bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors affecting nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus when admitted in intensive care unit
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhuang Taifeng , Lin Ying , Xi Jingjing , Yao Gaiqi 
Published: January 2024

Background
Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a risk factor for subsequent invasive MRSA infection, particularly in patients admitted for critical care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors affecting nasal colonization of MRSA in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU).

Methods
Between August 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, we screened for MRSA nasal colonization in 350 patients by Real-time PCR within 24 hours of admission by means of swab samples taken from the anterior nares. According to the results of PCR, the patients were divided into 2 groups: the positive group with nasal MRSA colonization and the negative group without nasal MRSA colonization. The 31 (8.86%) patients were MRSA positive. The risk factors evaluated included thirteen variables, which were analyzed by t test for continuous variables and χ
2 test for discrete variables. The variables with significance (P <0.05) were analyzed with stepwise Logistic regression.

Results
There were differences (P <0.05) in four variables between two groups. The duration of stay in hospital prior to ICU admission in the positive group was (35.7±16.1) days, vs. (4.5±3.1) days in the negative group. The average blood albumin level was (28.4±2.9) g/L in the positive group, vs. (30.5±4.3) g/L in the negative group. Of 31 patients in the positive group, seven had been treated with antibiotics longer than seven days vs. 34 of 319 patients in the negative group. In the positive group, four of 31 patients received treatment with more than two classes of antibiotics prior to admission in ICU, contrasted to 13 of 319 patients in the negative group. Furthermore, stepwise Logistic regression analysis for these four variables indicates that the duration of stay in hospital prior to ICU admission may be an independent risk factor.

Conclusions
MRSA colonization in ICU admission may be related to many factors. The duration of stay in hospital prior to ICU admission is an independent risk factor.
Epidemiological characteristics of thyroid nodules and risk factors for malignant nodules: a retrospective study from 6 304 surgical cases
Authors: Huan Qin , Wang Kun , Lou Fuchen , Zhang Li , Huang Qingxian , Han Yunfeng , Sun Hancheng , Zhu Lei , Lin Peng , Song Jun , Liu Fuqiang , Wang Qian , Hou Weikai 
Published: January 2024

Background
The prevalence of thyroid nodules (TN) is increasing rapidly. This study analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of TN in surgically treated patients and identified the risk factors for malignant nodules (MN) to provide more understanding of the differential diagnosis of TN.

Methods
A total of 6 304 TN cases who underwent thyroid surgery were included in this retrospective study. The clinical data were collected to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and related risk factors for MN. The nature of TN (benign nodules (BN) or MN), medical records, laboratory data, and imaging data were analyzed. The risk factors for MN were screened using Spearman's rank correlation analysis and nonconditional binary Logistic regression analysis.

Results
The number of surgically treated TN cases increased yearly. A total of 34.33% of cases were MN and 65.67% were BN. Up to 56.74% of these cases underwent unnecessary surgery. Among the MN cases, papillary thyroid carcinoma accounted for 94%, in which 46.71% coexisted with benign thyroid disease and 32.28% with multiple foci. Single-related factor analysis showed that age, employment, disease duration, history of breast nodules and/or hypertension, the levels of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPoAb), and ultrasound features of TN were related to MN. Stepwise nonconditional binary Logistic regression analysis showed that 13 factors may be the independent risk factors for MN, including <40 years old, previous history of breast nodules and/or hypertension, disease duration <1 month, employment, hypoechoic nodule, irregular nodules, nodule calcification, solid echo nodule, fuzzy boundary, rich blood flow within nodules, abnormal lymph nodes around the neck, nodule diameter <1 cm, and abnormally high TgAb.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate a rapid increase in surgically treated TN cases and ratio of MN and indicate unnecessary surgeries in some cases. This study also suggest that age, duration of thyroid disease, history of breast disease and/or hypertension, the levels of serum TSH, TgAb, and TPoAb, and ultrasound features of TN are related to MN, and some of these factors may be the risk factors for MN.
Three transcription factors and the way immune cells affected by different plasma change in opposite ways in the development of the syndrome of pre-eclampsia
Authors: Liang Zhou , Zhu Jing , Wang Yunfei , Wang You , Zhang Yu , Lin Jianhua , Di Wen 
Published: January 2024

Background
How the transcriptional factors regulated the innate and adaptive immune system in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia are less understood. Nevertheless, what the plasma work in the development of this disease was not sure. The present study was design to evaluate what the transcriptional factors change in innate and adaptive immune system and what the plasma do in this filed.

