bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery for resection of ossification of the ligamentum flavum in the thoracic spine
Authors: Yuan Qiang , Zheng Shan , Tian Wei 
Published: January 2024

Background
Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) has been widely recognized as one of the main causes of thoracic spinal canal stenosis and thoracic myelopathy. Decompression is the only effective strategy for treating thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical outcomes of computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery (CAMISS) for posterior decompression in patients with thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF.

Methods
In all cases, the surgical procedure was performed with the assistance of an intraoperative three-dimensional navigation system. Decompression of the spinal cord was performed with a high-speed drill; the supraspinal ligaments and spinous process were partially preserved. The outcomes were evaluated by a modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system and recovery rates.

Results
The mean duration of follow-up for the 14 cases was 3.9 years. All patients experienced neurological recovery, the mean JOA score improving from 6.1 points preoperatively to 8.6 points at final follow-up and the mean rate of recovery being 52.7% (excellent in two cases, good in eight, fair in three, and unchanged in one).

Conclusion
CAMISS is a safe and effective procedure for resection of the OLF in the thoracic spine.
Safety and feasibility of transulnar versus transradial artery approach for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients
Authors: Geng Wei , Fu Xianghua , Gu Xinshun , Jiang Yunfa , Fan Weize , Wang Yanbo , Li Wei , Xing Kun , Liu Chen 
Published: January 2024

Background
Transradial approach catheterization is now widely used in coronary angiography and angioplasty. The ulnar artery, which is one of the two terminal branches of the brachial artery, may be a potential approach for cardiac catheterization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a transulnar approach for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients.

Methods
A total of 535 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to transulnar approach (TUA) group (n=271) or transradial approach (TRA) group (n=264) upon arrival at the catheterization laboratory. Allen's test and inverse Allen's test were not routinely performed. Ultrasound-Doppler assessment of the forearm artery was performed before the procedure, two days after the procedure, and 30 days after the procedure. The primary endpoints of study were the rate of successful artery cannulation and the access-site related complications. The secondary endpoints included the number of needle punctures, total time for the procedure, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Results
Successful puncture of the objective artery was obtained in 91.5% of the patients in the TUA group, and 95.1% of the patients in the TRA group (P >0.05). There was no significant difference in hematoma complications between the two groups (7.7% vs. 4.2%, P=0.100). A motor abnormality of the hand was observed in one patient in the TUA group. There were no arteriovenous fistula or pseudoaneurysm observed in our study. Three (1.1%) patients in the TUA group and 8 (3.0%) patients in the TRA group had occlusion of the access artery (P=0.137), but none of the patients had symptoms or signs of hand ischemia. There were no significant differences in MACE between the two groups during follow-up.

Conclusion
The transulnar approach is an effective and safe technique for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients.
Expression of partial tandem duplication of mixed lineage leukaemia in patients with acute leukaemia and their relatives
Authors: He Yi , Wang Dongning , Li Xudong , Hu Yuan , Wang Wenwen , Huang Renwei 
Published: January 2024

Background
Partial tandem duplication of mixed lineage leukaemia (MLL-PTD) is detected both in patients with acute leukemia and in healthy people. However, MLL-PTD in relatives of patients with MLL-PTD has not been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of MLL-PTD in patients with acute leukemia and in their relatives.

Methods
The bone marrow or peripheral blood was collected from patients with acute leukaemia and their relatives. Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to detect the mRNA expression of the MLL-PTD fused gene, and further confirm in genomic DNA level.

Results
Analysing MLL-PTD in case 1, the patient's older brother and his younger brother were positive, while his mother and his son were negative. The exon type in case 1 was e9/3 fusion, but in his older brother, it was e9/3 and e11/3 fusion, and in his younger brother, it was e9/3, e10/3, and e11/3 fusion. MLL-PTD in case 2 was negative, but in the patient's older sister was positive, and the exon type was e9/3, e10/3, and e11/3.

