bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cyclooxygenase 2 1195G>A polymorphism is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Japanese and Chinese patients
Authors: CHEN Li-jun , XU Wang , Yasuyuki Taooka , Miki Ohe , Hitoshi Takahashi , Akihisa Sutani , Takashige Kuraki , Takeshi Isobe 
Published: January 2024

Background
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed during airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COX-2 promoter might contribute to differential COX-2 expression and subsequent interindividual variability in susceptibility to COPD. We investigated the association between COX-2 (-765G>C, -1195G>A) polymorphisms and COPD susceptibility in Japanese and Chinese patients.

Methods
COX-2 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism in 230 COPD patients (103 Japanese and 127 Chinese) and 273 healthy controls (129 Japanese and 144 Chinese).

Results
The frequency of -1195AA homozygote was significantly higher than the controls in Chinese COPD (adjusted OR=2.43, 95% CI 1.14-4.19), Japanese COPD (adjusted OR=2.25, 95% CI 1.06-4.76) and combined COPD groups (adjusted OR=2.26, 95% CI 1.34-3.99). There was no difference in COX-2-765G>C polymorphism between COPD and control groups in either Japanese or Chinese, while more Chinese individuals carried the -765C allele than Japanese in both groups (15.3% vs. 2.9% in COPD, 18.8% vs. 5.5% in control). Chinese individuals with the haplotype -765G:-1195A were at higher risk for COPD (adjusted OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.05-3.55).

Conclusions
The COX-2-1195AA genotype is associated with increased risk for COPD in both Japanese and Chinese individuals. Although COX-2-765G>C polymorphism was not associated with COPD in either ethnic group, the -765C allele frequency was higher in Chinese than Japanese and haplotype -765G-1195A may confer susceptibility to COPD in Chinese.
Structural, densitometric and biomechanical evaluations of Chinese patients with long-term bisphosphonate treatment
Authors: LEUNG Kwok-sui , TANG Ning , James Griffith , CHOY Tak-Kee , HUNG Vivian Wing-Yin , MOK Hoi-Wa , SHI Lin , LEUNG Ping-Chung , CHEUNG Wing-Hoi 
Published: January 2024

Background
The association of long-term bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis and related safety problems such as atypical fractures were not clearly defined. This study was to evaluate the structural, densitometric and biomechanical properties of the prolonged bisphosphonate-loaded bones.

Methods
Bone mineral density (BMD) at hip and femoral midshaft, bone cross-sectional area, moment of inertia of both femurs, bone formation and resorption biochemical markers were compared between 28 elderly with at least 4 years of bisphosphonate treatment from 2002 through 2006 and age-matched group of 37 elderly.

Results
The total hip BMD and t-score were found not different between two groups. However, bisphosphonate treated patients were found to have significantly lower bone mineral content in the femoral shaft (P <0.05); morphological study showed lower cross-sectional area in subtrochanteric and mid-diaphyseal region and thus significantly lower moment of inertia (P <0.01). High resolution-peripheral quantitative computed tomography showed significantly decreased trabecular density, bone volume ratio, trabecular number but increased trabecular spacing in tibia and distal radius. Finite element analysis further confirmed significantly lower stiffness and failure load in tibia. Biochemical studies also showed lower bone resorption and severely suppressed bone formation activity (P <0.001).

Conclusions
The unchanged total hip BMD between two groups confirmed the beneficial effects of bisphosphonate on trabecular bone, thus preventing osteoporotic fractures at large in previous studies. However, the inferior structural, densitometric and biomechanical properties at cortical bones, especially femur midshaft, need a special attention to look into the association between long-term bisphosphonate intake and the occurrence of stress fractures. When patients taking bisphosphonate complain of proximal thigh pain or discomfort, plain X-ray film can be the first line screening. All patients prescribed with bisphosphonate should be informed of such a complication though we must stress its rarity.
Stress-induced growth-differentiation factor 15 plays an intriguing role in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: LIU Hai-tao , WANG Hai-chang , TAO Ling , LI Cheng-xiang , LI Fei , ZHANG Yu-yang , LIU Bo-wu 
Published: January 2024

Objective
To provide an overview of the current knowledge of growth-differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in heart disease.

