MiR-195 alleviates ulcerative colitis in rats via MAPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-195 on the inflammatory response of ulcerative colitis (UC) model rats and to explore its regulatory mechanism, thus providing a new scheme for the clinical treatment of UC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat model of UC was prepared by 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)/ethanol assay, and the rats were randomly divided into Control group, Model group, and miR-195 mimic (miR-195 agomir) group. The disease activity index (DAI) in each group was observed. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was utilized to detect the pathological changes in the rat colon tissues in each group. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1ß in the colon tissues of the rats in each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the colon tissues of each group of rats were examined via Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with those in Control group, the rats in Model group had an increased DAI score, severely pathologically damaged colon tissues, raised levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß in the colon tissues and significantly elevated mRNA and protein levels of p38 MAPK and TNF-α. In comparison with those in Model group, the DAI score was decreased, the pathological damage to the rat colon tissues was improved, the levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß in the rat colon tissues were reduced, and the mRNA and protein levels of p38 MAPK and TNF-α were notably lowered in miR-195 agomir group. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-195 mimics can alleviate the pathological damage to the colon and inflammatory responses in UC model rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition on the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

[Tribbles pseudokinase 3 inhibits the adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the role of Tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3) during the process of adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs), and to provide a new target and a novel idea for the application of hASCs in adipose tissue engineering and soft tissue regeneration. METHODS: TRIB3-knockdown hASCs (shTRIB3) and TRIB3-overexpression hASCs (TRIB3-over) were established using lentivirus transfection technique. The transfection effect was estimated by the visible presence of green fluorescence as the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the transfected hASCs. The lentiviral transfection efficiency was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. After adipogenic induction, Oil Red staining and quantification, as well as qRT-PCR about several specific adipogenic markers were used to evaluate the adipogenic differentiation ability of hASCs. RESULTS: In TRIB3-knockdown hASCs, the TRIB3 mRNA expression level decreased by about 84.3% compared with the control group (P<0.01), and the TRIB3 protein level also showed obvious reduction. Oppositely, in TRIB3-overexpression hASCs, the TRIB3 mRNA expression level increased by approximately 160% compared with the control group (P<0.01), and the TRIB3 protein level also showed a significant increase. These results indicated a successful construction of TRIB3-knockdown hASCs and TRIB3-overexpression hASCs. The Oil Red staining results showed that the down-regulation of TRIB3 significantly promoted lipid droplets formation in hASCs, consistent with Oil Red quantification. On the other hand, the up-regulation of TRIB3 suppressed lipid droplets formation in hASCs, consistent with Oil Red quantification. After adipogenic induction, adipogenesis-related genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), were increased significantly in TRIB3-knockdown hASCs compared with the control group (P<0.01). Oppositely, PPARγ, CD36 and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were significantly decreased in TRIB3-overexpression hASCs compared with the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: TRIB3 inhibited the adipogenic differentiation of hASCs. Knockdown of TRIB3 promoted the ability of adipogenesis of hASCs, while overexpression of TRIB3 inhibited the adipogenic differentiation of hASCs. Considering the important role of PPARγ in the adipogenis process, the molecular mechanism of the regulatory function of TRIB3 may be related with PPARγ signal pathway.

[An initial exploration of the application of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in rectal cancer patients with clinical complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy].

