bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suppressing SNAP-25 and reversing glial glutamate transporters relieves neuropathic pain in rats by ameliorating imbalanced neurotransmission
Authors: LIU Chang , GUO Qu-lian , HUANG Chang-sheng , ZOU Wang-yuan , SONG Zong-bin 
Published: January 2024

Background
Neuropathic pain results from a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system at either the peripheral or central level. The transmission of nociception within the central nervous system is subject to modulation by release and reuptake of neurotransmitters, which maintain a dynamic balance through the assembly and disassembly of the SNARE complex as well as a series of neurotransmitter transporters (inhibitory GABA transporters GAT and excitatory glutamate transporters GT). Neuronal hyper-excitability or defected inhibition involved in neuropathic pain is one of the outcomes caused by imbalanced neurotransmission. SNAP-25, which is one of the SNARE complexes, can modulate the release of neurotransmitters. Glia glutamate transporter (GLT) is one of the two glutamate transporters which account for most synaptic glutamate uptake in the CNS. The role of SNAP-25 and GLT as well as GAT is not clearly understood.

Methods
We used the rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model for research, and degraded SNAP-25 by a single intrathecal administration of BoNT/A. The mechanical (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were tested. The level of SNAP-25, GLT, and GAT-1 were assayed using RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Results
SNAP-25 was suppressed by a single intrathecal administration of 0.01U BoNT/A and the reduction of SNAP-25 was correlated with the relief of nociceptive responses in CCI rats. MWT and TWL returned to normal from the 5th to 14th day (P<0.05) after the administration. On the 14th day after surgery, compared to the sham group, the upregulation of SNAP-25 in CCI rats was reversed after BoNT/A treatment (P<0.05). The decreased GLT was reversed after BoNT/A treatment but increased GAT-1 was not influenced by BoNT/A treatment.

Conclusions
SNAP-25 and GLT play important roles in the development of neuropathic pain, and the mechanism may involve the imbalance of neurotransmission after peripheral nerve injury. Intrathecal administration of BoNT/A reversed the upregulation of SNAP-25 and downregulation of GLT after CCI, but had no significant effect on the expression of GAT-1.
Biomechanical comparison of interspinous distraction device and facet screw fixation system on the motion of lumbar spine: a finite element analysis
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Wang Xiaohong , Chen Wenchuan , Zhao Fuqiang , Xiang Liangbi , Zhou Yue , Cheng Chengkung 
Published: January 2024

Background
A large amount of biomechanical and clinical evidence from previous studies suggest the efficiency of the two different posterior lumber non-fusion methods, interspinous distraction device (ISDD) and facet screw fixation system (FSS), but the biomechanical comparison of ISDD and FSS has not been thoroughly clarified.

Methods
In the current study, finite element methods were used to investigate the biomechanical comparison of ISDD and FSS. The range of motion (ROM), intradiscal pressure (IDP) and the protective effects gained by maintaining disc heights were evaluated.

Results
The ROM was similar between the two non-fusion methods under static standing, flexion and lateral bending. The FSS appeared to be more effective in resisting extension. At the implanted level L3/4, FSS displayed better results for maintaining and increasing posterior disc heights. At the L4/5 level in extension and lateral bending, FSS was better than ISDD, with comparable results observed in other motions. Comparing the posterior and lateral disc heights, FSS appeared to be more effective than ISDD. FSS also had a minor effect on the inferior adjacent segment than ISDD. FSS was more effective in reducing IDP than ISDD in extension.

Conclusion
Through the finite element analysis study, it can be seen that FSS demonstrates more beneficial biomechanical outcomes than does ISDD, such as being more effective in resisting extension, maintaining and increasing lumbar disc heights and reducing the inferior adjacent IDP in extension.
Upregulation of glucosylceramide synthase protein in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: ZHANG Ke , SONG Ying-hua , LIN Xiao-yan , WANG Qiang-xiu , ZHANG Hua-wei , XU Jia-wen 
Published: January 2024

Background
Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) can reduce ceramide levels and help cells escape ceramide-induced apoptosis, thus leading to multidrug resistance (MDR). However, its expression and clinical significance in thyroid neoplasms still remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate the expression of GCS and explore its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).

Methods
We retrospectively investigated GCS protein expression level in tissue specimens obtained from 108 consecutive PTC patients by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

Results
GCS was weakly positive or negative in normal follicular cells, but it was frequently overexpressed in PTC cells. GCS overexpression was associated with primary tumor size, local infiltration, lymph node metastasis, and local recurrence, but not associated with gender, age, pathological variants, tumor multifocality, tumor stage or distant metastasis. Western blotting also showed that GCS protein levels were much higher in PTCs' tissues than in normal thyroid tissues.

