bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of pterygium in aged rural population of Beijing, China
Authors: LIANG Qing-feng , XU Liang , JIN Xiu-ying , YOU Qi-sheng , YANG Xiao-hui , CUI Tong-tong 
Published: January 2024

Background
Pterygium is a common ophthalmic disease and an important public health problem. It may be affected by many factors such as age, gender, ultraviolet radiation exposure, and time spent outdoors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pterygium and evaluate the risk factors for the development of pterygium in the aged rural population of Beijing.

Methods
The investigation is a population-based cross-sectional study. Participants from 198 villages of 13 suburban districts, aged 55–85 years old, were invited to complete a medical record, and 37 067 individuals were taken external ocular and fundus photos at Beijing ocular disease survey in 2008–2009. The information was uploaded by Internet and diagnosed with stages and grades by ophthalmological specialists. The prevalence, stages and grades of pterygia were observed.

Results
Of the 37 067 individuals, 1395 (3.76%) had pterygium. There was a significantly higher prevalence in male (5.13%) than in female (3.17%, P=0.000). The prevelence rate increased obviously with ages (χ2=7.939, P=0.019) in rural Beijing. The average prevalence of 5.91% in Daxing and Fangshan districts with low latitude and low precipitation was significantly higher than that in Miyun and Huairou districts with high latitude and deep precipitation (3.17%, P=0.000). The majority of the pterygia (43.5%) were in active stage and 46.5% pterygia involved pupil area corneas.

Conclusions
There is a statistically significant association between latitude and precipitation of habitation region and pterygium formation. Solar radiation, especially ultraviolet exposure represents a significant environment hazard to pterygium development.
Cigarette smoke extract promotes proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells in asthmatic rats via regulating cyclin D1 expression
Authors: ZHANG Xiao-yu , XU Yong-jian , LIU Xian-sheng , ZHANG Zhen-xiang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Increased proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) are observed in asthmatic patients and smoking can accelerate proliferation of ASMCs in asthma. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to these changes, we studied in vitro the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the proliferation of ASMCs and the expression of cyclin D1, an important regulatory protein implicated in cell cycle.

Methods
ASMCs cultured from 8 asthmatic Brown Norway rats were studied. Cells between passage 3 and 6 were used in the study and were divided into control group, pcDNA3.1 group, pcDNA3.1-antisense cyclin D1 (ascyclin D1) group, CSE group, CSE+pcDNA3.1 group and CSE+pcDNA3.1-ascyclin D1 group based on the conditions for intervention. The proliferation of ASMCs was examined with cell cycle analysis, MTT colorimetric assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunocytochemical staining. The expression of cyclin D1 was detected by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.

Results
(1) The percentage of S+G2M phase, absorbance value at 490 nm wavelength (A490) and the expression rate of PCNA protein in CSE group were (31.22±1.17)%, 0.782±0.221, (90.2±7.0)% respectively, which were significantly increased compared with those of control group ((18.36±1.02)%, 0.521±0.109, and (54.1±3.5)%, respectively) (P <0.01). After the transfection with antisense cyclin D1 plasmid for 30 hours, the percentage of S+G2M phase, A490 and the expression rate of PCNA protein in ASMCs were much lower than in untreated cells (P <0.01). (2) The ratios of A490 of cyclin D1 mRNA in CSE group was 0.288±0.034, which was significantly increased compared with that of control group (0.158±0.006) (P <0.01). After the transfection with antisense cyclin D1 plasmid for 30 hours, the ratios of A490 of cyclin D1 mRNA in ASMCs was much lower than in untreated cells (P <0.01). (3) The ratios of A490 of cyclin D1 protein expression in CSE group was 0.375±0.008, which was significantly increased compared with that of control group (0.268±0.004) (P <0.01). After the transfection with antisense cyclin D1 plasmid for 30 hours, the ratios of A490 of cyclin D1 protein expression in ASMCs was much lower than in untreated cells (P <0.01).

