bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness in the focus of the neurosciences - The contribution of neuroimaging to the understanding of mindfulness
Authors: Weder Bruno J. 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundMindfulness affects human levels of experience by facilitating the immediate and impartial perception of phenomena, including sensory stimulation, emotions, and thoughts. Mindfulness is now a focus of neuroimaging, since technical and methodological developments in magnetic resonance imaging have made it possible to observe subjects performing mindfulness tasks.ObjectiveWe set out to describe the association between mental processes and characteristics of mindfulness, including their specific cerebral patterns, as shown in structural and functional neuroimaging studies.MethodsWe searched the MEDLINE databank of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics via PubMed using the keywords: “mindfulness,” “focused attention (FA),” “open monitoring (OM),” “mind wandering,” “emotional regulation,” “magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)” and “default mode network (DMN).” This review extracted phenomenological experiences across populations with varying degrees of mindfulness training and correlated these experiences with structural and functional neuroimaging patterns. Our goal was to describe how mindful behavior was processed by the constituents of the default mode network during specific tasks.Results and conclusionsDepending on the research paradigm employed to explore mindfulness, investigations of function that used fMRI exhibited distinct activation patterns and functional connectivities. Basic to mindfulness is a long-term process of learning to use meditation techniques. Meditators progress from voluntary control of emotions and subjective preferences to emotional regulation and impartial awareness of phenomena. As their ability to monitor perception and behavior, a metacognitive skill, improves, mindfulness increases self-specifying thoughts governed by the experiential phenomenological self and reduces self-relational thoughts of the narrative self. The degree of mindfulness (ratio of self-specifying to self-relational thoughts) may affect other mental processes, e.g., awareness, working memory, mind wandering and belief formation. Mindfulness prevents habituation and the constant assumptions associated with mindlessness. Self-specifying thinking during mindfulness and self-relational thinking in the narrative self relies on the default mode network. The main constituents of this network are the dorsal and medial prefrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex. These midline structures are antagonistic to self-specifying and self-relational processes, since the predominant process determines their differential involvement. Functional and brain volume changes indicate brain plasticity, mediated by mental training over the long-term.
Slower progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with external application of a Chinese herbal plaster–The randomized, placebo-controlled triple-blinded ALS-CHEPLA trial
Authors: Schröder Sven , Wang Mingzhe , Sima Dandan , Schröder Joana , Zhu Xuying , Zheng Xuanlu , Liu Lin , Li Tingying , Wang Qiudong , Friedemann Thomas , Liu Te , Pan Weidong 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by gradually increasing damage to the upper and lower motor neurons. However, definitive and efficacious treatment for ALS is not available, and oral intake in ALS patients with bulbar involvement is complicated due to swallowing difficulties.Hypothesis/purposeThis study investigated whether the external plaster application of the herbal composition Ji-Wu-Li efficiently slows ALS progression because prior studies obtained promising evidence with oral herbal applications.Study designThe randomized, triple-blinded study compared the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the application of Ji-Wu-Li plaster (JWLP) with placebo plaster (PLAP).MethodsIn total, 120 patients with definite ALS, clinically probable ALS, or clinically probable laboratory-supported ALS were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive JWLP or PLAP. Patients were treated and observed for 20 weeks. The primary outcome was the ALSFRS-R score, while the secondary outcomes were the ALS-SSIT score and weight loss.ResultsThe mean±SD decrease in the ALSFRS-R over 20 weeks differed by 0.84 points in a group comparison (JWLP, −4.44 ± 1.15; PLAP, −5.28 ± 1.98; p = 0.005). The mean increase in the ALS-SSIT over 20 weeks differed by 2.7 points in a group comparison (JWLP, 5.361.15; PLAP, 8.06 ± 1.72; p &lt; 0.001). The mean weight loss over 20 weeks differed by 1.65 kg in a group comparison (JWLP, −3.98 ± 2.61; PLAP, −5.63 ± 3.17; p = 0.002). Local allergic dermatitis suspected as causal to the intervention occurred in 10 of 60 participants in the JWLP group and 9 of 60 participants in the PLAP group. Systemic adverse events were mild, temporary, and considered unrelated to the intervention.ConclusionThe JWLP showed clinical efficacy in the progression of ALS, as measured by the ALSFRS-R, ALS-SSIT, and weight loss in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Because skin reactions occurred in both groups, the covering material needs improvement. All of the Ji Wu Li herbal ingredients regulate multiple mechanisms of neurodegeneration in ALS. Hence, JWLP may offer a promising and safe add-on therapy for ALS, particularly in patients with bulbar involvement, but a confirmative long-term multicentre study is required.
