bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors potentially affecting the function of kidney grafts
Authors: LIN Jun , ZHENG Xin , XIE Ze-lin , SUN Wen , ZHANG Lei , TIAN Ye , GUO Yu-wen 
Published: January 2024

Background
Donor and recipient risk factors on graft function have been well characterized. The contribution of demographic factors, such as age, gender, and other potential factors of donor and recipient at the time of transplantation on the function of a graft is much less well understood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of factors such as age, gender, etc., on the short-term and long-term graft function in kidney transplant recipients from living donor.

Methods
A total of 335 living donors and their recipients, who had kidney transplantation in our center from May 2004 to December 2009, were included. Serum creatinine level was used as the assessment criterion (serum creatinine level lower than 115 mmol/L is normal). Factors related to graft function such as age, gender, blood relation by consanguinity, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch, ABO type, etc., were analyzed separately.

Results
Donor age is the key factor affecting both the short-term and long-term function of a grafted kidney from a living donor. The group with donors younger than 48 years showed the best kidney function post transplantation. Match of gender and age is another important factor that influences the function of grafted kidney from a living donor. The older donor to younger recipient group had the worst outcome after kidney transplantation. After 36 months post transplantation, female donor to male recipient group had worse kidney function compared to other groups. We also found that calcinerin inhibitor used in the maintenance period may influence the function of a grafted kidney. No significant statistical differences were found in consanguinity, blood type, and mismatch of HLA.

Conclusions
Donor age is an important factor affecting the function of a grafted kidney from a living donor. We also recommend taking nephron, immunology factor, infection, and demographic information all into consideration when assessing the outcome of kidney transplantation.
A modified tricuspid valve annuloplasty technique for functional tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: WANG Jun , LI Zhi , ZHU Quan , WU Yan-hu , SHAO Yong-feng , QIN Jian-wei , CHEN Yi-jiang , CHEN Liang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Functional tricuspid regurgitation often occurs in patients with concomitant left sided, valve disease. Several types of tricuspid valve annuloplasty have been described, but there is no consensus on the management of functional tricuspid regurgitation. We report a modified annuloplasty technique and compare its efficacy with the conventional Kay technique.

Methods
A retrospective review was made of 60 patients who received tricuspid valve annuloplasty (group A, modified method; group B, Kay technique) and the early and midterm outcomes of modified method and Kay technique were compared.

Results
Three patients underwent ring annuloplasty using a semirigid Carpentier-Edwards ring due to failing suture annuloplasty. All patients were completely cured when they left the hospital. The follow-up time was (32±7) months in group A and (30±7) months in group B. After three years, tricuspid regurgitation decreased by more than two grades in 13 patients in group A and 11 in group B. The mean postoperative regurgitation grade in group A was lower than group B at 12, 24 and 36 months but not significantly. Three of 28 patients developed recurrent tricuspid regurgitation in group A and five of 26 patients in group B during the follow-up period (three deaths and three ring annuloplasties excluded). Freedom from recurrent tricuspid regurgitation in group A was higher than that group B at all follow-up points. Postoperative right atrium diameter, right ventricle endodiastolic dimension and tricuspid regurgitation area decreased obviously in both groups. The right ventricle endodiastolic dimension and tricuspid regurgitation area improved more significantly in group A than group B over three years of follow-up,

Conclusions
The modified annuloplasty technique achieved the same outcomes as the conventional Kay annuloplasty over the first three years postoperation. As this modified technique is simple and less expensive, it is another option for correction of functional tricuspid regurgitation.
Oral everolimus inhibits intimal proliferation in injured carotid artery in rats
Authors: Wang Xiao-fang , Shen De-liang , Zhao Xiao-yan , Ning Hong-jie , Feng Ri-sheng , Zhang Jin-ying 
Published: January 2024

Background
Everolimus, a derivative of sirolimus, is a potent immunosuppressant that has important anti-proliferative properties. In the present study, we demonstrated the inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia in injured carotid arteries in rats by using two different doses of everolimus administrated via the oral route for a long time.

