bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of different scoring systems for early postoperative mortality in patients with a second coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Zhang Benqing , Sun Hansong , Hu Shengshou , Xu Jianping , Wang Wei , Song Yunhu , Lyu Feng , Wu Hengchao 
Published: January 2024

Background
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has been developed over many years. Recently, an increasing number of patients need a second surgery for relapse of symptoms. In consideration of the high surgical risk, accurate preoperative evaluation is needed. The aim of the study was to assess the predictive value of three different risk scoring system for early postoperative mortality rate in patients with redo-CABG.

Methods
Seventy-seven patients who underwent redo-CABG in Fu Wai Hospital from January 1997 to June 2013 were enrolled. All patients were retrospectively scored for early postoperative mortality rate using EuroSCORE, STS score and SinoSCORE. Overall expected mortality rates were compared with observed mortality rates. Discrimination was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under a ROC curve (AUC).

Results
Four patients died after a redo-CABG 5%. The mortality rates predicted by EuroSCORE, STS score and SinoSCORE were 5.0%, 2.2% and 1.4%, respectively. The AUC of the three kinds of score were 0.465, 0.543 and 0.528, respectively, indicating a poor correlation between the observed and predicted mortality rates.

Conclusion
The predictive value of EuroSCORE, STS score and SinoSCORE is poor for early postoperative mortality rate in patients with redo-CABG.
Clinical relevance of angiographic coronary collaterals during primary coronary intervention for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Shen Ying , Wu Feng , Pan Chunzang , Zhu Tianqi , Zhang Qi , Zhang Ruiyan , Ding Fenghua , Lu Lin , Hu Jian , Yang Zhenkun , Shen Weifeng , Wu Zonggui 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundCollaterals to occluded infarct-related coronary arteries (IRA) have been observed after the onset of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to investigate the impact of early coronary collateralization, as evidenced by angiography, on myocardial reperfusion and outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsAcute procedural results, ST-segment resolution (STR), enzymatic infarct size, echocardiographic left ventricular function, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 6-month follow-up were assessed in 389 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI for occluded IRA (TIMI flow grade 0 or 1) within 12 hours of symptom-onset. Angiographic coronary collateralization to the occluded IRA at first contrast injection was graded according to the Rentrop scoring system.ResultsLow (Rentrop score of 0 or 1) and high (Rentrop score of 2 or 3) coronary collateralization was detected in 329 and 60 patients, respectively. Patients with high collateralization more commonly had prior stable angina and right coronary artery occlusion, but less often had left anterior descending artery occlusion. At baseline, these patients presented with less extent of ST-segment elevation and lower serum levels of creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Procedural success rate, STR, corrected TIMI flame count, and area under the curve of CKMB and cTnI measurements after the procedure were similar between patients with high collateralization and those with low collateralization (for all comparisonsP>0.05). There were no differences in left ventricular ejection fraction and rates of MACE at 6 months according to baseline angiographic collaterals to occluded IRA.ConclusionsIn patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI within 12 hours of symptom-onset, coronary collateralization to the occluded IRA was influenced by clinical and angiographic features. Early recruitment of collaterals limits infarct size at baseline, but has no significant impact on myocardial reperfusion after the procedure and subsequent left ventricular function and clinical outcomes.
Matrix metalloproteinase-8 inhibitors mitigate sepsis-induced myocardial injury in rats
Authors: Xiaorui Zhou , Jiakai Lu , Dong Chen , Wei Wang , Qing Cai , Tongxun Li , Jinglan Zhang 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundSepsis-induced myocardial injury (SIMI) is caused by a variety of mechanisms. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) on SIMI and its mechanisms in rats.MethodsForty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: MMP-8 inhibitor (M8I), dexamethasone (DEX), sepsis, and sham groups. The sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats in the M8I group immediately received an intraperitoneal injection of M8I (0.1 mg/kg) after CLP. Rats in the DEX group immediately received an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of DEX (2 mg/kg). Rats in the sepsis and sham groups received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline. Rats were sacrificed 12 hours after CLP. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to observe the myocardium. The myocardial ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscopy. MMP-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of MMP-8 was measured by Western blotting. TNF-α and IL-1β levels in serum and myocardial tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsCompared with the sham group, the myocardium in the sepsis group was seriously injured. MMP-8, TNF-α and IL-1β expression was higher in the sepsis group than in the sham group. Treatment with M8I or DEX, however, attenuated sepsis induced histopathological changes in the heart, and was associated with significant reductions in serum and myocardial levels of TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.05). M8I significantly inhibited MMP-8 expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.05). In addition, treatment with DEX was not associated with a change in myocardial levels of MMP-8 (P>0.05).ConclusionMMP-8 inhibitor attenuated myocardial injury in septic rats, which might be related to reduced expression of TNF-α and IL-1β.
Bronchiectasis: still a problem
Authors: Wang Zengli 
Published: January 2024

