bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperbaric oxygen intervention on expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in spinal cord injury models in rats
Authors: ZHOU Yi , LIU Xue-hua , QU Shao-dong , YANG Jing , WANG Zhi-wei , GAO Chun-jin , SU Qing-jun
Published: January 2024

Background

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) intervention is a main therapeutic method and the curative effect has been certified for spinal cord injury (SCI), but the mechanisms of the neuroprotective effect of HBO on SCI remain elusive. This study aimed to observe the change in expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) after SCI at different time points and to investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of HBO on SCI in rats.

Methods

A total of 160 adult Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 250 and 300 g, were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (n=40 per group). SCI group: SCI was created with a special NYU impactor of Allen's by a 25 gram-centimeter impacting energy on T10 of the spinal cord. SCI+HBO group: HBO therapy after SCI model was established. Sham operation (SH) group: only laminectomy of T10 and no impact on the spinal cord was done. SH+HBO group: HBO therapy after sham operation. The hindlimb functional recovery was evaluated using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score and the expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF were observed with fluorescent quantitation PCR and Western blotting method of six rats picked randomly from each group at different time points of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after operation.

Results

Rats in the SCI group and SCI+HBO group were paralyzed completely after operation with BBB 0-1 score. Rats in the SH group and SH+HBO group could walk after sham operation with BBB 20-21 score. The BBB score of rats in the SCI+HBO group (4.67±1.97 and 10.83±2.23) was higher than that in the SCI group (1.83±0.75 and 6.67±2.16) at 7 and 14 days time points obviously (P <0.05). The expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF in the SCI group and SCI+HBO group were higher than in the SH group and SH+HBO group at any time point obviously (P <0.05), while the SCI+HBO group presented the least expression of HIF-1α mRNA and protein (3.82±0.41 and 0.59±0.06; 2.26±0.41 and 0.37±0.05; 1.58±0.26 and 0.29±0.05) than that in the SCI group (6.36±0.58 and 0.76±0.07; 3.55±0.47 and 0.51±0.07; 2.27±0.39 and 0.40±0.06) respectively at 3, 7, and 14 days time points (P <0.05) with significant difference and more expression of VEGF mRNA and protein (5.83±0.77 and 0.72±0.06; 4.59±0.51 and 0.63±0.06) than that in the SCI group (3.06±0.30 and 0.48±0.07; 2.25±0.24 and 0.39±0.09) respectively at 7 and 14 days time points (P <0.05) with significant difference.

Conclusions

HBO could improve the hind limb functional recovery after SCI in rats. The elevation and duration of the expression of VEGF and the reduction of expression of HIF-1α by HBO intervention may be inversely related in the repair of damaged spinal cord and neuroprotective effect.
Utility of echocardiographic tissue synchronization imaging to redirect left ventricular epicardial lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: ZHANG Ye , LI Zhi-An , HE Yi-Hua , ZHANG Hai-Bo , MENG Xu
Published: January 2024

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular pacing has demonstrated cardiac function improvement for treating congestive heart failure (HF). It has been documented that the placement of the left ventricular lead at the longest contraction delay segment has the optimal CRT benefit. This study described follow-up to surgical techniques for CRT as a viable alternative for patients with heart failure.

Methods

Between April 2007 and June 2012, a total of 14 consecutive heart failure patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III-IV underwent left ventricular epicardial lead placements via surgical approach. There were eight males and six females, aged 36 to 79 years ((59.6±9.2) years). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was (33.6±7.4)%. All patients were treated with left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony and underwent left ventricular epicardial lead placements via a surgical approach. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography were used to assess changes in left heart function and dyssynchronic parameters. Also, echo was used to select the best site for left ventricular epicardial lead placement.

Results

Left ventricular epicardial leads were successfully implanted in the posterior or lateral epicardial wall without serious complications in all patients. All patients had reduction in NYHA score from III-IV preoperatively to II-III postoperatively. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) decreased from (67.9±12.7) mm to (61.2±7.1) mm (P<0.05), and LVEF increased from (33.6±7.4)% to (42.2±8.8)% (P<0.05). Left ventricular intraventricular dyssynchrony index decreased from (148.4±31.6) ms to (57.3±23.8) ms (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Minimally invasive surgical placement of the left ventricular epicardial lead is feasible, safe, and efficient. TDI can guide the epicardial lead placement to the ideal target location.
Diagnostic accuracy of fiberoptic ductoscopy plus in vivo iodine staining for intraductal proliferative lesions
Authors: FENG Xin-zhi , SONG Ying-hua , ZHANG Feng-xia , JIANG Chuan-wu , MEI Hong , ZHAO Bin
Published: January 2024

Background

Iodine staining during endoscopy has been successfully used to detect early carcinomatous and precancerous lesions in the esophagus, cervix, and oral cavity. The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of fiberoptic ductoscopy (FDS) plus in vivo iodine staining for intraductal proliferative lesions of the breast.