Methods
A rat model of carotid artery injury was established by balloon inflation. Eighty rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group (n=20), injury group (n=20), low dosage of everolimus group (n=20), and high dosage of everolimus group (n=20). The low dose of everolimus (1.5 mg/kg) was given one day before injuring the carotid artery by balloon, followed by 0.75 mg/kg per day for 28 days via intragastric gavage. High dose everolimus (2.5 mg/kg) was given one day before injuring the carotid artery by balloon, followed by 1 mg/kg per day for 28 days. Expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF-4E) and phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (P70S6K) were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis.

Results
In the injured carotid artery, neointimal hyperplasia was normally observed four weeks after injury. Everolimus inhibited neointimal hyperplasia after balloon injury in a dose dependent manner. At the same time, the study demonstrated that everolimus reduced the expression of P-P70S6K, eIF-4E, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

Conclusions
Everolimus significantly inhibited neointimal hyperplasia of the injured carotid artery. The effect depended on dosage and was associated with the reduction of phosphorylation of P70S6K and the eIF-4E expression level.
Chemotherapy with or without gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis of 6844 patients
Authors: ZHOU Hang , ZENG Chao , WANG Li-yang , XIE Hua , ZHOU Jin , DIAO Peng , YAO Wen-xiu , ZHAO Xin , WEI Yang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Gefitinib is widely used in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in whom chemotherapy had failed. Previous trials reported inconsistent findings regarding the efficacy of gefitinib on overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). This study was to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy plus gefitinib versus chemotherapy alone on survival of patients with NSCLC.

Methods
We systematically searched Medline, EmBase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, reference lists of articles, and proceedings of major meetings for relevant literature. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing chemotherapy with and without gefitinib in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC were included in our analysis. The primary endpoints were OS and PFS.

Results
Of 182 relevant studies, 12 were included in the final analysis, which consisted of 6844 patients with NSCLC. Overall, we noted that gefitinib therapy had an 8% improvement in the OS as compared to the gefitinib-free therapy, but this difference was not statistically significant (HR, 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85-1.00; P=0.051). Furthermore, gefitinib therapy had significantly longer PFS compared to gefitinib-free therapy (HR, 0.72; 95% CI 0.60-0.87, P=0.001). Patients receiving gefitinib therapy also had a more frequent objective response rate (ORR) than the control arm (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.67-3.78, P <0.001). Rashes, diarrhea, dry skin, pruritus, paronychia, and abnormal hepatic function were more frequent in the gefitinib therapy group.

Conclusions
Treatment with gefitinib had a clear effect on PFS and ORR, and it might contribute considerably to the OS. Furthermore, there was some evidence of benefit for gefitinib therapy among patients with adenocarcinoma.
A finite element modeling of posterior atlantoaxial fixation and biomechanical analysis of C2 intralaminar screw fixation
Authors: Ma Xuexiao , Peng Xianbo , Xiang Hongfei , Zhang Yan , Zhang Guoqing , Chen Bohua 
Published: January 2024

Background
The objective of this study was to use three-dimensional finite element (FE) models to analyze the stability and the biomechanics of two upper cervical fixation methods: the C2 intralaminar screw method and the C2 pedicle screw method.

Methods
From computed tomography images, a nonlinear three-dimensional FE model from C0 (occiput) to C3 was developed with anatomic detail. The C2 intralaminar screw and the C2 pedicle screw systems were added to the model, in parallel to establish the interlaminar model and the pedicle model. The two models were operated with all possible states of motion and physiological loads to simulate normal movement.

Results
Both the C2 intralaminar screw method and the C2 pedicle screw method significantly reduced motion compared with the intact model. There were no statistically significant differences between the two methods. The Von Mises stresses of the internal and external laminar walls were similar between the two methods. Stability was also similar.

