bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Features of a Chinese family with cerebral cavernous malformation induced by a novel CCM1 gene mutation
Authors: WANG Xue , LIU Xue-wu , Lee Nora , LIU Qi-ji , LI Wen-na , HAN Tao , WEI Kun-kun , QIAO Shan , CHI Zhao-fu 
Published: January 2024

Background
Familial cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), characterized by hemorrhagic stroke, recurrent headache and epilepsy, are congenital vascular anomalies of the central nervous system. Familial CCMs is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder and three CCM genes have been identified. We report a Chinese family with CCMs and intend to explore clinical, pathological, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and pathogenic gene mutation of this family.

Methods
Totally 25 family members underwent brain MRI examination and clinical check. Two patients with surgical indications had surgical treatment and the specimens were subjected to histopathological and microstructural examination. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing were performed with genomic DNA extracted from 25 family members' blood samples for mutation detection.

Results
Brain MRI identified abnormal results in seven family members. All of them had multiple intracranial lesions and four cases had skin cavernous hemangioma. T2-weighted sequence showed that the lesions were typically characterized by an area of mixed signal intensity. Gradient-echo (GRE) sequence was more sensitive to find microcavernous hemangiomas. There was a wide range in the clinical manifestations as well as the age of onset in the family. The youngest patient was an 8-year-old boy with least intracranial lesions. Histopathological and microstructural examination showed that CCMs were typically discrete multi-sublobes of berry-like lesions, with hemorrhage in various stages of illness evolution. They were formed by abnormally enlarged sinusoids and the thin basement membranes. A novel T deletion mutation in exon 14 of CCM1 gene was identified by mutation detection in the seven patients. But unaffected members and healthy controls did not carry this mutation.

Conclusions
The clinical manifestations were heterogenic within this family. We identified a novel mutation (c.1396delT) was the disease-causing mutation for this family and extended the mutational spectrum of CCMs.
Effect of occlusal splints for the management of patients with myofascial pain: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study
Authors: ZHANG Fei-yu , WANG Xiao-geng , DONG Jian , ZHANG Jie-fu , LÜ Ya-lin 
Published: January 2024

Background
Occlusal splints have been the preferred modalities in the management of myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), but now controversy exists in reporting whether they are successful for TMDs treatments. The aim of this study was to give objective evidence to the assessment of treatment effect of occlusal splints for myofascial TMDs patients by clinical assessments and surface electromyography (sEMG) measurements of masseter muscles (MM).

Methods
Thirty-six patients (12 males and 24 females) aged 16-57 (38±11) years participated in the study. All participants diagnosed with myofascial TMD were randomized into two groups (18 of each). Patients in the first group (A) were treated with occlusal splints for 1 month, while patients in the second group (B) were treated with placebo (non-occluding palatal) splints. Clinical assessments were performed at the beginning of the study and 1 month after treatment. sEMG measurements for MM were performed at mandibular postural position (MPP) and maximum intercuspal contacted position (ICP) 1 month after the treatment. The root mean square (RMS) and the median frequency (MF) as linear indices of sEMG data were used to demonstrate muscle activity and muscle fatigue. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and post hoc SNK test. The differences were considered significant at P <0.05.

Results
It was found that 89% of group A either completely recovered (39%) or clinically improved (50%), while only 22% of group B had a spontaneous improvement. sEMG analysis showed that at MPP, the mean of RMS value of MM in group A was lower than that of group B, which shows statistical differences (P <0.01). At ICP, the RMS value of MM in group A was higher than that of group B, which shows statistical differences (P <0.01). At MPP, MF value of MM in group A was higher than that of group B (P <0.05). At ICP, MF value of MM was lower than that of group B (P <0.01).