Imbalance between the function of Na+-K+-2Cl and K+-Cl impairs Cl– homeostasis in human focal cortical dysplasia
Authors: Liu Ru , Xing Yue , Zhang Herui , Wang Junling , Lai Huanling , Cheng Lipeng , Li Donghong , Yu Tao , Yan Xiaoming , Xu Cuiping , Piao Yueshan , Zeng Linghui , Loh Horace H. , Zhang Guojun , Yang Xiaofeng 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveAltered expression patterns of Na+-K+-2Cl– (NKCC1) and K+-Cl– (KCC2) co-transporters have been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Here, we assessed the effects of imbalanced NKCC1 and KCC2 on γ-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) neurotransmission in certain brain regions involved in human focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).Materials and methodsWe sought to map a micro-macro neuronal network to better understand the epileptogenesis mechanism. In patients with FCD, we resected cortical tissue from the seizure the onset zone (SOZ) and the non-seizure onset zone (non-SOZ) inside the epileptogenic zone (EZ). Additionally, we resected non-epileptic neocortical tissue from the patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) as control. All of tissues were analyzed using perforated patch recordings. NKCC1 and KCC2 co-transporters expression and distribution were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting.ResultsResults revealed that depolarized GABAergic signals were observed in pyramidal neurons in the SOZ and non-SOZ groups compared with the control group. The total number of pyramidal neurons showing GABAergic spontaneous postsynaptic currents was 11/14, 7/17, and 0/12 in the SOZ, non-SOZ, and control groups, respectively. The depolarizing GABAergic response was significantly dampened by the specific NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide (BUM). Patients with FCD exhibited higher expression and internalized distribution of KCC2, particularly in the SOZ group.ConclusionOur results provide evidence of a potential neurocircuit underpinning SOZ epileptogenesis and non-SOZ seizure susceptibility. Imbalanced function of NKCC1 and KCC2 may affect chloride ion homeostasis in neurons and alter GABAergic inhibitory action, thereby contributing to epileptogenesis in FCDs. Maintaining chloride ion homeostasis in the neurons may represent a new avenue for the development of novel anti-seizure medications (ASMs).
HPGDS is a novel prognostic marker associated with lipid metabolism and aggressiveness in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shao Fengling , Mao Huajie , Luo Tengling , Li Qijun , Xu Lei , Xie Yajun 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundLung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common respiratory globallywith a poor prognosis. Lipid metabolism is extremely important for the occurrence and development of cancer. However, the role of genes involved in lipid metabolism in LUAD development is unclear. We aimed to identify the abnormal lipid metabolism pathway of LUAD, construct a novel prognostic model of LUAD, and discover novel biomarkers involved in lipid metabolism in LUAD.MethodsBased on differentially expressed genes involved in lipid metabolism in LUAD samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), abnormal lipid metabolism pathways in LUAD were analyzed. The lasso penalized regression analysis was performed on the TCGA cohort (training set) to construct a risk score formula. The predictive ability of the risk score was validated in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset (validation set) using Kaplan-Meier analysis and ROC curves. Finally, based on CRISPR gene editing technology, hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (HPGDS) was knocked out in A549 cell lines, the changes in lipid metabolism-related markers were detected by western blotting, and the changes in cell migration were detected by transwell assay.ResultsBased on the differential genes between lung cancer tissue and normal tissue, we found that the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway is an abnormal lipid metabolism pathway in both lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. Based on the sample information of TCGA and abnormally expressed lipid metabolism-related genes, a 9-gene prognostic risk score was successfully constructed and validated in the GEO dataset. Finally, we found that knockdown of HPGDS in A549 cell lines promoted lipid synthesis and is more invasive than in control cells. Rescue assays showed that ACSL1 knockdown reversed the pro-migration effects of HPGDS knockdown. The knockdown of HPGDS promoted migration response by upregulating the expression of the lipid metabolism key enzymes ACSL1 and ACC.ConclusionThe genes involved in lipid metabolism are associated with the occurrence and development of LUAD. HPGDS can be a therapeutic target of a potential lipid metabolism pathway in LUAD, and the therapeutic target of lipid metabolism genes in LUAD should be studied further.
