bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of Epworth Sleepiness Scale with multiple sleep latency test and its diagnostic accuracy in assessing excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome
Authors: CAI Si-jie , CHEN Rui , ZHANG Yan-lin , XIONG Kang-ping , LIAN Yi-xin , LI Jie , SHEN Jiu-cheng , LIU Chun-feng
Published: January 2024

Background

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and contributes to a number of comorbidities in these patients. Therefore, early detection of EDS is critical in disease management. We examined the association between Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and diagnostic accuracy of ESS in assessing EDS in OSAHS patients.

Methods

The ESS, MSLT and overnight polysomnography were administered to 107 Chinese patients to assess EDS and its correlations with polysomnographic parameters. The diagnostic accuracy of ESS in classifying EDS (mean sleep latency (MSL) ≤10 minutes) was evaluated by calculating the area under ROC curve.

Results

As the severity of OSAHS increased, MSL decreased with increase in ESS score. Conversely, patients with worsening EDS (shorter MSL) were characterized by advanced nocturnal hypoxaemia and sleep disruption compared to those with normal MSL, suggesting EDS is associated with more severe OSAHS. There was a negative correlation between ESS score and MSL and both moderately correlated with some polysomnographic nocturnal hypoxaemic parameters. The area under ROC curve of ESS for identifying EDS was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.88) and ESS score ≥12 provided the best predictive value with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 69%.

Conclusion

The ESS score moderately correlates with MSL and our ROC study supports ESS as a screening strategy for assessing EDS in OSAHS.
Ischemic preconditioning produces more powerful anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects than limb remote ischemic postconditioning in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: ZHANG Jia-qiang , WANG Qiang , XUE Fu-shan , LI Rui-ping , CHENG Yi , CUI Xin-long , LIAO Xu , MENG Fan-min
Published: January 2024

Background

Both ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and limb remote ischemic postconditioning (LRIPOC) have been shown to possess significantly different cardioprotective effects against the myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), but no study has compared the anti-inflammatory effects of IPC and LRIPOC during myocardial IRI process. We hypothesized that IPC and LRIPOC would produce different anti-inflammatory effects in an in vivo rat model with myocardial IRI.

Methods

Eighty rats were randomly allocated into four equal groups: sham group, IRI group, IPC group and LRIPOC group. In 10 rats randomly selected from each group, serum levels of TNF-α, HMGB1, ICAM1, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 were assessed, and infarct size was determined. In another 10 rats of each group, myocardial levels of TNF-α, HMGB1, ICAM1, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 in both ischemic and non-ischemic regions were measured.

Results

The infarct size was significantly lower in IPC and LRIPOC groups than in IRI group. The serum and myocardial levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, HMGB1, ICAM1, IL-1 and IL-6 during reperfusion were significantly reduced in IPC and LRIPOC groups compared to IRI group. As compared to the IPC group, infarct size, serum level of TNF-α at 60 minutes of reperfusion, serum levels of HMGB1 and ICAM1 at 120 minutes of reperfusion, myocardial levels of TNF-α, ICAM1, IL-1 and IL-6 in the ischemic region, myocardial levels of ICAM1, IL-1 and IL-6 in the non-ischemic region were significantly increased in the LRIPOC group.

Conclusions

In the rats with myocardial IRI, IPC produces more powerful inhibitory effects on local myocardial and systemic inflammatory responses than LRIPOC. This may be partly attributed to more potent cardioprotection produced by IPC.
Correlation of tumor necrosis factor-β and interleukin-1 gene cluster polymorphism with susceptibility to bacteremia in patients undergoing kidney transplantation
Authors: WU Xiao-xia , WAN Qi-quan , YE Qi-fa , ZHOU Jian-dang
Published: January 2024

Background

Bacteremia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation. This study was conducted to investigate whether the polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-β, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) gene predicted the susceptibility to bacteremia within the first 6 months after kidney transplantation.

Methods

Subjects comprised 82 infected kidney transplant recipients and 60 non-infected kidney transplant recipients. Bacteremia was diagnosed in 16 of the 82 infected recipients. Genomic DNA from these 142 kidney transplant recipients was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Regions containing the NcoI polymorphic site at position +252 of TNF-β gene and the AvaI polymorphic site at position -511 of IL-1β gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently digested with NcoI and AvaI restriction enzymes, respectively. The polymorphic regions within intron 2 of IL-1ra gene containing variable numbers of a tandem repeat (VNTR) of 86 base pairs were amplified by PCR.

Results

Genotypic and allelic frequencies were similar between infected recipients and non-infected ones. Individual locus analysis showed that recipient TNF-β and IL-1ra gene polymorphisms were not associated with the presence of bacteremia (P=0.684 and P=0.567, respectively). However, genotype analysis revealed that recipient IL-1β-511CC genotype was strongly associated with susceptibility to develop bacteremia (P=0.003). Recipient IL-1β-511CC genotype (odds ratio 5.242, 95% confidence intervals 1.645-16.706, P=0.005) independently predicted the risk for bacteremia within the first 6 months after kidney transplantation.