Conclusions
Occlusal splint could eliminate or improve the signs and symptoms of TMD patients with myofascial pain. sEMG analysis indicates that the wearing of occlusal splints may reduce the degree of fatigue of the masticatory muscles. The splint therapy outcome has a correlation with the electromyographic changes in the masticatory muscles.
Preliminary exploration of the development of a collagenous artificial dura mater for sustained antibiotic release
Authors: WANG Hao , DONG Hui , KANG Cheng-gui , LIN Cheng , YE Xun , ZHAO Yuan-li 
Published: January 2024

Background
Intracranial infection is one of the most common complications of open craniocerebral injury and of conventional craniotomy in neurosurgery. The presence of blood-brain barrier leads to lower drug concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid than in the venous blood. Increasing the intravenous dosage or frequency carries the risk of systemic adverse reactions or infections in other parts of the body. Developing an artificial dura mater (ADM) for sustained antibiotic release for use during neurosurgery can solve the problems perfectly.

Methods
Three types of drug-loaded ADMs made of collagen and containing cefuroxime sodium, ceftriaxone sodium, or norvancomycin were prepared. The antibacterial activity and sustained release characteristics of the ADMs were examined using bacteriostatic and release tests.

Results
Single-layered collagen based ADMs (40 mm×50 mm×5 mm) containing 18 mg cefuroxime sodium or ceftriaxone sodium were not suitable for continued development because of drug preservation and stability issues. Using smaller ADMs (20 mm×30 mm×7 mm), containing 4.86 mg of norvancomycin, with increased collagen density and a three-layered film with two outer drug-free films above and below the antibiotic layer resulted in sustained cumulative release of 2.91 mg (59.9%) of norvancomycin over 72 hours. The similar factor (f2) comparison method proved that products from a same batch were statistically significant similar (f2 >50).

Conclusions
Artificial ADMs made of collagen can be processed to provide a mature dural repair material for the sustained release of norvancomycin. This system may provide a basis for developing sustained release materials for other drugs.
Activated Notch1 reduces myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in vitro during ischemic postconditioning by crosstalk with the RISK signaling pathway
Authors: ZHOU Xue-liang , WAN Li , LIU Ji-chun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Ischemic postconditioning (IPost), able to significantly attenuate myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, is dependent on RISK signaling. Studies have shown that Notch signaling repairs damaged myocardium, and this study aimed to investigate the effect of Notch signaling in myocardial IPost.

Methods
We used H9c2 cells to establish the myocardial IPost and Hypoxia/Reoxygenation (H/R) model in vitro. which were randomly divided into control, H/R, IPost, Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)+IPost and DAPT+IPost, N1ICD+IPost, miRNA+IPost, and Mock treatment groups. The myocardial cell viability was assessed by MTT, the cell apoptosis was detected using Annexin V/PI double staining and flow cytometry analyses. The expression of N1ICD, Hes1, PTEN Phospho-Akt/Akt, Phospho-GSK-3β/GSK-3β were detected by Western blotting. Finally, we assessed the changes in Ψm using the potential-sensitive dye JC-1 and measured using flow cytometry analyses.

Results
The Notch1 signaling is activated by HGF and ectopic expression of N1ICD during myocardial IPost, which increased myocardial cell viability, prevented cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and reduced loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. However, myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury was increased in IPost when Notch1 signaling was inhibited using DAPT or with knockdown by Notch1-miRNA. Western blotting found that PTEN was down-regulated by Hes1 when Notch1 was activated, which consequently promoted Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation.

Conclusions
Notch1 crosstalk with RISK signaling may be dependent on PTEN, which plays a cardioprotective role during IPost. This mechanism could provide a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.
Role of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer
Authors: WU Peng-fei , LU Zi-peng , CAI Bao-bao , TIAN Lei , ZOU Chen , JIANG Kui-rong , MIAO Yi 
Published: January 2024

Objective
This review focuses on the state-of-the-art of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and its role in tumor progression.

Data sources
Relevant articles published in English were identified by searching in Pubmed from 1997 to 2013, with keywords “CXCL12”, “CXCR4” and “pancreatic cancer”. Important references from selected articles were also retrieved.

Study selection
Articles about CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in pancreatic cancer and relevant mechanisms were selected.