Conclusions
The expression of MLL-PTD was present in cases with acute leukaemia with a single expression type. However, various expression types were detected in their healthy relatives. MLL-PTD can couple with other chromosome aberrations, and its impact on disease prognosis remains to be studied further.
A novel, minimally invasive rat model of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass model without blood priming
Authors: Yaobin Zhu , Donghai Liu , Xiaofeng Li , Aijun Liu , Qiang Wang , Chenhui Qiao , Jing Zhang , Qiuming Liao , Yanbo Zhang 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundCardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been shown to be associated with systemic inflammatory response leading to postoperative organ dysfunction. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms and developing protective strategies for the pathophysiological consequences of CPB have been hampered due to the absence of a satisfactory recovery animal model. The purpose of this study was to establish a novel, minimally invasive rat model of normothermic CPB model without blood priming.MethodsTwenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 450-560 g were randomly divided into CPB group (n=10) and control group (n=10). All rats were anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated. The carotid artery and jugular vein were cannulated. The blood was drained from the right atrium via the right jugular and further transferred by a miniaturized roller pump to a hollow fiber oxygenator and back to the rat via the left carotid artery. The volume of the priming solution, composed of 6% HES130/0.4 and 125 IU heparin, was less than 12 ml. The surface of the hollow fiber oxygenator was 0.075 m2. CPB was conducted for 60 minutes at a flow rat of 100-120 ml· kg-1· min-1in CPB group. Oxygen flow/perfusion flow was 0.8 to 1.0, and the mean arterial pressure remained 60-80 mmHg.ResultsAll CPB processes were successfully achieved. Blood gas analysis and hemodynamic parameters of each time point were in accordance with normal ranges. The vital signs of all rats were stable.ConclusionsThe establishment of CPB without blood priming in rats can be achieved successfully. The nontransthoracic model should facilitate the investigation of pathophysiological processes concerning CPB-related multiple organ dysfunction and possible protective interventions. This novel, recovery, and reproducible minimally invasive CPB model may open the field for various studies on the pathophysiological process of CPB and systemic ischemia-reperfusion injuryin vivo.
Baseline proteinuria, urinary osmotic pressure, and renal function as positive predictors of corticosteroids plus cyclophosphamide treatment efficacy in IgA nephropathy
Authors: Fang Jing , Li Wenge , Li Duo , Tan Zhao 
Published: January 2024

Background
Very limited data are available on factors predictive of corticosteroids plus cyclophosphamide treatment efficacy on IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The aim of the study was to research the clinical factors predictive of treatment efficacy in IgAN.

Methods
One hundred and fifty-nine patients with IgAN (proteinuria ≥2 g/d and estimated glomerular filtration rate 30-89 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2) were treated with corticosteroids/cyclophosphamide followed by a 12-month follow-up. According to their response, these patients were divided into remission group (proteinuria <0.5 g/d) and non-remission group (proteinuria ≥0.5 g/d), and their clinical data collected.

Results
In the present study, 72.96% of the individuals underwent a complete remission, and their response was related to baseline proteinuria, urinary osmotic pressure, and renal function (P <0.05). Patients with baseline proteinuria more than 3 g/d, urinary osmotic pressure greater than 600 mOsm/L, and eGFR 60-89 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 responded well to the combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide (86.90% vs. 57.33%, P=0.000; 81.48% vs. 64.10%, P=0.014; 83.17% vs. 55.17%, P=0.000).

Conclusion
The response to the combination of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide might be well associated with baseline proteinuria, urinary osmotic pressure, and renal function in patients with IgAN.
Association of farnesyl diphosphate synthase polymorphisms and response to alendronate treatment in Chinese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
Authors: Liu Yi , Liu Haijuan , Li Mei , Zhou Peiran , Xing Xiaoping , Xia Weibo , Zhang Zhenlin , Liao Eryuan , Chen Decai , Liu Jian , Tao Tianzun , Wu Wen , Xu Ling 
Published: January 2024

Background
Genetic factors are important in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, but less is known about the genetic determinants of osteoporosis treatment. We aimed to explore the association between the gene polymorphisms of key enzyme farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS) in mevalonate signaling pathway of osteoclast and response to alendronate therapy in osteoporotic postmenopausal women in China.

Methods
The study group comprised 639 postmenopausal women aged (62.2±7.0) years with osteoporosis or osteopenia who had been randomly assigned to low dose group (70 mg/2w) or standard dose group (70 mg/w) of alendronate in this 1-year study. We identified allelic variant of the FDPS gene using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme Faul. Before and after treatment, serum levels of calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cross linked C-telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) were detected. Bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured. The association was analyzed between the polymorphisms of FDPS gene and the changes of BMD, bone turnover biomarkers after the treatment.

Results
The FDPS rs2297480 polymorphisms were associated with baseline BMD at femoral neck, and patients with CC genotype had significantly higher baseline femoral neck BMD ((733.6±84.1) mg/cm2) than those with AC genotypes ((703.0±86.9) mg/cm2) and AA genotypes ((649.8±62.4) mg/cm2) (P <0.01). No significant difference in BMD at lumbar spine was observed among different genotypes of FDPS. The percentage change of serum ALP level was significantly lower in patients with CC genotype (-22.9%) than that in those with AC genotype (-24.1%) and AA genotype (-29.8%) of FDPS after 12 months of alendronate treatment (P <0.05). Neither percentage change of BMD nor β-CTX level after alendronate treatment had association with FDPS genotype.