Conclusion
CSE may increase the proliferation of ASMCs in asthmatic rats via regulating cyclin D1 expression.
Effect of cholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine on circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha in rats with lipopolysaccharide- induced peritonitis
Authors: LIU Zhi-hai , MA Yue-feng , WU Jun-song , GAN Jian-xin , XU Shao-wen , JIANG Guan-yu 
Published: January 2024

Background
The nervous system, through the vagus nerve and its neurotransmitter acetylcholine, can down-regulate the systemic inflammation in vivo, and recently, a role of brain cholinergic mechanisms in activating this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway has been indicated. Galanthamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor and one of the centrally acting cholinergic agents available in clinic. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of galanthamine on circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis and the possible role of the vagus nerve in the action of galanthamine.

Methods
Rat models of lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis and bilateral cervical vagotomy were produced. In the experiment 1, the rats were randomly divided into control group, peritonitis group, and peritonitis groups treated with three dosages of galanthamine. In the experiment 2, the rats were randomly divided into sham group, sham plus peritonitis group, sham plus peritonitis group treated with galanthamine, vagotomy plus peritonitis group, and vagotomy plus peritonitis group treated with galanthamine. The levels of plasma TNF-α were determined in every group.

Results
The level of circulating TNF-α was significantly increased in rats after intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin. Galanthamine treatment decreased the level of circulating TNF-α in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis, and there was significant difference compared with rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis without treatment. The 3 mg/kg dosage of galanthamine had the most significant inhibition on circulating TNF-α level at all the three tested doses. Galanthamine obviously decreased the TNF-α level in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis with sham operation, but could not decrease the TNF-α level in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis with vagotomy. Conclusion Cholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine has an inhibitory effect on TNF-α release in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis, and the vagus nerve plays a role in the process of the action of galanthamine.

Chin Med J 2010;123(13):1727–1730
In vitro osteoclast-suppressing effect of sodium ibandronate
Authors: ZHANG Wei , YANG Da-long , WANG Yun-xia , WANG Hui-wang , ZHEN Zeng-jiang , ZHANG Ying-ze , SHEN Yong 
Published: January 2024

Background
Bisphosphonates (BPs) have been reported to reduce local recurrence in giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone because of their osteoclast-suppressing effect; however, the optimal mode of delivery and the dose and duration of treatment of BPs remain to be established. To address these issues, it is first necessary to clarify the manner of action of BPs on osteoclasts. We herein evaluated the osteoclast-suppressing effect of sodium ibandronate in vitro.

Methods
Mouse osteoclasts (OCLs) were generated in vitro using mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells. First, various concentrations of sodium ibandronate and equal amounts of phosphate-buffered saline were added to cell culture media. The number of multinucleated cells (over three nuclei) was recorded in each group, OCL formation was compared, and the most effective concentration of sodium ibandronate was determined. Then, high concentrations of sodium ibandronate were added to the experimental cell culture media; no ibandronate was given in the control group. Comparisons were made between the two groups in terms of OCL adhesion, migration, and bone resorption.

Results
OCL formation was suppressed by sodium ibandronate in vitro; the most pronounced effect was observed at the concentration of 10-5 mol/L. OCL migration and bone resorption were significantly suppressed at this concentration, though there was no effect on OCL adhesion.

Conclusions
Sodium ibandronate was effective in suppressing OCLs and decreasing resorption in GCT. The strong anti-OCL effectiveness at a high concentration in vitro indicates a topical mode of application.
Role of diffusion-weighted imaging in early ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: PAN Chu , HU Dao-yu , ZHANG Wei , LI Xiao-ming 
Published: January 2024

Background
With the advanced MRI techniques, pathologic features can be detected at an early stage and quantitatively evaluated, resulting in the advantages of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. This study aimed to determine the value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in detection of early ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and investigate the characteristic manifestations of AS on whole body DWI (WB-DWI).

Methods
Twenty patients with the diagnosis of early AS, twenty patients with low back pain (LBP), and twenty-five healthy volunteers were included in this study. The subchondral bone apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) among these groups in the bilateral ilia and sacrum along the sacroiliac joints were compared. An independent sample t-test was utilized to analyze ADC value differences among groups. P-values less than 0.05 denoted statistical significance. The mean ADC values of focal DWI lesions in AS patients were also measured. Whole body diffusion-weighted imaging was performed in fifteen additional AS patients, and analyzed with MIP and MPR techniques in comparison to conventional MR images in order to evaluate the ability to detect AS lesions with whole body DWI.

