bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advances and perspectives for antimicrobial peptide and combinatory therapies
Authors: C Santos , G. R Rodrigues , L. F Lima , M.C.G dos Reis , N.B Cunha , S.C Dias , O. L Franco 
Published: December 2022

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown cell membrane-directed mechanisms of action. This specificity can be effective against infectious agents that have acquired resistance to conventional drugs. The AMPs’ membrane-specificity and their great potential to combat resistant microbes has brought hope to the medical/therapeutic scene. The high death rate worldwide due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has pushed forward the search for new molecules and product developments, mainly antibiotics. In the current scenario, other strategies including the association of two or more drugs have contributed to the treatment of difficult-to-treat infectious diseases, above all, those caused by bacteria. In this context, the synergistic action of AMPs associated with current antibiotic therapy can bring important results for the production of new and effective drugs to overcome AMR. This review presents the advances obtained in the last 5 years in medical/antibiotic therapy, with the use of products based on AMPs, as well as perspectives on the potentialized effects of current drugs combined with AMPs for the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases.
PgRNA kinetics predict HBsAg reduction in pregnant chronic hepatitis B carriers after treatment cessation
Authors: Wang Chun-Rui , Liu Xiao-qin , Li Hu , Zhang Qian , Zhong Guo-Chao , Tang Qiao , Chang Yunan , Wang Jin-Song , Duan Yuan-qin , Hu Peng 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundPregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) play significant roles in predicting discontinuing treatment outcomes. However, their role in pregnancy has rarely been reported. We aimed to evaluate the performance of pgRNA and HBcrAg kinetics in predicting HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg reduction postpartum in HBeAg-positive pregnant women.MethodsPregnant HBeAg-positive patients receiving antiviral prophylaxis and ceasing treatment postpartum were included. PgRNA and HBcrAg levels were measured before treatment, at 32 weeks of gestation, and at treatment withdrawal postpartum. Other virological and biochemical parameters were regularly examined until 96 weeks postpartum.ResultsOf 76 pregnant chronic hepatitis B (CHB) carriers with a median treatment duration of 18.1 weeks, HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg reduction &gt;0.3 log10 IU/mL at 96 weeks postpartum occurred in 8 (10.5%) and 13 (17.1%) patients, respectively. HBsAg correlated most strongly with pgRNA, while HBeAg correlated most strongly with HBcrAg. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that postpartum pgRNA decline and peak ALT levels were independent predictors of HBsAg reduction. The area under the curve of the regression model was 0.79 and reached as high as 0.76 through bootstrapping validation. The calibration plot showed that the nomogram had a performance similar to that of the ideal model. A decision tree was established to facilitate application of the nomogram. In addition, HBcrAg kinetics, as an independent predictor, performed poorly in predicting HBeAg seroconversion.ConclusionsPostpartum pgRNA decline together with peak ALT levels may identify patients with a higher probability of HBsAg reduction after treatment cessation postpartum among pregnant CHB carriers receiving antiviral prophylaxis.
Tissue-specific metabolomic profiling after cardiopulmonary bypass in fetal sheep
Authors: Wu Wentao , Teng Yun , Tian Miao , Huang Bingxin , Deng Yuhang , Li Huili , Yuan Haiyun , Chen Jimei , Li Xiaohong , Zhou Chengbin 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveFetal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential to fetal heart surgery, while its development is limited by vital organ dysfunction after CPB. Studying organ metabolism may help to solve this problem. The objective of this study was to describe the tissue-specific metabolic fingerprints of fetal sheep under CPB and to associate them with organ functions.MethodsTen pregnant ewes at 90–120 days of gestation were randomly divided into two groups. The bypass group underwent a 1-h fetal CPB, whereas the control group underwent only a fetal sternotomy. During bypass, echocardiography, blood gases, and blood biochemistry were measured. After bypass, lambs were sacrificed, and tissues of the heart, liver, brain, kidney, and placenta were harvested. The metabolites extracted from these tissues were analyzed using non-targeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques.ResultsAll tissues except the placenta displayed significant metabolic changes, and the fetal heart displayed obvious functional changes. Fetal sheep that underwent CPB had common and tissue-specific metabolic signatures. These changes can be attributed to dysregulated lipid metabolism, altered amino acid metabolism, and the accumulation of plasticizer metabolism.ConclusionFetal CPB causes tissue-specific metabolic changes in fetal sheep. Studying these metabolic changes, especially cardiac metabolism, is of great significance for the study of fetal CPB.
