Clinical study on Shaoyao-Bawei Decoction combined with moxibustion in the treatment of spleen stomach weakness syndrome of chronic atrophic gastritis / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Shaoyao-Bawei Decoction combined with moxibustion in the treatment of spleen stomach weakness syndrome of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Methods:The 98 CAG patients admitted to the Zhaoqing Gaoyao District People’s Hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 who met the selection criteria were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method, with 49 in each group. The control group received conventional western medicine treatment, and the observation group was treated with Shaoyao-Bawei Decoction combined with moxibustion on the basis of the control group. TCM symptom scores were performed before and after treatment, the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA, and the levels of serum motilin (MLT), gastrin-17 (G17) and gastrin (gas) were detected by radioimmunoassay, the safety of medication was observed and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results:The total effective rate was 93.9% (46/49) in the observation group and 71.4% (35/49) in the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=8.611, P=0.043). After treatment, the scores of epigastric burning, fullness in stomach, dull appetite, dry mouth and bitter mouth, shortness of breath and unwillingness to speak, general lassitude, pale tongue, small and weak pulse in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=12.061, 7.331, 6.869, 5.975, 5.208, 10.567, 8.738, 8.631, respectively, all Ps<0.01), and the levels of serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=8.573,13.423,12.099, respectively, all Ps <0.01). After treatment, the level of serum MLT (154.52 ± 26.25 ng/L vs. 180.26 ± 28.13 ng/L, t=4.488) in the observation group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01); the levels of G17 (14.28 ± 1.75 pmol/L vs. 10.28 ± 1.06 pmol/L, t=-7.966) and GAS (24.73 ± 3.42 ng/L vs. 19.02 ± 3.38 ng/L, t=-13.115) in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t=-7.966 and -13.115, respectively, all Ps<0.01). During the treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions was 8.16% (4/49) in the observation group and 6.12% (3/49) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.152, P=0.695). Conclusion:Shaoyao-Bawei Decoction combined with moxibustion can alleviate the clinical symptoms of CAG patients with spleen stomach weakness syndrome, regulate the level of inflammatory cytokines, promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and improve the clinical curative effect.

Application of endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of early esophageal cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in clinic, and its morbidity and mortality are always high. Staging is the main basis for comprehensive treatment and prognosis evaluation. Accurate staging is essential for proper diagnosis, individualized treatment and good prognosis. Related technologies of endoscopic ultrasonography can determine the depth of tumor invasion and local lymph node metastasis, which makes the diagnosis of esophageal cancer more accurate, and plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and treatment of early esophageal cancer.

Unfractionated heparin attenuates endothelial barrier dysfunction via the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/serine/threonine kinase/nuclear factor kappa-B pathway / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Vascular endothelial dysfunction is considered a key pathophysiologic process for the development of acute lung injury. In this study, we aimed at investigating the effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes of vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) and the potential underlying mechanisms.@*METHODS@#Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomized into three groups: vehicle, LPS, and LPS + UFH groups. Intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg LPS was used to induce sepsis. Mice in the LPS + UFH group received subcutaneous injection of 8 U UFH 0.5 h before LPS injection. The lung tissue of the mice was collected for assessing lung injury by measuring the lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio and observing histological changes. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) were cultured and used to analyze the effects of UFH on LPS- or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced vascular hyperpermeability, membrane expression of VE-cadherin, p120-catenin, and phosphorylated myosin light chain (p-MLC), and F-actin remodeling, and on the LPS-induced activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine kinase (Akt)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.@*RESULTS@#In vivo, UFH pretreatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced pulmonary histopathological changes (neutrophil infiltration and erythrocyte effusion, alveolus pulmonis collapse, and thicker septum), decreased the lung W/D, and increased protein concentration (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.57 ± 0.04 vs. 0.32 ± 0.04 mg/mL, P = 0.0092), total cell count (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 9.57 ± 1.23 vs. 3.65 ± 0.78 × 10/mL, P = 0.0155), polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 88.05% ± 2.88% vs. 22.20% ± 3.92%, P = 0.0002), and TNF-α (460.33 ± 23.48 vs. 189.33 ± 14.19 pg/mL, P = 0.0006) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In vitro, UFH pre-treatment prevented the LPS-induced decrease in the membrane expression of VE-cadherin (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.368 ± 0.044 vs. 0.716 ± 0.064, P = 0.0114) and p120-catenin (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.208 ± 0.018 vs. 0.924 ± 0.092, P = 0.0016), and the LPS-induced increase in the expression of p-MLC (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.972 ± 0.092 vs. 0.293 ± 0.025, P = 0.0021). Furthermore, UFH attenuated LPS- and TNF-α-induced hyperpermeability of HPMECs (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 8.90 ± 0.66 vs. 15.84 ± 1.09 Ω·cm, P = 0.0056; TNF-α vs. TNF-α + UFH: 11.28 ± 0.64 vs. 18.15 ± 0.98 Ω·cm, P = 0.0042) and F-actin remodeling (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 56.25 ± 1.51 vs. 39.70 ± 1.98, P = 0.0027; TNF-α vs. TNF-α + UFH: 55.42 ± 1.42 vs. 36.51 ± 1.20, P = 0.0005) in vitro. Additionally, UFH decreased the phosphorylation of Akt (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 0.977 ± 0.081 vs. 0.466 ± 0.035, P = 0.0045) and I kappa B Kinase (IKK) (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 1.023 ± 0.070 vs. 0.578 ± 0.044, P = 0.0060), and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB (LPS vs. LPS + UFH: 1.003 ± 0.077 vs. 0.503 ± 0.065, P = 0.0078) in HPMECs, which was similar to the effect of the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The protective effect of UFH against LPS-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction involves VE-cadherin stabilization and PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling.