Results
Pancreatic cancer has been one of the most lethal human malignancies, with median survival less than one year and overall 5-year survival only 6%. Tumor cells from pancreatic cancer express high level of CXCR4. CXCL12, the ligand for CXCR4, is extensively secreted by neighboring stromal cells and other distant organs. CXCL12 primarily binds to CXCR4, induces intracellular signaling through several divergent pathways, which are involved in progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions
CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may play an important role in the communication between pancreatic cancer cells and their microenvironment, which may have effect on tumor proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may serves as a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Predicted lower limit of normal reduces misclassification risk of airflow limitation in asymptomatic elderly never-smokers
Authors: WANG Yang , XIAO Wei , MA De-dong , JIANG Yuan-yuan 
Published: January 2024

Background
It remains controversial what better defines abnormal lung function at the extremes of age. This study aimed to establish new spirometric reference equations for residents in Jinan and compare the most accepted two spirometric definitions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—a fixed post-bronchodilator ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) below 70% vs. FEV1/FVC <lower limit of normal (LLN)—in an elderly population (age ≥60 years).

Methods
Among 10 002 cases, only never-smokers who had no respiratory symptoms or diagnoses of cardiopulmonary diseases and whose lung function measurements strictly followed the American Thoracic Society guidelines, were included in the statistical analysis. For each gender, prediction equations of FEV1, FVC, FEV1 /FVC and corresponding LLN values were developed using multiple regression models.

Results
In this cross-sectional study, spirometric reference values were statistically derived from a sample of 1328 healthy never-smokers (672 males, 656 females), age 56–84 years. As expected, age and height were the main predictors for all lung function parameters. Using the two spirometric definitions, the number of pulmonary function test results interpreted as obstructed varied markedly in the elderly population for both genders (males: χ2=19.59, P < 0.01; females: χ2=5.67, P=0.017).

Conclusions
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criterion probably leads to over-diagnosis in asymptomatic elderly never-smokers. Our study suggests that the predicted LLN values will reduce the misclassification risk instead. However, cohort studies are urgently needed for clinical validation.
Heart rate distribution and predictors of resting heart rate after initiation of beta-blocker treatment in patients with coronary artery disease: REsults of Sympathetic Evaluation And Research of China (RESEARCH) study
Authors: ZHAO Ying-xin , LI Yue-ping , GAO Fei , MA Han-ying , WANG Zhi-jian , HAN Hong-ya , SHEN Hua , ZHOU Yu-jie 
Published: January 2024

Background
The importance of heart rate as secondary prevention strategies for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is emphasized by multiple guidelines. However, limited information is available on the heart rate distribution and the change patterns of resting heart rate when initiating beta-blocker therapy among Chinese patients with CAD.

Methods
The REsults of Sympathetic Evaluation And Research of China (RESEARCH) study is a multi-centre, prospective, observational study involving 147 centers in 23 cities across China. All eligible beta-blocker naive patients were prescribed with metroprolol succinate. Initial dosage and target heart rate were selected at the discretion of their physicians in charge according to their usual institutional practice. The heart rate distribution and the change patterns of resting heart rate after initiation of beta-blocker therapy were observed.

Results
The majority of patients (63.6%) were prescribed with 47.5 mg metroprolol succinate. At baseline, there were only 17.4% of patients whose heart rate was less than 70 beats per minute, and the proportion reached 42.5% and 79.1%, one month and two months after initiation of beta-blockers, respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that baseline heart rate (B=0.900, SE=0.006, t=141.787, P<0.0001) and the dosage (B=-0.007, SE=0.002, t=-3.242, P=0.001) were independent predictors of resting heart rate 2 months after beta-blocker therapy.

Conclusions
Resting heart rate is not optimally controlled in a broadly representative cohort of Chinese outpatients with CAD even after initiation of β-blocker therapy, and baseline heart rate and the dosage of beta-blocker are both independent predictors of resting heart rate after β-blocker therapy.
Effect of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on bone mineral density in adolescent women
Authors: ZHANG Mei-hua , ZHANG Wei , ZHANG Ai-dong , YANG Yan , GAI Ling 
Published: January 2024

Background
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) as a hormonal contraceptive is highly effective and widely used, but it may reduce bone mineral density (BMD) and increase the risk of osteoporosis. We compared BMD between users of intramuscular DMPA and nonhormonal subjects.

