Comparing efficacy and factors of postoperative bleeding in endoscopic mucosal resection vs coagulation for intestinal polyps.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) and Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) as therapeutic approaches for intestinal polyps in patients, and to examine the factors associated with postoperative bleeding. This study included 132 patients diagnosed with colorectal polyps (188 polyps) who underwent endoscopic surgery at our hospital between January 2022 and December 2022. Based on the surgical method employed, the patients were divided into 2 groups: EMR (68 cases, 97 polyps) and APC (64 cases, 91 polyps). Comparative analyses were conducted to assess the clinical efficacy, surgery-related indicators, and quality of life the 2 groups. Furthermore, an investigation was carried out to identify the factors associated with postoperative bleeding. The analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in the cure rate of flat and superficial raised polyps between the EMR group and the APC (P > .05). However, it was found that the EMR group exhibited a significantly higher cure rate for subpedunculated and raised-pedunculated polyps compared to the APC group (P < .05). The results of logistics analysis showed that patients with hypertension (OR = 2.876, 95% CI: 1.119-7.393), patients with diabetes (OR = 5.278, 95% CI: 1.388-20.064), patients with hyperlipidemia (OR = 2.594, 95% CI: 1.054-6.380), the polyps of right hemicolon (OR = 2.743, 95% CI: 1.003-7.504), rectal polyps (OR = 5.143, 95% CI: 1.728-7.504), pedunculated polyps (OR = 4.758, 95% CI: 1.322-17.129), adenomatous polyps (OR = 3.152, 95% CI: 1.018-9.757) were independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding in patients with colorectal polyps (P < .05). The findings suggest that for subpedunculated and pedunculated-raised polyps, EMR can be a suitable treatment approach. On the other hand, flat and superficial-raised polyps can be effectively managed with either EMR or APC. The presence of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, polyps of the right hemicolon, rectal polyps, pedunculated polyps, and adenomatous polyps has been established as independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding in patients with colorectal polyps.

Evaluation of Serum Levels of Copper and Zinc in Patients with Celiac Disease Seropositivity: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Celiac disease is a multisystem immune based disorder, caused by an immune-mediated reaction to ingested gluten with increasing prevalence in the USA. Celiac disease can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal distention, or abdominal pain), which may affect absorption of many nutritional components. All patients with celiac disease should remain on a strict and lifelong gluten-free diet, which are often low in certain trace elements such as zinc. On the other hand, zinc and copper as the essential trace elements have been hypothesized to help maintain optimum function of the immune system. Then, this study aims to examine the association between celiac disease seropositivity and serum zinc and copper levels. A nationally representative sample from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2014) was analyzed. Celiac disease seropositivity was determined using the tissue transglutaminase IgA antibody test (IgA-TTG). Multivariable linear regression models were performed with celiac disease seropositivity as a predictor and serum zinc and copper levels as outcome. The present study included 4732 participants (1398 children aged 6-19 years and 3334 adults aged ≥ 20 years). The weighted prevalence of celiac disease seropositivity was higher (11.6/1000) among children aged 6-19 years compared to that (6.3/1000) among adults aged ≥ 20 years. In the stratified analysis by age, the multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that among children aged 6-19 years, celiac disease seropositivity was associated with 5.32 (95% CI, - 9.71 to - 0.92) µg/dL lower serum zinc level, but not associated with serum copper level. However, the association between celiac disease seropositivity and serum zinc level was not statistically significant among adults aged 20 years or older. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Intensive care unit occupancy predictions in the COVID-19 pandemic based on age-structured modelling and differential flatness.

The COVID-19 pandemic confronts governments and their health systems with great challenges for disease management. In many countries, hospitalization and in particular ICU occupancy is the primary measure for policy makers to decide on possible non-pharmaceutical interventions. In this paper a combined methodology for the prediction of COVID-19 case numbers, case-specific hospitalization and ICU admission rates as well as hospital and ICU occupancies is proposed. To this end, we employ differential flatness to provide estimates of the states of an epidemiological compartmental model and estimates of the unknown exogenous inputs driving its nonlinear dynamics. A main advantage of this method is that it requires the reported infection cases as the only data source. As vaccination rates and case-specific ICU rates are both strongly age-dependent, specifically an age-structured compartmental model is proposed to estimate and predict the spread of the epidemic across different age groups. By utilizing these predictions, case-specific hospitalization and case-specific ICU rates are subsequently estimated using deconvolution techniques. In an analysis of various countries we demonstrate how the methodology is able to produce real-time state estimates and hospital/ICU occupancy predictions for several weeks thus providing a sound basis for policy makers.