Effect of Buyang Huanwu Tang on Axonal Regeneration of Rats After Ischemic Stroke Injury / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of Buyang Huanwu Tang （BHT） on axonal regeneration and neurological rehabilitation of the rats suffering ischemic stroke （IS）. Method:A total of 180 SD rats were used to establish a middle cerebral artery infarction （MCAO） model. The animals that were successfully modeled were randomly divided into model group， BHT group （12 g·kg-1） and nimodipine group （20 mg·kg-1）， and a sham group was established， with 28 rats in each group. After seven-days intragastric administration of BHT， the animals were sacrificed. TTC staining was used to test cerebral infarction. Brain water content was measured to observe cerebral edema. Bielschowsky's silver staining and immunofluorescence were performed to observe axonal degeneration and the protein expression of neurofilament protein-200（NF-200）. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was used to analyze the mRNA expression of repulsion oriented molecule a （RGMa）， Ras homologous enzyme （Rho）， Rho kinase （ROCK）， and collapsion response regulatory protein 2 （CRMP2）. Neurological function scores assay was used to examine neurological recovery. Result:Compared with sham group， the cerebral infarction volume and brain water content increased significantly（P<0.01）， and motor function was markablely decreased in the model group. Axonal degeneration and nerve fiber damage were obviously observed. Also， gene expression of axon growth-related protein was deviation from normal （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the cerebral infarction rate （P<0.01）， brain water content （P<0.01） and axonal degeneration of BHT group and nimodipine group were significantly reduced. The expression of NF-200 was increased. Also， the mRNA expression of RGMa， Rho and ROCK was lower （P<0.05） while the mRNA expression of CRMP2 was higher （P<0.01）. And the neurological function was significantly improved （P<0.05）. Conclusion:BHT can promote axon regeneration after ischemic stroke injury by regulating the mRNA expression of axon growth-related protein， thereby improving nerve function.

Persistence of rabies antibody 3 years after postexposure prophylaxis with 2-1-1 regimen of Vero-cell rabies vaccine for human use and antibody response to two booster doses / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To evaluate the antibody persistence following rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with 2-1-1 regimen and antibody response to two booster doses. Methods A total of 314 healthy volunteers at year 1, year 2, year 3 who had received a complete rabies PEP using 2-1-1 regimen were recruited. Two booster doses of rabies vaccine were inoculated, and blood samples were obtained before and 14 days after two booster doses. Human rabies virus IgG antibody was evaluated by ELISA, and the antibody levels and antibody positive rates were analyzed. Results The antibody GMC of 303 people at year 1, year 2, year 3 after a complete immunization was 1.33 IU/mL, 1.04 IU/mL and 0.72 IU/mL, with an antibody positive rate of 77.78%, 66.67% and 55.56%, respectively. Among 282 people who received 2 doses for booster immunization, the antibody GMC at day 14 of 1 year, 2 year and 3 year immunization group was 16.83 IU/mL, 19.37 IU/mL and 21.05 IU/mL respectively, which was higher than that before booster immunization (t=16.54, P<0.001; t=13.85, P<0.001; t=16.02, P<0.001). The antibody positive rate was 100.00%, 99.00% and 100.00%, respectively. Conclusions The immune persistence of rabies antibody after PEP with antirabies vaccine using the 2-1-1 regimen is good so as to the immune response after 2 doses of booster immunization in 3 years is effective.