Methods

We performed periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and in vitro iodine staining on 52 and 64 specimens of benign mammary hyperplasia, respectively, and 57 and 53 specimens of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), respectively. Next, FDS was performed on 177 recurrent nipple discharge patients who were randomly divided into two groups. One group was iodine-staining group in which 92 patients were randomly selected to undergo iodine staining during FDS, and the remaining 85 were assigned to the control group. Biopsy specimens of suspicious lesions were obtained and subjected to histopathological examination.

Results

Following PAS staining, benign mammary hyperplasia lesions were positively stained, while negligible PAS positivity was observed in the DCIS lesions (P <0.05). Following in vitro iodine staining, benign mammary hyperplasia specimens appeared dark brown, whereas DCIS samples appeared significantly lighter or unstained. Compared with the pathological examination results, FDS with iodine staining showed an agreement rate in the diagnosis of ductal intraepithelial neoplasia (DIN), sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and Youden index of 97.82%, 98.83%, 83.33%, 5.93, 0.014, and 0.8216, respectively; the corresponding values for FDS without iodine staining were 88.24%, 89.16%, 50.00%, 1.78, 0.217, and 0.3916, respectively.

Conclusion

FDS with iodine staining was superior to conventional FDS for the diagnosis of DIN and is valuable for breast cancer prevention.
Relationships between use of statins and arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: WANG Zhi-guang , CHEN Bing-wei , Na-qiang LÜ , CHENG Yan-mei , DANG Ai-min
Published: January 2024

Background

Statins improve arterial stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Hypertension is a predominant contributor of arterial stiffening. However, the influence of hypertension on the effect of statins for improving arterial stiffness in CAD patients has seldom been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the relationships between statin use and arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients.

Methods

Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) was measured in 437 patients, including 220 hypertensive CAD patients (121 used statins, 99 did not) and 217 normotensive CAD patients (105 used statins, 112 did not). The normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients were matched according to age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

In the normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients, lipid profiles were significantly improved in the statin group compared with the non-statin group. No significant differences in the administered statins (i.e., atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, and pravastatin) and statin therapy duration were found between normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients (all P>0.05). No significant correlation of ba-PWV and statin therapy duration was found in all CAD patients, normotensive CAD patients, or hypertensive CAD patients (all P>0.05). ba-PWV in the statin group was significantly lower than that in the non-statin group in normotensive CAD patients ((1331.68±167.52) cm/s vs. (1468.61±244.54) cm/s, P=0.002) but not in hypertensive CAD patients (P>0.05). In multiple linear regression analyses, statin therapy was significantly associated with ba-PWV after adjusting for confounding variables in normotensive CAD patients (P=0.018) but not in hypertensive CAD patients (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Statins may significantly improve arterial stiffness in CAD patients, and hypertension may probably influence the effectiveness of statin therapy in improving arterial stiffness in this population. Further studies are required to investigate the effect of statins on arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive CAD patients.
Vascular endothelial growth inhibitor affects the invasion, apoptosis and vascularisation in breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231
Authors: Gao Yinguang , Ge Zhicheng , Zhang Zhongtao , Bai Zhigang , Ma Xuemei , Wang Yu
Published: January 2024

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant female diseases worldwide. It is a significant threat to every woman’s health. Vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI) is known to be abundant in endothelial cells. According to previous literature, overexpression of VEGI has been shown to inhibit tumor neovascularisation and progression in cellular and animal models, but there has been limited research on the significance of VEGI in the breast cancer.

Methods

In our study, cell lines MDA-MB-231 were first constructed in which VEGI mediated by lentivirus over-expressed. The effects of VEGI over-expression on MDA-MB-231 cells were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The expression of VEGI in the MDA-MB-231 cells after infection of lentivirus was analyzed using real-time PCR and Western blotting. The effect of the biological characteristics of MDA-MB-231 cells was assessed by growth, invasion, adhesion, and migration assay with subcutaneous tumor-bearing nude mice models. Then the growth curves of the subcutaneous tumors were studied. Expressions of VEGI, CD31 and CD34 in the tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Infection of MDA-MB-231 cells within the lentivirus resulted in approximately a 1 000-fold increase in the expression of VEGI. As can be seen in the invasion, adhesion and migration assay, the over-expression of VEGI can inhibit the ability of MDA-MB-231 cells during migration, adhesion and invasion. The volume of the subcutaneous tumor in the over-expression group was distinctly and significantly less than that of the control groups. Immunohistochemistry analysis of the tumor biopsies clearly showed the expression of VEGI in the over-expression group increased while CD31 and CD34 decreased significantly. In vitro and in vivo, the early apoptosis rate and the apoptosis index were increased within the VEGI over-expression group as compared with the control group.

