bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological interventions for phantom limb pain
Authors: FANG Jun , LIAN Yan-hong , XIE Kang-jie , CAI Shu-nü 
Published: January 2024

Objective
To review the mechanisms and current clinical application of pharmacological interventions for phantom limb pain.

Data sources Both Chinese and English language literatures were searched using MEDLINE (1982-2011), Pubmed (1982-2011) and the Index of Chinese Language Literature (1982-2011).

Study selection
Data from published articles about pharmacological management of phantom limb pain in recent domestic and foreign literature were selected.

Data extraction
Data were mainly extracted from 96 articles which are listed in the reference section of this review.

Results
By reviewing the mechanisms and current clinical application of pharmacological interventions for phantom limb pain, including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, local anaesthetics, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tramadol, opioids, calcitonin, capsaicin, beta-adrenergic blockers, clonidine, muscle relaxants, and emerging drugs, we examined the efficacy and safety of these medications, outlined the limitations and future directions.

Conclusions
Although there is lack of evidence-based consensus guidelines for the pharmacological management of phantom limb pain, we recommend tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, tramadol, opioids, local anaesthetics and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists as the rational options for the treatment of phantom limb pain.
Interaction between maternal 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and methionine synthase A2756G gene variants to increase the risk of fetal neural tube defects in a Shanxi Han population
Authors: LIU Zhi-zhen , ZHANG Jun-tao , LIU Dan , HAO Yu-hui , CHANG Bing-mei , XIE Jun , LI Pei-zhen 
Published: January 2024

Background
The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase (MS) are attractive candidates for screening for risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). The aim of the current study was to investigate maternal MTHFR and MS polymorphisms and the interaction between them and their influence on children with NTDs in the Shanxi Province of northern China.

Methods
Fifty-one mothers who previously had children with NTDs constituted the case group and 51 age-matched mothers with children that were unaffected by any birth defects constituted the control group. All subjects were genotyped for MTHFR C677T and MS A2756G polymorphisms. SPSS 11.5 software package was used for all analyses.

Results
There was a significant difference for MTHFR genotype distribution for one site (C677T) between the case and control groups. The T allele frequencies were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (55.9% vs. 35.3%, P <0.05). A lack of association was observed for the MS A2756G polymorphism. There was an interaction between the maternal MTHFR C677T genotype and MS A2756G genotype.

Conclusion
Genetic interaction between MTHFR and MS genes raises the probability of neural tube defects.
Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia
Authors: TAN Song , NIU Hui-xia , ZHAO Lu , GAO Yuan , LU Jia-meng , SHI Chang-he , Avinash Chandra , WANG Rui-hao , XU Yu-ming 
Published: January 2024

Background
The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) was shown to be a reliable and valid measurement for patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). The Brazilian version and the Japanese version of SARA were favorable for good reliability and validity. This study aimed to translate SARA into Chinese and test its reliability and validity in measurement of cerebellar ataxia.

Methods
SARA was translated into Chinese. A total 39 patients with degeneration cerebellar ataxia were evaluated independently by two neurologists with the Chinese version of SARA. Then the patients were evaluated by one of above neurologists with International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0 for Windows.

Results
The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the Chinese version of SARA was 0.78, which represents a good internal consistence. The correlation coefficient of the Chinese version of SARA scores between the two evaluators was 0.86, illustrating that the inter-rater reliability of Chinese version of SARA was good. The correlation coefficient between th Chinese version of SARA and ICARS was 0.91, illustrating that the criterion validity of Chinese version of SARA was not bad.

Conclusions
The Chinese version of SARA is reliable and effective for the assessment of degeneration cerebellar ataxia. Compared with ICARS, the evaluation of Chinese version of SARA is more objective, the assessment time is shortened, and the maneuverability is better.
Comparative study of perpendicular versus parallel double plating methods for type C distal humeral fractures
Authors: LAN Xia , ZHANG Li-hai , TAO Sheng , ZHANG Qun , LIANG Xiang-dang , YUAN Bang-tuo , XU Wen-peng , YIN Peng , TANG Pei-fu 
Published: January 2024

Background
Double plate osteosynthesis is the standard treatment for intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus. However, there is still controversy concerning dual plate positions in terms of providing optimal stability. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical outcomes in patients with type C intra-articular distal humeral fractures using perpendicular and parallel plating methods.

Methods
Between March 2008 and June 2011, a total of 45 patients with type C distal humerus fractures were treated using two different dual plating methods. Of them, 24 patients were treated by perpendicular plating (group I) and 21 patients were treated by parallel plating (group II). The surgical time, blood loss, and union time were compared between the two groups. The flexion-extension arc, the total range of flexion and extension at the end of follow-up were compared between the two groups. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was used to determine the elbow functional results.

