bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Iloprost inhibits fracture repair in rats
Authors: Doğan Ali , Duygun Fatih , Kalender Murat A. , Bayram Irfan , Sungur Ibrahim 
Published: January 2024

Background
Previous studies have shown that prostaglandins (PGs) dramatically stimulate healing processes in bone. However, the effect of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) on fracture healing remains unclear. To investigate the effect of PGI2, a study on fracture healing process in closed tibia fractures was designed.

Methods
Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into two groups. On the first day, their right tibias were fractured by three-point bending technique. The study group (n=18) received a single injection of 10 μg/kg iloprost for 5 days, while the control group (n=18) received saline solution in the same way. On the 7th, 14th and 28th days following the fracture, six rats were sacrificed and their right legs were harvested in each group. The progression of fracture healing was assessed for each specimen by the scores of radiography (by Lane-Sandhu) and histology (by Huo et al).

Results
On the 7th day, the radiographic and histologic scores were equal. On the 14th day radiographic total score was 6 and histologic total score was 23 in the iloprost group, whereas radiographic total score was 11 and histologic total score was 33 in the control group. On the 14th day radiographic and histologic scores were significantly decreased in the iloprost group compared to the control group (P <0.05). On the 28th day radiographic total score was 12 and histologic total score was 37 in the iloprost group, whereas radiographic total score was 15 and histologic total score was 40 in the control group. On the 28th day although there was a decrease in radiographic and histologic scores of the iloprost group acording to control group, it was not statistically significant (P >0.05).

Conclusion
Iloprost delays fracture healing in early stage in rats.
Clinical features and treatment status of hemifacial spasm in China
Authors: Wang Lin , Hu Xingyue , Dong Hongjuan , Wang Wenzhao , Huang Yue , Jin Lingjing , Luo Yumin , Zhang Weixi , Lian Yajun , Liang Zhanhua , Shang Huifang , Feng Yabo , Wu Yiwen , Chen Jun , Luo Weifeng , Wan Xinhua 
Published: January 2024

Background
Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a facial nerve disorder characterized by episodic involuntary ipsilateral facial muscle contraction. Information on Chinese patients with HFS has not been well-characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical feature and the treatment status of HFS across China.

Methods
A cross-sectional study including 1003 primary HFS patients had been carried out in 15 movement disorder clinics in China in 2012. The investigated information was acquired from questionnaires and medical records including demographic data, site of onset, aggravating and relieving factors, treatments prior to the investigation, etc.

Results
In this study, the ratio of male to female was 1.0:1.8, the mean age at onset was (46.6±11.5) years. About 1.0% patients were bilaterally affected. The most often site of initial onset was the orbicularis oculi muscle. The most often affected sites were orbicularis oculi, zygomatic, and orbicularis oris muscles. Stress/anxiety and relaxation were most often aggravating and relieving factors, respectively; 2.3% patients had family history, 28.4% cases were combined with hypertension, and 1.4% patients were with trigeminal neuralgia. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection was the most commonly used treatment, followed by acupuncture and oral medication. BTX-A maintained the highest repeat treatment ratio (68.7%), while 98.4% patients gave up acupuncture. The mean latency of BTX-A effect was (5.0±4.7) days, the mean total duration of the effect was (19.5±11.7) weeks, and 95.9% patients developed improvements no worse than moderate in both severity and function. The most common side effect was droopy mouth.

Conclusions
The onset age of HFS in China is earlier than that in western countries. The most often used two treatments are BTX-A injection and acupuncture, while the latter kept the poor repeat treatment ratio because of dissatisfactory therapeutic effect.
Effects of lead exposure on placental cellular apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats
Authors: Wang Yunying , Hu Haiyan , Li Hong , Ma Haiyan , Xu Fengsen , Qu Baoming 
Published: January 2024

Background
Lead exposure during pregnancy contributes to fetal abortion and/or teratogenesis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) apoptosis can be induced by various pathological conditions when ER function is disturbed. However, it is unclear whether ER stress and apoptosis play a role in the etiology of lead-exposed disease status. We aimed to investigate whether lead induced placental apoptosis and subsequent toxicity is initiated by ER apoptosis via caspase-12.

Methods
Sixty-three female Wistar rats were exposed to lead in drinking water during various gestational periods. Blood lead level was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Placental cytoplasmic organelles were examined by electronic microscopy. Placental caspase-12 mRNA expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR. TUNEL assay was used to determine the placental apoptosis.