Conclusion
GCS was upregulated in PTCs and might be an independent factor affecting prognosis.
Relationship between AQP4 expression and structural damage to the blood-brain barrier at early stages of traumatic brain injury in rats
Authors: LU Hong , LEI Xiao-Yan , HU Hui , HE Zhan-Ping 
Published: January 2024

Background
Although some studies have reported that aquaporin-4 (AQP4) plays an important role in the brain edema after traumatic brain injury (TBI), little is known about the AQP4 expression in the early stage of TBI, or about the correlation between the structural damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and angioedema. The aim of this project was to investigate the relationship between AQP4 expression and damage to the BBB at early stages of TBI.

Methods
One hundred and twenty healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: sham operation group (SO) and TBI group. The TBI group was divided into five sub-groups according to the different time intervals: 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours. The brains of the animals were taken out at different time points after TBI to measure brain water content. The cerebral edema and BBB changes in structure were examined with an optical microscopy (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the IgG content and AQP4 protein expression in traumatic brain tissue were determined by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The data were analyzed with SPSS 13.0 statistical software.

Results
In the SO group, tissue was negative for IgG, and there were no abnormalities in brain water content or AQP4 expression. In the TBI group, brain water content significantly increased at 6 hours and peaked at 24 hours following injury. IgG expression significantly increased from 1 to 6 hours following injury, and remained at a high level at 24 hours. Pathological observation revealed BBB damage at 1 hour following injury. Angioedema appeared at 1 hour, was gradually aggravated, and became obvious at 6 hours. Intracellular edema occurred at 3 hours, with the presence of large glial cell bodies and mitochondrial swelling. These phenomena were aggravated with time and became obvious at 12 hours. In addition, microglial proliferation was visible at 24 hours. AQP4 protein expression were reduced at 1 hour, lowest at 6 hours, and began to increase at 12 hours, showing a V-shaped curve.

Conclusions
The angioedema characterized by BBB damage was the primary type of early traumatic brain edema. It was followed by mixed cerebral edema that consisted of angioedema and cellular edema and was aggravated with time. AQP4 expression was down-regulated during the angioedema attack, but AQP4 expression was upregulated during intracellular edema.
Psychological distress, family functioning, and social support in family caregivers for patients with dementia in the mainland of China
Authors: ZHANG Hong , XIONG Rong-hong , Sara Hujiken , ZHANG Jun-jian , ZHANG Xiao-qin 
Published: January 2024

Background
Dementia is a chronic progressive disease seriously affecting the patient's daily life and working skills and may cause the patient disability and dependence. Thus, caring for dementia patients inevitably falls on families in the mainland of China. Unfortunately, there are rarely enough reports available about mental health and social support in family caregivers for domestic dementia patients. This study aimed to investigate the changes in psychological status and social support in domestic dementia family caregivers and hope the government and relevant departments pay more attention to the family caregiver's psychological change, which may be better for dementia patients.

Methods
Fifty-eight immediate family caregivers (family group) for dementia patients, including 21 Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 37 vascular dementia inpatients, were recruited for interview. Fifty-eight age- and sex-matched normal volunteers (control group) were also interviewed in the same period. The psychiatric distress was assessed by the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), family functioning was assessed by the Family Assessment Device (FAD), and the social support was assessed by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Group differences were analyzed using unpaired t test for comparison of SCL-90, FAD, and MSPSS mean scores. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to find the association between the various dimensions of FAD and the social support from dementia family caregivers.

Results
Except phobic anxiety dimension, the other dimensions of SCL-90 mean scores were significantly higher in the family group than those in the control group (P <0.05). In the family group, except affective involvement dimension, the other dimensions of FAD mean scores were within the scope of unhealthy family functioning. Significant differences in problem solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, behavioral control, general functioning, and the total MSPSS mean scores were seen between the family group and the control group (P <0.01). Except affective involvement dimension, the other dimensions of the family functioning correlated with the perceived social support in the family group (P <0.05 or 0.01).

Conclusions
Dementia patients have a negative effect on families' mental health in the mainland of China. Dementia family caregivers experience defected family functioning and low levels of social support.
Efficacy of multimodal cocktail periarticular injection with or without steroid in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: YUE De-bo , WANG Bai-liang , LIU Kun-peng , GUO Wan-shou 
Published: January 2024

Background
Multimodal cocktail periarticular injection (MCPI) with a large volume of low concentration local anesthetics, adrenaline, and anti-inflammatory agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or steroids have shown good pain control and improvement in range of motion after surgery. This study compares the efficacy of pain control after total knee arthroplasty, using multimodal cocktail periarticular injection with steroid or without steroid.

