bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between the level of serum soluble ST2 and invasively measured aortic pulse pressure in patients undergoing coronary angiography
Authors: Kim Hack-Lyoung , Lee Jung Pyo , Lim Woo-Hyun , Seo Jae-Bin , Zo Joo-Hee , Kim Myung-A , Kim Sang-Hyun 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Despite the well-documented value of ST2 in heart failure and myocardial infarction, the role of ST2 in vascular biology has not yet been well defined. This study was performed to investigate the association between serum soluble ST2 (sST2) and invasively measured aortic pulse pressure (APP). A total of 167 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (65.1 ± 9.8 years; men, 65.9%) referred for invasive coronary angiography was prospectively enrolled. APP was measured at the ascending aorta with a pig-tail catheter, and arterial blood samples for the measurement of sST2 were collected before coronary angiography. Serum sST2 levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay. Most of the patients (73.9%) had significant CAD (stenosis ≥ 50%) on coronary angiography. Patients with higher APP (≥76 mmHg) showed a significantly higher sST2 level compared to those with lower APP (<76 mmHg) (31.7 ± 13.9 ng/mL vs 26.2 ± 10.2 ng/mL, P < .001). In simple correlation analysis, there was a significant positive correlation between sST2 levels and APP (r = 0.413, P < .001). In multiple linear regression analysis, sST2 had an independent association with APP even after controlling for potential confounders (β = 0.331, P < .001). The serum sST2 level may be independently associated with invasively measured APP in patients undergoing coronary angiography. The result of this study gives insight into the role of sST2 in aortic stiffening, and suggests that the sST2 level may be a useful marker of aortic stiffness.
Endoscopic versus surgical treatment for pancreatic pseudocysts
Authors: Farias Galileu F.A. , Bernardo Wanderley M. , De Moura Diogo T.H. , Guedes Hugo G. , Brunaldi Vitor O. , Visconti Thiago A. de C. , Gonçalves Caio V.T. , Sakai Christiano M. , Matuguma Sergio E. , Santos Marcos E.L. dos , Sakai Paulo , De Moura Eduardo G.H. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Objective:
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare surgical and endoscopic treatment for pancreatic pseudocyst (PP).

Methods:
The researchers did a search in Medline, EMBASE, Scielo/Lilacs, and Cochrane electronic databases for studies comparing surgical and endoscopic drainage of PP s in adult patients. Then, the extracted data were used to perform a meta-analysis. The outcomes were therapeutic success, drainage-related adverse events, general adverse events, recurrence rate, cost, and time of hospitalization.

Results:
There was no significant difference between treatment success rate (risk difference [RD] −0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.20,0.01]; P = .07), drainage-related adverse events (RD −0.02; 95% CI [−0.04,0.08]; P = .48), general adverse events (RD −0.05; 95% CI [−0.12, 0.02]; P = .13) and recurrence (RD: 0.02; 95% CI [−0.04,0.07]; P = .58) between surgical and endoscopic treatment.
Regarding time of hospitalization, the endoscopic group had better results (RD: −4.23; 95% CI [−5.18, −3.29]; P < .00001). When it comes to treatment cost, the endoscopic arm also had better outcomes (RD: −4.68; 95% CI [−5.43,−3.94]; P < .00001).

Conclusion:
There is no significant difference between surgical and endoscopic treatment success rates, adverse events and recurrence for PP. However, time of hospitalization and treatment costs were lower in the endoscopic group.
Unilateral versus bilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in elderly patients
Authors: Chen Ying-Chun , Zhang Lin , Li Er-Nan , Ding Li-Xiang , Zhang Gen-Ai , Hou Yu , Yuan Wei 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Objective:
To contrast the effects and complications in unilateral and bilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in elderly patients.

Methods:
Multiple databases were adopted to search relevant studies, and the articles eventually satisfied the criteria were included. All the meta-analyses were conducted with the Review Manager 5.2. To estimate the quality of each article, risk of bias table was performed.

