bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
National survey of doctor-reported secondary preventive treatment for patients with acute coronary syndrome in China
Authors: LI Jing , LI Xi , Chen Yiping , Chen Zhengming , ZHANG Li-hua , FENG Fang , ZHANG Hai-bo , LIU Jia-min , GAO Yan , HUNDEI Wuhan-bilige , LI Li , JIANG Li-xin 
Published: January 2024

Background
Long-term use of antiplatelet agents, statins, beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are proven therapies for secondary prevention in acute coronary syndrome. However, little is known of physicians’ opinion about their use in China.

Methods
In 2010, standard questionnaires were posted to chief cardiologists in 1397 geographically diverse and representative sample of tertiary and secondary hospitals in China, collecting information about their opinions on the recommended treatments for acute coronary syndrome.

Results
A total of 1009 (72%) cardiologists responded with a valid questionnaire. Of them, 77% reported routine use of all the four main secondary preventive treatments, with little difference between secondary and tertiary hospitals (75% vs. 79%, P=0.16). Of the cardiologists reporting routine or selective use of aspirin, beta-blockers, statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, 94%, 85%, 73% and 86% would recommend indefinite use respectively. For all the 4 treatments combined, only 63.5% reported indefinite use at the same time, with no significant difference between secondary and tertiary hospitals (62% vs. 65%, P=0.17), nor between hospitals with or without fast track for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (66% vs. 61%, P=0.50).

Conclusions
Although Chinese cardiologists seem well informed about the value of main secondary preventive treatments for acute coronary syndrome, there is still gap in their understanding of the need for combined and prolonged use of these treatments.
Molecular typing and resistance mechanisms of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from a Chinese surgical intensive care unit
Authors: Yi Meiying , Wang Pengyuan , Liu Yucun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Carbapenems are an important class of drugs for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infections. However, carbapenem resistance has been commonly observed in nonfermenter species of bacteria. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology and carbapenem resistant mechanisms of P. aeruginosa isolated from a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) in China.

Methods
The molecular typing was analyzed by REP-PCR. Enzyme activity was measured with a 260 nm wavelength spectrophotometer. The levels of outer membrane proteins OprD and OprN were measured by Western blotting. The levels of mexA gene transcriptional expression were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The metallo-beta-lactamase genes IMP, VIM, SPM, GES, and GIM were amplified by PCR. DNA fragments were sequenced by an automated ABI PRISM 3700.

Results
Forty-two strains resistant to carbapenems isolated from a SICU were analyzed. REP-PCR revealed 34 belonging to type A, a predominant strain in this SICU. But we did not find metallo-beta-lactamases IMP, VIM, SPM, GES, or GIM genes by PCR. With a three-dimensional extract test, we found 34 strains producing high levels of AmpC enzymes. We also observed the activity of beta-lactamases enzymes in the imipenem resistant group, which was statistically different from the sensitive group. Western blotting revealed that 23 strains showed loss of OprD, 18 strains had decreased OprD expression, and 14 strains expressed OprN. We discovered 27 strains that overexpressed mexA by quantitative real-time PCR, and the resistance rate to meropenem was statistically different between the overexpressing group and the lowexpressing group. Nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequence analysis revealed that eight strains carried mutations in the mexR gene operon down regulating MexAB-OprM. The nucleotide sequences of mexR genes from PA36, PA41 and PA48 were submitted to the Genebank with accession numbers of AY899299, AY899300, and AY899301.

Conclusions
There was a predominant strain in the SICU of our hospital. Imipenem resistance is mainly mediated by OprD deficiency or loss, and high activity AmpC enzymes. Overexpression of MexAB-OprM is one of the mechanisms of meropenem resistance, which are partly upregulated by mutations in the mexR gene. The expression of MexEF-OprN also plays an important role in the carbapenem resistance.
Limited value of recovery phase-limited ST segment depression of treadmill exercise test
Authors: Yang Hongbo , Huang Zheyong , Lou Yi , Shen Yunli , Qian Juying , Ge Junbo 
Published: January 2024

Background
Clinical meaning of recovery phase limited ST segment depression of a treadmill exercise test is controversial. The aim of this study was to re-assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of ST segment depression during the recovery phase with the active phase of a treadmill exercise test in suspected coronary artery disease patients.