Conclusions

Taken together, recombinant lentivirus that were successfully constructed, demonstrated up-regulated VEGI gene expression in breast cancer cells. Lentivirus-mediated over-expression of VEGI weakened the ability of the breast cancer cell migration, adhesion and invasion. Over-expression of VEGI diminished the tumorigenic capacity of breast cancer cells in vivo. Up-regulation of VEGI gene expression however inhibited breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell in the early apoptosis.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor regulates JNK pathway to alleviate damage after cerebral ischemia reperfusion
Authors: LI Ya-guo , LIU Xiao-li , ZHENG Chao-bo
Published: January 2024

Background

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a potent hematopoietic growth factor that both enhances the survival and drives the differentiation and proliferation of myeloid lineage cells. Recent studies have suggested that GM-CSF has a neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia injury, but the molecular mechanisms have been unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influences of a short-acting (half-life 3.5 hours) G-CSF and a long-acting (half-life 40 hours) pegylated G-CSF on the JNK signaling pathway after cerebral ischemia reperfusion.

Methods

A total of 52 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: a sham group (n=4), a vehicle with saline (n=16), a short-acting G-CSF treatment group (n=16) and a long-acting G-CSF treatment group (n=16). The cerebral ischemia reperfusion model was established for the sham group and G-CSF treatment groups by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Five days post reperfusion, rats were sacrificed and the brains were removed. Changes in neurological function after cerebral ischemia reperfusion was evaluated according to Neurological Severity Score (NSS) and the lesion volume and infarct size were measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The numbers of apoptotic neurons in these ischemic areas: left cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus were calculated by TUNEL assay, and expression of JNK/P-JNK, c-jun/P-c-jun in these areas was detected by Western blotting.

Results

Compared with the saline vehicle group ((249.68±23.36) mm3, (19.27±3.37)%), G-CSF-treated rats revealed a significant reduction in lesion volume (long-acting: (10.89±1.90)%, P<0.01; short-acting G-CSF: (11.69±1.41)%, P<0.01) and infarct size (long-acting: (170.53±18.47) mm3, P<0.01; short-acting G-CSF: (180.74±16.93) mm3, P<0.01) as well as less neuron functional damage (P <0.01) and a smaller number of apoptotic neurons in ischemic areas (P <0.01). The activity of P-JNK and P-c-jun in the cerebral ischemia reperfusion-damaged cortex and hippocampus was significantly decreased in all G-CSF-treated rats (P<0.05). However, between the long-acting and short-acting G-CSF sets, there were no significant differences found in the activity of P-JNK and P-c-jun in the cortex, hippocampus and striate body (P >0.05).

Conclusions

Hypodermic injection of 50 μg/kg G-CSF attenuated the damage caused by cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats, which might be associated with down-regulated activation of the P-JNK and P-c-jun pathway after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Long-acting G-CSF may be a novel choice for both clinical and basic research in treating cerebral ischemia.
Risk factors for adult death due to 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection: a 2151 severe and critical cases analysis
Authors: ZHANG Peng-jun , CAO Bin , LI Xiao-li , LIANG Li-rong , YANG Shi-gui , GU Li , XU Zhen , HU Ke , ZHANG Hong-yuan , YAN Xi-xin , HUANG Wen-bao , CHEN Wei , ZHANG Jing-xiao , LI Lan-juan , WANG Chen
Published: January 2024

Background

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza showed that relatively young adults accounted for the highest rates of hospital admission and death. In preparation for pH1N1, the aim of the study is to identify factors associated with the mortality of patients with 2009 pH1N1 infection, especially for young patients without chronic medical conditions.

Methods

Retrospective observational study of 2151 severe or critical adult cases (≥14 years old) admitted to a hospital with pH1N1 influenza from September 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 from 426 hospitals of 27 Chinese provinces. A confirmed case was a person whose pH1N1 virus infection was verified by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Severe and critical cases were defined according to the H1N1 2009 Clinical guidelines (Third Edition, 2009) released by the Ministry of Health of China.

Results

Among the 2151 patients, the mean age was 34.0 years. Two hundred and ninty-three (13.6%) died during hospital stay. One thousand four hundred and forty-two patients (67.0%) had no comorbidities and 189 (13.1%) of them died. Pregnancy (OR 8.03), pneumonia (OR 8.91), dyspnea (OR 3.95), central nervous system (CNS) symptom (OR 1.55), higher APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II score (OR 1.06), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR 1.002), and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (OR 1.001) were independent risk factors for death among adults without chronic medical conditions. Higher APACHE II score (OR 1.08) and age (OR 1.06) were independent risk factors for death among adults with respiratory diseases. A multivariate analysis showed an association between mortality and CNS symptoms (OR 2.66), higher APACHE II score (OR 1.03), ALT (OR 1.006), and LDH level (OR 1.002) in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Dyspnea (OR 11.32) was an independent risk factor for patient death in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion

Clinical knowledge of identified prognostic factors for mortality may aid in the management of adult influenza infection.
Emergence of truncated PB1-F2 protein of H3N2 influenza virus during its epidemic period in Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Pingmin Wei , Pengfei Luo , wei Li , Hairong Zi , Xian Qi , Fei Deng , Yuanfang Qin , Bin Wu , Fenyang Tang
Published: January 2024

Background

PB1-F2 protein has been proven to increase the pathogenicity of influenza A virus (IAV) strains in primary infection and in secondary bacterial infection. It can also regulate the activity of viral polymerase. However, it was shown in another retrospective study that a portion of IAVs do not express full-length PB1-F2 protein during virus development; different kinds of stop codons cause exits in the open reading frames and form PB1-F2 gene products with the corresponding genotypes. Truncated PB1-F2 in human H3N2 IAVs has long been detected in North America but its evolution in China is still unclear.

