged over 40 years from seven centers across China. Urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR) was firstly divided into the ≥30-mg/g group, indicating kidney damage, and &lt;30-mg/g group. Furthermore, UACR was divided into five groups: the &lt;20%, 20%–39%, 40%–59%, 60%–79%, and ≥80% groups, according to the quintile division of participants within the normal range. Propensity score matching was used to reduce bias, and multiple logistic regression models were conducted to examine the association between UACR and HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs.ResultsMultivariable regression analysis revealed that UACR, even within the normal range, is significantly associated with HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs, and the association between UACR and HTN with T2DM was the most significant in model 3 even after adjusting for confounding factors (HTN: OR = 1.56 (95% CI = 1.45–1.68), p &lt; 0.0001; T2DM: OR = 1.78 (95% CI = 1.60–1.97), p &lt; 0.0001; HTN with T2DM: OR = 1.76 (95% CI = 1.59–1.95), p &lt; 0.0001; dyslipidemia: OR = 1.08 (95% CI = 1.01–1.14), p = 0.0146; CVDs: OR = 1.12 (95% CI = 1.00–1.25), p = 0.0475). In the stratified analysis, high normal UACR was significantly associated with HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, and dyslipidemia in subgroups.ConclusionsIn summary, we observe a higher prevalence of HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs in abnormal UACR and reveal a significant association of UACR, even within the normal range, with HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs.
Dust Aerosol’s Deposition and its Effects on Chlorophyll-A Concentrations Based on Multi-Sensor Satellite Observations and Model Simulations: A Case Study
Authors: Wang Wencai , He Zhizheng , Hai Shangfei , Sheng Lifang , Han Yongqing , Zhou Yang 
Published: May 2022

Asian dust deposition is an important source of nutrients to the Pacific Ocean, when aerosol dust is deposited into the ocean, it will affect the biological productivity and hence climate. In this paper, we analyzed a dust process that occurred in the Taklimakan Desert during 21–25 May 2019 by employing multi-sensor satellite observations and the WRF-Chem model. It is found that dust aerosols rise in the Taklimakan Desert, moving eastward at high altitudes under the role of the westerly winds, passing over the downwind regions, and deposition in the Pacific Ocean. Dust aerosol deposition results in an increase of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations and particulate organic carbon (POC) after 2 days, Chl-a concentrations and POC increase by 175 and 873%, respectively. Moreover, the values of Chl-a concentrations and POC are 256 and 644% higher than the 5-years average during the same period.
The Efficacy and Safety of Probiotics for Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Luo Chao , Peng Shunlin , Li Mao , Ao Xudong , Liu Zhiqing 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundProbiotics have proven beneficial in a number of immune-mediated and allergic diseases. Several human studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of probiotics in allergic rhinitis; however, evidence for their use has yet to be firmly established.ObjectiveWe undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to address the effect and safety of probiotics on allergic rhinitis.MethodsWe systematically searched databases [MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials] from inception until June 1, 2021. Qualified literature was selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, the data were extracted, and a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.ResultsTwenty-eight studies were included. The results showed that probiotics significantly relieved allergic rhinitis symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD], −0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) [−0.44, −0.13]; p = 0.0003, I2 = 89%), decreased Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores compared with the control group (SMD, −0.64, 95% CI [−0.79, −0.49], p &lt; 0.00001, I2 = 97%), and increased T helper cell 1(Th1)/Th2 ratio (mean difference [MD], −2.47, 95% CI [−3.27, −1.68], p &lt; 0.00001, I2 = 72%). There was no significant change in overall or specific IgE levels between probiotic-treated and placebo-treated subjects (SMD, 0.09, 95% CI [−0.16, 0.34], I2 = 0%, and SMD, −0.03, 95% CI [−0.18, 0.13], p = 0.72, I2 = 0%, respectively).ConclusionsTo sum up, probiotic supplement seems to be effective in ameliorating allergic rhinitis symptoms and improving the quality of life, but there is high heterogeneity in some results after subgroup analysis and clinicians should be cautious when recommending probiotics in treating allergic rhinitis.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO (CRD42021242645).