Data sources
To identify relevant publications, we searched PubMED database combining the textual terms of heart, cardiac, cardiovascular disease with GDF-15.

Study selection
Well-controlled, relatively large-scale, retrospective studies as well as meaningful individual cases were all selected as materials.

Results
GDF-15 is a distant member of the transforming growth factor-β cytokine superfamily. In myocardium, GDF-15 is weakly expressed under physiological conditions. However, its expression level is increased in response to pathological stress. Growing evidence indicate that elevated levels of GDF-15 is a promising prognostic biomarker in cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, GDF-15 exhibits the properties of endogenous anti-hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes and protecting the heart suffering from ischemia and reperfusion insult.

Conclusion
Ve GDF-15 may be a promising biomarker for evaluation and management of patient with cardiovascular diseases, and have potential protective properties on myocardium.
Resection and repair of large abdominal wall lesions in gynecologic patients
Authors: LIU Zhu-feng , WANG Jin-hui , CUI Bing-qian , FAN Qing-bo , WANG Xiao-jun , ZHAO Ru , SONG Ke-xin 
Published: January 2024

Background
The techniques of resection and repair of large lesions in the abdominal wall are very challenging in the area of gynecology. We explored the techniques of resection and plastic surgical repair of large abdominal wall lesions in gynecologic patients.

Methods
Twenty-six patients with large lesions in the abdominal wall underwent resection by the gynecologists and repair through abdominal plasty and V-Y plasty with or without fascia patch grafting by the gynecologists or plastic surgeons from March 2003 to October 2010.

Results
All patients had a history of cesarean section. One patient had an infected sinus tract after cesarean section, one patient had an inflammatory nodule, and the others had lesions of endometriosis, including one cancer. The average largest lesion diameter was (4.79 ± 4.18) cm according to the ultrasonography results. The lesions of all patients were completely resected with pretty abdominal contour. A polypropylene biological mesh was added to the fascia in 20 patients. One patient underwent groin flap repair, and one underwent V-Y advanced skin flap repair on the left of the incision to relieve the suture tension.

Conclusions
Multi-department cooperation involving the gynecology and plastic surgery departments, and even the general surgery department, is essential for patients with large lesions in the abdominal wall. This cooperative effort enabled surgeons to completely resect large lesions. Abdominal wall plastic surgical repair can ameliorate large wounds of the abdominal wall.
Comparison of parathyroid hormone (1-34) and elcatonin in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: an 18-month randomized, multicenter controlled trial in China
Authors: LI Ying , XUAN Miao , WANG Bo , YANG Jun , ZHANG Hong , ZHANG Xiu-zhen , GUO Xiao-hui , Xiao-feng LÜ , XUE Qing-yun , YANG Gang-yi , JI Qiu-he , LIU Zhi-min , LI Cheng-jiang , WU Tian-feng , SHENG Zheng-yan , LI Peng-qiu , TONG Jiu-cui 
Published: January 2024

Background
Recombinant human parathyroid hormone (1-34) (rhPTH (1-34)) is the first agent in a unique class of anabolic therapies acting on the skeleton. The efficacy and safety of long-term administration of rhPTH (1-34) in Chinese postmenopausal women had not been evaluated. This study compared the clinical efficacy and safety of rhPTH (1-34) with elcatonin for treating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in 11 urban areas of China.

Methods
A total of 453 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were enrolled in an 18-month, multi-center, randomized, controlled study. They were randomized to receive either rhPTH (1-34) 20 μg (200 U) daily for 18 months, or elcatonin 20 U weekly for 12 months. Lumbar spine (L1-4) and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), fracture rate, back pain as well as biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured. Adverse events were recorded.

