bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aberrant brain gray matter and functional networks topology in end stage renal disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis with cognitive impairment
Authors: Zheng Jiahui , Wu Xiangxiang , Dai Jiankun , Pan Changjie , Shi Haifeng , Liu Tongqiang , Jiao Zhuqing 
Published: August 2022

PurposeTo characterize the topological properties of gray matter (GM) and functional networks in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis to provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of cognitive impairment.Materials and methodsIn total, 45 patients and 37 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled in this study. All subjects completed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) examinations and a Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) test. Differences in the properties of GM and functional networks were analyzed, and the relationship between brain properties and MoCA scores was assessed. Cognitive function was predicted based on functional networks by applying the least squares support vector regression machine (LSSVRM) and the whale optimization algorithm (WOA).ResultsWe observed disrupted topological organizations of both functional and GM networks in ESRD patients, as indicated by significantly decreased global measures. Specifically, ESRD patients had impaired nodal efficiency and degree centrality, predominantly within the default mode network, limbic system, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe. Interestingly, the involved regions were distributed laterally. Furthermore, the MoCA scores significantly correlated with decreased standardized clustering coefficient (γ), standardized characteristic path length (λ), and nodal efficiency of the right insula and the right superior temporal gyrus. Finally, optimized LSSVRM could predict the cognitive scores of ESRD patients with great accuracy.ConclusionDisruption of brain networks may account for the progression of cognitive dysfunction in ESRD patients. Implementation of prediction models based on neuroimaging metrics may provide more objective information to promote early diagnosis and intervention.
Resting-state electroencephalography changes in poststroke patients with visuospatial neglect
Authors: Zhang Yichen , Ye Linlin , Cao Lei , Song Weiqun 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the electrophysiological characteristics of resting-state electroencephalography (rsEEG) in patients with visuospatial neglect (VSN) after stroke.MethodsA total of 44 first-event sub-acute strokes after right hemisphere damage (26 with VSN and 18 without VSN) were included. Besides, 18 age-matched healthy participants were used as healthy controls. The resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) of 64 electrodes was recorded to obtain the power of the spectral density of different frequency bands. The global delta/alpha ratio (DAR), DAR over the affected hemispheres (DARAH), DAR over the unaffected hemispheres (DARUH), and the pairwise-derived brain symmetry index (pdBSI; global and four bands) were compared between groups and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted. The Barthel index (BI), Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment (FMA), and Berg balance scale (BBS) were used to assess the functional state of patients. Visuospatial neglect was assessed using a battery of standardized tests.ResultsWe found that patients with VSN performed poorly compared with those without VSN. Analysis of rsEEG revealed increased delta and theta power and decreased alpha and beta power in stroke patients with VSN. Compared to healthy controls and poststroke non-VSN patients, patients with VSN showed a higher DAR (P &lt; 0.001), which was significantly positively correlated with the BBS (DAR: r = –0.522, P = 0.006; DARAH: r = –0.521, P = 0.006; DARUH: r = –0.494, P = 0.01). The line bisection task was positively correlated with DAR (r = 0.458, P = 0.019) and DARAH (r = 0.483, P = 0.012), while the star cancellation task was only positively correlated with DARAH (r = 0.428, P = 0.029). DARAH had the best discriminating value between VSN and non-VSN, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.865. Patients with VSN showed decreased alpha power in the parietal and occipital areas of the right hemisphere. A higher parieto-occipital pdBSIalpha was associated with a worse line bisection task (r = 0.442, P = 0.024).ConclusionrsEEG may be a useful tool for screening for stroke patients with visuospatial neglect, and DAR and parieto-occipital pdBSIalpha may be useful biomarkers for visuospatial neglect after stroke.