Results:
Finally, 627 patients were enrolled in 9 studies and ultimately met the eligibility criteria. The unilateral and bilateral surgical samples were 314 and 313, respectively. The meta-analysis showed no significant difference in Visual Analog Scale/Score (VAS) (MD = −0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−0.24, 0.13], P = .57), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score (MD = 0.03, 95% CI [−0.57, 0.62], P = .93) and cement leakage (OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.67, 1.50], P = 1.00) between unilateral group and bilateral group. The surgery time of unilateral PVP is much less than that of bilateral PVP (MD = −8.42, 95% CI [−13.17, −3.66], P = .0005). Patients with bilateral PVP surgery have been injected more cement than patients with a unilateral surgery (MD = −2.56, 95% CI [−2.79, −2.33], P <.00001).

Conclusion
This study demonstrated unipedicular approach is the preferred surgical technique for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) compared with bilateral PVP since unipedicular approach injects less cement and cost less surgery time.
Partial thickness cornea tissue from small incision lenticule extraction
Authors: Wang Yuhong , Li Xiaofeng , Huang Weiyi , Liu Jinkun , Xu Yazhang , Chen Meizhu , Wang Qian 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Objective:
The aim of the present study was to observe the feasibility and effect of cornea slice acquired from femtosecond laser surgery, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) as patch graft for the prevention of drainage tube exposure and to compare with the sclera.

Methods:
The research is a prospective comparative randomized study. Patients who received Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation surgery from August 2015 to January 2017 at the Xiamen Eye Center were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A (corneal group) included 131 cases (135 eyes), receiving the 3 layers of allogeneic cornea slices as graft. Group B (scleral group) included 124 cases (127 eyes), using the sclera as allograft. The appearance, graft, conjunctiva melting, and tube exposure were the primary observation points.

Results:
After followed up for 6 to 20 months, a thinner appearance was seen in 3 eyes (2.2%) in the corneal graft group and 7 eyes (5.5%) in the scleral group. Conjunctiva melted and drainage tube exposed in 0 eyes (0%) in the corneal graft group and 2 eyes (1.6%) in the scleral group. One eye needed repair surgery. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups (P > .05). After surgery, the intraocular pressure was reduced significantly in both groups (P < .05). The white sclera slice could be seen under the conjunctiva, thereby affecting the cosmetic appearance.

Conclusion:
The cornea slice acquired from SMILE surgery can effectively prevent drainage tube exposure. Moreover, it is easy to acquire, safe, and cheaper, giving the patient a better cosmetic appearance.
Top 100 cited articles on rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yin Xiangjun , Cheng Fafeng , Wang Xueqian , Mu Jie , Ma Chongyang , Zhai Changming , Wang Qingguo 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a worldwide health issue; although the prospects for most patients are favorable, many still do not respond to the current therapies. Numerous articles related to RA have been published in the past 3 decades; an analysis of the most cited articles in this field was undertaken to identify important articles regarding RA related to pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.

Methods:
We searched the Web of Science and collected the general information of the top 100 cited articles. The citation number, publication year, authorship, impact factor (IF) of the journal in the publication year, country origins, article types, and funding source were evaluated.

Results:
The total citations of the top 100 articles varied from 11,922 to 556 and were published between 1985 and 2014. These articles were published in 24 journals, led by Arthritis and Rheumatism (n = 33), followed by the New England Journal of Medicine (n = 15). Most of the articles (n = 80) were produced by ≥5 authors. They were from 34 countries, and the United Stated contributed to most of the articles (n = 58), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 42). The article types were divided into clinical study (n = 55), review (n = 17), meta-analysis (n = 4), clinical guideline (n = 10), and basic science (n = 14). Eighty-seven percent of the articles were supported either by public organizations or medical companies.

