bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological activities of Usnea lethariiformis lichen extracts and UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis of their secondary metabolites
Authors: Piñeiro Mauricio , Manrique Sofía , Gómez Jessica , Rodriguez Juan Manuel , Barrera Patricia , Caballero Duilio , Sosa Miguel A. , Vargas-Arana Gabriel , Tapia Alejandro , Lima Beatriz , Simirgiotis Mario J. 
Published: January 2025

This research was designed to investigate the metabolite profiling, phenolics content, and the trypanocidal, nematicidal, antibacterial, antifungal, and free radical scavenging properties of Usnea lethariiformis Motyka. The air-dried U. lethariiformis material was extracted successively with dichloromethane and methanol (UlMeOH). Two phases were obtained from the extract with dichloromethane, one soluble in methanol (UlDCM-s) and the other insoluble (UlDCM-i). The metabolite profiling was obtained using ultra-high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) system. The trypanocidal and nematicidal activities were determined according to standardized protocols. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) rules. The total phenolic content of lichen extracts was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant properties were assessed through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes (ILP) assays, and the extracts exhibited robust antioxidant activity. Seventeen compounds were detected, of which thirteen were identified by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis, including depsides, depsidones, fatty acids, dibenzofurans, benzoic acids, and triterpenes. The UlDCM-s and UlMeOH extracts displayed strong trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes at 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL and a nematicidal activity toward J2 Meloidogyne incognita, an important nematode infecting horticultural crops. Regarding the antimicrobial activity, the results showed that all bacteria and yeasts tested were inhibited by the different extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 25 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL. The UlDCM-s and UlMeOH extracts showed phenolic content of 107 mg and 48 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dried extract, respectively. The UlDCM-s, UIDCM-i, and UlMeOH extracts showed moderate free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH, FRAP, and TEAC assays until 1 mg/mL and ILP tests at 250 μg/mL. The results indicated that U. lethariiformis may constitute a potential source of diverse bioactivities with application in the food, pharmaceutical, and agronomic industries.
A network comparison on efficacy and safety profiling of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Fu Jie , Yan Yi-Dan , Wan Xu , Sun Xiao-Fan , Ma Xiu-Mei , Su Ying-Jie 
Published: January 2025

ObjectivePD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are novel immunotherapeutic agents that have been approved for first-line treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, which have completed phase 3 clinical trials, as a first-line treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC.Materials and methodsA systematic search of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library was performed to extract eligible literature up to October 2023. Findings included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted based on PD-L1 expression levels and histological type.ResultsWe analyzed 29 studies including 18,885 patients. In analyses of all patients, penpulimab plus chemotherapy led the way for OS (HR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.40–0.75) and PFS (HR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.27–0.67). Regarding OS, for patients with PD-L1 expression ≥50%, 1%–49% and &lt;1%, camrelizumab + chemotherapy (HR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.21–1.11), cemiplimab + chemotherapy (HR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.32–0.79) and nivolumab + ipilimumab (HR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.51–0.81) were considered optimal treatments. Compared with chemotherapy, monotherapy with nivolumab, cemiplimab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab and durvalumab had lower odds of TRAE grade ≥3.ConclusionIn all patients, penpulimab plus chemotherapy was the most effective therapy, but treatment preferences varied by PD-L1 expression, histology type and associated outcomes. Safety at the individual patient level must be a high priority in the decision-making process. Further validation is warranted.