Methods
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from non-pregnant women (n=18), women with clinically normal pregnancies (n=23) and women with pre-eclampsia (n=20) were separated from peripheral blood to isolate monocytes and T cells. The purity of monocytes and T cells were analysed by flow cytometry. Monocytes and T cells were stimulated in either lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA), respectively. Transcription Factor Arrays were used to screen the transcription factors of interest in comparing of different groups. PBMC were isolated from another 8 non-pregnant samples were co-incubated with different groups of plasma. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using whole cell extractions of the samples.

Results
Nuclear factor of activated T-cells-1 (NFAT-1), signal transducers and activators of transcription-1 (STAT-1) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) are up-regulated in monocytes in pregnancy and more so in pre-eclampsia. On the the contrary, NFAT-1, STAT-1 and AP-1 are down-regulated in T cells in pregnancy and more so in pre-eclampsia. A reduction was observed in interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-4 expression in T cells incubated with pre-eclamptic plasma. An elevation was observed in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1 and IL-12 expression in monocytes incubated with pre-eclamptic plasma.

Conclusions
Innate immunity is over activated and adaptive immunity is over suppressed in the development of pre-eclampsia. NFAT-1, STAT-1 and AP-1 might be the central transcription factors in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. They induced some changes in plasma and “educate” the monocytes and T cells for relevant cytokine production. Successful completion of this study will enhance our understanding of pre-eclampsia and will discover new knowledge beyond pregnancy. The work will inform future therapies for the treatment of a wide range of condition such as transplantation immunology and a wide range of immune and inflammatory conditions.
Effect of the disruption of three cytoskeleton components on chondrocyte metabolism in rabbit knee cartilage
Authors: Duan Wangping , Wei Lei , Cao Xiaoming , Guo Heng , Wang Lei , Hao Yongzhuang , Wei Xiaochun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Chondrocytes' phenotype and biosynthesis of matrix are dependent on having an intact cytoskeletal structure. Microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments are three important components of the cytoskeletal structure of chondrocytes. The aims of this study were to determine and compare the effects of the disruption of these three cytoskeletal elements on the apoptosis and matrix synthesis by rabbit knee chondrocytes in vitro.

Methods
Chondrocytes were isolated from full-thickness knee cartilage of two-month-old rabbits using enzymatic methods (n=24). The isolated cells were stabilized for three days and then exposed to low, medium, and high doses of chemical agents that disrupt the three principal cytoskeletal elements of interest: colchicine for microtubules, acrylamide for intermediate filaments, and cytochalasin D for actin microfilaments. A group of control cells were treated with carrier. Early apoptosis was assessed using the Annexin-FITC binding assay by flow cytometry on days 1 and 2 after exposure to the disrupting chemical agents. The components and distribution of the cytoskeleton within the cells were analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) with immunofluorescence staining on day 3. The mRNA levels of aggrecan (AGG) and type II collagen (Col-2) and their levels in culture medium were analyzed using real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA) on days 3, 6, and 9.