Results
All patients were followed up. The mean duration of follow-up was 16 months (range 12-25 months) in group I and 15.5 months in group II (range 12-25 months). There were no significant differences in the surgical time, blood loss, and the bone union time between the two groups. In group I, the mean elbow flexion-extension arc was 101° and the mean MEPS was 85 points. The rate of excellent and good results was 87.5%. In group II, the mean flexion-extension arc was 100° and the mean MEPS was 86.1 points. The rate of excellent and good results was 90.5%. There were no significant differences in the MEPS, flexion-extension arc, and the total range of flexion and extension between the two groups.

Conclusions
Perpendicular and parallel plate configurations with the appropriate surgical techniques can provide anatomical reconstruction and stable fixation of type C intra-articular distal humeral fractures and allow early mobilization of the elbow after an operation. The occurrence of post-operative elbow stiffness can be reduced and good outcomes can be obtained.
Intestinal microcirculatory dysfunction and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: ZHANG Hong-yi , WANG Fang , FENG Jie-xiong 
Published: January 2024

Objective
Based on the observation that coagulation necrosis occurs in the majority of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) patients, it is clear that intestinal ischemia is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of NEC. However, the published studies regarding the role of intestinal ischemia in NEC are controversial. The aim of this paper is to review the current studies regarding intestinal microcirculatory dysfunction and NEC, and try to elucidate the exact role of intestinal microcirculatory dysfunction in NEC.

Data sources
The studies cited in this review were mainly obtained from articles listed in Medline and PubMed. The search terms used were “intestinal microcirculatory dysfunction” and “neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis”.

Study selection
Mainly original milestone articles and critical reviews written by major pioneer investigators in the field were selected.

Results
Immature regulatory control of mesentery circulation makes the neonatal intestinal microvasculature vulnerable. When neonates are subjected to stress, endothelial cell dysfunction occurs and results in vasoconstriction of arterioles, inflammatory cell infiltration and activation in venules, and endothelial barrier disruption in capillaries. The compromised vasculature increases circulation resistance and therefore decreases intestinal perfusion, and may eventually progress to intestinal necrosis.

Conclusion
Intestinal ischemia plays an important role through the whole course of NEC. New therapeutic agents targeting intestinal ischemia, like HB-EGF, are promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of NEC.
Role of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in treatment of resectable esophageal carcinoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zheng Bin , Zheng Wei , Zhu Yong , Lin Xiao-yan , Xu Ben-hua , Chen Chun 
Published: January 2024

Background
The effectiveness and influence of surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) on the survival of patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma are still under debate. The outcomes of clinical trials have not been consistent. This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis of eligible published clinical trials to compare CRT with surgery without adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (non-CRT) for resectable esophageal carcinoma.

Methods
Computerized bibliographic and manual searches were undertaken to identify all eligible literature between 1990 and 2012. PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were our primary sources for published clinical trials. The quality of the methodology and reliability of the data from all of the clinical trials were assessed. All data were extracted by three independent researchers.

Results
Seven studies that included a total of 523 patients were selected. It was found that CRT significantly improved survival. The odds ratio (OR) in comparing CRT and non-CRT groups was 1.75 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.17-2.60, P=0.006) for 1-year survival, 2.07 (95% CI: 1.45-2.96, P <0.0001) for 3-year survival, and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.45-3.26, P=0.0002) for 5-year survival. There have been no CRT treatment-related deaths reported in the literature. The incidence of related complications was high in the cases with CRT. Patients treated with CRT had a lower incidence of local-regional cancer recurrence (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.31-0.76, P=0.002) and a similar incidence of distant cancer recurrence (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.60-1.34, P=0.60).

Conclusions
It was found that patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma could gain a survival benefit from CRT. However, CRT was associated with a high incidence of related complications.
Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis
Authors: GUO Hong , LIU Ming-ping 
Published: January 2024

Objective
To review the major progress in mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR).

Methods
Contents about the treatment mechanism of TCM in the therapy of AR in this article were obtained from 22 original articles and reviews published in Chinese- and English-language journals. All of the references were searched by use of Pubmed (1997-2012).