Methods
Clinical, exercise and angiographic data were retrospectively collected from 602 patients in the study. Five hundred and seventy-six patients developed ST segment depression during the active phase of the treadmill exercise test (group 1) and 26 patients developed ST segment depression only during the recovery phase (group 2).

Results
With similar major clinical features, the prevalence of significant coronary artery stenosis and average Gensini scores were lower in the recovery phase-limited depression patients (group 2 vs. group 1, 50.0% vs. 66.9%, P=0.031 and group 2 vs. group 1, 1.5 vs. 8.5, P=0.04). At a median follow up of 50.9 months for 22 group 2 and 34.8 months for 438 group 1 patients, the prevalence of total cardiac events was higher in group 1 than in group 2 patients (RR 1.60, 95% CI 1.00-2.54, P=0.049).

Conclusion
The present study provides preliminary evidence that the diagnostic and prognostic value of recovery phase-limited ST segment depression of treadmill exercise test is limited.

Chin Med J 2014;127 (4): 742-746
A new method for rating dyspnea during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Wang Hao-yan , Xu Qiu-fen , Yuan Wei , Nie Shan , He Xin , Zhang Jian , Kong Yuan-yuan , Sperry Al , Guan David 
Published: January 2024

Background
The Borg scale is most commonly used to measure dyspnea in China. However, many patients that find it is difficult to distinguish the labeled numbers corresponding to different dyspnea scores. We developed a new method to rate dyspnea, which we call the count scale (CS). It includes the count scale number (CSN) and count scale time (CST). The aims of the present study were to determine the reproducibility and sensitivity of the CS during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods
Fourteen male patients with COPD (aged 58.00±7.72 years) participated in this study. A progressive incremental exercise and a 6-minute constant work exercise test were performed every 2 to 3 days for a total of 3 times. The CS results were evaluated at rest and at 30% and 70% of maximal workload (Wmax) and Wmax. The Borg scales were obtained during exercise.

Results
No significant differences occurred across the three trials during exercise for the CS and Borg scores. The CSN and CST were more varied at Wmax (coefficient of variation (CV)=(22.28±16.96)% for CSN, CV=(23.08±19.11)% for CST) compared to 30% of Wmax (CV=(11.92±8.78)% for CSN, CV=(11.16±9.96)% for CST) and 70% of Wmax (CV=(9.08±7.09)% for CSN, CV=(12.19±12.32)% for CST). Dyspnea ratings with either CSN or CST tended to decrease at the higher workload compared to the lower workload. CSN and CST scores were highly correlated (r=0.861, P <0.001). CSN was negatively correlated with Borg scores (r=-0.363, P=0.001). Similar results were obtained for the relationship between CST and Borg scores (r=-0.345, P=0.003).

Conclusion
We concluded that the CS is simple and reproducible when measuring dyspnea during exercise in patients with COPD.
Positive end expiratory pressure titrated by transpulmonary pressure improved oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients with intra-abdominal hypertension
Authors: YANG Yi , LI Yang , LIU Song-qiao , LIU Ling , HUANG Ying-zi , GUO Feng-mei , QIU Hai-bo 
Published: January 2024

Background
Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is common in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients and when resulting in decrease of chest wall compliance will weaken the effect of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). We investigated the effect of PEEP titrated by transpulmonary pressure (Ptp) on oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in ARDS patients with IAH compared with PEEP titrated by ARDSnet protocol.

Methods
ARDS patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Zhongda Hospital were enrolled. Patients were ventilated with volume control mode with tidal volume of 6 ml/kg under two different PEEP levels titrated by Ptp method and ARDSnet protocol. Respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and haemodynamics were measured after 30 minutes of ventilation in each round. IAH was defined as intra-abdominal pressure of 12 mmHg or more.

