bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Troponin not just a simple cardiac marker: prognostic significance of cardiac troponin
Authors: Setiadi Benny Mulyanto , LEI Han , CHANG Jing
Published: January 2024

Objective

The object of this study was to review the role of cardiac troponin as a prognostic factor in acute coronary syndrome patients of varying circumstances.

Data sources

The data used in this review were obtained mainly from the studies of cardiac troponin reported in pubmed from 1981 to 2006.

Study selection

Relevant articles on studies of cardiac troponin were selected.

Results

Elevated cardiac troponin in patients with ST elevation and non ST elevation myocardial infarction was associated with adverse outcomes, including a higher incidence of congestive heart failure, shock, and death. Patients with elevated cardiac troponin value seemed to benefit more from invasive strategies including a percutaneous coronary intervention and bypass surgery, but elevated cardiac troponin was also correlated with adverse outcomes, including a higher degree of failure, shock, and mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention; a higher degree of perioperative myocardial infarction, low cardiac output syndrome, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and new-onset ventricular arrhythmia in patients undergoing bypass surgery were also observed. Elevated troponin after a percutaneous coronary intervention seemed to be associated with short-term adverse outcomes rather than long-term adverse outcomes, unless the elevation of the troponin post percutaneous coronary intervention was quite high (about 5 times above normal). On the contrary, elevated cardiac troponin after bypass surgery was more confusing to analyze since it happened in almost all patients. Furthermore, differences in cutoff values and time measurements in some studies add more confusion; thus, further research is warranted.

Conclusions

The prognostic value of cardiac troponin is demonstrated in almost all acute coronary syndrome patients. In addition to its high sensitivity and specificity, the prognostic value of cardiac troponin is another reason to make it the ““golden cardiac marker” of this time.
Effects of ketamine and midazolam on morphology of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 region of neonatal mice
Authors: TAN Hong , REN Rong-rong , XIONG Zhi-qi , WANG Ying-wei
Published: January 2024

Background

It is a common phenomenon that children experience multiple general anesthesias in clinical practice, which raises the question whether repeated exposure to general anesthetics would interfere with the development of the central nervous system of children. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of repeated treatment with ketamine or midazolam on postnatal dendrite development by examining the morphology of the dendritic spines of the pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region in mice.

Methods

The transgenic green fluorescent protein-M line (GFP-M) mice were used in this study. Ketamine (100 mg/kg), midazolam (50 mg/kg) or saline (10 ml/kg) was administered intraperitoneally once a day on consecutive days from postnatal day 8 (P8) to postnatal day 12 (P12). At postnatal day 13 (P13) and postnatal day 30 (P30), the density and length of the apical dendritic spines of the pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region were examined under a confocal microscope.

Results

At P13, for both the ketamine group and the midazolam group, the dendritic spines were found with a comparatively lower density and longer average length than in the control group. At P30, no significant difference in the density or average length of dendritic spines was found between the anesthetic group and control group.

Conclusions

This study indicated that repeated exposure to ketamine or midazolam in neonatal mice impaired dendritic spine maturation immediately afterwards, but this influence seemed to disappear during further postnatal development.
Effect of a conserved peptide derived from Kunitz domain of hepatitis B virus x protein on the cell cycle and apoptosis of HepG2 cells via the proteasome pathway
Authors: LIU Hong , YE Lin , WANG Qing-wei , YAN Qiu-xia , YU Jin-ming
Published: January 2024

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) x protein (HBx) in HepG2 cells causes a moderate decrease in proteolysis activity of the proteasome. A highly conserved Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor domain within 154 amino acid residues of HBx has been identified. In this study, a peptide chain derived from the Kunitz domain (PKD) was used to study its effect on the cell cycle and apoptosis of HepG2 cells, and investigated the function of PKD on the activities of proteasomes and AAA-ATPase p97, which involves in the ubiquitin-proteasome protein degradation pathway.

Methods

The PKD peptide (Phe-Val-Leu-Gly-Gly-Cys-Arg-His-Lys) was chemically synthesized. MTT assays were used to determine the effects of PKD on HepG2 cell growth. Mouse anti-p97 antibody was developed for Western blotting to detect the expression of p97. ATPase activity of proteasomes was measured using a colorimetric assay. Peptidase activities of proteasomes were analyzed with various peptidase-specific fluorogenic peptide substrates. Flow cytometry was used to determinate cell cycle phase and apoptosis.

Results

Viability of HepG2 cells decreased in a PKD-dose-dependent manner. Cells exhibited significant cytotoxicity in the presence of 15 mmol/L of PKD. Western blotting analysis showed that expression of p97 was suppressed in HepG2 cells treated with PKD compared to untreated cells. The ATPase activity of proteasomes from immunoprecipitates of HepG2 cells pretreated with PKD was apparently decreased. Chymotryptic activity of proteasomes in HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited by 10mmol/L PKD; tryptic activity and peptidylglutamyl peptide hydrolase activity of proteasomes were less inhibited by PKD than chymotryptic activity. The cell cycle phase of HepG2 cells treated with PKD for 36 hours was blocked largely at the G0-G1 phase, while untreated control cells were mainly in S phase. PKD also significantly induced apoptosis.

