bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing ambulance use in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Beijing, China
Authors: YAN Hong-bing , SONG Li , CHEN Hui , ZHANG Jian , LI Shi-ying , LI Qing-xiang , CHENG Shu-juan , WANG Jian , ZHAO Han-jun , HU Da-yi 
Published: January 2024

Background
Emergency medical service plays a key role in the early recognition and treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but studies indicate that the patients experiencing STEMI symptoms often fail to call an ambulance as recommended. This study aimed to examine the current ambulance transport frequency and ascertain predictors and reasons for not choosing ambulance transportation by the patients with STEMI in Beijing.

Methods
A prospective, cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 1, 2006 through until June 30, 2007 in two tertiary hospitals in Beijing and included consecutive patients with STEMI admitted within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. Data were collected by structured interviews and medical records review.

Results
Of the 572 patients, only 172 (30.1%) used an ambulance, and the remaining 400 (69.9%) presented by self-transport. Multivariate analysis showed that age <65 years (OR: 1.220; 95% CI: 1.001–2.043), lower education level (OR: 1.582; 95% CI: 1.003–2.512), presence of pre-infarction angina (OR: 1.595; 95% CI: 1.086–2.347), and attribution of symptoms to non-cardiac origin (OR: 1.519; 95% CI: 1.011–2.284) were independent predictors for not using an ambulance. However, history of coronary artery disease (CAD), dyspnea, perceiving symptoms to be serious, and knowing the meaning of cardiopulmonary resuscitation appeared to be independent predictors of ambulance use. The main reasons for not using an ambulance were convenience and quickness of self-transport and the decreased severity of symptoms.

Conclusions
A large proportion of patients in Beijing do not call for an ambulance after onset of STEMI symptoms. Several factors including demographics, previous CAD, symptoms and cognitive factors of patients are associated with the ambulance use. The public should be educated that an ambulance is not merely a transportation modality and that it also provides rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment of hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism with domestic-made calcitriol: a prospective and self-controlled clinical trial
Authors: WANG Ou , XING Xiao-ping , MENG Xun-wu , XIA Wei-bo , LI Mei , JIANG Yan , HU Ying-ying , LIU Huai-cheng 
Published: January 2024

Background
Parathyroid hormone deficiency or resistance may cause hypocalcemia with related symptoms and signs. Lifelong treatment of calcium combined with vitamin D or its metabolites is always necessary for these patients. Here we reported a prospective and open-label trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of domestic-made calcitriol in treatment of hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Methods
Twenty-four patients with confirmed hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism aged (36.5±11.0) years old were studied. Among them, 16 patients had idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, 2 had pseudohypoparathyroidism and 6 had hypoparathyroidism secondary to cervical surgery. Serum calcium levels were lower than 1.88 mmol/L. Oral calcitriol was administered twice or three times with elemental calcium 1.2 g per day. All patients were followed every 4 weeks throughout the 12-week period. Dose adjustments of calcitriol were based on serum and urinary calcium levels and symptoms of hypocalcemia.

Results
Twenty patients were included by the end of this study. Muscular weakness, cramps, extremity paresthesia, Chovestek's sign and Trousseau's sign were relieved in 76.9%, 100%, 94.4%, 93.3% and 78.9% of patients, respectively. Serum calcium, plasma ionized calcium and serum phosphorus levels were (1.54±0.25) mmol/L, (0.64±0.10) mmol/L and (2.00±0.46) mmol/L at baseline, and reached (2.20±0.20) mmol/L, (0.95±0.06) mmol/L and (1.68±0.25) mmol/L (P <0.01) at the 12th week of treatment, respectively. Eighty percent of patients were assessed as effective and 20% as partly effective. Three, four and eight patients had hypercalciuria at the 4th, 8th and 12th week of treatment, respectively, which were reduced by thiazide diuretics. The final dose of calcitriol was (1.09±0.50) μg/d.

