bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between motor dysfunction and chewing movement in patients with Parkinson's disease: A transversal study
Authors: Sano Taisei , Umemoto George , Fujioka Shinsuke , Iwashita Yuki , Dotsu Yuriko , Wada Naohisa , Tsuboi Yoshio 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of chewing movement in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), we examined the relation between chewing movement and motor dysfunction in association with PD progression.MethodsThirty patients with PD (mean age, 68.9 ± 9.0 years; mean Hoehn and Yahr stage, 3.0 ± 0.7) were recruited. The PD condition was assessed in each patient by using the score of Movement Disorder Society Unified PD Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) part III score, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (Alb), and tongue pressure, number of chews, mealtime, and chewing speed were collected. The patients were divided into two groups (mild and moderate PD groups) based on an MDS-UPDRS part III cut-off value of 32.ResultsThe chewing speed positively correlated with tongue pressure (rho = 0.69, p &lt; 0.01) in the mild group, and with BMI (rho = 0.54, p = 0.03), serum Alb (rho = 0.63, p = 0.02), and number of chews (rho = 0.69, p &lt; 0.01) in the moderate group. The MDS-UPDRS part III scores for all participants correlated negatively with chewing speed (rho = −0.48, p &lt; 0.01), serum Alb (rho = −0.49, p &lt; 0.01), and positively with mealtime (rho = 0.43, p = 0.01). Tongue pressure and serum Alb were identified to be as factors affecting the chewing speed (β= 0.560, p &lt; 0.01; β= 0.457, p &lt; 0.01, respectively).ConclusionsThese results indicated that the progression of motor dysfunction in patients with PD is likely to affect chewing speed and the nutritional status decline may be linked to the impairment of chewing movement in these patients.
UQCRC1 variants in early-onset and familial Parkinson's disease in a Taiwanese cohort
Authors: Liao Ting-Wei , Chao Chih-Ying , Wu Yih-Ru 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundA recent Taiwanese study reported variants of the ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (UQCRC1) gene linked to autosomal dominant parkinsonism with polyneuropathy. This study investigated the pathogenicity of UQCRC1 in a Taiwanese cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodThis study involved 107 participants (98 with early-onset PD and nine with familial PD). All UQCRC1 coding exons and exon–intron boundaries were sequenced. The rarity and pathogenicity of the identified variants were analyzed. The carrier frequencies of our cohort and the Taiwan Biobank were compared through a Pearson's χ2 or Fisher's exact test along with Bonferroni corrections.ResultsThree missense variants (c.643G &gt; C, p.D215H; c.800C &gt; G, p.P267R, and c.923A &gt; G, p.N308S) and seven rare variants were identified. No significant differences in the missense-variant carrier frequency were noted between our cohort and individuals in the Taiwan Biobank. Furthermore, no significant associations were noted between the variants and the risk of PD.ConclusionsOur study is not supporting a role of UQCRC1 variants in PD.
Optimization of respiratory-gated auricular vagus afferent nerve stimulation for the modulation of blood pressure in hypertension
Authors: Garcia Ronald G. , Staley Rachel , Aroner Sarah , Stowell Jessica , Sclocco Roberta , Napadow Vitaly , Barbieri Riccardo , Goldstein Jill M. 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundThe objective of this pilot study was to identify frequency-dependent effects of respiratory-gated auricular vagus afferent nerve stimulation (RAVANS) on the regulation of blood pressure and heart rate variability in hypertensive subjects and examine potential differential effects by sex/gender or race.MethodsTwenty hypertensive subjects (54.55 ± 6.23 years of age; 12 females and 8 males) were included in a within-person experimental design and underwent five stimulation sessions where they received RAVANS at different frequencies (i.e., 2 Hz, 10 Hz, 25 Hz, 100 Hz, or sham stimulation) in a randomized order. EKG and continuous blood pressure signals were collected during a 10-min baseline, 30-min stimulation, and 10-min post-stimulation periods. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) adjusted for baseline measures were used to evaluate frequency-dependent effects of RAVANS on heart rate, high frequency power, and blood pressure measures, including analyses stratified by sex and race.ResultsAdministration of RAVANS at 100 Hz had significant overall effects on the reduction of heart rate (β = −2.03, p = 0.002). It was also associated with a significant reduction of diastolic (β = −1.90, p = 0.01) and mean arterial blood pressure (β = −2.23, p = 0.002) in Black hypertensive participants and heart rate in female subjects (β = −2.83, p = 0.01) during the post-stimulation period when compared to sham.ConclusionRespiratory-gated auricular vagus afferent nerve stimulation exhibits frequency-dependent rapid effects on the modulation of heart rate and blood pressure in hypertensive patients that may further differ by race and sex. Our findings highlight the need for the development of optimized stimulation protocols that achieve the greatest effects on the modulation of physiological and clinical outcomes in this population.