Conclusions

The peptide derived from Kunitz domain of HBx protein induces HepG2 cell growth arrest and apoptosis, which may result from down-regulation of p97 expression, and decrease of both the ATPase and chymotryptic activities of proteasomes.
Effect of surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry on identifing biomarkers of endometriosis
Authors: ZHANG Hong , FENG Jie , CHANG Xiao-hong , LI Zhong-xing , WU Xiao-yi , CUI Heng
Published: January 2024

Background

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease. This study aimed to screen proteins that were expressed differently in patients with endometriosis versus normal controls using proteomic techniques, surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS).

Methods

Protein chip SELDI-TOF-MS combines the advantages of microarray and mass spectrometry, and can screen latent markers in sera of patients with endometriosis. Serum samples from patients and normal volunteers were analyzed by SELDI-TOF-MS.

Results

After comparing the serum protein spectra of 36 patients with 24 normal controls, 24 differently expressed potential biomarkers (P <0.01) were identified. Using Biomarker Pattern software, we established a tree model of the 60 serum protein spectra. When using the three biomarkers to classify the samples, the sensitivity for diagnosing endometriosis was 91.7%, specificity was 95.8%, and coincidence rate was 93.3%. Then we used serum samples from 12 patients and 8 normal controls to validate the tree model and report the sensitivity for diagnosing endometriosis was 91.7%, specificity was 75%, and coincidence rate was 85%.

Conclusions

SELDI-TOF-MS may be a useful tool in high-risk population screening for endometriosis. The identification and application of the biomarkers need to further study.
Relationship between expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4+ T cells and spontaneous abortion in mice
Authors: JIANG Pei-juan , LIN Qi-de , BAO Shi-min , ZHAO Ai-min , ZHANG Yu , XIAO Shi-jin
Published: January 2024

Background

Previous studies have shown that local immune cells in the feto-maternal interface are recruited from peripheral blood, and that chemokines and their receptors play an initial and key role in this recruitment process. In this study, we aimed to determine whether spontaneous abortion is associated with the expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR3 on CD4+ T cells.

Methods

Peripheral blood, spleen, and thymus were collected from the spontaneous abortion mouse model CBA/J×DBA/2 (SA group, n=14), the normal pregnant mouse model CBA/J×BALB/c (NP group, n=13), and normal non-pregnant CBA/J mice (NNP group, n=11). The number of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR3 expressed on CD4+ T cells was measured by double-label flow cytometry (FCM) method.

Results

In peripheral blood, the SA group had significantly lower CCR3 expression (P <0.01) and higher CCR5 and CXCR3 expression (P <0.01) on CD4+ T cells than did the NP group. But comparing these chemokines between the SA and NNP groups, there was no significant difference (P >0.05). In spleen, the SA group expressed significantly lower CCR3 expression (P <0.01) and higher CCR5 and CXCR3 expression (P <0.05) on CD4+ T cells than did the NP group. When compared with the NNP group, the SA group had significantly higher CCR3 expression (P <0.01), but was not statistically different with regards to the other two chemokines (P >0.05). In thymus, the SA group had significantly lower CCR3 expression (P <0.05) and higher CXCR3 expression (P <0.05) on CD4+ T cells than the NP group, with no significant difference in CCR5 expression (P >0.05). Compared with the NNP group, the SA group had higher CCR3 expression (P <0.01), but there was no statistical difference in CXCR3 and CCR5 expression (P >0.05) between the two groups.

Conclusion

The abnormal expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4+ T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion.

Chin Med J 2009;122(4):390–395
Histological and ultrastructural study on the medial canthal ligament of blepharophimosis, ptosis and epicanthus inversus syndrome
Authors: HUANG Dan-ping , ZHUO Ye-hong , CAI Jian-hao , XU Nuo , ZHONG Xiu-feng , YU Yang-yang , LAI Zhao-guang , GONG Di , GE Jian
Published: January 2024

Background

Blepharophimosis ptosis epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare congenital ophthalmic disorder, characterized by congenital eyelid malformation including bilateral ptosis, shortening of the horizontal eyelid fissure, epicanthus inversus, and increased distance between the inner canthi. In this research, we studied the histological structure and ultrastructure of medial canthal ligament of patients with BPES.

Methods

Thirty patients with BPES who received plastic surgery at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from March 2006 to January 2008 were studied. There were 17 males and 13 females with an average age of (8.73±3.37) years (3-31 years). The medial canthal ligaments of patients were collected during the plastic surgery to analyze the histological structure by hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Congo red, van Gieson's (VG), Masson trichrome and aldehyde-fuchsin staining. The ultrastructures of the medial canthal ligaments were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fifteen samples of medial canthal ligament from healthy persons with an average age of (9.02±3.12) years (6-30 years) were collected as a control group.