Conclusion:
This study provided insights into the development of publications and their citations of RA in the past 3 decades. Clinical studies or clinical guidelines published in high-impact journals were more likely to be cited in the field of RA. The latest publications may not be included in the top 100 cited articles, as the more recent studies have not had sufficient time to accumulate the number of citations.
Case report of a child bearing a novel deleterious splicing variant in PIGT
Authors: Mason Samantha , Castilla-Vallmanya Laura , James Con , Andrews P. Ian , Balcells Susana , Grinberg Daniel , Kirk Edwin P. , Urreizti Roser 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Trio family-based whole exome sequencing (WES) is a powerful tool in the diagnosis of rare neurodevelopmental diseases, even in patients with the unclear diagnosis. There have been previous reports of variants in the phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis class T (PIGT) gene associated with multiple congenital anomalies, with a total of 14 affected individuals across 8 families.

Patient concerns:
An 18-month-old boy of Greek ancestry presented with global developmental delay, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, hypotonia, renal cysts, esotropia, bilateral undescended testes, bilateral vesicoureteric reflux, marked cardiac dextroposition, bilateral talipes equinovarus, and dysmorphic features.

Diagnosis:
WES revealed 2 compound heterozygous variants in the PIGT gene, c.[494-2A>G]; [547A>C]/p.[Asp122Glyfs∗35]; [Thr183Pro]. The splicing mutation was demonstrated to lead to the skipping of exon 4.

Interventions:
Seizures, infections, and other main symptoms were treated.

Outcomes:
The patient died at 2 years of age before the molecular diagnosis was achieved. Genetic counseling has been offered to the family.

Lessons:
Most of the clinical features of the patient are in agreement with the previously described PIGT cases corroborating the usefulness of WES as a diagnostic tool.
Anesthetic management in a spinal cord-injured parturient woman with a left hip resection and secondary scoliosis
Authors: Liu Hui , Lin Xuemei , Diao Min , Ma Yushan 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Pregnancy after spinal cord injury, hip resection, leg amputation, and scoliosis is an uncommon event. Given the specific pathophysiological changes in this patient, an aesthetic management presented a particular challenge. The effects on the physiological changes associated with pregnancy, aesthetic methods, blood loss, autotransfusion from uterine contractions and thrombotic risk had to be considered.

Patient concerns:
A 25-year-old female earthquake survivor was admitted at 36.4 weeks of pregnancy for preterm labor. She had suffered from a spinal cord injury and complex trauma and had subsequently undergone left hip resection, bilateral amputations, and multiple surgical procedures during the previous 6 years. Additionally, she had developed severe scoliosis due to her weight-bearing posture.

Diagnoses:
High amputation after earthquake injury; Scoliosis; Vulvar reconstruction; Intrauterine pregnancy (35.6 weeks) with a single live fetus with possible premature delivery.

Interventions:
We administered general anesthesia during a cesarean section for the parturient woman. Both the central venous pressure and pleth variability index were used to continuously evaluate intraoperative fluid management and blood loss.

Outcomes:
Delivery and patient recovery were uneventful.