Higher S-adenosylhomocysteine and lower ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine were more closely associated with increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis than homocysteine
Authors: Xiao Jinghe , You Yiran , Chen Xu , Tang Yi , Chen Yuming , Liu Qiannan , Liu Zhaomin , Ling Wenhua 
Published: August 2022

AimTo examine the relationship of C1 metabolites of the methionine cycle with the risk of subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) in the Chinese population.MethodsA total of 2,991 participants aged 45–75 years old were included for data analyses based on the baseline data of the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Cohort. Three core serum methionine metabolites including serum S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and homocysteine (Hcy) were measured by UPLC-MS/MS. SA was determined by B-mode ultrasound measured carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) at the common artery and bifurcation segments. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were performed to estimate the associations of C1 metabolites of the methionine cycle with SA risk or CIMT.ResultsAfter controlling for potential cofounders and other C1 metabolites, in comparison with the lowest quartile, participants in the highest quartile had lower risk of SA by 27.6% (OR = 0.724; 95% CI:0.563–0.93, Ptrend = 0.007) for SAM and 32.2% (OR = 0.678; 95% CI:0.538–0.855, Ptrend &lt; 0.001) for SAM/SAH, while increased SA risk by 27.9% (OR = 1.279; 95% CI: 1.065–1.535, Ptrend &lt; 0.001) for SAH. No significant association was observed for Hcy with SA after further adjustment of SAH and SAM. The results of multivariable linear regression showed similar findings. The highest two standardized coefficients were observed for SAH (β = 0.104 for CCA and 0.121 for BIF, P&lt; 0.001) and SAM/SAH (β = −0.071 for CCA and −0.084 for BIF, P&lt; 0.001). Subgroup analyses suggested more evident associations of SAH with SA were observed in participants of higher cardiovascular risk profiles.ConclusionOur cross-sectional data showed higher serum SAH, but lower SAM/SAH were independently associated with increased risk of SA among the Chinese middle-aged and elderly population.
Causal associations of iron status and back pain risk: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Tang Yidan , Wu Jiahui , Xu Mingzhe , Zhu Tao , Sun Yalan , Chen Hai , Wu Lining , Chen Chan 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundObservational studies have previously suggested a link between iron status makers and back pain. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to determine the putative causal relationship between systemic iron status and back pain.Materials and methodsIn this MR study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 48,972 individuals was used to identify genetic instruments highly associated with systemic iron status. The outcome data (back pain) were derived from the Neale Lab consortium’s summary data from the UK Biobank (85,221 cases and 336,650 controls). With the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the main analysis, conservative analyses (selecting SNPs with concordant change of iron status biomarkers) and liberal analyses (selecting SNPs with genome-wide significant association with each iron status biomarker) were carried out. For sensitivity analyses, the MR-Egger, MR-Egger intercept, weighted median, weighted mode, and MR based on a Bayesian model averaging approaches were used. The Cochran’s Q-test was used to detect heterogeneity.ResultsBack pain was associated with genetically instrumented serum iron (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.00–1.02, p = 0.01), ferritin (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.00–1.04, p = 0.02), and transferrin saturation (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.00–1.01, p = 0.01). Furthermore, there was no evidence of a link between transferrin and the risk of back pain (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98–1.00, p = 0.08). The sensitivity analyses and Cochran’s Q-test indicated that no pleiotropy or heterogeneity was detected (all p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionWe provided potential genetic evidences for the causal associations of iron status with increased incidence of back pain. However, the evidences were weakened due to the low power. Further larger MR studies or RCTs are needed to investigate small effects.