Results

Morphological and histological study showed that the medial canthal ligaments of BPES patients were composed of collagen fibers, a few elastic fibers and striated muscles. The collagen fibers assemblies were disorganized and the fibrous connective tissues were undergoing hyaline degeneration. The karyopycnosis of fibroblasts was located among the collagen fibrils and the numbers of fibroblasts were decreased. Ultrastructural study with SEM showed that the collagen fibers were larger than normal, irregular and loose. Parts of the collagen fibers were broken and had a coarse surface. Ultrastructural study with TEM showed that the fibroblasts had less cytoplasm, fewer organelles and the nucleus displayed pyknosis.

Conclusions The medial canthal ligament in BPES patients is composed chiefly of collagen fibers. The collagen fibers of medial canthal ligaments in BPES patients are disorganized and hyaline degeneration is present. The study revealed that the medial canthal ligament of BPES patients might have congenital dysplasia.
A multi-center study of a modified open trocar first-puncture approach in 17 350 patients for laparoscopic entry
Authors: LIU Hai-fang , CHEN Xu , LIU Yan
Published: January 2024

Background

Laparoscopic entry is of primary importance in laparoscopic surgery because of its potential association with serious complications such as visceral and vascular injuries. There are several approaches now available for laparoscopic entry. The present study reported a modified open trocar first-puncture approach (Yan's open technique) and validated its safety and practicability in a multi-center research.

Methods

The study was performed in seven gynecological endoscopy centers for 8 successive years from September 1998 to March 2006 involving 17 350 patients, who received the modified open trocar first-puncture approach developed by Dr. LIU Yan as the study group (MOT group). The “Yan's open technique” is the umbilical incision with a scalpel and then a 10-mm trocar entry into the abdominal cavity through direct trocar puncture or insertion of the cannula sheath via the opened umbilicus under no resistance. Another 4570 patients received the traditional Veress needle puncture as the control (VN group). The first puncture procedures of both groups were performed by 28 experienced gynecologic laparoscopists and 170 learners.

Results

In MOT group, the successful achievement rate (AR) of first puncture was 99.99% (17 348/17 350), including smooth manipulation in 17 326 cases and unsmooth manipulation in 22 cases. The remaining two cases failed.

First-puncture associated complications occurred in two cases (0.01%). In VN group, the successful AR of first puncture was 99.89% (4565/4570), including smooth manipulation in 4542 cases and unsmooth manipulation in 23 cases. The remaining five cases failed. First-puncture associated complications occurred in four cases (0.09%). There was no significant difference in the successful AR between the experienced gynecologic laparoscopists of the two groups (100% vs 100%, P >0.05), but the difference was significant between the learners of the two groups (99.98% vs 99.81%, P <0.05). The complication rate of VN group was significantly higher than that of MOT group (0.09% vs 0.01%, P <0.05).

Conclusions Compared with the traditional Veress needle puncture, the modified open trocar first-puncture is easier to follow, especially for learners. In addition, it can avoid possible Veress needle-associated injuries. Opening the umbilical hole for the sake of minimizing or zeroing puncture resistance is a safer and more practicable maneuver for laparoscopic entry.
Androgen receptor functioned as a suppressor in the prostate cancer cell line PC3 in vitro and in vivo
Authors: YU Sheng-qiang , HAN Bang-min , SHAO Yi , WU Ji-tao , ZHAO Fu-jun , LIU Hai-tao , SUN Xiao-wen , TANG Yue-qing , XIA Shu-jie
Published: January 2024

Background

Prostate cancer is one of the most common urogenital tumors in the world with an increasing incidence in China. Androgen deprivation therapy is the major therapeutic option for advanced prostate cancer. However, the role of androgen receptor (AR) in hormone-refractory prostate cancer still remains unclear. This work aimed to investigate the role of AR in an androgen independent prostate cancer cell line by in vitro and in vivo studies.

Methods

The role of AR in the proliferation and invasion/metastasis ability of PC3-AR9 (a PC3 stable clone expressing human AR driven by natural human AR promoter) were examined with MTT assay, soft agar assay, chamber invasion assay, wound healing assay, and also with orthotopic xenograft mouse model.

Results

Restoring androgen receptor in PC3 cells resulted in decreased proliferation and invasion/metastasis ability in MTT, soft agar, chamber invasion and wound healing assay. In the mouse orthotopic xenograft model, PC3-AR9 resulted in smaller primary tumors and metastasis tumors, with a lower proliferation rate and higher apoptosis rate.

Conclusion

The AR might function as a tumor suppressor in PC3 cells both in vitro and in vivo.
Comparison of second-trimester maternal serum free-β-human chorionic gonadotropin and α-fetoprotein between normal singleton and twin pregnancies: a population-based study
Authors: ZHENG Ming-ming , HU Ya-li , ZHANG Chun-yan , RU Tong , LIU Qi-lan , XU Bi-yun , CHEN Qi-guang , XU Zheng-feng , ZHANG Yin , ZHONG Xiao-ling
Published: January 2024

Background

The second-trimester maternal serum screening in twin pregnancy is still controversial, as the serum marker levels in twins are not as clear as those in singletons. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the levels of the second-trimester maternal serum free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-HCG) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) in normal twin and singleton pregnancies and to estimate feasible analysis methods for utilizing these markers in second trimester screening for twin pregnancy.