Conclusions
Calcitriol combined with calcium can be used in treatment of hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism effectively and safely. Serum and urinary calcium levels should be monitored during the course of the therapy.
Determination of oropharyngeal pathogenic colonization in the elderly community
Authors: WANG Shuang , LI Dong , CHU Yun-zhuo , ZHU Li-ying , LIU Feng-zhi 
Published: January 2024

Background
Pneumonia has become the predominant cause of death for the elderly. It is critical to determine the status of oropharyngeal pathogen colonization in the elderly when treating pneumonia. To explore the efficient approaches to treat age-related pneumonia, we determined the status of oropharyngeal pathogenic colonization in the elderly community.

Methods
Throat swab cultures were used to isolate oropharyngeal pathogens from 706 residents older than 65 years living in the community of Shenyang City. Characteristics of bacterial strains were sorted and identified using drug sensitivity tests.

Results
Results of bacterial identification showed that 265 out of 706 samples were positive, thereby exhibiting a 37.5% positive rate. There were 290 bacterial strains isolated from the elderly community in total, of which 248 strains were gram-negative bacilli (GNB) and 42 strains were gram-positive cocci (GNC), accounting for 85.5% and 14.5%, respectively. There were 158 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, representing 54.4% of the all GNB.

Conclusion
The rate of oropharyngeal GNB colonization in the elderly community increases and Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common strain.
Alteration of gene expression during nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis revealed by oligonucleotide microarray after microdissection of tumor tissue and normal epithelia from nasopharynx
Authors: LIU Zhong-qi , TIAN Yong-quan , HU Yong-fang , LI Xiao-ling , MA Fu-rong , LI Gui-yuan 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundMicroarray and microdissection techniques were being used for many applications to study the carcinogenesis of some human tumors. But seldom studies had hitherto combined these two techniques to study carcinogenesis mechanism of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To identify a set of genes involved in the carcinogenesis and development of NPC, we used the microdissected homogeneous NPC tissue cells and the pure normal epithelium pillar cells to construct the whole human genome expression profiles.MethodsWe preserved the tissue samples from nasopharynx of 18 patients (including 13 samples of NPC and 5 samples of normal or inflammatory mucous tissue samples from nasopharynx) in RNAIater Stabilization Reagent. The tissue samples were microdissected to harvest the homogeneous tissue cells, then total RNA was isolated from them. The sufficient antisense RNA (aRNA) was amplified from these total RNA. HG-U133.Plus.2.0 GeneChip was used to construct the human whole genome expression profiling of each sample. Differential patterns of expression of genes correlated with the carcinogenesis, classification and progression of NPC were identified with comparing the expression profiling data respectively in leave one out cross-validation analysis. Correlation between aRNA expression measured by the microarrays and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (sqRT-PCR) were also ascertained, and found that hybridization results were validated in all of the 18 patients.ResultsDifferential patterns of expression of 127 genes correlated with the carcinogenesis (APvalue less than 0.001 with the 2-fold differentiated expression between case group and control group) of the NPC were filtered. The top most up-regulated and down-regulated 8 genes by the way of permutation test were also selected and listed in the paper. Expression of genesE2F6andTSPAN-1was identified using aRNA by sqRT-PCR and showed that there was significant difference between the average value of case groups and that of control group respectively (t=2.170,df=16,P=0.045 andt=-2.946,df=16, P=0.009).ConclusionsWe had identified some genes which could be the molecular marker during the carcinogenesis and the development of the NPC. The genes which selected from the different subgroups seemed to be implicated for the diagnosis,classification, and progression of NPC, and provided important insights into their underlying biology.
Severity of sepsis is correlated with the elevation of serum high-mobility group box 1 in rats
Authors: HOU Li-chao , QIN Ming-zhe , ZHENG Li-na , LU Yan , WANG Qiang , PENG Dao-rong , YU Xin-ping , XIN Yu-chang , JI Gen-lin , XIONG Li-ze 
Published: January 2024

Background
Sepsis is a leading cause of death in the intensive care units. The late inflammatory cytokine, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), plays a critical role in sepsis. In the present study, we investigated the association between the serum HMGB1 levels and the severity of organ injury in the lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis in rats.