Evaluation of tracer kinetic parameters in cervical cancer using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI as biomarkers in terms of biological relevance, diagnostic performance and inter-center variability
Authors: Wang Xue , Li Shujian , Lin Xianhui , Lu Yi , Mao Chuanwan , Ye Zhijun , Li Xuesheng , Koh Tong-San , Liu Jie , Liu Jingjing , Ma Xiaoyue , Cheng Jingliang , Ning Gang , Yan Zhihan , Hou Zujun 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesThis study assessed the clinical value of parameters derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI with respect to correlation with angiogenesis and proliferation of cervical cancer, performance of diagnosis and reproducibility of DCE-MRI parameters across MRI scanners.Materials and MethodsA total of 113 patients with cervical carcinoma from two centers were included in this retrospective study. The DCE data were centralized and processed using five tracer kinetic models (TKMs) (Tofts, Ex-Tofts, ATH, SC, and DP), yielding the following parameters: volume transfer constant (Ktrans), extravascular extracellular volume (Ve), fractional volume of vascular space (Vp), blood flow (Fp), and permeability surface area product (PS). CD34 counts and Ki-67 PI (proliferation index) of cervical cancer and normal cervix tissue were obtained using immunohistochemical staining in Center 1.ResultsCD34 count and Ki-67 PI in cervical cancer were significantly higher than in normal cervix tissue (p&lt;0.05). Parameter Ve from each TKM was significantly smaller in cervical cancer tissue than in normal cervix tissue (p&lt;0.05), indicating the higher proliferation of cervical cancer cells. Ve of each TKM attained the largest AUC to diagnose cervical cancer. The distributions of DCE parameters for both cervical cancer and normal cervix tissue were not significantly different between two centers (P&gt;0.05).ConclusionParameter Ve was similar to the expression of Ki-67 in revealing the proliferation of tissue cells, attained good performance in diagnosis of cervical cancer, and demonstrated consistent findings on measured values across centers.
Comparative study on the clinical effect of preparing neobladder with different lengths of ileum
Authors: Zheng Bin , Liu Zhenghong , Wang Heng , Wang Jinxue , Zhang Pu , Zhang Dahong 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between orthotopic U-shaped ileal neobladder volume and bladder function. To investigate the correlation between the volume of the radical cystectomy and the U-shaped ileal neobladder in situ and the function of the bladder.MethodsThe clinical data of patients undergoing in orthotopic U-shaped neobladder in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to the length of the retained ileum. Group 1: The length of the ileum was 25-35cm (including 35cm), and the second group: the length of the ileum was 35-45cm. The basic information, cushion usage, urodynamic examination and complications of the two groups were obtained.ResultsA total of 88 patients were included in the study, including 33 in the first group and 55 in the second group. There was no statistical difference in general data, lymph node collection, lymph node positive rate, positive margin rate, postoperative pathological stage, pathological grade, pathological type, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, postoperative hospital stay, and complications between the two groups of patients. significance. Although the usage of urine pads in group 1 was more than that in group 2 in the short term after operation (P&lt;0.05), it started from the third year after operation. Patients in group 1 used less cushion than group 2 (P&lt;0.05). Urodynamic examination was performed on the patients, and the bladder function of group 1 maintained satisfactory time longer than that of group 2. The total number of deaths in the two groups was 12 and 23, respectively. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of group 1 was 53.60%, and the 5-year overall survival rate of group 2 was 52.9%.ConclusionsA new bladder formed by cutting the ileum with a length of 25-35 cm (including 35cm) has a longer time to maintain good bladder function than cutting the ileum with a length of 35-45 cm to produce a new bladder.