ObjectiveThe purpose of this descriptive review was to delineate the current knowledge of bronchiectasis in terms of prevalence, burden of disease, pathophysiology, and management.Data sourcesThe National Library of Medicines MEDLINE and PubMed database (2005—2013) were used to conduct a search using the keyword term “bronchiectasis”. The references for articles being considered for inclusion were searched from additional sources such as conference proceedings.Study selectionCriteria for inclusion of articles included data outlining epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and evidence-based guidelines for management of bronchiectasis. In assessing the quality of the articles, factors such as size of the population studied, clinical setting of the study, and whether or not the studies were prospective or retrospective were taken into consideration. Review articles were also included in our data collection.ResultsDespite many advances in modern medicine, bronchiectasis still remains a significant public health problem in developed countries and the developing world. It carries a significant burden worldwide in terms of morbidity and mortality, as well as financially to the affected population. In addition, bronchiectasis may associate with chronic airflow obstruction, regardless of smoking status.ConclusionsBronchiectasis is a debilitating illness responsible for significant morbidity with a poor health-related quality of life. The condition has a substantial socioeconomic cost because both primary and secondary healthcare resources are frequently used and periods of sick leave are common.
Proliferating cell nuclear antigen involved in the repair process of ouabain-induced brain damage independent of hypertension in rats
Authors: You Beian , Shen Lin , Qiu Jie , Liu Xiangju , Zhao Shaohua , Ji Xiang , Wang Yan , Gao Haiqing 
Published: January 2024

Background
Ouabain is a mammalian adrenocortical hormone that is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension by inhibiting Na-K ATPase activity. It also participates in a variety of kinase-mediated signaling pathways associated with Na-K ATPase. Previous studies have shown that ouabain can cause cardiac remodeling independent of elevated blood pressure and that proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) plays a coordinating role for numerous proteins involved in multiple processes associated with DNA synthesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that ouabain might play a role in the cerebral cortex through signaling pathways independent of hypertension. And PCNA might be involved in this process.

Methods
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with ouabain or with 0.9% nitric sodium as the control group. Systolic blood pressure was recorded weekly. After four weeks of treatment, morphological changes in the cerebral cortex were analyzed using light and transmission electron microscopy. The expression of PCNA in the cerebral cortex was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, real time quantitative PCR, and Western blotting.

Results
After 4-week treatment, there was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure compared with the control group, but both structural deterioration and up-regulated expression of PCNA in the brain was induced by ouabain treatment.