Results
rhPTH (1-34) increased lumbar BMD significantly more than did elcatonin after 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment (4.3% vs. 1.9%, 6.8% vs. 2.7%, 9.5% vs. 2.9%, P <0.01). There was only a small but significant increase of femoral neck BMD after 18 months (2.6%, P <0.01) in rhPTH groups. There were larger increases in bone turnover markers in the rhPTH (1-34) group than those in the elcatonin group after 6, 12, and 18 months (serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) 93.7% vs. -3.6%; 117.8% vs. -4.1%; 49.2% vs. -5.8%, P <0.01; urinary C-telopeptide/creatinine (CTX/Cr) 250.0% vs. -29.5%; 330.0% vs. -41.4%, 273.0% vs. -10.6%, P <0.01). rhPTH (1-34) showed similar effect of pain relief as elcatonin. The incidence of clinical fractures was 5.36% (6/112) in elcatonin group and 3.2% (11/341) in rhPTH (1-34) group (P=0.303). Both treatments were well tolerated. Hypercaluria (9.4%) and hypercalcemia (7.0%) in rhPTH (1-34) group were transient and caused no clinical symptoms. Pruritus (8.2% vs. 2.7%, P=0.044) and redness of injection site (4.4% vs. 0, P=0.024) were more frequent in rhPTH (1-34). Nausea/vomiting (16.1% vs. 6.2%, P=0.001) and hot flushes (7.1% vs. 0.6%, P <0.001) were more common in elcatonin group.

Conclusions
rhPTH (1-34) was associated with greater increases in lumbar spine BMD and bone formation markers. It could increase femoral BMD after 18 months of treatment. rhPTH could improve back pain effectively. The results of the present study indicate that rhPTH (1-34) is an effective, safe agent in treating Chinese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. (ChiCTR-TRC-10000924)
Cytotoxic effects of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on human embryonic stem cells
Authors: SHI Cheng , CHEN Xi , CAI Xiao-hui , YU Wei-dong , LIANG Rong , LU Qun , SHEN Huan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the metabolite of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), was suspected to be toxic to human embryos. This study contributes to investigating its toxic effects by an embryonic stem cell test (EST) based on two human embryonic stem cell (hESCs) lines.

Methods
CH1 established in our own lab and H1, a federally registered cell line were two human embryonic stem cell lines used in this test. Four endpoint measurements were performed consisting of cell viability, proliferation ability, apoptosis as well as changes of gene expression patterns after spontaneous differentiation were determined. For measuring effects on the first three endpoints, the cells were treated with various concentrations of MEHP dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and only with DMSO which served as control and harvested after 5 days. For measuring effects during spontaneous differentiation, the RNA of embryoid bodies (EBs) formed after 8 days' MEHP exposure was collected and changes in differentiation specific gene expression patterns were analyzed by quantitative real time RT-PCR.

Results
As a result the viability and proliferation ability of both cell lines decreased significantly at 1000 μmol/L MEHP, while there was no effect on apoptosis or cell morphology. In addition MEHP also changed the gene expression pattern in the EBs of both cell lines.

Conclusion
MEHP in a high dose was cytotoxic and affected the development of hESCs, which indicates its embryo toxicity in human embryos.
Interferon regulatory factor-1 mediates the release of high mobility group box-1 in endotoxemia in mice
Authors: PAN Pin-hua , Cardinal Jon , LI Mo-li , HU Cheng-ping , Tsung Allan 
Published: January 2024

Background
The extracellular release of the danger signal high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis and outcomes of sepsis. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for HMGB1 release can lead to the identification of targets that may inhibit this process. The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) is an important mediator of innate immune responses and has been shown to participate in mortality associated with endotoxemia; however, its role in mediating the release of HMGB1 in these settings is unknown.

Methods
Male IRF-1 knockout (KO) and age matched C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice were given intraperitoneal (IP) injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In some experiments, 96 hours survival rates were observed. In other experiments, mice were sacrificed 12 hours after LPS administration and sera were harvested for future analysis. In in vitro study, RAW 264.7 murine monocyte/macrophage-like cells or primary peritoneal macrophage obtained from IRF-1 KO and WT mice were cultured for LPS mediated HMGB1 release analysis. And the mechanism for HMGB1 release was analyzed by immune-precipitation.

Results
IRF-1 KO mice experienced less mortality, and released less systemic HMGB1 compared to their WT counterparts. Exogenous administration of recombinant HMGB1 to IRF-1 KO mice returned the mortality rate to that seen originally in IRF-1 WT mice. Using cultures of peritoneal macrophages or RAW264.7 cells, in vitro LPS stimulation induced the release of HMGB1 in an IRF-1 dependent manner. And the janus associated kinase (JAK)-IRF-1 signal pathway appeared to participate in the signaling mechanisms of LPS-induced HMGB1 release by mediating acetylation of HMGB1.

