bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short-term safety and efficacy of the biodegradable iron stent in mini-swine coronary arteries
Authors: WU Chao , QIU Hong , HU Xiao-ying , RUAN Ying-mao , TIAN Yi , CHU Yan , XU Xin-lin , XU Liang , TANG Yue , GAO Run-lin 
Published: January 2024

Background
To overcome the drawbacks of permanent stents, biodegradable stents have been studied in recent years. The bioabsorbable polymer vascular scaffold (BVS) was the first bioabsorbable stent to undergo clinical trials, demonstrating safety and feasibility in the ABSORB studies. Iron can potentially serve as the biomaterial for biodegradable stents. This study aimed to assess the short-term safety and efficacy of a biodegradable iron stent in mini-swine coronary arteries.

Methods
Eight iron stents and eight cobalt chromium alloy (VISION) control stents were randomly implanted into the LAD and RCA of eight healthy mini-swine, respectively. Two stents of the same metal base were implanted into one animal. At 28 days the animals were sacrificed after coronary angiography, and histopathological examinations were performed.

Results
Histomorphometric measurements showed that mean neointimal thickness ((0.46±0.17) mm vs. (0.45±0.18) mm, P=0.878), neointimal area ((2.55±0.91) mm2 vs. (3.04±1.15) mm2, P=0.360) and percentage of area stenosis ((44.50±11.40)% vs. (46.00±17.95)%, P=0.845) were not significantly different between the iron stents and VISION stents. There was no inflammation, thrombosis or necrosis in either group. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) intimal injury scores (0.75±1.04 vs. 0.88±0.99, P=0.809) and number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive staining cells were not significantly different between the two groups. The percentage of neointimal coverage by SEM examination was numerically higher in iron stents than in VISION stents ((84.38±14.50)% vs. (65.00±22.04)%, P=0.057), but the difference was not statistically significant. Iron staining in the tissue surrounding the iron stents at 28 days was positive and the vascular wall adjacent to the iron stent had a brownish tinge, consistent with iron degradation. No abnormal histopathological changes were detected in coronary arteries or major organs.

Conclusions
The biodegradable iron stent has good biocompatibility and short-term safety and efficacy in the miniswine coronary artery. Corrosion of iron stents is observed at four weeks and no signs of organ toxicity related to iron degradation were noted.
Patients after colostomy: relationship between quality of life and acceptance of disability and social support
Authors: ZHANG Tie-ling , HU Ai-ling , XU Hong-lian , ZHENG Mei-chun , LIANG Ming-juan 
Published: January 2024

Background
The aim of this research was to explore quality of life (QOL) and acceptance of disability and social support of colostomy patients as well as the relationship between these factors.

Methods
A descriptive, correlational study was conducted using four scales: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Colorectal Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-CR38) scales, the Acceptance of Disability Scale (ADS), and the Social Relational Quality Scale (SRQS). A convenience sample of 111 colostomy patients from four hospitals in Guangzhou who underwent colostomy operation at least one month prior to the study and who visited the stoma clinic or association from August 2011 to February 2012 was evaluated for inclusion in the study. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results
The patients' general health status was better than the reference level recommended by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, and the overall ADS score was average. The SRQS score was similar to that found in a Hong Kong study. The general health status and dimensions of QOL were significantly correlated with ADS and all of its dimensions (P <0.05). The general health status and dimensions of QOL were also significantly correlated with SRQS and all of its dimensions (P <0.05).

Conclusions
QOL, acceptance of disability, and social relational quality of colostomy patients were closely related. Our results emphasize that patients should work to form rational values and close bonds with families and friends to achieve a better QOL.
Difference of dilation resistance to coronary stenting between fibrous plaques and lipid-rich plaques
Authors: ZHOU Yi , CHEN Man-hua , YANG Kai , XIONG Cai-jin , CHEN Gang , YANG Fei-yan , TAN Gang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Dilation resistance to stenting in non-calcified coronary plaques was compared in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in order to confirm the clinical usefulness of multislice computed tomography in examining coronary plaque type and to provide information pertaining to the effects of plaque type on dilatation resistance.

Methods
A retrospective analysis of 64-slice computed tomography coronary imaging data collected in the month prior to coronary stenting in 93 patients (65 male and 28 female, mean age of (57.22±7.22) years) was conducted. Non-calcified coronary plaques were divided into lipid-rich (lipid content >25% of plaque volume) and fibrous plaques according to the Hammer-Hansen S method: where lipids, fiber, and intraluminal components were indicated by contrast using Hu values of -100-49, 50-129, and >130, respectively. Clinical features, pre-dilatation balloon specifications and filling pressure, and stent size and release pressure were compared.