Efficacy Study of Three Different Schemes of Budesonide in Recurrent Wheezing Children under 5 Years Old / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore the curative effect of the daily and two different METHODS of intermittent atomization inhalation of budesonide(BUD) in the treatment of recurrrent wheezing children under 5 years old, providing the basis for early selection of appropriate intervention regimen for them. METHODS: We studied 160 children between the aged 12 and 59 months who had positive values on the modified API(mAPI), recurrent wheezing episodes. Children were randomly divided into three groups according to admission time sequence: daily low dose atomization inhalation group (daily group) 54 cases, intermittent high dose early atomization inhalation group (early group) 53 cases and intermittent general dose preemptive atomization inhalation group (preemptive group) 53 cases. All children were observed for 1 year. Number of systemic corticosteroids courses, wheezing episodes, intravenous, the emergency number, symptomatic days, respiratory symptom scores and other curative effect indicators were compared between the three groups; and compare the number of systemic corticosteroids courses, intravenous, wheezing episodes, the emergency number, and hospitalization rates before and after treatment in each group. RESULTS: In this study, 10 children failed to complete the test because of various reasons, 150 cases were effective, each group 50 cases. All three groups can reduce the number of systemic corticosteroids courses, intravenous, wheezing episodes, the emergency number and hospitalization rate, the difference were statistically significant(P0.05);there was no significant difference between the respiratory symptom scores, the number of hospitalized patients, treatment failure rate, and use SABA days of the three group (P>0.05). The BUD use days and doses of intermittent inhalation regimens is less than daily inhalation regimen(P<0.01);among the three groups, the preemptive group used the least dose(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of early and preemptive group is close to the daily group, and BUD days and doses of the early and preemptive group is less than that of daily group. The drug administration time of preemptive group was earlier and the overall drug delivery time is more flexible than early group, so the preemptive regimen can offer new options for 5-year-old children with recurrent wheezing and positive values on the mAPI.

Effect of storage time on serum biochemical test of rats / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To observe the effect of different storage time on 14 blood biochemical indexes in rats. Methods Randomly selected 40 adult SD rats were included in this study. Fasting venous blood samples were collected, serum was separated, sealed, and stored in the refrigerator (4℃ and -20℃). The serum parameters were detected at 0 h,4 h,24 h,96 h and 7 d, respectively, using an automatic biochemical analyzer. A total of 14 blood biochemical indexes were detected, including alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) , aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) , alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), creatinine (CREA-J), uric acid (UA), urea nitrogen (UREA), blood glucose ( GLU) , total cholesterol ( TC) , triglyceride ( TG) , low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C) , creatine kinase ( CK) and lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) . The effects of serum storage time on blood biochemical results were compared. Results The trends of blood biochemical data in male and female rats were consistent. C ompared with the indexes of serum preserved at 4℃ for 0 h, the ALP was significantly reduced after storage for 4 h, 24 h, 96 h, and 7 d (P< 0. 05), ALB were significantly increased after 96 h and 7 d (P< 0. 01), CREA-J was significantly increased after 96 h, 7 d (P<0. 05), UA was significantly increased after 24 h, 9 h, and 7 d (P < 0. 01), and no significant changes in other indicators ( P> 0. 05 ) . Compared with the values of 0 h serum, the serum preserved at -20℃ showed that ALT was significantly increased after 7 d (P < 0. 01), AST significantly increased after 96 h and 7 d (P< 0. 05), TP significantly decreased after 4 h and 24 h ( P< 0. 05 ) , ALB significantly increased after 4 h, 24 h, 96 h, and 7 d ( P< 0. 01 ) , CREA-J significantly increased after 24 h, 96 h, and 7 d (P< 0. 01), UA significantly increased after 4 h, 24 h, 96 h, and 7 d (P< 0. 01), TC significantly increased after 4 h, 24 h, 96 h, and 7 d (P< 0. 01), TG significantly increased after 96 h and 7 d (P< 0. 05), CK significantly increased after 96 h and 7 d (P< 0. 05), LDH significantly increased after 96 h and 7 d ( P < 0. 05 ) , and no significant changes in other indicators ( P > 0. 05 ) . Conclusions The biochemical tests of rat serum should be immediately performed as they were collected, especially for ALP test. For the sera stored at 4℃, the test should be finished in different times:UA test in 4 hours, ALB and CREA-J test in 24 hours, and ALT, AST, TP, UREA, GLU, TC, TG, LDL-C, CK, and LDH test in 7 days.