Methods

On the basis of a prospective population-based study of second-trimester maternal serum screening, the concentrations of maternal serum AFP and free β-HCG of 195 normal twin pregnancy and 26 512 singleton controls at gestational weeks 15 to 20 were measured by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay in one laboratory. The levels of markers were compared between the twins and singletons using weight-correction and gestational age-specific model.

Results

According to the research protocol, 95 communities were randomly sampled, which covered the whole Jiangsu province, the east of China. A total of 26 803 pregnant women (98%), from the target population accepted prenatal screening for maternal serum AFP, β-HCG detection, and all babies were followed up for at least six months. There were 197 (0.73%) twin pregnancies, of which one case had fetal trisomy 18, and one case with fetal anencephaly. The others were normal twin pregnancy. From a total enrollment of 26 803 women participants, 26 512 women with normal singleton pregnancies were selected as the model controls. The other 291 pregnancies, including trisomy 21, neural tube defect (NTD), trisomy 18, and other fetal abnormalities, were excluded. No significant differences were found in the medians of gestational age-specific maternal serum free β-hCG and AFP in normal twin pregnancy comparing with twice those in model controls with the exception of the medians for free β-hCG during the 16th gestational week (P=0.012).

Conclusion

The weight-correction and gestational age-specific levels of Chinese Han population maternal serum free β-hCG and AFP in normal twins were twice the levels as those in the singleton controls during the 17-19 gestational weeks.
Impact of adjustment measures on reducing outpatient waiting time in a community hospital: application of a computer simulation
Authors: CHEN Bai-lian , LI En-dong , Kazunobu Yamawuchi , Ken Kato , Shinji Naganawa , MIAO Wei-jun
Published: January 2024

Background

As an important determinant of patient satisfaction, waiting time, has gained increasing attention in the field of health care services. The present study aimed to illustrate the distribution characteristics of waiting time in a community hospital and explore the impact of potential measures to reduce outpatient waiting time based on a computer simulation approach.

Methods

During a one-month study period in 2006, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a community hospital located in Shanghai, China. Baseline data of outpatient waiting time were calculated according to the records of registration time and payment time. A simulation technique was adopted to investigate the impact of perspective reform methods on reducing waiting time.

Results

Data from a total of 10 092 patients and 26 816 medical consultations were collected in the study and 19 947 medical consultations were included. The average of the total visit time for outpatients in this hospital was 43.6 minutes in the morning, 19.1 minutes in the afternoon, and 34.3 minutes for the whole day studied period. The simulation results suggested that waiting time for outpatients could be greatly reduced through the introduction of appointment system and flexible demand-orientated doctor scheduling according to the numbers of patients waiting at different time of the workday.

Conclusion

Adoption of an appointment system and flexible management of doctor scheduling may be effective way to achieve decreased waiting time.
Notch signaling: a novel regulating differentiation mechanism of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells into insulin-producing cells in vitro
Authors: HU Yan-hua , WU De-quan , GAO Feng , LI Guo-dong , ZHANG Xin-chen
Published: January 2024

Background

Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) could be induced to differentiate into insulin producing cells (IPCs) in vitro, which have good application potential in the cell replacement treatment of type-1 diabetes. However, the mechanisms regulating this differentiation have remained largely unknown. Notch signaling is critical in cell differentiation. This study investigated whether Notch signaling could regulate the IPCs differentiation of human UCB-MSCs.

Methods

Using an interfering Notch signaling protocol in vitro, we studied the role of Notch signaling in differentiation of human UCB-MSCs into IPCs. In a control group the induction took place without interfering Notch signaling.

Results

Human UCB-MSCs expressed the genes of Notch receptors (Notch 1 and Notch 2) and ligands (Jagged 1 and Deltalike 1). Human UCB-MSCs with over-expressing Notch signaling in differentiation resulted in the down-regulation of insulin gene level, proinsulin protein expression, and insulin-positive cells percentage compared with the control group. These results showed that over-expressing Notch signaling inhibited IPCs differentiation. Conversely, when Notch signaling was attenuated by receptor inhibitor, the induced cells increased on average by 3.06-fold (n=4, P <0.001) in insulin gene level, 2.60-fold (n=3, P <0.02) in proinsulin protein expression, and 1.62-fold (n=6, P <0.001) in the rate of IPCs compared with the control group. Notch signaling inhibition significantly promoted IPCs differentiation with about 40% of human UCB-MSCs that converted to IPCs, but these IPCs were not responsive to glucose challenge very well both in vitro and in vivo. Hence, further research has to be carried out in the future.