Conclusions

These findings indicate a critical role of IL-1β gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to bacteremia after kidney transplantation, which may be useful to screen for patients at higher risk for post-transplant bacteremias. Thus, the identified individuals can benefit from preventive treatment and a less potent immunosuppressive regimen.
Relationship between serum bilirubin levels and optic neuritis
Authors: DENG Juan , LIANG Xue-mei , ZHANG Xiu-lan , LING Shi-qi , YANG Ting-ting , LI Min , PENG Fu-hua
Published: January 2024

Background

Bilirubin is the end product of heme catabolism and has strong antioxidant properties. Serum bilirubin levels are reported to be reduced in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). The pathophysiology of optic neuritis (ON) resembles that of MS; however, the role of endogenous bilirubin in ON is unclear. The aim of this study is to measure serum bilirubin levels in patients with ON, and to investigate the correlation between ON and serum antioxidant status of bilirubin.

Methods

Serum levels of bilirubin were measured in 42 patients with ON, 50 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), 48 patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and 48 healthy control subjects.

Results

Serum total bilirubin (Tbil), direct bilirubin (Dbil) and indirect bilirubin (Ibil) levels in patients with ON were significantly lower than those in the healthy controls. However, no statistical significance was found between levels in the ON and MS, ON and NMO, and MS and NMO groups. In patients with ON, serum Tbil, Dbil, and Ibil levels were lower in those with recurrence or those with ON for a longer duration (≥1 year). Moreover, Tbil, Dbil, and Ibil concentrations were lower in patients with papillitis than in those with retrobulbar type ON, but the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Low antioxidant status may exist in patients with ON. But serum levels of Tbil, Dbil, and Ibil did not correlate with clinical presentations, such as recurrence, duration of disease and subtypes of ON. Low antioxidant status already existed in MS or NMO patients before systemic symptoms appeared.
Shortening of the 3′ untranslated region: an important mechanism leading to overexpression of HMGA2 in serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Xiangjun He , Jing Yang , Qi Zhang , Heng Cui , Yujun Zhang
Published: January 2024

Background

Oncofetal protein high-mobility-group AT-hook protein 2 (HMGA2) is reactivated in serous ovarian cancer (SOC) and its overexpression correlates with poor prognosis. To explore the mechanism, we investigated whether HMGA2 could avoid microRNA regulation due to gene truncation or 3′ UTR shortening by alternative polyadenylation.

Methods

Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the abundance of different regions of HMGA2 mRNA in 46 SOC samples. Rapid amplification of cDNA 3′ ends (3′ RACE) and Southern blotting were used to confirm the shortening of 3′ untranslated region (UTR). 5′ RACE and Southern blotting were used to prove the mRNA decay.

Results

No significant difference in the ratio of the stable coding region to the fragile region was observed between SOC and control normal fallopian tubes, indicating that the HMGA2 gene is not truncated in SOC. Varying degrees of 3′ UTR shortening in SOC samples were observed by comparing the abundance of the proximal region and distal region of the HMGA2 3′ UTR. The ratio of the proximal to the distal region of the 3′ UTR correlated significantly with expression of the HMGA2 coding region in SOC (r=0.579, P <0.01). Moreover, although the abundance of the HMGA2 coding region varied, all samples, including the very low expressed samples, exhibit relatively high levels of the proximal 3′ UTR region, suggesting a dynamic decay of HMGA2 mRNA from the 5′ end. The shortening of 3′ UTR and the decay from the 5′ end were confirmed by 3′ RACE, 5′ RACE and subsequent Southern blotting.

Conclusion

Heterogeneous 3′ UTR lengths render HMGA2 susceptible to different levels of negative regulation by microRNAs, which represents an important mechanism of HMGA2 reactivation in SOC.
Are there any disbenefits to patients in choosing laparoscopic gastrectomy by an expert in open gastrectomy? Aspects of surgical outcome and radicality of lymphadenectomy
Authors: Lee Seung Soo , Kim In Ho
Published: January 2024

Background

There may be concerns over disbenefits to patients who have chosen to undergo laparoscopic gastrectomy by experts in open gastrectomy, considering the disparity between the level of proficiency in open gastrectomy, at which they are already experts, and that in laparoscopic gastrectomy, at which they are beginners. The aim of this study was to compare surgical radicality and outcomes between laparoscopic gastrectomy and open gastrectomy during the learning period of laparoscopic gastrectomy for a senior surgeon who was already an expert in open gastrectomy.

Methods

Data of short-term surgical outcomes were obtained from patients following laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) by a surgeon. The initial and following 30 experiences were grouped into LADG-I and LADG-II, respectively. Patients who underwent open distal subtotal gastrectomy (ODSG) and yet could have been candidates for LADG were grouped into ODSG. Known indicators of proficiency levels and the postoperative hospital course were compared. The consequences of extended lymphadenectomy, and the radicality of surgery by completing D2 lymphadenectomy were analyzed.