Mathematical proficiency among female teachers of the first three grades in Jordan and its relationship to their mathematical thinking
Authors: Alfayez Mona Qutaifan Ershed 
Published: December 2022

AimThe present study aimed at investigating the association of the mathematical proficiency and mathematical thinking skills among female teachers of the first three grades in public schools of Amman city, Jordan.MethodThe study adopted the descriptive analytical research approach. A sample of 174 female teachers of the first three grades was recruited in the present study. To collect data, the study used a mathematical proficiency tests (39 items) covering the domains of the conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competency, adaptive reasoning, and the productive desire. In addition, the study used a mathematical thinking skills test consisted of (20) items distributed over seven mathematical thinking skills; they were: Induction skill, conclusion skill, symbolizing skill, logical thinking skill, guessing skill, demonstration skill, and modeling skill. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (v. 26).ResultsThe study findings showed that female teachers of the first three grades had a moderate level of mathematical proficiency (43.60 ± 16.04), a good level of mathematical thinking skills (6.51 ± 4.628). In addition, the study found significant statistical positive correlation between mathematical proficiency and mathematical thinking skills (r= 0.681,p≤ 0.05) among female teachers of the first three grades in Amman.ConclusionThe study concluded that mathematical proficiency is significantly associated with mathematical thinking skills in their domains. The study recommended increasing female teachers’ competencies and skills related to mathematical proficiency and mathematical thinking throughout intensive courses and workshops.
Influence of constructed rapid infiltration system on groundwater recharge and quality
Authors: Guo Chao , Li Jiake , Sun Yingying , Gao Wang , Mao Zhongan , Ye Shenglan 
Published: December 2022

Infiltration of stormwater through green surfaces is an important means of groundwater recharge. However, the increase in constructed impervious area caused by intensive urbanization has led to a reduction in rainwater infiltration over the past decade. The constructed rapid infiltration system (CRIS) with an ample open space plays an important role in groundwater recharge. This study aims to explore the influence of stormwater (roof runoff) concentration infiltration on the groundwater table and quality in the CRIS. Groundwater table monitoring is conducted for more than 2 years (October 2017–December 2019) by continuous online monitoring combined with manual sampling. Results show that the addition of zeolite to the CRIS has a good removal effect on rainfall runoff pollutants, and the influence of stormwater concentration infiltration on groundwater quality is small when the CRIS enters the stable running stage. The increased proportion of chemical oxygen demand, N, and P in J1 are all less than 10% from 2018 to 2019, and they are less than 20% for heavy metals. The stormwater concentration infiltration can recharge groundwater and increase the groundwater depth, and the groundwater depth varies from 0.5 m to 1.5 m during the monitoring period. The influence scope of the concentrated infiltration on the groundwater table and quality is between 25 and 45 m. The response of the groundwater table and quality to the stormwater concentration infiltration of J1, 25 m away from the CRIS, exhibits hysteresis, and the lag time is about 3–4 months. Conclusion from relevant research can provide important theoretical support for the further study of groundwater recharge by the CRIS.
The intragraft vascularized bone marrow induces secondary donor-specific mystacial pad allograft tolerance
Authors: Lin Cheng-Hung , Anggelia Madonna Rica , Cheng Hui-Yun , Hsieh Yun-Huan , Chuang Wen-Yu , Yang Huang-Yu , Lin Chih-Hung 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionVascularized bone marrow (VBM) is essential in tolerance induction through chimerism. We hypothesized that the inclusion of VBM contributes to the induction of mystacial pad allotransplantation tolerance.MethodIn this study, 19 VBM, nine mystacial pad, and six sequential VBM and mystacial pad allografts were transplanted from Brown Norway (BN) rats to Lewis (LEW) rats to test our hypothesis. The VBM recipients were divided into antilymphocyte serum (ALS) monotherapy group (two doses of ALS on day 3 pretransplantation and day 1 posttransplantation), immunosuppressant group [a week of 2 mg/kg/day tacrolimus (Tac) and 3 weeks of 3 mg/kg/day rapamycin (RPM)], and combined therapy group. The mystacial pad recipients were divided into VBM and non-VBM transplantation groups, and both groups were treated with an immunosuppression regimen that consists of ALS, Tac, and RPM. For the recipients of sequential VBM and mystacial pad allotransplantations, additional Tac was given 1 week after mystacial pad transplantation. Allograft survival, donor-specific tolerance, and chimerism level were evaluated.ResultsWith the administration of ALS and short-term Tac and RPM treatments, VBM recipients demonstrated long-term graft survival (&gt;120 days) with persistent chimerism for 30 days. CD3+ T cells from tolerant rats showed donor-specific hyporesponsiveness and tolerance to donor skin grafts but not to third-party counterparts. Furthermore, mystacial pad graft recipients with VBM transplantation exhibited a higher allograft survival rate than those without VBM transplantation [median survival time (MST) &gt;90 days vs. 70 days, p &lt; 0.05].ConclusionThis study demonstrated that VBM transplantation is an efficient strategy to induce and maintain donor-specific tolerance for an osseous-free allograft.
