bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prednisone is not beneficial for the treatment of severe drug-induced liver injury
Authors: Wan Yue-Meng , Wu Jie-Fang , Li Yu-Hua , Wu Hua-Mei , Wu Xi-Nan , Xu Ying 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
There is limited information about the effects of corticosteroids on severe drug-induced liver injury (DILI). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of prednisone in severe DILI.
Ninety patients with severe DILI were enrolled and studied retrospectively. They were divided into prednisone (n = 66) and control groups (n = 24), undergoing the same treatment regimen except that patients in the prednisone group received a median daily dose of 40 mg prednisone. The primary endpoint was severity reduction (serum total bilirubin [TBIL] <86 μmol/L).
During the study, the cumulative rates of severity reduction at 4-, 8-, and 12 days were comparable between the 2 groups (prednisone versus control: 7.6%, 33.3%, and 60.6% versus 12.5%, 37.5%, and 66.7%, P = .331), and were markedly lower in the high-dose group than in the low-dose group (0%, 28.6%, and 35.7% versus 9.6%, 34.6%, and 67.3%, P = .012) or in the control group (0%, 28.6%, and 35.7% versus 12.5%, 37.5%, and 66.7%, P = .023). The 30-day overall survival rate in the prednisone group was significantly higher than in the control group (100% versus 91.7%, P = .018). Serum bilirubin and transaminase values gradually decreased in both groups, which were not significantly different mostly. Cox-regression models revealed that baseline TBIL (hazard ratio: 0.235; 95% confidence interval: 0.084–0.665; P = .006) was the only predictor for severity reduction. No severe adverse event was noted in both groups.
Prednisone therapy is safe but not beneficial, and even detrimental at a daily dose > 40 mg for the treatment of severe DILI.
Contribution of the polymorphism rs1800469 of transforming growth factor β in the development of myocardial infarction: meta-analysis of 5460 cases and 8413 controls (MOOSE-compliant article)
Authors: Du Ling , Gong Tao , Yao Minghui , Dai Henghua , Ren Hong Gang , Wang Haitao 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Studies investigating the association between transforming growth factor (TGF-β-509C/T, rs1800469) promoter polymorphism and myocardial infarction (MI) risk reported inconsistent results. The aim of our study was to assess the association between the 509C/T polymorphism of the TGF-β gene (rs1800469) and MI risk.
A total of 5460 cases and 8413 controls in 7 case–control studies were incorporated in our current meta-analysis. The original studies were selected through searching the databases of the PubMed and EMBASE. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of TGF-β 509C/T (rs1800469) for MI risk were applied to estimate the strength of the association.
Our results showed that T allele carriers had a 13% increased risk of MI, when compared with the C allele carriers (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.00–1.27). In the subset analysis by the type of MI, significantly elevated risk of MI was associated with the homozygote TT and heterozygote C/T in no-AMI subjects, when compared with the CC homozygote carriers (OR = 1.12, 95% CI:1.02–1.23).
Our meta-analysis shows that the polymorphism with homozygote TT and heterozygote C/T of TGF-β 509C/T (rs1800469) is significantly associated with the increased risk of MI.
Clinical risk factors for new-onset atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: He Jing , Yang Yi , Zhang Gui , Lu Xiu-Hong 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) remains common arrhythmia in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and is closely associated with increased subsequent cardiovascular mortality. Our meta-analysis aims to summarize more clinical risk factors for NOAF.
Comprehensive systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were carried out to find relevant studies inception to December 2017. Pooled mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to evaluate the value of clinical risk factors in the prediction of NOAF after AMI.
Eleven studies containing 9570 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, older age and increased heart rate (HR) levels had a significant positive association with NOAF in patients with AMI. The MD in age between the patients with, and those without NOAF, was 8.22 units (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.44–9.01), test for overall effect z score = 20.51 (P < .00001, I
2 = 0%). Moreover, the MD in a subgroup analysis for HR levels between the patients with, and those without NOAF was 4.34 units (95% Cl: 2.56–6.11), test for overall effect z score = 4.78 (P < .00001, I
2 = 31%).
In patient with AMI, our meta-analysis demonstrated that older age and increased HR levels on admission are related to greater risk of NOAF.
Tumor necrosis factor-α-308 polymorphism is not associated with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Yuan Ye , Piao Jinhua , Lu Na 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Background:
Genetic factors in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD) have received a lot of attention during the past decade. Some studies have reported that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-308 polymorphism has been associated with KD. However, there have been inconsonant results among different studies. To increase the power for clarifying the influence of TNF on KD, a meta-analysis of case–control studies were performed.