Results
Seven ARDS patients with IAH and 8 ARDS patients without IAH were enrolled. PEEP titrated by Ptp were significant higher than PEEP titrated by ARDSnet protocol in both ARDS patients with IAH ((17.3±2.6) cmH2O vs. (6.3±1.6) cmH2O and without IAH ((9.5±2.1) cmH2O vs. (7.8±1.9) cmH2O). Arterial pressure of O2/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) was much higher under PEEP titrated by Ptp when compared with PEEP titrated by ARDSnet protocol in ARDS patients with IAH ((27.2±4.0) cmHg vs. (20.9± 5.0) cmHg. But no significant difference of PaO2/FiO2 between the two methods was found in ARDS patients without IAH. In ARDS patients with IAH, static compliance of lung and respiratory system were higher under PEEP titrated by Ptp than by ARDSnet protocol. In ARDS patients with IAH, central venous pressure (CVP) was higher during PEEP titrated by Ptp than by ARDSnet protocol.

Conclusion
Positive end expiratory pressure titrated by transpulmonary pressure was higher than PEEP titrated by ARDSnet protocol and improved oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in ARDS patients with IAH.
Protectin D1 promotes resolution of inflammation in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury via enhancing neutrophil apoptosis
Authors: Li Xingwang , Li Chunlai , Liang Wandong , Bi Yuntian , Chen Maohua , Dong Sheng 
Published: January 2024

Background
Protectin D1 (PD1), derived from docosahexaenoic acid, has been shown to control and resolve inflammation in some experimental models of inflammatory disorders. We investigated the protective roles of protectin D1 in pulmonary inflammation and lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods
Mice were randomly assigned to six groups (n=6 per group): sham-vehicle group, sham-PD1 group, sham-zVAD-fmk group, LPS-vehicle group, LPS-PD1 group, and LPS-PD1-zVAD-fmk group. Mice were injected intratracheally with 3 mg/kg LPS or saline, followed 24 hours later by intravenous injection of 200 μg/mouse PD1 or vehicle. At the same time, some mice were also injected intraperitoneally with the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk. Seventy-two hours after LPS challenge, samples of pulmonary tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected. Optical microscopy was used to examine pathological changes in lungs. Cellularity and protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were analyzed. Lung wet/dry ratios and myeloperoxidase activity were measured. Apoptosis of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was also evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results
Intratracheal instillation of LPS increased neutrophil counts, protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and myeloperoxidase activity, it induced lung histological injury and edema, and also suppressed apoptosis of neutrophils in BALF. Posttreatment with PD1 inhibited LPS-evoked changes in BALF neutrophil counts and protein concentration and lung myeloperoxidase activity, with the outcome of decreased pulmonary edema and histological injury. In addition, PD1 promoted apoptosis of neutrophils in BALF. The beneficial effects of PD1 were blocked by zVAD-fmk.

Conclusion
Posttreatment with PD1 enhances resolution of lung inflammation during LPS-induced acute lung injury by enhancing apoptosis in emigrated neutrophils, which is, at least in part, caspase-dependent.
Antiviral therapy for “difficult-to-treat” hepatitis C virus-infected patients
Authors: Tatsuo Kanda , Osamu Yokosuka , Masao Omata 
Published: January 2024

Objective
To review the updated research on direct antiviral agents (DAAs)-including regimens for hepatitis C virus (HCV), and focus on “difficult-to-treat” HCV-infected patients.

Data sources
The literature concerning DAAs and hepatitis C cited in this review was collected from PubMed and Google Scholar databases published in English up to July 2013.

Study selection
Data from published articles regarding HCV and DAAs in clinical trials and in clinical use were identified and reviewed.

Results
It was recognized that some “difficult-to-treat” patients would still exist, even though stronger treatments using such as DAAs, including telaprevir and boceprevir, which lead to higher sustained virological response rates, are available. Such patients include those with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, elderly persons, children, HCV-human immunodeficiency virus co-infected patients, HCV-infected recipients, and so on.