Prevalence of parent-reported food allergy among children in China: A population-based cross-sectional survey
Authors: Feng Hua , Luo Nan , Lu Yuanan , Lu Justin , Zhou Jiangdong , Xiong Xiujuan , Chen Zhuo , Chen Yan , Wu Yongning 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveThe prevalence of food allergy (FA) has been increasing in recent years and has become an important public health, food safety, and clinical nutrition problem. However, population-based studies on the prevalence of FA are very limited in China. This study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of parent-reported FA among school children in Jiangxi Province, China.MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional study on FA was conducted on primary school children aged 6-11 years old using random cluster sampling with a questionnaire survey. Parent-reported FA was used and defined as individual-reported FA by parent or guardian through a questionnaire in this study.ResultAmong the total of 8,856 (96.36%) complete questionnaires received, 727 (8.2%) children had adverse reactions to food (ARF). The prevalence rates of parent-reported FA and doctor-diagnosed FA were 6.2% and 3.3%, respectively. Animal-derived foods were the main causative source of FA, and the three leading allergenic foods were shrimp, mango, and mollusks. Skin reactions were the most common clinical manifestations of FA, accounting for 63.7%, and 45.32% of the subjects with parent-reported FA experienced severe allergic reactions. There was a significant difference in parent-reported FA between different survey centers, and FA risk increased significantly in children with other allergic diseases (P&lt;0.001) and small family size (P=0.026). The FA prevalence was significantly higher among children aged 8-11 years than those aged 6-7 years (P=0.020).ConclusionsA high prevalence of parent-reported FA was observed among children in general primary schools in Jiangxi Province, China. Shrimp, mango, and mollusks were the most common causative foods. The main common symptoms of FA were adverse reactions relating to the skin system. The rate of severe allergic reactions was also high in Jiangxi Children with reported FA. Local standards and policies for the prevention and management of FA need to be adjusted on a timely basis according to actual local conditions.
Causality of telomere length associated with calcific aortic valvular stenosis: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Junkui , Hao Yan , Zhu Zhanfang , Liu Bo , Zhang Xuejun , Wei Na , Wang Ting , Lv Ying , Xu Cuixiang , Ma Meijuan , Zhang Yulian , Liu Fuqiang 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundObservational studies have shown that calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is associated with a shorter telomere length (TL). However, the results of observational studies are often influenced by confounding factors and reverse causal associations; it is unclear whether there is a causal relationship between TL and CAVS. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between TL and CAVS.Materials and methodsGenome-wide association study (GWAS) data on TL (n = 472,174) and CAVS (n = 311,437) were used to assess the effect of TL on CAVS. All the participants were of European ancestry. Three Mendelian randomization (MR) methods, namely, MR-Egger, weighted median, and inverse variance weighted (IVW), were used to assess the potential causal effect of TL on CAVS. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q statistic. Leave-one-out and MR-Egger regression methods were used for sensitivity and pleiotropy analyses. Forward and reverse MR analyses were performed.ResultsIn total, 118 valid and independent TL genetic instrumental variants were extracted from the GWAS dataset. MR analysis showed that TL was negatively associated with CAVS (odds ratios [OR] = 0.727, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.565–0.936, and P = 0.013 by weighted median; OR = 0.763, 95% CI: 0.634–0.920, and P = 0.005 by IVW; OR = 0.757, 95% CI: 0.549–1.044, and P = 0.055 by MR-Egger). Sensitivity and pleiotropy analyses showed that the results of this study were relatively stable and that there was no significant pleiotropy. Reverse MR analyses consistently suggested the absence of causal effects of CAVS liability on TL levels.ConclusionA causal relationship between the shortening of TL and the development of CAVS in the European population was suggested in this study, and a theoretical basis was provided to investigate the pathogenesis of CAVS.