Methods
This is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized and control study. Seventy-two patients with osteoarthritis that met clinical criteria for total knee arthroplasty were recruited into the study, and were randomized to receive either multimodal cocktail periarticular injection with steroid or without steroid. Pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) at preoperative and postoperative at rest, and during activity. The range of motion was recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. The amount of daily and cumulative morphine consumption were measured by patient-controlled analgesia in the first 72 hours postoperatively. The duration of celecoxib usage was also recorded at the last follow-up.

Results
There were no differences between the non-steroid and steroid groups with regard to VAS at rest and during activity, or range of motion, at any postoperative observation time. The postoperative Knee Society Knee Score in the steroid group improved significantly as compared with that in non-steroid group at the one-month (84.1±13.1 and 65.9±12.1; P <0.0045), three-month follow-up (90.2±16.3 and 72.5±16.6; P <0.0027), but after postoperative six-month the Knee Society Knee Score showed no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference in consumption of the morphine about daily or total consumption within 72 hours between the two groups. The duration of celecoxib usage in patients in the steroid group was significantly shorter than that in the non-steroid group ((7.2±0.7) compared with (10.5±1.9) weeks; P=0.012).

Conclusion
The patients who received the steroid injection had faster rehabilitation and less non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs consumption.
Comparison of unipedicular and bipedicular percutaneous kyphoplasty for treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a meta-analysis
Authors: LI Lian-hua , SUN Tian-sheng , LIU Zhi , ZHANG Jian-zheng , ZHANG Yan , CAI Yan-hong , WANG Hao 
Published: January 2024

Background
Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PKP) has proved its effectiveness regarding minimal invasion, rapid pain reduction, safe cement augmentation, restoring vertebral height, and accelerating complete recovery of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Whether unipedicular or bipedicular PKP provides a better outcome is controversial.

Methods
We searched PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Knowledge, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Data from January 1980 to March 2013 with “kyphoplasty”, “unipedicular”, “bipedicular”, “compression fracture”, and “randomized controlled trial”. Risk of bias in the included studies was assessed according to a 12-item scale. Meta-analysis was performed. Dichotomous and continuous variables were calculated using the odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD), respectively.

Results
Seven studies involving 440 patients and 559 vertebral bodies met the criteria for inclusion. Among them, one randomized controlled trial had a high risk of bias and six a low risk. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) SMDs were -0.02 (P=0.88) for short-term follow-up (≤3 months) and 0.03 (P=0.82) for long-term follow-up (≥1 year). Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) SMDs at short- and long-term follow-up were not statistically significant (-0.04, P=0.77 and -0.07, P=0.74, respectively). This meta-analysis showed greater polymethylmethacrylate volume (SMD -1.08, P=0.00) and operation time (SMD -2.40, P=0.00), favoring unipedicular PKP. Radiographic outcomes—preoperative kyphosis angle, restoration rate, reduction angle, loss of reduction angle—were not statistically different between the groups. Pooled analyses of cement leakage and subsequent adjacent OVCFs showed no significant differences between the groups, with OR=0.82 (P=0.79) and OR=1.41 (P=0.70), respectively.

Conclusions
This meta-analysis comparing unipedicular and bipedicular PKP demonstrated no significant differences regarding VAS, ODI, radiographic outcomes, or complications. Considering the longer operation time and radiation exposure with bipedicular PKP, we recommend unipedicular PKP over bipedicular PKP for treating OVCFs.
Impairment of recovery of muscle function by residual rocuronium after re-transfusion of intraoperative salvaged blood
Authors: Wang Geng , Wang Jia , Zhou Haibin , Zhao Xia , Wu Xinmin 
Published: January 2024

Background
Recurarization has previously been described in the context of acute normovolemic hemodilution. The aim of this study was to investigate the impairment of recovery of neuromuscular function after re-transfusion of intraoperative salvaged blood in patients treated with rocuronium.

Methods
We enrolled 50 patients undergoing general anesthesia for lumbar surgery. Intraoperative blood salvage (IBS) was used in 30 patients (group I); the remaining 20 comprised a control group (group C). Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl, midazolam, propofol and rocuronium. Rocuronium was infused to maintain neuromuscular blockade during surgery. Blood was collected from the operative field and re-transfused in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Neuromuscular function was monitored using the train-of-four ratio (TOFr). Once the train-of-four ratio exceeded 90 in the PACU, neuromuscular function was evaluated every 5 minutes for 30 minutes. The TOFr and incremental recovery of TOFr from baseline were recorded. Salvaged blood was re-transfused at the beginning of the evaluation for patients in group I, and afterwards for patients in group C. Blood gas analysis was assessed before anesthesia and in the PACU.