Methods
To produce an animal model of sepsis with different degree of organ injury, animals were treated with three different doses of lipopolysaccharide (4, 8 and 16 mg/kg), and the animals in control group were treated with the same volume of the vehicle (saline). The levels of serum HMGB1 were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 48 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle injection, meanwhile the biochemical and histopathological indicators for the severity of organ injury were assessed.

Results
The level of HMGB1 had a positive, high correlation with the abnormal changes of serum cardiac troponin I, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, as well as the pathologic scores of heart, lung, liver and kidney.

Conclusions
The level of serum HMGB1 is highly correlated with the severity of sepsis in rats, suggesting that HMGB1 could serve as a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis and management of sepsis.
Effect of coronary bifurcation angle on clinical outcomes in Chinese patients treated with crush stenting: a subgroup analysis from DKCRUSH-1 bifurcation study
Authors: CHEN Shao-liang , ZHANG Jun-jie , YE Fei , CHEN Yun-dai , FANG Wei-yi , WEI Meng , HE Ben , SUN Xue-wen , YANG Song , CHEN Jin-guo , SHAN Shou-jie , TIAN Nai-liang , LI Xiao-bo , LIU Zhi-zhong , KAN Jing , Lee Michael , Tak Kwan W 
Published: January 2024

Background
Bifurcation angles may have an impact on the clinical outcomes of crush stenting. We sought to compare high (≥60°) with low (<60°) bifurcation angle in patients who underwent either classical or double kissing (DK) crush stenting for bifurcation lesions from the DKCRUSH-1 data base.

Methods
There were 212 patients with 220 lesions, some with low-angle (n=138) and some with high-angle (n=74). Angiography was indexed at 8-month after procedure. Primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary endpoint included late lumen loss, the rate of restenosis, and final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI).

Results
At 8 months, clinical follow-up was 100%; angiographic follow-up was 75% in the low-angle group and 83.3% in the high-angle group. There were no significant differences in the FKBI between the high-angle group (91.43%) and the low-angle group (82.39%). In the high angle group, there was a significant difference in contrast volume used (P=0.005) but no significant difference in acute gain, minimum lumen diameter (MLD), late loss and diameter stenosis in the pre-bifurcation segment, post-bifurcation segment or side branch. When lesions were assigned into with-(n=133) and without-FKBI (n=42), significant side-branch late loss was seen in the group without-FKBI ((0.65±0.49) mm vs (0.47±0.62) mm, P=0.02), with a resultant greater restenosis rate (37.68% vs 18.32%, P=0.001). No difference was detected in the MACE free survival rate between the high and low angle groups (82.39% vs 82.36%, P=0.84). The rate of stent thrombosis tended to be higher in the lower-angle group although there was no significant difference (P=0.38). The TLR free survival rate was 87.2% in the with-FKBI group vs 73.5% in the without-FKBI group (P=0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that the independent predictors for target vessel revascularization were the side branch stent MLD post stenting (hazard ratios (HR) 1.028, 95% CI 2.357–16.233, P=0.002), lack of FKBI (HR 4.910, 95% CI 4.706–8.459, P=0.001) and unsatisfactory kissing (HR 3.120, 95% CI 2.975–5.431, P=0.001).

Conclusions
Bifurcation angles do not influence the clinical outcome of crush stenting. Successful final kissing balloon inflation, regardless of bifurcation angles, can predict TLR.
Ultrasound-mediated microbubble delivery of pigment epithelium-derived factor gene into retina inhibits choroidal neovascularization
Authors: ZHOU Xi-yuan , LIAO Qing , PU Yi-min , TANG Yong-qiang , GONG Xiao , LI Jia , XU Yan , WANG Zhi-gang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Many studies have suggested that the imbalance of angiogenic factor and anti-angiogenic factor expression contributes significantly to the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and ultrasound microbubble combination system can increase the gene transfection efficiency successfully. This study was designed to investigate whether ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction could effectively deliver therapeutic plasmid into the retina of rat, and whether gene transfer of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) could inhibit CNV.

