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Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of acidic conditions on epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT) of HepG2 cells.Methods HepG2 cells were cultured under acidic and alkaline conditions to observe the difference of cell morphology.Wound healing assays were performed to detect the migration ability of the two groups.Matrigel invasion assays were used to detect the invasive ability of the cells.The expression of EMT-related genes at mRNA level was detected by RT-PCR.The expression level of EMT-related gene protein was detected by Western blot.Results The morphology of HepG2 cells was changed from epithelium to interstitial type under acid conditions.The migration ability of HepG2 cells under acidic condition was stronger than that of alkaline conditions.The number of HepG2 cells crossing Matrigel was higher than that of alkaline condition.The mRNA expression of Vimentin,Slug,Snail and Zeb1 related to EMT and the protein expression of Vimentin and MMP9 related to EMT in HepG2 cells were significantly higher than those under alkaline condition.Conclusion The acid conditions can induce the occurrence of EMT in HepG2 cells.
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Objective:To study the relationship between serum level matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and atrial fibrillation (AF) and to assess its predictive value of AF recurrence in persistent AF patients after cardio-version. Methods: Our research included in 4 groups: Control group, n=30 healthy subjects, Paroxysmal AF group, n=30, Persistent AF group, n=60 and Permanent AF group, n=30. Serum levels of MMP-9 were examined and compared among different groups. The patients in Persistent AF group received drug therapy or drug+electric cardio-version;with successful cardio-version, antiarrhythmia medication was used to maintain sinus rhythm and the patients were followed-up for prognosis, MMP-9 levels were further compared between the patients with or without AF recurrence to assess the predictive value of MMP-9 for AF recurrence. Results: Serum levels of MMP-9 were as follows: Control group (151.43±88.14) ng/ml, Paroxysmal AF group (182.66±96.39) ng/ml, Persistent AF group (278.93±89.22) ng/ml and Permanent AF group (336.82±112.35) ng/ml respectively, which indicated that MMP-9 level in Persistent AF group was higher than Paroxysmal AF group and Control group;MMP-9 in Persistent AF group was higher than the other 3 groups, P Conclusion: Serum MMP-9 level was elevated in persistent and permanent AF patients;MMP-9 was the independent predictor for AF recurrence in persistent AF patients after cardio-version.
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Background:Gastrointestinal dysmotility is frequently seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD). Simo Decoction is used for promoting gastrointestinal motility in clinical practice. Aims:To study the effect of Simo Decoction on gastrointestinal symptoms and motility in patients with COPD. Methods:Thirty-six patients with stable COPD in Shiyan Renmin Hospital from Sep. 2012 to Jun. 2013 were enrolled and received a 28-day course treatment of Simo Decoction oral solution,19 healthy volunteers were served as controls. All subjects were assessed with gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS). Electrogastrography was performed and levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein( I-FABP)in peripheral blood were measured. Patients with COPD were re-examined for the above-mentioned parameters after treated with Simo Decoction. Results:The baseline GSRS score and serum I-FABP level in COPD patients were significantly increased as compared with controls(P<0. 05),while the baseline serum VIP level,as well as the fasting and postprandial normal gastric slow wave percentage in COPD patients were significantly decreased(P <0. 05). After 28-day course of Simo Decoction treatment,all these parameters in COPD patients were improved as compared with those before treatment(P<0. 05),serum levels of VIP,I-FABP and normal gastric slow wave percentage were similar to those of controls. Conclusions:Simo Decoction can ameliorate the gastrointestinal symptoms and dysmotility in patients with COPD. The regulatory effect of Simo Decoction on gastrointestinal motility might be bidirectional.
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Objective To investigate the gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and explore its possible reasons.Methods Thirty-six patients with stable COPD were divided into mild group [21 cases,forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) measured values/predictive values ≥50％] and severe group (15 cases,FEV1 measured values/predictive values ＜ 50％) according to the pulmonary function.Replacement of 19 healthy volunteers as control group.The patients and volunteers completed the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scales (GSRS) scores and received electrogastrography,the plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (Ⅰ-FABP) were detected.Results The GSRS scores in severe group and mild group was higher than that in control group[(17.73 ± 4.64),(14.29 ± 5.44) scores vs.(8.00 ± 2.29) scores],and severe group was higher than that in mild group,there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of normal slow waves of fasting and postprandial,the percentage of bradygastria in severe group and mild group were lower than those in control group,there were significant differences(P ＜ 0.05).The level of VIP in severe group was lower than that in mild group and control group [(36.07 ± 9.22) μ g/L vs.(44.16 ± 7.88),(46.53 ± 4.54) μ g/L],the level of I-FABP was higher than that in mild group and control group [(35.80 ± 11.69) μ g/L vs.(27.40 ±9.53),(23.58 ±8.18) μg/L],there was significant difference (P ＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between mild group and control group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The patients with COPD are accompanied with serious gastrointestinal symptoms and gastric dysrhythmia,severe COPD can be associated with VIP decrease and Ⅰ-FABP rise in peripheral blood.
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Objective To evaluate the impact of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and bile duct exploration with open surgery on immune function and inflammatory response.Methods Fifty-one patients with choledocholithiasis were divided into endoscopy group ( EG,n =24) and laparotomy group ( LG,n =27 ) according to the patients' will from June 2010 to February 2012.Procalcitonin( PCT),C-reactive protein (CRP),immunoglobulins (IgA 、lgG 、IgM ) and T lymphocyte (CD4、CD8 ) of peripheral blood were examined preoperatively and on the 1st,3rd and 5th day postoperatively.Results Compared with preoperative levels,postoperative levels of serum PCT and CRP were higher in both groups (P ＜0.01 ),but on the 3rd day after the operation,the changes of PCT and CRP levels in the two groups were not significantly different ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Postoperative levels of serum immunoglobulins of two groups were lower than preoperative levels (P ＜ 0.01 ),but the IgA and IgM levels in EG were significantly higher than those in the LG (P ＜ 0.05),and IgG levels in the two groups were not significantly different after surgery ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Compared with preoperative levels,postoperative levels of CD4,CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio in EG were only slightly decreased (P ＞ 0.05 ),and returned to the preoperative levels on the 5th day postoperatively,but postoperative levels of these variables in LG were decreased significantly ( P ＜ 0.05).Postoperative levels of CD4,CD8 and CD4/CD8 ration of the two groups were significantly different (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Both EST and bile duct exploration with open surgery can inhibit immune function and induce inflammation,but the procedure of EST,which may mainly affect humoral immune function,has impact on immune function less intensely.
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Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of esophageal intraluminal stents with 125I seeds based on survival time and quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced esophageal cancer.Methods A total of 37 patients with advanced esophageal cancer who underwent placement of esophageal 125I irradiation stent were followed up.The QOL was evaluated by QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES18 questionnaires before the procedure, and 1 week and 3 months after.Results The mean survival time of 37 patients was 28 weeks, with 3-month and 6-month survival rates at 94.6% (35/37) and 51.4% (19/37), respectively.Compared with the baseline, the scores of emotional functioning(EF), cognitive functioning(CF),global quality of life(QL), fatigue(FA), pain(PA), financial difficulties(FI) and pain of QLQ-OES18(OESPA) assessed 1 week after stent placement increased (P0.05).Conclusion Implantation of 125I seeds combined with esophageal intraluminal stents may prolong survival time and improve QOL of patients with advanced esophageal cancer.