bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus for the treatment of diarrhea
Authors: Carona Anthony , Jacobson David , Hildebolt Charles F. , Qureshi Waqar , Rowland Kevin C. 
Published: November 2022

Background and aimsProbiotics are widely used and prescribed to address a host of health issues. Despite evidence that different probiotic bacteria have differing therapeutic mechanisms of action, many probiotics are prescribed indiscriminately, with little research to support the use of specific formulations for a given ailment. Further investigation is required to assess the efficacy of one commonly prescribed probiotic formulation Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (helveticus) – for the treatment of diarrhea. This review seeks to assess whether administration of probiotics composed of L.acidophilus and L. bulgaricus (helveticus) are more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms of diarrhea.MethodsA systematic search of randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of combination L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus in the treatment of diarrhea by any cause was conducted and captured all available studies (n = 2411). After application of exclusion criteria, four studies were identified as suitable for inclusion. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for the proportion of cases with diarrhea in the placebo group and the treatment group. To assess differences in proportions between the placebo and treatment groups, a generalized linear model assessment was performed.ResultsAnalyses revealed the overall proportion of cases with diarrhea in the treatment group, 36 participants who had diarrhea out of 91 total, was only 3.5% lower than the overall proportion in the placebo group, 44 participants who had diarrhea out of 105 total.(P = 0.508), with our considering that the 3.5 lower percentage to be of little or no clinical importance.ConclusionExisting literature suggests little or no clinical benefit of a L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus probiotic formulation for the treatment of diarrhea, highlighting the need for more research or re-evaluation of its widespread use.
Association between systemic rheumatic diseases and dementia risk: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yao-Chin , Lin Muh-Shi , Huang Abel Po-Hao , Wu Chieh-Chen , Kung Woon-Man 
Published: November 2022

Background and aimsEpidemiological studies have been conducted on the relationship between systemic rheumatic diseases (SRDs) and dementia. Therefore, we focused on determining the extent of alliances bounded by SRDs, along with the risk of dementia.Materials and methodsTwo independent reviewers assessed all studies retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases between January 1, 2000 and November 30, 2021. Only observational studies that estimated the possibility of dementia in participants with SRD were considered. The random-effects model was applied to forecast pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity among the studies was evaluated using the Q and I2 statistics. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Funnel plots were used to calculate the risk of bias.ResultsSeventeen observational studies with 17,717,473 participants were recruited. Our findings showed that among the participants with SRDs, those with osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren’s syndrome were highly related to an elevated risk of dementia (pooled RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.15–1.49, p&lt;0.001; pooled RR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.19–1.73, p&lt;0.001; and pooled RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.14–1.39, p&lt;0.001, respectively). However, participants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were not associated with an increased risk of dementia (pooled RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.90–1.07, p&lt;0.001).ConclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated an increased dementia risk among SRDs participants, except for RA.
Exploring the Association Between Resilience and Quality of Life Among Glaucoma Patients: Sleep Disturbance as a Mediating Factor
Authors: Peng Qinqi , Qu Bo , Sznajder Kristin K. , Chen Qiongli , Fu Jiahui , He Shan , Yang Xiaoshi 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundPatients with glaucoma may experience many symptoms such as blindness, which seriously affect their quality of life (QoL). Resilience is playing a vital role in enhancing the QoL and well-being of patients with chronic diseases. In addition, sleep disturbance is common in patients with glaucoma, leading to a decline in their QoL. However, there is a dearth of research on whether sleep disturbance plays a mediating role between resilience and QoL among glaucoma patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the role of sleep disturbance in the relationship between resilience and QoL among glaucoma patients.MethodsFrom July to December 2019, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on 215 glaucoma patients in an ophthalmic hospital in Liaoning Province. Hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted to examine the factors related to QoL and to test the hypothesis that sleep disturbance mediates the relationship between resilience and QoL among glaucoma patients.ResultsThe average QoL score among glaucoma patients was 43.85 ± 14.97 as reported by the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15) scale, where a higher scores indicating a poorer QoL. Resilience was found to be linked with a lower QoL score (P &lt; 0.01), while sleep disturbance was associated with a higher QoL score (P &lt; 0.01). When sleep disturbance was included in the model as partial mediator, the path coefficients for the association between resilience and QoL score was significantly decreased (a*b = −0.1, BCa95% CI: −0.154∼−0.045).ConclusionFindings of this study reflected that QoL among glaucoma patients in China was poor. Resilience was found to be an important positive factor, which could result in the improvement of QoL. Furthermore, sleep disturbance mediated the relationship between resilience and QoL among patients with glaucoma, thereby reducing the positive impact of resilience on QoL in glaucoma patients. Efforts to improve QoL among glaucoma patients may benefit from interventions that enhance the levels of resilience and promote healthy sleep.