Methods

Influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) from the whole of Jiangsu Province were collected and inspected to determine the type and subtype of the viruses. A portion of isolates collected in the epidemic period were selected as samples for later whole-genome sequencing, and the exact sequences were determined and analyzed.

Results

H3N2 influenza virus was one of the epidemical strains which had been prevalent during 2009-2010, in Jiangsu. Five H3N2 isolates with truncated PB1-F2 protein (25aa) were detected in influenza samples from Nanjing and Xuzhou, while seven similar H3N2 isolates were also reported in Niigata, Japan.

Conclusion

This emergence indicates the possibility that there has been transmission of the H3N2 virus between the two countries.
Epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection and empirical antibiotic therapy for MRSA infection: multicenter investigation
Authors: Deng Li-jing , Wu Xiao-dong , Kang Yan , Xu Yuan , Zhou Jian-xin , Wang Di-fen , Chen De-chang
Published: January 2024

Background

The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) maybe changed by strict infection control measures, and the impact of empirical antibiotic therapy on the outcomes of MRSA infection was not clear. We aimed to investigate the present epidemiological status of MRSA infection and empirical antibiotic therapy for MRSA infection in university teaching hospitals in mainland China.

Methods

The present study was a multicenter prospective observational study conducted in five university teaching hospitals. Patients who were consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit and signed a consent form from March 3, 2011 to May 31, 2011 were included. Patients with age <18 years or with a length of hospital stay <48 hours were excluded from this study. The following variables were collected or recorded: demographic data, general status, APACHE II score of the patient at the time of admission, infections, and the use of antibiotics during a stay. Primary outcomes and prognostic indicators included length of hospital stay and 28-day and 90-day mortality. The differences between the patients with appropriate empirical therapy and patients with inappropriate therapy were analyzed to detect the influences of antibiotic therapy on the prognosis of MRSA infection.

Results

A total of 682 cases were enrolled. Thirty (66.2%) of 88 MRSA cases were treated with effective antibiotics for MRSA infection; only 20% received appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment. The empirical therapy group compared with the target therapy group had a shorter length of stay, but there were no significant differences in mortality rates. There were no significant differences in the length of hospital stay, length of stay, and 28-day and 90-day mortality between MRSA-infected patients who received or not received effective antibiotics. Two hundred and eighteen cases received sensitive antibiotics for MRSA.

Conclusions

The MRSA infection rates are at relatively low levels in university teaching hospitals in China. The empirical use of sensitive antibiotics for MRSA infection was at relatively high rate, and there is a tendency of overusing in patients without MRSA infection. On the other hand, the rate of appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy for patients with MRSA infection is relatively low.
Effects of resolvin D1 on inflammatory responses and oxidative stress of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice
Authors: Wang Lei , Yuan Ruixia , Yao Chengyue , Wu Qingping , Christelle Marie , Xie Wanli , Zhang Xingcai , Sun Wei , Wang Huiqing , Yao Shanglong
Published: January 2024

Background

A variety of inflammatory mediators and effector cells participate together in acute lung injury, and lead to secondary injury that is due to an inflammatory cascade and secondary diffuse lung parenchyma injury. Inflammation is associated with an oxidative stress reaction, which is produced in the development of airway inflammation, and which has positive feedback on inflammation itself. Resolvin D1 can reduce the infiltration of neutrophils, regulate cytokine levels and reduce the inflammation reaction, and thereby promote the resolution of inflammation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of resolvin D1 on an inflammatory response and oxidative stress during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury.

Methods

LPS (3 mg/kg) was used to induce the acute lung injury model. Pretreatment resolvin D1 (100 ng/mouse) was given to mice 30 minutes before inducing acute lung injury. Mice were observed at 6 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days and 7 days after LPS was administrated, then they were humanely sacrificed. We collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the lung tissues for further analysis. Paraffin section and HE staining of the lung tissues were made for histopathology observations. Parts of the lung tissues were evaluated for wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio. tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, inter leukin (IL)-1β, IL-10 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) assay kit was used to detect MDA. A total superoxide dismutase assay kit with WST-1 was used to analyze superoxide dismutase (SOD). We determined the apoptosis of neutrophils by Flow Cytometry. A real-time quantitative PCR Detecting System detected the expression of mRNA for heme oxygenase (HO)-1.

Results

Pretreatment with resolvin D1 reduced the pathological damage in the lung, decreased the recruitment of neutrophils and stimulated their apoptosis. It markedly decreased the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β and increased the expressions of IL-10, and decreased the production of MDA and increased the expressions of SOD. The mRNA expression of HO-1 was also significantly increased.