Conclusions
Certain “difficult-to-treat” patients would still exist, even though stronger treatment is available. Although evidence from clinical trials is still lacking, interferon-sparing regimens could have stronger effects for eradicating HCV in such cases.
Total liquid ventilation reduces oleic acid-induced lung injury in piglets
Authors: ZHU Yao-Bin , LIU Dong-Hai , ZHANG Yan-Bo , LIU Ai-Jun , FAN Xiang-Ming , QIAO Chen-Hui , WANG Qiang , LIU Ying-Long 
Published: January 2024

Background
Pediatric patients are susceptible to lung injury that does not respond to traditional therapies. Total liquid ventilation has been developed as an alternative ventilatory strategy for severe lung injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of total liquid ventilation on oleic acid (OA)-induced lung injury in piglets.

Methods
Twelve Chinese immature piglets were induced acute lung injury by OA. Twelve piglets were randomly treated with conventional gas ventilation (control group) or total liquid ventilation (study group) for 240 minutes. Samples for blood gas analysis were collected before, and at 60-minute intervals after OA-induced lung injury. The degree of lung injury was quantified by histologic examination. The inflammatory cells and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in plasma, tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage were analyzed.

Results
Neutrophil and macrophage counts in bronchoalveolar lavage were significantly decreased in the study group (P<0.05). The total lung injury score was also reduced in the study group (P<0.05). The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in plasma, tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage were significantly reduced in the study group (P<0.05).

Conclusions
Total liquid ventilation reduces biochemical and histologic OA-induced lung injury in piglets.
Serum interleukin-10 levels and adverse events in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jun , Jia Yanjun , Li Xiaolin , Xu Ruixia , Zhu Chenggang , Guo Yuanlin , Wu Naqiong , Li Jianjun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Several studies investigating the prognostic utility of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have provided conflicting findings. The aim of the study was to assess the existing evidence regarding association between serum IL-10 levels and adverse events.

Methods
Literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Trials Register databases from their inception to September 30, 2012. In addition, reference lists of the included articles and their related citations in PubMed were also reviewed for additional pertinent studies.

Results
A total of 12 eligible studies comprising a total of 5882 patients were identified. The pooled relative risks for both studies reporting the risk estimates by IL-10 categories and studies reporting the risk estimates by unit IL-10 indicated an association between high IL-10 levels and adverse events. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis indicated that the results obtained in IL-10 categories were not stable.

Conclusions
Data from our meta-analysis supported the existence of a relationship between high serum IL-10 levels and adverse events in patients with ACS. Large study with longer follow-up is needed to confirm the findings.
An experimental study of using Chai Lai Prescription to treat in vitro rabbit models of reflux esophagitis
Authors: WANG Xiao-hua , WEN Hao , YOU Si-hong , XU Xiao-fei , WEN Wei 
Published: January 2024

Background

Chai Lai Prescription is a Chinese herbal compound which is used to sooth the liver, strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach for descending adverse Qi. We initiated the study to investigate its mechanism of treating in vitro rabbit reflux esophagitis models.

Methods
Adult male Japanese white rabbits, weighing 1.8–2.2 kg, were divided into five groups of three each, which were: normal control group (Krebs buffer, pH7.4), esophagitis model group (Krebs buffer, pH5.8), esophagitis model proup+low-dose Chinese herbal medicine protection group (0.6 mg·ml-1·kg-1), esophagitis model group+moderate-dose Chinese herbal medicine protection group (6 mg·ml-1·kg-1), esophagitis model group+high-dose Chinese herbal medicine protection group (60 mg·ml-1·kg-1). The RT-PCR method was used to test the influence of Chai Lai Prescription on IL-1 and IL-6 in in vitro rabbit models of esophagitis. We treated the in vitro models with different doses of Chinese herbal medicine.

Results
Esophageal mucosa were filled with various liquids. IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA expression was increased in rabbit esophageal mucosa stimulated with acid. Chinese herbal medicine significantly reduced the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA expression in the in vitro cultured rabbit esophageal mucosa. Using Chinese herbal medicine to treat in vitro models of RE, we found that the IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA expression levels went down, near to or lower than the normal control levels, compared with the group treated with acidified buffer solution.