Results

The LADG group revealed longer operation time and less bleeding compared to the ODSG group (P <0.001). The number of retrieved lymph nodes and the rate of complications were not significantly different. In the LADG-I group, the D1+:D2 ratio was 4:1, showing significant differences from those in the LADG-II (0.36:1) and ODSG (0.16:1) groups (P <0.001). The surgeon was able to complete D2 lymphadenectomy during LADG without significant change in the amount of bleeding and the rate of complications, but with a longer operation time (P=0.009). The number of lymph nodes from the 12a station was not significantly different between the LADG and ODSG groups with D2 lymphadenectomy.

Conclusions

The surgical outcomes were comparable between LADG and ODSG even during the learning period of LADG, and the equivalence of radicality in lymphadenectomy was soon achieved. As long as the surgeon can accept a long operation time, an expert in open gastrectomy should not refrain from performing laparoscopic gastrectomy in well selected patients because of concerns about disbenefits to patients from choosing laparoscopic gastrectomy over open gastrectomy.
BRCA2 promoter polymorphism is associated with breast cancer prognosis in Chinese women
Authors: Liu Lu , Fang Yi , Fan Jianlin , Hu Jianming , Xu Xiaoting , Jin Xiaohong , Wang Xiuzhen , Deng Min , Wang Jing , Liu Wei
Published: January 2024

Background

Breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) is an important breast cancer-susceptibility gene. Promoter polymorphisms in BRCA2 may affect its transcription and be associated with cancer prognosis.

Methods

We identified five polymorphisms of the BRCA2 promoter region by in silico searching and direct sequencing: -254A/G (rs3092989), -908A/G (rs206117), -1134A/G (rs206115), -1144C/T (rs206116), and -1260CTTAGA/-(rs3072036). The -908A/G, -1134A/G, -1144C/T, and -1260CTTAGA/- polymorphisms were genotyped by direct sequencing in 491 breast cancer patients, and the -254A/G polymorphism was genotyped by Sequenom.

Results

The -1144C/T polymorphism was associated with clinical outcome. Carriers of the TT genotype had longer disease-free intervals (DFIs, P=0.029), especially among patients with sporadic unilateral breast cancer (P=0.010). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis showed that all the five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were in LD (D> >0.8). Carriers of haplotypes containing the -1144T allele showed longer DFIs (P=0.049), and the result was more significant in patients with sporadic unilateral cancer (P=0.018). There were no significant associations between the other polymorphisms and DFI.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that homozygosity for the BRCA2 T(-1144) allele is associated with a longer DFI in Chinese women with breast cancer. Further functional studies are warranted to clarify this relationship.
High-frequency stimulation of anterior nucleus thalamus improves impaired cognitive function induced by intra-hippocampal injection of Aβ1–40 in rats
Authors: Chen Ning , Dong Shuai , Yan Tingshuang , Yan Na , Ma Yu , Yu Chunjiang
Published: January 2024

Background

The advent of brain stimulation techniques to treat movement disorders and psychiatric diseases has shown potential to decode the neural mechanism that underlies the cognitive process by modulating the interrupted circuit. Here, the present investigation aimed at evaluating the influence of deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus thalamus (ANT-DBS) on memory.

Methods

Thirty-two rats were randomized into phosphate buffer saline (PBS) group (n=8, rats received PBS injections without implantation of electrodes into the ANT), Alzheimer's dementia (AD) group (n=8, rats received Aβ1–40 injections without implantation of electrodes into the ANT), ANT sham stimulation group (n=8, rats received Aβ1–40 injections with implantation of electrodes into the ANT but without stimulation) and ANT stimulation group (n=8, rats received Aβ1–40 injections with implantation of electrodes into the ANT and stimulation). A Morris maze test was used for determining the effect of electrical stimulation on cognitive function in rats. The data were assessed statistically with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's tests for multiple post hoc comparisons.

Results

The data showed that in the training test, PBS group and AD group managed to learn the hidden-platform faster and faster while AD group needed a significantly longer time to reach the platform than PBS group (P <0.05). Meanwhile, ANT stimulation group demonstrated a significantly shorter time to reach the platform (P <0.05) compared to the AD group, while there was no significant difference between the ANT sham stimulation group and the AD group (P >0.05). On the probe test, the AD group spent less time ((10.15±2.34) seconds) in the target quadrant than the PBS group ((28.20±2.75) seconds) (P <0.05). And the times of platform-traversing of the AD group (3.35±1.12) significantly decreased compared with the PBS group (8.69±2.87) (P <0.05). However, the times of platform-traversing and the time spent in the target quadrant of the ANT stimulation group significantly increased compared to the AD group (P <0.05), while times of platformtraversing or the time spent in the target quadrant was not significantly different between the ANT sham stimulation group and the AD group (P >0.05).