Conclusions
These results suggest that ouabain induces alterations in the brain structure, and this effect is independent of blood pressure. PCNA might be involved in the repair process of ouabain-induced brain damage.
Transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells overexpressing human vascular endothelial growth factor 165 enhances tissue repair in a rat model of radiation-induced injury
Authors: Wang Tao , Liao Tian'an , Wang Hong , Deng Wei , Yu Dahai 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundThe multilineage differentiation potential ability of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) showed great potential in tissue engineering, while vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) promotes vasculogenesis and further promotes tissue regeneration. This study aimed to assess the ability of rat BMSCs expressing humanVEGF A165(hVEGF165) to promote tissue repair in rat model of radiation-induced injury.MethodsRat BMSCs were isolated from the tibia. Plasmid DNA expressinghVEGF165was stably transfected into BMSCs using liposomes. The right hindlimb muscle of 40 rats was irradiated using a60Co Y source (total dose 30 Gy). The animals were divided into four groups (n=10): not injected with BMSCs (control; group 1) or intramuscularly injected two times (once in 2 weeks) with pcDNATM3.1-transfected BMSCs (group 2), untransfected BMSCs (group 3), orhVEGF165- transfected BMSCs (group 4). Angiography was performed 1 week after the last injection of BMSCs; samples of the hindlimb muscle were subjected to transmission electron microscopy, ultrastructural analysis, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry.ResultsRat BMSCs with multipotent differentiation capacity were isolated.hVEGF165-transfected BMSCs overexpressed hVEGF165mRNA and protein. Injection of BMSCs (groups 2–4) increased the average vessel number, density, diameter, and cross-sectional area; mRNA expression of the myogenic markers including myoblast determination protein, myogenin, and α-smooth muscle actin; and CD31 protein expression; and promoted the repair of blood vessels and myofibers after radiation-induced injury compared to group 1; each of these parameters andhVEGF165mRNA or protein expression were markedly improved in rats injected withhVEGF165-transfected BMSCs compared to groups 2 and 3.ConclusionsBMSCs expressinghVEGF165enhanced the repair of radiation-induced tissue injury by promoting vasculogenesis and muscle fiber regeneration. BMSCs expressinghVEGF165may have potential clinical applications.
Efficacy of sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: initial experience in two Chinese centers
Authors: Zhisong He , Gang Guo , Cuijian Zhang , Xuesong Li , Weijun Fu , Jie Jin , Xu Zhang , Liqun Zhou 
Published: January 2024

Background
The advent of targeted therapy has proved a milestone in the history of metastatic renal cell carcinoma treatment, and several guidelines now recommend sunitinib as first- or second-line treatment. But little is known about its efficacy in Asian patients. The aim of this article was to evaluate the efficacy of sunitinib monotherapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated at two Chinese centers.

Methods
One hundred and forty-one patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma were included in the study. Of them, 119 patients received single-agent sunitinib as first-line therapy and the remaining 22 patients received it as second-line therapy. One hundred and twenty patients received sunitinib in a dosage of 50 mg orally once daily on a 4-2 schedule (4 weeks on treatment, 2 weeks off), while 21 patients received 37.5 mg/day continuously until either disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The overall response rate, survival outcomes, and safety were evaluated. Results Over a median follow-up time of 23 months (16 cycles; range 2-45 months), complete responses, partial responses, and stable disease lasting two cycles or longer were achieved in 2.8%, 24.1%, and 60.3% of patients respectively (objective response rate 26.9%; overall benefit 87.2%). The median progression-free survival was 14.2 months (range 3-39 months). During the study, 53 patients died and the median survival time was 13.5 months (range 7-25 months). Dose modification or treatment interruption due to adverse events was required in 36.9% of the patients. The most common adverse events were hand-foot syndrome (71.4%), thrombocytopenia (68.8%), hypertension (47.1%), and fatigue (46.3%).

Conclusion
Sunitinib had a favorable efficacy/tolerability profile in Chinese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma treated with radical surgery
Authors: Xuefeng Xu , Jian’ang Li , Xu Han , Chenye Shi , Dayong Jin , Wenhui Lou 
Published: January 2024

Background
Gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas (g-NECs) are rare tumors that have aggressive biological behaviors and poor prognosis, but the prognostic factors of postoperative patients with g-NEC are still unclear. Our aim was to study and explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with g-NEC treated with radical surgery.

Methods
The clinical data of 43 g-NEC patients who underwent surgery from January 2002 to January 2011 at the Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University were analyzed. Follow-up was conducted by telephone, mail, or returning visit survey.