Rb1 protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced senescence: involvement of caveolin-1 / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:Endothelial cell senescence has been proposed to be involved in endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis.This study aims to investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rb1,a major constituent of ginseng,on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced endothelial cell senescence,and to explore the expression and production of caveolin-1 in H2O2-induced premature senescence.METHODS:The senescence of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was induced by H2O2 as judged by morphology inspection,senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining and cell cycle detection.The protein expression of caveolin-1 was determined by Western blot and confocal laser-scanning microscopy.RESULTS:Treatment of the HUVECs with H2O2 at 60 μmoL/L induced premature senescence,as judged by enlarged,flattened cell morphology,increased SA-β-Gal activity and sustained growth arrest.H2O2 effectively increased caveolin-1 level.Pretreatment of the HUVECs with Rb1 was found to reverse endothelial cell senescence,as witnessed by a significant decrease in senescent cell numbers and a decreased percentage of G0/G1 phase cells.Furthermore,Rb1 administration reversed the H2O2-increased protein level of caveolin-1.CONCLUSION:Ginsenoside Rb1 antagonizes H2O2-induced endothelial cell senescence through caveolin-1 modulation.

Rb1 protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced senescence: involvement of caveolin-1 / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:Endothelial cell senescence has been proposed to be involved in endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis.This study aims to investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rb1,a major constituent of ginseng,on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced endothelial cell senescence,and to explore the expression and production of caveolin-1 in H2O2-induced premature senescence.METHODS:The senescence of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was induced by H2O2 as judged by morphology inspection,senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining and cell cycle detection.The protein expression of caveolin-1 was determined by Western blot and confocal laser-scanning microscopy.RESULTS:Treatment of the HUVECs with H2O2 at 60 μmoL/L induced premature senescence,as judged by enlarged,flattened cell morphology,increased SA-β-Gal activity and sustained growth arrest.H2O2 effectively increased caveolin-1 level.Pretreatment of the HUVECs with Rb1 was found to reverse endothelial cell senescence,as witnessed by a significant decrease in senescent cell numbers and a decreased percentage of G0/G1 phase cells.Furthermore,Rb1 administration reversed the H2O2-increased protein level of caveolin-1.CONCLUSION:Ginsenoside Rb1 antagonizes H2O2-induced endothelial cell senescence through caveolin-1 modulation.

Study on droplet microfluidic chips for drug screening against Candida albicans / 药学学报

A droplet microfluidic chip system was developed for drug screening against Candida albicans. The microfluidic chip was designed and prepared for the formation of droplets. Alamar blue was selected as an indicator for its characteristic of fluorescence mission in live cells. Four antifungal drugs (amphotericin B, caspofungin, 5-fluorocytosine, terbinafine) and a new drug (iodiconazole) were selected as model drugs to test the microfluidic chip approach. At the same time, 96-well microplate method was performed to verify the applicability of the chip method. The results showed that the developed droplet microfluidic chip platform was able to complete the antifungal susceptibility test within 2 h. In comparison with the 96-well microplate method, the microfluidic chip method showed a consistence of 100% with regard to the minimum inhibition concentrations and less reagent consumption. The new droplet microfluidic chip method is simple, rapid and suitable for rapid screening of antifungal drugs.