Results
Mean ADC values in AS patients were (0.518±0.122)×10-3 mm2/s in the ilium and (0.503±0.168)×10-3 mm2/s in the sacrum. These were significantly greater than the values measured in the ilium and sacrum of LBP patients, (0.328±0.053)×10-3 mm2/s in the ilium and (0.311±0.081)×10-3 m2/s in the sacrum, and control group, (0.325±0.015)×10-3 mm2/s in the ilium and (0.318±0.011)×10-3 mm2/s in the sacrum respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between LBP group and control group. The mean ADC value of focal DWI lesions in early AS patients was (0. 899±0.265)×10-3 mm2/s, which was significantly higher than that of adjacent normal-appearance areas ((0.454±0.079)×10-3 mm2/s). WB-DWI detected abnormalities in the 15 additional AS patients both within the sacroiliac joints and at other sites, corresponding to the clinical symptoms of the patients. The mean ADC value of focal DWI lesions of this patient cohort was (1.286±0.311)×10-3 mm2/s in the sacrum and (1.220±0.299) ×10-3 mm2/s in the ilium.

Conclusions
Subchondral marrow ADC values of subchondral marrows near the sacroiliac joints allow for the differentiation of patients with early AS from normal volunteers and LBP patients. Combined with post-processing techniques such as MIP and MPR, WB-DWI allows for the comprehensive assessment of AS patients, an evaluation potentially helpful in determining prognosis and following the therapeutic response.
Recipient dendritic cells modified by RNA interference targeting CD80 and CD86 elicit T cell hyporesponsiveness via enhanced T cell apoptosis
Authors: HONG Jun , GU Xiao-dong , XIANG Jian-bin , ZHANG Zhe , ZANG Yi-wen , ZHANG Qun-hua , QIAN Shi-guang , CHEN Zong-you 
Published: January 2024

Background
Despite extensive research, the mechanism of immature dendritic cells (DCs) induced immune hyporesponsiveness remains incompletely understood.

Methods
Recipient DCs from C3H mouse bone marrow cells were incubated with donor antigen from splenic lymphocytes of C57BL/6 mouse; these DCs were transfected with CD80/86 specific siRNA using lentiviral vectors. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate expression of CD80/86 on the antigen-pulsed recipient DCs. Immune regulatory activity was examined by mixed lymphocyte reaction, in which irradiated DCs were cultured with C3H spleen T cells. After the reaction, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, and interferon (INF)-γ levels of mixed lymphocyte reaction culture supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The apoptotic T lymphocytes were identified by Annexin V and CD3 staining.

Results
There was a significant inhibition of CD80/86 expression in DCs transfected with CD80/86 lentiviral vectors compared with the control groups (P <0.05), indicating the specificity of RNA interference. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed a significant reduction of INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 in the CD80/86 lentivirus transfected group compared to the control groups (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in IL-4 levels between the groups (P >0.05). We also showed that CD80/86 low DCs loaded with alloantigen (1) stimulated low T cell proliferative responses via the indirect recognition pathway and (2) enhanced apoptotic activity (P <0.05) in co-cultured T cells.

Conclusions
Lentiviral vector transfection can effectively and specifically knock down target genes in DCs. The CD80/86 low DCs may show tolerogenic activity via induction of T-cell apoptosis, thereby modulating the activity of recipient-derived DCs. The use of this approach may potentially be clinically applicable.
Influence of dietary patterns on the risk of acute myocardial infarction in China population: the INTERHEART China study
Authors: GUO Jin , LI Wei , WANG Yang , CHEN Tao , Teo Koon , LIU Li-sheng 
Published: January 2024

Background
Some dietary patterns are risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Chinese traditional food and habits vary from other cultures. The present study determined whether different dietary patterns were associated with AMI in Chinese people.