Effects of upper extremity blood flow restriction training on muscle strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jing Jiapeng , Zheng Qinzhi , Dong Hongfei , Wang Yan , Wang Peiji , Fan Di , Xu Zhuo 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundLow load resistance training with blood flow restriction (LL-BFRT) has been shown to improve muscle strength and hypertrophic function. The effect of LL-BFRT on lower extremity muscle improvement has been widely discussed. However, no studies have discussed the effect of this training method on the upper extremity muscles until now. This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the use of LL-BFRT in the upper extremity muscles.MethodsThe relevant literature was searched in four major databases including Pubmed, Web of science, the Cochrane Library and Embase from 10 June 2024. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and GRADE methodology were used to assess the risk of bias and quality in included studies.ResultsThe meta-analysis included a total of 11 articles with 220 participants. LL-BFRT and high load resistance training (HLRT) produced similar effects in improving upper extremity muscle strength (low certainty evidence, SMD: −0.35; 95%CI: −0.73 to 0.03; p: 0.07; I2: 2%) and hypertrophy (moderate certainty evidence, SMD: −0.36; 95%CI: −0.73 to 0.01; p: 0.05; I2: 0%). Compared with low load resistance training (LLRT), LL-BFRT showed greater advantages in improving upper extremity muscle strength (low certainty evidence, SMD: 0.67; 95%CI: 0.33 to 1.01; p: 0.0001; I2: 0%) and hypertrophy (low certainty evidence, SMD: 0.37; 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.67; p: 0.02; I2: 0%).ConclusionIn general, LL-BFRT can be used as an alternative training method for HLRT to improve upper extremity muscle strength and hypertrophy. Our study shows that the effect of LL-BFRT on upper extremity muscle is limited by age and region. It is necessary to formulate reasonable exercise programs according to the characteristics of different demographic groups.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024555514.
How does Internet use impact the mental health of social assistance recipients in China? Examining the chain mediating role of social support and family resilience
Authors: Wu Bin , Tian Beihai 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionPrevious studies have explored the relationship between Internet use and mental health, but there has been a lack of focus on social assistance recipients. Additionally, there has been insufficient discussion on the impact mechanisms of social support and family resilience on this relationship. This study aims to fill these gaps. Using data from social assistance recipients in China, this study analyzes the relationship between Internet use and the mental health of social assistance recipients and its mechanisms based on the Mindsponge Theory and Conservation of Resources Theory.MethodsThis study used multiple linear regression models and PROCESS models to complete data analysis on 765 Chinese social assistance recipients samples to test the hypothesis. All analyzes were performed using SPSS26.0 and MPlus 8.0.ResultsThe empirical analysis shows that Internet use positively correlates with the mental health of social assistance recipients, and social support and family resilience mediate between Internet use and mental health. In addition, social support and family resilience also play a chain mediating role in the relationship between Internet use and mental health.DiscussionThe analysis results of this study support our hypothesis. Combined with the findings of this study, we discussed the theoretical significance, practical significance, limitations, and future research directions of this study.
Effects of virtual reality motor games on motor skills in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xue Zhuolin , Zhang Weiqiang , Zhou Ni , Ma Pengwei , Yuan Kun , Zheng Peiyun , Li Junfeng , Chang Jindong 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundEnhancing motor skills is crucial for the functional development of children with cerebral palsy. Virtual reality has emerged as a promising technology for rehabilitating these children.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of virtual reality motor games on the gross and fine motor skills of children with cerebral palsy.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in databases including PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and Wanfang Data, covering publications from their inception to June 1, 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of virtual reality motor games on the gross and fine motor skills of children with cerebral palsy. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and data were analyzed with RevMan software (version 5.4).ResultsNineteen studies involving 850 children with cerebral palsy were included. The results indicated that virtual reality motor games significantly improved gross motor skills [mean difference (MD) 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75–2.56; P &lt; 0.001] and fine motor skills [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.73, 95% CI: 0.30–1.16; P = 0.00008] in children with cerebral palsy.ConclusionsVirtual reality motor games have the potential to significantly enhance both gross and fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO [CRD42024558713].
The hidden face of Duchenne (Neuro)Muscular Dystrophy. Preliminary evidence of social cognition impairment as a feature of the neuropsychological phenotype of DMD
Authors: Parravicini S. , Quaranta C. A. , Dainesi M. I. , Berardinelli A. 
Published: January 2025

AimTo study unexplored neuropsychological domains in the characterization of the Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) that could be relevant based on the recent findings about dystrophin expression in human CNS.MethodA sample of DMD individuals (n = 20) underwent a neuropsychological battery encompassing standard cognitive assessments but also less explored social cognition skills. Wechsler scales and a developmental neuropsychological assessment (NEPSY-II) were adopted.ResultsOur sample performed significantly worse than the reference scores in the “social cognition” sub-items of the NEPSY-II; the difference persisted even when splitting the sample by Dp140 depletion or cognitive deficit. The difference in the “affect recognition” scores between the Dp140 + and the Dp140− subgroups was confirmed even after excluding the subjects with a cognitive deficit.InterpretationDystrophin is highly expressed in structures involved in the brain networks underlying some social cognition skills. Our results, which provide additional preliminary evidence of a possible specific impairment in this area, underscore the importance of considering social cognition as another feature of the CNS phenotype of DMD, consistent with a few other previous reports.
