The Relationship between Helicobacter pylori Infection of the Gallbladder and Chronic Cholecystitis and Cholelithiasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is proved to be the main pathogenic agent of various diseases, including chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer. In addition, chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis are common worldwide, which are supposed to increase the total mortality of patients. Epidemiologic evidence on the relationship between H. pylori infection of the gallbladder and chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis still remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of overall studies to investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection of the gallbladder and chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis. Two researchers searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to obtain all related and eligible studies published before July 2020. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the random-effects model. Subgroup analysis, heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were also conducted. Twenty studies were included in the meta-analysis, involving 1735 participants and 1197 patients with chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis. Helicobacter species infection of the gallbladder was positively correlated with increased risk of chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, especially H. pylori (OR = 3.05; 95% CI, 1.81-5.14; I 2 = 23.5%). Besides, country-based subgroup analysis also showed a positive correlation between the gallbladder H. pylori positivity and chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis risk. For Asian and non-Asian country studies, the ORs were 4.30 (95% CI, 1.76-10.50; I 2 = 37.4%) and 2.13 (95% CI, 1.23-3.70; I 2 = 0.0%), respectively. The association was more obvious using the bile sample and urease gene primer. In conclusion, this meta-analysis provided evidence that there is a positive correlation between H. pylori infection in the gallbladder and increased risk of chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.

Estimation of associations between 10 common gene polymorphisms and gastric cancer: evidence from a meta-analysis.

AIMS: Associations between polymorphisms in cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4)/mannose-binding lectin (MBL)/interleukin-4 (IL-4)/interleukin-6 (IL-6)/phospholipase C ε-1 (PLCE1) and gastric cancer (GC) were already reported by many studies, yet the conclusions of these studies were somehow controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to better clarify associations between polymorphisms in CTLA-4/MBL/IL-4/IL-6/PLCE1 and GC by combing the results of all relevant studies. METHODS: Eligible studies were searched from PubMed, Embase, WOS and CNKI. We used Review Manager to combine the results of individual studies. RESULTS: Forty-three studies were included in this meta-analysis. Combined results revealed that CTLA-4 rs5742909 (dominant comparison: OR: 1.58, 95 % CI: 1.01 to 2.48; allele comparison: OR: 1.69, 95 % CI: 1.12 to 2.56) and PLCE1 rs2274223 (dominant comparison: OR: 0.84, 95 % CI: 0.72 to 0.98; recessive comparison: OR: 1.23, 95 % CI: 1.08 to 1.40; over-dominant comparison: OR: 1.16, 95 % CI: 1.00 to 1.34; allele comparison: OR 0.88, 95 % CI 0.78 to 0.99) polymorphisms were significantly associated with GC in the general population. We also obtained similar significant associations with GC for rs5742909 and rs2274223 polymorphisms in East Asians. Nevertheless, no positive results were observed for the other eight investigated polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: Collectively, this meta-analysis demonstrated that CTLA-4 rs5742909 and PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphisms may confer susceptibility to GC, especially for East Asians.

Concentrated Growth Factors Can Inhibit Photoaging Damage Induced by Ultraviolet A (UVA) on the Human Dermal Fibroblasts In Vitro.

BACKGROUND Photoaging is the main cause of extrinsic skin aging. Daily exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) accelerates the process of photoaging. The present study aimed to understand the role of concentrated growth factors (CGF) on UVA irradiated human skin cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS We isolated and subcultured normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) from 6 different human dorsal skins and established photoaging models of NHDFs irradiated by UVA to detect the influence of CGF on fibroblasts in vitro. Three groups were examined: normal, cellular photoaging model (total dosages of 18J·cm--⁻²-), and cellular photoaging model plus CGF. In our study, we used the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay method to measure the cell viability. We also used reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay to measure respectively the amount of oxygen free radicals and antioxidative enzymes. We compared the migration rates among the photoaging model groups, the control groups, and the CGF-treated culture medium groups that were irradiated. RESULTS Our study results indicated that 5% CGF can reduce UVA-induced human skin fibroblasts damage significantly, improve the viability of NHDFs significantly, and largely decrease the UVA irradiation effect (P<0.05). The migration rates of the normal group and the UVA-irradiated NHDFs in the 5% CGF group had significantly increased migration rates (P<0.05), compared to the control medium group. The migration rates of the UVA-irradiated NHDFs in 5% CGF exceed those of the normal group. These results showed that 5% CGF could greatly promote cellular proliferation, migration, and SOD at the same time that the amounts of ROS were markedly decreased. CONCLUSIONS These experimental findings offer some important insights into CGF's capacity for scavenging ROS, improving SOD, and increasing migration rates in NHDFs irradiated by UVA.