Luminance white noise electroretinograms (wnERGs) in mice
Authors: Stallwitz Nina , Joachimsthaler Anneka , Kremers Jan 
Published: December 2022

PurposeTo record and analyse electroretinograms (ERGs) to luminance stimuli with white noise temporal profiles in mice. White noise stimuli are expected to keep the retina in a physiologically more natural state than, e.g., flashes. The influence of mean luminance (ML) was studied.MethodsElectroretinograms to luminance temporal white noise (TWN) modulation (wnERGs) were measured. The white noise stimuli contained all frequencies up to 20 Hz with equal amplitudes and random phases. Responses were recorded at 7 MLs between −0.7 and 1.2 log cd/m2. Impulse response functions (IRFs) were calculated by cross correlating the averaged white noise electroretinogram (wnERG) responses with the stimulus. Amplitudes and latencies of the initial trough and subsequent peak in the IRFs were measured at each ML. Fourier transforms of the IRFs resulted in modulation transfer functions (MTFs). wnERGs were averaged across different animals. They were measured twice and the responses at identical instances in the 1st and 2nd recordings were plotted against each other. The correlation coefficient (r2repr) of the linear regression quantified the reproducibility. The results of the first and second measurement were further averaged. To study the underlying ERG mechanisms, the ERG potentials at the different MLs were plotted against those at the lowest and highest ML. The correlation coefficients (r2ML) were used to quantify their similarities.ResultsThe amplitudes of the initial (a-wave-like) trough of the IRFs increased with increasing ML. The following positive (b-wave-like) peak showed a minimum at −0.4 log cd/m2above which there was a positive correlation between amplitude and ML. Their latencies decreased monotonously with increasing ML. In none of the IRFs, oscillatory potential (OP)-like components were observed.r2reprvalues were minimal at a ML of −0.1 log cd/m2, where the MTFs changed from low-pass to band-pass.r2MLvalues increased and decreased with increasing ML when correlated with responses obtained at the highest or the lowest ML, respectively.ConclusionWhite noise electroretinograms can be reliably recorded in mice with luminance stimuli. IRFs resemble flash ERGs superficially, but they offer a novel procedure to study retinal physiology. New components can be described in the IRFs. The wnERGs are either rod- or cone-driven with little overlap.