Expression rhythm of autophagic gene in neurons of neonatal rats with hypoxia/ischemia and its regulatory mechanism / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of autophagic gene and circadian gene in the neurons of neonatal rats after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and the mechanism of nerve injury induced by hypoxia/ischemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into hypoxic-ischemic (HI) group and sham-operation group, with 6 rats in each group. Ligation of the right common carotid artery and hypoxic treatment were performed to establish a model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Western blot was used to measure the expression of the circadian protein Clock in the cortex and hippocampus. The neurons of the rats were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) group and control group. The neurons in the OGD group were treated with DMEM medium without glucose or serum to simulate ischemic state, and hypoxic treatment was performed to establish an in vitro model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Western blot was used to measure the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3 and Clock protein at different time points. The changes in the expression of Beclin1 and LC3 were measured after the expression of Clock protein in neurons was inhibited by small interfering RNA technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ in neurons cultured in vitro displayed a rhythmic fluctuation; after OGD treatment, the expression of Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ gradually increased over the time of treatment and no longer had a rhythmic fluctuation. Compared with the sham-operation group, the HI group had a significant reduction in the expression of Clock protein in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.05). After OGD treatment, the neurons cultured in vitro had a significant reduction in the expression of Clock protein (P<0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the Clock gene inhibition group had significant reductions in the expression of Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hypoxia/ischemia induces the disorder in the expression rhythm of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3, and the mechanism may be associated with the fact that the circadian protein Clock participates in the regulation of the expression of Beclin1 and LC3.</p>

Investigation and analysis of laboratory animal waste disposal in Beijing area in 2016 / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To investigate the treatment and disposal of laboratory animal waste in Beijing area in 2016. Methods Questionnaire, telephone survey, on-the-spot investigation and WeChat were used to survey the basic situation and laboratory animal waste management, including bedding material, excreta, carcasses and experimental consumables,etc. in 164 laboratory animal facilities in Beijing area in 2016. Results The data we have collected were relatively comprehensive and universal, reflecting the currently existing problems. Conclusions This investigation provides a reference for the compilation of the management rules of laboratory animal waste in Beijing.

Role of brain -derived neurotrophic factor in pathological mechanism of autism spectrum disorder / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The brain -derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)plays an important role in the development and function of the nervous system.BDNF controls the neuronal survival,differentiation,growth of dendrites and axons,for-mation of synapse,neuronal plasticity and the basic process of learning and memory through a variety of ways,the dys-regulation of which is probably the important molecular mechanism responsible for the onset of autism spectrum disor-der.The research advance on preclinical research and clinical research between BDNF and autism spectrum disorder is reviewed in this paper.

Inhibitory effect of total saponins of Panax notoginseng on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell apoptosis / 生理学报

The study was aimed to investigate the effects of total saponins of Panax notoginseng (tPNS) on cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced apoptosis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) and the underlying mechanism. rBMSCs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. After being incubated with different concentrations of tPNS (1, 10, 100 μg/mL) for 48 h, the rBMSCs were stained with EdU and PI for proliferation and cell cycle assay, respectively. CoCl2 group was treated with 300 μmol CoCl2 for 24 h, and different concentrations tPNS groups were treated with 300 μmol CoCl2 plus 1, 10 or 100 μg/mL tPNS. After Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, flow cytometry was applied to measure the cell apoptosis. For mitochondrial membrane potential assay, rhodamine123 and Hoechst33342 staining were used. qRT-PCR was applied to analyze gene expression of Bcl-2 family. The results showed that the proliferation rates of the three concentrations tPNS groups were all higher than that of the control group (all P < 0.05). Compared with control group, only 100 μg/mL tPNS group exhibited increased cell percentage of S and G2 phase. Compared with that in control group (without CoCl2), the apoptotic rate was increased by 14.2% in CoCl2 group. And the apoptotic rates were reduced by 14.4%, 12.8% and 13.9% in three concentrations tPNS groups, compared with that in CoCl2 group (all P < 0.01). CoCl2 could decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential, while different concentrations of tPNS reversed the inhibitory effect of CoCl2. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl mRNA expressions in all tPNS groups were higher than those in CoCl2 group (all P < 0.05). Moreover, 10 and 100 μg/mL tPNS groups showed lower ratios of Bax/Bcl-2, compared with CoCl2 group. The results suggest that tPNS protects the rBMSCs against CoCl2-induced apoptosis through improving the cell mitochondrial membrane potential, up-regulating the expressions of anti-apoptosis genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, and reducing the Bax/Bcl-2 gene expression ratio.