Results
AR is one of the most common and most serious public health problems in children and young people. Many AR patients were worried about the possible adverse effects of synthetic drugs they were taking. Thus, they seek complementary and alternative therapy, such as TCM. TCM emphasized on the importance of holistic convalescence, not just the disease itself. The favorable safety profile of TCM makes well-acceptance by the general population. In the recent decade, more and more studies of TCM for AR are developed. These studies indicated that the treatment of allergic disorders with TCM therapy including herbal medicines and acupuncture are of safety and efficacy. The mechanism of TCM in the treatment of AR has been discussed. It has been reported that a number of the herbs in the Chinese herbal formulae used in the treatment possess anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory or immune modulation activity. Such function include the inhibition of the release or the activity of mast cell mediators (such as histamine), inhibition the induction of inflammation reaction by chemical agents, and down regulation of serum (immunoglobulin E) IgE levels or the activity of lymphocyte and/or macrophage.

Conclusions
TCM are frequently used concurrently to improve the clinical efficacy. This review is focuses on the description of the actions mechanism of Chinese medicine's approach relevant to the treatment of AR.
Efficacy of postoperative antiviral combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy in prevention of hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence
Authors: YAN Qiang , NI Jun , ZHANG Guo-lei , YAO Xing , YUAN Wen-bin , ZHOU Lin , ZHENG Shu-sen 
Published: January 2024

Background
Recurrence of hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection is the leading factor influencing the prognosis of the disease. Therefore, further improvement of long-term survival may depend on the prevention and treatment of the recurrent tumor. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of antiviral therapy and postoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B-related HCC recurrence.

Methods
One hundred and twenty patients who underwent curative resection of hepatitis B-related HCC between January 2005 and June 2008 at our hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into four groups according to the post-operative adjuvant therapy they received, i.e., control, antiviral therapy group, TACE group, and combined group. The disease-free survival (DFS) and the 12-, 24-, 36-month cumulative recurrence rates were studied.

Results
There was no significant difference between isolated postoperative antiviral therapy group and control in terms of disease-free survival (P=0.283), while it was significantly higher in the TACE group compared to control (P=0.019). In all patients, however, viral prophylactic therapy combined with/without TACE brought a favorable result compared to those only with/without TACE (P <0.001). Similarly, no matter combined with or without antiviral treatment, postoperative TACE prolonged DFS (P=0.015). Naturally, a combination of viral prophylactic therapy on the baseline TACE significantly benefited patients' postoperative DFS (P=0.047) and vice verse (P=0.002). The 24-month cumulative recurrence rates of combined group were significantly lower than that of isolated control group and antiviral therapy (P <0.001 and P=0.011 respectively). However, 36-month recurrence rate was significantly different in the control group compared to the TACE group and combined group (P=0.040 and 0.002 respectively); same as the antiviral group compared to the combined group (P=0.034).

Conclusions
Post-operative TACE prevents early recurrence while antiviral therapy prevents late recurrence of HCC. Combination of antiviral therapy and TACE are suggested for prevention in HCC patients with high risk of recurrence.
Effect of aliskiren on arterial stiffness, compared with ramipril in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension
Authors: GUO Jian-qiang , WANG Hong-yi , SUN Ning-ling 
Published: January 2024

Background
Aliskiren is a novel blood pressure-lowering agent acting as an oral direct renin inhibitor. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of aliskiren on arterial stiffness, compared with that of ramipril in mild to moderate essential hypertensive patients.

Methods
Following a two week placebo run-in period, patients with a mean sitting diastolic blood pressure (ms-DBP) ≥95 and <110 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and a mean sitting systolic blood pressure (ms-SBP) <180 mmHg were randomly allocated to treatment with aliskiren (150 mg/d, n=20) or ramipril (5 mg/d, n=20) for eight weeks. Blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) were measured before and after eight weeks of treatment.

Results
Eight weeks of treatment significantly decreased systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in both the aliskiren group and ramipril group. The hypotensive effect did not differ between the two groups. Plasma renin activity decreased after aliskiren treatment and increased after ramipril treatment. There was no significant difference in baseline ba-PWV between the aliskiren and ramipril groups (P=0.892). The ba-PWV was significantly reduced in both the aliskiren group (1535 (1405-1666) vs. 1464 (1360-1506) cm/s) (P<0.01) and the ramipril group (1544 (1433-1673) vs. 1447 (1327-1549) cm/s) (P<0.01). No statistically significant difference was found in the decline of ba-PWV between the two groups (P=0.766).