Conclusions
The C2 intralaminar screw method can complement but cannot completely replace the C2 pedicle screw method. Clinicians would need to assess and decide which approach to adopt for the best therapeutic effect.
Transplantation of neural stem cells overexpressing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor enhances Akt and Erk1/2 signaling and neurogenesis in rats after stroke
Authors: YUAN Miao , WEN Sheng-jun , YANG Chao-xian , PANG Yuan-guang , GAO Xiao-qing , LIU Xiao-qing , HUANG Liang , YUAN Qiong-lan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Our previous studies have indicated that the beneficial effects of grafting neural stem cells (NSCs) overexpressing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in rats after stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms are highly debatable. In this study, we investigated whether neurogenesis, Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) signaling were involved in this process.

Methods
Transient ischemic stroke were induced by occluding middle cerebral artery for 2 hours and reperfusion. At 3 days after reperfusion, GDNF/NSCs, NSCs, and vehicle were administered. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate neurogenesis by nestin antibody; phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 was investigated by Western blotting analysis.

Results
Transplantation of GDNF/NSCs and NSCs significantly increased nestin-positive cells compared to control group (vehicle) from 1 to 7 weeks after reperfusion, and GDNF/NSCs showed stronger effect than NSCs at 2 and 3 weeks after reperfusion. Meanwhile, enhanced phosphorylation level of Erk1/2 was observed in the GDNF/NSCs and NSCs groups compared with control group, and phosphorylation level of Erk1/2 in GDNF/NSCs group was remarkably higher than that of NSCs group at any given time. In contrast, expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), known as inhibitor of Erk1/2 signaling, was significantly decreased in the GDNF/NSCs and NSCs groups compared with the control group. Moreover, much enhanced and prolonged phosphorylation level of Akt of GDNF/NSCs group was detected compared with control and NSCs group.

Conclusion
Grafting GDNF/NSCs enhances neurogenesis and activates Akt and Erk1/2 signaling, that may provide the potential for GDNF/NSCs in stroke treatment.
Eye-movement study during visual search in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia
Authors: LI Xiu-Hong , JING Jin , YANG De-Sheng , WANG Hui , WANG Qing-Xiong , SONG Shan-Shan , FAN Fang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a disorder in which children with normal intelligence and sensory abilities show learning deficits in reading. Abnormal eye movements have been found in DD. However, eye-movement abnormalities during visual search among Chinese children with DD remain unknown. We aimed to identify the eye-movement characteristics and search efficiency of Chinese children with DD during visual search for targets of different conceptual categories, under same-category conditions.

Methods
We compared 32 Chinese dyslexic children and 39 non-dyslexic children in visual search tasks, which were assessed using EyeLink II High-Speed Eye Tracker (SR Research Ltd., Canada). Letters, single Chinese characters, digits, Chinese phrases, figures and facial expressions were used as stimuli. Targets were similar to distractors in meaning, phonology and/or shape.

Results
A main effect of task on visual search scores and all eye-movement parameters were found. Search scores, average saccade amplitude and saccade distance were significantly smaller in the DD group than in the controls. An interaction between group and task was found for pupil diameter.

Conclusions
Unlike normal readers, children with DD had a reduction in the visual attention span and search accuracy. Besides, children with DD could not increase their mental workload with increase in task difficulty. The conceptual category of the stimulus materials significantly impacts search speed, accuracy and eye-movement parameters.
Screening for amblyopia among grade-1 students in primary school with uncorrected vision and stereopsis test in central China
Authors: FU Jing , LI Shi-ming , LI Jin-ling , LI Si-yuan , LIU Luo-ru , WANG Yang , LI He , ZHU Bi-dan , JI Ya-zhou , YANG Zhou , LI Lei , CHEN Wei , WANG Ning-li 
Published: January 2024

Background
Screening for amblyopia at earliest is important for early treatment and better prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of uncorrected distant and near visual acuity (VA) and stereoacuity for screening amblyopia in grade-1 students in primary school in central China.

Methods
By stratified cluster sampling, 3112 grade-1 students from 11 Anyang primary schools were selected for the study. All the participants underwent uncorrected distant and near VA, stereopsis test, cycloplegic refraction, best corrected VA (BCVA), cover test, and ocular movement examination. VA was measured with a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) chart. Stereoacuity was measured with the Lang II stereo card and TNO test. Amblyopia was defined as the BCVA less than or equal to 0.1 logMAR units of any eye in the absence of significant pathological abnormalities. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of uncorrected VA and stereoacuity for amblyopia were analyzed.