Upregulated WTAP expression in colorectal cancer correlates with tumor site and differentiation.

Few reports exist regarding the expression and function of Wilms' tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP) in colorectal cancer (CRC), and the evidence is controversial. Our analysis explored the expression of WTAP in CRC tissue, and analyzed its clinical and prognostic significance. WTAP expression was significantly higher in CRC tissue than in colorectal adenoma and normal colorectal tissue. WTAP was highest in left colon tumor samples and negatively associated with tumor differentiation, as well as depth of tumor invasion. In multiple logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of WTAP expression in CRC included tumor in the left colon (odds ratio = 2.634; 95% confidence interval: 1.129-6.142; P = 0.025) and poorly differentiated tissue (0.072; 0.014-0.367; P = 0.002). No clear relationship was observed between CRC patient prognosis and WTAP expression. We suggest that WTAP expression is upregulated in CRC, highly expressed in left colon cancer and negatively correlated with tumor differentiation.

Association of dietary magnesium intake with chronic constipation among US adults: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The association of dietary magnesium intake with chronic constipation has not been well-studied in general population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether increased intake of dietary magnesium is associated with the presence of chronic constipation. Data from the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used. A total of 9,519 participants (4,814 men and 4,705 women) aged ≥20 years were included. The individual's bowel habits (chronic constipation) were evaluated using the questionnaire on bowel health and two different definitions of constipation (stool consistency and stool frequency) were used. Dietary magnesium intake was obtained from 24-h dietary recall. Participants were categorized based on the quartiles of magnesium intake. Multivariable logistic regressions models were performed controlling for confounding factors. After multivariable adjustment, dietary magnesium intake was inversely associated with chronic constipation defined by stool frequency, and the ORs (95% CIs) across quartiles 2-4 compared with the lowest quartile were 0.71 (0.51-0.99), 0.78 (0.46-1.31), and 0.39 (0.16-0.95), respectively. In addition, there was a significant trend for the decreased prevalence of chronic constipation by quartiles of magnesium intake only among men (p for trend < .001). However, no statistically significant association between magnesium intake and prevalence of chronic constipation defined by stool consistency was observed. More evidence from longitudinal studies is needed to confirm these findings.

Estimation of exogenous drivers to predict COVID-19 pandemic using a method from nonlinear control theory.

The currently ongoing COVID-19 pandemic confronts governments and their health systems with great challenges for disease management. Epidemiological models play a crucial role, thereby assisting policymakers to predict the future course of infections and hospitalizations. One difficulty with current models is the existence of exogenous and unmeasurable variables and their significant effect on the infection dynamics. In this paper, we show how a method from nonlinear control theory can complement common compartmental epidemiological models. As a result, one can estimate and predict these exogenous variables requiring the reported infection cases as the only data source. The method allows to investigate how the estimates of exogenous variables are influenced by non-pharmaceutical interventions and how imminent epidemic waves could already be predicted at an early stage. In this way, the concept can serve as an "epidemometer" and guide the optimal timing of interventions. Analyses of the COVID-19 epidemic in various countries demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the proposed approach. The generic character of the method allows for straightforward extension to different epidemiological models.

Long-term biochar addition alters the characteristics but not the chlorine reactivity of soil-derived dissolved organic matter.

Biochar is widely and increasingly applied to farmlands. However, it remains unclear how long-term biochar addition alters the characteristics and chlorine reactivity of soil-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM), an important terrestrial disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursor in watersheds. Here, we analyzed the spectroscopic and molecular-level characteristics of soil-derived DOM and the formation and toxicity of DBP mixtures from DOM chlorination for two long-term (5 and 11 years) biochar addition experimental farmlands. As indicated by spectroscopic indices and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analyses, 11 years of biochar addition could increase the humic-like and aromatic and condensed aromatic DOM and decrease the microbial-derived DOM, while 5 years of biochar addition at the other site did not. The response of condensed aromatic dissolved black carbon did not increase with increasing cumulative biochar dose but appeared to be affected by biochar aging time. Despite the possible increase in aromatic DOM, biochar addition neither increased the reactivity of DOM in forming trihalomethanes, haloacetonitriles, chloral hydrates, or haloketones nor significantly increased the microtoxicity or genotoxicity of the DBP mixture. This study indicates that biochar addition in watersheds may not deteriorate the drinking water quality via the export of terrestrial DBP precursors like wildfire events.

