Ozone Pollution and Acute Exacerbation of Asthma in Residents of China: An Ecological Study.

Purpose: The evidence for a causal relationship between high-level ozone (O) exposure and acute exacerbation of asthma among adults is limited, and the conclusions are less definitive.

Patients And Methods: Here we collected the daily data on asthma cases, O exposure, and meteorological factors from 2010 to 2016 in Shijiazhuang, China. We investigated the risk of asthma exacerbation associated with high-level ozone exposure using a polynomial distributed lag model (PDLM).

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated With Decreased Bone Mineral Density in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture in adults. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for observational studies published from inception to January 2023 that reported adjusted effect sizes of NAFLD on BMD, osteopenia/osteoporosis, and osteoporotic fracture. The data were synthesized using multilevel and random-effects models.

Association between waist circumference change and incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among Chinese adults: a 10-year cohort study.

The aim of our study was to investigate waist circumference (WC) change and the risk of incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Chinese adults. A total of 8164 participants aged > 18 years who attended health examinations with repeat measurements of WC and lung function [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV)] from 2010 to 2019 were recruited. WC change was categorized as ≤  - 2.

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures versus nonoperative treatment in patients with multiple rib fractures following cardiopulmonary resuscitation: An international, retrospective matched case-control study.

Background: The presence of six or more rib fractures or a displaced rib fracture due to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been associated with longer hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). Evidence on the effect of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) following CPR is limited. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes after SSRF versus nonoperative management in patients with multiple rib fractures after CPR.

Surgical stabilization versus nonoperative treatment for flail and non-flail rib fracture patterns in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Purpose: Literature on outcomes after SSRF, stratified for rib fracture pattern is scarce in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI; Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 12). We hypothesized that SSRF is associated with improved outcomes as compared to nonoperative management without hampering neurological recovery in these patients.

Methods: A post hoc subgroup analysis of the multicenter, retrospective CWIS-TBI study was performed in patients with TBI and stratified by having sustained a non-flail fracture pattern or flail chest between January 1, 2012 and July 31, 2019.

Identification of circular RNA circVPS33A as a modulator in house dust mite-induced injury in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Background: House dust mite has been well documented as a major source of allergen in asthma. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) vacuolar protein sorting 33A (circVPS33A, circ_0000455) is overexpressed in a murine asthma model. Herein, we sought to identify its critical action in peptidase 1 (Der p1)-induced dysfunction of BEAS-2B cells.

Complications of clavicle fracture surgery in patients with concomitant chest wall injury: a retrospective study.

Background: The impact of associated chest wall injuries (CWI) on the complications of clavicle fracture repair is unclear to date. This study aimed to investigate the complications after surgical clavicle fracture fixation in patients with and without different degrees of associated CWI.

Methods: A retrospective review over a four-year period of patients who underwent clavicle fracture repair was conducted.

Outcome after surgical stabilization of rib fractures versus nonoperative treatment in patients with multiple rib fractures and moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (CWIS-TBI).

Background: Outcomes after surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) have not been studied in patients with multiple rib fractures and traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that SSRF, as compared with nonoperative management, is associated with favorable outcomes in patients with TBI.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed in patients with rib fractures and TBI between January 2012 and July 2019.

Light-emitting diode photobiomodulation therapy for non-specific low back pain in working nurses: A single-center, double-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) affects approximately 51% to 57% of hospital nurses and nurses' aides in Europe. New high-risk groups include home- and long-term-care nurses and physiotherapists. A number of European countries are experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers.

Diagnosis and management of a trapped lung or diaphragm by fractured ribs: analysis of patients undergoing rib fracture repair.

Background: There are few reports regarding a lung or diaphragm trapped by a fractured rib. This study aimed to describe the clinical presentations, diagnosis, and management of these intrathoracic pathologies.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the database at our institute for patients with rib fractures who underwent thoracoscope-assisted surgical stabilization of rib fracture (SSRF).

Early versus late surgical stabilization of severe rib fractures in patients with respiratory failure: A retrospective study.

Introduction: The timing of surgical stabilization of rib fractures remains controversial. We hypothesized that early surgical stabilization (within 3 days of injury) can improve clinical outcome in patients with severe rib fractures and respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of early surgical stabilization of rib fractures on the perioperative results, clinical outcomes, and medical costs of patients with severe rib fractures and respiratory failure.

RNA Sequencing of Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Specimens for Gene Expression Quantification and Data Mining.

. Proper rRNA depletion is crucial for the successful utilization of FFPE specimens when studying gene expression. We performed a study to evaluate two major rRNA depletion methods: Ribo-Zero and RNase H.

Associations of the Transforming Growth Factor β/Smad Pathway, Body Mass Index, and Physical Activity With Breast Cancer Outcomes: Results From the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study.

The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway plays an important role in breast cancer progression and in metabolic regulation and energy homeostasis. The prognostic significance of TGF-β interaction with obesity and physical activity in breast cancer patients remains unclear. We evaluated the expression of TGF-β type II receptor and pSmad2 immunohistochemically in breast cancer tissue from 1,045 patients in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study (2002-2005).

Body mass index and weight change in relation to triple-negative breast cancer survival.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI), weight change on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) prognosis in a population-based prospective cohort study. The current analysis included 518 participants diagnosed with TNBC in Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study. Weight at 1 year prior to cancer diagnosis, at diagnosis, and at 6, 18 and 36 months after cancer diagnosis and height at 6 months after cancer diagnosis were assessed.

