bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of interleukin-33 on Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio in peripheral lymphocytes in asthmatic mice
Authors: Xinliang He , Wei Wu , Yan Lu , Yali Guo , Chaoliang Hu , Yuyun Huang , Yuzu Xu , Jungang Xie , Jianping Zhao 
Published: January 2024

Background
Allergic asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease partly characterised by high concentration of T help 2 (Th2) cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). There is no report on the relation of peripherally circulating blood lymphocytes and asthma. We explored the balance of Th2/Th1 cytokines in asthmatic mice. Exogenous recombinant interleukin (IL) 33 acted on murine peripheral circulating blood lymphocytes, IL-5 cytokine was selected for assessing Th2 cytokines and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) for Th1 cytokines.

Methods
Female specific pathogen free BABL/c mice were sensitised by intraperitoneal injection of 20 μg of ovalbumin emulsified in 1 mg of aluminium hydroxide gel in a total volume of 200 μl, and challenged for 30 minutes in 7 consecutive days with an aerosol of 2 g ovalbumin in 100 ml of PBS. Then we collected BALF and isolated lymphocytes from the peripheral blood. The lymphocytes were divided into two groups: asthmatic group and normal group. Th1/Th2 cytokines was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.

Results
In the asthma group, we found numerous eosinophils and lymphocytes on the glass slides. We then confirmed that the optimal concentration of IL-33 was 10 ng/ml and time of IL-33 stimulating lymphocytes was 24 hours. In the asthma group, the production of IL-5 was significantly increased over normal group after stimulation with IL-33 (P <0.05) and the production of IFNγ was supressed from IL-33 stimulated lymphocytes (P <0.05).

Conclusion
IL-33 acts on lymphocytes of peripheral blood increasing secretion of Th2 cytokines and inhibiting secretion of Th1 cytokines.
Effect of surfactant protein A on lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α expression in human proximal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Liu Jiao , Liu Zhiyong , Feng Lizhi , Ding Guohua , Chen Dechang , Zhou Qingshan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Surfactant protein A (SP-A) contributes to the regulation of sepsis-induced acute lung injury. In a previous study, we demonstrated the expression and localization of SP-A in the kidneys. The present study evaluated the effect of SP-A on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression and its underlying mechanisms in the human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells.

Methods
Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect SP-A distribution and expression in HK-2 cells. HK-2 cells were treated with various concentrations of LPS (0, 0.1, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mg/L) for 8 hours and with 5 mg/L LPS for different times (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours) to determine the effects of LPS on SP-A and TNF-α expression. Then, HK-2 cells were transfected with SP-A siRNA to analyze nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) P65 and TNF-α expression of HK-2 cells after LPS-treatment.

Results
Indirect immunofluorescence assay revealed that SP-A is localized to the membrane and cytoplasm of HK-2 cells. Interestingly, SP-A1/SP-A2 and TNF-α expression were found to be significantly increased in HK-2 cells upon LPS treatment. Transfection of LPS-treated HK-2 cells with SP-A siRNA resulted in significant increases in the levels of NF-κB P65 protein and TNF-α mRNA and protein compared to those in non-transfected LPS-treated HK-2 cells.

Conclusion
SP-A plays an important role in protecting cells against sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting NF-κB activity to modulate LPS-induced increase in TNF-α expression.
Effects of plasma ghrelin, obestatin, and ghrelin/obestatin ratio on blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Liu Weiying , Yue Hongmei , Zhang Jiabin , Pu Jiayuan , Yu Qin 
Published: January 2024

Background
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is strongly associated with obesity and with cardiovascular disease. Ghrelin and obestatin are two peptides from the same source but have opposite roles. Both of them can affect feeding and regulate vascular tune. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma ghrelin, obestatin, the ratio of ghrelin and obestatin (G/O) and sleep parameters and blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with OSAS.

Methods
This study enrolled 95 newly diagnosed over-weight OSAS patients (OSAS group), 30 body mass index (BMI)-match non-OSAS adults (over-weight group) and 30 non-OSAS normal weight adults (control group). Polysomnography (PSG) was performed in the OSAS group and over-weight group. Blood pressure of all subjects was monitored by means of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The concentration of plasma ghrelin and obestatin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results
Plasma ghrelin levels in the OSAS group and over-weight group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). Plasma obestatin levels were lower in the over-weight group and OSAS group, but there was no significant difference among the three groups. The blood pressure in OSAS patients was higher, and there was a significant difference in all blood pressure parameters compared to the control group, and in the daytime average diastolic blood pressure (DBP), nocturnal average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP, DBP variability values as compared to over-weight subjects. Furthermore, there were significantly more non-dipper patterns of blood pressure (including hypertension and normotension) in the OSAS group than in the other two groups (P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that ghrelin levels had a significant correlation with BMI and nocturnal average DBP but not with PSG parameters. In contrast, the G/O ratio had a negative correlation with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (P<0.05), as well as a strong positive correlation with the blood pressure variability values (P <0.01). In multivariate analyses, AHI (P <0.05) and G/O (P< 0.05) were independently related to SBP variability changes, while AHI (P <0.05), G/O (P <0.01) and BMI (P <0.05) were independently related to DBP variability changes.