Results
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were higher in the lipid-rich plaque group. In patients with typical symptoms, unstable angina was more commonly observed in the lipid-rich plaque group. No significant differences in low density lipoprotein, pre-dilatation balloon specifications, pre-dilatation pressure, or stent specifications were observed. Stent release pressure in the lipid-rich plaque group ((1130.16±202.04) kPa), was significantly lower than that observed in the fibrous plaque group ((1240.61±193.29) kPa, P=0.009).

Conclusion
Softer, lipid-rich plaques exhibit lower dilation resistance during stenting in PCI patients.
Compatibility of olfactory ensheathing cells with functionalized self-assembling peptide scaffold in vitro
Authors: ZHANG Ling-ling , HUANG Lin-hong , ZHANG Zhen-xing , HAO Ding-jun , HE Bao-rong 
Published: January 2024

Background
Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is a promising or potential therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the effects of injecting OECs directly into SCI site have been limited and unsatisfied due to the complexity of SCI. To improve the outcome, proper biomaterials are thought to be helpful since these materials would allow the cells to grow three-dimensionally and guide cell migration.

Methods
In this study, we made a new peptide hydrogel scaffold named GRGDSPmx by mixing the pure RADA16 and designer peptide RADA16-GRGDSP solution, and we examined the molecular integration of the mixed nanofiber scaffolds using atomic force microscopy. In addition, we have studied the behavior of OECs in GRGDSPmx condition as well as on RADA16 scaffold by analyzing their phenotypes including cell proliferation, apoptosis, survival, and morphology.

Results
The experimental results showed that GRGDSPmx could be self-assembled to form a hydrogel. Inverted optical microscopic and scanning electron microscopic analyses showed that OECs are viable and they proliferate within the nanostructured environment of the scaffold. Thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay demonstrated that OEC proliferation rate was increased on GRGDSPmx scaffold compared with the pure RADA16 scaffold. In addition, OECs on GRGDSPmx scaffolds also showed less apoptosis and maintained the original spindle-shaped morphology. Calcein-AM/PI fluorescence staining revealed that OECs cultured on GRGDSPmx grew well and the viable cell count was 95%.

Conclusion
These results suggested that this new hydrogel scaffold provided an ideal substrate for OEC three-dimensional culture and suggested its further application for SCI repair.
Psychological symptoms and associated risk factors in Chinese freshmen: a three-year follow-up study
Authors: GUO Qi , HUANG Yue-qin , LIU Zhao-rui , WANG Hong 
Published: January 2024

Background
The first year of attending university induces a stressful experience for many college students. The experience exposes these students to challenging circumstances and raises expectations, which consequently increases the risk of psychiatric disorders and may exacerbate pre-existing problems. This study was designed to explore the risk factors of psychological symptoms among freshmen in China.

Methods
A three-year follow-up study was designed in a sample of Chinese college freshmen. To set up the baseline interviews, subjects from 25 high schools in Beijing were interviewed during the first year in high school. Three years later, we followed up with the 1547 students from 15 of the previously-selected 25 high schools after they had entered universities. Association between potential risk factors and the occurrence of psychological symptoms measured by the Symptoms Check List-90 was evaluated in unconditional logistic regression models with Wald test.

Results
Among the 1547 interviewed college freshmen in the study, 120 students (7.8%) manifested at least one psychological symptom. Personality dysfunction (OR=3.655, 95% CI 1.967–6.793), parental rejection (OR=2.619, 95% CI 1.544–4.442), age ≥ 20 (OR=2.578, 95% CI 1.227–5.418), disfavored university (OR=2.054, 95% CI 1.376–3.066), non-first-choice academic major (OR=1.887, 95% CI 1.255–2.837) and no orientation (OR=1.739, 95% CI 1.025–2.951) were determined to be the risk factors of psychological symptoms among the college freshmen in China.

Conclusions
Psychological symptoms of college freshmen are associated with personality traits, parental rearing behavior and study environment. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to changes in mental health as students enter or decide on colleges and increase education geared towards mental health issues for students in high school and universities in China.
Clinical classification and treatment of leukokeratosis of the vocal cords
Authors: MA Li-jing , WANG Jun , XIAO Yang , YE Jing-ying , XU Wen , YANG Qing-wen 
Published: January 2024

Background
Leukokeratosis of the vocal cords is a clinical descriptive diagnosis, which includes a group of squamous intraepithelial lesions of the vocal cord mucosa. We investigated the clinical classification and treatment efficacy of leukokeratosis of the vocal cords.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical history, laryngoscopic examinations, morphological features under a surgical microscope, and pathology results of 360 cases of leukokeratosis of the vocal cords to examine correlations among treatment modalities, therapeutic effects, and clinical features.