Conclusions

FDPS gene was probably a candidate gene to predict femoral neck BMD at baseline. FDPS gene alleles could predict change percentage of ALP after treatment of alendronate, but possibly had no significant relationship with the responsiveness of BMD to alendronate therapy.
Jaundice as a prognostic factor in patients undergoing radical treatment for carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater
Authors: Zhou Jianguo , Zhang Qian , Li Peng , Shan Yi , Zhao Dongbing , Cai Jianqiang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater (CAV) is a relatively rare malignant gastrointestinal tumor, and its postoperative prognostic factors have been well studied. However, as its first symptom, the impact of jaundice on the prognosis of CAV is not so clear. This study aims to explore the role of jaundice as a prognostic factor in patients undergoing radical treatment for CAV.

Methods
The clinical data of 195 patients with CAV who were treated in the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, from January 1989 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 170 patients with pathologically confirmed CAV entered the statistical analysis. Jaundice was defined as a total bilirubin serum concentration of ≥3 mg/dl.

Result
Of these 170 patients, 99 (58.20%) had jaundice at presentation. Jaundice showed significant correlations with tumor differentiation (P=0.002), lymph node metastasis (P=0.016), pancreatic invasion (P=0.000), elevated preoperative CA199 (P=0.000), depth of invasion (P=0.000), and tumor stage (P=0.000). There were more patients with pancreatic invasion in the jaundice group than in the non-jaundice group. Also, lymph node metastasis was more common in the jaundice group (n=26) than in the non-jaundice group (n=8). The non-jaundice group had significant better overall 5-year disease-free survival (72.6%) than the jaundice group (41.2%, P=0.013). Jaundice was not significantly correlated with the postoperative bleeding (P=0.050).

Conclusions
Jaundice in patients with CAV often predicts more advanced stages and poorer prognoses. Pancreatic invasion and lymph node metastasis are more common in CAV patients with jaundice. Jaundice is not a risk factor for postoperative bleeding and preoperative biliary drainage cannot reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.
Visual function and morphological changes in the macular area of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after intensive insulin therapy
Authors: Chen Zhenguo , Zhang Jiayu , Lu Chunjie , Lin Sisi , Chen Jiawei , Zhong Hongliang , Tian Bei , Wei Wenbin 
Published: January 2024

Background
Intensive insulin therapy has been found to lessen the progress of diabetic retinopathy (DR) to some extent, while it has also been implicated to be responsible for decrease of DR. We investigated visual function and morphological changes in the macular area in short-term follow-up of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after intensive insulin therapy.

Methods
This was a prospective clinical study of nonproliferative DR patients (102 eyes, 120 patients) undergoing intensive insulin therapy. The Contrast Glare Tester (Takagi CGT-1000) was used to examine contrast sensitivity (CS) and Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) II and Stratus Model 3000 OCT were used to observe the changes of morphology in the macular area. Follow-up times were pre-intensive therapy, 3 and 6 months post-intensive therapy.

Results
CS at low and middle frequencies was higher at 3 and 6 months post-therapy compared with pre-therapy (P <0.05). Significant differences in CS at low frequency were found between 6 and 3 months post-therapy (P <0.05). Macular edema index was lower in the first, second, and third rings of the macular area after intensive therapy compared with pre-therapy (P <0.05). Compared with 3 months post-therapy, the macular edema index was lower in the first, second, and third rings of the macular area at 6 months post-therapy (P >0.05). No significant differences in the thickness of the first, second, and third rings of the macular area were detected between 3 and 6 months post-therapy and pre-therapy (P >0.05).

Conclusion
CS and macular edema indexes were significantly improved in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy patients after intensive insulin therapy, but thickness of the macular area was unchanged.
Diagnostic values of combination of free running asthma screening test and total serum allergen IgE level in children with asthma
Authors: Chen Xin , Li Yong , Zeng Meiying 
Published: January 2024

Background
A free running asthma screening test is usually used for screening exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. The total serum allergen IgE level can reveal the patient's atopy characteristics. Our study is to evaluate the diagnostic values of the combination of the two tests in asthmatic children and compare this new diagnostic method with the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISSAC) questionnaires and the bronchial provocation test, which are popular diagnostic tool for pediatric asthma.

Methods
A total of 773 school children were recruited in this study. The children's asthma was diagnosed by means of a combination of the free running asthma screening test and total serum allergen IgE level. The new diagnostic method value was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and compared with other diagnostic tools such as ISSAC questionnaires and the bronchial provocation test.

Results
The AUC of this new diagnostic method was higher than 0.9. When the cut-off value of total serum allergen IgE level was ≥47 KU/L, the sensitivity and the specificity were 71.4% and 85.1%, respectively, which were better than those of either the ISSAC questionnaires or bronchial provocation test.