Conclusion

Bilateral high-frequency stimulation of the ANT may be useful as a potential therapeutic modality for cognitive dysfunction in AD.
15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 ameliorates endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats
Authors: Liu Dong , Geng Zhilong , Zhu Wankun , Wang Huiwen , Chen Ye , Liang Juan
Published: January 2024

Background

A proinflammatory milieu emerging in the lung due to neutrophil accumulation and activation is a key in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), one of the terminal products of the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway, is known to be the endogenous ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) with multiple physiological properties. Growing evidence indicates that 15d-PGJ2 has anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, cytoprotective and pro-resolving effects. We investigated whether 15d-PGJ2 has a protective effect against endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats.

Methods

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=6 per group): sham+vehicle group, sham+15d-PGJ2 group, LPS+vehicle group, and LPS+15d-PGJ2 group. The rats were given either lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 6 mg/kg intravenously) or saline, and pretreated with 15d-PGJ2 (0.3 mg/kg intravenously) or its vehicle (dimethyl sulphoxide) 30 minutes before LPS. Histological alterations, wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) levels were determined in lung tissues four hours after LPS injection. Immunohistochemical analysis for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and Western blotting analysis for nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 translocation and IκBα protein levels were also studied.

Results

15d-PGJ2 pretreatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced lung injury, and reduced the increased W/D ratio, MPO activity, TNF-α, CINC-1 levels, and ICAM-1 expression in the lung. 15d-PGJ2 also suppressed the nuclear NF-κB p65 translocation and increased cytosolic IκBα levels.

Conclusions

15d-PGJ2 protects against endotoxin-induced acute lung injury, most likely through the reduction of pro-inflammatory protein levels during endotoxemia subsequent to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.
Altered CD8+ T-cell counts as an early predictor of prognosis in critically ill immunocompromised patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Cui Na , Wang Hao , Long Yun , Liu Dawei
Published: January 2024

Background

The number of critically ill immunocompromised (CIIC) patients has increased dramatically in recent years, and they represent a high risk population for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) infection. Host immunity should play a major role in determining the outcome and recovery of these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dynamic changes in host immune status and its potential influence on prognosis in CIIC patients with IPA.

Methods

We monitored the evolution of a number of key cellular and humoral parameters on days 1, 3, and 10 (D1, D3 and D10) following ICU admission in sixty-two CIIC patients with microbiological evidence of IPA. We included immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM, complement factors C3 and C4, and lymphocyte subgroups CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD28+CD4+, and CD28+CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, and CD3-CD16+CD56+ natural killer cells (NK).

Results

The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Thirty-eight (61.3%) patients died within the 28 days following ICU admission. Compared to patients who died, CD3+, CD8+, CD28+CD8+ T-cell counts on D1, D3, and D10, CD28+CD4+ T-cell counts on D3 and D10, and NK counts on D3 and D10 were significantly higher in survivors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of immune parameters predicting 28-day mortality revealed area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.82 (95% CI 0.71–0.92), 0.94 (95% CI 0.87–0.99), and 0.94 (95% CI 0.85–0.99) for CD8+ T-cell counts for D1, D3, and D10 respectively, and 0.84 (95% CI 0.75–0.94), 0.92 (95% CI 0.85–0.99), and 0.90 (95% CI 0.79–0.99) for CD28+CD8+ T-cell counts for D1, D3, and D10 respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CD8+ T-cell counts <149.5×106 cells/L and CD28+CD8+ T-cell counts <75×106 cells/L at ICU admission were associated with lower survival probabilities in CIIC patients with IPA (both Log rank: P<0.001).

Conclusions

Low CD8+ and CD28+CD8+ T-cell counts were associated with high mortality in CIIC patients with IPA. Early counts of CD8+ and CD28+CD8+ T cells in CIIC patients with IPA may be valuable for predicting outcome.
Short-term safety and efficacy of the biodegradable iron stent in mini-swine coronary arteries
Authors: WU Chao , QIU Hong , HU Xiao-ying , RUAN Ying-mao , TIAN Yi , CHU Yan , XU Xin-lin , XU Liang , TANG Yue , GAO Run-lin
Published: January 2024

Background

To overcome the drawbacks of permanent stents, biodegradable stents have been studied in recent years. The bioabsorbable polymer vascular scaffold (BVS) was the first bioabsorbable stent to undergo clinical trials, demonstrating safety and feasibility in the ABSORB studies. Iron can potentially serve as the biomaterial for biodegradable stents. This study aimed to assess the short-term safety and efficacy of a biodegradable iron stent in mini-swine coronary arteries.

Methods

Eight iron stents and eight cobalt chromium alloy (VISION) control stents were randomly implanted into the LAD and RCA of eight healthy mini-swine, respectively. Two stents of the same metal base were implanted into one animal. At 28 days the animals were sacrificed after coronary angiography, and histopathological examinations were performed.