Methods
Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were isolated and treated either with ultrasound or plasmid alone, or with a combination of plasmid, ultrasound and microbubbles to approach feasibility of microbubble-enhanced ultrasound enhance PEDF gene expression; For in vivo animal studies, CNV was induced by argon lasgon laser in rats. These rats were randomly assigned to five groups and were treated by infusing microbubbles attached with the naked plasmid DNA of PEDF into the vitreous of rats followed by immediate ultrasound exposure (intravitreal injection); infusing liposomes with the naked plasmid DNA of PEDF into the vitreous (lipofectamine + PEDF); infusing microbubbles attached with PEDF into the orbit of rats with ultrasound irradiation immediately (retrobular injection); infusing microbubbles attached with PEDF into the femoral vein of rats with exposed to ultrasound immediately (vein injection). The CNV rats without any treatment served as control. Rats were sacrificed and eyes were enucleated at 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment. Gene and protein expression of PEDF was detected by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The effect of PEDF gene transfer on CNV was examined by fluorescein fundus angiography.

Results

In vitro cell experiments showed that microbubbles with ultrasound irradiation could significantly enhance PEDF delivery as compared with microbubbles or ultrasound alone. In the rat CNV model, transfection efficiency mediated by ultrasound/microbubbles was significantly higher than that by lipofectamine-mediated gene transfer at 28 days after treatment. The study also showed that with the administration of ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction, the CNV of rats was inhibited effectively.

Conclusions
Ultrasound-microbubble technique could increase PEDF gene transfer into rats' retina and chorioid, in association with a significant inhibition of the development of CNV, suggesting that this noninvasive gene transfer method may provide a useful tool for clinical gene therapy.
Alendronate treatment does not inhibit bone formation within biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics in posterolateral spinal fusion: an experimental study in porcine model
Authors: XUE Qing-yun , JI Quan , LI Hai-sheng , ZOU Xue-nong , Egund Niels , Lind Martin , Christensen Finn B , Bünger Cody 
Published: January 2024

Background
Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics has a potential advantage as an osteoconductive matrix and has an optimal resorption rate for bone formation. Using BCP ceramics as a bone graft during spinal fusion requires osteogenesis within the material and subsequent bridging between adjacent vertebraes to provide long-term support. Bisphosphonates have been reported to prolong the process of bone healing. The influence of bisphosphonate treatment on bone formation within BCP ceramics in spinal fusion remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of alendronate on BCP osteogenesis in posterolateral spinal fusion.

Methods
Posterolateral spinal fusion with pedicle screw fixation was performed at the lumbar spine in twenty-two pigs.
BCP ceramics were applied as a bone graft to obtain bone fusion between adjacent transverse processes. Eleven pigs in the treatment group received oral alendronate 10 mg/d for three months postoperatively. Eleven pigs in the control group did not receive treatment with alendronate. All animals underwent posterolateral spinal fusion with BCP ceramics. The fusion rate was evaluated three months after the operation.

Results
The fusion rates evaluated by X-ray were 27.3% in the treatment group and 20% in the control group. The fusion rates using histological evaluation were 18.2% in the treatment group and 20% in the control group. The mean volumes of fusion mass were (3.64±0.86) cm3 in the treatment group and (4.26±0.63) cm3 in the control group. No significant differences were found in either trabecular bone volume or residual BCP volume between treatment and control groups using histological evaluation. The new bone formation within BCP ceramics was greater in the area adjacent to transverse process (P <0.01).

Conclusion
Oral alendronate with a dose of 10 mg daily do not inhibit bone formation within BCP ceramics or affect the fusion rate in posterolateral spinal fusion from porcine models.
Quercetin in combating H2O2 induced early cell apoptosis and mitochondrial damage to normal human keratinocytes
Authors: WANG Xiao-yan , HE Pei-ying , DU Juan , ZHANG Jian-zhong 
Published: January 2024

Background
Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of epidermal diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of quercetin on the anti-oxidative response and on mitochondrial protection in cultured normal human keratinocytes.

