[Clinical characteristics and esophageal function tests of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease(RGERD). Methods: The patients with acid regurgitation, heartburn and extraesophageal symptoms were enrolled in the study from November 2015 to September 2017 at Peking University Third Hospital. All the subjects filled the informed consent.Questionnaire, SCL-90, SAS and SDS scales were recorded. A 24 hour pH-impedance monitoring and esophageal high resonance manometry were carried out. According to the response to proton pump inhibitor(PPI), the patients were divided into RGERD and non-RGERD(NRGERD)groups. The clinical characteristics were compared between these two groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of RGERD. Results: One hundred and nineteen patients were finally enrolled in the study including 61 RGERD (51.3%) and 58 NRGERD patients (48.7%).The body mass index (BMI) and rates of, typical GER symptoms including acid regurgitation in RGERD patients were significantly lower than those in NRGERD patients (P<0.05).While the atypical GER symptoms such as poststernal discomfort or chest pain were more common in RGERD group (P<0.05).RGERD patients presented less acid reflux events and lower proximal segment reflux ratio than NRGERD patients. No obvious differences were found in the manometry metrics between these two groups. The scores of somatization, depression and hostility in RGERD patients by SCL-90 scales were significantly higher than those in NRGERD patients (P<0.05), and depression score was an independent risk factor for RGERD [OR=3.915 (95%CI 1.464-10.466), P =0.007]. Conclusions: RGERD patients present more atypical symptoms and pathological non-acid reflux.Depression is an independent risk factor for RGERD.

AKR1B10, a good prognostic indicator in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between AKR1B10 expression and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine AKR1B10 mRNA expression. AKR1B10 protein levels were measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: RT-PCR analysis confirmed that AKR1B10 was significantly down-regulated in gastric cancer compared with paired, normal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the percentage of AKR1B10-positive specimens was lower in gastric carcinoma compared with normal specimens. The frequency of AKR1B10-positive GC specimens was higher in patients with tumor size <5 cm, no lymph node metastasis, no distant metastasis and lower tumor stages The mean survival time for patients in the AKR1B10-positive group was significantly higher compared with the AKR1B1-negative group. The 5-year survival rate for the AKR1B10-positive group was also significantly higher than for the AKR1B1-negative group. Cox regression analysis revealed that AKR1B10 expression is an independent prognostic factor of GC. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of AKR1B10 in gastric cancer was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distance metastasis and TNM stage, and AKR1B10 may be a good prognostic indicator in gastric cancer.

Tamoxifen embedded in lipid bilayer improves the oncotarget of liposomal daunorubicin in vivo.

The objective of this research is to investigate the plasma pharmacokinetics and bio-distribution of liposomal daunorubicin plus tamoxifen in breast cancer murine models through intravenous administration. Daunorubicin and tamoxifen plasma levels in pharmacokinetics studies were determined using HPLC. Biodistributions of various carriers loaded with a cyanine dye (cy7) were evaluated using in vivo imaging. After administration, free daunorubicin and tamoxifen were rapidly cleared out from the blood following a two-compartment kinetic model. The clearances and AUC (0-∞) of daunorubicin were (means ± SD): 0.028 ± 0.005 L h-1 kg-1 and 367.489 ± 56.979 µg mL-1 h-1 (liposomes), and 2.235 ± 0.347 L h-1 kg-1 and 4.546 ± 0.704 µg mL-1 h-1 (free drug). By ex vivo imaging 24 h after injection, the fluorescence intensity of liposomal cy7 plus tamoxifen in tumor region was obviously higher than that of free liposomal cy7. In conclusion, tamoxifen can improve pharmacokinetics profile of liposomal daunorubicin with enhanced therapy for breast cancer.

Characterization of the interaction between astrocytes and encephalitogenic lymphocytes during the development of experimental autoimmune encephalitomyelitis (EAE) in mice.

The nature of pathogenic mechanisms associated with the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) have long been debated. However, limited research was conducted to define the interplay between infiltrating lymphocytes and resident cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Data presented in this report describe a novel role for astrocyte-mediated alterations to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)(35-55) -specific lymphocyte responses, elicited during the development of experimental autoimmune encephalitomyelitis (EAE). In-vitro studies demonstrated that astrocytes inhibited the proliferation and interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß secretion levels of MOG(35-55) -specific lymphocytes, an effect that could be ameliorated by astrocyte IL-27 neutralization. However, when astrocytes were pretreated with IFN-γ, they could promote the proliferation and secretion levels of MOG(35-55) -specific lymphocytes, coinciding with apparent expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-II on astrocytes themselves. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) demonstrated that production of IL-27 in the spinal cord was at its highest during the initial phases. Conversely, production of IFN-γ in the spinal cord was highest during the peak phase. Quantitative analysis of MHC-II expression in the spinal cord showed that there was a positive correlation between MHC-II expression and IFN-γ production. In addition, astrocyte MHC-II expression levels correlated positively with IFN-γ production in the spinal cord. These findings suggested that astrocytes might function as both inhibitors and promoters of EAE. Astrocytes prevented MOG(35-55) -specific lymphocyte function by secreting IL-27 during the initial phases of EAE. Then, in the presence of higher IFN-γ levels in the spinal cord, astrocytes were converted into antigen-presenting cells. This conversion might promote the progression of pathological damage and result in a peak of EAE severity.