Sarcopenia increases the risk of early biliary infection after percutaneous transhepatic biliary stent placement
Authors: Chen Qi , Lu Xun , Wang Zhong-kai , Feng Cheng , Yao Xi-Juan , Guo Jin-He 
Published: December 2022

PurposeTo assess the association between sarcopenia and the risk of early biliary infection (EBI) after percutaneous transhepatic biliary stent (PTBS) placement in patients with inoperable biliary tract cancer (BTC).Patients and methodsIn this single center, retrospective observational study, patients diagnosed with inoperable BTC undergoing PTBS placement between January 2013 and July 2021 were enrolled. Preoperative sarcopenia was defined based on skeletal muscle mass measured by computed tomography images on the level of third lumbar vertebra within one month before PTBS placement. Patients were divided into two groups in accordance with the status of sarcopenia. Univariate and further multivariate logistic analyses were performed to determine predictors for EBI. Stratified and interactive analyses were conducted to investigate the stability of results. Further receiver operating characteristic curve was performed to determine the predictive value of sarcopenia on EBI after PTBS placement.ResultsTotally, 134 patients were included in this retrospective study, with 45 (33.6%) patients characterized as sarcopenia. The incidence rate of EBI was 26.9% (36/134). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that sarcopenia [Odds ratio (OR), 2.75; 95%CI: 1.11–6.77; P=0.028], obstruction length (OR, 1.04; 95%CI: 1.00–1.08; P=0.030) and diabetes (OR, 2.46; 95%CI: 1.01–5.96; P=0.047) were significant predictors of EBI. There were no significant interactions in different subgroups (P for interaction &gt; 0.05). Moreover, the areas under the curves (AUC) revealed that the combined index containing sarcopenia, obstruction length, and diabetes showed the better predictive value (AUC= 0.723) than either one alone.ConclusionSarcopenia increased the risk of EBI in patients with inoperable BTC after PTBS placement. Preoperative assessment of sarcopenia may aid in risk stratification. Patients with sarcopenia should be given intensive monitoring.
Presumptive bacteriological diagnosis of spondylodiscitis in infants less than 4 years by detecting K. kingae DNA in their oropharynx: Data from a preliminar two centers study
Authors: Chargui Moez , Krzysztofiak Andrzej , Bernaschi Paola , De Marco Giacomo , Coulin Benoit , Steiger Christina , Dayer Romain , Ceroni Dimitri 
Published: December 2022

Background and ObjectivesMost cases of spondylodiscitis in children aged between 6 and 48 months old could be caused primarily by K. kingae. The present prospective study aimed to determine whether an innovative and indirect diagnosis approach - based on detection of K. kingae DNA in the oropharynx of children with suspected spondylodiscitis – provides sufficient evidence that this microorganism is responsible for the infection.MethodsWe prospectively analysed infants admitted for spondylodiscitis, considering above all the results of PCR realized in oropharyngeal swabs and in blood samples.ResultsFour of the 29 performed K. kingae-specific real-time PCR assay in blood were positive (13.8%), whereas 28 of the 32 K. kingae-specific real-time PCR assay realized on throat swabs were positive (87.5%).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that performing oropharyngeal swab PCR is able to detect K. kingae in almost 90% of the toddlers with confirmed spondylodiscitis. That provides strong arguments for the hypothesis that K. kingae should be considered as the main aetiological pathogen to suspect in children between 6 and 48 months old with spondylodiscitis. Finally, it seems to us reasonable that oropharyngeal swab may become an early decision-making tool for the indirect identification of K. kingae in spondylodiscitis.
Meaning in life, meaning-making and posttraumatic growth in cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Almeida Margarida , Ramos Catarina , Maciel Laura , Basto-Pereira Miguel , Leal Isabel 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionThe purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the association between meaning in life (MiL), meaning-making and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the context of cancer.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in eighteen electronic databases. The screening and selection process followed the PRISMA guidelines. For the purpose of the meta-analysis, the correlation coefficients between meaning in life and posttraumatic growth were extracted from the included studies. The effect size (r) was calculated using the restricted maximum-likelihood estimator, a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed through the Q statistic, I2 index and forest plot, while publication bias was analyzed with the use of the funnel plot and Egger’s test.Results889 records were considered according to the inclusion criteria. A total of nine articles, published between 2006 and 2021, were included in the systematic review. More than half were published in the last five years. The sample was mostly diagnosed with breast cancer. The meta-analysis included five articles (N = 844) and the results indicate a significant moderate correlation between meaning in life and posttraumatic growth (r = 0.43, 95% IC [0.36, 0.50]).DiscussionIn conclusion, there is a clear association between meaning in life and posttraumatic growth in cancer patients. Future research should explore this relationship further, in order to better assist and guide meaning centered interventions that can potentiate a positive adjustment and possibly growth from the cancer experience.