Dynamic Monitoring of Immunoinflammatory Response Identifies Immunoswitching Characteristics of Severe Acute Pancreatitis in Rats
Authors: Zhuang Qian , Huang Liqiang , Zeng Yue , Wu Xu , Qiao Gan , Liu Minghua , Wang Lulu , Zhou Yejiang , Xiong Yuxia 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundImmune dysfunction is the main characteristic of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and the timing of immune regulation has become a major challenge for SAP treatment. Previous reports about the time point at which the immune status of SAP changed from excessive inflammatory response to immunosuppression (hypo-inflammatory response) are conflicting.PurposesThe aims of this study are to explore the immunological dynamic changes in SAP rats from the perspective of intestinal mucosal immune function, and to determine the immunoswitching point from excessive inflammatory response to immunosuppression.MethodsRetrograde injection of sodium taurocholate into the pancreaticobiliary duct was applied to establish a SAP model in rats. The survival rate and the activities of serum amylase and pancreatic lipase in SAP rats were measured at different time points after model construction. The pathological changes in the pancreas and small intestines were analyzed, and the levels of intestinal pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the numbers of intestinal macrophages, dendritic cells, Th1, Th2, and T regulatory cells were assessed. Meanwhile, the SAP rats were challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) strains to simulate a second hit, and the levels of intestinal inflammatory cytokines and the numbers of immune cells were analyzed to confirm the immunoswitching point.ResultsThe time periods of 12–24 h and 48–72 h were the two death peaks in SAP rats. The pancreas of SAP rats showed self-limiting pathological changes, and the switching period of intestinal cytokines, and innate and adaptive immunity indexes occurred at 24–48 h. It was further confirmed that 48 h after SAP model construction was the immunoswitching point from excessive inflammatory response to immunosuppression.ConclusionThe SAP rats showed characteristics of intestinal mucosal immune dysfunction after model construction, and the 48th h was identified as the immunoswitching point from excessive inflammatory response to immunosuppression. The results are of great significance for optimizing the timing of SAP immune regulation.
Real-Word Effectiveness of Global COVID-19 Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Kai , Wang Lin , Li Mingzhe , Xie Bing , He Lu , Wang Meiyu , Zhang Rumin , Hou Nianzong , Zhang Yi , Jia Fusen 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundCurrently, promoted vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 are being given out globally. However, the occurrence of numerous COVID-19 variants has hindered the goal of rapid mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic by effective mass vaccinations. The real-word effectiveness of the current vaccines against COVID-19 variants has not been assessed by published reviews. Therefore, our study evaluated the overall effectiveness of current vaccines and the differences between the various vaccines and variants.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, medRxiv, bioRxiv, and arXiv were searched to screen the eligible studies. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale and the Egger test were applied to estimate the quality of the literature and any publication bias, respectively. The pooled incident rates of different variants after vaccination were estimated by single-arm analysis. Meanwhile, the pooled efficacies of various vaccines against variants were evaluated by two-arm analysis using odds ratios (ORs) and vaccine effectiveness (VE).ResultsA total of 6,118 studies were identified initially and 44 articles were included. We found that the overall incidence of variants post first/second vaccine were 0.07 and 0.03, respectively. The VE of the incidence of variants post first vaccine between the vaccine and the placebo or unvaccinated population was 40% and post second vaccine was 96%, respectively. The sub-single-arm analysis showed a low prevalence rate of COVID-19 variants after specific vaccination with the pooled incidence below 0.10 in most subgroups. Meanwhile, the sub-two-arm analysis indicated that most current vaccines had a good or moderate preventive effect on certain variants considering that the VE in these subgroups was between 66 and 95%, which was broadly in line with the results of the sub-single-arm analysis.ConclusionOur meta-analysis shows that the current vaccines that are used globally could prevent COVID-19 infection and restrict the spread of variants to a great extent. We would also support maximizing vaccine uptake with two doses, as the effectiveness of which was more marked compared with one dose. Although the mRNA vaccine was the most effective against variants according to our study, specific vaccines should be taken into account based on the local dominant prevalence of variants.