Results

Histomorphometric measurements showed that mean neointimal thickness ((0.46±0.17) mm vs. (0.45±0.18) mm, P=0.878), neointimal area ((2.55±0.91) mm2 vs. (3.04±1.15) mm2, P=0.360) and percentage of area stenosis ((44.50±11.40)% vs. (46.00±17.95)%, P=0.845) were not significantly different between the iron stents and VISION stents. There was no inflammation, thrombosis or necrosis in either group. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) intimal injury scores (0.75±1.04 vs. 0.88±0.99, P=0.809) and number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive staining cells were not significantly different between the two groups. The percentage of neointimal coverage by SEM examination was numerically higher in iron stents than in VISION stents ((84.38±14.50)% vs. (65.00±22.04)%, P=0.057), but the difference was not statistically significant. Iron staining in the tissue surrounding the iron stents at 28 days was positive and the vascular wall adjacent to the iron stent had a brownish tinge, consistent with iron degradation. No abnormal histopathological changes were detected in coronary arteries or major organs.

Conclusions

The biodegradable iron stent has good biocompatibility and short-term safety and efficacy in the miniswine coronary artery. Corrosion of iron stents is observed at four weeks and no signs of organ toxicity related to iron degradation were noted.
Patients after colostomy: relationship between quality of life and acceptance of disability and social support
Authors: ZHANG Tie-ling , HU Ai-ling , XU Hong-lian , ZHENG Mei-chun , LIANG Ming-juan
Published: January 2024

Background

The aim of this research was to explore quality of life (QOL) and acceptance of disability and social support of colostomy patients as well as the relationship between these factors.

Methods

A descriptive, correlational study was conducted using four scales: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Colorectal Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-CR38) scales, the Acceptance of Disability Scale (ADS), and the Social Relational Quality Scale (SRQS). A convenience sample of 111 colostomy patients from four hospitals in Guangzhou who underwent colostomy operation at least one month prior to the study and who visited the stoma clinic or association from August 2011 to February 2012 was evaluated for inclusion in the study. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

The patients' general health status was better than the reference level recommended by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, and the overall ADS score was average. The SRQS score was similar to that found in a Hong Kong study. The general health status and dimensions of QOL were significantly correlated with ADS and all of its dimensions (P <0.05). The general health status and dimensions of QOL were also significantly correlated with SRQS and all of its dimensions (P <0.05).

Conclusions

QOL, acceptance of disability, and social relational quality of colostomy patients were closely related. Our results emphasize that patients should work to form rational values and close bonds with families and friends to achieve a better QOL.
Difference of dilation resistance to coronary stenting between fibrous plaques and lipid-rich plaques
Authors: ZHOU Yi , CHEN Man-hua , YANG Kai , XIONG Cai-jin , CHEN Gang , YANG Fei-yan , TAN Gang
Published: January 2024

Background

Dilation resistance to stenting in non-calcified coronary plaques was compared in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in order to confirm the clinical usefulness of multislice computed tomography in examining coronary plaque type and to provide information pertaining to the effects of plaque type on dilatation resistance.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 64-slice computed tomography coronary imaging data collected in the month prior to coronary stenting in 93 patients (65 male and 28 female, mean age of (57.22±7.22) years) was conducted. Non-calcified coronary plaques were divided into lipid-rich (lipid content >25% of plaque volume) and fibrous plaques according to the Hammer-Hansen S method: where lipids, fiber, and intraluminal components were indicated by contrast using Hu values of -100-49, 50-129, and >130, respectively. Clinical features, pre-dilatation balloon specifications and filling pressure, and stent size and release pressure were compared.

Results

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were higher in the lipid-rich plaque group. In patients with typical symptoms, unstable angina was more commonly observed in the lipid-rich plaque group. No significant differences in low density lipoprotein, pre-dilatation balloon specifications, pre-dilatation pressure, or stent specifications were observed. Stent release pressure in the lipid-rich plaque group ((1130.16±202.04) kPa), was significantly lower than that observed in the fibrous plaque group ((1240.61±193.29) kPa, P=0.009).

Conclusion

Softer, lipid-rich plaques exhibit lower dilation resistance during stenting in PCI patients.
Compatibility of olfactory ensheathing cells with functionalized self-assembling peptide scaffold in vitro
Authors: ZHANG Ling-ling , HUANG Lin-hong , ZHANG Zhen-xing , HAO Ding-jun , HE Bao-rong
Published: January 2024

Background

Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is a promising or potential therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the effects of injecting OECs directly into SCI site have been limited and unsatisfied due to the complexity of SCI. To improve the outcome, proper biomaterials are thought to be helpful since these materials would allow the cells to grow three-dimensionally and guide cell migration.

Methods

In this study, we made a new peptide hydrogel scaffold named GRGDSPmx by mixing the pure RADA16 and designer peptide RADA16-GRGDSP solution, and we examined the molecular integration of the mixed nanofiber scaffolds using atomic force microscopy. In addition, we have studied the behavior of OECs in GRGDSPmx condition as well as on RADA16 scaffold by analyzing their phenotypes including cell proliferation, apoptosis, survival, and morphology.