Conclusions

Notch signaling may be an important mechanism regulating IPCs differentiation of human UCB-MSCs in vitro and Notch signaling inhibition may be an efficient way to increase the number of IPCs, which may resolve the shortage of islet of cell replacement treatment of type-1 diabetes.
Reversing effect of exogenous WWOX gene expression on malignant phenotype of primary cultured lung carcinoma cells
Authors: ZHOU Yu-long , LI Yue-chuan , SHOU Feng , LIU Chang-qi , PU Yong , TANG Hua
Published: January 2024

Background

Whether WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene is a tumor-suppressor is still controversial. Some researchers found that the transcription of the WWOX gene was lacking not only in tumor tissues but also in non-tumorous tissues and sometimes in normal tissues. Hence it is important to explore the role of the expression of the exogenous WWOX gene in the proliferation and apoptosis of primary cultured lung carcinoma cells.

Methods

Lipofection technique was used to determine primary cultured lung carcinoma cells containing the highly expressed exogenous WWOX gene and primary cultured cells with vectors as controls. An animal model of lung cancer was made by subcutaneous implantation of tumor cells into nude mice. RT-PCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and TUNEL were used to detect the transcription, expression of the exogenous gene and the effect of the expression of targeted genes on the proliferation and apoptosis of the primary cultured lung carcinoma cells.

Results

The growth, clone formation rate (CFR) ((5.33±1.53)%) of the primary lung cancer cells transfected with the WWOX gene, tumor size and weight were significantly lower than those of the non-transfected lung cancer cells (CFR: (14.33±1.53)%) and the primary lung cancer cells transfected with blank plasmids (CFR: (11.00±1.73)%, P <0.05). The apoptosis level of primary lung cancer cells transfected with the WWOX gene ((40.72±5.20)%) was significantly higher than that of the non-transfected lung cancer cells ((2.76±0.02)%) and the primary lung cancer cells transfected with blank plasmids ((2.72±0.15)%, P <0.05).

Conclusion

The expression of the exogenous WWOX gene can significantly inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells and induce their apoptosis, suggesting that the WWOX gene possesses tumor-suppressing effect.
Serum calciotropic hormone levels, and dental fluorisis in children exposed to different concentrations of fluoride and iodine in drinking water
Authors: BA Yue , ZHU Jiang-yuan , YANG Yue-jin , YU Bo , HUANG Hui , WANG Gang , REN Li-jun , CHENG Xue-min , CUI Liu-xin , ZHANG Ya-wei
Published: January 2024

Background

High fluoride exposure can result in dental fluorosis. Fluoride and iodine are coexistent in the drinking water of areas in China and may affect the prevalence of dental fluorosis and osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum calciotropic hormone level, and dental fluorisis in children exposed to different concentrations of fluoride and iodine in drinking water.

Methods

A pilot study was conducted in three villages located in the Kaifeng and Tongxu counties of Henan Province, China in 2006. Children aged 8 to 12 years, born and raised in the three villages were recruited. The fluoride levels in the samples of urine from these children were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode. Calcitonin and osteocalcin levels in the serum, and serum calcium were measured by radioimmunassay and flame atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively.

Results

Fluoride levels in urine were significantly lower in children from control area (CA) as compared with those from the high fluoride & iodine areas (HFIA) and the high fluoride area (HFA) (P <0.05 respectively), and no statistically significant difference was found between the children from HFIA and HFA. Additionally, calcitonin levels in the serum were significantly lower in children from CA and HFA as compared with that from HFIA (P <0.05 respectively), and osteocalcin levels in the serum was lower in children from CA than those from HFIA (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference in serum osteocalcin concentrations was found between children from HFA and HFIA.

Conclusion

This study provides an evidence that iodine exposure may modify the serum calciotropic hormone levels related to fluorine exposure.
N400 elicited by incongruent ending words of Chinese idioms in healthy adults
Authors: CHEN Xing-shi , TANG Yun-xiang , XIAO Ze-ping , WANG Ji-jun , ZHANG Ming-dao , ZHANG Zai-fu , HU Zhen-yu , LOU Fei-ying , CHEN Chong , ZHANG Tian-hong
Published: January 2024

Background

Prior research about N400 has been mainly based on English stimuli, while the cognitive processing of Chinese characters is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the semantic processing of Chinese idioms.

Methods

Event related potentials (ERP) component N400 was elicited by 38 pairs of matching (congruent) and mismatching (incongruent) ended Chinese idioms: ending words with same phoneme but different shape and meaning (sPdSdM), with similar shape but different phoneme and meaning (sSdPdM), with same meaning but different phoneme and shape (sMdPdS), and words with different phoneme, shape and meaning (dPdSdM) and recorded by Guangzhou Runjie WJ-1 ERP instruments. In 62 right-handed healthy adults (age 19-50 years), N400 amplitudes and latencies were compared between matching and mismatching conditions at Fz, Cz and Pz.

Results

N400 showed a midline distribution and could be elicited in electrodes Fz, Cz and Pz. The mean values of N400 latencies and amplitudes were obtained for matching and mismatching ending words in healthy adults. Significant differences were found in N400 latencies and amplitudes in matching and mismatching ending-words idioms in healthy adults (P <0.05). Compared with matching ending-words idioms, N400 latencies were prolonged and the amplitudes were increased in mismatching ones. N400s elicited by different types of stimuli showed different latencies and amplitudes, and longest N400 latency and largest N400 amplitude were elicited by ending-words with dPdSdM. No gender difference was found of N400 latency and amplitude in this study (P >0.05).