Methods
The study included 102 women aged between 16 and 18 years using DMPA for 24 months and 97 women aged between 16 and 18 years using nonhormonal contraception as nonusers control group. BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured every 12 months for 24 months using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, comparing mean BMD changes in DMPA users and nonusers.

Results
There were no significant differences between groups at baseline in age, gynecologic age, body mass index (BMI), lumbar spine BMD and femoral neck BMD, etc. At 24 months of DMPA treatment, the mean percentage change from baseline in lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD values had decreased by 1.88% and 2.32%, respectively. The mean lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD in DMPA group at 24 months were not significantly different compared to baseline (P=0.212 and P=0.106, respectively). In comparison, in nonhormonal control group, there was a trend toward increasing BMD. At 24 months of observation, the mean percentage change from baseline in lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD had increased by 2.08% and 1.46%, respectively. There were no significant difference compared to baseline (P=0.160 and P=0.288, respectively). Mean BMD at the spine and femoral neck did not differ significantly between DMPA users and nonusers over 12-month, but the BMD values at both anatomical sites were significantly lower in DMPA users compared with nonusers after 24-month treatment (P=0.009 and P=0.009, respectively).

Conclusion
The evidence of our study suggested that the use of DMPA for short-term (≤12-month) has no significant effects on BMD at spine and femoral neck, but long-term exposure to DMPA may prevent the bone mass accrual in adolescents.
Clinical and CT imaging features of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Qingqiang , Zhu Wenrong , Wang Zhongqiu , Wu Jingtao 
Published: January 2024

Background
There are relatively few reports focusing on clinical and multi-slice CT (MSCT) imaging findings of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC). Our study aimed to characterize the clinical and MSCT imaging features of MTSCC.

Methods
The imaging findings in 17 patients with MTSCC by MSCT were retrospectively studied. MSCT was undertaken to investigate tumor location, size, density, cystic or solid appearance, calcification, capsule sign, enhancement pattern, and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis.

Results
Tumors (mean diameter, (3.9±1.7) cm) were solitary (17/17), solid (16/17) with cystic components (5/17), had no calcifications (14/17), had a poorly defined margin (14/17), were centered in the medulla (15/17), compressed the renal pelvis (7/17), and neither lymph node nor distant metastasis was found. The attenuation of MTSCC tumors was equal to that of the renal cortex or medulla on unenhanced CT (32.3±2.6, 36.3±4.6, 33.2±3.9, respectively, P >0.05), while tumor enhancement after administration of a contrast agent was lower than that of normal renal cortex and medulla during all phases (P <0.05).

Conclusion
MTSCC tends to be a solitary, isodense mass with poorly defined margin arising from the renal medulla with enhancement less than the cortex and medulla during all phases. Chin Med J 2014;127 (7): 1278–1283
Association between improved trunk stability and walking capacity using ankle-foot orthosis in hemiparetic patients with stroke: evidence from three-dimensional gait analysis
Authors: LAN Yue , XU Guang-qing , HUANG Dong-feng , MAO Yu-rong , CHEN Shao-zhen , PEI Zhong , ZENG Jin-sheng 
Published: January 2024

Background
Restoration of both normal movement of the pelvis and centre of mass is a primary goal of walking rehabilitation in post-stroke patients because these movements are essential components of effective gait. The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the effect of ankle-foot orthosis on walking ability, and to investigate the correlation between improvements in trunk motion and walking capacity.

Methods
Walking speed, centre of mass displacement, and pelvic movements were examined in 20 post-stroke hemiparetic patients with and without ankle-foot orthosis using three-dimensional motion analysis.

Results
Using ankle-foot orthosis improved walking speed, pelvic rotation and tilt, and lateral and vertical displacements of the centre of mass (P <0.01). Moreover, the gait asymmetry index was significantly decreased (P <0.01), and the Functional Ambulation Categories score improved significantly when patients used an ankle-foot orthosis (P <0.05). There was significant correlation between improvements in the walking capacity and the displacement of the centre of mass in both vertical and lateral directions (P <0.01).