Methods:
The following databases were searched to identify related studies: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Search terms included “Kawasaki disease” or “KD,” “tumor necrosis factor-alpha” or “TNF-α,” and “polymorphism” or “mutation.” Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality using Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. Accounting for heterogeneity, a fixed or random effects model was respectively adopted. Heterogeneity was checked using the Q test and the I
2 statistic. A cumulative meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the tendency of pooled OR. Funnel plots and Egger tests were performed to test for possible publication bias and sensitivity analyses were done to ensure authenticity of the outcome.

Results:
Eleven separate studies were suitable for the inclusion criterion. The selected studies contained 2582 participants, including 841 in KD group and 1741controls. The pooled odds ratio of G versus A with the random effect model was 1.09 (95% CI = 0.69–1.70, P = .72) and the genotype effects for GG versus GA+AA was 1.14 (95% CI = 0.68–1.90, P = .62) in the whole population separately. Unfortunately, no significant association was detected between the TNF-α-308 polymorphism and KD risk under allele and genotype model.

Conclusion:
No association between the TNF-α-308 polymorphism and KD was found in our meta-analysis and further studies with larger sample size and more ethnicities are expected to be conducted in the future to validate the results.
Cardiovascular risk in primary aldosteronism
Authors: Wu Xueyi , Yu Jie , Tian Haoming 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate whether the increased cardiovascular risk and the incidence of cerebrovascular (CCV) events in hypertensive patients were related to primary aldosteronism (PA).

Methods:
The PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to evaluate the risk of CCV in PA patients and compared to essential hypertension (EH) patients. The mean differences (MD) and the risk ratios (RR) were calculated to assess the risk of main outcomes, such as stroke, coronary artery disease, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), blood glucose, and urinary potassium.

Results:
We identified 31 individual studies including 4546 patients in PA group and 52,284 patients in EH group. Our results revealed that PA was significantly associated with increased risk of stroke (RR=2.03, 95% CI = 1.71–2.39, P
heterogeneity = .331, I

2
= 12.7%), coronary artery disease (RR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.23–2.25, P
heterogeneity = .043, I

2
= 48.3%), and LVH (RR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.29–1.83, P
heterogeneity = .004, I

2
= 62.6%) when compared with those in the EH group. Moreover, PA group had significantly increased levels of SBP (WMD = 4.14, 95% CI = 2.60–5.68, P
heterogeneity < .001, I

2
= 84.3%), DBP (WMD = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.83–3.47, P
heterogeneity < .001, I

2
= 77.7%), and urinary potassium (SMD = 0.04, 95% CI = -0.03–0.11, P
heterogeneity = .827, I

2
= 0%) when compared to EH group. However, no significant difference was observed in the levels of blood glucose between the groups.

