Predictors for the need for endoscopic therapy in patients with presumed acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Selecting patients with an urgent need for endoscopic hemostasis is difficult based only on simple parameters of presumed acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This study assessed easily applicable factors to predict cases in need of urgent endoscopic hemostasis due to acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: The consecutively included patients were divided into the endoscopic hemostasis and nonendoscopic hemostasis groups. We reviewed the enrolled patients' medical records and analyzed various variables and parameters for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding outcomes such as demographic factors, comorbidities, symptoms, signs, laboratory findings, rebleeding rate, and mortality to evaluate simple predictive factors for endoscopic treatment. RESULTS: A total of 613 patients were analyzed, including 329 patients in the endoscopic hemostasis and 284 patients in the non-endoscopic hemostasis groups. In the multivariate analysis, a bloody nasogastric lavage (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.786; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.990 to 11.543; p < 0.0001) and a hemoglobin level less than 8.6 g/dL (AOR, 1.768; 95% CI, 1.028 to 3.039; p = 0.039) were independent predictors for endoscopic hemostasis. Significant differences in the morbidity rates of endoscopic hemostasis were detected between the group with no predictive factors and the group with one or more predictive factors (OR, 2.677; 95% CI, 1.920 to 3.733; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: A bloody nasogastric lavage and hemoglobin < 8.6 g/dL were independent predictors of endoscopic hemostasis in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

ACID: a free tool for drug repurposing using consensus inverse docking strategy.

Drug repurposing offers a promising alternative to dramatically shorten the process of traditional de novo development of a drug. These efforts leverage the fact that a single molecule can act on multiple targets and could be beneficial to indications where the additional targets are relevant. Hence, extensive research efforts have been directed toward developing drug based computational approaches. However, many drug based approaches are known to incur low successful rates, due to incomplete modeling of drug-target interactions. There are also many technical limitations to transform theoretical computational models into practical use. Drug based approaches may, thus, still face challenges for drug repurposing task. Upon this challenge, we developed a consensus inverse docking (CID) workflow, which has a ~ 10% enhancement in success rate compared with current best method. Besides, an easily accessible web server named auto in silico consensus inverse docking (ACID) was designed based on this workflow (http://chemyang.ccnu.edu.cn/ccb/server/ACID).

The value of 64 row CT low dose scanning in thyroid enhanced scan / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective To investigate the value of 64 row CT low dose scanning technique in thyroid enhancement scanning.Methods From Jan.2016 to Dec.2017,152 patients with thyroid occupying lesions were studied in our hospital.All the patients underwent multislice spiral CT enhanced scan and pathological examination.The patients were divided into four groups according to the different current and voltage of multislice spiral CT.The significance of multi slice spiral CT scanning in the 4 groups was compared.Results There were no significant differences (U=0.1825,P=0.351 8＞0.05)among the four groups of multi-slice spiral CT in the detection rate of nodular thyroid lesions (96.21％,94.38％,85.71％,87.50％) or the detection rate of diffuse thyroid lesions (77.78％,83.33％,80.00％,83.33％).There were significant differences in CTDIvol,DLP and ED among the four groups (P＜0.05),and the radiation dose of group D was lower than that of group A and C.There were significant differences in thyroid CT value,background noise and background signal among the four groups (P＜0.05).The thyroid CT value,background noise and background signal in group D were higher than those in group A,B and C (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in SNR and CNR among the four groups (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in subjective evaluation of CT scan images between the four groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion The multislice spiral CT low-dose scanning technique used in thyroid enhanced scan can obtain satisfying scanning images,which is not only beneficial to the quality of the images,but also can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis and reduce the ionizing radiation damage to the patients.