High Expression of Both Resistin and Fascin-1 Predicts a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Emerging evidence indicates that resistin and fascin-1 may possess a causal role in the development of several types of cancers. However, the clinical significance of resistin expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues is unclear, and there are no reports of any correlation between resistin and fascin-1. Our analyses explored the expression of resistin in CRC tissue and analyzed the clinical and prognostic significance of the observed positive correlation between resistin and fascin-1. The rate of strongly positive resistin expression (27.5%) was significantly higher in CRC tissues than in normal colorectal tissues (5.2%). Strongly positive resistin expression is related to multiple poor prognostic factors in CRC, including depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage. In this study, survival was worse in CRC patients with high levels of both resistin and fascin-1 expression than in those with high levels of only one protein or normal levels of both proteins. We suggest that a combined high level of resistin and fascin-1 expression correlates reliably with survival in CRC, so it may serve as a potential therapeutic target.

Angiopoietin-2 gene polymorphisms are biomarkers for the development and progression of colorectal cancer in Han Chinese.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in Han Chinese and is characterized by low rates of early diagnosis and poor survival rates. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), an endothelial tyrosine kinase, is involved in CRC progression, but little is known about the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and diagnosis or prognosis of CRC. This study reports on the association between 5 SNPs of the Angpt2 gene (rs2442598, rs734701, rs1823375, 11137037, and rs12674822) and CRC susceptibility as well as clinical outcomes in 379 patients with CRC and in 1,043 cancer-free healthy controls. Carriers of the CG allele at rs1823375 and those with the GT+TT allele of the variant rs12674822 were at greater risk of CRC than their respective wild-type counterparts. Moreover, carriers of the GT or GT+TT allele in rs12674822 were significantly more likely to have tumor involvement in both the colon and rectum compared with wild-type (GG) carriers, while 5-year progression-free survival was also significantly worse in those carrying the GT+TT allele in rs12674822 compared with wild-type carriers. Our study is the first to describe correlations between Angpt2 polymorphisms and CRC development and progression in people of Chinese Han ethnicity.

[Effects of land use change on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen storage in Karst immigration regions of Guangxi Province, China.] / å¹¿è¥¿å–€æ–¯ç‰¹ç§»æ°‘è¿å ¥åŒºåœŸåœ°åˆ©ç”¨å˜åŒ–å¯¹åœŸå£¤æœ‰æœºç¢³å’Œå ¨æ°®å‚¨é‡çš„å½±å“.

Land use change is an important factor affecting soil carbon and nitrogen cycle, and this is a hot spot in the study of global climate change. Based on the fixed depth method (FD) and the equivalent mass method (ESM), we explored the effects of land use change on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) storage from the perspectives of forest reclamation and farmland vegetation restoration in Karst area. The storage of SOC and TN significantly decreased after the fore-sts were converted to grassland, eucalyptus and farmland. On average, the SOC and TN losses calculated by the FD method were 47.4% and 41.6%, respectively, the losses of SOC and TN calculated by ESM method were 54.8% and 49.7%. The SOC and TN storage increased significantly after abandonment of farmland to grassland or planting eucalyptus. On average, the SOC and TN stocks calculated based on the FD method increased by 60.5% and 49.7%, while the SOC and TN calculated by the ESM method increased by 85.5% and 70.8% respectively. The difference between FD method and ESM method was analyzed, it was concluded that FD method ignored the difference of soil bulk density after land use change. Soil bulk density was significantly increased after forest destruction. The loss of SOC and TN storage was overestimated by the FD method. Soil bulk density decreased after vegetation restoration, FD method will underestimate the enhancement of SOC and TN storage. It is suggested that the ESM method should be used to estimate the impacts of land use change on SOC and TN storage.

Fascin-1 as a novel diagnostic marker of triple-negative breast cancer.