Genomic profiling of non-small cell lung cancer with the rare pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis and clinical outcome of the exploratory anlotinib treatment
Authors: Dong Changqing , Cheng Wanwan , Zhang Meiling , Li Si , Zhao Lele , Chen Dongsheng , Qin Yong , Xiao Mingzhe , Fang Shencun 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundTo evaluate the potential treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and rare malignant pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis (PLC), our study provided a genomic profile and clinical outcome of this group of patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients with NSCLC who developed PLC. The genomic alterations, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) based on DNA-based next-generation sequencing were reviewed and compared in a Chinese population with lung adenocarcinomas (Chinese-LUAD cohort). Clinical outcomes after exploratory anlotinib treatment and factors influencing survival are summarized.ResultsA total of 564 patients with stage IV NSCLC were reviewed, and 39 patients with PLC were included. Genomic profiling of 17 adenocarcinoma patients with PLC (PLC-LUAD cohort) revealed TP53, EGFR, and LRP1B as the three most frequently altered genes. EGFR was less mutated in PLC-LUAD than Chinese-LUAD cohort of 778 patients (35.3% vs. 60.9%, P = 0.043). BRIP1 was mutated more often in the PLC-LUAD cohort (11.8% vs. 1.8%, P= 0.043). Two patients presented with high tumor mutational burden (TMB-H, 10 mutations/MB). Combing alterations in the patient with squamous cell carcinoma, the most altered pathways of PLC included cell cycle/DNA damage, chromatin modification, the RTK/Ras/MAPK pathway and VEGF signaling changes. Fourteen of the participants received anlotinib treatment. The ORR and DCR were 57.1% and 92.9%, respectively. Patients achieved a median progression-free survival of 4.9 months and a median overall survival of 7 months. The adverse effects were manageable. In patients with adenocarcinoma, the mPFS (5.3 months vs. 2.6 months) and mOS (9.9 months vs. 4.5 months) were prolonged in patients receiving anlotinib treatment compared to those receiving other treatment strategies (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionPatients with PLC in NSCLC demonstrated distinct genetic alterations. The results improve our understanding of the plausible genetic underpinnings of tumorigenesis in PLC and potential treatment strategies. Exploratory anlotinib treatment achieved considerable benefits and demonstrated manageable safety.
Relationship between Iron deposition and T lymphocytes in children with β-thalassemia with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Zhou Yuhang , Luo Jianming 
Published: October 2022

Backgroundβ-Thalassemia cellular immunity is associated with iron overload. However, the relationship between varying degrees of iron deposition and T cell immune recovery after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) in children remain unclear.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 84 children with β-Thalassemia undergoing sibling allo-HSCT. According to the degrees of hepatic iron deposition, patients were divided into four classes. T lymphocyte counts were measured. Hepatic iron deposition was assessed by T2* MRI. Epstein–Barr virus and cytomegalovirus infection rates and graft-vs.-host disease incidence were recorded.ResultsImmune recovery after allo-HSCT was compared between the two groups. Normal vs. mild group: CD4 cells were higher at 1, 3, and 6 months (P &lt; 0.05), CD3 and CD8 cells were higher at 3 and 6 months, and 1 year in normal group (P &lt; 0.05). Normal vs. moderate group: CD3 and CD4 cells were higher at 1, 3 and 6 months, and 1 year (P &lt; 0.05), CD8 cells were higher at 1 and 3 months, and 1 year in normal group (P &lt; 0.05). Normal vs. severe group: CD3, CD4 and CD8 cell at 1, 3 and 6 months, and 1 year in normal group (P &lt; 0.05). Mild vs. moderate group: CD3, CD4 and CD8 cells were higher at 1 month in mild group (P &lt; 0.05). Mild vs. severe group: CD4 cells were higher at 1, 3 and 6 month, and 1 year (P &lt; 0.05), CD3 and CD8 cells were higher at 1 month in mild group (P &lt; 0.05). Moderate vs. severe group: CD4 cells were higher at 3 months (P &lt; 0.05), CD8 cells were higher at 6 months in moderate group (P &lt; 0.05). The hepatic T2* values were positively correlated with CD3, CD4 and CD8 cells. The infection rates of Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus were significantly different among the groups (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionIron deposition affects immune recovery of T lymphocytes after allo-HSCT in children with β-thalassemia. The lower the levels of iron deposition, the greater the CD4 cell count.