Vitamin D status and asthma, lung function, and hospitalization among British adults
Authors: Zhu Yiqun , Jing Danrong , Liang Huaying , Li Dianwu , Chang Qinyu , Shen Minxue , Pan Pinhua , Liu Hong , Zhang Yan 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundVitamin D has been known to be associated with asthma. However, the association between vitamin D status and asthma, lung function as well as hospitalization among adults remains unclear.ObjectiveTo investigate the role of serum vitamin D in asthma prevalence, lung function, and asthma control in adults.MethodsMultivariable logistic regression was applied to assess the relationship between serum vitamin D and asthma prevalence, lung function (FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC), current wheeze, and asthma-linked hospitalizations in a cross-sectional study of 435,040 adults aged 37–73 years old from the UK Biobank.ResultsCompared to vitamin D deficiency, the odds of asthma were decreased by 6.4% [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.936; 95% CI: 0.911–0.962; p &lt; 0.001] and 9.8% (aOR = 0. 0.902; 95% CI: 0.877–0. 0.927; p &lt; 0.001) in individuals with insufficient and optimal vitamin D concentration, respectively, in the fully adjusted model. In total asthmatic patients, serum vitamin D was obviously and positively related with FEV1 (β = 1.328 ml, 95% CI = 0.575–2.080), FVC (β = 2.018 ml, 95% CI = 1.127–2.908), and FEV1/FVC (β = 0.006%, 95% CI = 0.002–0.010). Asthmatic patients whose vitamin D level was in the deficient category had 9.3–19.9% higher odds of current wheeze than insufficient categories (aOR = 0.907; 95% CI: 0.861–0.957; p &lt; 0.001) and optimal categories (aOR = 0.801; 95% CI: 0.759–0.845; p &lt; 0.001), but the relationship between vitamin D and asthma hospitalization was not significant.ConclusionVitamin D deficiency was related to higher odds of asthma and current wheeze, and lower lung function in a large sample size study of British adults. Our results indicate a potential positive impact of serum vitamin D on asthma occurrence and disease control in adults.
Predictive value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D level in patients with coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Hailing , Wang Pei , Jie Yu , Sun Yimeng , Wang Xiaoyan , Fan Yu 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundA consensus has not been made about the predictive value of blood vitamin D level in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and adverse outcomes in patients with CAD.MethodsTwo independent authors searched the articles indexed in PubMed and Embase databases until June 28, 2022. Cohort studies or post-hoc analysis randomized trials evaluating the value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D level in predicting cardiovascular or all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events ([MACEs] including death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, revascularization, stroke, etc.) were included.ResultsThe literature search identified 13 eligible studies for our analysis, including 17,892 patients with CAD. Meta-analysis showed that the pooled adjusted risk ratio (RR) was 1.60 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.35–1.89) for all-cause mortality, 1.48 (95% CI 1.28–1.71) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.33 (95% CI 1.18–1.49) for MACEs. Leave-out one study sensitivity analysis suggested that the predictive values of blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D level were reliable.ConclusionsLow blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is possibly an independent predictor of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality and MACEs in patients with CAD. Baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D level may provide useful information in CAD patients.
Comparison of Efficacy and Safety Between Immunotherapy and Docetaxel Monotherapy in NSCLC Patients
Authors: Yang Wenchao , Xuan Bixia , Chen Mengqi , Li Xiaofang , He Jiana , Si Haiyan , Zhang Yefei 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveMeta analysis was used to compare the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitor and docetaxel in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.MethodsCNKI, CBM, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, web of science and other databases were searched by computer, and the randomized controlled trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors and docetaxel in the treatment of NSCLC published as of February 2022 were collected. Two researchers searched independently, screened the literature and extracted the data according to the nanodischarge criteria, and used Revman5.4. The included studies were statistically analyzed, and publication bias was analyzed with Egger test in Stata12.ResultsA total of 8 RCTs were included, including 2444 cases treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and 2097 cases treated with docetaxel. Compared with docetaxel, the overall survival (HR = 1.40, 95%CI: 1.30-1.50, P &lt; 0.00001) and progression free survival (HR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.13-1.32, P &lt; 0.00001) of NSCLC treated with ICIs were longer. The risk ratio of any grade of adverse reactions (HR = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.32-0.52, P &lt; 0.00001) and above grade III adverse reactions (HR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.18-0.41, P &lt; 0.00001) in the treatment of NSCLC with ICIs was lower. There was no publication bias in Egger test.ConclusionCompared with docetaxel, immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment can improve the clinical efficacy of NSCLC patients and has a lower incidence of adverse reactions. This treatment may be a promising treatment for NSCLC patients.