In some cases of breast cancer, diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) requires further fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for determining human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. However, few cases undergo FISH in China, leading to difficulty regarding subsequent treatment decisions. Here, we used immunohistochemical analysis to explore expression of fascin-1, an actin-bundling protein, as a diagnostic marker of TNBC. A total of 457 cases of breast cancer were divided into four molecular subtypes, including 82 cases (17.9%) of TNBC, 81 (17.7%) of HER2-enriched, 185 (40.5%) of luminal A, and 109 (23.9%) of luminal B. Positive fascin-1 expression was seen in 144 cases (31.5%), including 77 (16.8%) strong positive cases. Rates of positive and strong positive expression of fascin-1 were significantly higher in cases of TNBC than in the other molecular subtypes. In all cases of breast cancer, the sensitivities and specificities of positive and strong positive fascin-1 expression for predicting TNBC were 87.8% and 80.8%, and 78.0% and 96.5%, respectively. In cases of hormone receptor-negative breast cancer, the sensitivities and specificities of positive and strong positive fascin-1 expression for predicting TNBC were 87.8% and 61.7%, and 78.0% and 92.6%, respectively. In 24 cases with estrogen receptor (ER)-, PR-, and HER2 2 +  equivocal status who underwent FISH, the sensitivity and specificity of strong positive fascin-1 expression for predicting TNBC were 71.4% and 90.0%. These results suggest that strong positive fascin-1 expression can be used as a diagnostic marker of TNBC.

An epidemiological investigation on a food-born outbreak of noroviru caused by Sydney 2012 G II.4 strain / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the source of infection, route of transmission and risk factors related to a cluster of acute gastroenteritis cases in a university of Guangzhou.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cases were identified according to the definition. Descriptive epidemiological approaches and case-control study designs were employed in the analysis. All the samples were tested for norovirus by RT-PCR. Positive samples were subjected to both nucleotide sequence and homology analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 141 cases related to norovirus gastroenteritis were identified in January 8 to 21, 2013, with the attack rate as 8.5 per thousand (141/16,600). The peak in morbidity was seen on January 8 to 9. No clustering was found in different classes or dormitories. Results from the case-control study revealed that early cases were infected in Restaurant A (OR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.07-11.16) and the cold shredded chicken set meal (OR = 17.82, 95% CI: 4.46-78.17) served at lunch (OR = 4.34, 95% CI: 1.18 -17.37) on January 7 was under suspicion. A total of 266 samples, including rectal swabs from the patients and kitchen wokers, leftover food and environmental swabs, were collected. Twenty-one samples (collected from 17 persons) were positive for norovirus by RT-PCR. About 29.6% (8/27) of the kitchen workers in the Restaurant A were tested positive for the virus. The pathogen was identified as the new norovirus genotype II.4 variant, termed Sydney 2012. The virus strains isolated from the patients among student and staff and the kitchen workers were 100% identical in their nucleotide sequence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This was the first reported acute gastroenteritis outbreak caused by the new norovirus genotype II.4 variant, Sydney 2012, which showed that the food was contaminated by the asymptomatic kitchen workers who carried the virus.</p>

[Effects of biochar amendment on cropland soil bulk density, cation exchange capacity, and particulate organic matter content in the North China Plain].

A 3-year field experiment with randomized block design was conducted to study the effects of biochar amendment on the soil bulk density, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and particulate organic matter C (POM-C) and N (POM-N) contents in a high-yielding cropland in the North China Plain. Four treatments were installed, i.e., chemical NPK (CK), chemical NPK plus 2250 kg x hm(-2) of biochar (C1), chemical NPK plus 4500 kg x hm(-2) of biochar (C2), and 750 kg x hm(-2) of biochar-based slow release fertilizer (CN). Comparing with CK, treatments C1 and C2 significantly decreased the bulk density of 0-7.5 cm soil layer by 4.5% and 6.0%, respectively, and the treatments with biochar amendment increased the CEC in 0-15 cm soil layer, with an increment of 24.5% in treatment C2. Biochar amendment also increased the C (POM-C) and N (POM-N) contents in 0-7.5 cm soil layer, e.g., the POM-C and N contents in treatment C1 and C2 were 250% and 85%, and 260% and 120% higher than those of the CK, respectively. After three years of biochar amendment, the soil had obvious improvement in its physical and chemical properties, and played more active roles in soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gases emission reduction.