Results
The sizes of the 43 neuroendocrine carcinomas (G3) were 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm × 0.5 cm to 7 cm × 8 cm × 1.5 cm. Eight NECs were localized, and 35 had lymph node involvement, of which 1 also had hepatic metastasis. At the end of the follow-up, the follow-up rate was 97.7% (42/43), and the median follow-up time was 22.2 months. The median overall survival of g-NEC patients was 36.5 months, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 86.0%, 51.6%, and 36.7%, respectively. Sex (P <0.05) and lymph node involvement (P <0.05) were prognostic factors of postoperative g-NEC patients, among which sex was an independent prognostic factor (P <0.05), as a survival advantage of female patients over male was observed.

Conclusions
Most of the g-NECs were diagnosed at an advanced stage. The prognosis of g-NECs was related with sex and lymph node involvement, of which sex was an independent prognostic factor, with female patients having a survival advantage.
Retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site ureterolithotomy versus conventional laparoscopic ureterolithotomy
Authors: Qiao Peng , Zhang Junhui , Wang Jianwen , Tian Xiquan , Niu Yinong , Xing Nianzeng 
Published: January 2024

Background
Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery through the retroperitoneal approach has been seldom reported. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of LESS and conventional laparoscopic surgery via the retroperitoneal approach in the management of large, impacted ureteral calculi.

Methods
Between November 2011 and July 2013, retroperitoneal LESS ureterolithotomy was performed in 12 patients using a homemade single-port device comprising a surgical glove and several strips of tape. Another 16 patients underwent conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. We compared the operative time, complications, and surgical outcomes, retrospectively.

Results
All patients were completed without conversion to conventional laparoscopic or open surgery. The operative time of the LESS group and of the conventional laparoscopic group were (125.3±12.8) minutes and (116.9±14.4) minutes, respectively (P=0.119). The intraoperative blood loss was (42.9±8.9) and (43.4±14.7) ml, respectively (P=0.914). Postoperative radiologic evaluation revealed that the stones had been removed completely. Cosmetic results were superior in the LESS group (P=0.001).

Conclusion
Retroperitoneal LESS ureterolithotomy using a homemade single-port device can be considered a feasible and safe alternative to conventional laparoscopic ureterolithotomy.
Retrospective epidemiological study of thyroid nodules by ultrasound in asymptomatic subjects
Authors: Sharen Gaowa , Zhang Bo , Zhao Ruina , Sun Jie , Gai Xiaorong , Lou Huiping 
Published: January 2024

Background
The purpose of this study was to conduct thyroid ultrasound examinations on a large sample of subjects and explore the occurrence, distribution, and characteristics of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer to provide some information on the epidemic trend of thyroid nodules and cancer.

Methods
The thyroid ultrasonic examination results of 19 895 healthy physical examinees who visited the Department of Health Management, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to December 2011 were analyzed retrospectively to determine the detection rate and characteristics of thyroid nodules. Fine needle aspiration or surgical resection was suggested to subjects suspected of having thyroid cancer.

Results
The detection rate of thyroid nodules was 42.6% (8 480/19 895), 40.0% (4 661/11 678) in men and 46.5% (3 819/8 217) in women. The detection rate noticeably increased with increasing age. The detection rate of thyroid nodules by palpation was obviously lower than by ultrasonic examination in various age groups. Among those with thyroid nodules, 61.3% were multiple and 38.7% were solitary; multiple nodule was the major type both in men and women. Twenty-nine cases of malignant nodules were solitary, and 30 cases of malignant nodules were multiple. There was no significant difference. The detection rate of thyroid cancer was 0.30% for the entire group of examinees, and 0.15% in men and 0.50% in women. Among all sex and age groups, 30- to 40-year-old women had the highest detection rate (0.76%). The detection rate of thyroid nodules correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, height, and weight. Increasing age and/or higher systolic blood pressure correlated with a higher detection rate, while smaller height and weight also correlated with a higher detection rate with significant differences. However, there were no significant correlations between the detection rate and diastolic blood pressure or body mass index.