Conclusions

Resolvin D1 displays potent anti-inflammatory actions by regulating cytokines, inhibiting aberrant neutrophil recruitment and stimulating apoptosis of neutrophils. Resolvin D1 can also relieve the injury due to oxidative stress. The mechanisms might be related to increase HO-1 expression.
Cbl-b and PI3K/Akt pathway are differently involved in oxygen-glucose deprivation preconditioning in PC12 cells
Authors: ZHANG Wei , YU Huan , ZOU Wei , WANG Yan-fu , LIANG Xiao-feng , ZHANG Bo , KONG Jing-jing , LI Pai , ZHANG Duo-duo , YIN Lin
Published: January 2024

Background

Transient sublethal ischemia is known as ischemic preconditioning, which enables cells and tissues to survive subsequent prolonged lethal ischemic injury. Ischemic preconditioning exerts neuroprotection through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Cbl-b belongs to the Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (Cbl) family, and it can regulate the cell signal transduction.The roles of ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b and PI3K/Akt pathway and the relationship between them in oxygen-glucose deprivation preconditioning (OGDPC) in PC12 cells were investigated in the present study.

Methods

Oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) model in PC12 cells was used in the present study. The 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258, and Western blotting were applied to explore the roles of Cbl-b and PI3K/Akt pathway and the relationship between them in OGDPC in PC12 cells.

Results

Cell viability was significantly changed by OGD and OGDPC. OGD significantly decreased cell viability compared with the control group (P <0.05), and preconditioning could rescue this damage was demonstrated by the increase of cell viability (P <0.05). The expression of Cbl-b was significantly increased after OGD treatment. However, the activation of Akt and GSK3β was greatly inhibited. Preconditioning could inhibit the increase of Cbl-b caused by OGD and increase the activation of Akt and GSK3β. LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3K, could effectively inhibit the increase of Akt and GSK3β after preconditioning treatment. It partly inhibited the decrease of Cbl-b expression after preconditioning treatment.

Conclusion

Ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b and PI3K/Akt pathway are differently involved in OGDPC in PC12 cells.
Totally laparoscopic bypass surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease in China
Authors: GUO Lian-rui , GU Yong-quan , QI Li-xing , TONG Zhu , WU Xin , GUO Jian-ming , ZHANG Jian , WANG Zhong-gao
Published: January 2024

Background

Totally laparoscopic aortic surgery is still in its infancy in China. One of the factors preventing adoption of this technique is its steep learning curve. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD).

Methods

From November 2008 to November 2012, 12 patients were treated for severe AIOD with a totally laparoscopic bypass surgery at our university hospital. The demographic data, operative data, postoperative recovery data, morbidity and mortality were analyzed and compared with those of conventional open approach.

Results

Twelve totally laparoscopic aortic surgery procedures, including two iliofemoral bypasses (IFB), three unilateral aortofemoral bypasses (UAFB), and seven aortobifemoral bypasses (ABFB), were performed. Conversion to open procedures was required in three patients. The mean operation time was 518 (range, 325-840) minutes, mean blood loss was 962 (range, 400-2500) ml, and mean aortic anastomosis time was 75 (range, 40-150) minutes. Compared with conventional open approach for aortofemoral bypasses performed concomitantly during this period, laparoscopic patients required fewer narcotics and a shorter in-hospital stay and earlier recovery. Postoperative complications developed in four patients, including a single patient with transient left hydronephrosis, ischemic colonic fistula and pneumonia, residual aortic stenosis proximal to the anastomotic site, and asymptomatic partial left renal infarction. All patients recovered and were discharged on postoperative Days 7-14 except one patient that died of respiratory failure on Day 46. All grafts were patent with follow-up imaging performed by Duplex examination, with a mean follow-up time of 10.7 (range, 2-61) months.

Conclusion

Totally laparoscopic bypass surgery is a feasible and safe procedure for AIOD, but attention needs to be paid to improve laparoscopic skills of vascular surgery in order to minimize morbidity during the learning curve of this advanced procedure.
Zinc ion implantation-deposition modification of titanium for enhanced adhesion of focal plaques of osteoblast-like cells
Authors: XU Juan , HU Min , TAN Xin-ying , LIU Chang-kui
Published: January 2024

Background

Surface modification by ion implantation-deposition is well established in materials science and can be an effective way to improve biocompatibility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition of a modified titanium (Ti) surface after zinc (Zn) ion implantation and deposition and examine the effect of the modification on the formation of cellular focal adhesion plaques in vitro.

Methods

cp-Ti discs were modified with Zn ion implantation and deposition via PIIID. The chemical composition of the surface modification was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The formation of focal adhesion plaques on the modified Ti was investigated with human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells that were seeded onto the Ti surfaces and quantified by morphometric analysis under a confocal microscope.