Conclusion
IRF-1 plays a role in LPS induced release of HMGB1 and therefore may serve as a novel target in sepsis.
BRAFV600E mutation is not a positive predictor for distant metastasis in sporadic papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: JING Fan-jing , LIANG Jun , LIANG Zhi-yong , MENG Chao , LONG Wen , LI Xiao-yi , LIN Yan-song 
Published: January 2024

Background
BRAFV600E mutation is correlated with local aggressive clinicopathological features in papillary thyroid carcinoma; yet the relationship between this genetic variation and distant papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis was unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether BRAFV600E is predictive for distant metastasis in the Chinese population.

Methods
One hundred and seven patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were enrolled in this study, including 43 patients with distant metastasis and 64 patients without. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect BRAFV600E mutation, while immunohistochemistry was performed to detect vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. The associations between distant metastasis and BRAFV600E mutation, and VEGF expression as well as local clinicopathological factors were determined.

Results
A total of 28.6% of the patients in the distant metastasis group harbored BRAFV600E mutation, which was significantly lower than in the without distant metastasis group (68.8%, P <0.001). BRAFV600E mutation was negatively correlated with positive VEGF expression (P=0.001). Furthermore, 52.2% of the patients with distant metastasis exhibited VEGF expression, compared with 25.0% of those without. Higher levels of VEGF expression were also observed in the distant metastasis group. Tumor size, extra-thyroid invasion, and BRAFV600E mutation were independent predictors for distant metastasis according to multivariate analysis (odds ratios were 2.8, 12.4, and 0.3; 95% CI 1.483-5.334, and 2.950-52.407, 0.100-0.890; P=0.002, 0.001, and 0.030, respectively). BRAFV600E mutation was negatively correlated with distant metastasis in adult subgroup analysis (P=0.005) but was not an independent parameter.

Conclusions
BRAFV600E mutation is predictive for distant metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma but not positively. VEGF may be involved in the pathogenesis of distant metastasis.
Fenestrated endovascular aortic repair for juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: GUO Wei , ZHANG Hong-peng , LIU Xiao-ping , JIA Xin , XIONG Jiang , MA Xiao-hui 
Published: January 2024

Background
Endovascular stent-graft with fenestration can improve proximal sealing in patients with juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (JAAA). The purpose of this study was to describe our primary experience and evaluate the safety and efficacy of fenestrated device for JAAA in high-risk patients.

Methods
Between March 2011 and May 2012, nine male patients (mean age, (79.6±8.6) years) with asymptomatic JAAAs underwent elective deployment of the Zenith fenestrated stent-grafts at a single institution. All patients were treated in the hybrid operating room under general anesthesia. Follow-up computed tomography angiography (CTA) was routinely performed before discharge, at 3, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter.

Results
Procedural success was achieved in all cases. Total sixteen small fenestrations, two large fenestrations and eight scallops were used. Intra-operative complications occurred in four patients, which included one proximal type I endoleak, two type II endoleaks, and one renal artery dissection. The mean hospital stay was (8.9±1.4) days, mean blood loss was (360.5±46.8) ml, and mean iodinated contrast volume was (230.6±58.3) ml. The mean follow-up time was (7.6±4.2) months. The visceral graft patency was 100% until now. One patient had an increase of serum creatinine of more than 30%, but did not require dialysis. No patients died, no stent fractured, and migration were diagnosed during the follow-up.

Conclusions
The early results of fenestrated device for high-risk patients with complex JAAAs are satisfactory. However, long-term fenestrated graft durability and branch vessel patency remain to be determined.
Failed anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: analysis of factors leading to instability after primary surgery
Authors: MA Yong , AO Ying-fang , YU Jia-kuo , DAI Ling-hui , SHAO Zhen-xing 
Published: January 2024

Background
Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery can be expected to become more common as the number of primary reconstruction keeps increasing. This study aims to investigate the factors causing instability after primary ACL reconstruction, which may provide an essential scientific base to prevent surgical failure.