Methods
Cultured HaCaT cells were treated with different concentrations of H2O2 (0, 50, 100, 250, 500 μmol/L) for different periods of time (0.5, 1, 2, 4 hours) to establish an oxidative stress model. The cultured HaCaT cells were randomly assigned to control, H2O2, and quercetin+H2O2 groups. For the quercetin groups, the cells were treated with different concentrations of quercetin (0, 10, 25, 50 μmol/L) before exposure to H2O2. Morphological changes of the cells were observed under an inverted microscope and an electron microscope. The cell viability was detected by the MTT method. The cell apoptosis (AnnexinV/propidium iodide double stain) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) changes were detected by flow cytometry.

Results
An oxidative stress model of HaCaT cells was established under a suitable concentration (250 μmol/L) and treated time of H2O2 (2 hours). The cell viability and ΔΨm decreased in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner while the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased in the H2O2 groups compared with the control group (P <0.05). The cell viability and ΔΨm of the quercetin treated group increased (P <0.05) and the percentage of apoptotic cells decreased at concentrations of 1-50 μmol/L quercetin (P <0.01) compared with H2O2 treated group.

Conclusion
Quercetin can relieve the cell damage and apoptosis from H2O2 induced injury to HaCaT cells by anti-oxidation and mitochondrial protection.
Fetal reduction by bipolar cord coagulation in managing complicated monochorionic multiple pregnancies: preliminary experience in China
Authors: HE Zhi-ming , FANG Qun , YANG Yong-zhong , LUO Yan-min , CHEN Jun-hong , CHEN Yong-zhen , ZHOU Yi , CHEN Min-ling 
Published: January 2024

Background
Monochorionic multiple pregnancies (MMPs) are associated with higher rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality caused by interfetal vascular anastomoses in the monochorionic placenta, which can lead to fetal health interactions. In some circumstances, selective feticide of the affected fetus is necessary to save the healthy co-twin. We evaluated the effects and safety of our initial experiences using bipolar cord coagulation for the management of complicated MMPs.

Methods
Using ultrasound-guided bipolar cord coagulation, we performed selective feticide on 14 complicated MMPs (5 with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, 4 with acardia, 3 with discordant structural anomalies, and 2 with severe selective intrauterine growth restriction). One patient with monochorionic triplets received the procedure twice to terminate 2 affected fetuses for different indications. Data regarding the operations, complications and neonatal outcomes were analyzed.

Results
Cord occlusions were successfully performed in 13/14 (93%) cases. The failure happened in an acardiac fetus and the pregnancy was terminated by induction. The included cases delivered at a mean gestational age of 35.4 weeks with a perinatal survival rate of 11/13 (85%). Three operation-related complications occurred (21%), including membrane rupture of the terminated sac (1 case), preterm labor at 28 weeks gestation (1 case), and chorioamniotic membrane separation (1 case). Amnioinfusion was indicated in 11 procedures to expand the target sacs for entering the trocar and obtaining sufficient working space. However, in all 4 cases of acardia, the acardiac sacs showed extreme oligohydramnios and could not be well expanded by infusion; thus, the trocar had to be inserted from the sac of the preserved co-twin.

Conclusions
The application of bipolar cord coagulation in complicated MMPs is safe and improves the prognosis. Amnioinfusion is useful in helping to expand the target sac when the working space is limited.
Mutation analysis in a Chinese family with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
Authors: ZHA Bing-bing , LIANG Wang , LIU Jun , CHENG Juan , HONG Xiao-wu , LIU Jing , LI Yi-ming , MA Duan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome which is caused by germline mutations of the tumor suppressor gene MEN1. This study aimed to identify mutations in a Chinese pedigree with MEN1.

Methods
A large Chinese family with MEN1 was collected. All of the coded regions and their adjacent sequences of the MEN1 gene were amplified and sequenced.

Results
In this family, a heterozygous cytosine insertion in exon 10 (c.1546_1547insC) inducing a frame shift mutation of MEN1 was found in the proband and the other two suffering members of his family. This mutation was linked to a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in intron 3 (IVS3+18C>T).

Conclusions
The mutation in exon 10 of MEN1 gene might induce development of parathyroid hyperplasia and pituitary adenoma and cosegregate with MEN1 syndrome. The significance of the new found IVS3+18C>T of MEN1 needs a further investigation.