Results
Lead exposure significant induced ER apoptosis compared to that of the controls (P <0.05), accompanied with increased caspase-12 mRNA expression. Significant differences of caspase-12 mRNA expression levels were observed among the four groups (F=13.78, P <0.05). Apoptotic index (AI) was significantly increased in experimental groups compared to that of the controls (F=96.15, P <0.05). In lead-exposed groups, trophoblast cells underwent degeneration and fibrin deposition; Mitochondria were swollen and decreased in number; ER swelling, expansion, and vacuolization were observed.

Conclusion
Lead exposure contributes to placental apoptosis, as well as increased caspase-12 mRNA expression, which in turn promoted ER stress.
Gene expression profiles of ERCC1, TYMS, RRM1, TUBB3 and EGFR in tumor tissue from non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Daping Yu , Jie Li , Yi Han , Shuku Liu , Ning Xiao , Yunsong Li , Xiaojun Sun , Zhidong Liu 
Published: January 2024

Background
Personalized medicine becomes essential in lung cancer treatment, however lung-cancer-related gene expression profiles in Chinese patients remain unknown. In this study, the correlation of gene expression profiles and clinical characteristics in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was investigated.

Methods
Seventy-six Chinese patients with NSCLC were enrolled in the study to investigate mRNA expression profiles of excision repair cross complement group 1 (ERCC1), thymidylate synthetase (TYMS), ribonucleotide reductase (RRM1), class III β-tubulin (TUBB3), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genes and their correlation with patient clinical characteristics. A novel liquidchip technology was used to detect mRNA expression levels in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor pathology samples. The relationships between gene expression and clinical characteristics were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test.

Results

ERCC1 mRNA levels were higher in tumors from patients with metastatic disease than patients with non-metastatic disease (P=0.021), and higher in adenocarcinomas than squamous cell carcinomas (P=0.006). Increased TUBB3 mRNA expression levels were found in patients with performance status (PS) 1 in comparison with PS 0 (P=0.049), with poorly differentiated tumors in comparison with tumors that were moderately and well differentiated (P ≤0.000 1), and with advanced stage in comparison with early stage disease (P≤0.000 1).

Conclusions

ERCC1 mRNA levels were higher in metastatic adenocarcinoma NSCLC; TUBB3 mRNA levels were significantly higher in poorly differentiated tumors and in advanced stage NSCLC, which indicates the poor prognosis.
Magnetic resonance imaging of disc space infection revisited: temporal changes
Authors: Duan Shaoyin , Xu Bingqiang , Di Primio Gina , Lum Cheemun , Schweitzer Mark E 
Published: January 2024

Background
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has advantages in showing pathologic changes of disc space infection, which is important in clinical treatment. The purpose of this study was to describe the MRI findings of disc space infections in relation to chronicity.

Methods
MRI of 60 patients from January 1, 2002 to April 30, 2012 in Ottawa Hospital were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists blindly. All patients had histological confirmation, with 55 having microbiological confirmation as well. These patients were divided into acute (n=18), subacute (n=21) and chronic (n=21) based on histological findings. The following potential signs of MRI finding were assessed: marrow edema, endplate erosions, disk fluid and height change, paraspinal mass, epidural collection, facet fluid and enhancement in the marrow, disc, paraspinal mass, and epidural involvement. Statistical analysis consisted of t- or F-tests and chi-square test.

Results
In the 60 patients, 83 infected discs (single disc in 45 patients, 2-4 discs in 15 patients) were found, including 22 discs in the acute group, 30 discs in the subacute group, and 31 discs in the chronic group. There was a significant difference in the extent of marrow edema between the acute, subacute and chronic groups (P <0.05), with a gradually increasing extent from acute to chronic. The extent of endplate erosions increased with chronicity, but was not statistically significant. There were significant differences in the disc fluid, epidural collection, and disc enhancement among the acute, subacute and chronic groups, as well as the facet fluid between acute and chronic groups (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the present probability of disc height loss, paraspinal mass, and marrow enhancement among the three groups (P >0.05).

Conclusions
From acute to chronic infections, the extent of marrow edema and endplate erosions appeared to gradually increase. Epidural collections and facet fluid are most frequently found in the acute group, while disc fluid and disc enhancement are more common in the chronic patients.
A novel rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass for deep hypothermic circulatory arrest without blood priming
Authors: Zhang Weihua , Zhang Yanbo , Liu Donghai , Zhu Yaobin , Qiao Chenhui , Wang Jiaxiang , Xu Yulin , Liu Yang , Li Bin , Yang Yao 
Published: January 2024

Background
Large animal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) models are expensive, and prevent assessment of neurocognitive function, and difficulties with long-term recovery. The purpose of this study was to establish a novel rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass for deep hypothermic circulatory arrest without blood priming.