Wendan decoction in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Liu Ting , Zhang Lianyue , Pu Zhongping , Yan Zheng , Hua Haibing 
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The use of Wendan decoction (WDD) as a therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been studied in many clinical trials, and some of them showed that WDD is effective for treating this condition. However, no comprehensive research to evaluate the clinical efficacy of WDD in NAFLD patients had been performed. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to provide an in-depth inquiry into the data currently available about the safety and effectiveness of WDD to treat NAFLD.Methods: We examined the primary database for any reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including WDD and its effectiveness in treating NAFLD. We used the Jadad rating scale to determine the overall quality of the selected RCTs, and we searched the Cochrane Reviewer’s Handbook for criteria for potential bias. The primary findings from the included RCTs were recorded, and the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software developed by the Cochrane Collaboration.Results: We retrieved ten RCTs that were suitable for this evaluation and included them in a systematic review and meta-analysis. The quality and risk of bias in the included RCTs were assessed. The meta-analysis showed that the total clinical effective rate was substantially greater in the WDD cohort compared with that in the control cohort, and liver function, blood lipid indices, and blood glucose-related indicators were substantially improved in the WDD-treated cohort compared with those in the control cohort. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two cohorts.Conclusion: WDD is safe and effective for treating NAFLD, which is advantageous for the patients’ liver function as well as their blood lipid indices and blood glucose-related indicators.
A 9-aminoacridine derivative induces growth inhibition of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and antinociceptive effect in mice
Authors: Mangueira Vivianne M. , de Sousa Tatyanna K. G. , Batista Tatianne M. , de Abrantes Renata A. , Moura Ana Paula G. , Ferreira Rafael C. , de Almeida Reinaldo N. , Braga Renan M. , Leite Fagner Carvalho , Medeiros Karina C. de P. , Cavalcanti Misael Azevedo T. , Moura Ricardo O. , Silvestre Geovana F. G. , Batista Leônia M. , Sobral Marianna V. 
Published: October 2022

Acridine derivatives have been found with anticancer and antinociceptive activities. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the toxicological, antitumor, and antinociceptive actions of N’-(6-chloro-2-methoxyacridin-9-yl)-2-cyanoacetohydrazide (ACS-AZ), a 9-aminoacridine derivative with antimalarial activity. The toxicity was assessed by acute toxicity and micronucleus tests in mice. The in vivo antitumor effect of ACS-AZ (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, i.p.) was determined using the Ehrlich tumor model, and toxicity. The antinociceptive efficacy of the compound (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was investigated using formalin and hot plate assays in mice. The role of the opioid system was also investigated. In the acute toxicity test, the LD50 (lethal dose 50%) value was 500 mg/kg (i.p.), and no detectable genotoxic effect was observed. After a 7-day treatment, ACS-AZ significantly (p &lt; 0.05) reduced tumor cell viability and peritumoral microvessels density, suggesting antiangiogenic action. In addition, ACS-AZ reduced (p &lt; 0.05) IL-1β and CCL-2 levels, which may be related to the antiangiogenic effect, while increasing (p &lt; 0.05) TNF-α and IL-4 levels, which are related to its direct cytotoxicity. ACS-AZ also decreased (p &lt; 0.05) oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) levels, both of which are crucial mediators in cancer known for their angiogenic action. Moreover, weak toxicological effects were recorded after a 7-day treatment (biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters). Concerning antinociceptive activity, ACS-AZ was effective on hotplate and formalin (early and late phases) tests (p &lt; 0.05), characteristic of analgesic agents with central action. Through pretreatment with the non-selective (naloxone) and μ1-selective (naloxonazine) opioid antagonists, we observed that the antinociceptive effect of ACS-AZ is mediated mainly by μ1-opioid receptors (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, ACS-AZ has low toxicity and antitumoral activity related to cytotoxic and antiangiogenic actions that involve the modulation of reactive oxygen species, NO, and cytokine levels, in addition to antinociceptive properties involving the opioid system.