Results
All cases were divided into four types based on symptoms, examination results, and treatment efficacies as follows: 21 patients had type I inflammatory leukoplakia and their vocal cord morphology and voice quality recovered after conservative therapies; 76 patients had type II frictional polyps and received CO2 laser submucosal cordectomy; 68 patients had type III sulcus vocalis and received mucosal slicing with dredging; and 195 cases had type IV simple leukokeratosis and received partial subligamental cordectomy with CO2 lasers or transmuscular cordectomy. Our treatment achieved a surgical cure rate of 90.9% (308/339), with a recurrence rate of 9.1% (31/339) and malignant transformation rate of 6.5% (22/339). All cancerous transformations occurred in type IV patients.

Conclusion
Choosing conservative or CO2 laser surgery based on the morphological characteristics of squamous epithelial lesions of keratinized vocal cord mucosa can maximally protect voice quality, reduce complications, and improve the cure rate.
Changes in dendritic cells and dendritic cell subpopulations in peripheral blood of recipients during acute rejection after kidney transplantation
Authors: Linlin Ma , Yong Liu , Junjie Wu , Xiuhong Xu , Fen Liu , Lang Feng , Zelin Xie , Yawang Tang , Wen Sun , Hongbo Guo , Lei Zhang , Jun Lin , Ye Tian 
Published: January 2024

Background
Advances in transplantation immunology show that the balance between dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsets can maintain stable immune status in the induction of tolerance after transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate if DCs and DC subpopulations in recipient peripheral blood are effective diagnostic indicators of acute rejection following kidney transplantation.

Methods
Immunofluorescent flow cytometry was used to classify white blood cells (WBCs), the levels of mononuclear cells and DCs (including the dominant subpopulations, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) and myeloid DC (mDC)) in peripheral blood at 0, 1, 7, and 28 days and 1 year after kidney transplantation in 33 patients. In addition, the blood levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-12 were monitored before and after surgery. Fifteen healthy volunteers served as normal controls. Patients were undertaking hemodialysis owing to uremia before surgery.

Results
The total number of DCs, pDC, and mDC in peripheral blood and the pDC/mDC ratio were significantly lower in patients than controls (P <0.05). Peripheral DCs suddenly decreased at the end of day 1, then gradually increased through day 28 but remained below normal levels. After 1 year, levels were higher than before surgery but lower than normal. The mDC levels were higher in patients with acute rejection before and 1 day after surgery (P <0.005). There was no significant difference in IL-10 and IL-12 levels between patients with and without acute rejection.

Conclusion
The changes in DCs and DC subpopulations during the acute rejection period may serve as effective markers and referral indices for monitoring the immune state, and predicting rejection and reasonably adjusting immunosuppressants.
Perihematomal endothelin-1 level is associated with an increase in blood-brain barrier permeability in a rabbit model of intracerebral hematoma
Authors: WANG Li-kun , HONG Zhen , WU Guo-feng , LI Chang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has deleterious effects on water homeostasis, cerebral edema, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Highly expressed ET-1 was observed after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH); however, ET-1 changes and their relationship with BBB disruption within 24 hours of ICH have not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to observe the changes in perihematomal ET-1 levels in various phases of ICH and their correlation with the BBB integrity in a rabbit model of ICH.

Methods
Twenty-five rabbits (3.2–4.3 kg body weight) were randomly divided into a normal control group (five rabbits) and a model group (20 rabbits). Animals in the model group were equally divided into four subgroups (five rabbits each to be sacrificed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours following ICH establishment). An ICH model was prepared in the model group by infusing autologous arterial blood into the rabbit brain. ET-1 expression in perihematomal brain tissues was determined using immunohistochemistry and color image analysis, and the permeability of the BBB was assayed using the Evan's Blue (EB) method. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to make comparisons of the ET-1 and EB content across the entire time series.

Results
The number of perihematomal endothelial cells with ET-1 positive expressions following 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours ICH model establishment was 9.32, 13.05, 15.90, and 20.44, respectively, but as low as 6.67 in the control group. The average transmittance of ET-1-positive cell bodies at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after ICH was 99.10, 97.40, 85.70, and 80.80, respectively, but 100.12 in the control group. These data reveal that the expression of ET-1 was significantly increased at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after ICH compared with the control group, and a marked decrease in the average transmittance of ET-1-positive cell bodies was noted (P <0.05). Similarly, the perihematomal EB content at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after ICH was 29.39±1.16, 32.20±0.73, 33.63±1.08, and 35.26±1.12, respectively, in the model group and 28.06±0.80 in the control group. The results indicate that a significant increase in the EB content in the model group was observed compared with that of the control group (P <0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation between the number of ET-1-positive endothelial cells and BBB permeability was observed (r=0.883, P <0.05).