Conclusions

Compared with English stimuli, Chinese ideographic words could provide more flexible stimuli for N400 research in that the words have 3-dimension changes — phoneme, shape and meaning. Features of N400 elicited by matching and mismatching ending words in Chinese idioms are mainly determined by the meaning of the word. Some issues of N400 elicited by Chinese characters deserve further research.
Prognostic value of baseline C-reactive protein levels in patients undergoing coronary revascularization
Authors: LI Xu , LIU Xiao-hui , NIE Shao-ping , DU Xin , LÜ Qiang , KANG Jun-ping , DONG Jian-zeng , GU Cheng-xiong , HUANG Fang-jiong , ZHOU Yu-jie , CHEN Fang , LÜ Shu-zheng , WU Xue-si , MA Chang-sheng
Published: January 2024

Background

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a lowly expressed marker for inflammatory response. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline CRP levels in patients undergoing coronary revascularization in the context of modern medical treatment.

Methods

This was a retrospective study in a single center. Four hundred and fourteen patients were enrolled, who underwent coronary revascularization and received adequate medication for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. The study compared the follow-up clinical outcomes between high level CRP group (CRP >5 mg/L) and low level one. The median follow-up time was 551 days.

Results

Compared with low CRP group, the relative risk (RR) of the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) in high CRP group was 5.131 (95% CI: 1.864–14.123, P=0.002). There were no significant differences in death, myocardial infarction and stroke during the follow-up between two groups, but a higher risk of re-revascularization was found in high CRP group (RR 6.008, 95% CI: 1.667–21.665, P=0.006). Cox regression analysis showed that only CRP level could contribute to MACCE during the follow-up. MACCE-free rate was much lower in high CRP group (Kaplan-Meier log-rank P <0.001).

Conclusion

In the context of modern medical treatment, the baseline level of CRP is an independent predictor for long-term prognosis in patients with coronary revascularization.
Rapid hemodilution is associated with increased sepsis and mortality among patients with severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: MAO En-qiang , FEI Jian , PENG Yi-bing , HUANG Jie , TANG Yao-qing , ZHANG Sheng-dao
Published: January 2024

Background

Hemoconcentration may be an important factor that determines the progression of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). In addition, it has been proposed that biomarkers may be useful in predicting subsequent necrosis in SAP. However, it is still uncertain whether hemodilution in a short term can improve outcome. We aimed to investigate the effect of rapid hemodilution on the outcome of patients with SAP.

Methods

One hundred and fifteen patients were admitted prospectively according to the criteria within 24 hours of SAP onset. Patients were randomly assigned to either rapid hemodilution (hematocrit (HCT) <35%, n=56) or slow hemodilution (HCT ≥35%, n=59) within 48 hours of onset. Balthazar CT scores were calculated on admission, day 7, and day 14, after onset of the disease. Time interval for sepsis presented, incidence of sepsis within 28 days and in-hospital survival rate were determined.

Results

The amount of fluid used in rapid hemodilution was significantly more than that used in slow hemodilution (P <0.05) on the admission day, the first day, and the second day. There were significant differences between the rapid and slow hemodilution group in terms of hematocrit, oxygenation index, pH values, APACHE II scores and organ dysfunction at different time during the first week. There were significant differences in the time interval to sepsis in rapid hemodilution ((7.4±1.9) days) compared with the slow hemodilution group ((10.2±2.3) days), and the incidence of sepsis (78.6%) was higher in the rapid group compared to the slow (57.6%) in the first 28 days. The survival rate of the slow hemodilution group (84.7%) was better than the rapid hemodilution (66.1%. P <0.05).

Conclusions

Rapid hemodilution can increase the incidence of sepsis within 28 days and in-hospital mortality. Hematocrit should be maintained between 30%-40% in the acute response stage.
Salmeterol/fluticasone treatment reduces circulating C-reactive protein level in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: TANG Yong-jiang , WANG Ke , YUAN Tao , QIU Ting , XIAO Jun , YI Qun , FENG Yu-lin
Published: January 2024

Background

Evidence suggests that systemic inflammation may play an important role in the progression and morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It remains controversial whether inhaled corticosteroid in combination with a long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist can attenuate systemic inflammation. We evaluated the effect of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate on circulating C-reactive protein level in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Methods

An open-label clinical trial was conducted to recruit 122 outpatients with stable moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from department of respiratory medicine in two teaching hospitals between June 2007 and March 2008. Patients were randomized into two groups (1:1) to receive either the combination of 50 μg salmeterol and 500 μg fluticasone twice daily (n=61), or the combination of 206 μg albuterol and 36 μg ipratropium q.i.d (n=61) over 6 months. Circulating C-reactive protein concentrations were measured before randomization and during the follow-up. The efficacy of treatment was also assessed by spirometry, as well as health status and dyspnea score at baseline and after 6-month treatment.