Predictors for the need for endoscopic therapy in patients with presumed acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND/AIMS@#Selecting patients with an urgent need for endoscopic hemostasis is difficult based only on simple parameters of presumed acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This study assessed easily applicable factors to predict cases in need of urgent endoscopic hemostasis due to acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.@*METHODS@#The consecutively included patients were divided into the endoscopic hemostasis and nonendoscopic hemostasis groups. We reviewed the enrolled patients’ medical records and analyzed various variables and parameters for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding outcomes such as demographic factors, comorbidities, symptoms, signs, laboratory findings, rebleeding rate, and mortality to evaluate simple predictive factors for endoscopic treatment.@*RESULTS@#A total of 613 patients were analyzed, including 329 patients in the endoscopic hemostasis and 284 patients in the non-endoscopic hemostasis groups. In the multivariate analysis, a bloody nasogastric lavage (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.786; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.990 to 11.543; p < 0.0001) and a hemoglobin level less than 8.6 g/dL (AOR, 1.768; 95% CI, 1.028 to 3.039; p = 0.039) were independent predictors for endoscopic hemostasis. Significant differences in the morbidity rates of endoscopic hemostasis were detected between the group with no predictive factors and the group with one or more predictive factors (OR, 2.677; 95% CI, 1.920 to 3.733; p < 0.0001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#A bloody nasogastric lavage and hemoglobin < 8.6 g/dL were independent predictors of endoscopic hemostasis in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Overexpression of peroxiredoxin-3 and -5 is a potential biomarker for prognosis in endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are antioxidant enzymes that serve important roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. In the present study, the potential associations between PRDX expression and endometrial cancer were investigated. The expression levels of various PRDX mRNAs were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in endometrial cancer tissues (n=26) and normal endometrial tissues (n=10). Additionally, the expression of PRDX isoforms was immunohistochemically examined in endometrial cancer tissues and adjacent normal endometrial tissues from 42 patients. Finally, the associations between high PRDX expression levels and clinicopathological features were examined in patients with endometrial cancer. Analysis of PRDX expression in endometrial cancer tissues and normal endometrial tissues by semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that all PRDX isoforms had increased expression in the endometrial cancer tissues compared with that in the normal endometrium, and the differences in the expression levels of PRDX1 and PRDX3 between cancer and normal tissues were statistically significant (P=0.0015 and P=0.0134, respectively). Additionally, analysis of PRDX expression in endometrial cancer and paired normal endometrial tissues by immunohistochemistry showed strong cytoplasmic staining of PRDX3 and PRDX5 in cancer tissues, with high PRDX3 (25/42, 59.5%) and PRDX5 (32/42, 76.2%) appearing more frequently in endometrial cancer than in normal endometrial tissues (P=0.0001 and P=0.0023, respectively). Furthermore, high expression of PRDX5 was associated with advanced-stage endometrial cancer (P=0.0399). Although the 5-year survival rate was marginally higher in patients with low expression of PRDX3 and PRDX5, this result was not statistically significant. In summary, PRDX3 and PRDX5 are highly expressed in endometrial cancer and could be associated with advanced stage and poor prognosis. Therefore, these proteins may potentially be used as prognostic markers for endometrial cancer.

A comparative study on MRI appearance and pathological grading for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective To explore the value of conventional and functional MRI image parameter in preoperative grade of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNET).Methods Data of 35 cases of pNET were retrospectively analyzed,including tumor size,intensity of T1WI's and T2WI's signal,enhancement feature,and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC)value.All kinds of tumors were classified into G1 to G3 according to WHO's classification in 2010.Results There were 40 pNETs (mean size(4.2±2.9)cm) among the 35 patients (20 male,and 15 female).By WHO's tumor grading,the number of patients from G1 to G3 was 18(45％),12(30％),and 10(25 ％),respectively.A higher grade was associated with larger tumor size (P＜0.05).Intensity of T1WI and T2WI signal has no significance for predicting tumor grade.Enhancement feature had statistical significance on tumor's grade (P＜0.05).ADC value decreased with the increase of tumor's grade,(2.23±0.80) × 10-3,(1.80±0.73) × 10-3,(0.92±0.24) ×10-3 mm2/s respectively for tumors from grade G1 to G3.Conclusion Enhancement features of MRI image and ADC value are conducive to preoperative grading of pNET.

Value of MR 3D CUBE T2 WI Sequence in Displaying Anatomical Structure of Knee Joint / 医学研究杂志

Objective To investigate the value of MR 3D CUBE T2WI sequence in displaying anatomical structure of knee joint.Methods Sixty cases of knee joints (30 cases in lesion group and 30 cases in control group) were scanned with conventional 2D and 3D CUBE T2WI sequence by HDXt 3.0T superconducting magnetic resonance of GE Signa imaging system and hased-array coil.The meniscus,articular cartilage,anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments demonstrated by two sequences were evaluated as excellent,good and poor grade,the results were comparatively analyzed by statistics.Results 3D CUBE T2WI was superior to conventional 2D sequence in displaying of articular cartilage,anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments,and inferior to conventional 2D sequence in displaying of meniscus(all P =0.000).When we put excellent and good levels of image quality as according with diagnostic requirement.The satisfaction rate demonstrating anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments by 3D CUBE T2WI sequence in lesion and control group were 100％,articular cartilage was 93.33％ in control group and 90.00％ in lesion group,while the meniscus was 30.00％ in control group and 33.33％ in lesion group.Conclusion MR 3D CUBE T2WI sequence is a sensitive technique in demonstrating ligaments and articular cartilage of knee joint,but it was inferior to conventional 2D sequence in displaying of meniscus.We should adopt it according to clinical diagnosis.