Results
In the initial drug-dose-response study, there was no significant difference in the vitality of cells treated with 0.1 μmol/L colchicine, 2.5 mmol/L acrylamide, and 10 μg/L cytochalasin D for two days when compared with the control group of cells. The concentrations of colchicine and acrylamide treatment selected above significantly decreased the number of viable cells over the nine-day culture and disrupted significantly more cell nuclei. Real-time PCR and ELISA results showed that the mRNA levels and medium concentrations of AGG and Col-2 were significantly decreased for cultures treated with colchicine and acrylamide when compared with untreated cells at three, six, and nine days, and this inhibition was correlated with higher matrix metalloprotease-13 expression in these cells. Cellular proliferation, monolayer morphology, and matrix metabolism were unaffected in cytochalasin D-treated cells when compared with control cells over the nine-day culture period.

Conclusions
The disruption of the microtubulin and intermediate filaments induced chondrocyte apoptosis, increased matrix metalloprotease expression, and decreased AGG and Col-2 expression in rabbit knee chondrocyte cultures. Our findings suggest that microtubulin and intermediate filaments play a critical role in the synthesis of cartilage matrix by rabbit knee chondrocytes.
Corneal refractive surgery and phakic intraocular lens for treatment of amblyopia caused by high myopia or anisometropia in children
Authors: Tian Chunyu , Peng Xiujun , Fan Zhengjun , Yin Zhengqin 
Published: January 2024

Objective
A systematic review of literature was performed to compare various visual function parameters including the final visual acuity outcome and/or adverse events between corneal refractive surgery (CLRS) and phakic intraocular lens implantation (p-IOLi) in the treatment of refractive amblyopic children.

Data sources
Two reviewers independently searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Controlled Trials Register databases for publications from 1991 to 2013.

Study selection
There were 25 articles, including 597 patients and 682 eyes, was included in CLRS group. Among them, 21 articles reported the use of CLRS in the treatment of myopic anisometropia for 318 patients (13 photorefractive keratectomy or laser epithelial keratomileusis and eight laser in situ keratomileusis). And 11 articles had the results of CLRS in treating hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia children. Eleven articles reported the effect of p-IOLi for treating high myopia or anisometropic amblyopia, including 61 patients (75 eyes). Age, pre- and postoperation best-corrected vision acuity (BCVA), and spherical equivalent (SE) were compared in CLRS and p-IOLi groups.

Results
The average age of CLRS group and p-IOLi group has no statistically significant difference. The SE in CLRS group for myopic anisometropia amblyopia patients was (-10.13±2.73) diopters (D) and for hyperopic anisometropia amblyopia patients was (5.58±1.28) D. In p-IOLi group the SE was (-14.01±1.93) D. BCVA was improved significantly in both groups, and even better in p-IOLi group. Refractive errors were corrected in both groups, but there was no clinically significant difference in final SE between each group. More than one-half of the children had improved binocular fusion and stereopsis function in both groups.

Conclusions
Both CLRS group and p-IOLi group showed their advantage in treating refractive amblyopia in children. In comparing p-IOLi with CLRS for treatment of refractive amblyopia, no statistically significant difference in final BCVA was observed.
Effects of different doses in continuous veno-venous hemofiltration on plasma lactate in critically ill patients
Authors: Liu Yongjun , Bin Ouyang , Chen Juan , Chen Minying , Ma Jie , Wu Jianfeng , Huang Shunwei , Li Lifen , Liu Zimeng , Guan Xiangdong 
Published: January 2024

Background
Many studies have shown that continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) could clean lactate and treat the hyper-lactatemia. On the contrary, some other studies found that filter lactate clearance only accounted for a very small part of total lactate clearance and the hemofilter's contribution to the overall lactate clearance was negligible. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various doses of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) on plasma lactate elimination in critically ill patients.

Methods
Patients were divided into three groups according to their incipient plasma lactate concentration. Group A: lactate≤2 mmol/L, group B: lactate 2—5 mmol/L, group C: lactate ≥5 mmol/L. Three different doses (20 ml·kg-1·h-1, 35 ml·kg-1·h-1 and 45 ml·kg-1·h-1) of CVVH were applied to critically ill patients who experiencing CVVH. The concentrations of plasma lactate in pre-(A), post-dialyzer (V) sites and ultrafiltrate were measured after each dosage of CVVH was carried out for 30 minutes. Rate of lactate clearance by the filter (RLC) and filter lactate clearance (FLC) and Lactate-Sieving Coefficient (LSC) were calculated under different circumstances, including different doses of CVVH and different incipient lactate levels.