Expression and relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-7 and E-cadherin in gastric cancer / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To evaluate the expressions of MMP-7, E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma, and their relationship with tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Methods The MMP-7 mRNA and E-CD mRNA were detected by hybridization in situ in 78 gastric cancer tissues. Then analyze the relationship between the expression of MMP-7, E-CD and clinicopathological features. Results The expressions of MMP-7 and Ecadherin were significantly related with the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cell. The E-CD mRNA expression rate in MMP-7 mRNA positive gastric carcinoma tissue was much lower than that in negative carcinoma tissue (9.09 % vs 66.70 %). Conclusion Expression of MMP-7 mRNA and E-CD mRNA is associated with invasion, metastasis. Detection of MMP-7 mRNA and E-CD mRNA in bioptic specimens may be helpful in predicting tumor metastatic and recurrent potential and prognosis for patients with gastric carcinoma.

[Impact of land use change and cultivation measures on soil organic carbon (SOC) and its 13C values].

In Quzhou County, Hebei Province where now intensive farming system is operated, original grassland and farming land under different tillage, crop straw return and fertilization measures were studied using isotope carbon for the analysis of the impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) properties. The research indicated that after change into farmland (34 years), SOC is significantly reduced and for 1 m of soil layer, the scope of reduction is from 13.3%-35% and this decrease happens in 0-40 cm of soil layer. After 8 years of fertilization, SOC can be increased at 0.83 g x kg(-1). No-tillage can significantly increase the SOC especially in 0-10 cm but plough will increase the SOC at 10-15 cm and 15-20 cm. Change of delta13 C of SOC due to land use change mainly happens in 0-20 cm, where input of organic materials from maize stored. In soil layer of 0-5 cm, only maximum 18% of SOC is from crop residues and in 15-20 cm, this percentage is about 5%.

Effects of p27mt gene transfection mediated by replication deficient adenovirus on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To assess the effects of p27mt gene transfection on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC) lines SMMC-7721. Methods A replication deficient adenovirus vector encoding p27mt (Ad-p27mt) was used and p27mt cDNA was transfected into human SMMC-7721 cell lines in vitro. The synthesis of DNA in SMMC-7721 cells was determined by using 3H-thymidine incorporation; the cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, TUNEL method and DNA fragmentation analysis. Results The virus titer was 7.95?1012 cfu/ml, the transduction efficiency was 100 % when multiplicity of infection ≥50, FCM analysis revealed a sub-G1 cell peak in Ad-p27mt transduced hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Agarose electrophoresis showed marked ladder .The difference of apoptotic index between the Ad-p27mt group and the control group was statistically significant (58.6?4.3, vs 4.5?1.6, P

Subarachnoid hemorrhage as a cause of an adaptive response in cerebral arteries.

OBJECT: It is not known whether the factors responsible for vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) cause the cerebral arteries to be narrowed independent of the subarachnoid blood clot or whether the continued presence of clot is required for the entire time of vasospasm. The authors undertook the present study to investigate this issue. METHODS: To distinguish between these possibilities, bilateral SAH was induced in monkeys. The diameters of the monkeys' cerebral arteries were measured on angiograms obtained on Days 0 (the day of SAH), 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The subarachnoid blood clot was removed surgically on Day 1, 3, or 5 or, in control animals, was not removed until the animals were killed on Day 7 or 9. The concentrations of hemoglobins and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), substances believed to cause vasospasm, were measured in the removed clots and the contractile activity of the clots was measured in monkey basilar arteries in vitro. If the clot was removed 1 or 3 days after placement, vasospasm was significantly diminished 4 days after clot removal. Clot removal on Day 5 had no marked effect on vasospasm. There was a significant decrease over time in hemoglobin and ATP concentrations and in the contractile activity of the clots, although substantial hemoglobin and contractile activity was still present on Day 7. CONCLUSIONS: The authors infer from these results that vasospasm requires the presence of subarachnoid blood for at least 3 days, whereas by Day 5 vasospasm is less dependent on subarachnoid blood clot. Because the clot still contains substantial amounts of hemoglobin and contractile activity after 5 days, there may be an adaptive response in the cerebral arteries that allows them to relax in the presence of the stimulus that earlier caused contraction.