Conclusions
The detection of thyroid cancer increased significantly, especially in women. Thus, precautions needed to be taken. Regular physical examination and timely intervention after detection of malignant nodules are critical to improve the prognosis in thyroid cancer patients.
Dynamic changes in hair cell ribbon synapse induced by loss of spiral ganglion neurons in mice
Authors: Yuan Yasheng , Chi Fanglu 
Published: January 2024

Background
Previous studies have suggested that primary degeneration of hair cells causes secondary degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), but the effect of SGN degeneration on hair cells has not been studied. In the adult mouse inner ear ouabain can selectively and permanently induce the degeneration of type 1 SGNs while leaving type 2 SGNs, efferent fibers, and sensory hair cells relatively intact. This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in hair cell ribbon synapse induced by loss of SGNs using ouabain application to the round window niche of adult mice.

Methods
In the analysis, 24 CBA/CAJ mice aged 8-10 weeks, were used, of which 6 normal mice were used as the control group. After ouabain application in the round window niche 6 times in an hour, ABR threshold shifts at least 30 dB in the three experimental groups which had six mice for 1-week group, six for 1-month group, and six for 3-month group. All 24 animals underwent function test at 1 week and then immunostaining at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months.

Results
The loss of neurons was followed by degeneration of postsynaptic specializations at the afferent synapse with hair cells. One week after ouabain treatment, the nerve endings of type 1 SGNs and postsynaptic densities, as measured by Na/K ATPase and PSD-95, were affected but not entirely missing, but their partial loss had consequences for synaptic ribbons that form the presynaptic specialization at the synapse between hair cells and primary afferent neurons. Ribbon numbers in inner hair cells decreased (some of them broken and the ribbon number much decreased), and the arrangement of the synaptic ribbons had undergone a dynamic reorganization: ribbons with or without associated postsynaptic densities moved from their normal location in the basal membrane of the cell to a more apical location and the neural endings alone were also found at more apical locations without associated ribbons. After 1 month, when the neural postsynaptic densities had completed their degeneration, most ribbons were lost and the remaining ribbons had no contact with postsynaptic densities; after 3 months, the ribbon synapses were gone except for an occasional remnant of a CtBP2-positive vesicle. Hair cells were intact other than the loss of ribbons (based on immunohistochemistry and DPOAE).

Conclusion
These findings define the effect of SGN loss on the precise spatiotemporal size and location of ribbons and the time course of synaptic degeneration and provide a model for studying plasticity and regeneration.
Genetic analysis of a congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus pedigree
Authors: Shen Yunfeng , Lai Xiaoyang , Xiao Xinlan , Li Jing , Yu Rong , Gao Hui , Zhang Meiying 
Published: January 2024

Background
As an X-linked recessive way, arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2) gene mutation resulted in a hereditary disease — congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (CNDI). We found a suspect clinical CNDI pedigree. In order to identify the genetic etiology, we performed the genetic analysis.

Methods
The clinical features of the proband and his family members were recorded. The laboratory tests and imaging inspections were analyzed. The water deprivation and pituitrin loading test were performed in the proband and his brother. The genomic DNA of all the members of the pedigree was extracted and then PCR amplification on AVPR2 gene was carried out. Sequencing in both directions was performed to identify mutation on AVPR2 gene.

Results
Both the proband and his brother were diagnosed as CNDI, meanwhile the other members of this pedigree were normal. No severe biochemical abnormality was found in the two CNDI patients. Both the patients had moderate urinary retention, severe megaloureter and hydronephrosis, and mild renal insufficiency. Two mutations of AVPR2 gene were discovered in the 3rd exon in the patients, a silent mutation L309L and a nonsense mutation R337X. The AVPR2 gene R337X mutation was co-segregated with CNDI. R337X mutation was not a reported mutation in the mainland of China.

Conclusion
The AVPR2 gene R337X mutation was also a genetic etiology of CNDI patients in the mainland of China.