Conclusion
The combination of the free running asthma screening test and total serum allergen IgE level may be an effective diagnostic tool for children's asthma.
Gestational weight gain and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among Chinese women
Authors: Liu Zheng , Ao Deng , Yang Huixia , Wang Yan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication during pregnancy, and gestational weight gain is one of the major and modifiable risk factors. This study aims to estimate the relationship between the rate of gestational weight gain before diagnosis of GDM and the subsequent risk of GDM.

Methods
A case-control study was conducted with 90 GDM cases and 165 women in the control group from May 2012 to August 2012 at Peking University First Affiliated Hospital. GDM was diagnosed according to the standards issued by the Ministry of Health of China in 2011. The plasma glucose levels, weights, and covariate data of the women were obtained based on medical records. Univariate analysis and unconditional Logistic regression model were used to estimate the associations.

Results
After adjusting for age at delivery, parity, and pre-pregnancy body mass index, the risk of GDM increased with increasing rates of gestational weight gain. Compared with the lower rate of gestational weight gain (less than 0.28 kg per week), a rate of weight gain of 0.28 kg per week or more was associated with increased risk of GDM (odds ratio: 2.03; 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 3.59). The association between the rate of gestational weight gain and GDM was primarily attributed to the increased weight gain in the first trimester.

Conclusion
High rates of gestational weight gain, particular during early pregnancy, may increase a woman's risk of GDM.
Clinical implications and prognostic value of single and combined biomarkers in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Mingzhu Li , Lijun Zhao , Danhua Shen , Xiaoping Li , Jianliu Wang , Lihui Wei 
Published: January 2024

Background
Endometrial carcinoma is one of the most common gynecological cancers and the incidence has been increasing. This study was to identify the relationship of estrogen receptor (ER), progestrone receptor (PR), P53 protein, Ki-67 and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) with endometrial carcinoma, the assessment of these biomarkers and their association with clinicopathological parameters was performed.

Methods
A total of 198 cases of primary endometrial carcinoma were investigated for ER, PR, Ki-67, P53, and PTEN antigens by immunohistochemical methods. The association of these markers with age, menopause status, histological type, FIGO stage, grading, depth of invasion, lymph node involvement and serum tumor marker was examined.

Results
The percentages of Ki-67- and P53-negative endometrial tumors were significantly higher in ER-positive compared with ER-negative tumors (both P=0.000). The same trend was evident with PR status. The percentage of PTEN-positive tumors was significantly higher in PR-positive compared with PR-negative tumors (P=0.021), but was no difference in tumors with different ER status. There was no clear association between PTEN positivity and clinicopathological parameters except more relevance with endometrioid histotype (P=0.013). There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the different combined biological factors examined in disease-free survival.

Conclusions
ER and PR status were significant predictors with staging, grading and recurrence. P53 and Ki-67 expression were inversely correlated with both ER and PR expression and have more aggressive clinicopathological features. PTEN expression was inversely correlated with PR expression but not with ER expression. The combined type of ER+PR+P53-PTEN+ was in the majority in endometrial cancer and seemed to be related to better clinical outcome. The combination of ER-PR-P53+PTEN- represented the worst disease-free survival and was strongly associated with poorest survival rate.
Differences and determinants in access to essential public health services in China: a case study with hypertension people and under-sixes as target population
Authors: Niu Hongli , Tian Miaomiao , Ma Anning , Wang Chunping , Zhang Liang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Since 2009, health reform had launched in China and essential public health services were provided for all residents to ensure service equity and accessibility, and to achieve sustained population-wide health improvement. This study aimed to investigate the differences and determinants among populations with different characteristics access to essential public health services in China, especially hypertension people and children aged 0-6 years.

Methods
A cross-sectional study with socio-demographic data analysis was undertaken to estimate distribution characteristics of receiving essential public health services of hypertension patients and children. Regular follow-ups and effective blood pressure control reflected the effective management for hypertension patients, and for children, public services provided were vaccination on schedule and regular physical check-up. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictors for effective management.

Results
A total of 1 505 hypertension patients and 749 children were involved; 39.14% of hypertension participants could control their blood pressure in the normal range, and the rate in urban areas (43.61%) was higher than that in rural (31.88%). And 34.68% of them could receive more than 4 times follow-ups by the medical technician. Of 754 children, 79.84% could receive the periodic physical examination and 98.40% had vaccinated regularly. Children living in rural areas were more likely to have regular check-ups (83.96%) and regular vaccination (nearly 99%). Overall, geographic location and education level were the determinants of people access to essential public health services.

Conclusions
Implementation of the health reform since 2009 has headed China’s public health system in the right direction and promoted the improvement of public health system development. Our study highlights the growing needs for more public health services in China, and China’s public health system needs to be greatly improved in terms of its quality and accessibility.