Long Non-Coding RNA ANRIL Regulates Inflammatory Factor Expression in Ulcerative Colitis Via the miR-191-5p/SATB1 Axis.

Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, manifests with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and mucopurulent feces. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ANRIL exhibits significantly reduced expression in UC, yet its specific mechanism is unknown. This study revealed that ANRIL is involved in the progression of UC by inhibiting IL-6 and TNF-α via miR-191-5P/SATB1 axis. We found that in patients with UC, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly overexpressed in inflamed colon sites, whereas ANRIL was significantly under-expressed and associated with disease severity. The downregulation of ANRIL resulted in the increased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-treated FHCs. ANRIL directly targeted miR-191-5p, thereby inhibiting its expression and augmenting SATB1 expression. Moreover, overexpression of miR-191-5p abolished ANRIL-mediated inhibition of IL-6 and TNF-α production. Dual luciferase reporter assays revealed the specific binding of miR-191-5p to ANRIL and SATB1. Furthermore, the downregulation of ANRIL promoted DSS-induced colitis in mice. Together, we provide evidence that ANRIL plays a critical role in regulating IL-6 and TNF-α expression in UC by modulating the miR-191-5p/SATB1 axis. Our study provides novel insights into progression and molecular therapeutic strategies in UC.

Structure and Properties Study of PA6 Nanocomposites Flame Retarded by Aluminium Salt of Diisobutylphosphinic Acid and Different Organic Montmorillonites.

Two different types of organic montmorillonite, namely quaternary ammonium salt intercalated MMT (CMMT) and quaternary phosphonium salt intercalated MMT (PMMT) were used as fillers in the flame-retardant polyamide (PA6) based on aluminium salts of diisobutylphosphinic acid (ABPA). The influence of different types of organic montmorillonite (OMMT) on the structure and properties of flame-retardant PA6 nanocomposites were systematically investigated. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results suggested that the introduction of OMMT improved the dispersion of the flame retardant particles independently of the type of OMMT. The derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) curve transformed to one peak from two peaks (representing the degradation of ABPA and PA6, respectively) after incorporation of the OMMT, which further confirmed better ABPA dispersion. Viscoelastic measurements demonstrated that a mechanically stable network structure was formed with the introduction of OMMT or ABPA and OMMT, while PA6/ABPA/PMMT presented the highest storage modulus and viscosity, suggesting a more efficient network structure. From UL-94 and limited oxygen index (LOI) tests, PA6/ABPA/PMMT presented the best flame performance, with a UL-94 of V-0 and a LOI of 33%. In addition, the PA6/ABPA/PMMT presented the lowest peak heat release rate (pHRR) among the investigated samples. Combined with the char layer analysis, it can be deduced that the introduction of PMMT improved the dispersion of ABPA, and promoted the formation of more efficient network structure, before promoting more compact char structures, which finally resulted in improved flame retardancy.

Effects of daily telephone-based re-education before taking medicine on Helicobacter pylori eradication: A prospective single-center study from China.

AIM: To investigate the effects of daily telephone-based re-education (TRE) before taking medicine for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) on the compliance and the eradication rate in a Chinese patient population. METHODS: A prospective, physician-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical study was conducted. The patients were randomly assigned to receive TRE every day before taking medicine (TRE group) or no TRE (control group). The patients in the TRE group received regular instructions before taking medicine for the eradication of H. pylori during the entire course of treatment through telephone calls. The patients in the control group received detailed instructions at the time of seeing a doctor for the guidance. The primary outcome was the H. pylori eradication rate after treatment. The secondary outcomes included the clinical remissions after treatment, adverse events, compliance, and patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were randomized, 70 to the TRE group and 70 to the control group. As the primary outcome, the H. pylori eradication rates in the TRE and control groups were 62.7% and 71.2% in per protocol analysis (P = 0.230), and 52.9% and 52.9% in intention-to-treat analysis (P = 0.567), respectively. As the secondary outcomes, there were no significant differences in the patients' satisfaction between the two groups (good, 79.7% vs 76.9%; fair, 13.6% vs 19.2%; poor, 6.7% vs 3.9%, for the TRE group and control group, respectively; P > 0.05 for all); the rates of adverse effects were 15.2% and 63.5% in the TRE and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001); the compliance rates in the TRE and control groups were 85.7% and 74.3%, respectively (P = 0.069). CONCLUSION: Daily TRE before taking medicine had no significant impact on the patients' compliance, satisfaction, or H. pylori eradication, but reduced the rate of adverse events.

Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Lavage Solution versus Colonic Hydrotherapy for Bowel Preparation before Colonoscopy: A Single Center, Randomized, and Controlled Study.

This single center, randomized, and controlled study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of polyethylene glycol electrolyte lavage (PEG-EL) solution and colonic hydrotherapy (CHT) for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. A total of 196 eligible outpatients scheduled for diagnostic colonoscopy were randomly assigned to the PEG-EL (n = 102) or CHT (n = 94) groups. Primary outcome measures included colonic cleanliness and adverse effects. Secondary outcome measures were patient satisfaction and preference, colonoscopic findings, ileocecal arrival rate, examiner satisfaction, and cecal intubation time. The results show that PEG-EL group was associated with significantly better colonic cleanliness than CHT group, fewer adverse effects, and increased examiner satisfaction. However, the CHT group had higher patient satisfaction and higher diverticulosis detection rates. Moreover, the results showed the same ileocecal arrival rate and patient preference between the two groups (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that PEG-EL is the preferred option in patients who followed the preparation instructions completely.