A microswitch-aided program to enable people with extensive multiple disabilities to control environmental stimulation through different responses
Authors: Lancioni Giulio E. , Singh Nirbhay N. , O'Reilly Mark F. , Sigafoos Jeff , Alberti Gloria , Chiariello Valeria , Desideri Lorenzo 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesThis study assessed whether a simple technology-aided program (i.e., a program involving the use of microswitches linked to a smartphone) could be set up to enable people with motor, sensory and intellectual disabilities to control preferred environmental stimulation through two different response movements.MethodsTen participants were involved in the study. Each of them was exposed to an ABAB design, in which A represented baseline phases without the program and B intervention phases with the use of the program. The study assessed whether the participants (a) had significant increases of each of the two response movements available and/or showed response variability across sessions and over time and (b) had signs of satisfaction/happiness during the study sessions, in connection with their stimulation access and control.ResultsThe program was effective in increasing the participants' responding and consequently their self-regulated stimulation input. Half of the participants showed a significant increase of both responses available from the first intervention phase. Other participants seemed to focus more on one of the two responses. Even so, they tended to have occasionally high performance frequencies also with regard to their non-dominant (not significantly increased) response. Finally, all participants showed clear signs of satisfaction/happiness during the intervention sessions.ConclusionsThe program represents a potentially useful approach for enabling people with extensive multiple disabilities to self-regulate their access to preferred environmental stimulation and improve their mood.
Association between early childhood caries and diet quality among Chinese children aged 2–5 years
Authors: Wang Xinfeng , Ma Zhe , Lei Min , Zhao Caiyun , Lin Xiuyan , Cao Fengdi , Shi Hong 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundEarly childhood caries (ECC) is a major oral problem affecting the health and wellbeing of children worldwide. Diet quality is a better predictor of ECC risk than single foods or specific nutrients. The purposes of this study were to assess the associations between ECC and diet quality among 2- to 5-year-old Chinese children.MethodsA total of 150 eligible children were included in this study. The decayed, missing, or filled surface (dmfs) score was recorded for each child by dental examination. All participants were divided into three groups based on their age and dmfs score [the caries-free group, the ECC group, and the severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) group]. Parents were invited to complete a questionnaire on the general characteristics and oral health behaviors of the participants. The information of 24-h dietary intake from each child was captured via a mobile APP. The Chinese diet balance index for preschool children (DBI_C) indicators score, high bound score (HBS), low bound score (LBS), and diet quality distance (DQD) score were calculated to assess the diet quality of study subjects. The associations of ECC with HBS, LBS, DQD score, and DBI_C indicators score were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsIn this study, 21, 31, and 98 children were diagnosed with caries-free, ECC, and S-ECC, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that the risk of ECC and S-ECC were significantly increased with the DQD score (OR = 1.283 and 1.287, respectively), but both were not associated with HBS and LBS (P &gt; 0.05). In the meantime, the risk of ECC and S-ECC were significantly increased with the Grains score (OR = 1.623 and 1.777, respectively), and significantly decreased with the Food diversity score (OR = 0.271 and 0.315, respectively). Moreover, the risk of S-ECC also significantly decreased with the Vegetables score (OR = 0.137).ConclusionBoth ECC and S-ECC were associated with a high degree of dietary imbalance and grains intake as well as a low degree of food diversity among Chinese children aged 2–5 years. In addition, S-ECC was also associated with a low degree of vegetable intake.
Physical fitness assessment in wheelchair basketball: A mini-review
Authors: Petrigna Luca , Pajaujiene Simona , Musumeci Giuseppe 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionWheelchair basketball (WB) is a Paralympic sport ideated for people with motor disabilities, and the research on this topic still requires attention. It is fundamental to evaluate physical fitness characteristics with appropriate tests and standardized routines to plan and monitor the training. Considering that a standard operating procedure is a document that makes the test battery replicable, the objective of the present study was to review the literature on physical fitness assessment in WB players and to create a standard operating procedure.MethodsStudies were collected from different databases, and after a screening process, data were discussed narratively.ResultsOnly 18 articles met the eligibility criteria. The test batteries presented similarities in different studies.ConclusionThe suggested standard operating procedure consists of 10-min warm-up followed by handgrip evaluation (only if the instrument is available), 20-m sprint test, maximal pass, modified push-up, back scratch test, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test adapted test Version 1.