Synthesis, Herbicidal Activity, and QSAR of Novel N-Benzothiazolyl- pyrimidine-2,4-diones as Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Inhibitors.

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO, E.C. 1.3.3.4) is known as a key action target for several structurally diverse herbicides. As a continuation of our research work on the development of new PPO-inhibiting herbicides, a series of novel 3-(2'-halo-5'-substituted-benzothiazol-1'-yl)-1-methyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine-2,4-diones 9 were designed and synthesized. The bioassay results indicated that a number of the newly synthesized compounds exhibited higher inhibition activity against tobacco PPO (mtPPO) than the controls, saflufenacil and sulfentrazone. Compound 9F-5 was identified as the most potent inhibitor with a Ki value of 0.0072 µM against mtPPO, showing about 4.2-fold and 1.4-fold higher potency than sulfentrazone (Ki = 0.03 µM) and saflufenacil (Ki = 0.01 µM), respectively. An additional green house assay demonstrated that compound 9F-6 (Ki = 0.012 µM) displayed the most promising postemergence herbicidal activity with a broad spectrum even at a concentration as low as 37.5 g of active ingredient (ai)/ha. Maize exhibits relative tolerance against compound 9F-6 at the dosage of 150 g ai/ha, but it is susceptible to saflufenacil even at 75 g ai/ha. Thus, compound 9F-6 exhibits the potential to be a new herbicide for weed control in maize fields.

Assessment of the healthcare needs and barriers to VA use experienced by women veterans: findings from the national survey of women Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Prior regional studies of women Veterans identified barriers to Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare use. However, these studies do not reflect the demographic profile of women Veterans nationally, recent advances in VA women's healthcare, and the national context of expanded healthcare alternatives. OBJECTIVE: To characterize health, VA perceptions, barriers, healthcare delivery preferences, and reasons for VA or non-VA healthcare use in a national women Veteran sample. METHODS: Cross-sectional, population-based 2008-2009 National Survey of Women Veterans (n=3611). RESULTS: VA users had worse physical and mental health than non-VA-only users and healthcare nonusers. Older women Veterans had worse physical health, whereas younger groups had worse mental health. Healthcare use was highest for dual users, followed by VA-only users, but did not differ by age group. Healthcare nonusers were most likely to lack a regular source for healthcare. Perceptions of VA care quality and sex-appropriateness were highest for VA-only, followed by dual, then non-VA-only users. VA perceptions were guided by personal experience for 90% of VA users, versus media or other secondhand sources for 70% of other groups. Non-VA-only users and healthcare nonusers had more knowledge gaps about VA and misperceptions about VA eligibility and services; non-VA-only users more likely encountered VA enrollment barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Many nonusers had healthcare needs that were not met. Positive VA perceptions by women with first-hand VA experience, contrasted with VA knowledge gaps by those without such exposure, suggests the need for more education about available VA healthcare services. VA planning should account for mental health needs and healthcare use by younger women Veterans.

Transcriptional regulation of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 gene by liver receptor homolog-1.

Factors that modulate cholesterol levels have major impacts on cardiovascular disease. Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) functions as a sterol transporter mediating intestinal cholesterol absorption and counter-balancing hepatobiliary cholesterol excretion. The liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1) had been shown to regulate genes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport. To study whether human NPC1L1 gene is regulated transcriptionally by LRH-1, we have analyzed evolutionary conserved regions (ECRs) in HepG2 cells. One ECR was found to be responsive to the LRH-1. Through deletion studies, LRH-1 response element was identified and the binding of LRH-1 was demonstrated by EMSA and ChIP assays. When SREBP2, one of several transcription factors which had been shown to regulate NPC1L1 gene, was co-expressed with LRH-1, synergistic transcriptional activation resulted. In conclusion, we have identified LRH-1 response elements in NPC1L1 gene and propose that LRH-1 and SREBP may play important roles in regulating NPC1L1 gene.