The prognostic influence of histological subtypes of micropapillary tumors on patients with lung adenocarcinoma ≤ 2 cm
Authors: Xu Liangdong , Zhou Hangcheng , Wang Gaoxiang , Huang Zhining , Xiong Ran , Sun Xiaohui , Wu Mingsheng , Li Tian , Xie Mingran 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the value of micropapillary histological subtypes in predicting the specific surgical specificity and lymph node metastasis prognosis of early lung adenocarcinoma.MethodsA total of 390 patients with lung adenocarcinoma were included who underwent surgery in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2016 to December 2017. The data were analysed with SPSS 26.0 statistical software, and the clinicopathological data of the two groups were compared with the chi-square test. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the difference in survival rate between groups was analysed by the log-rank test. Multivariate survival analysis was performed using the Cox model.ResultsUnivariate analysis of the clinicopathological data of the patients showed that the micropapillary histological subtype was significantly associated with the survival rate of patients (p=0.007). The clinicopathological data of the patients were substituted into the Cox model for multivariate analysis, and the results showed that the micropapillary histological subtype was an independent prognostic factor affecting the survival rate of the patients (p=0.009).The average survival time of Group A (micronipple composition &gt; 5%) was 66.7 months; the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 98.8%, 93.0%, and 80.9%, respectively.The survival of the lobectomy group was better than that of the sublobectomy group and the survival of patients with systematic dissection was better than that of patients with limited lymph node dissection. The average survival time of Group B (micronipple composition ≤ 5%) was 70.5 months; the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 99.3%, 95.4%, and 90.6%, respectively. There was no difference in the survival rate between the lobectomy group and sublobectomy group, and there was also no difference in survival between systematic lymph node dissection and limited lymph node dissection, The survival rate of Group B was significantly better than that of Group A.ConclusionThe micropapillary histological component is an independent risk factor after surgery in patients with ≤2 cm lung adenocarcinoma. When the proportion of micropapillary components is different, the prognosis of patients is different when different surgical methods and lymph node dissections are performed. Lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection are recommended for patients with a micropapillary histological composition &gt;5%; sublobar resection and limited lymph node dissection are recommended for patients with a micropapillary histological composition ≤5%.
Using artificial intelligence to reduce queuing time and improve satisfaction in pediatric outpatient service: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Li Xiaoqing , Tian Dan , Li Weihua , Hu Yabin , Dong Bin , Wang Hansong , Yuan Jiajun , Li Biru , Mei Hao , Tong Shilu , Zhao Liebin , Liu Shijian 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionComplicated outpatient procedures are associated with excessive paperwork and long waiting times. We aimed to shorten queuing times and improve visiting satisfaction.MethodsWe developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted program named Smart-doctor. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Shanghai Children’s Medical Center. Participants were randomly divided into an AI-assisted and conventional group. Smart-doctor was used as a medical assistant in the AI-assisted group. At the end of the visit, an e-medical satisfaction questionnaire was asked to be done. The primary outcome was the queuing time, while secondary outcomes included the consulting time, test time, total time, and satisfaction score. Wilcoxon rank sum test, multiple linear regression and ordinal regression were also used.ResultsWe enrolled 740 eligible patients (114 withdrew, response rate: 84.59%). The median queuing time was 8.78 (interquartile range [IQR] 3.97,33.88) minutes for the AI-assisted group versus 21.81 (IQR 6.66,73.10) minutes for the conventional group (p &lt; 0.01), and the AI-assisted group had a shorter consulting time (0.35 [IQR 0.18, 0.99] vs. 2.68 [IQR 1.82, 3.80] minutes, p &lt; 0.01), and total time (40.20 [IQR 26.40, 73.80] vs. 110.40 [IQR 68.40, 164.40] minutes, p &lt; 0.01). The overall satisfaction score was increased by 17.53% (p &lt; 0.01) in the AI-assisted group. In addition, multiple linear regression and ordinal regression showed that the queuing time and satisfaction were mainly affected by group (p &lt; 0.01), and missing the turn (p &lt; 0.01).ConclusionsUsing AI to simplify the outpatient service procedure can shorten the queuing time of patients and improve visit satisfaction.