A thermo-alkali stable and detergent compatible processive β-1,4-glucanase from Himalayan Bacillus sp. PCH94
Authors: Thakur Vikas , Singh Dharam 
Published: November 2022

Present study reports a novel and robust GH9 processive endoglucanase β-1,4-glucanase from Bacillus sp. PCH94 (EGaseBL) with thermo-alkali stable properties. The EGaseBL gene was cloned in pET-28b(+) and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. The recombinant protein was purified 94-fold with a yield of 67.8%. The biochemical characterization revealed an active enzyme at a wide pH (4.0–10.0) and temperature (4–100°C). It showed a Km and Vmax of 1.10 mg/ml and 208.24 IU/mg, respectively, using β-glucan as a substrate. The EGaseBL showed dual activities for endoglucanase (134.17 IU/mg) and exoglucanase (28.76 IU/mg), assayed using substrates β-glucan and Avicel, respectively. The enzyme is highly stable in neutral and alkaline pH and showed a half-life of 11.29 h, and 8.31 h in pH 7.0 and 9.0, respectively. The enzyme is also compatible with commercial detergents (Tide, Surf, Ghadi, Raj, and Healing tree) of the Indian market and retained &gt; 85% enzyme activity. Concisely, robustness, extreme functionality, and detergent compatibility endorse EGaseBL as a potential bioresource for the detergent industry, in addition to its implications for the bioethanol industry.Highlights– Cloning, expression, and purification of putative novel GH9 family β-1,4-glucanase.– Processive endoglucanase with CBM3 domain and bi-functional (endo/exo) activity.– Broad pH-temperature active and stable enzyme.– Compatible with commercial detergent powders.
The mean diffusivity of forceps minor is useful to distinguish amnestic mild cognitive impairment from mild cognitive impairment caused by cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Zhang Yue , Lin Lu , Feng Mengmeng , Dong LingYan , Qin Yiren , Su Huan , Zhou Zheping , Dai Hui , Wang Yueju 
Published: November 2022

ObjectivesIn recent years, the desire to make a more fine-grained identification on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has become apparent, the etiological diagnosis of MCI in particular. Nevertheless, new methods for the etiological diagnosis of MCI are currently insufficient. The objective of this study was to establish discriminative measures for amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) and MCI caused by cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).Materials and methodsIn total, 20 normal controls (NCs), 33 a-MCI patients, and 25 CSVD-MCI patients performed comprehensive neuropsychological assessments concerning global cognitive function and five cognitive domains as well as magnetic resonance imaging scan with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Diffusion parameters including fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity of 20 major white matter metrics were obtained by ROI-based analyses. The neuropsychological tests and diffusion measurements were compared and binary logistic regression was used to identify the best differential indicator for the two MCI subgroups. The discriminating power was calculated by receiver operating characteristic analysis.ResultsAmnestic mild cognitive impairment group showed significant impairment in memory and language function, while CSVD-MCI group revealed more deficits in multi-cognitive domains of memory, language, attention and executive function than controls. Compared to the a-MCI, CSVD-MCI was significantly dysfunctional in the executive function. The CSVD-MCI group had decreased fractional anisotropy and increased mean diffusivity values throughout widespread white matter areas. CSVD-MCI presented more severe damage in the anterior thalamic radiation, forceps major, forceps minor and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus compared with a-MCI group. No significant neuropsychological tests were found in the binary logistic regression model, yet the DTI markers showed a higher discriminative power than the neuropsychological tests. The Stroop test errors had moderate potential (AUC = 0.747; sensitivity = 76.0%; specificity = 63.6%; P = 0.001; 95% CI: 0.617–0.877), and the mean diffusivity value of forceps minor demonstrated the highest predictive power to discriminate each MCI subtype (AUC = 0.815; sensitivity = 88.0%; specificity = 72.7%; P &lt; 0.001; 95% CI: 0.698–0.932).ConclusionThe mean diffusivity of forceps minor may serve as an optimal indicator to differentiate between a-MCI and CSVD-MCI.