The effects of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate on the proliferation and migration of human dental pulp cells / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To assess the effects of HEMA on the proliferation and migration of human dental pulp cells(hDPCs).Meth-ods:hDPCs were obtained using tissue explant culture technique in vitro,and then cells of the 3rd -5th passages were treated by differ-ent concentrations of HEMA for 24,48 and 72 h respectively.Cell proliferation was examined by MTT assay.Cell migration was ob-served by Transwell method.Results:The proliferation ability of hDPCs decreased when exposed to HEMA in both time and concentra-tion dependent manner(vs control,P <0.05).Cell proliferation at 24 h expossure was statistically higher than that at 48 h and 72 h(P<0.05).The migration of hDPCs was significantly reduced in HEMA groups at different concentrations(vs control,P <0.05).Con-clusion:HEMA inhibits the proliferation and migration of human dental pulp cells in vitro.

A case of rapidly progressing leiomyosarcoma combined with squamous cell carcinoma in the esophagus.

Esophageal leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor that accounts for less than 1% of all malignant esophageal tumors. Esophageal leiomyosarcoma combined with squamous cell carcinoma is even rarer than solitary leiomyosarcoma. We experienced a case of leiomyosarcoma combined with squamous cell carcinoma that progressed very rapidly.

Cooperative transcriptional activation of ATP-binding cassette sterol transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes by nuclear receptors including Liver-X-Receptor.

The ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 form heterodimers that limit absorption of dietary sterols in the intestine and promote cholesterol elimination from the body through hepatobiliary secretion. To identify cis-regulatory elements of the two genes, we have cloned and analyzed twenty-three evolutionary conserved region (ECR) fragments using the CMV-luciferase reporter system in HepG2 cells. Two ECRs were found to be responsive to the Liver-X-Receptor (LXR). Through elaborate deletion studies, regions containing putative LXREs were identified and the binding of LXRα was demonstrated by EMSA and ChIP assay. When the LXREs were inserted upstream of the intergenic promoter, synergistic activation by LXRα/RXRα in combination with GATA4, HNF4α, and LRH-1, which had been shown to bind to the intergenic region, was observed. In conclusion, we have identified two LXREs in ABCG5/ABCG8 genes for the first time and propose that these LXREs, especially in the ECR20, play major roles in regulating these genes.

A case of ascending colon variceal bleeding treated with venous coil embolization.

A 38-year-old female with a history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis visited our hospital with a massive hematochezia. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy did not demonstrate any bleeding source, and a colonoscopy showed a massive hemorrhage in the ascending colon but without an obvious focus. The source of the bleeding could not be found with a mesenteric artery angiography. We performed an enhanced abdominal computed tomography, which revealed a distal ascending colonic varix, and assumed that the varix was the source of the bleeding. We performed a venous coil embolization and histoacryl injection to obliterate the colon varix. The intervention appeared to be successful because the vital signs and hemoglobin laboratory data remained stable and because the hematochezia was no longer observed. We report here on a rare case of colonic variceal bleeding that was treated with venous coil embolization.

Clinical significance of elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in acute viral hepatitis A (AHA).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The clinical course of acute viral hepatitis A (AHA) is highly variable. Serum alphafetoprotein (AFP) level is often elevated in various types of acute liver injuries, indicating active liver regeneration. This study was aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum AFP level in the aspect of the early recovery in AHA. METHODOLOGY: A total of 238 patients with AHA, confirmed by IgM anti-hepatitis A virus, were included. The patients were classified according to serum AFP level. Multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazards model using dichotomized clinical variables was performed to identify the independent predictors for early recovery (ALT normalization within 2 weeks). RESULTS: The median age (range) was 30 (17-50) years and male dominant (62%, 147/238). Compared to low AFP group, high AFP group (>10 ng/mL) had significantly lower platelet counts (p <0.0001), lower albumin (p =0.003), lower AST (p <0.001), lower ALT (p = 0.001), higher total bilirubin level (p <0.0001) on univariate analysis. On Cox regression analysis, high AFP level (>10 ng/mL) was the only independent predictor for early recovery (Hazard ratio (HR); 2.392, 95% CI; 1.564-3.659, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: High serum AFP level (>10 ng/mL) may indicate the already-started recovery through active liver regeneration or the early recovery within 2 weeks in AHA.

Alstonia scholaris R. Br. Significantly Inhibits Retinoid-Induced Skin Irritation In Vitro and In Vivo.

Topical retinoids inhibit matrix metalloproteinases and accelerate collagen synthesis, thereby triggering antiaging effects in the skin. However, topical retinoids can cause severe skin reactions, including scaling, erythema, papules, and inflammation. The present study demonstrates that the ethanolic bark extract of Alstonia scholaris R. Br. can significantly inhibit all-trans retinoic acid-induced inflammation in human HaCat keratinocyte cells. Furthermore, two representative retinoid-induced proinflammatory cytokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8, were significantly suppressed by A. scholaris extract (by 82.1% and 26.3% at 100 ppm, and dose-dependently across the tested concentrations) in vitro. In a cumulative irritation patch test, A. scholaris extract decreased retinol-induced skin irritation, while strengthening the ability of retinoids to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression, which is strongly associated with aging effects. These results suggest that A. scholaris is a promising compound that may increase the antiaging function of retinoids while reducing their ability to cause skin irritation.