Borders of physical self in virtual reality: a systematic review of virtual hand position discrepancy detection
Authors: Antoš David , Švec Tomáš , Hořínková Jana , Bartečková Eliška 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionVirtual reality (VR) holds significant promise for psychiatric research, treatment, and assessment. Its unique ability to elicit immersion and presence is important for effective interventions. Immersion and presence are influenced by matching—the alignment between provided sensory information and user feedback, and self-presentation—the depiction of a user’s virtual body or limbs. Discrepancies between real and virtual hands can affect the sense of presence and thus treatment efficacy. However, the precise impact of positional offsets in healthy individuals remains under-explored. This review assesses how various factors influence the detection thresholds for positional offsets in VR among healthy subjects.MethodsA comprehensive database search targeted English-language studies on the detection thresholds of virtual hand positional offsets using head-mounted displays (HMDs) with specific tracking capabilities. Data on methodologies, participant demographics, and VR system specifics were extracted.ResultsThirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, revealing significant variability in detection thresholds—from a few millimeters to 42 cm for linear shifts and from 2° to 45° for angular shifts. Sensitivity to these offsets was affected by hand movement direction and magnitude, hand representation realism, and the presence of distractions. VR system specifications, such as resolution and tracking accuracy, also played a significant role. Methodological issues included small sample sizes, inadequate demographic reporting, and inconsistent presence or avatar embodiment measures.ConclusionThe results highlight the need to consider identified influencing factors to maximize user presence in VR-based therapies. Variability in VR device capabilities also emphasizes the need for detailed reporting of device properties in research. The individual variability in offset detection further illustrates VR’s potential as a tool for studying body ownership and multisensory integration.
Trends in tuberculosis mortality among older adults in China, 2004–2021: a Joinpoint regression and age–period–cohort analysis
Authors: Zhang Mengdi , Wang Xin , Xiao Yiran , Wang Qiqi , Huang Fei , Ren Xiang , Guo Xiaomin , Sun Wenshan , Deng Jinqi , Jiang Qi , Liu Jianjun , Zheng Wenjing , Yao Hongyan 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem in China and globally, particularly among older adults. This study aimed to examine secular trends in TB mortality among older adults in China and the net effects of age, period, and cohort.MethodsData from the National Disease Surveillance Points (DSPs) system were analyzed using Joinpoint regression to determine annual changes in TB mortality among individuals aged 60 years and older from 2004 to 2021. An age–period–cohort (APC) analysis using the intrinsic estimator (IE) method was conducted to estimate the independent effects of age, period, and cohort.ResultsThe age-standardized TB mortality rate was 5.68 per 100,000, with higher rates observed in men, rural areas, and western regions. TB mortality among older adults declined overall from 2004 to 2021, although the rate of decline has slowed in recent years. The APC analysis revealed increased TB mortality with age, with the relative risk (RR) rising from 0.57 in the 60–64 age group to 1.53 in the 80–84 age group. The period effect decreased from 2007 to 2021, showing a higher risk effect in rural areas (RR = 1.51) than in urban areas (RR = 1.16) during 2007–2011, but this trend reversed in the period 2017–2021. The cohort effect generally declined, with the exception of certain demographic groups that showed an increase in the 1952–1956 and 1957–1961 birth cohorts.ConclusionTB mortality among older adults in China decreased from 2004 to 2021, although the decline has slowed in recent years. Variations in age, period, and cohort effects highlight differences by gender, urban and rural areas, and regions, providing insights for targeted intervention strategies.