Altered sensorimotor processing in irritable bowel syndrome: Evidence for a transdiagnostic pathomechanism in functional somatic disorders
Authors: Schröder Lena , Regnath Franziska , Glasauer Stefan , Hackenberg Anna , Hente Juliane , Weilenmann Sonja , Pohl Daniel , von Känel Roland , Lehnen Nadine 
Published: November 2022

ObjectiveA recent hypothesis suggests that functional somatic symptoms are due to altered information processing in the brain, with rigid expectations biasing sensorimotor signal processing. First experimental results confirmed such altered processing within the affected symptom modality, e.g., deficient eye-head coordination in patients with functional dizziness. Studies in patients with functional somatic symptoms looking at general, trans-symptomatic processing deficits are sparse. Here, we investigate sensorimotor processing during eye-head gaze shifts in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to test whether processing deficits exist across symptom modalities.MethodsStudy participants were seven patients suffering from IBS and seven age- and gender-matched healthy controls who performed large gaze shifts toward visual targets. Participants performed combined eye-head gaze shifts in the natural condition and with experimentally increased head moment of inertia. Head oscillations as a marker for sensorimotor processing deficits were assessed. Bayes statistics was used to assess evidence for the presence or absence of processing differences between IBS patients and healthy controls.ResultsWith the head moment of inertia increased, IBS patients displayed more pronounced head oscillations than healthy controls (Bayes Factor 10 = 56.4, corresponding to strong evidence).ConclusionPatients with IBS show sensorimotor processing deficits, reflected by increased head oscillations during large gaze shifts to visual targets. In particular, patients with IBS have difficulties to adapt to the context of altered head moment of inertia. Our results suggest general transdiagnostic processing deficits in functional somatic disorders.
Efficacy and safety of fermented Prunus mume vinegar on fatigue improvement in adults with unexplained fatigue: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Choi Jung In , Lee Ye Li , Lee Sang Yeoup 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundThe accumulation of fatigue leads to reduced physical, emotional, psychological, and social functions.ObjectivesFermented Prunus mume vinegar (PV) improves fatigue in animals; however, studies in humans have not been conducted. We aimed to examine the effects and safety of consuming fermented PV for 8 weeks on fatigue indices in adults with unexplained fatigue while considering the placebo effect.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in adults of &gt;19 years, who were diagnosed with unexplained fatigue for at least 1 month. Eighty participants were randomly assigned to receive daily 70 mL of fermented PV (2.56 mg/g, chlorogenic acid, and 15.3 mg/g, citric acid) or a placebo for 8 weeks. At baseline and 4 and 8 weeks after treatment, the participants were visited for blood tests (liver enzyme, glucose, creatinine, lactate, malondialdehyde [MDA], and creatine kinase [CK]) and questionnaires (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS], fatigue visual analog scale [VAS], Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], the Korean version of the Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument [BEPSI-K], EQ-5D-3L, and EQ-VAS]).ResultsFermented PV supplementation for 8 weeks did not remarkably improve the fatigue indices when compared to placebo. Additionally, differences in fatigue VAS, BDI, BEPSI-K, EQ-5D-3L, EQ-VAS, lactate, CK, and MDA concentrations between the groups were not observed. However, FSS had positively correlated with fatigue VAS, BDI, and BEPSI-K, whereas it was negatively correlated with EQ-5D-3L and EQ-VAS at the baseline and 8 weeks. None of the participants reported adverse events.ConclusionThe efficacy of fermented PV did not exceed the efficacy of placebo in adults with unexplained fatigue.Clinical trial registration[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04319692].