Results
Incremental recovery of TOFr from baseline was significantly less in group I than controls at 25 minutes (6.1±3.2 vs. 9.1±3.2, respectively; P=0.001) and 30 minutes (7.1±3.2 vs. 10.0±2.2, respectively; P=0.001). There were no significant differences in gas exchange between the groups.

Conclusions
In patients who had received a rocuronium infusion during anesthesia, re-transfusion of salvaged blood significantly impaired recovery of neuromuscular function recovery in the PACU, but without significant impairment of respiratory function.
Relation of myocardial bridge to myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hong Lifeng , Liu Jun , Luo Songhui , Li Jianjun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Small case series have suggested an association of coronary myocardial bridge (MB) with myocardial infarction (MI). However, the relationship between MB and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between MB and MACE involving MI.

Methods
We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, and all EMB Reviews as well as a reference list of relevant articles according to the SPICO (Study design, Patient, Intervention, Control-intervention, and Outcome) criteria using the following keywords: myocardial bridging, myocardial bridge, intramural coronary artery, mural coronary artery, tunneled coronary artery, coronary artery overbridging, etc. Bibliographies of the retrieved publications were additionally hand searched. Studies were included for the meta-analysis if they satisfied the following criteria: (1) they evaluate the association of MB with cardiovascular endpoint event; (2) they included individuals with MB and those without MB; 3) they excluded individuals with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Studies were reviewed by a predetermined protocol including quality assessment. Dates were pooled using a random effect model.

Results
Seven observational studies that followed 5 486 patients eligible for the enrolled criteria were included from 7 136 initially identified articles. The prevalence of MB was 24.8% (1 363/5 486). During 0.5-7.0 years of follow-up of this cohort of population, crude outcome rates were 8.0% in the MB group and 7.7% in the non-MB group. The odds ratio of overall MACE and MI were 1.34 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57-3.17, P=0.51, n=7 studies) and 2.75 (95% CI: 1.08-7.02, P <0.03, n=5 studies) respectively for subjects of MB compared to non-MB.

Conclusion
Relationship between MB and MI appears to be a real one, although the study did not reveal a connection of MB to MACE, suggesting whether the necessity of antiplatelet therapy needs to be further studied in a larger cohort of patients with MB prospectively.
Analysis of Graves’ ophthalmopathy patients’ tear protein spectrum
Authors: JIANG Li-hong , WEI Rui-li 
Published: January 2024

Background
Graves’ ophthalmopathy/orbitopathy (GO) patients often suffer ocular surface damages and tear fluid proteins play a significant role in maintaining healthy ocular surfaces, while changes in tear protein components reflect the changes ocular surface abnormalities. In this study proteomics techniques were used to investigate tear protein compositions in GO patients.

Methods
We carried out a case-control study by comparing tear fluid contents of GO patients with that of healthy subjects. In the first step the tears were subjected to SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and then single protein bands were analyzed by to in-gel trypsin digestion and nano-flow liquid mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using a MS software.

Results
In tear samples of GO subjects, the protein fractions of inflammation-related protein immunoglobulin kappa chain C region (IgKC) and serum albumin were essentially reduced, whereas a novel isoform of complement component 3 (C3), which we detected in control subjects, was completely absent in the GO patients’ tears.

Conclusions
Reduced protein concentrations of particularly IgKC and complement C3 as well as albumin in the tears of GO patients may contribute to changes in their ocular surfaces via diminished reactive oxygen species (ROS) depletion and adaptive immune responses. The completely absent of C3 in the GO patients’ tears, may imply that an important inflammatory signaling pathway is affected, which needs further investigation.
Optimal time to use low molecular weight heparin on prethrombotic state of rat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model
Authors: Yanqing Wang , Nina Sun , Zhaozhong Cheng , Li Tong , Mouyue Wang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), as one of anticoagulant drugs, has been used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with prethrombotic state, but the specific use time is unclear. The aim of the study is to observe the effect of LMWH at two different periods of prethrombotic state in COPD in rats and to find the optimal time to use LMWH.

Methods
Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control, raised for 55 days without any treatment; COPD control without LMWH, cigarette inhalation plus intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide and hypodermic injection of normal saline once a day for 10 days; COPD control given LMWH 150 U/kg subcutaneous injection, once a day for 10 days starting day 15 (LMWH-d15); COPD control given LMWH 150 U/kg subcutaneous injection, once a day for 10 days starting day 29 (LMWH-d29).

Results
Comparing LMWH-d15 with LMWH-d29, plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity, von Willebrand factor, serum fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibrin D-dimer were each significantly reduced; but thrombin plasminogen activator increased significantly whilst arterial PO2 and PCO2 improved significantly.

Conclusion
The better time to use LMWH is the time when coagulation and fibrinolytic indices begin to change in COPD.