SHMT1 C1420T polymorphism contributes to the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: evidence from 7309 patients / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1 (SHMT1) is a key enzyme in the folate metabolic pathway that plays an important role in biosynthesis by providing one carbon unit. SHMT1 C1420T may lead to the abnormal biosynthesis involved in DNA synthesis and methylation, and it may eventually increase cancer susceptibility. Many epidemiologic studies have explored the association between C1420T polymorphism and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but the results have been contradictory. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of SHMT1 C1420T polymorphism on NHL risk. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to measure the strength of the association.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eight studies encompassing 3232 cases and 4077 controls were included. A statistically significant association was found between SHMT1 C1420T polymorphism and NHL risk under the allelic comparison (T vs. C: OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.17); a borderline association was found between SHMT1 C1420T polymorphism and NHL risk under the homozygote model (TT vs. CC: OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.00-1.39) and the dominant model (CT+TT vs. CC: OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.00-1.21).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SHMT1 C1420T polymorphism may be associated with NHL risk, which needs to be validated in large, prospective studies.</p>

Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for first-line treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: a Phase III, multi-center, randomized controlled trial, Chinese subreport / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the first-line treatment of HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen Chinese research centers are involved in the BO18255 (ToGA) study. Patients with gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer were eligible for inclusion if their tumor showed overexpression of HER-2 protein by immunohistochemistry +++ or FISH-positive. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a chemotherapy regimen consisting of capecitabine or 5-FU plus cisplatin or chemotherapy in combination with intravenous trastuzumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighty-five Chinese patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 84 were included in the primary analysis: trastuzumab plus chemotherapy (FP/H) (n = 36) and chemotherapy alone (FP)(n = 48). The median follow-up was 15.2 months in the FP/H group and 14.2 months in the FP group. The median survival time was 12.6 months in the FP/H group compared with 9.7 months in the FP group [hazard ratio 0.72, 95%CI (0.40; 1.29)]. Grade 3/4 adverse events were higher in the FP/H(63.9%)than FP (47.9%) groups, including neutropenia, vomiting and nausea. Two mild cardiac adverse events occurred in the FP/H group. Severe adverse events occurred in 3 cases of both two groups, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy is well tolerated and shows improved survival in Chinese patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer. These results are consistent with the results of ToGA whole population trial. Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy can be considered as a new option for patients with HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.</p>

Managing esophageal fistulae by endoscopic transluminal drainage in esophageal cancer patients with superior mediastinal sepsis after esophagectomy / 癌症

The management of postoperative leaks into the mediastinum after esophagectomy remains a challenge. We describe our clinical management of this complication through endoscopic transluminal drainage. Between 2008 and 2011, 4 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent McKeown-type esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy experienced complicated anastomotic fistulae in the presence of superior mediastinal sepsis. All 4 patients underwent endoscopic transluminal drainage, and all survived. The mean healing period was 50 days (range, 31 to 58 days), the mean stay in the intensive care unit was 7.3 days (range, 1 to 18 days), and the mean hospital stay was 64.5 days (range, 49 to 70 days). Endoscopically guided transluminal drainage should be considered for ESCC patients with superior mediastinal fistulae after esophagectomy.

The value of contrast-enhanced stomach ultrasound in diagnosis of esophageal hiatal hernia / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To summarize the features of esophageal hiatus hernia (EHH) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and investigate the diagnostic value of CEUS in EHH.Methods A retrospective analysis of 88 EHH patients and 50 healthy controls was conducted with focus on their findings on CEUS.Results The structures of the cardiac and abdominal esophagus were clear in 50 healthy controls,and the esophageal hiatus diameters were (1.96±0.39) cm.In contrast,the cardiac and abdominal esophagus in EHH patients were unable to be identified in subdiaphragm region.The esophageal hiatus was wider with a diameter of (3.24±0.76) cm.The difference was statistically significant(t=2.36,P＜0.05).The hernia sacs were found in 78 EHH patients at rest.And the hernia sacs were present on the diaphragm in 10 EHH patients after pressure.The maximum diameter of hernia sac was 7.6 cm.The size of hernia sac may change with abdominal pressure.In sliding EHH patients,the sac wall was found to slide up and down the diaphragm.A mass was found on the wall in 2 patients.The B ring was present in 76 patients.For healthy controls in supine position,contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed that the gastric bottom and diaphragm were at dependent or horizontal position.The gastric bottom and diaphragm was upward in 73 patients.Conclusions The EHH has characteristic appearance on CEUS.It is easy to detect and diagnose EHH with CEUS,which has a diagnostic value in detection of space-occupying lesions in hernia sac.CEUS can be used for EHH screening.