Methods
Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 450–560 g were randomized to CPB with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and control groups, with 10 rats each. The experimental protocols, including blood and crystalloid fluid administration, anesthesia, orotracheal intubation, ventilation, cannulation, and heparinization were identical in both groups. After inducing cardiac arrest, the circuit was turned off and rats were left in a DHCA state for 15 minutes. Rats were rewarmed to 34°C to 35°C over a period of 36 to 42 minutes using CPB-assisted rewarming, a heating blanket, and a heating lamp along with administration of 0.1 mEq of sodium bicarbonate and 0.14 mEq of calcium chloride. The remaining priming volume was reinfused and animals were weaned from CPB.

Results
All CPB with DHCA processes were successfully achieved. Blood gas analysis and hemodynamic parameters were in the normal range. The vital signs of all rats were stable.

Conclusions
Our CPB circuit has several novel features, including a small priming volume, active cooling/rewarming processes, vacuum-assisted venous drainage, peripheral cannulation without thoracotomy or sternotomy, and an accurate means of monitoring peripheral tissue oxygenation.
Preparation, preservation, and morphological evaluation of the donor graft for descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: an experimental study
Authors: Sun Yiqian , Peng Rongmei , Hong Jing 
Published: January 2024

Background
Though there have been various methods for harvesting and preserving descemet membrane (DM) and intact endothelium, there is no literature about the morphological evaluation of endothelium after graft preparation for descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). The aim of this study was to establish and improve a simple method for preparing, preserving, and morphologically evaluating the donor graft for DMEK.

Methods
To obtain a donor graft, an air bubble was formed by injecting a 29 G needle with 1 ml sterile air into a small edge created outside the Schwalbe line. Another needle was inserted into the bubble through the stroma to aspirate the air or replace half the air with organ culture medium. Trypan blue was used to mark the location for small incision to improve the success rate. Frozen sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Based on the air bubble, DM grafts were divided into four groups: group A (normal control), graft without any operative technique; group B, graft with zero-pressure air bubble; group C, graft with full-pressure air bubble; group D, graft with half-pressure air bubble. The four groups of grafts were preserved for 24 hours to observe the effect of bubbles on cells. The gross and ultrastructure morphologies were evaluated using alizarin red and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively.

Results
Donor grafts were harvested via the air bubble technique, facilitated by prior trypan blue staining. HE-stained sections revealed a pure graft without stroma. There were no significant changes under light microscope. In group A, SEM revealed a confluent layer of polygonal endothelium with distributed microvilli exhibiting characteristics of interdigitating junctions. In group B, intercellular borders became thinner. In group C, interdigitations were almost flat and microvilli were observed less frequently. In group D, other than less microvilli, there were minimal changes.

Conclusions
The donor graft preparation method appears to be effective and convenient. Properly decreasing the air pressure could protect and preserve the endothelium.
Immune regulation of hydrogen sulfide in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Du Shuxu , Jia Yongrui , Tang Hong , Sun Yangling , Wu Wanshui , Sun Liming , Du Junbao , Geng Bin , Tang Chaoshu , Jin Hongfang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chemotherapy can cause immune imbalance, and gaseous molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can participate in the process of immune response. This study aimed to investigate the immune regulation of H2S in pediatric ALL.

Methods
Children (n=78) with ALL admitted during 2010–2013 were included in this study. Two blood samples were collected in period of before chemotherapy, bone marrow remission and two days after chemotherapy, respectively. Serum contents of H2S and cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), were detected using ELISA method. Stepwise regression was used to analyze the correlation between H2S and cytokines. Furthermore, human Jurkat cells were cultured in vitro, and nucleoprotein of Jurkat cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected, contents of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and certain cytokines were measured by Western blotting.

Results
Serum concentrations of H2S, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and MIP-1α in children with ALL were increased significantly (P <0.01), while concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-4 decreased obviously (P <0.01). In patients after chemotherapy, concentrations of H2S and IL-10 were decreased significantly (P <0.05), but IL-4 and IFN-γ concentrations increased markedly (P <0.05). At remission stage, H2S, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and MIP-1α concentrations were further decreased markedly (P <0.05), but concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ increased again (P <0.05). Protein contents of CSE, IL-10, IL-4 and IL-2 of PBMCs also increased markedly in children with ALL. Moreover, changes of CSE protein contents of PBMCs were consistent with serum H2S contents, and there were significant correlation between H2S and certain cytokines based on stepwise regression analysis. Furthermore, compared with those of PBMCs group, in vitro study indicated that Jurkat cells of H2S group expressed IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-4 and IL-2 protein increased obviously (P <0.05), while IL-4, IL-2 and CSE expression of PPG group decreased markedly (P <0.05).