Conclusions:
These findings suggested that PA significantly increased the risk of cardiac and cerebrovascular complications. In addition, patients with PA might benefit from a periodic assessment of CCV risk.
The usefulness of ultrasonography to diagnose the early stage of carpal tunnel syndrome in proximal to the carpal tunnel inlet
Authors: Bang Myeonghwan , Kim Jong Moon , Kim Hyoung Seop 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the change of median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) and the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) determined by electrodiagnostic study based on the area immediately proximal to the carpal tunnel inlet (IPCTI).
From December 2016 to August 2017, 34 patients (8 men and 26 women; mean age, 61.68 years ± 11.83; range, 28–80 years) with CTS symptoms were recruited. Electrodiagnostic study was performed in all patients to categorize the severity of CTS according to Bland classification. The CSA of median nerve and carpal tunnel at IPCTI, and carpal tunnel inlet/outlet level was measured by one physician. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparing the CSA of the median nerve and carpal tunnel among CTS severity groups divided by electrodiagnostic study. The Dunn procedure was used for post-hoc comparison.
At IPCTI and the carpal tunnel inlet level, the CSA of the median nerve was statistically larger depending on the severity of CTS (P < .01, P < .01). In the post-hoc comparison, only the CSA measured at the IPCTI level could differentiate normal reference values from mild CTS indicating the early stage (P < .05).
Measuring the CSA of median nerve in IPCTI level is the most sensitive method to diagnose the early stage CTS.
Relationship between objectively measured lifestyle factors and health factors in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Jeong Ji-Na , Kim Si-Hyun , Park Kyue-Nam 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between objectively-measured lifestyle factors and health factors in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
In this cross-sectional study, 52 patients with knee OA were examined. Lifestyle factors were measured using a wearable smartwatch (step counts, walking distance, calorie consumption, sleep hours) and by self-report (eating speed). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, muscle strength of knee extensor and hip abductor, knee pain, symptoms, daily living function, sports recreation function, quality of life by knee injury and OA outcome score (KOOS) were measured to obtain data on health factors. Correlations and regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between lifestyle factors and health factors.
KOOS subscales (pain, symptom, daily living function) and hip abductor strength were positively correlated with daily step count, which was the only independently contributing lifestyle factor. Additionally, knee pain duration and diastolic blood pressure were negatively correlated with daily step count. BMI and waist circumference showed no correlation with physical activity data, but were negatively correlated with sleep duration and eating speed.
The findings of this study contribute to expanding the knowledge on how lifestyle habits of older patients with knee OA contribute to their health status. Daily step counts were associated with knee OA-related pain, symptom, function in daily living, duration of knee pain, blood pressure, and strength of hip abductor. BMI and waist circumference were associated with sleep duration and eating speed.
A retrospective analysis of treatment outcomes of drug-susceptible TB in Kazakhstan, 2013–2016
Authors: Sadykova Laura , Abramavičius Silvijus , Maimakov Talgat , Berikova Elmira , Kurakbayev Kural , Carr Nathan T. , Padaiga Žilvinas , Naudžiūnas Albinas , Stankevičius Edgaras 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Kazakhstan has a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). The patient-centered National Program for the treatment and prevention of TB has been implemented in Kazakhstan. The program is aimed at meeting the needs of patients and expansion of the outpatient treatment of TB in the country.
The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of the outpatient and inpatient treatment of drug-susceptible TB.
This study was a retrospective cohort study.
A total of 36.926 TB cases were included. The majority of patients were treated as inpatients. The socioeconomic factors, sex, age, HIV status, and other diagnostic factors (e.g., sputum smear results, extrapulmonary disease) may serve as risk factors to estimate the likely TB treatment outcome. The outpatient treatment of drug-susceptible TB seems to be a comparable option to the inpatient treatment in terms of efficacy.
The socioeconomic factors are the main modifiable risk factors for treatment failure. The outpatient treatment of drug-susceptible TB is safe and effective.
Circular RNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Crohn disease patients
Authors: Yin Juan , Hu Tong , Xu Lijuan , Li Ping , Li Meifen , Ye Yulan , Pang Zhi 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Crohn disease (CD) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease which is characterized by chronic and recurrent gastrointestinal tract inflammatory disorder. However, the molecular mechanisms of CD remain unclear. Increasing evidences have demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the pathogenesis of a variety of disease and were considered as ideal biomarkers in human disease. This study aimed to investigate circRNA expression profiles and detect new biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Differentially expression of circRNAs between CD and HCs (health controls) were screened by microarray analysis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 5 CD patients and 5 HCs were included in the microarray analysis. Then, the differences were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) following reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the patients of CD and sex- and age-matched HCs. The most differential expressed circRNA was further validated in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Statistical significance between CD, UC, and HCs was analyzed by Student t test for unpaired samples or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Diagnostic value of each circRNA was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We identified 155 up-regulated circRNAs and 229 down-regulated ones by microarray analysis in PBMCs from CD patients compared with HCs. Besides, 4 circRNAs (092520, 102610, 004662, and 103124) were significantly up-regulated validated by RT-PCR and qPCR between CD and HCs. ROC curve analysis suggested important values of circRNAs (092520, 102610, 004662, and 103124) in CD diagnosis, with area under the curve (AUC) as 0.66, 0.78, 0.85, and 0.74, respectively. Then, we further identified that the relative expression levels of circRNA_004662 was upregulated significantly in CD patients compared with UC patients. Herein, the upregulation of the 4 circRNAs (092520, 102610, 004662, or 103124) in PBMCs can be served as potential diagnostic biomarkers of CD, and circRNA_004662 might be a novel candidate for differentiating CD from UC. Moreover, a circRNA–microRNA-mRNA network predicted that circRNA_004662 appeared to be correlated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.