Conclusions
The current study revealed that aliskiren (150 mg/d) could ameliorate arterial stiffness and its effect was similar to ramipril (5 mg/d) in mild to moderate hypertensive patients, indicating that in addition to lowering blood pressure, aliskiren had beneficial effect on vascular protection.
Recurrence patterns of advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with gefitinib
Authors: CHEN Min-jiang , ZHONG Wei , ZHANG Li , ZHAO Jing , LI Long-yun , WANG Meng-zhao 
Published: January 2024

Background
Gefitinib is widely used in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only a small number of reports have described initial failure sites in patients treated with gefitinib. The aim of this study was to investigate survival, recurrence sites, and treatment after recurrence in these patients.

Methods
A retrospective review was conducted of all patients with stage III/IV NSCLC treated with gefitinib in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from October 2002 to September 2011. Patient characteristics, initial failure sites, associated clinical factors, and subsequent therapy were included in the analysis of prognostic factors.

Results
A total of 316 patients were identified The median progress free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times were 238 days and 468 days, respectively. The median survival time after progression was 145 days. The sites of initial failure were lung (62.34%), bone (17.72%), central nerve system (CNS, 16.14%), liver (9.49%), and others (7.19%). Patients with single-site progression or multi-site progression were 81.01% and 18.99%, respectively. Progression-free survival time was associated with lung and bone failure. Additionally, the median survival time after progression was lower in patients with multi-site progression and liver progression. Other initial failure sites displayed no relationship with survival, including CNS failure. Subsequent therapy may affect survival after progression. In patients receiving continuous epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and re-treatment with EGFR-TKIs, survival time after progression was prolonged compared with the best supportive care.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that patients receiving gefitinib should be closely monitored regarding lung metastasis during follow-up. Liver metastases and multi-site progression were poor prognostic factors. After failure with gefitinib, patients may benefit from radiotherapy, chemotherapy, continuous EGFR-TKI therapy and re-treatment with EGFR-TKIs.
Up-regulation of T-lymphoma and metastasis gene 1 in gastric cancer and its involvement in cell invasion and migration
Authors: SHI Yu-long , MIAO Rui-zheng , CHENG Li , GUO Xiao-bo , YANG Bo , JING Chang-qing , ZHANG Li , JIN Xing , LI Le-ping 
Published: January 2024

Background
T-lymphoma and metastasis gene 1 (Tiam1) produces a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GNEF) that regulates guanosine triphosphatase, which transforms guanosine diphosphate to guanosine triphosphate. Recently published data indicate that Tiam1 was associated with gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate biological effects and potential mechanisms of Tiam1 in gastric carcinoma.

Methods
We analyzed the expression of Tiam1 in 114 pair-matched gastric neoplastic and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues by quantitative real-time PCR. We investigated Tiam1 expression and its prognostic value for gastric cancer. Furthermore, the functions of Tiam1 over-expression were analyzed with stable-expression Tiam1 plasmid in human gastric cancer cell lines.

Results

Tiam1 expression was significantly associated with cell differentiation and lymphatic metastasis; expression of Tiam1 mRNA was up-regulated in gastric cancer compared to pair-matched adjacent non-tumor tissues. Analyses of surgical tissue samples and 5-year survival of gastric cancer patients showed that those with strong Tiam1 expression had significantly shorter overall survival time than those with negative Tiam1 expression. Ectopic expression of Tiam1 promoted cell growth, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells in vitro.

Conclusions
In gastric cancer cells, Tiam1 affects multiple properties associated with acquisition of the metastatic phenotype, and may be a marker of gastric cancer progression and metastasis in a subset of cancer.
Expression of Yes-associated protein 1 gene and protein in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: LI Song-ying , HU Ji-an , WANG Hui-ming 
Published: January 2024

Background
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the oral and maxillofacial region. Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) has been implicated as a bona fide oncogene in solid tumors. We seek to elucidate the role of YAP1 in OSCC tissue.

Methods
We identified YAP1 gene and protein overexpression in 30 OSCC patients and 10 normal oral mucosa tissues by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results
In the normal oral mucosa by immunohistochemical staining, YAP1 mainly located in both the cytoplasm and nucleus mainly the nuclei of the basal cells. In OSCC, the expression of YAP1 translocated from the nucleus to cytoplasm; YAP1 being mainly located in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of the adjacent mucosa. The expression of YAP1 gradual increased in normal oral mucosa, tumor adjacent mucosa and low grade, middle grade, high grade OSCC tissue by Western blotting. Significant difference was found between the expressions of the normal oral mucosa and OSCC tissue (P <0.05). The coincidence was detected between the normal oral mucosa and OSCC tissue by RT-PCR (P <0.05).

Conclusions

YAP1 is involved in the carcinogenesis and development of OSCC. There is a transformation between nucleus and cytoplasm.