Lessons:
Anesthetic management of a pregnant woman with a spinal injury, scoliosis, left total leg and right below-knee amputations, and left hip resection requires considerable attention. Advances in medical technology have provided clinicians with insights into managing patients with this condition.
Risk factors of thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc score
Authors: Yan Shuangbing , Li Qing , Xia Zhen , Yan Sujuan , Wei Yichun , Hong Kui , Wu Yanqing , Li Juxiang , Cheng Xiaoshu 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The risk of thromboembolism in patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 to 1 was low, and the anticoagulant therapy was not recommended. Although the CHA2DS2-VASc score was low, there were still many patients suffered from thrombotic events and stroke. We aim to investigate the risk factors of thrombotic events in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc score.
We retrospectively enrolled 595 consecutive NVAF patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc score (male: CHA2DS2-VASc = 0, female: CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). The general clinical data, blood biochemical data, and echocardiography results of the 595 patients were collected. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate risk factors of thrombosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify the optimal cut-off value of the independent risk factors. A P value of <.05 (2-sided) was considered to be statistically significant.
In multivariate analysis, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) plasma level and left atrium diameter (LAD) were positively related to thromboembolism in NVAF patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 to 1 after adjustment for age, gender, and other variables (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.03; OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06–1.18). Lp(a) exerted a significant predictive value with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.55–0.68, P < .01). The optimal cut-off value for Lp(a) predicting thrombotic events was 27.2 mg/dL (sensitivity 45.7%, specificity 73.4%). LAD showed a significant predictive value with AUC of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.64–0.78, P < .01). The optimal cut-off point for LAD predicting thrombotic events was 43.5 mm (sensitivity 47.1%, specificity 85.8%).
High Lp(a) plasma level and left atrial dilatation might be independent risk factors of thrombotic events for NVAF patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc score.
Prognostic significance of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in patients with gallbladder carcinoma
Authors: Liu Fei , Hu Hai-Jie , Ma Wen-Jie , Yang Qin , Wang Jun-Ke , Li Fu-Yu 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an immune response-related indicator and it is associated with poor prognosis of various cancers. The carbohydrate antigen19-9 (CA19-9) is a tumor-associated antigen and it has prognostic relevance in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). We aimed to analyze whether preoperative NLR and serum CA19-9 were associated with outcomes of GBC patients after surgery with curative intent.
Between January 2010 and May 2015, 90 resectable GBC patients who underwent curative surgery in our institution were included. All final diagnoses were confirmed by pathologic examination. The demographics, clinical, and histopathology data were analyzed. The Cox regression proportional hazard model and Kaplan–Meier method were used to assess prognostic factors.
The cutoff values of 4.33 and 250.90 U/mL were defined as high NLR and high CA19-9, respectively. The univariate analyses showed that TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, the degree of tumor differentiation, margin status, combined hepatectomy, CA19-9, NLR, and PNI were all associated with overall survival (P < .05). According to the multivariable analysis, NLR (hazard ratio (HR) 3.840, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.122–6.947, P < .001), CA19-9 (HR 2.230, 95% CI: 1.297–3.835, P = .004), TNM stage (HR 3.864, 95% CI: 1.819–8.207, P < .001), lymph node metastasis (HR 1.679, 95% CI: 1.005–2.805, P = .048), and margin status (HR 1.873, 95% CI: 1.063–3.300, P = .030) were independent prognostic factors. The median survival time in low NLR and CA19-9 group was better than high NLR and CA19-9 group (P < .05).
The preoperative NLR and serum CA19-9 are associated with prognosis of patients with GBC. High NLR and high CA19-9 were predictors of poor long-term outcome among patients with GBC undergoing curative surgery.
Effectiveness of an orally administered steroid gel at preventing restenosis after endoscopic balloon dilation of benign esophageal stricture
Authors: Yan Xiue , Nie Dan , Zhang Yaopeng , Chang Hong , Huang Yonghui 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Restenosis occurs in 10% to 30% of patients after endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) of benign esophageal stricture. This study aimed to investigate whether an orally administered steroid/gel mixture would inhibit restenosis after EBD for benign esophageal stricture.

Methods:
This retrospective analysis included patients with benign esophageal stricture treated with EBD at the Peking University Third Hospital, China (September 2005 to October 2017). The patients were divided into an EBD alone group (EBD only) and EBD/OHA group (EBD plus oral hydrocortisone sodium succinate/aluminum phosphate gel mixture). Patients were followed-up for 3 months. EBD was repeated for persistent dysphagia. The outcome measures included the restenosis rate and the number of additional EBD sessions required during follow-up. Any side effects were noted.

Results:
Thirty-two patients were included (EBD alone group, n = 12; EBD/OHA group, n = 20). Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics (including age, sex, etiology, stricture location, and diameter of narrowest segment) did not differ between groups. Restenosis rate was significantly lower in the EBD/OHA group than in the EBD alone group (5/20, 25.0% vs 8/12, 66.7%; P = .025). The median number of EBD sessions required was numerically lower in the EBD/OHA group (median, 1.0; interquartile range, 1.0–1.8) than in the EBD alone group (median 2.0, interquartile ranged 1.0–2.5), but statistical significance was not attained (P = .071). The only side effects occurred in the EBD/OHA group: hypokalemia in 4/20 (20.0%) and apathy/somnolence in 1/20 (5.0%).