Results

Baseline characteristics of two groups were similar. Compared with ipratropium/albuterol, the combination of salmeterol/fluticasone significantly reduced circulating level of C-reactive protein (-1.73 vs. 0.08 mg/L, respectively, P <0.05) after 6-month treatment. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and health status also improved significantly in salmeterol/fluticasone group compared with ipratropium/albuterol. Salmeterol/fluticasone treatment subjects who had a decrease of circulating C-reactive protein level had a significant improvement in FEV1 and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire total scores compared with those who did not (185 vs. 83 ml and -5.71 vs. -1.79 units, respectively, both P <0.01).

Conclusion

Salmeterol/fluticasone treatment reduced circulating C-reactive protein concentration in clinically stable moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after 6-month treatment.
Diagnosis and fine localization of deletion region in Wolf- Hirschhorn syndrome patients
Authors: JI Tao-yun , David CHIA , WANG Jing-min , WU Ye , LI Jie , XIAO Jing , JIANG Yu-wu
Published: January 2024

Background

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) results from the partial deletion of 4p. This study aimed to identify and finemap the chromosome deletion regions of Chinese children with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome among the developmental delay/mental retardation (DD/MR) patients.

Methods

We analyzed the relationship of phenotype and genotype. Inclusion criteria were: moderate to severe DD/MR, no definite perinatal brain injury, and no trauma, toxication, hypoxia, infection of central nervous system; routine karyotyping was normal, no evidence of typical inherited metabolic disorder or specific neurodegenerative disorders from cranial neuro-imaging and blood/urinary metabolic diseases screening; no mutation of FMR1 in male patients, no typical clinical manifestation of Rett syndrome in female patients. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and Affymetrix genome-wide human SNP array 6.0 assays were applied to accurately define the exact size of subtelomeric aberration region of four WHS patients.

Results

All four WHS patients presented with severe DD, hypotonia and microcephaly, failure to thrive, 3/4 patients with typical facial features and seizures, 2/4 patients with congenital heart defects and cleft lip/palate, 1/4 patients with other malformations. The length of the deletions ranged from 3.3 Mb to 9.8 Mb. Two of four patients had “classic” WHS, 1/4 patients had “mild”-to-“classic” WHS, and 1/4 patients had “mild” WHS.

Conclusions

WHS patients in China appear to be consistent with those previously reported. The prevalence of signs and symptoms, distribution of cases between “mild” and “classic” WHS, and the correlation between length of deletion and severity of disease of these patients were all similar to those of the patients from other populations.
Activated vascular endothelia regulate invasion of glioma cells through expression of fibronectin
Authors: LIN Zhi-xiong , YANG Li-juan , HUANG Qiang , FU Jin
Published: January 2024

Background

Previous researches have indicated that glioma invasion may occur within a tumor-host microecology, and that fibronectin may be involved in glioma invasion as an important component of the extracellular matrix. However, how the interaction between tumor cells and vascular endothelial cells affects glioma invasion is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the interaction between tumor cells and vascular endothelial cells on glioma invasion, and the relationship of this interaction to fibronectin.

Methods

The localization of fibronectin in different brain astrocytoma tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. Then, vascular endothelial cells and glioma cells were co-cultured in a Transwell co-culturing system. Fibronectin expression was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, the influence of the interaction between tumor cells and vascular endothelial cells on glioma cell invasion was determined by an in vitro rapid invasion test.

Results

In brain astrocytoma tissues, fibronectin was present on the endothelial cells, in the extracellular matrix. Fibronectin expression was greater in higher grade tumors than in lower grade tumors. The interaction of glioma cells and vascular endothelial cells in vitro induced fibronectin release from vascular endothelial cells, which in turn stimulated glioma cell migration. This effect was inhibited by fibronectin blocking antibody.

Conclusion

Glioma cells may induce vascular epithelial cells to express fibronectin, and in turn fibronectin could promote glioma cell invasion.

Chin Med J 2010;123(13):1754–1761
Arsenic trioxide up-regulates Fas expression in human osteosarcoma cells
Authors: YANG Guo-fu , LI Xiang-hui , ZHAO Zhe , WANG Wen-bo
Published: January 2024

Background

Osteosarcoma is a common primary malignant tumor of bone with a poor prognosis due to its propensity for metastasis. The prognosis of patients is highly dependent on the presence or absence of lung metastasis and on the effectiveness of treatment against it. It has been reported that low level expression of Fas protein in human osteosarcoma cell is closely associated with lung metastasis. A large number of studies have shown that arsenic trioxide (ATO) can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of many cancer cell lines; however, its effects on human osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2 cell line) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ATO on Saos-2 cells and to characterize its mechanism of Fas-expressing.

Methods

A group of Saos-2 cells was treated with or without 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 μmol/L ATO for three successive days, and the cytotoxicity of ATO was determined by an 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Morphological changes in cells were studied by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double staining. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to assay cell DNA distribution. Another group of cells was pretreated with 10 nmol/L matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) for 3 hours. They were then incubated with or without 2 μmol/L ATO for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cytotoxicity, Fas protein and mRNA levels were systematically studied using MTT, Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. Cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis were examined in this study.