Conclusion
Gaseous molecule H2S might participate in the process of immune regulation in pediatric ALL through modulating transcription and expression of cytokines.
Soluble CD40 ligand is associated with angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhang Fan , Li Zijian , Yu Haiyi , Li Zongshi , Gao Wei 
Published: January 2024

Background
Recently, studies have disclosed soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) during atherosclerosis development and plaque destabilization. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that sCD40L levels are higher in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with a greater extent of angiographic coronary involvement.

Methods
This cross-sectional study examined ACS patients who underwent coronary angiography by measuring their sCD40L levels. In order to estimate the serum levels of sCD40L, 10 ml of peripheral venous blood was drawn within 24 hours of admission. sCD40L levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, RapidBio, West Hills, CA, USA). Demographic data, presence of concomitant diseases, ACS characteristics, and angiographic findings were evaluated. A review of medical records and patient interviews were conducted to assess coronary risk factors. And the severity of coronary artery disease was evaluated using the Gensini score index.

Results
Two hundred and eighty-nine patients were included in the study, of whom 186 were male, with an average age of 64.1±10.0 years. Median sCD40L levels were 1.7 ng/ml (0.3–7.3 ng/ml) and Gensini scores were 50 (0–228). After adjusting for demographic variables and cardiovascular risk factors, the Gensini score was associated with the natural logarithm of the sCD40L level (Coefficient b=0.002, 95% CI 0.000–0.003, P=0.029).

Conclusion
sCD40L levels were independently associated with angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in patients with ACS.
Inflammation induced-endothelial cells release angiogenesis associated-microRNAs into circulation by microparticles
Authors: Zhang Jing , Ren Jingyi , Chen Hong , Geng Qiang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Endothelial cells derived microRNAs can be detected in plasma and serum and there is evidence that inflammatory disease states may affect the levels of circulating microRNAs. However, there is no direct proof that inflammation induces endothelial cells to release microRNAs into circulation. This study aimed to explore whether inflammation could induce endothelial cells to release microRNAs into circulation and to investigate whether these released microRNAs derived from endothelial cells were transported in microparticles.

Methods
Microparticles were isolated from human atherosclerotic plaques with an active inflammatory phenotype and normal vascular tissue. Flow cytometry and real-time PCR were used to detect the levels of microparticles and microRNAs. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was treated with tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α, 10 ng/ml) for 24 hours, and then HUVEC and the culture medium were respectively collected.

Results
By comparing microparticles isolated from human atherosclerotic plaques with an active inflammatory phenotype (n=9) and those from normal vascular tissues (n=9), we found levels of annexin V+ microparticles and annexin V+ CD144+ microparticles were significantly increased in plaques and angiogenesis associated microRNAs (106b, 25, 92a and 21) were also significantly increased in microparticles from plaques. After exposure to TNF-α at a concentration of 10 ng/ml (TNF-α group, n=3) or DMEM (control group, n=3) for 24 hours, counts of microparticles and expressions of microRNAs 106b, 25, 92a and 21 in microparticles isolated from medium significantly increased. However, there were no differences in the intracellular levels of microRNAs 25, 92a or 21 isolated from HUVEC between TNF-α group and control group, while microRNA 106b decreased in TNF-α group.

Conclusion
Inflammation could induce endothelial cells to release angiogenesis associated microRNAs into circulation, causing higher levels of circulating endothelial cells derived microRNAs in atherosclerosis.
Prognostic markers for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Guo Xiaomin , Jin Hongfang , Du Junbao 
Published: January 2024

Objective
The objective of this study is to review the research on the prognostic markers of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).

Date sources
We searched literature from PubMed and CNKI databases both in English and Chinese up to 2013.

Study selection
Data about mortality and cut-off value are from clinical trials and identified by analysis.

Results
IPAH is an unexplained, progressive, and rare disease characterized by increased pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. The diagnosis is difficult, mortality of IPAH is high, and the survival periods are only 2–3 years after diagnosis. Investigations in recent years have identified a range of prognostic markers for IPAH, including the 6-minute walking test, red blood cell distribution width, and platelet levels, as well as imaging findings. Changes in these markers are important sources of information to predict the prognosis of patients with IPAH, which carries significant benefits for treatment planning.

Conclusion
Even though the prognosis of IPAH has been investigated, the mortality is also high. More accurate and meaningful assessment for the prognosis of IPAH is required.