Conclusions
High levels of ET-1 are closely associated with BBB disruption. ET-1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of secondary brain injury after ICH.
Effect of prolonging interval time between coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention on X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks in blood lymphocytes
Authors: Zhang Guoru , Li Yongjun , Wang Mei , Guo Bingyan , Lyu Xinhu , Liu Jin-bo , Liu Dongchao , Chang Liang 
Published: January 2024

Background
It is desirable to minimize the risk of adverse radiation effects associated with percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of prolonging the interval between coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention on X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks in blood lymphocytes using γ-H2AX immunofluorescence microscopy.

Methods
Blood samples of eight patients were taken before the first exposure to ionizing radiation, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours after the last exposure to determine the γ-H2AX foci repair kinetics. Fifty-eight patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to an intermittent radiation exposure group and a continuous radiation exposure group. Blood samples were taken before coronary angiography and 15 minutes after the last exposure. By enumerating γ-H2AX foci, the impact of prolonging the interval on DNA double-strand breaks was investigated. Student t-test was used to compare the difference in DNA double-strand breaks between the two groups.

Results
An increase in foci was found in all patients received percutaneous coronary intervention. The maximum number of γ-H2AX foci was found 10–20 minutes after the end of the last exposure. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in γ-H2AX foci at baseline. On average there were (0.79±0.15) γ-H2AX foci induced by interventional X-rays per lymphocyte in the continuous radiation exposure group and (0.66±0.21) in the intermittent radiation exposure group after exposure (P<0.05).

Conclusions
A significant number of γ-H2AX foci develop following the percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. The number of X-ray-induced DNA double-strand breaks may be decreased by prolonging the interval time between coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention to 30 minutes.
Polymorphisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene confer a risk to lone atrial fibrillation in Chinese male patients
Authors: WANG Shu-xia , TAO Tao , FU Zhi-qing , XIE Xiang-zhu , WANG Hao , WANG Yu-tang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Growing epidemiologic evidence has indicated that genetics can predispose individuals to the occurrence of lone atrial fibrillation (AF). The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene has been established to be associated with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. The objective of our study was to investigate the association of ACE2 gene polymorphisms with lone AF.

Methods
A total of 265 consecutive lone AF patients and 289 healthy controls were successfully investigated. The polymorphisms rs2106809 and rs2285666 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. A Logistic regression model was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of variations of ACE2 for lone AF.

Results
The T allele of rs2106809 conferred an increased risk for lone AF (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52, P=0.03) in males after adjustment for conventional risk factors. SNP at rs2285666 in males was not significantly different between AF patients and controls. No association was found between the two polymorphisms in the female population with lone AF. After (36.3±4.5) months of follow-up, the end point data were obtained: death (cardiac and noncardiac), ischemic stroke, and heart failure. In the male subgroup, the associations between rs2106809 T male carriers and combined end points including ischemic stroke, heart failure, and death in our study were of significance (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.0-13.1, P=0.04).

Conclusions
The results indicate that polymorphism at ACE2 gene is associated with male lone AF in a Chinese Han population. Lone AF males who carry the rs2106809 T allele are associated with adverse cardiac events.
Biomechanical effects of bone cement volume on the endplates of augmented vertebral body: a three-dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Yan Liang , Chang Zhen , Xu Zhengwei , Liu Tuanjiang , He Baorong , Hao Dingjun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Previous studies have suggested that percutaneous vertebroplasty might alter vertebral stress transfer, leading to adjacent vertebral failure. However, no three-dimensional finite element study so far accounted for the stress distributions on different cement volumes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stress distributions on the endplate under different loading conditions after augmentation with various volumes of bone cement.

Methods
L2-L3 motion segment data were obtained from CT scans of the lumbar spine from a cadaver of a young man who had no abnormal findings on roentgenograms. Three-dimensional model of L2-L3 was established using Mimics software, and finite element model of L2-L3 functional spinal unit (FSU) was established using Ansys10.0 software. For simulating percutaneous vertebral augmentation, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was deposited into the bipedicle of the L2 vertebra. The percentage of PMMA volume varied between 15% and 30%. The stress distributions on the endplate of the augmented vertebral body were calculated under three different loading conditions.

Results
In general, the stress level monotonically increased with bone cement volume. Under each loading condition, the stress change on the L2 superior and inferior endplates in three kinds of finite element models shows monotonic increase. Compared with the stress-increasing region of the endplate, the central part of the L2 endplate was subject to the greatest stress under three kinds of loading conditions, especially on the superior endplate and under flexion.

Conclusions
The finite element models of FSU are useful to optimize the planning for vertebroplasty. The bone cement volume might have an influence on the endplate of the augmentation, especially the superior endplate. It should be noted that the optimization of bone cement volume is patient specific; the volume of the bone cement should be based on the size, body mineral density, and stiffness of the vertebrae of individual patients.