Conclusions
Our data show plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were related to obesity in OSAS. Sleep apnea in OSAS patients could have led to an imbalance in G/O in the basis of obesity. Moreover, the imbalance may promote nighttime blood pressure elevation and affect blood pressure circadian disorder.
Propofol enhances the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in CA1 hippocampal slices of young and aged mice
Authors: Yin Yiqing , Middleton William J , Florez Carlos M. , Carlen Peter L. , Hossam EI-Beheiry 
Published: January 2024

Background
Increasing age was shown to decrease the requirements for propfol. However, the mechanisms of ageinginduced potentiation of anesthetic actions have not been clearly explored. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of propofol on the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in hippocampal slices of young and aging mice.

Methods
Brain slices were prepared from C57BL6 male young (2 months) and aging (>12 months) mice. The dendritic field excitatory postsynaptic potential was recorded from the CA1 stratum radiatum using patch clamp electrophysiological methods. A bipolar concentric stimulating electrode was placed along the Schaffer collateral for othodromic stimulation. The effects of clinically-relevant concentrations of propofol were studied in the young and ageing mouse tissues.

Results
Propofol application increased the orthodromically evoked fEPSP produced in slices taken from young and older animals. A striking feature in the I/O relationship was the decreased enhancement of the fEPSPs by propofol in slices from older mice. A clinically relevant concentration of propofol, 10 μmol/L, showed more significant enhancement in amplitude and area under the curve (AUC) of fEPSP in young compared to tissues from older mice (amplitude: young (24.9±3.4)%, old (4.6±1.6)%; AUC young (30.6±5.4)%, old (2.1±1.7)%). There was no statistically significant difference between the paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) ratios calculated for the responses obtained in tissues from young mice. In slices from older mice, in the presence of 10 μmol/L propofol, PPF was decreased and returned to baseline after washout (baseline 1.21±0.01, propofol: 1.16±0.01). Bicuculline (15 μmol/L) blocked the enhancement of propofol on fEPSP in tissues from young and old mice.

Conclusion
The fEPSP of slices from aging mice demonstrates diminished sensitivity to the enhancing actions of propofol.
Ang II type 1 receptor expression in rat aorta exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia: effects of p38MAPK and ERK1/2 signaling
Authors: SHANG Jin , YANG Yuan-yuan , GUO Xue-ling , LIU Hui-guo 
Published: January 2024

Background
Obstructive sleep apnea is a frequent medical condition consisting of repetitive sleep-related episodes of upper air ways obstruction and can lead to hypertension. Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) played important roles in hypertension since it binds with Ang II, controlling salt-water and blood pressure homeostasis. This study explores rat aorta AT1R expression during intermittent hypoxia (IH) and the signaling pathways involved.

Methods
A rat model and a cell model used a BioSpherix-OxyCycler A84 system and a ProOx C21 system respectively. The arterial blood pressure was recorded by a Nihon Kohden Polygraph System. Immunohistochemic was used to focus and analyze the expression of AT1R in rat aorta. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to explore the signaling pathways that participated in AT1R expression.

Results
In this study, we found that chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) induced AT1R transcription which increased the blood pressure in rat aorta compared to normoxia and to sustained hypoxia. The AT1R protein expression in the aorta was similar to the real-time PCR results. We explored the signaling mechanisms involved in the AT1R induction in both rat aorta and the aortic endothelial cells by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Compared to normoxia, CIH increased ERK1 mRNA transcription but not ERK2 or p38MAPK in the aorta; whereas sustained hypoxia (SH) upregulated ERK2 but not ERK1 or p38MAPK mRNA. In cells, IH induced AT1R expression with ERK1/2 phosphorylation but reduced p38MAPKs phosphorylation, whereas SH induced only ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 attenuated the IH-induced AT1R increase but the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 did not.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that CIH induced the elevation of rat blood pressure and aorta AT1R expression. Moreover, AT1R expression in IH and sustained hypoxia might be regulated by different signal transduction pathways, highlighting a novel regulatory function through ERK1/2 signaling in IH.
Reducing the radiation dose with the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction technique for chest CT in adults: a parameter study
Authors: Liu Wenyun , Ding Xiaobo , Kong Boyu , Fan Baoyan , Chen Liang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Currently there is a trend towards reducing radiation dose while maintaining image quality during computer tomography (CT) examination. This results from the concerns about radiation exposure from CT and the potential increase in the incidence of radiation induced carcinogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the lowest radiation dose for maintaining good image quality in adult chest scanning using GE CT equipment.