Objective: To preliminarily explore the value of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) in rectal cancer patients with clinical complete response (cCR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Methods: Using descriptive case series method, Clinical data of 13 patients who met the criteria of nCRT and were considered to be cCR after MRI or CT scanning, digital rectal examination and colonoscopic biopsy, as well as no lymph node or distant metastasis were found, then underwent TEM from 2013 to 2016 at the Department of General Surgery of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were collected retrospectively. A 3-course combination of capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) was used for chemotherapy. Besides, a 6MV-X ray radiation was used as radiotherapy simultaneously. Six to eight weeks after completion of radiotherapy, a preoperative assessment was carried out with intrarectal ultrasound, MRI, or pelvic abdominal CT examination. TEM was performed afterwards with informed consent. Postoperative pathological findings and follow-up results were used to evaluate the value of diagnosis and treatment of TEM on those patients. Results: There were 8 males and 5 females with a median age of 63 (27-80) years. Preoperative examination showed that the lesions were located in the anterior wall in 3 cases, the posterior wall in 3 cases, the left side wall in 4 cases, and the right side wall in 3 cases. Before nCRT, the distance between tumor and anal margin was (4.8±1.1) (2.0-7.5) cm; after nCRT, this distance was (5.2±1.3) (3.0-7.5) cm. All the 13 patients underwent extended local resection of rectal cancer via TEM with the placement of urethral catheter. The average operative time was (52.2±3.7) (42-70) minutes, and the average intraoperative blood loss was (19.2±2.8) (5-30) ml. All the patients could engage in daily activities on postoperative day 1, and could cater themselves orally on postoperative day 2. The main discomfort was postoperative anal pain and foreign body sensation (n=5), which could be alleviated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One case had postoperative lung infection and was cured by antibiotic treatment. One case had urinary retention after removing urine catheter, and then a urine catheter was re-inserted. Average postoperative hospital stay was (2.8±2.4) (2-12) days. All specimens were completely resected via TEM. Histopathological examination confirmed that 7 specimens had achieved pathologic complete response (pCR) and the other 6 specimens had obtained partial tumor response of CAP grade 2. Seven patients with pCR received a median follow-up of 24 (8-48) months and no local recurrence or distant metastasis was reported during follow-up period. Among these 7 cases, one developed defecation dysfunction after discharge, mainly for defecation pain and even dare to defecate, who returned to normal defecation within 2 months after surgery; One developed severe anal pain within six months after surgery and the pain disappeared after symptomatic pain relief. The other 6 patients with CAP grade 2 refused to undergo further radical operation because of their strong desire in preserving anus, and received remedial adjuvant chemotherapy instead. Conclusion: For rectal cancer patients with cCR after nCRT, TEM does have certain application values if the patient has a strong desire to preserve anus.

[Operative method choice and strategy of laparoscopic surgery therapy for gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones].

Objective: To explore the selection method and technology of laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones(GCBDS). Methods: Data was collected from 318 in-patients of GCBDS at Department of General Surgery,Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from January 2013 to December 2017, and 298 in-patients acceptedlaparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) and choledocholithotomy were recruited into final analysis.There were 138 males and 160 females,aged (60.4±18.6)years (range:25-89 years).Retrospective analysis was done on method distribution,effect and safety of laproscopic surgery.Comparisons of basic characters and therapeutic effects were performed betweenlaparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) combined with primary closure and T tube drainage(TTD). Results: Among therecruited in-patients,LC combined with common bile duct exploration was performed in 7 cases(2.3%, 7/298), LC combined with LCBDE was performed in 291 cases(97.7%,291/298).There were 133 cases (45.7%,133/291) who treated by LCBDE combined with TTD and 158 cases(54.3%,158/291) who treated by LCBDE combined with primary closure.In LCBDE combined with primary closure group,18 cases (11.4%,18/158)had intraoperative biliary manometry.All patients were followed up for 6 months at least and there no death.Postoperative complications rate was 10.0% (29/291).There were no significant differences in sex ratio,age,American Society of Anesthesiologists score,concomitant diseases and previous abdominal surgery history between LCBDE combined with primary closure and LCBDE combined with TTD group.Patients in LCBDE combined with primary closure group were accompanied with less acute cholangitis than TTD group (43.3% vs.76.7%; χ(2)=9.061, P=0.002).There were no significant differences in the diameter of common bile duct, the number of stones, hospitalization expenses and the incidence of complications between the two groups(all P>0.05).LCBDE combined with primary closure had shorter operation time ((134.2±28.3)minutes vs.(148.3±19.6)minutes; t=-1.830, P=0.011)and post-operative hospitalization time ((5.6±2.6)days vs. (7.2±2.4)days; t=-1.847,P=0.014).Bile duct leakage rate was higher in primary closure group(6.3% vs.0.8%, χ(2)=3.934, P=0.047) and TTD group had higher residual stones rate(6.8% vs.1.3%; χ(2)=6.008, P=0.014). Conclusion: Strategy for treating GCBDS by laparoscopic surgery should be considered preoperative evaluation and intraoperative exploration to select appropriate minimally invasive surgical methods and techniques.