Relationship between polymorphisms of related genes in the folic acid metabolic pathway and the survival of gastric cancer patients treated with capecitabine combined with paclitaxel / 肿瘤

Objective: To investigate the association of polymorphisms of related genes in folic acid metabolic pathway and the tumor candidate genes with the survival of gastric cancer patients treated with capecitabine combined with paclitaxel. Methods: Ninety-three patients with pathological diagnosis of gastric cancer were treated with capecitabine plus paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. The gene polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor ( TNF) A308G (rs1800629), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR) C677T (rs1801131) and A1298C (rs1801133), methionine synthase ( MTR) A2756G (rs1805087) and methionine synthase reductase ( MTRR) A66G (rs1801394) were detected by TaqMan-MGB probe typing method. The median survival time (MST) of patients with different genotypes was compared, and the effects of various factors on the prognosis were evaluated. Results: The median follow-up period was 29.6 months. The MST of 93 patients was 34.93 months. The MST of patients with MTHFR 1298CA and 1298CC were 47.50 and 22.91 months, respectively. The log-rank test revealed that the polymorphism of MTHFR 1298C/A had marginally significant correlation with the survival of patients (χ2=3.447, P=0.062), and other gene polymorphisms were not associated with the survivals. The gender, drinking and operation were the major prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Conclusion: Detection of MTHFR 1298CA polymorphism may predict the survival of gastric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy of capecitabine combined with paclitaxel.

Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-differentiated endothelial like cells facilitate angiogenesis and the Rho kinase contribution / 生理学报

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of endothelial like cells differentiated from rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSC-ECs) on angiogenesis and the effect of Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor using an in vitro model of cells co-cultured with rat aorta ring. Cell proliferation capability was detected by MTT method. The rBMSC-ECs were co-cultured with rat aorta ring in rat tail collagen and endothelial medium. A ROCK specific inhibitor, HA-1077 at different concentrations (0, 10, 30 and 60 mmol/L, respectively) was added into the medium of ring-cell co-culture. The protein expression of ROCK I and ROCK II were detected by Western blot. On the third day of cultivation, the branch number of neogenetic microvessels increased by 34.5% in ring-cell co-culture group compared with that in simple aorta ring group (P < 0.01). Compared with that in ring-cell co-culture group, it was significantly decreased by 57.70%, 64.13% and 48.23% respectively in three concentrations of HA-1077 groups (all P < 0.01). However, on the sixth day, rBMSC-ECs proliferated and migrated to the nearby aorta ring, and the growth of microvessels became slow. On the ninth day, some of neogenetic microvessels were retracted, some became thicken, coarsen and lengthen, and some of rBMSC-ECs were sprouting and forming capillary like picture. The protein expression of ROCK I/II was slightly higher in ring-cell co-culture group than that in simple aorta ring group. But, in three concentrations of HA-1077 groups, it was slightly lower than that in ring-cell co-culture group. By using rhodamine-phalloidin staining and laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscope, it showed that there were a lot of the F-actin cytoskeletons in neogenesis microvessels of aorta ring, and there were a lot of thick and long stress fibers in the cells. F-actin-rich surface protrusions at the leading edge of the cell were also shown. Another ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632 (10 μmol/L) induced the actin cytoskeleton reorganization: F-actins appeared to be peripheral fibers at outer area of cell; stress fiber and filopodia disappeared. These results suggest that rBMSC-ECs themselves can be differentiated into new microvessels and facilitate angiogenesis when they are co-cultured with rat aorta ring. The mechanisms involve ROCK activation and F-actin cytoskeleton recombination.