Results

XPS data revealed that the modified Zn-Ti surface consisted of Ti, oxygen, Zn, and carbon. In addition, Gaussian fitting of the spectra indicated that the modified surface contained titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. After 6 hours of MG-63 cell culture, there were significantly more focal adhesion plaques on the modified surfaces than observed on the nonmodified Ti (P <0.05).

Conclusion

Zn ion implantation and deposition greatly improved the biocompatibility of Ti for the growth of MG-63 cells.
miR-30b and miR-30c expression predicted response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors as first line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: GU Yan-fei , ZHANG Hui , SU Dan , MO Min-li , SONG Pan , ZHANG Fang , ZHANG Shu-cai
Published: January 2024

Background

Aberrantly expressed microRNAs are a hallmark of cancer, and microRNA expression profiling is associated with tumor progression and response to chemotherapy, suggesting their potential application as prognostic and predictive biomarkers. The role of microRNAs in lung cancer remains elusive. It has been recently reported that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET) tyrosine kinase can regulate expression of specific microRNAs including miR-30b, miR-30c, miR-221, miR-222, miR-103 and miR-203, and induce tumorigenesis and gefitinib resistance in lung cancers. We intend to study the role of miR-30b and miR-30c expression in predicting response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We have therefore retrospectively examined expression of miR-30b miR-30c in 41 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples from NSCLC patients when TKIs were used as first line therapy.

Results

We found a significant correlation between expression of miR-30b and miR-30c. Furthermore, miR-30b and miR-30c expression correlated with short-term response. Kaplan-Meier analysis further revealed that the expression of miR-30b and miR-30c predicted progression free survival and the overall survival rate in the examined cohort.

Conclusion

Our study identified miR-30b and miR-30c as useful prognostic predictors in NSCLC patients who underwent first line treatment with TKIs.
Usefulness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the spasticity of the subscapularis in patients with stroke: a pilot study
Authors: Kim Yong Wook , Shin Ji Cheol , Yoon Jeong-Gyu , Kim Yong-Kyun , Lee Sang Chul
Published: January 2024

Background

There are not many studies about treatment of shoulder spasticity. Although botulinum toxin injection has been reported to be effective for shoulder spasticity, the effectiveness was judged by pain and limited motion change, but not the spasticity itself. Shoulder spasticity is considered to play an important role in hemiplegic frozen shoulder. However, the subscapularis muscle, unlike the pectoralis major muscle, is located deep beneath scapula, where conventional injection is difficult to perform. As extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been reported to be effective for spasticity relief, and we thought spasticity of subscapularis muscle located deep beneath the scapula would be a good candidate for ESWT treatment. This study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of radial ESWT (rESWT) on spastic subscapularis muscle in stroke patients.

Methods

This is an uncontrolled, prospective, unicenter, clinical pilot study. Stroke patients (n=57; mean age 55.4 years) with spastic shoulders were recruited between June 2011 and February 2012 at the University Rehabilitation Hospital. rESWT was administered to each patient every two or three days for two weeks (five total treatments). Evaluation consisted of 11 measurements for each patient; at the start of each of the five treatments and once per week during the following six weeks. Spasticity was measured at external rotator muscles of the shoulder using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and passive range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder in external rotation was recorded. Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) during passive ROM of the shoulder in external rotation, and was additionally recorded for patients who preserved cognitive and communicative ability (Pain group).

Results

Reduction in MAS and VAS and improvement of ROM during and after rESWT treatments were prominent compared to baseline. The reduction in MAS and VAS and improvement of ROM continued four weeks after the last treatment and the effects of the treatment decreased afterward.

Conclusion

rESWT will be able to provide stroke patients with an effective and safe procedure for the reduction of spasticity and pain as well as for the improvement of ROM of spastic shoulders.
Duct-to-mucosa versus invagination pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a meta-analysis
Authors: BAI Xue-Li , ZHANG Qi , Masood Noman , Masood Waqas , GAO Shun-Liang , ZHANG Yun , Shahed Shazmeen , LIANG Ting-Bo
Published: January 2024

Background

Postoperative pancreatic fistula remains one of the most common and troublesome complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy. No consensus exists regarding the optimal pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction technique to reduce this complication. We aimed to perform a systematic review comparing two commonly used techniques of pancreaticojejunostomy reconstruction (duct-to-mucosa versus invagination), by meta-analysis and assessment of evidence quality.

Methods

Databases searched including The Cochrane Library, Medline, PubMed, Embase, etc. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing duct-to-mucosa and invagination pancreaticojejunostomy were included. Outcomes of interest were pancreatic fistula rate, mortality, morbidity, reoperation and hospital stay. Pooled estimates were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference.

Results

From 321 identified abstracts, four RCTs (467 patients; duct-to-mucosa: 232; invagination: 235) were included. Pancreatic fistula rate (RR, 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24-2.28; P=0.60), mortality (RR, 1.18; 95% CI: 0.39-3.54; P=0.77), morbidity (RR, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.69-1.21; P=0.53), reoperation (RR, 1.09; 95% CI: 0.54-2.22; P=0.81) and hospital stay (mean difference, -1.78; 95% CI: -4.60-1.04; P=0.22) were similar between techniques.