Conclusions

Chai Lai Prescription lowered the IL-1β and IL-6 cytokine mRNA levels and protected the esophageal mucosa in the in vitro models of reflux esophagitis, suggesting that the traditional Chinese herbal compound may be able to treat reflux esophagitis by inhibiting the its inflammatory mediators.
A new gene ontology-based measure for the functional similarity of gene products
Authors: QI Guo-long , QIAN Shi-yu , FANG Ji-qian 
Published: January 2024

Background
Although biomedical ontologies have standardized the representation of gene products across species and databases, a method for determining the functional similarities of gene products has not yet been developed.

Methods
We proposed a new semantic similarity measure based on Gene Ontology that considers the semantic influences from all of the ancestor terms in a graph. Our measure was compared with Resnik's measure in two applications, which were based on the association of the measure used with the gene co-expression and the protein-protein interactions.

Results
The results showed a considerable association between the semantic similarity and the expression correlation and between the semantic similarity and the protein-protein interactions, and our measure performed the best overall.

Conclusion
These results revealed the potential value of our newly proposed semantic similarity measure in studying the functional relevance of gene products.
Inhibition of p38 activity reverses claudin-6 induced cell apoptosis, invasion, and migration
Authors: WU Qiong , LIU Xing , LIU Ya-fang , LU Yan , WANG Li-ping , ZHANG Xiao-wei , LI Yu-lin , QUAN Cheng-shi 
Published: January 2024

Background
Claudin-6 is a protein component of tight junctions and its expression could downregulate the malignant phenotype of breast carcinoma. Here we investigated the mechanisms of claudin-6 induced human MCF-7 breast cancer cells apoptosis, invasion, and migration.

Methods
Terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated nick-end labeling assay and Annexin-V/PI double stain assay were carried out to evaluate apoptosis. Inhibitors of each pathway were used to inactivate the signaling pathways. The expression of claudin-6 and phosphate p38, Erk 1/2 and Akt protein levels was confirmed by Western blotting analysis. Invasive and migratory traits of claudin-6 expressing cells were determined by Boyden chamber invasion assay and monolayer wound-healing assay.

Results
Cells with high-level expression of claudin-6 had a higher rate of apoptosis than control cells. Western blotting assay showed that by contrast to control groups, p38 pathways were more activated in claudin-6 expressing cells. However, after inhibitor SB203580 treatment, the activation status could be significantly counteracted. Furthermore, by applying inhibitors to the apoptotic rate, invasive and migratory traits were also recovered in cells with claudin-6 expression.

Conclusion
Claudin-6 may function through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, of which inhibition may reverse claudin-6-induced cell apoptosis, invasion, and migration.
A novel deletion-frameshift mutation in the S1 region of HERG gene in a Chinese family with long QT syndrome
Authors: GAO Ying , ZHANG Ping , LI Xue-bin , WU Cun-cao , GUO Ji-hong 
Published: January 2024

Background
The congenital Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a hereditary cardiac channelopathy that is characterized by a prolonged QT interval, syncope, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. The chromosome 7-linked type 2 congenital LQTS (LQT2) is caused by gene mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG).

Methods
A Chinese family diagnosed with LQTS were screened for KCNQ1, HERG and SCN5A, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), direct sequencing, and clong sequencing. We also investigated the mRNA expression of the HERG gene.

Results
We identified a novel I414fs+98X mutation in the HERG gene. The deletion mutation of 14-bp in the first transmembrane segment (S1) introduced premature termination codons (PTCs) at the end of exon 6. This mutation would result in a serious phenotype if the truncated proteins co-assembled with normal subunit to form the defective channels. But only the proband was symptomatic.

Conclusions
We found that the mRNA level of the HERG gene was significantly lower in I414fs+98X carriers than in noncarriers. We found a novel I414fs+98X mutation. The mRNA level supports that NMD mechanism might regulate the novel mutation.