Whitecoat Adherence in Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Poleon Shervonne , Sabbagh Nouran , Racette Lyne 
Published: May 2022

PurposeWhitecoat adherence refers to improved medication adherence in the days surrounding clinic visits. This may lead to clinical measures that are not representative of those outside of clinical encounters. In glaucoma, whitecoat adherence to prescribed hypotensive therapy may lead to intraocular pressure readings within the target range, which may impact clinical decision-making. We aimed to quantify and identify factors associated with whitecoat adherence.MethodsIn this cohort study, patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were selected from an ongoing longitudinal NIH-funded study if they used hypotensive eyedrops, had a clinic visit during the parent study, and had adherence data during the 28 days evenly bracketing the clinic visit. Adherence within the implementation phase was measured using Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) caps. Wilcoxon tests were used to compare mean adherence between the following periods: Pre14−4 (days 14 to 4 preceding the clinic visit) and Pre3−1 (days 3 to 1 preceding the visit); Post1−3 (days 1 to 3 following the clinic visit) and Post4−14 (days 4 to 14 following the visit). Analyses were performed in the full sample and in patients with optimal (≥80%, n = 49) and suboptimal adherence (&lt;80%, n = 17).ResultsSixty-six patients were included, of which 51.5% were female. Mean age was 70.8 ± 8.1 years. In the 6 months evenly bracketing the clinic visit, mean and median adherence were 86.3% (standard deviation = 17.7) and 95.6% (interquartile range = 21.2), respectively. Overall, mean adherence increased from Pre14−4 to Pre3−1 (85.5% ± 21.2 to 88.5% ± 23.2, p = 0.01) and decreased from Post1−3 to Post4−14 (87.0 ± 23.9 to 84.9 ± 23.3, p = 0.02). In patients with optimal adherence, adherence increased from Pre14−4 to Pre3−1 (94.0 ± 11.7 to 97.7 ± 7.4, p = 0.001) and from Post1−3 to Post4−14 (95.2 ± 12.0 to 95.4 ± 5.7, p = 0.007). Whitecoat adherence was not observed in patients with suboptimal adherence.ConclusionWe documented the presence of whitecoat adherence in this cohort. Due to its potential impact on clinical outcomes and decisions, providers should remain vigilant for this phenomenon and prioritize it during patient-provider discussions.
Recurrence of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Is Independent of ABO Blood Type: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ou Yunwei , Yu Xiaofan , Wu Liang , Zhang Dong , Liu Weiming 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveA previous study with a limited number of patients has shown that blood type A was a risk factor in the recurrence of CSDH. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association between the recurrence of CSDH and ABO blood type based on a larger sample size.MethodsThe authors reviewed in-patients with symptomatic CSDH from August 2011 to August 2021. Hospitalization information and data on long-term outcomes and recurrence among these patients were gathered. For all clinical variables, numbers (percentages) and mean ± standard deviations were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. For intergroup comparisons, the χ2 test or one-way ANOVA was carried out. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the association between CSDH recurrence and blood types.ResultsWe included 1,556 inpatients in this study. The recurrence rate of CSDH showed no differences among different blood types. In the multivariable logistic regression analyses, ABO blood type (A: OR, 1.064; 95% CI, 0.467–2.851, p = 0.793; B: OR, 0.682, 95% CI, 0.315–1.269, p = 0.164; AB: OR, 0.537, 95% CI, 0.426–1.861, p = 0.357) was not a significantly independent predictor of CSDH recurrence.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that ABO blood type was not a risk factor in the recurrence of CSDH. Thus, we should not pay too much attention to ABO blood type in terms of CSDH recurrence.