Conclusions

Duct-to-mucosa and invagination pancreaticojejunostomy are comparable with regards to assessed parameters. High-quality, large-volume, multi-center RCTs with standard outcome definitions are required.
A new classification of nevus of Ota
Authors: HUANG Wen-hui , WANG Hong-wei , SUN Qiu-ning , JIN Hong-zhong , LIU Yue-hua , MA Dong-lai , ZUO Ya-gang , ZHENG He-yi , WAN Kuo , JING Quan , ZHAO Yong-liang
Published: January 2024

Background

The nevus of Ota, is a common benign pigmentary dermatosis, mainly involve innervation area of first and second branch of trigeminal nerve. The classification of nevus of Ota was proposed by Tanino, based on 26 cases of nevus of Ota from 1937 to 1940. Studies about its classification are rarely seen in last 70 years, while it is still practical today.

Methods

Based on the clinical photographs, 1079 consecutive patients with nevus of Ota were verified and reclassified according to the innervation areas of the trigeminal nerve branches.

Results

In these 1079 cases, 866 patients were in line with Tanino's classification (80.26%), and 213 patients were not (19.74%). We put forward a new clinical classification (Peking Union Medical College Hospital classification, PUMCH classification) of nevus of Ota based on the innervation area of the trigeminal nerve branches, composed of 5 types and 14 subtypes. The 5 types were as follows: Type I — pigmentation maculeses involving the innervation area of one of the three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 424 cases (39.3%), comprising 6 subtypes; Type II — pigmentation macules involving the innervation area of two branches of the three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 221 cases (20.48%), comprising 4 subtypes; Type III — pigmentation macules involving the innervation area of all three trigeminal nerve branches, of which there were 361 cases (33.45%), comprising 2 subtypes; Type IV — bilateral type, in which the pigmentation macules involves the bilateral cheek, of which there were 63 cases (5.84%), comprising 2 subtypes; and Type V — complications occurred in the patient, of which there were 10 cases (0.93%).

Conclusion

The new classification of nevus of Ota is based on the innervation area of the trigeminal nerve branches, and it covers all types of Tanino's classifications; on that basis, some new types and subtypes are brought in and cover almost every clinical condition.
Prevention of catheter-related Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection by levofloxacin-impregnated catheters in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yan Ping , Liu Wei , Kong Jinliang , Wu Hong , Chen Yiqiang
Published: January 2024

Background

Implanted medical catheter-related infections are increasing, hence a need for developing catheter polymers bonded to antimicrobials. We evaluated preventive effects of levofloxacin-impregnated catheters in catheterrelated Psuedomonas aeruginosa (strain PAO1) infection.

Methods

Drug release from levofloxacin-impregnated catheters was measured in vitro. Levofloxacin-impregnated catheters and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) catheters were immersed in 5 ml 50% Luria Bertani medium containing 108 CFU/ml Pseudomonas aeruginosa then incubated for 6, 12, 24 or 48 hours at 37°C when bacteria adhering to the catheters and bacteria in the growth culture medium were determined. Impregnated and PVC catheters were singly implanted subcutaneously in mice, 50 μl (107CFU) of PAO1 was injected into catheters. After the first and fifth days challenge, bacterial counts on implanted catheters and in surrounding tissues were determined microbiologically. Bacterial colonization and biofilm formation on implanted catheters were assessed by scanning electron microscopy.

Results

Drug release from levofloxacin-impregnated catheters was rapid. Levofloxacin-impregnated catheters had significantly fewer bacteria compared to PVC in vitro. After first and fifth day of challenge, no or significantly fewer bacteria adhered to impregnated catheters or in surrounding tissues compared to PVC. Scanning electron microscopical images after first day displayed from none to significantly fewer bacteria adhering to impregnated implanted catheters, compared to bacteria and microcolonies adhering to PVC catheters. After the fifth day, no bacteria were found on impregnated catheters, compared to clusters surrounding mucus-like substance and coral-shaped biofilms with polymorphonuclear leukocyte on PVC catheters. After the first day of challenge, secretion occurred in all implanted catheters with surrounding tissues mildly hyperaemic and swollen. After the fifth day, minute secretions inside impregnated catheters and no inflammation in tissues, whereas purulent secretion inside PVC catheters and abscesses in surrounding tissues.

Conclusion

Levofloxacin-impregnated catheter is a promising new strategy for prevention of catheter-related Psuedomonas aeruginosa infection.
Effect of interleukin-33 on Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio in peripheral lymphocytes in asthmatic mice
Authors: Xinliang He , Wei Wu , Yan Lu , Yali Guo , Chaoliang Hu , Yuyun Huang , Yuzu Xu , Jungang Xie , Jianping Zhao
Published: January 2024

Background

Allergic asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease partly characterised by high concentration of T help 2 (Th2) cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). There is no report on the relation of peripherally circulating blood lymphocytes and asthma. We explored the balance of Th2/Th1 cytokines in asthmatic mice. Exogenous recombinant interleukin (IL) 33 acted on murine peripheral circulating blood lymphocytes, IL-5 cytokine was selected for assessing Th2 cytokines and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) for Th1 cytokines.