Exploring factors influencing childhood immunization status in East Africa using multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis
Authors: Dires Aster Addisu , Workie Demeke Lakew , Teklie Abay Kassa 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionChildhood vaccinations are crucial in safeguarding children from infectious diseases and are recognized as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions. However, children in East African countries face more than a fifteen-fold increased risk of death from vaccine-preventable diseases compared to those in high-income nations. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing childhood immunization status in East Africa.MethodsA sample of 22,734 children aged 12 to 23 months was included to assess immunization status, utilizing recent data from the Demographic and Health Survey conducted between 2015 and 2022 across ten East African countries. A Level-3 multilevel generalized odds model with a logit link function was employed for the analysis.ResultsAmong the 22,734 children in the sample, only 67.4% were fully immunized, 27.7% were partially immunized, and the remaining were not immunized at all. The null hypothesis of proportionality was rejected based on the Brant test. Consequently, various partial and non-proportional odds models were fitted, with the generalized odds model demonstrating the best fit compared to other ordinal regression models. The findings indicated that 43.14% of the variation in children’s immunization status was attributable to differences between countries, while 18.18% was due to variations between regions. Specific factors associated with immunization status revealed that mothers who attended antenatal care were 1.23 times more likely to fully immunize their children compared to those who did not, and those who received postnatal care were 1.13 times more likely to do so. Additionally, mothers who had antenatal and postnatal services were 1.07 and 1.08 times more likely, respectively, to fully or partially immunize their children compared to those who did not.ConclusionThe fitted generalized odds model indicated that several factors significantly associated with childhood immunization status included maternal age, number of antenatal and postnatal care visits, tetanus injections received by mothers, vitamin A intake, presence of health documentation, place of delivery, birth order, mother’s occupation, sex of the household head, distance to health facilities, maternal education, community maternal education, community wealth index, and community media exposure. Therefore, it is recommended that interventions focus on enhancing household wealth, educating mothers, and improving health systems.
Influential mechanism of green consumption on the realization of ecological products value in China
Authors: Shao Jingbo , Cai Chengzhi 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionRealizing the value of ecological products (EP) is of great significance to comprehensively promote the green transformation of China’s economy. With the increasing demand of consumers for green, environmental protection and health, the great tendency of people’s green consumption (GC) has been triggered. Based on the theory of sustainable development and the theory of ecosystem services, this paper constructs relevant econometric models and deeply discusses the influence mechanism of demand-side GC behavior on the Ep value realization (EPVR).MethodsThis paper obtains the reliability data from the relevant statistical reports and statistical yearbooks, and innovatively constructs the index system of EPVR and GC whose comprehensive indexes are measured by entropy weight TOPSIS method. In the data analysis stage, STATA software was used for unit root test, cointegration test, multicollinearity test and descriptive statistics. On this basis, regression analysis was carried out by constructing a two-way fixed effect model, mediating effect and moderating effect model.Results and discussion(1) The level of EPVR is generally not high with a national average of 0.156 in the study area. The GC level of the study area is significantly different and the national GC level is 0.311; (2) From the regression results of the econometric model, GC has a significant positive effect on the EPVR, and has passed a series of robustness tests; (3) From the analysis of the influential mechanism, GC further affects the EPVR by affecting the supply willingness of EP, the advancement of industrial structure and the rationalization of industrial structure. Among them, the willingness to supply EP has a partial mediating effect, the advancement of industrial structure has a complete mediating effect, and the rationalization of industrial structure has a masking effect; (4) From the perspective of heterogeneity analysis, it is found that the influence of GC on the EPVR is enhanced in turn in eastern, central and western regions of China through grouping regression and adjustment effect test, and the promotion effect is more obvious in areas with lower economic development level. This paper provides an important literature reference for the impact of GC on the EPVR in China.
Evaluating efficacy and outcomes: comparison of laser treatment and crystallized phenol in pilonidal sinus disease
Authors: Emral Ahmet Cihangir , Gülen Merter , Ege Bahadır 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of laser ablation and crystallized phenol application in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease, focusing on treatment success, recurrence rates, complications, and the patients' return to normal life.Material and methodData from patients treated for pilonidal sinus disease with laser ablation and crystallized phenol application at our clinic between January 2020 and September 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative data including pit counts, disease stage, preoperative pilonidal abscess history, disease duration (week), treatment success, recurrence/persistent disease, postoperative complications, healing time (days), and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores on postoperative days 1 and 7, as well as return to normal life (days), were analyzed.ResultsA total of 121 patients were included in the study, with 51 receiving laser ablation and 70 receiving crystallized phenol application. The postoperative outcomes revealed that the wound healing period and postoperative VAS values were statistically significantly better in the laser ablation group.ConclusionWound healing was faster and postoperative pain was less in the laser group compared to the phenol group. According to this study, both methods can successfully treat the disease in selected cases.