Conclusions
Using ankle-foot orthosis improves the walking capacity by improving the stability and concordant of the trunk in hemiplegic patients. The improvement in the walking capacity from using an ankle-foot orthosis may be attributed to its prevention of foot drop and compensation for the instability of the ankle joint.
A matched cohort study of laparoscopy-assisted and open total gastrectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer without serosa invasion
Authors: Jianxian Lin , Changming Huang , Chaohui Zheng , Ping Li , Jianwei Xie , Jiabin Wang , Jun Lu 
Published: January 2024

Background
Little is known about the feasibility and safety of laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) with extended lymphadenectomy in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This study compared the technical feasibility, safety, and oncologic efficacy of LATG with open total gastrectomy (OTG) for AGC without serosa invasion.

Methods
From January 2009 to December 2011, 235 patients underwent LATG and 153 patients underwent OTG for AGC without serosa invasion. Age, gender, and depth of invasion (pT2 and pT3) were matched by propensity scoring, and 116 patients (58 LATG and 58 OTG) were selected for analysis. Their clinicopathologic characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and survival were compared.

Results
There was no significant difference in clinicopathologic characteristics between the two propensity-matched groups. Median number of lymph nodes per patient was 29, and the mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was similar in the LATG and OTG groups (30.8±10.2 vs. 29.0±8.3). Peri-operative characteristics, operation time, number of transfused units per patient, and time to resumption of activities were similar in the two groups; while blood loss, times to first flatus and resumption of soft diet, and post-operative stay were significantly lower in the LATG group (P <0.05, respectively). Rates of post-operative complications (12.1% vs. 15.5%) and postoperative mortality (0% vs. 1.7%), as well as cumulative survival rates, were similar.

Conclusions
LATG with D2 lymphadenectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for AGC patients without serosa invasion. Prospective, multicenter, randomized trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of LATG in this patient population.
Reversion effects of curcumin on multidrug resistance of MNNG/HOS human osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo through regulation of P-glycoprotein
Authors: SI Meng , ZHAO Jie , LI Xin , TIAN Ji-guang , LI Yong-gang , LI Jian-min 
Published: January 2024

Background
P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1 (ABCB1) gene is a kind of ATP-dependent drug transporter, which plays important roles in multidrug resistance (MDR) of human cancers, such as osteosarcoma. Curcumin is a natural phenolic coloring compound originating from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, which is proved to possess antitumor biological activities including reversion of MDR. However, the effect and molecular mechanisms of curcumin to osteosarcoma MDR remain unclear.

Methods
We established a human osteosarcoma drug-resistant cell line MNNG/HOS/MTX by pulse exposure to methotrexate (MTX) and verified that the new cell lines were cross-resistant to other anticancer agents. Then, according to the cytotoxicity assay, we reversed MDR of MNNG/HOS/MTX by 30 μmol/L curcumin, and detected the mechanisms of curcumin reversing MDR through Real-time PCR, Western blotting assay, and Rhodamine123 (Rh123) transport test. Finally, we evaluated the effect of curcumin reversing MDR in vivo by MNNG/HOS/MTX cells xenograft-nude mice model.

Results
MNNG/HOS/MTX was proved to be a human osteosarcoma MDR cell line. MTT tumor chemosensitivity test indicates that 30 μmol/L curcumin attenuates the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and resistance index (RI) to MTX, diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP), adriamycin (ADM), ifosfamide (IFO), and epirubicin (EPI) in MNNG/HOS/MTX cells (P<0.05). Real-time PCR and Western blotting assays demonstrated that curcumin down-regulated P-gp expression of MNNG/HOS/MTX cells. Rh123 transport test showed that curcumin inhibited the transport function of P-gp in vitro. In vivo studies showed that curcumin displayed the features of sensitizing antitumor drugs and inhibiting the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of osteosarcoma MDR cells.

Conclusion
Down-regulation of P-gp and inhibition of the function of P-gp efflux pump may contribute to MDR reversion induced by curcumin in vitro and in vivo.