Methods
We conducted a case-control study. There were 1312 cases of first AMI and 2235 control subjects who did not have previous angina, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or stroke. Controls were matched to cases on age and gender. Diet was measured with a validated, 19 item food frequency questionnaire. We identified three major dietary patterns using factor analysis: vitamin and microelement pattern (high intake of vegetables, fruits and tofu), carbohydrate pattern (high in grain), and fat and protein pattern (high in meat, fish, eggs and fried foods).

Results
After adjusting for all risk factors, the vitamin and microelement pattern was inversely associated with AMI risk (global P value, 0.0001). Compared with the first quartile, the adjusted ORs of AMI were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66-1.00) for the second quartile, 0.67 (95% CI: 0.54-0.82) for the third, and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56-0.88) for the fourth. Several dietary frequencies (serves per week) including vegetables, fruits and tofu were closely associated with decrease of AMI risk. Carbohydrate pattern showed weak relationship with AMI. We observed a U-shaped association between frequencies of fat and protein pattern and AMI risk. Excessive fat intake increased the AMI risk. The adjusted OR of AMI associated with the higher level of green vegetables was 0.37 (95% CI: 0.24-0.57) in women and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.51-0.82) in men (P value for heterogeneity, 0.0140).

Conclusions
Unhealthy dietary intake can increase the AMI risk. Improving intake of vegetables, fruits and tofu have the potential to partially prevent the rising epidemic of cardiovascular disease in China.
Effect of trichostatin A and paclitaxel on the proliferation and apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: ZHANG Song , ZHANG Qun-cheng , JIANG Shu-juan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Histone deacetylase inhibitors can regulate gene expression through modulation of the degree of acetylation of histone and non-histone, thus affecting cell proliferation, survival and chemosensitivity. Histone deacetylase inhibitors combined with paclitaxel may enhance the inhibitory effect of drugs on lung cancer cells. This study aimed to observe the effect of trichostatin A (TSA)/paclitaxel on the proliferation and apoptosis in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, and to investigate its mechanism.

Methods
A549 cells were cultured in Dulbecco modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) in the presence of paclitaxel and the histone deacetylase inhibitor TSA, and the growth curve was obtained by trypan-blue exclusion assay and cell count. Apoptosis was assessed using Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry analysis, and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry analysis. The proteins poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), caspase-3, survivin, and tubulin acetylation were detected by Western blotting.

Results
A significant reduction of proliferation was observed in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells treated by paclitaxel or TSA. Combined treatment with TSA/paclitaxel caused the greatest inhibition of cell proliferation. The combined treatment with TSA and paclitaxel induced more severe apoptosis, and significantly more cells were arrested in G2/M phase (P <0.05) then with a single drug. Using Western blotting, we demonstrated that treatment with TSA/paclitaxel led to synergistic increase in acetylated tubulin, PARP, caspase-3, and reduced the expression of survivin.

Conclusion TSA and paclitaxel have a synergistic activity that can inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis.
Bone cement enhanced pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty for elderly patients with malignant spinal tumors
Authors: TAN Jiang-wei , SHEN Bing-hua , DU Wei , LIU Jiang-qing , LU Shi-qiao 
Published: January 2024

Background
Older patients with malignant spinal tumors are difficult to treat because they have many co-morbidities including osteoporosis. The purpose of this research is to discuss the technique and clinical outcome of bone cement enhanced pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty (the Sandwich Procedure) for elderly patients with severe osteoporosis and malignant spinal tumors.

Methods
This study includes 28 consecutive elderly patients with malignant thoracic or lumbar spinal tumors. There were nine patients with myelomas, and 19 patients with metastatic bone tumors. The Sandwich Procedure began with curettage of the tumor and a vertebroplasty with bone cement (polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA), followed by PMMA enhanced pedicle screw fixation. Patients were evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) neurological function classification, and the radiographic degree of kyphosis (Cobb angle). Data were analyzed using paired t-test to compare the pre- and post-operative values. The complications, local recurrences, and the survival status were also recorded.