Results
Out of the 3112 eligible students, 2893 (92.96%) completed the examinations. The average age of the students was (7.10t0.41) years. Screened by distant VA with low cutoff (logMAR 0.1), high cutoff (logMAR 0.0), and near VA (logMAR 0.0), 31.64%, 73.18%, and 50.23% students were abnormal, respectively. Screened by stereopsis test, only 4.69% students were abnormal. Diagnosed by a senior pediatric ophthalmologist, 61 students had amblyopia. The sensitivities of distant VA with low/high cutoff and near VA were 92.31%, 100%, and 80.77%, respectively, whereas that of stereoacuity by TNO test was 15.38%. Simultaneous testing of either two of the three tests improved the sensitivity.

Conclusions
Distant VA test of high cutoff alone displays a high sensitivity but a low specificity. Simultaneous testing of distant VA of low cutoff and stereoacuity is a better choice to balance between sensitivity and specificity.
Efficacy and safety of a novel nano-porous polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent in pigs
Authors: CHEN Ming , ZHENG Bo , WU Zheng , PENG Hong-yu , WANG Xin-gang , ZHANG bin , HUO Yong 
Published: January 2024

Background
Drug-eluting stents represent a major advance in interventional cardiology. However, the current drug-eluting stents have significant limitations. One of the major problems is very late stent thrombosis, which is likely caused by inflammation and a hypersensitivity reaction related to a polymer on the stent. A polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent with a unique nano-porous surface has been developed. This study aimed to evaluate this novel polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent for its efficacy and safety in a pig model.

Methods
Stents were directly coated with sirolimus (a drug concentration of 2.2 μg/mm2 on the stent surface). The polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stents (PFSES) were compared to standard polymer-coated sirolimus-eluting stents (PCSES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) in 18 pigs.

Results
At one month the degree of neointimal hyperplasia was similar between the two sirolimus-eluting stent groups and was significantly less compared to BMS ((1.93±0.51) mm2, (1.57±0.69) mm2 vs. (4.45±1.05) mm2, P <0.05) At three months, PFSES maintained the low level of neointima ((2.41±0.99) mm2 vs. (4.32±1.16) mm2, P <0.05), whereas PCSES had developed significant neointimal proliferation similar to BMS. The inflammation level was significantly higher in PCSES when compared with BMS three months post-implantation (2.50±0.55 vs. 0.83±0.75, P <0.05) whereas PFSES showed a low level of inflammation comparable to PCSES (1.33±0.52 vs. 2.50±0.55, P <0.05).

Conclusion
The PFSES is effective and safe, and appears to be superior to standard PCSEs.
Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and prediabetes and associated risk factors: a community-based screening in Zhuhai, Southern China
Authors: GU Dong-feng , SHI Yan-lin , CHEN You-ming , LIU Hong-mei , DING Ya-nan , LIU Xin-yu , LI Yong-qiang , SHAO Xiao-fei , LIANG Yan , CHEN Ying-shan , YUAN Zhi-yong , ZOU He-qun 
Published: January 2024

Background
The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and prediabetes has increased in China, and at different rates in different locations. Therefore a community-based screening research was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of CKD and prediabetes, and to analyze associated risk factors of CKD and prediabetes in a city of Southern China.

Methods
Atotal of 7801 community residents aged 18 year and older from 6 communities were screened by a stratified random cluster sampling method. An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured. Age-standardized prevalence was calculated by the direct method with the use of data on the population distribution in China in 2006.
Multivariate logistic analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of CKD and prediabetes, and association of insulin resistance (IR) with CKD and prediabetes was analyzed.