Methods
Seventy-two adult patients were examined by Gemstone Spectral CT. They were randomly divided into six groups. We set up a different value of noise index (NI) when evaluating each group every other number from 13.0 to 23.0. The original images were acquired with a slice of 5 mm thickness. For each group, several image series were reconstructed using different levels of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) (30%, 50%, and 70%). We got a total of 18 image sequences of different combinations of NI and ASIR percentage. On one hand, quantitative indicators, such as CT value and standard deviation (SD), were assessed at the region of interest. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. The volume CT dose index (CTDI) and dose length product (DLP) were recorded. On the other hand, two radiologists with ≥5 years of experience blindly reviewed the subjective image quality using the standards we had previously set.

Results
The different combinations of noise index and ASIR were assessed. There was no significant difference in CT values among the 18 image sequences. The SD value was reduced with the noise index's reduction or ASIR's increase. There was a trend towards gradually lower SNR and CNR with an NI increase. The CTDI and DLP were diminishing as the NI increased. The scores from subjective image quality evaluation were reduced in all groups as the ASIR increased.

Conclusions
Increasing NI can reduce radiation dose. With the premise of maintaining the same image quality, using a suitable percentage of ASIR can increase the value of NI. To assure image quality, we concluded that when the NI was set at 17.0 and ASIR was 50%, the image quality could be optimal for not only satisfying the requirements of clinical diagnosis, but also achieving the purpose of low-dose scanning.
Cross-sectional association of serum C-reactive protein and uric acid with albuminuria in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: LING Yan , LI Xiao-mu , GAO Xin 
Published: January 2024

Background
Evidences show that subclinical chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum uric acid, and albuminuria in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods
A total of 1162 type 2 diabetic patients were recruited. All participants had relevant clinical and laboratory measurements. CRP was measured using a particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay.

Results
In the multiple linear regression model, natural log-transformed CRP (lnCRP) and uric acid were independent predictors of natural log-transformed urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (lnACR) (β=0.18, 95% CI 0.10-0.27, P <0.001 and β=0.18, 95% CI 0.09-0.27, P <0.001). The interaction of lnCRP with uric acid was also associated with lnACR (β=0.04, 95% CI 0.02-0.06, P <0.001). In the full-adjusted logistic regression model, the OR for albuminuria of the patients in the third tertile levels of CRP and uric acid was 3.94 compared with patients in the first tertile levels of CRP and uric acid (95% CI 1.73-8.94, P <0.001).

Conclusions
Elevated serum CRP and increased serum uric acid level were associated with albuminuria in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients. Moreover, CRP and uric acid had an interactive effect on albuminuria.
Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in intrapulmonary lesions
Authors: ZHAO Hui , XIE Zhen , ZHOU Zu-Li , SUI Xi-Zhao , WANG Jun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is considered to have high value in the staging of mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer. The current study was conducted to investigate the diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA in intrapulmonary lesions located near the central airway.

Methods
From September 2009 to March 2013, 66 patients with pulmonary masses located close to the central airways suspected to be lung cancer were accessed by EBUS-TBNA. Conventional bronchoscopic biopsy before EBUS-TBNA was nondiagnostic in all cases. If EBUS-TBNA did not result in a formal pathological diagnosis of malignancy, patients were subsequently referred for a surgical procedure.

Results
Among the 66 cases, 59 were confirmed as pulmonary malignancies by EBUS-TBNA, of which 48 cases were non-small cell lung cancer, nine were small cell lung cancer, and two were metastatic lung tumors. No evidence of malignancy was found by biopsy and histopathological examination in the other seven cases. Thoracoscopy or thoracotomy was subsequently undergone for them. Postoperative pathological examinations confirmed three cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, one case of lymphoma, two cases of sclerosing hemangioma, and one case of pulmonary tuberculoma. The definitive diagnosis rate of EBUS-TBNA for intrapulmonary lesions near the central airway was 89.4%. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in distinguishing benign from malignant intrapulmonary lesions were 93.7%, 100.0%, and 93.9%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100.0% and 42.9%, respectively. The EBUS-TBNA procedures were well-tolerated by all patients. No associated complications were observed.

Conclusions
For intrapulmonary lesions near the central airway highly suspected of cancer, EBUS-TBNA has satisfactory diagnostic value. However, the negative predictive value of this technique is low, so negative results obtained by EBUS-TBNA should be confirmed by other methods.
Effects of low molecular weight heparin on clot rate and activated clotting time: an in vitro study
Authors: SHI Xu-bo , BAI Ying , LI Jie , XIAO Jie , WANG Jian-qi , ZHENG Hua 
Published: January 2024

Background
Due to lack of point-of-care testing, the use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) therapy in some special patients is restricted. This study was designed to explore the effects of LMWH on clot rate (CR) and activated clotting time (ACT), and to search for an appropriate method for bedside monitoring of anticoagulant activity of LMWH.