Results
Fifteen patients were enrolled and 104 blood samples were drawn and lactate concentrations were measured in this study. RLC was found increased ((9.36±9.73) mmol/h, (13.92±12.56) mmol/h and (16.52±12.71) mmol/h, P <0.05 respectively) with the dose of CVVH increased. RLC was also increased ((3.46±1.46), (10.38±5.50) and (24.53±14.69) mmol/h, P <0.05 respectively) with the incipient lactate increased. FLC was increased ((1.95±0.63), (2.95±0.74) and (3.45±0.54) L/h, P <0.05 respectively) with the dose of CVVH increased. There was no significant difference of LSC in different doses of CVVH and different incipient lactate levels.

Conclusions
Plasma lactate can be eliminated by CVVH and different doses of CVVH affect the rate of lactate clearance in critically ill patients.

Chin Med J 2014;127 (10): 1827-1832
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA and age-at-onset of patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Yaling Bai , Zhanjun Guo , Jinsheng Xu , Junxia Zhang , Liwen Cui , Huiran Zhang , Shenglei Zhang , Xiaolu Ai 
Published: January 2024

Background
The mitochondrial displacement loop (D-loop) accumulates mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at a higher frequency than other regions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We previously identified disease riskassociated SNPs in the D-loop of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients; in this study, we investigated the association of age-at-onset and D-loop SNPs in CKD patients.

Methods
The D-loop region of mtDNA was sequenced in 119 CKD patients attending the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2002 and 2008. The age-at-onset curve of the CKD patients was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method at each SNP site, and compared using the log-rank test.

Results
The mean age of 119 CKD patients was (55.6±14.2) years, and 56.3% were males. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was (81.2±12.4) ml·min−1·1.73 m−2, with 79.8% (n=95) of patients having an eGFR <60 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2. All participants had an eGFR >30 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2. The age-at-onset for CKD patients who smoked was significantly lower than that of non-smoking CKD patients. The SNP sites of nucleotides 150C/T were identified for their association with age-at-onset using the log-rank test. The age-at-onset of patients with the minor allele T genotype was significantly lower than that of patients with the C genotype at the 150 SNP site (P=0.010).

Conclusions
Genetic polymorphisms in the D-loop appear to be predictive markers for age-at-onset in CKD patients. Accordingly, the analysis of genetic polymorphisms in the mitochondrial D-loop may help identify CKD patient subgroups at high risk of early onset disease.
Regulation of lovastatin on a key inflammation-related microRNA in myocardial cells
Authors: Weizao Guo , Huichen Liu , Lin Li , Man Yang , Aihua Du 
Published: January 2024

Background
Advances in the understanding of cardiovascular pathogenesis have highlighted that inflammation plays a central role in atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. Therefore, exploring pharmacologically based anti-inflammatory treatments to be used in cardiovascular therapeutics is worthwhile to promote the discovery of novel ways of treating cardiovascular disorders.

Methods
The myocardial cell line H9c2(2-1) was exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in culture and resulted in a cellular pro-inflammation status. miR-21 microRNA levels were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR). The influence of lovastatin on miR-21 under normal and pro-inflammatory conditions was tested after being added to the cell culture mixture for 24 hours. Conditional gene function of two predicted cardiovascular system relevant downstream targets of miR-21, protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 3A (PPP1R3A) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), were analyzed with immunoblotting.