Tumor tissue microRNA expression in association with triple-negative breast cancer outcomes.

We evaluated suggested metastasis-related microRNAs (miRNAs) for their associations with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In a cohort of 456 TNBC cases, we systematically evaluated 57 previously reported metastasis-related miRNAs in tumor tissue using the NanoString nCounter assay. Cox regression was applied to evaluate miRNA expression in association with DFS and OS.

Increased pSmad2 expression and cytoplasmic predominant presence of TGF-βRII in breast cancer tissue are associated with poor prognosis: results from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study.

Perturbations of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling are pivotal to tumorigenesis and tumor progression through their effects on cell proliferation and cell invasion. This study aims to evaluate the association of TGF-βRII and pSmad2 protein expressions in breast tissue with clinicopathological factors and prognosis of breast cancer. Expression of the TGF-βRII and pSmad2 proteins was assessed in breast tissue of 1,045 breast cancer cases in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study using a double immunofluorescence staining method, which was validated with standard single immunostains.

Dual specificity phosphatase 4 gene expression in association with triple-negative breast cancer outcome.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Dual specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) has recently been suggested as a potential marker of chemotherapy resistance for TNBC. DUSP4 gene expression levels were measured in breast cancer tissue from 469 TNBC patients aged 20-75 years who participated in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study, and their association with recurrence/breast cancer mortality and total mortality was evaluated.

Fruit, vegetable, and animal food intake and breast cancer risk by hormone receptor status.

The effects of diet on breast cancer are controversial and whether the effects vary with hormone receptor status has not been well investigated. This study evaluated the associations of dietary factors with risk for breast cancer overall and by the hormone receptor status of tumors among Chinese women. The Shanghai Breast Cancer Study, a large, population-based, case-control study, enrolled 3,443 cases and 3,474 controls in 1996-1998 (phase I) and 2002-2005 (phase II); 2676 cases had estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) data.

Association of hormone-related characteristics and breast cancer risk by estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status in the shanghai breast cancer study.

Etiologic differences between subtypes of breast cancer defined by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status are not well understood. The authors evaluated associations of hormone-related factors with breast cancer subtypes in a population-based case-control study involving 1,409 ER-positive (ER+)/PR-positive (PR+) cases, 712 ER-negative (ER-)/PR-negative (PR-) cases, 301 ER+/PR- cases, 254 ER-/PR+ cases, and 3,474 controls aged 20-70 years in Shanghai, China (phase I, 1996-1998; phase II, 2002-2005). Polytomous logistic regression and Wald tests for heterogeneity across subtypes were conducted.

Distinct distribution and prognostic significance of molecular subtypes of breast cancer in Chinese women: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Molecular classification of breast cancer is an important prognostic factor. The distribution of molecular subtypes of breast cancer and their prognostic value has not been well documented in Asians.

Methods: A total of 2,791 breast cancer patients recruited for a population-based cohort study were evaluated for molecular subtypes of breast cancer by immunohistochemical assays.

Assessing the application of tissue microarray technology to kidney research.

Tissue microarray (TMA) is a new high-throughput method that enables simultaneous analysis of the profiles of protein expression in multiple tissue samples. TMA technology has not previously been adapted for physiological and pathophysiological studies of rodent kidneys. We have evaluated the validity and reliability of using TMA to assess protein expression in mouse and rat kidneys.

Multilayered epithelium in a rat model and human Barrett's esophagus: similar expression patterns of transcription factors and differentiation markers.

Background: In rats, esophagogastroduodenal anastomosis (EGDA) without concomitant chemical carcinogen treatment leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease, multilayered epithelium (MLE, a presumed precursor in intestinal metaplasia), columnar-lined esophagus, dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Previously we have shown that columnar-lined esophagus in EGDA rats resembled human Barrett's esophagus (BE) in its morphology, mucin features and expression of differentiation markers (Lab. Invest.

ERBB2 genetic polymorphism and breast cancer risk in Chinese women: a population-based case-control study.

A polymorphism at codon 655 (ATC/isoleucine to GTC/valine [Ile655Val], rs1801200) in the transmembrane domain-coding region of human ERBB2 gene has been previously evaluated for its association with breast cancer risk with mixed results. We evaluated this polymorphism in association with breast cancer in a group of women who participated in a large-scale, population-based, case-control study of breast cancer in Shanghai, China, followed by an in vitro analysis of the function of this polymorphism. Genomic DNA from 3,012 patients with breast cancer and 3,004 healthy controls was examined for the Ile655Val polymorphism using a TaqMan genotyping method.

Immunohistochemical expressions of Ki-67, cyclin D1, beta-catenin, cyclooxygenase-2, and epidermal growth factor receptor in human colorectal adenoma: a validation study of tissue microarrays.

Background: Tissue microarray (TMA) holds promise as a high-throughput method for the analysis of biomarkers in tissue specimens. The validity and reliability of this method, however, may vary for different biomarkers in different tissue specimens.

Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the validity and reliability of using TMA to assess biomarkers in colorectal adenomas.

Expression of LINE-1 p40 protein in pediatric malignant germ cell tumors and its association with clinicopathological parameters: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

The long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) p40 protein was expressed in all 162 cases of childhood malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT) cells with weak, moderate, and strong immunoactivity in 43.8%, 37.7%, and 18.