Comparison on different traditional Chinese medicine therapies for chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis
Authors: Dai Yun-kai , Fan Hai-na , Hu Yong-hong , Zhao Zhi-min , Liu Chenghai 
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims: Although different kinds of traditional Chinese medicines could reportedly improve the efficacy of antiviral therapy on liver fibrosis caused by HBV, the problem of clinicians on how to choose the appropriate treatment strategies for the patients fails to be solved. This study aims at comparing and ranking different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies in the treatment of liver fibrosis due to chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched from their establishment to 17 Aug 2021. All included data and pooled odds ratio were used for network meta-analysis (NMA) and statistical analysis. The consistency was evaluated by the node-splitting analysis. The stability of results and source of heterogeneity were tested by sensitivity analysis. Different treatment strategies (regimens) in this network meta-analysis were ranked with the aid of surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) probability value.Results: A total of 29 articles with 3,106 sufferers were recruited in this NMA. Results of SUCRA value rankings indicated that Fuzheng Huayu therapy or combined with entecavir had preferable effects in improving the clinical efficacy, recovering the level of hyaluronic acid, IV-C, ALT, ALB, and TBil, relieving the TCM symptoms including hypochondriac pain and poor appetite, regaining the width of portal vein and thickness of spleen, and lessening side effects. Apart from these, Ziyin Shugan therapy or combined with ETV could also be suitable to regain the level of laminin, PC-III, and AST, relieve fatigue and HBV-DNA conversion.Conclusion: This NMA confirmed the efficacy and safety of different treatment therapies for improving CHB liver fibrosis, including the serum biomarkers of live fibrosis and serum parameters for liver function, TCM symptoms, imaging indexes, HBV-DNA conversion rate, which offered the TCM practitioners crucial reference value on clinical medication.
The pyroptosis-related gene signature predicts prognosis and reveals characterization of the tumor immune microenvironment in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhou Tao , Qian Kai , Li Yun-Yun , Cai Wen-Ke , Yin Sun-Jun , Wang Ping , He Gong-Hao 
Published: August 2022

Background: Pyroptosis is a novel inflammatory form of programmed cell death and a prospective target for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, little is known about the association between pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) prognosis. Herein, we systematically investigated the specific functions and clinical prognostic value of multiple PRGs in AML.Methods: Univariate and LASSO Cox regression analyses based on TCGA and GTEx databases were used to generate the PRG signature, whose predictive efficacy of survival was evaluated using survival analysis, ROC, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses as well as subgroup analysis. The BeatAML cohort was used for data validation. The association between risk score and immune cell infiltration, HLA, immune checkpoints, cancer stem cell (CSC), tumor mutation burden (TMB), and therapeutic drug sensitivity were also analyzed.Results: Six -PRG signatures, namely, CASP3, ELANE, GSDMA, NOD1, PYCARD, and VDR were generated. The high-risk score represented a poorer prognosis and the PRG risk score was also validated as an independent predictor of prognosis. A nomogram including the cytogenetic risk, age, and risk score was constructed for accurate prediction of 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival probabilities. Meanwhile, this risk score was significantly associated with the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). A high-risk score is characterized by high immune cell infiltration, HLA, and immune checkpoints, as well as low CSC and TMB. In addition, patients with low-risk scores presented significantly lower IC50 values for ATRA, cytarabine, midostaurin, doxorubicin, and etoposide.Conclusion: Our findings might contribute to further understanding of PRGs in the prognosis and development of AML and provide novel and reliable biomarkers for its precise prevention and treatment.