Results
Forty-eight hours of LPS treatment significantly increased the miR-21 to 170.71%±34.32% of control levels (P=0.002). Co-treatment with lovastatin for 24 hours before harvesting attenuated the up-regulation of miR-21 (P=0.013). Twenty-four hours of lovastatin exposure up-regulated PPP1R3A to 143.85%±21.89% of control levels in cardiomyocytes (P=0.023). Lovastatin up-regulated the phosphorylation level of STAT3 compared to the background LPS pretreatment (P=0.0077), this effect was significantly (P=0.018) blunted when miR-21 was functionally inhibited.

Conclusions
miR-21 plays a major role in the regulation of the cellular anti-inflammation effects of lovastatin.
Influence of preoperative coronary collateral circulation on in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with intra-aortic balloon pump support
Authors: Gungor Hasan , Zencir Cemil , Samuel Babu Abraham , Akgullu Cagdas , Eryilmaz Ufuk , Zorlu Ali , Selvi Mithat , Onay Sevil , Kurtoglu Tunay 
Published: January 2024

Background
Outcomes in patients requiring coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery have been improved with devices such as the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). Good coronary collateral circulation (CCC) has been shown to reduce mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to investigate whether poor preoperative CCC grade is a predictor of in-hospital mortality in CABG surgery requiring IABP support.

Methods
Fifty-five consecutive patients who were undergoing isolated first time on-pump CABG surgery with IABP support were enrolled into this study and CCC of those patients was evaluated.

Results
Twenty-seven patients had poor CCC and 28 patients had good CCC. In-hospital mortality rate in poor CCC group was significantly higher than good CCC group (14 (50%) vs. 4 (13%), P=0.013). Preoperative hemoglobin level (OR: 0.752; 95% CI, 0.571–0.991, P=0.043), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 6.731; 95% CI, 1.159–39.085, P=0.034) and poor CCC grade (OR: 5.750; 95% CI, 1.575–20.986, P=0.008) were associated with post-CABG in-hospital mortality. Poor CCC grade (OR: 4.853; 95% CI, 1.124–20.952, P=0.034) and preoperative hemoglobin level (OR: 0.624; 95% CI, 0.476–0.954, P=0.026) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after CABG.

Conclusion
Preoperative poor CCC and hemoglobin are predictors of in-hospital mortality after CABG with IABP support.
Hippophae rhamnoides L. leaves extract enhances cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation through upregulation of intrinsic factors in the dentate gyrus of the aged gerbil
Authors: Ahn Ji Hyeon , Chen Bai Hui , Park Joon Ha , Kim In Hye , Cho Jeong-Hwi , Lee Jae-Chul , Yan Bing Chun , Choi Jung Hoon , Hwang In Koo , Park Ju-Hee , Han Sang-No , Lee Yun Lyul , Jo Kim Myong , Won Moo-Ho 
Published: January 2024

Background

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (HL) exerts antioxidant activities against various oxidative stress conditions. In this study, we investigated effects of extract from HL leaves (HLE) on cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG) of aged gerbils.

Methods
Aged gerbils (24 months) were divided into vehicle (saline)-treated- and HLE-treated-groups. The vehicle and HLE were orally administered with 200 mg/kg once a day for 20 days before sacrifice. Cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation were examined in the DG using Ki67 and doublecortin (DCX), respectively. We also observed changes in immunoreactivities of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (p-GSK-3β) to examine their relation with neurogenesis using immunohistochemistry.

Results
The administration of HLE significantly increased the number of Ki67-positive cells and DCX-positive neuroblasts with well-developed processes in the SGZ of the DG of the HLE-treated-group. In addition, immunoreactivities of SOD1, SOD2, BDNF, and p-GSK-3β were significantly increased in granule and polymorphic cells of the DG in the HLE-treated-group compared with those in the vehicle-treated-group.

Conclusions
HLE treatment significantly increased cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation, showing that immunoreactivities of SOD1, SOD2, BDNF, and p-GSK-3β were significantly increased in the DG. These indicate that increased neuroblast differentiation neurogenesis may be closely related to upregulation of SOD1, SOD2, BDNF, and p-GSK-3β in aged gerbils.