Methods

Female specific pathogen free BABL/c mice were sensitised by intraperitoneal injection of 20 μg of ovalbumin emulsified in 1 mg of aluminium hydroxide gel in a total volume of 200 μl, and challenged for 30 minutes in 7 consecutive days with an aerosol of 2 g ovalbumin in 100 ml of PBS. Then we collected BALF and isolated lymphocytes from the peripheral blood. The lymphocytes were divided into two groups: asthmatic group and normal group. Th1/Th2 cytokines was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.

Results

In the asthma group, we found numerous eosinophils and lymphocytes on the glass slides. We then confirmed that the optimal concentration of IL-33 was 10 ng/ml and time of IL-33 stimulating lymphocytes was 24 hours. In the asthma group, the production of IL-5 was significantly increased over normal group after stimulation with IL-33 (P <0.05) and the production of IFNγ was supressed from IL-33 stimulated lymphocytes (P <0.05).

Conclusion

IL-33 acts on lymphocytes of peripheral blood increasing secretion of Th2 cytokines and inhibiting secretion of Th1 cytokines.
Effect of surfactant protein A on lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α expression in human proximal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Liu Jiao , Liu Zhiyong , Feng Lizhi , Ding Guohua , Chen Dechang , Zhou Qingshan
Published: January 2024

Background

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) contributes to the regulation of sepsis-induced acute lung injury. In a previous study, we demonstrated the expression and localization of SP-A in the kidneys. The present study evaluated the effect of SP-A on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression and its underlying mechanisms in the human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells.

Methods

Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect SP-A distribution and expression in HK-2 cells. HK-2 cells were treated with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mg/L) for 8 hours and with 5 mg/L LPS for different times (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours) to determine the effects of LPS on SP-A and TNF-α expression. Then, HK-2 cells were transfected with SP-A siRNA to analyze nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) P65 and TNF-α expression of HK-2 cells after LPS-treatment.

Results

Indirect immunofluorescence assay revealed that SP-A is localized to the membrane and cytoplasm of HK-2 cells. Interestingly, SP-A1/SP-A2 and TNF-α expression were found to be significantly increased in HK-2 cells upon LPS treatment. Transfection of LPS-treated HK-2 cells with SP-A siRNA resulted in significant increases in the levels of NF-κB P65 protein and TNF-α mRNA and protein compared to those in non-transfected LPS-treated HK-2 cells.

Conclusion

SP-A plays an important role in protecting cells against sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting NF-κB activity to modulate LPS-induced increase in TNF-α expression.
Effects of plasma ghrelin, obestatin, and ghrelin/obestatin ratio on blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Liu Weiying , Yue Hongmei , Zhang Jiabin , Pu Jiayuan , Yu Qin
Published: January 2024

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is strongly associated with obesity and with cardiovascular disease. Ghrelin and obestatin are two peptides from the same source but have opposite roles. Both of them can affect feeding and regulate vascular tune. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma ghrelin, obestatin, the ratio of ghrelin and obestatin (G/O) and sleep parameters and blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with OSAS.

Methods

This study enrolled 95 newly diagnosed over-weight OSAS patients (OSAS group), 30 body mass index (BMI)-match non-OSAS adults (over-weight group) and 30 non-OSAS normal weight adults (control group). Polysomnography (PSG) was performed in the OSAS group and over-weight group. Blood pressure of all subjects was monitored by means of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The concentration of plasma ghrelin and obestatin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Plasma ghrelin levels in the OSAS group and over-weight group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). Plasma obestatin levels were lower in the over-weight group and OSAS group, but there was no significant difference among the three groups. The blood pressure in OSAS patients was higher, and there was a significant difference in all blood pressure parameters compared to the control group, and in the daytime average diastolic blood pressure (DBP), nocturnal average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP, DBP variability values as compared to over-weight subjects. Furthermore, there were significantly more non-dipper patterns of blood pressure (including hypertension and normotension) in the OSAS group than in the other two groups (P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that ghrelin levels had a significant correlation with BMI and nocturnal average DBP but not with PSG parameters. In contrast, the G/O ratio had a negative correlation with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (P<0.05), as well as a strong positive correlation with the blood pressure variability values (P <0.01). In multivariate analyses, AHI (P <0.05) and G/O (P< 0.05) were independently related to SBP variability changes, while AHI (P <0.05), G/O (P <0.01) and BMI (P <0.05) were independently related to DBP variability changes.

Conclusions

Our data show plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were related to obesity in OSAS. Sleep apnea in OSAS patients could have led to an imbalance in G/O in the basis of obesity. Moreover, the imbalance may promote nighttime blood pressure elevation and affect blood pressure circadian disorder.