A Case of Septic Shock by Prevotella Species associated with Acute Periapical Abscess / 감염과화학요법

A healthy 34-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit through the emergency room with a drowsy mentality and severe chilling. Following a diagnosis of septic shock of unknown origin, the patient was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and massive hydration. After recovery of consciousness, he complained of a severe toothache that originated from the right lower teeth. Under dental consultation, he was diagnosed as having an acute periapical abscess of the right mandibular first molar. The patient underwent extraction and cyst enucleation. Gram negative bacilli isolated from blood culture on day 5 after admission were identified as Prevotella species. After receiving antibiotic treatment and undergoing dental procedures, the patient made a full recovery. We report on a case of septic shock due to infection by Prevotella species in association with an acute periapical abscess.

Clinical efficacy review on cases of laparoscopic myomectomy / 대한산부인과내시경학회지

OBJECTIVE: To report the safety and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the data for 74 laparoscopic myomectomy performed at Inje University Busan Paik Hospital beween 2005 and 2009. With medical records, we analyzed data on the patient's age, parity, BMI, size, weight and location of myoma, previous operative history, preoperative indication, operating time, blood loss, change of hemoglobin concentration from preoperative to postoperative state, hospital stay. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.5+/-6.9 years, parity was 1.4+/-1.0 and BMI was 22.1+/-2.6 kg/m2. The size of myoma by preoperative ultrasonography was 5.2+/-1.9 cm, the weight of removed myoma was 95.1+/-88.1 g. Most myomas were subserosal and intramural type. The operating time was 95.9+/-34.4 minutes, the change of hemoglobin concentration was 1.3+/-0.78 g/dL, and the hospital stay was 4.7+/-1.1 days. Postoperatively, transfusion was done in 2 cases, one patient was pregnant and underwent an cesarean section delivery during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic myomectomy was performed regardless of the size, the location of the myoma or the previous operative history and had good outcomes without complications in our hospital. Laparosocpic myomectomy is considered safe and reliable procedure in various types of myoma.

[The Comparison between 6th and 7th International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer Classification for Survival Prognosis of Gastric Cancer].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging is an useful system to assess the prognosis of any solid cancer. As new TNM staging classification of 7th stomach cancer was revised in 2009, we evaluated the prognostic predictability of the 7th International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/AJCC) TNM classification compared to 6th UICC/AJCC TNM classification in gastric cancer. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2009, 5-year survival rates of 266 patients with gastric cancer were calculated by the 6th and 7th UICC/AJCC TNM classification. RESULTS: Using the 7th UICC/AJCC TNM classification, there was no significant difference in the 5-year cumulative survival rates (5 YSR) between stage IIA and IIB, IIB and IIIA, and IIIA and IIIB (70% vs. 71%, p=0.530; 71% vs. 80%, p=0.703; 80% vs. 75%, p=0.576, respectively) though significant differences of the survival rates were observed among stages of 6th edition. Using T stage of 7th edition, 5 YSR was not different between T2 and T3 (86% vs. 82%, p=0.655). Using N stage of 7th edition, 5 YSR were not different between N1 and N2, N3a and N3b (79% vs. 81%, p=0.506; 41% vs. 17%, p=0.895, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The 7th UICC/AJCC TNM classification had poor prognostic predictability in gastric cancer compared to the 6th edition.

Transduced Tat-Annexin protein suppresses inflammation-associated gene expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells.

Annexin-1 (ANX1) is an anti-inflammatory protein as well as an important modulator in inflammation. However, the precise action of ANX1 remains unclear. To elucidate the protective effects of ANX1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage Raw 264.7 cells, we constructed a cell-permeable Tat-ANX1 protein. The transduced Tat-ANX1 protein markedly inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, production of prostaglandin E(2), and generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cells. Furthermore, transduced Tat-ANX1 protein caused a significant reduction in the activation of nuclear factor- kappa B (NF-kB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The results indicate that Tat-ANX1 inhibits the production of inflammatory response cytokines and enzymes by blocking NF-kB and MAPK. Therefore, Tat-ANX1 protein may be useful as a therapeutic agent against various inflammatory diseases.