Results
There was no operative mortality, and the mean operative time was 210 minutes (range 150-250 minutes). The average blood loss was 1550 ml (range 650-3300 ml). The average amount of cement for vertebroplasty was 3.6 ml (range 3-5 ml). The VAS, ODI, and ASIA scores were significantly improved after surgery (P <0.05). However, we found no differences between the pre and post-operative Cobb angles. The shortest survival time was 3 months, and we found no evidence of local recurrence in this group of patients.

Conclusion
The Sandwich Procedure is a safe operation and provides symptomatic relief in these difficult patients, permitting further treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Tumor biomarkers: help or mislead in the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis?--analysis of serum CA 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen, and CA 12-5
Authors: YU Hong , YU Tu-nan , CAI Xiu-jun 
Published: January 2024

Background
Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a rare type of gallbladder inflammation. Unlike other cholecystitis, it can be easily misdiagnosed as gallbladder cancer based on radiological images. In response to misdiagnosis, extended surgical treatments are inappropriately given to patients, which is not beneficial to their health and/or recovery. In this study, we set out to determine whether tumor biomarkers can help to avoid misdiagnosis in patients with XGC.

Methods
Between January 2005 and January 2012, a total of 37 preoperative patients at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital were suspicious of having gallbladder cancer and was pathologically confirmed to be XGC after surgical operations. Before operations, all patients received a tumor biomarker test to verify diagnosis, which included serum CA 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and CA 12-5.

Results
A measured amount (54.05%) of cases (20 in 37) had at least one elevation over the thresholds of CA 19-9 (37 IU/L), CEA (5 ng/ml), and CA 12-5 (35 IU/L), which increased the suspicion of malignancy and consequently enhanced the difficulty to make right diagnosis of XGC as benign. 45.95% of cases (17 in 37) had an elevation in CA 19-9. 2.70% of cases (one in 37) had an elevation in CEA and 24.32% of cases (nine in 37) had an elevation in CA 12-5. Analysis with Fisher's exact test discovered that the presence of common bile duct stone was a contributor to elevations of CA19-9 in patients with XGC. However, even in cases without common bile duct stones, 42.86% of patients (nine in 21) had elevations of at least one tumor biomarker. Among them, 26.09% of patients (six in 21) had elevations of CA 19-9, with the maximum of 536.29 IU/L.

Conclusions
The elevations of tumor biomarkers in XGC were frequent, suggesting their inabilities to clarify the disease's nature, especially when there was a suspicion of gallbladder cancer. Intraoperative frozen pathology of gallbladder might be a possible solution. However, it is against the en bloc surgical principle and has the potential to cause tumor cell spreading. More research should be conducted, such as the discovery of a novel biomarker, so that XGC can less likely be misdiagnosed as malignancy until the final pathological judgment.
Effects of sorafenib combined with chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas
Authors: LIANG Heng-Yi , LU Li-Gong , HU Bao-Shan , LI Yong , SHAO Pei-Jian 
Published: January 2024

Background
The prognosis of unresectable large hepatocellular carcinomas is poor. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of sorafenib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas larger than 5 cm.

Methods
The treatment of 22 patients with large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas (5.0-16.5 cm) treated with sorafenib after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation between 2007 and 2011 was reviewed. The local effects, survival rates, toxicity, and prognostic factors were analyzed.

Results
During a follow-up of 9-49 months, 19 patients died and three survived. The median overall survival was 32 months. The overall cumulative 12, 24, and 36-month survival rates were 85.9%, 66.8%, and 23.5% respectively. Technical effectiveness was achieved in 12 out of 28 lesions (42.85%) at the first CT check. The median time to tumor progression was 21 months. The progression-free survival rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 90.9%, 72.0%, and 38.4%, respectively. Combined therapy was generally well tolerated. There was only one major procedure-related complication, biloma (4.5%). Sorafenib-related adverse events exceeding grade 3 were hand-foot skin reaction (2/22, 9.1%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1/22, 4.5%), and diarrhea (2/22, 9.1%). The absence of vascular invasion before treatment was found to be the best prognostic factor in the univariate analysis.

Conclusions
Sorafenib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation is a promising approach to the treatment of large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the future role of this treatment.