Methods
Thirty-two healthy volunteers were selected from the staff of Beijing Tongren Hospital. CR and ACT were measured with different reagents (glass beads, diatomite, kaolin and magnetic bar) on blood samples spiked with increasing concentrations of LMWH (dalteparin, 0.2–1.8 IU/ml). Correlations between concentrations of LMWH and values of CR and ACT were analysed based on the data obtained and regression analysis was performed to establish a regression equation.

Results
With the increase in doses of dalteparin, CR values reduced gradually. The values of CR of four reagents (glass beads, diatomite, kaolin and magnetic bar) were 20.4–4.5 IU/min, 27.4–6.9 IU/min, 27.5–7.9 IU/min and 7.8–0.1 IU/min respectively and an linear relationship was observed between the CR values and dalteparin concentrations (P<0.05). The values of ACT were 173–615 seconds, 130–270 seconds, 123–226 seconds, 337–1411 seconds respectively, which showed a linear regression between the ACT values and dalteparin concentrations (P<0.01). Differences in slope of the regression curves of ACT were observed with all the reagents tested (glass beads 248.2 s/IU, diatomite 74.8 s/IU, kaolin 58.2 s/IU and magnetic bar 1112.2 s/IU, P<0.01). While the minimum concentration of dalteparin was 0.2 IU/ml, 0.4 IU/ml, 1.4 IU/ml and 0.2 IU/ml separately, the ACT values of the four coagulants (glass beads, diatomite, kaolin and magnetic bar) were beyond the normal limit and showed a noticeable increase respectively (P<0.01).

Conclusions
This study showed that there was an excellent linear relationship between the CR and ACT values and dalteparin concentrations for all the four reagents (glass beads, diatomite, kaolin and magnetic bar) in vitro. The sensitivity of different coagulation reagents to LMWH different. Choosing a suitable reagent, both CR and ACT were possible to be used as a convenient bedside test for LMWH.
Symptomatic pulmonary lipiodol embolism after transarterial chemoembolization for hepatic malignant tumor: clinical presentation and chest imaging findings
Authors: Xu Haifeng , Yang Renjie , Wang Xiaodong , Zhu Xu , Chen Hui 
Published: January 2024

Background
Pulmonary lipiodol embolism after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was rare and life-threatening, occasionally reported in previous literatures. We aimed to review the records of 11 patients with pulmonary oily embolism and analyze their characteristics of radiographic findings and risk factors.

Methods
Records of 478 consecutive patients who underwent 1 026 percutaneous TACE procedures were retrospectively analyzed. Eleven cases with respiratory symptoms were identified as having symptomatic pulmonary lipiodol embolism after TACE. Data of these patients, including clinical presentation, techniques of TACE, imaging features of tumor and chest imaging findings, were assessed.

Results
Eleven (2.3%) of 478 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous TACE procedures had a pulmonary oily embolism after procedures. The mean size of target tumors embolized was (13.6±2.0) cm. All were hyper-vascular. The mean volume of lipiodol was (21.8±8.2) ml. Pulmonary oily embolisms were revealed within 12-48 hours after TACE. The most severe respiratory symptoms and imaging abnormalities of the eight patients who survived presented between 2 and 5 days after TACE, becoming normal between 12 and 35 days after TACE. Three patients died. Chest CT revealed retention of radiopaque lipiodol in lungs.

Conclusions
Pulmonary lipiodol embolism occurs easily in patients who have large hyper-vascular hepatic malignant tumor. The high-density lipiodol deposition in the lung field can be used as diagnostic feature.
Effect of ouabain on the pathogenesis of hypertension in rats
Authors: Liu Meiyan , Ren Yanping , Guo Chengjun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Ouabain and digoxin are important cardiac glycoside and related to many cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of sodium pump α-subunit expression in rats and compare the effects of ouabain (OUA) and digoxin (DIG) on the development of hypertension.

Methods

In situ hybridization was performed. Specific sequence oligonucleotide probe tailing with a Dig-dUTP hybrid to target nucleic acids of the sodium pump α-subunit. According to counting positive particles sodium pump subunit expression was analyzed with statistical methods.

Results
On day 16 of drug administration, the blood pressure of rats increased significantly in the OUA group. In the DIG group, the blood pressure revealed no significant difference when compared to the control group. In addition, the effects of OUA and DIG on sodium pump α-subunit RNA expression in tissues differed.

Conclusions
OUA and DIG can not only change the configuration of the sodium pump to depress their activity, but also influence their gene expression which is important in the mechanism of hypertension. This may be a key point in the pathogenesis of hypertension in the manner in which OUA differs from DIG and changes the sodium pump gene expression in the arteries and kidneys of rats.