Results
The age-standardized prevalence of CKD was 12.5%, eGFR <60 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 was 2.7% and ACR (albumin to creatinine ratio) >30 mg/g was 10.3%. The age-standardized prevalence of prediabetes was 12.1%. Logistic regression suggests that IR was a common independent risk factor of CKD and prediabetes. Further analysis show that HOMA-IR was increased with the aggravation of kidney injury and FPG.

Conclusion
CKD and prediabetes have become a major public health problem in Zhuhai, Southern China; insulin resistance may be an important risk factor.
Hypermethylation of testis derived transcript gene promoter significantly correlates with worse outcomes in glioblastoma patients
Authors: WANG Li-jia , BAI Yu , BAO Zhao-shi , CHEN Yan , YAN Zhuo-hong , ZHANG Wei , ZHANG Quan-geng 
Published: January 2024

Background
Glioblastoma is the most common and lethal cancer of the central nervous system. Global genomic hypomethylation and some CpG island hypermethylation are common hallmarks of these malignancies, but the effects of these methylation abnormalities on glioblastomas are still largely unclear. Methylation of the 06-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter is currently an only confirmed molecular predictor of better outcome in temozolomide treatment. To better understand the relationship between CpG island methylation status and patient outcome, this study launched DNA methylation profiles for thirty-three primary glioblastomas (pGBMs) and nine secondary glioblastomas (sGBMs) with the expectation to identify valuable prognostic and therapeutic targets.

Methods
We evaluated the methylation status of testis derived transcript (TES) gene promoter by microarray analysis of glioblastomas and the prognostic value for TES methylation in the clinical outcome of pGBM patients. Significance analysis of microarrays was used for genes significantly differently methylated between 33 pGBM and nine sGBM. Survival curves were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between curves were assessed using the log-rank test. Then, we treated glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251) with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidines (5-aza-dC) and detected cell biological behaviors.

Results
Microarray data analysis identified TES promoter was hypermethylated in pGBMs compared with sGBMs (P <0.05). Survival curves from the Kaplan-Meier method analysis revealed that the patients with TES hypermethylation had a short overall survival (P<0.05). This abnormality is also confirmed in glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251). Treating these cells with 5-aza-dC released TES protein expression resulted in significant inhibition of cell growth (P=0.013). Conclusions Hypermethylation of TES gene promoter highly correlated with worse outcome in pGBM patients. TES might represent a valuable prognostic marker for glioblastoma.
Towards prenatal biomonitoring in Nanjing, China: lead and cadmium levels in the duration of pregnancy
Authors: LIU Kang-sheng , MAO Xiao-dong , HAO Jia-hu , SHI Juan , DAI Chun-fang , CHEN Wen-jun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Prenatal lead and cadmium exposure will not only influence the mother's organ systems, but also will provide an environment that may influence the fetus and neonate in a harmful way.In the present study, we detected the blood lead levels (BLLS) and cadmium levels for the duration of pregnancy and 6-12 weeks after delivery and to analyze the influencing factors of BLLs in healthy pregnant women.

Methods
A cohort study survey was carried out. We recruited 174 healthy pregnant women without pregnancy or obstetric complications or abnormal pregnancy outcomes as the gravida group, and 120 healthy non-pregnant women as the control group.

Results
The lead concentrations in the three pregnancy trimesters and in the postpartum period were: (5.98±2.43), (5.54±2.01), (5.59±1.97), and (6.76±1.74) μg/dl; and (6.75±2.13) μg/dl in the control group. The cadmium concentrations in the three pregnancy trimesters and postpartum period were 1.61±0.45, 1.63±0.46, 1.64±0.49, and 1.67±0.57. We found that the BLLs in the gravida group were lower than in the control group during all three trimesters. Occupations, supplement nutritional elements (dietary supplements and nutritional (food) elements), and the time of house painting could affect BLLs in pregnant women. Lead-related occupations, using cosmetics, and living in a house painted more recently than one year previously are risk factors of high BLLs among pregnant women, while calcium, iron, zinc, and milk supplements are protective factors.

Conclusions
These findings may help people, especially pregnant women, to reduce lead exposure via supplements of calcium, iron, zinc, and milk or avoiding contacting risk factors.