Results

The experimental results showed that GRGDSPmx could be self-assembled to form a hydrogel. Inverted optical microscopic and scanning electron microscopic analyses showed that OECs are viable and they proliferate within the nanostructured environment of the scaffold. Thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay demonstrated that OEC proliferation rate was increased on GRGDSPmx scaffold compared with the pure RADA16 scaffold. In addition, OECs on GRGDSPmx scaffolds also showed less apoptosis and maintained the original spindle-shaped morphology. Calcein-AM/PI fluorescence staining revealed that OECs cultured on GRGDSPmx grew well and the viable cell count was 95%.

Conclusion

These results suggested that this new hydrogel scaffold provided an ideal substrate for OEC three-dimensional culture and suggested its further application for SCI repair.
Psychological symptoms and associated risk factors in Chinese freshmen: a three-year follow-up study
Authors: GUO Qi , HUANG Yue-qin , LIU Zhao-rui , WANG Hong
Published: January 2024

Background

The first year of attending university induces a stressful experience for many college students. The experience exposes these students to challenging circumstances and raises expectations, which consequently increases the risk of psychiatric disorders and may exacerbate pre-existing problems. This study was designed to explore the risk factors of psychological symptoms among freshmen in China.

Methods

A three-year follow-up study was designed in a sample of Chinese college freshmen. To set up the baseline interviews, subjects from 25 high schools in Beijing were interviewed during the first year in high school. Three years later, we followed up with the 1547 students from 15 of the previously-selected 25 high schools after they had entered universities. Association between potential risk factors and the occurrence of psychological symptoms measured by the Symptoms Check List-90 was evaluated in unconditional logistic regression models with Wald test.

Results

Among the 1547 interviewed college freshmen in the study, 120 students (7.8%) manifested at least one psychological symptom. Personality dysfunction (OR=3.655, 95% CI 1.967–6.793), parental rejection (OR=2.619, 95% CI 1.544–4.442), age ≥ 20 (OR=2.578, 95% CI 1.227–5.418), disfavored university (OR=2.054, 95% CI 1.376–3.066), non-first-choice academic major (OR=1.887, 95% CI 1.255–2.837) and no orientation (OR=1.739, 95% CI 1.025–2.951) were determined to be the risk factors of psychological symptoms among the college freshmen in China.

Conclusions

Psychological symptoms of college freshmen are associated with personality traits, parental rearing behavior and study environment. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to changes in mental health as students enter or decide on colleges and increase education geared towards mental health issues for students in high school and universities in China.
Clinical classification and treatment of leukokeratosis of the vocal cords
Authors: MA Li-jing , WANG Jun , XIAO Yang , YE Jing-ying , XU Wen , YANG Qing-wen
Published: January 2024

Background

Leukokeratosis of the vocal cords is a clinical descriptive diagnosis, which includes a group of squamous intraepithelial lesions of the vocal cord mucosa. We investigated the clinical classification and treatment efficacy of leukokeratosis of the vocal cords.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical history, laryngoscopic examinations, morphological features under a surgical microscope, and pathology results of 360 cases of leukokeratosis of the vocal cords to examine correlations among treatment modalities, therapeutic effects, and clinical features.

Results

All cases were divided into four types based on symptoms, examination results, and treatment efficacies as follows: 21 patients had type I inflammatory leukoplakia and their vocal cord morphology and voice quality recovered after conservative therapies; 76 patients had type II frictional polyps and received CO2 laser submucosal cordectomy; 68 patients had type III sulcus vocalis and received mucosal slicing with dredging; and 195 cases had type IV simple leukokeratosis and received partial subligamental cordectomy with CO2 lasers or transmuscular cordectomy. Our treatment achieved a surgical cure rate of 90.9% (308/339), with a recurrence rate of 9.1% (31/339) and malignant transformation rate of 6.5% (22/339). All cancerous transformations occurred in type IV patients.

Conclusion

Choosing conservative or CO2 laser surgery based on the morphological characteristics of squamous epithelial lesions of keratinized vocal cord mucosa can maximally protect voice quality, reduce complications, and improve the cure rate.
Changes in dendritic cells and dendritic cell subpopulations in peripheral blood of recipients during acute rejection after kidney transplantation
Authors: Linlin Ma , Yong Liu , Junjie Wu , Xiuhong Xu , Fen Liu , Lang Feng , Zelin Xie , Yawang Tang , Wen Sun , Hongbo Guo , Lei Zhang , Jun Lin , Ye Tian
Published: January 2024

Background

Advances in transplantation immunology show that the balance between dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsets can maintain stable immune status in the induction of tolerance after transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate if DCs and DC subpopulations in recipient peripheral blood are effective diagnostic indicators of acute rejection following kidney transplantation.