Covalent organic polymer induces apoptosis of liver cancer cells via photodynamic and photothermal effects
Authors: Xu Wenze , Zhang Mengfan , Wang Wenhui , Wang Manzhou , Li Bingjie , Li Hao , Kuang Donglin , Liang Chao , Ren Jianzhuang , Duan Xuhua 
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore the photodynamic and photothermal effects of the supramolecular material Purp@COP and to test the anti-cancer effect on HepG2 cells in vitro.Materials and methodsPurp@COP is a covalent organic polymer (COP) with robust tailoring heteroatom incorporation, plentiful pore structure, and multiple functions similar to the metal–organic framework (MOF). Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was cultured with Purp@COP for 24 h and treated with near-infrared 808-nm laser 1 W/cm2 for 10 min. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, live–dead cell fluorescence staining, and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining flow cytometry were performed to detect the viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of the HepG2 cells.ResultsThe supramolecular material Purp@COP exhibited significant photothermal performance under near-infrared 808-nm laser irradiation in vitro. With the treatment of Purp@COP and near-infrared 808-nm laser irradiation on HepG2 cells, cell viability and colony formation capacity were decreased, and the number and proportion of apoptotic cells were increased.ConclusionsThe supramolecular material Purp@COP has both photothermal and photodynamic effects and can significantly induce cancer cell death and inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro.
Changes in prenatal testing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Handley Sara C. , Ledyard Rachel , Lundsberg Lisbet S. , Passarella Molly , Yang Nancy , Son Moeun , McKenney Kathryn , Greenspan Jay , Dysart Kevin , Culhane Jennifer F. , Burris Heather H. 
Published: November 2022

ObjectiveThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery, including prenatal care. The study objective was to assess if timing of routine prenatal testing changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsRetrospective observational cohort study using claims data from a regional insurer (Highmark) and electronic health record data from two academic health systems (Penn Medicine and Yale New Haven) to compare prenatal testing timing in the pre-pandemic (03/10/2018–12/31/2018 and 03/10/2019–12/31/2019) and early COVID-19 pandemic (03/10/2020–12/31/2020) periods. Primary outcomes were second trimester fetal anatomy ultrasounds and gestational diabetes (GDM) testing. A secondary analysis examined first trimester ultrasounds.ResultsThe three datasets included 31,474 pregnant patients. Mean gestational age for second trimester anatomy ultrasounds increased from the pre-pandemic to COVID-19 period (Highmark 19.4 vs. 19.6 weeks; Penn: 20.1 vs. 20.4 weeks; Yale: 18.8 vs. 19.2 weeks, all p &lt; 0.001). There was a detectable decrease in the proportion of patients who completed the anatomy survey &lt;20 weeks' gestation across datasets, which did not persist at &lt;23 weeks' gestation. There were no consistent changes in timing of GDM screening. There were significant reductions in the proportion of patients with first trimester ultrasounds in the academic institutions (Penn: 57.7% vs. 40.6% and Yale: 78.7% vs. 65.5%, both p &lt; 0.001) but not Highmark. Findings were similar with multivariable adjustment.ConclusionWhile some prenatal testing happened later in pregnancy during the pandemic, pregnant patients continued to receive appropriately timed testing. Despite disruptions in care delivery, prenatal screening remained a priority for patients and providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A bibliometric analysis of the recent advances in diazepam from 2012 to 2021
Authors: Zhang Ming , Kou Lin , Qin Yaya , Chen Junwen , Bai Dazhang , Zhao Li , Lin Hongyu , Jiang Guohui 
Published: November 2022

Background: Diazepam is a classic benzodiazepine drug that has been widely used for disorders such as anxiety, sleep disorders, and epilepsy, over the past 59 years. The study of diazepam has always been an important research topic. However, there are few bibliometric analyses or systematic studies in this field. This study undertook bibliometric and visual analysis to ascertain the current status of diazepam research, and to identify research hotspots and trends in the past 10 years, to better understand future developments in basic and clinical research.Methods: Articles and reviews of diazepam were retrieved from the Web of Science core collection. Using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica software, countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords in the field were visually analyzed.Results: A total of 3,870 publications were included. Diazepam-related literature had high volumes of publications and citations. The majority of publications were from the USA and China. The highest number of publications and co-citations, among the authors, was by James M Cook. Epilepsia and the Latin American Journal of Pharmacy were the journals with the most publications on diazepam and Epilepsia was the most frequently cited journal. Through a comprehensive analysis of keywords and references, we found that current research on diazepam has focused on its mechanism of action, application in disease, pharmacokinetics, risk, assessment, and management of use, status epilepticus, gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAR), intranasal formulation, gephyrin, and that ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) is the current research hotspot.Conclusion: Research on diazepam is flourishing. We identified research hotspots and trends in diazepam research using bibliometric and visual analytic methods. The clinical applications, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and assessment and management of the use of diazepam are the focus of current research and the development trend of future research.
Electroconvulsive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A retrospective study
Authors: Li Kun , Long Jiang , Deng Wei , Cheng Bochao , Wang Jiaojian 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundChronic mental diseases such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are associated with a high disability rate. Some patients still do not improve their symptoms even with adequate cognitive-behavioral therapy and drug treatment. In the treatment of OCD, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is not considered a neuromodulation modality with sufficient evidence.ObjectiveThis retrospective study aimed to determine the efficacy and associated risk factors of ECT in OCD patients.Materials and methodsThe study included 21 OCD patients who underwent ECT at a high-volume center in China between January 2009 and December 2020. The demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients were assessed using descriptive statistics. Based on Clinical Global Impressions–Improvement scale, patients were categorized into response and non-response groups. Clinical and demographic characteristics of two groups of patients were compared.ResultsAn analysis of 21 patients was conducted. In total, 12 patients (57.1%) responded to ECT, 11 patients (52.4%) reported side effects, and an average of 7 ECT sessions were administered. In terms of demographic, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. It is noteworthy that the non-response group reported more depression and schizophrenia related disorders comorbidities than the response group (χ2 = 6.252, P = 0.041).ConclusionThe effectiveness of ECT in treating OCD is limited, especially in patients with refractory symptoms. Comorbidity with other mental disorders may affect the efficacy of ECT.
The relationship between non-suicidal self-injury, identity conflict, and risky behavior among Druze adolescents
Authors: Toukhy Nermin , Ophir Shir , Stukalin Yelena , Halabi Samer , Hamdan Sami 
Published: November 2022

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Druze adolescents in Israel, an ethnic minority, and examine the influence of identity conflict, depression, and performance of risky behaviors on such adolescents' engagement in NSSI. This investigation is important because little is known about NSSI among adolescents from ethnic minorities.MethodsOverall, 290 Druze adolescents aged 16–18 (mean = 16.26, standard deviation = 0.9) years (63.9% female) participated in this study. They were recruited through snowball sampling from three Druze schools that agreed to participate in the study. All participants completed self-report measures for NSSI, depression, anxiety, engagement in risky behaviors, emotion regulation, sleep problems, and identity integration.ResultsAlmost 20% of the total sample engaged in NSSI. Those who engaged in NSSI reported more significant depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and engagement in risky behaviors when compared with those who did not engage in NSSI. Moreover, those who engaged in NSSI reported experiencing a higher level of identity conflict. Further analysis revealed an indirect effect of identity conflict on NSSI through engagement in risky behaviors.ConclusionsThis study's findings clarify the prevalence of NSSI among Druze adolescents, as well as contributing factors, and also highlights the importance of developing interventions that specifically target this unique ethnic group.