Risk Factors for Postischemic Stroke Epilepsy in Young Adults: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan
Authors: Do Phuong Thao , Chen Li-Ying , Chan Lung , Hu Chaur-Jong , Chien Li-Nien 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundThe incidence of ischemic stroke has been increasing in the young population over the past 20 years. Poststroke epilepsy (PSE) is a common complication after stroke. However, few population-based studies with sufficient follow-up have investigated factors associated with PSE, especially factors related to comorbidities and unhealthy lifestyles in the modern young population. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the long-term incidence and these risk factors for PSE young adults.MethodsThis cohort study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) from 2002 to 2018. All patients aged between 19 and 44 years and diagnosed with ischemic stroke from 2002 to 2015 were retrospectively enrolled with a follow-up of at least 3 years. Multivariable Cox regression models were performed to identify predictors of PSE, including patients' demographics, baseline conditions, stroke severity, etiologies, comorbidities, and unhealthy behaviors.ResultsAmong 6,512 ischemic stroke patients, 402 cases (6.2%) developed PSE who were with a mean follow-up period of 8.3 years (SD = 4.3 years). During the overall follow-up, stroke severity and manifestations were associated with PSE, including National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥10 (aHR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.50–2.61), seizure at first stroke admission [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 57.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 43.02–76.55], length of hospital stay ≥14 days (aHR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.26–2.02), recurrent stroke (aHR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.85–2.90), aphasia (aHR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.20–2.60), and malignancy (aHR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.30–3.24). Furthermore, stroke patients with drug abuse were 2.90 times more likely to develop PSE than those without (aHR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.53–5.50). By contrast, statin use (aHR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.48–0.80) was associated with a lower risk of PSE. The risk factors at 1-year and 5-year PSE were similar to that of an overall follow-up.ConclusionsStroke severity, aphasia, malignancy, and drug abuse were associated increased risk of PSE and statin use may protect against PSE in young adults. Reducing the severity of stroke, statin use and controlling unhealthy behaviors might be able to decrease the development of PSE. Since PSE is associated with poor outcomes, early identification or intervention of PSE based on the risk factors might reduce the harmful effects of PSE.
Brain Function and Upper Limb Deficit in Stroke With Motor Execution and Imagery: A Cross-Sectional Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Ma Zhen-Zhen , Wu Jia-Jia , Hua Xu-Yun , Zheng Mou-Xiong , Xing Xiang-Xin , Ma Jie , Li Si-Si , Shan Chun-Lei , Xu Jian-Guang 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundMotor imagery training might be helpful in stroke rehabilitation. This study explored if a specific modulation of movement-related regions is related to motor imagery (MI) ability.MethodsTwenty-three patients with subcortical stroke and 21 age-matched controls were recruited. They were subjectively screened using the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ). They then underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing three repetitions of different motor tasks (motor execution and MI). Two separate runs were acquired [motor execution tasks (ME and rest) and motor imagery (MI and rest)] in a block design. For the different tasks, analyses of cerebral activation and the correlation of motor/imagery task-related activity and KVIQ scores were performed.ResultsDuring unaffected hand (UH) active grasp movement, we observed decreased activations in the contralateral precentral gyrus (PreCG), contralateral postcentral gyrus (PoCG) [p &lt; 0.05, family wise error (FWE) corrected] and a positive correlation with the ability of FMA-UE (PreCG: r = 0.46, p = 0.028; PoCG: r = 0.44, p = 0.040). During active grasp of the affected hand (AH), decreased activation in the contralateral PoCG was observed (p &lt; 0.05, FWE corrected). MI of the UH induced significant activations of the contralateral superior frontal gyrus, opercular region of the inferior frontal gyrus, and ipsilateral ACC and deactivation in the ipsilateral supplementary motor area (p &lt; 0.05, AlphaSim correction). Ipsilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity negatively correlated with MI ability (r = =–0.49, p = 0.022). Moreover, we found significant activation of the contralesional middle frontal gyrus (MFG) during MI of the AH.ConclusionOur results proved the dominant effects of MI dysfunction that exist in stroke during the processing of motor execution. In the motor execution task, the enhancement of the contralateral PreCG and PoCG contributed to reversing the motor dysfunction, while in the MI task, inhibition of the contralateral ACC can increase the impaired KVIQ ability. The bimodal balance recovery model can explain our results well. Recognizing neural mechanisms is critical to helping us formulate precise strategies when intervening with electrical or magnetic stimulation.