Comparative measurements of mineral elements in milk powders with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Mineral elements contained in commercially available milk powders, including seven infant formulae and one adult milk, were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The purpose of this work was, through a direct comparison of the analytical results, to provide an assessment of the performance of LIBS, and especially of the procedure of calibration-free LIBS (CF-LIBS), to deal with organic compounds such as milk powders. In our experiments, the matrix effect was clearly observed affecting the analytical results each time laser ablation was employed for sampling. Such effect was in addition directly observed by determining the physical parameters of the plasmas induced on the different samples. The CF-LIBS procedure was implemented to deduce the concentrations of Mg and K with Ca as the internal reference element. Quantitative analytical results with CF-LIBS were validated with ICP-AES measurements and nominal concentrations specified for commercial milks. The obtained good results with the CF-LIBS procedure demonstrate its capacity to take into account the difference in physical parameters of the plasma in the calculation of the concentrations of mineral elements, which allows a significant reduction of the matrix effect related to laser ablation. We finally discuss the way to optimize the implementation of the CF-LIBS procedure for the analysis of mineral elements in organic materials.

Pressure effect on soot formation in turbulent diffusion flames.

Soot formation in a methane air turbulent jet diffusion flame is investigated numerically using a semi-empirical model. The temperature, density and species (the soot precursor C2H2) fields are calculated using detailed chemical kinetic mechanism based on the flamelet library approach. The influence of pressure on the soot formation and the behavior of the semi-empirical model in different flame situations are investigated. It is found that the flame shape and the flame temperature can be well predicted by the flamelet library approach. The calculated soot yield is mostly sensitive to the soot surface growth rate and the increase of pressure. The increase of pressure leads to the increase of soot surface growth rate and therefore to the increase of soot volume fraction. By adjusting a model constant in the soot surface growth rate, the soot emissions in both pressure p = 1 atm and p = 3 atm are properly simulated by the current semi-empirical soot model.

Seroepidemiology of adult diarrhea rotavirus in China, 1977 to 1987.

In 1982, large outbreaks of diarrhea that were caused by group B adult diarrhea rotavirus (ADRV) occurred throughout the People's Republic of China. Until 1982, group B rotavirus had never been associated with disease in humans. To determine whether ADRV was a new virus introduced in 1982 or had been present before that time, we examined antibody titers of ADRV in gamma globulin (pooled immunoglobulin) pools that were prepared during 1977 to 1987 in four cities in the People's Republic of China (Shanghai, Lanzhou, Wuhan, and Chandu). ADRV antibodies were assayed by using a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies were present in most Chinese gamma globulins tested, including those collected in Shanghai before the 1982 epidemic, and absent from American reference pools. The highest titers of antibody to ADRV (3,200) were found in gamma globulins collected in 1983 in Shanghai just after the epidemic, and these were fourfold higher than titers present in the preceding years. The quality of the gamma globulins stored for up to 12 years was tested by measuring levels of immunoglobulin G to group A rotavirus; these were equally high in gamma globulin pools prepared in the United States and in all samples from the People's Republic of China. Serum samples from patients from an outbreak of ADRV had elevated titers to ADRV 3 and 16 months after the onset of symptoms. These findings, as well as other epidemiologic findings on ADRV, suggest that the organism is an important and continuing cause of diarrhea in the People's Republic of China, was present before the first epidemic in 1982, and represents a risk to surrounding populations in Asia.