The Photosynthesis of Populus euphratica Oliv. Is Not Limited by Drought Stress in the Hyper-Arid Zone of Northwest China
Authors: Gao Guanlong , Feng Qi , Liu Xiande , Yu Tengfei , Wang Rongxin 
Published: December 2022

The Ejin Oasis is located in the lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin of northwestern China. It is one of the most arid regions in the world, and Populus euphratica Oliv. is the foundation species of the desert riparian forests there. The photosynthesis of P. euphratica is one of the first physiological processes that is most likely to be affected by the extremely arid climate conditions. The factors impacting photosynthesis can be divided into stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. In order to investigate whether the photosynthesis of P. euphratica was limited and, if so, whether this limitation was caused by drought stress in the P. euphratica Forest Reserve on the Ejin River, we analyzed stomatal, non-stomatal, and relative stomatal limitations (reflecting the relative importance of the stoma in controlling the processes of photosynthesis) of photosynthesis. The results show that, at the beginning of the midday depression of photosynthesis, the values of stomatal limitation of photosynthesis (Ls) peaked, with its predominance being supported by sub-stomatal CO2 concentrations (Ci) being at a minimum. Thereafter, Ls decreased and non-stomatal limitation (Ci/stomatal conductance (gs)) increased sharply, indicating that the non-stomatal limitation of photosynthesis was predominant. Both Ls and relative stomatal limitation of photosynthesis increased in the morning, and then decreased, whereas Ci/gs showed the opposite trend. We concluded that P. euphratica did not experience drought stress by analyzing leaf water potential, groundwater table, and the decoupling coefficient (a parameter characterizing the coupling degree between vegetation canopy and atmospheric water vapor flux); however, the Ls values of P. euphratica were much greater than those of other species. This was likely because P. euphratica has a relatively conservative water use strategy even when growing under favorable water conditions. Extremely high temperatures caused the closure of the stoma to reduce transpiration, resulting in more intense stomatal limitations of photosynthesis.
Hydropriming and Osmotic Priming Induce Resistance against Aspergillus niger in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by Activating β-1, 3-glucanase, Chitinase, and Thaumatin-like Protein Genes
Authors: Gul Summia , Hussain Amjad , Ali Qurban , Alam Intikhab , Alshegaihi Rana M. , Meng Qinglin , Zaman Wajid , Manghwar Hakim , Munis Muhammad Farooq Hussain 
Published: December 2022

Priming is used as a method to improve plant growth and alleviate the detrimental effects of pathogens. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different priming methods in the context of resistance to Aspergillus niger in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Here, we show that different priming treatments—viz., hydropriming, osmotic priming, halopriming, and hormonal priming techniques can induce disease resistance by improving the biochemical contents of wheat, including chlorophyll, protein, proline, and sugar. In addition, physiological parameters—such as root length, shoot length, fresh and dry root/shoot ratios, and relative water content were positively affected by these priming methods. In essence, hydropriming and osmotic priming treatments were found to be more potent for enhancing wheat biochemical contents, along with all the physiological parameters, and for reducing disease severity. Hydropriming and osmotic priming significantly decreased disease severity, by 70.59–75.00% and 64.71–88.33%, respectively. RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR analyses of potentially important pathogenesis-related (PR)-protein genes (Thaumatin-like protein (TLP), chitinase, and β-1,3-glucanase) in primed plants were evaluated: β-1,3-glucanase was most highly expressed in all primed plants; Chitinase and TLP exhibited higher expression in hormonal-, halo-, osmotic-, and hydro-primed plants, respectively. These results suggest that the higher expression of β-1,3-glucanase, TLP, and chitinase after hydropriming and osmotic priming may increase disease resistance in wheat. Our study demonstrates the greater potential of hydropriming and osmotic priming for alleviating stress caused by A. niger inoculation, and enhancing resistance to it, in addition to significantly improving plant growth. Thus, these priming methods could be beneficial for better plant growth and disease resistance in other plants.