Comparative efficacy and acceptability of treatments for depressive symptoms in cognitive impairment: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Jin Boru , Xv Yunting , Zhang Bixuan , Qiao Lei , Liu Huayan 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundDepressive symptoms play an essential role in cognition decline, while the benefit and acceptability of treatments for depressive symptoms in cognitive impairment are still unknown.ObjectiveTo comprehensively evaluate the comparative efficacy and acceptability of treatments for depressive symptoms in cognitive impairment based on the quantitative Bayesian network meta-analysis method (NMA).MethodWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from inception until August 2022 to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating treatments for depressive symptoms in cognitive impairment. Efficacy was evaluated by the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for depression; the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Cohen–Mansfeld Agitation Inventory (CMAI) for behavior; and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognition. Safety was evaluated by total adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, diarrhea, headache, and nausea.ResultsIn this study, 13,043 participants from 107 RCTs were included, involving 28 treatments and the discontinuation of antidepressants. On CSDD, aerobic exercise (MD −4.51, 95%CrI −8.60 to −0.37), aripiprazole (MD −1.85, 95%CrI −3.66 to −0.02), behavioral training (MD −1.14, 95%CrI −2.04 to −0.34), electrical current stimulation (MD −3.30, 95%CrI −5.94 to −0.73), massage (MD −12.67, 95%CrI −14.71 to −10.59), music therapy (MD −2.63, 95%CrI −4.72 to −0.58), and reminiscence therapy (MD −2.34, 95%CrI −3.51 to −1.25) significantly outperformed the placebo. On MMSE, cognitive stimulation therapy (MD 1.42, 95%CrI 0.49 to 2.39), electrical current stimulation (MD 4.08, 95%CrI 1.07 to 7.11), and reminiscence therapy (MD 1.31, 95%CrI 0.04 to 2.91) significantly outperformed the placebo. Additionally, no treatments showed a significantly higher risk than the placebo.ConclusionOur NMAs indicated that non-pharmacological interventions were more efficacious and safe than pharmacological treatments for reducing depressive symptoms as well as improving cognitive impairment. Electrical current stimulation, aerobic exercise, and reminiscence therapy could be first recommended considering their beneficial performance on both depression and cognition. Hence, non-pharmacological treatments deserve more attention and extensive application and should at least be considered as an alternative or assistance in clinical settings.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021239621, identifier: CRD42021239621.
Increasing preoperative cognitive reserve to prevent postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive decline in cardiac surgical patients (INCORE): Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial on cognitive training
Authors: Butz Marius , Meyer Rolf , Gerriets Tibo , Sammer Gebhard , Doerr Johanna M. , El-Shazly Jasmin , Doeppner Thorsten R. , Choi Yeong-Hoon , Schoenburg Markus , Juenemann Martin 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionPostoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) can be observed after cardiosurgical interventions. Taken together, these postoperative neurocognitive disorders (PNCDs) contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. Preoperative risk factors of PNCD, such as decreased neuropsychometric performance or decreased cognitive daily activities, can be interpreted as reduced cognitive reserve. This study aims to build up cognitive reserves to protect against the development of PNCD through preoperative, home-based, cognitive training.MethodsThe planned research project is a monocentric, two-arm randomized controlled intervention study involving 100 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Patients will be assigned to a training group or control group. The intervention involves a standardized, paper-and-pencil-based cognitive training that will be performed by the patients at home for ~40 min per day over a preoperative period of 2–3 weeks. The control group will receive neither cognitive training nor a placebo intervention. A detailed assessment of psychological functions will be performed ~2–3 weeks before the start of training, at the end of the training, during hospitalization, at discharge from the acute clinic, and 3 months after surgery. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the interventional effect of preoperative cognitive training on the incidence of POD during the stay in the acute clinic, the incidence of POCD at the time of discharge from the acute clinic, and 3 months after surgery. Secondary objectives are to determine the training effect on objective cognitive functions before the surgery and subjective cognitive functions, as well as health-related quality of life 3 months after surgery.DiscussionShould it become evident that the use of our cognitive training can both reduce the incidence of POCD and POD and improve health-related quality of life, this intervention may be integrated into a standardized prehabilitation program.
Association between different concentrations of human serum albumin and 28-day mortality in intensive care patients with sepsis: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Xu Weigan , Huo Jianyang , Cheng Guojun , Fu Juan , Huang Xiangqing , Feng Jinxia , Jiang Jun 
Published: December 2022

Background: Human serum albumin (HSA) is a commonly used medication for the treatment of sepsis. However, there is no conclusive evidence as to whether different concentrations of HSA are associated with patient prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association between different concentrations of HSA and 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis.Methods: The data for this retrospective study were collected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database. Patients with sepsis were divided into two groups according to the concentration of HSA received: 25% and 5% HSA. The primary outcome of this study was the 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis. To ensure the robustness of our findings, we used multivariate Cox regression, propensity score matching, double-robust estimation, and inverse probability weighting models.Results: A total of 76,943 patients were screened, of whom 5,009 were enrolled. 1,258 and 3,751 patients received 25% and 5% HSA, respectively. The 28-day mortality rate was 38.2% (481/1,258) for patients in the 25% HSA group and 8.7% (325/3,751) for patients in the 5% HSA group. After propensity score matching, 1,648 patients were identified. The inverse probability weighting model suggested that 5% HSA received was associated with lower 28-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54–0.73, p &lt; 0.001). Subgroup and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results.Conclusion: In patients with sepsis, 5% HSA received may be associated with a lower risk of 28-day mortality than 25% HSA. Further randomized controlled trials are required to confirm this association.