Can heme oxygenase-1 be a prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma?
Authors: Park Cheon-Soo , Eom Dae-Woon , Ahn Yongchel , Jang Hyuk Jai , Hwang Shin , Lee Sung-Gyu 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an important catalytic enzyme in heme degradation, which increases during stressful conditions. It plays a major role in antioxidative and antiapoptotic processes and is associated with tumor growth and metastasis.
This study aimed to evaluate the degree of HO-1 expressions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surgical specimens and the correlation between HO-1 expression and patient prognosis. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded HCC tissue samples (n = 96) were included in the analysis, and the expression of HO-1 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. We reviewed clinical features of patients and evaluated the prognostic role of HO-1 in patient survival and recurrence.
Positive HO-1 expression was identified in 43 cases (44.8%) and was frequently found in patients with advanced histology (Edmondson–Steiner [E-S] grade 2, 3, 4), α-fetoprotein (AFP) level of more than 200 IU/mL, and the presence of microvascular and capsular invasion (P < .05). In the univariate analysis, the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with HO-1-positive HCC were not statistically different from those with HO-1-negative HCC. Moreover, HO-1 expression was not associated with patient survival and recurrence based on the multivariate analysis. In the subgroup analysis of patients without preoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) (n = 61), HO-1 was not also associated with tumor recurrence (P = .681).
The clinical implication of HO-1 activity is controversial in various malignancies. However, HO-1 expression did not seem to influence the prognosis of HCC patients.
Effects of brain activity, morning salivary cortisol, and emotion regulation on cognitive impairment in elderly people
Authors: Sroykham Watchara , Wongsawat Yodchanan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjective:Cognitive impairment subjects exhibit high cortisol levels that are associated with low brain activity, but negative emotions with high cortisol are associated with high brain activity and reduced cognition. Emotion regulation, glucocorticoid hormones, and brain activity all interact with cognitive impairment. Therefore, we aimed to investigate cognitive impairment differences related to sex, morning salivary cortisol, emotion regulation, and brain activity in elderly people.Methods:A total of 64 participants (19 males and 45 females) were tested by the Montreal cognitive assessment. Next, morning saliva was collected from each participant and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the brain activity of the participants was subsequently recorded. Finally, emotion regulation was assessed via the Brunel mood scale questionnaire.Results:The results revealed that attention was significantly lower in elderly females than in elderly males. Depression and vigor were significantly higher in elderly females than in elderly males. Brain activity of the slow (delta and theta) and fast (beta and high beta) waves was significantly higher in elderly females than in elderly males. Moreover, attention was negatively correlated with the theta wave, whereas delayed recall was positively correlated with the theta wave and salivary cortisol. Depression was positively correlated with the high beta wave and language skill, whereas the high beta wave was negatively correlated with visuoconstructional skill.Conclusion:The brain activity, emotion, and cortisol were influenced by cognitive impairments, although the relation of brain activity with glucocorticoid hormones remains inconclusive. This finding may be useful to the brain aging process, promote healthy brain aging, and prevent neurodegenerative conditions.
HIV-related lymphomas in adults served in the public health network
Authors: da Silva Nascimento Janaíra , Sérgio Ramos de Araújo Paulo , Romão de Souza Júnior Valter , Lopes de Melo Fábio , Sá Araújo Lins Carvalho Daniel , Magalhães Vera 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have higher morbidity and mortality due to cancer, which is the third most common cause of death in this group, despite the high effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics, initial staging and outcome of HIV-related lymphoma.
We included 18 patients in the study, of whom 61.1% were male, mean age 41 years. Nine of the 18 patients (50%) had a diagnosis of HIV infection concurrent with the diagnosis of lymphoma.
The most common histological types were diffuse non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma, 8 patients (44.4%); and Burkitt lymphoma, 5 (27.8%) cases. The Cotswold revision of the Ann Arbor staging classification in 14 patients (77.7%) was between III and IV. B Symptoms were present in 11 patients (61.1%), bulky mass was observed in 11 cases (61.1%) and had extra-nodal involvement in 8 patients (44.4%).
Of the 18 cases analyzed, 8 followed on to second-line treatment, wherein the CODOX-M/IVAC scheme (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, methotrexate/ifosfamide, etoposide, and cytosine arabinoside) was used in 3 of the cases. The second most common scheme was etoposide, doxorubicin, vincristine and cyclophosphamide (EPOCH), used in 2 cases (25%), while in single cases (12.5% each) cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, and prednisone (CHOEP), ifosfamide, etoposide, and carboplatin (ICE) and dexamethasone, cisplatin, and cytarabine (DHAP) were used.
In this series, we observed very high mortality, equivalent to 44.4%, and a complete response in only 11.1%, much lower than that observed by other authors.
We found that patients diagnosed with lymphoma associated with HIV had an advanced early clinical staging, and evolved with low response rates to chemotherapy.
The influence of different blood samples treatment methods on pro-gastrin-releasing peptide
Authors: Jiang Huiqin , Luo Ling , Xiong Kang , He Chengwen , Wang Huaizhou , Qin Yanghua 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) is the promising molecular tumor marker of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Here we study the influence of different blood samples treatment methods on ProGRP.
Serum with and without separation gel and heparin plasma from 10 SCLC patients and 5 healthy individuals were assayed for ProGRP immediately and 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48 hours after collection.
ProGRP of serum with and without separation gel and heparin plasma detected immediately was basically consistent, whereas there was a significant difference in the level of them assayed after 2 hours. No significant variation with time was observed in heparin plasma, but in serum with and without separation gel, ProGRP concentrations gradually declined with time, with statistical significance. When assayed within 2 hours, each time point of ProGRP in heparin plasma had no significant difference and the difference of PrpGRP in serum separating gel existed at 1.5 hours.
Heparin plasma is the best option for clinical test of ProGRP. If serum with separation gel is used, optimization methods of turn-around-time which guarantee samples detected within 1 hour after collection can make results more instructive for clinical treatment.