Methods
One hundred and ten revision ACL surgeries were performed at our institute between November 2001 and July 2012. There were 74 men and 36 women, and the mean age at the time of revision was 27.6 years (range 16-56 years). The factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed.

Results
Fifty-one knees failed because of bone tunnel malposition, with too anterior femoral tunnels (20 knees), posterior wall blowout (1 knee), vertical femoral tunnels (7 knees), too posterior tibial tunnels (12 knees), and too anterior tibial tunnels (10 knees). There was another knee performed with open surgery, where the femoral tunnel was drilled through the medial condyle and the tibial tunnel was too anterior. Five knees were found with malposition of the fixation. One knee with allograft was suspected of rejection and a second surgery had been made to take out the graft. Three knees met recurrent instability after postoperative infection. The other factors included traumatic (48 knees) and unidentified (12 knees).

Conclusion
Technical errors were the main factors leading to instability after primary ACL reconstructions, while attention should also be paid to the risk factors of re-injury and failure of graft incorporation.
Multilayer stents, a new progress in the endovascular treatment of aneurysms
Authors: ZHANG Yong-xue , LU Qing-sheng , JING Zai-ping 
Published: January 2024

Objective
To review the recent progress of multilayer stents in treating arterial aneurysms and to draw an initial conclusion about its paradigm.

Data sources
PubMed database and ELSEVIER database were searched with the keywords “cardiatis” or “multilayer stent” for relevant articles from January 2008 to September 2012. Relevant websites (provided by Cardiatis) were also involved in the review process.

Study selection
Well-controlled, relatively large-scale, retrospective studies as well as meaningful individual cases were all selected as materials.

Results
A total of 23 articles were involved in this review. The newly introduced Cardiatis multilayer stent aims at creating an active flow-modulating barrier between normal blood flow and aneurismal sac, which can induce thrombosis within aneurismal sac and preserve collateral circulation at the same time. Currently, it has been applied for complicated aneurysms located in different segments of the arterial system.

Conclusion
This new concept of multilayer uncovered stent offers a promising alterative in the treatment of arterial aneurysms. However, a further large-scale clinical and hemodynamic study is required to evaluate the long-term effects.
Efficacy of laser peripheral iridoplasty and iridotomy on medically refractory patients with acute primary angle closure: a three year outcome
Authors: FU Jing , QING Guo-ping , WANG Ning-li , WANG Huai-zhou 
Published: January 2024

Background
Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) is proved to be effective in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients with mild acute primary angle closure (APAC). It is unclear whether this laser treatment is equally efficient in managing patients with severe APAC. This study aimed to evaluate the IOP-lowering efficacy of ALPI and laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) on patients with refractory APAC, who have previously responded poorly to intensive medical therapy.

Methods
Thirty-six patients (8 men and 28 women) were identified as medically refractory APAC, who still had ocular pain, red eye, hazy cornea, closed anterior chamber (AC) angle, and IOP of not less than 21 mmHg after two days or more of anti-glaucoma medication. All enrolled patients underwent ophthalmologic examinations including measurement of visual acuity (VA), best corrected VA (BCVA), IOP, biomicroscopy, and gonioscopy followed by ALPI immediately in the APAC eye and LPI in both eyes.

Results
All patients were affected unilaterally, with average age of (54.6±11.7) (range, 37.0−75.0) years old. The mean IOP value of the affected eyes dropped from (31.6±7.7) (range, 21.0−39.0) mmHg at enrollment to (18.4±8.7) (range, 10.0−27.0) mmHg 2 hours after ALPI. At follow-up day 7, the mean IOP value maintained at (14.8±4.2) (range, 9.0−21.0) mmHg, which was significantly different (P=0.000) compared with baseline. The average decrease of IOP in the APAC eyes was (16.8±7.4) (range, 12.0−21.0) mmHg. At follow-up three years later, the mean IOP of the APAC eyes stabilized at (16.3±3.2) (range, 9.0−20.0) mmHg with at least 180° of AC angle opened.

Conclusion
ALPI and LPI lower the IOP of medically refractory cases of APAC though they have responded poorly to anti-glaucoma medication.