Methods

Immunofluorescent flow cytometry was used to classify white blood cells (WBCs), the levels of mononuclear cells and DCs (including the dominant subpopulations, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) and myeloid DC (mDC)) in peripheral blood at 0, 1, 7, and 28 days and 1 year after kidney transplantation in 33 patients. In addition, the blood levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-12 were monitored before and after surgery. Fifteen healthy volunteers served as normal controls. Patients were undertaking hemodialysis owing to uremia before surgery.

Results

The total number of DCs, pDC, and mDC in peripheral blood and the pDC/mDC ratio were significantly lower in patients than controls (P <0.05). Peripheral DCs suddenly decreased at the end of day 1, then gradually increased through day 28 but remained below normal levels. After 1 year, levels were higher than before surgery but lower than normal. The mDC levels were higher in patients with acute rejection before and 1 day after surgery (P <0.005). There was no significant difference in IL-10 and IL-12 levels between patients with and without acute rejection.

Conclusion

The changes in DCs and DC subpopulations during the acute rejection period may serve as effective markers and referral indices for monitoring the immune state, and predicting rejection and reasonably adjusting immunosuppressants.
Perihematomal endothelin-1 level is associated with an increase in blood-brain barrier permeability in a rabbit model of intracerebral hematoma
Authors: WANG Li-kun , HONG Zhen , WU Guo-feng , LI Chang
Published: January 2024

Background

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has deleterious effects on water homeostasis, cerebral edema, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Highly expressed ET-1 was observed after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH); however, ET-1 changes and their relationship with BBB disruption within 24 hours of ICH have not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to observe the changes in perihematomal ET-1 levels in various phases of ICH and their correlation with the BBB integrity in a rabbit model of ICH.

Methods

Twenty-five rabbits (3.2–4.3 kg body weight) were randomly divided into a normal control group (five rabbits) and a model group (20 rabbits). Animals in the model group were equally divided into four subgroups (five rabbits each to be sacrificed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours following ICH establishment). An ICH model was prepared in the model group by infusing autologous arterial blood into the rabbit brain. ET-1 expression in perihematomal brain tissues was determined using immunohistochemistry and color image analysis, and the permeability of the BBB was assayed using the Evan's Blue (EB) method. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to make comparisons of the ET-1 and EB content across the entire time series.

Results

The number of perihematomal endothelial cells with ET-1 positive expressions following 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours ICH model establishment was 9.32, 13.05, 15.90, and 20.44, respectively, but as low as 6.67 in the control group. The average transmittance of ET-1-positive cell bodies at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after ICH was 99.10, 97.40, 85.70, and 80.80, respectively, but 100.12 in the control group. These data reveal that the expression of ET-1 was significantly increased at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after ICH compared with the control group, and a marked decrease in the average transmittance of ET-1-positive cell bodies was noted (P <0.05). Similarly, the perihematomal EB content at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after ICH was 29.39±1.16, 32.20±0.73, 33.63±1.08, and 35.26±1.12, respectively, in the model group and 28.06±0.80 in the control group. The results indicate that a significant increase in the EB content in the model group was observed compared with that of the control group (P <0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation between the number of ET-1-positive endothelial cells and BBB permeability was observed (r=0.883, P <0.05).

Conclusions

High levels of ET-1 are closely associated with BBB disruption. ET-1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of secondary brain injury after ICH.
Effect of prolonging interval time between coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention on X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks in blood lymphocytes
Authors: Zhang Guoru , Li Yongjun , Wang Mei , Guo Bingyan , Lyu Xinhu , Liu Jin-bo , Liu Dongchao , Chang Liang
Published: January 2024

Background

It is desirable to minimize the risk of adverse radiation effects associated with percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of prolonging the interval between coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention on X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks in blood lymphocytes using γ-H2AX immunofluorescence microscopy.

Methods

Blood samples of eight patients were taken before the first exposure to ionizing radiation, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours after the last exposure to determine the γ-H2AX foci repair kinetics. Fifty-eight patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to an intermittent radiation exposure group and a continuous radiation exposure group. Blood samples were taken before coronary angiography and 15 minutes after the last exposure. By enumerating γ-H2AX foci, the impact of prolonging the interval on DNA double-strand breaks was investigated. Student t-test was used to compare the difference in DNA double-strand breaks between the two groups.

Results

An increase in foci was found in all patients received percutaneous coronary intervention. The maximum number of γ-H2AX foci was found 10–20 minutes after the end of the last exposure. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in γ-H2AX foci at baseline. On average there were (0.79±0.15) γ-H2AX foci induced by interventional X-rays per lymphocyte in the continuous radiation exposure group and (0.66±0.21) in the intermittent radiation exposure group after exposure (P<0.05).

Conclusions

A significant number of γ-H2AX foci develop following the percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. The number of X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks may be decreased by prolonging the interval time between coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention to 30 minutes.
Polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene confer a risk to lone atrial fibrillation in Chinese male patients
Authors: WANG Shu-xia , TAO Tao , FU Zhi-qing , XIE Xiang-zhu , WANG Hao , WANG Yu-tang
Published: January 2024

Background

Growing epidemiologic evidence has indicated that genetics can predispose individuals to the occurrence of lone atrial fibrillation (AF). The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene has been established to be associated with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. The objective of our study was to investigate the association of ACE2 gene polymorphisms with lone AF.