Results

Proliferation of Saos-2 cells was inhibited by ATO in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 values at 24, 48 and 72 hours were 9.30, 5.54 and 3.49 μmol/L, respectively. The survival rate of Saos-2 cells in the MMP-7 and ATO co-treated group was significantly higher than the ATO group, but it was lower than the control group. ATO induced G1 phase arrest of the cell cycle and very efficiently stimulated apoptosis in Saos-2 cells, as evidenced by flow cytometric detection of sub-G1 DNA content and AO/EB staining. Western blotting results indicated that Fas (FasL) protein expression in osteosarcoma cultures markedly increases in a time dependent manner after exposure to ATO. Compared with control, treatment with ATO 2 μmol/L and 4 μmol/L for 48 hours, resulted in increase of Fas gene expression to 28.31% and 56.74%, respectively. Our results indicated that ATO induced-apoptosis of Saos-2 cells may be mediated through the Fas pathway.

Conclusions

ATO suppressed cell proliferation of Saos-2 cell in a dose- and time-dependent manner and increased Fas protein expression. However, Fas-mediated apoptosis was incompletely interrupted by MMP-7, which suggested that other molecular mechanisms may mediate this process.

Chin Med J 2010;123(13):1768–1773
Inactivation of the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway to promote neurologic recovery after spinal cord injuries in rats
Authors: Wu Bin-qi , Bi Zheng-gang , Qi Quan
Published: January 2024

Background

After injury, axonal regeneration of the adult central nervous system (CNS) is inhibited by myelin-derived growth-suppressing proteins. These axonal growth inhibitory proteins are mediated via activation of Rho, a small GTP-binding protein. The activated form of Rho, which is bound to GTP, is the direct activator of Rho kinase (ROCK) through serial downstream effector proteins to inhibit axonal regeneration. The objective of this study was to observe the therapeutic effect of inactivation of the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway to promote neurologic recovery after spinal cord injuries in rats.

Methods

One hundred and twenty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Laminectomies alone were conducted in 40 rats in the sham group. Laminectomies and spinal cord transections were performed in 40 rats in the control group (treated with normal saline administered intraperitoneally). Laminectomies and spinal cord transections were performed in 40 rats in the fasudil-treated group (treated with fasudil administered intraperitoneally). Neurologic recovery was evaluated before surgery and 3 days, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after surgery using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale of hind limb movement. At the same time, the expression of RhoA mRNA was determined with RT-PCR. Histopathologic examinations and immunofluorescence staining of NF were performed 1 month after surgery.

Results

Compared with the control group, the BBB scores of the fasudil-treated group were significantly increased and the expression of RhoA mRNA was significantly decreased. In the fasudil-treated group, a large number of NF-positive regenerating fibers was observed; some fibers crossed the slit of the lesion.

Conclusion

Inactivation of the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway promotes CNS axonal regeneration and neurologic recovery after spinal cord injuries in rats.
Urinary metabonomics of stomach cancer assessed by rapid resolution liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ren Hui , Jiang Yang , Gao Yu-fei , Liu Shu-ying
Published: January 2024

Background

Stomach cancer is among the most commonly occurring malignancies worldwide. It would be beneficial to develop a urine-based assay whereby patients with undiagnosed stomach cancer could be screened and their cancer detected in the earliest stages.

Methods

A urinary metabonomics method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze urine samples from patients with stomach cancer and healthy controls.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed a clear separation of patients and healthy controls using the aforementioned methodology. Some significantly changed metabolites were identified.

Conclusions

Use of the metabonomics method in patients with stomach cancer could effectively detect distinct changes in urinary metabolites and had the capacity to detect cancer; therefore, it may be a valuable tool in earlier diagnosis. Furthermore, the detection and identification of altered metabolites in the current study may help elucidate possible mechanisms involved in stomach cancer.
Clinical significance of hepatic artery variations originating from the superior mesenteric artery in abdominal tumor surgery
Authors: HUANG Yuan , LIU Chao , LIN Jin-ling
Published: January 2024

Background

Hepatic artery variations are frequent clinical occurrences. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristic course of variant hepatic arteries originating from the superior mesenteric artery for the purpose of providing instructions for abdominal tumor surgery.

Methods

The course of variant hepatic arteries originating from the superior mesenteric artery was studied in 400 patients with liver cancer confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and multi-slice spiral computed tomography angiography (MSCTA), and 86 patients with gastric cancer confirmed by preoperative MSCTA between June 2008 and June 2010 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University.

Results

Hepatic artery variations originating from the superior mesenteric artery were noticed in 49 liver cancer patients and 14 gastric cancer patients (total 63 cases), with a variation rate of 12.96%, including two cases (3.17%) where the hepatic arteries ran along the anterior pancreas, and 61 cases (96.83%) where the hepatic arteries ran along the posterior pancreas.

Conclusions

Hepatic artery variations originating from the superior mesenteric artery present as two types: the pre-pancreas type and the post-pancreas type with the latter predominating. This finding is of clinical significance in abdominal tumor surgeries where clearance of portal lymph nodes is needed.