The Effect of Delayed Oncology Surgery on Survival Outcomes for Patients With Gastric Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence-Based Strategies
Authors: Ma Jichun , Zhu Chenglou , Li Weidong , Qiu Zhisheng , Yang Jian , Ge Long , Da Mingxu 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of delay in gastrectomy on gastric cancer patients’ survival outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsDatabases including PubMed, MEDLINE (using the Ovid platform), Embase, the Cochrane Library, COVID-19 Open Research Dataset Challenge, COVID-19 Research Database (WHO), ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched for studies of any design and in any setting that included patients with gastric cancer from their inception to July 31, 2021. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of research endpoints in each study were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata 12.0.ResultsA total of 8 studies involving 4,052 gastric cancer patients were eligible and included in the present meta-analysis. The result of the meta-analysis was shown that delaying surgery for less than 8 weeks may not decrease OS (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.80~1.04, p = 0.167) and DFS (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.62~1.50, p = 0.872) in gastric cancer. Our meta-analysis also illustrated that delay in surgery for more than 4 weeks (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.56~1.27, p = 0.421), 6 weeks (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.61~1.27, p = 0.490), and 8 weeks (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.80~1.07, p = 0.314) was also not associated with a decreased OS.ConclusionA delay in surgery of less than 8 weeks is not associated with worse overall survival for patients with gastric cancer.
The Value of Whole-Tumor Texture Analysis of ADC in Predicting the Early Recurrence of Locally Advanced Cervical Squamous Cell Cancer Treated With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Zhang Xiaomiao , Zhang Qi , Xie Lizhi , An Jusheng , Wang Sicong , Yu Xiaoduo , Zhao Xinming 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesTo investigate the value of whole-tumor texture analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map in predicting the early recurrence of patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer (LACSC) treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and establish a combined prediction model including clinical variables and first-order texture features.MethodsIn total, 219 patients (training: n = 153; testing: n = 66) with stage IIB-IVA LACSC treated by CCRT between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Clinical variables and 22 first-order texture features extracted from ADC map were collected. The Mann-Whitney U test or independent sample t test, chi-square test or Fisher’s exact were used to analyze statistically significant parameters, logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to compare the diagnostic performance.ResultsIn the clinical variables, T stage and lymph node metastasis (LNM) were independent risk factors, and the areas under the curve (AUCs) of the clinical model were 0.697 and 0.667 in the training and testing cohorts, the sensitivity and specificity were 48.8% and 85.5% in the training cohort, and 84.1% and 51.1% in the testing cohort, respectively. In the first-order texture features, mean absolute deviation (MAD) was the independent protective factor, with an AUC of 0.756 in the training cohort and 0.783 in the testing cohort. The sensitivity and specificity were 95.3% and 52.7% in the training cohort and 94.7% and 53.2% in the testing cohort, respectively. The combined model (MAD, T stage, and LNM) was established, it exhibited the highest AUC of 0.804 in the training cohort and 0.821 in the testing cohort, which was significantly higher than the AUC of the clinical prediction model. The sensitivity and specificity were 67.4% and 85.5% in the training cohort and 94.7% and 70.2% in the testing cohort, respectively.ConclusionsThe first-order texture features of the ADC map could be used along with clinical predictive biomarkers to predict early recurrence in patients with LACSC treated by CCRT.