Methods

A total of 265 consecutive lone AF patients and 289 healthy controls were successfully investigated. The polymorphisms rs2106809 and rs2285666 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. A Logistic regression model was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of variations of ACE2 for lone AF.

Results

The T allele of rs2106809 conferred an increased risk for lone AF (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52, P=0.03) in males after adjustment for conventional risk factors. SNP at rs2285666 in males was not significantly different between AF patients and controls. No association was found between the two polymorphisms in the female population with lone AF. After (36.3±4.5) months of follow-up, the end point data were obtained: death (cardiac and noncardiac), ischemic stroke, and heart failure. In the male subgroup, the associations between rs2106809 T male carriers and combined end points including ischemic stroke, heart failure, and death in our study were of significance (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.0-13.1, P=0.04).

Conclusions

The results indicate that polymorphism at ACE2 gene is associated with male lone AF in a Chinese Han population. Lone AF males who carry the rs2106809 T allele are associated with adverse cardiac events.
Biomechanical effects of bone cement volume on the endplates of augmented vertebral body: a three-dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Yan Liang , Chang Zhen , Xu Zhengwei , Liu Tuanjiang , He Baorong , Hao Dingjun
Published: January 2024

Background

Previous studies have suggested that percutaneous vertebroplasty might alter vertebral stress transfer, leading to adjacent vertebral failure. However, no three-dimensional finite element study so far accounted for the stress distributions on different cement volumes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stress distributions on the endplate under different loading conditions after augmentation with various volumes of bone cement.

Methods

L2-L3 motion segment data were obtained from CT scans of the lumbar spine from a cadaver of a young man who had no abnormal findings on roentgenograms. Three-dimensional model of L2-L3 was established using Mimics software, and finite element model of L2-L3 functional spinal unit (FSU) was established using Ansys10.0 software. For simulating percutaneous vertebral augmentation, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was deposited into the bipedicle of the L2 vertebra. The percentage of PMMA volume varied between 15% and 30%. The stress distributions on the endplate of the augmented vertebral body were calculated under three different loading conditions.

Results

In general, the stress level monotonically increased with bone cement volume. Under each loading condition, the stress change on the L2 superior and inferior endplates in three kinds of finite element models shows monotonic increase. Compared with the stress-increasing region of the endplate, the central part of the L2 endplate was subject to the greatest stress under three kinds of loading conditions, especially on the superior endplate and under flexion.

Conclusions

The finite element models of FSU are useful to optimize the planning for vertebroplasty. The bone cement volume might have an influence on the endplate of the augmentation, especially the superior endplate. It should be noted that the optimization of bone cement volume is patient specific; the volume of the bone cement should be based on the size, body mineral density, and stiffness of the vertebrae of individual patients.
Persistent asthma increases the risk of chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study of 2354 patients with asthma
Authors: LIU Dong-wei , ZHEN Xing-gang , LIANG Yan , JING Xiao-gang , ZHANG Tie-shuan , ZHANG Guo-jun , LIU Zhang-suo
Published: January 2024

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health problem with well-established risk factors. Other contributing factors, however, remain to be identified. Systemic inflammation in asthma plays a significant role in the development of other diseases. We therefore initiated a study to assess whether the growing prevalence of asthma is associated with an increase in the risk of CKD.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from 3015 patients with asthma aged 14 years and older who were registered and followed up in Asthma Control Study at the Department of Respiratory Medicine of three medical centers from 2005 to 2011. History, asthma control test (ACT), and asthma stage were used to assess the traits of asthma. CKD was defined as proteinuria and/or reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (<60 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2) in two consecutive follow-up surveys. We used logistic regression models, adjusting for age, sex, and other confounding factor to determine associations between the traits of asthma and CKD. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze patient outcomes.

Results

A total of 2354 subjects with complete data were recruited for this study with mean age (45.4±10.4) years. After 6 years of follow-up, 9.6% (n=227) of the analytic cohort developed proteinuria and 3.1% (n=72) progressed to eGFR <60 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2. The patients with >20 years asthma history, not well-controlled or persistent asthma patients had higher incidence of proteinuria and reduced eGFR compared with patients with ≤20 years asthma history, at least well-controlled or remission asthma, respectively. The multivariable adjusted OR for proteinuria and reduced eGFR in participants with persistent asthma was 1.49; (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-1.91) and 2.07 (95% CI 1.34-4.42). Compared to patients with no asthma traits, there was a significant risk (OR, 3.39; 95% CI 1.36-8.73) for those who met all three traits, including asthma history >20 years, not well-controlled and persistent stage, after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Conclusions

In this retrospective cohort study, we found that persistent asthma was associated with an increased risk of CKD, which was independent of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other well-established risk factors. Future studies should be directed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the association between asthma and CKD.