Conclusions:
An orally administered steroid/gel mixture might reduce the incidence of restenosis after EBD for benign esophageal stricture, but it requires confirmation by prospective trials.
Prognostic miRNA classifiers in t cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Sabarimurugan Shanthi , Madurantakam Royam Madhav , Kumarasamy Chellan , Kodiveri Muthukaliannan Gothandam , Samiappan Suja , Jayaraj Rama 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
The prognostic value of microRNA (miRNA) expression in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) has generated significant research interest in recent years. However, most diagnostic and prognostic studies with regards to miRNA expression have been focused on combined B cell and T cell lymphoblastic leukemia. There are very few studies reporting the prognostic effects of miRNA expression on T-ALL. Therefore, a pioneer systematic review and meta-analysis was proposed to explore the possibilities of miRNAs as viable prognostic markers in T-ALL. This study is intended to be useful as a guideline for future research into drug evaluation and targeting miRNA as a biomarker for the treatment and prognosis of T-ALL.

Methods:
The systematic review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The study search will be conducted by using Cochrane, EMBASE, Medline, Science Direct, and SCOPUS bibliographic databases. The reference lists of included studies will be manually searched to further bolster the search results. A combination of keywords will be used to search the databases.

Discussion:
To explore the effect of miRNA on prognosis, forest plots will be generated to assess pooled HR and 95% CI. Upregulation, downregulation, and deregulation of specific miRNAs will be individually noted and used to extrapolate patient prognosis when associated with risk factors involved in T-ALL. Subgroup analysis will be carried out to analyze the effect of deregulation of miRNA expression on patient prognosis. A fixed or random-effects model of meta-analysis will be used depending upon between-study heterogeneity. This systematic review and meta-analysis will identify and synthesize evidence to determine the prognosis of miRNA in T-ALL and suggest the possible miRNA from meta-analysis results to predict as a biomarker for further detection and treatment of T-ALL.
Sarcomatous carcinoma in biliary system
Authors: Zhang Ning , Li Yatong , Zhao Mengyun , Chang Xiaoyan , Qu Qiang , He Xiaodong 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Sarcomatous carcinoma in biliary system, including sarcomatous intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (SIC) and sarcomatous choledochal carcinoma (SCC), is extremely rare and malignant.
This retrospective study included 5 patients with SIC and 4 patients with SCC. Their basic characteristics, preoperative lab tests, preoperative imaging features, perioperative status, and follow-up information have been collected and analyzed.
Lesions at different locations induced various preoperative symptoms. The history of choledocholithiasis or hepatolithiasis was remarkable in patients with SIC. Cancer antigen 19-9 appeared to be a key factor for both SIC and SCC. However, preoperative lab tests or imaging features could not distinguish SIC from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, or SCC from choledochal carcinoma. Surgical treatments for all 9 patients were successful. Efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy was not ideal. The prognosis of sarcomatous biliary carcinoma was enormously poor.
Sarcomatous carcinoma in biliary system is extremely rare and malignant. Chronic inflammation could be critical in the currently unknown occurrence mechanism. Further research is urgently needed to improve the prognosis.
Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is a risk factor for poor prognosis in ovarian cancer
Authors: Feng Li-yuan , Chen Chang-xian , Li Li 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Objective:
DNA methylation is the earliest and most studied epigenetic modification in cancer. The literature reported that the abnormal methylation level of multiple genes was associated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer. However, due to a small sample size, the results reported in the literature vary widely. In this study, the correlation between aberrant methylation level of genes and poor prognosis of ovarian cancer was reviewed in order to clarify the role of DNA methylation in the prognosis of ovarian cancer.

Methods:
A systematic research of PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang databases, and EMBASE was performed, and calculated the hazard ratio (HR) of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and its 95% confidence interval.

Results:
HR of the OS obtained of target genes was 2.32 (95% CI: 1.54–3.48, P = .000); HR of the PFS obtained of target genes was 1.318 (95% CI: 0.848–2.050, P = .220). HR of OS achieved by tumor suppressor genes was 3.09 (95% CI 1.80 − 5.30, P = .000).

Conclusion:
Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes indicate poor prognosis of ovarian cancer.