Complement component 3 is a prognostic factor of non­small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer­related mortality worldwide. The complement component 3 (C3) is a central protein of the complement system, expressed in numerous cancer tissues and considered crucial for tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of C3 in non­small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the underlying mechanisms. We used immunohistochemistry to observe the expression of C3 in malignant pulmonary lesion specimens from biopsy of 80 patients with NSCLC at stages I­III, who underwent lobectomy. We further assessed the correlation between C3 expression and a number of clinical features, as well as its prognostic value. To investigate the mechanism by which C3 exerts its effects, the correlation of C3 expression to T lymphocyte infiltration was also assessed. There was no significant correlation between the C3 level and clinical features such as gender, smoking status, degree of differentiation, histological type and malignant tumor stage based on the TNM classification system, while a significant correlation was found to age. However, analysis of overall survival (OS) and disease­free survival (DFS) rates showed that low C3 expression was related to poor prognosis. Univariate survival analysis revealed that C3 level and TNM stage are independent prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the low level of C3 and TNM stage are also associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, in tissues from biopsies, the C3 level positively correlated to the number of infiltrated CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes (P<0.01). These findings indicate that C3 is a valuable marker for prognostic evaluation of NSCLC and may be considered as a therapeutic target for the treatment of lung cancer.

[Value of ultrasono-portography using SonoVue in selective portal vein embolization].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of ultrasono-portography using SonoVue in selective portal vein embolization (SPVE). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with malignant liver tumors underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided SPVE. The procedure was performed under color Doppler ultrasound guidance in 11 cases (conventional group) and under guidance with ultrasono-portography using SonoVue in 17 cases (contrast group). Contrast-enhanced CT was performed 2-4 weeks after SPVE to evaluate the effect of embolization. RESULTS: The procedure of SPVE was aborted in 3 cases in which ultrasono-portography showed contraindications. Postoperative contrast-enhanced CT showed ectopic embolization in 2 cases in the conventional group, and none of the cases in the contrast group showed ectopic embolization. CONCLUSION: Ultrasono-portography using SonoVue can provide important assistance for SPVE.

The viability change of pigskin in vitro.

BACKGROUND: It is widely recognised that take of grafts is strongly influenced by tissue viability. Although porcine skin is currently the most widely used xenograft, the viability change of pigskin in vitro has not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study was to assess the change of the viability of Bama miniature pigskin after harvest and cryopreservation, and to set up a guideline for pigskin preservation and storage that would allow the skin to retain the highest viability after treatment and still be used in the clinical applications. METHODS: Harvested pigskin grafts were divided into five groups: normal saline medium/4 degrees C (group 1), Dulbecco's minimum essential medium (DMEM)/4 degrees C (group 2), normal saline medium/25 degrees C (group 3), DMEM/25 degrees C (group 4) and cryopreserved (group 5). In our experiment, the viability was investigated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyl tetrasolium bromide (MTT) salt assay. We also evaluated the transplantation performance of preserved skin in different conditions by using a rat recipient model, in which primary take was evaluated by gross observation and predetermined histological criteria after 7 days. RESULTS: Skin stored at 4 degrees C showed a very slow viability decrease with time. The sample showed a viability decrease of about 70% after 3 days in normal saline and 4 days in DMEM medium. Nevertheless, skin stored in DMEM at 25 degrees C underwent a viability increase during the first 4h and then decreased gradually to about 70% after 20 h, while the viability declined very quickly for skin grafts stored in normal saline medium at 25 degrees C, and maintained the same viability only within 6h of preservation. On the other hand, cryopreserved skin has been shown to maintain a level of skin metabolism equal to 77% of the fresh sample when measured immediately after thawing, and the viability remained about 70% after 6h at 25 degrees C and 2 days at 4 degrees C in DMEM. The graft performance of skin specimens with 70% viability of fresh skin stored in different conditions has not shown statistical significance compared with fresh pigskin. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we suggest that the conservation period of fresh pigskin should not exceed 72 or 96 h when stored in normal saline or DMEM at 4 degrees C, and should not exceed 6 or 18 h when stored in normal saline or DMEM at 25 degrees C. Cryopreserved pigskin should be stored in DMEM for a maximum period of 48 h at 4 degrees C and 6h at 25 degrees C after thawing.