The role of arbuscular mycorrhiza in zinc uptake by red clover growing in a calcareous soil spiked with various quantities of zinc.

Three pot experiments were conducted to investigate the role of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) in Zn uptake by red clover. Plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae and uninoculated controls were grown in a sterile calcareous soil in 'Plexiglas' (Acrylic) containers with two nylon net partitions (30 microm mesh) to separate the central root zone from the two outer hyphal zones. The effects of mycorrhiza on plant growth and Zn uptake changed dramatically with increasing Zn addition level (range 0-1200 mg kg(-1)) in the root zone. With Zn addition levels <300 mg kg(-1), added Zn did not affect plant yield and above the critical level plant yield gradually decreased but was always higher for mycorrhizal than for controls. Below the critical Zn application rate (50 mg kg(-1)), Zn uptake was enhanced while above this level Zn translocation to the shoots decreased. At all Zn addition levels, mycorrhizal colonization increased Zn absorption and accumulation in the roots, and this may help to explain the alleviation of Zn toxicity at high Zn application rates. As expected, AM colonization enhanced P nutrition and hence yield at all added Zn levels studied. Efforts were made to obtain direct evidence for hyphal contribution to Zn uptake by applying both Zn to the hyphal growth zone and additional P to the root zone to avoid the 'growth dilution effect'. The data demonstrate that mycorrhizal hyphae could absorb Zn directly from the soil and then transfer it to the plant roots. The hyphal contribution to Zn uptake by the host plant reached its maximum value at the Zn addition level of 50 mg kg(-1), in which Zn uptake via the extramatrical hyphae comprised 22% of total uptake, thus confirming the critical Zn application level found previously.

Effects of Linomide on growth and metastasis of implanted human gastric cancer in nude mice.

AIM: To elucidate the effect of angiogenesis inhibitor, Linomide, on tumor growth and metastasis in nude mice implanted with human gastric cancer. METHODS: A metastatic model of gastric cancer was established using orthotopic implantation of histologically intact tumor tissues into the gastric wall of nude mice. Linomide (0, 80, 160 mg·kg(-1)) was given p.o. every day after the implantation, and the mice were sacrificed after 10 wk to detect tumor size and metastasis. The microvessel counts were measured by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody against Human Factor VIII related antigen. RESULTS: Linomide treatment significantly decreased the size of the implanted tumors (control group: 1.36 ± 0.81 cm(3) vs Linomide treated group: 0.84 ± 0.51 cm(3) and 0.62 ± 0.35 cm(3), P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Additionally, an antimetastatic effect of Linomide was clearly demonstrated in a dose dependent manner: mice given 80 mg·kg(-1) Linomide developed liver metastasis in 4 of 10 cases, mice given 160 mg/kg developed metastasis in only 1 of 10 mice, while it developed in 19 of 28 mice of the control group (P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). The number of metastatic foci was also significantly less in the treated group. Furthermore, the microvessel counts in tumors of treated mice was reduced by 33%-42% as compared with the control tumors (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Linomide has a strong inhibitory activity against in vivo tumor growth and metastasis of gastric cancer, effectively suppressing the growth of the primary tumor, preventing liver metastasis, and attenuating the rate of neovascularization.

[Clinical analysis of 1704 cases of fetal distress].

From Oct 1985 through Sept 1986 and from Oct 1988 through Sept 1989, a total of 1,704 cases were clinically diagnosed as having fetal distress. The results of analysis showed no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) between fetal distress and fetal sex, and age of pregnancy women respectively (P greater than 0.05), but there was a significant difference between fetal distress and gestational weeks. (P less than 0.01) and birth weight (P less than 0.05). The highest incidence occurred in postterm pregnancy. The number of neonatal asphyxia cases with fetal distress accounted for 61.08% of the total of neonatal asphyxia. The more indexes of the fetal distress, the higher is the incidence rate of asphyxia neonatorum. Among the complications of pregnancy, the fetal distress rate due to pregnancy induced hypertension is the highest. The results suggested that by using multiple item examinations, early diagnosis of fetal distress and prompt management are possible to decrease the asphyxia rate and the prevention of complications of pregnancy is important to reduce the fetal distress.

[Evaluation of molluscicidal effect of nicotinanilide against Oncomelania snails].

Both nicotinanilide hydrochloride and nicotinanilide sulfate are water-soluble, their IC50 and LC90 against Oncomelania snails being around 0.3 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L, respectively, during 24 hour exposure at 25 degrees C followed by a 7-day recovery period. The laboratory tests and field trials showed that over 90% of snails were killed within 3 days exposure at 1-2 mg/L, and that 18.4%-100% snails on moist soil were killed at over 20 degrees C, exposed to spraying dosage of 1-2 g/m2 for 1-3 days. The chemical is highly effective against snails eggs at early stage (cell stage). The LC50 of nicotinanilide to Aristichthys nobilis and Pseudorasbora parva is about 200 mg/L. The acute oral LD50 in mice is about 2 g/kg. Plants tolerate the chemical at 1-2 g/m2, but some leaves wilted at greater than or equal to 5 g/m2, dicotyledon in particular. Dermatitis has been reported in individuals frequently exposing to nicotinanilide wettable powder during massive spraying.

Perinatal mortality rate in 11 Jiangsu cities.

PIP: This prospective collaborative study investigated the perinatal mortality rate and causes of perinatal death in 11 cities in China's Jiangsu Province in the 1 year between September 1, 1980 and August 31, 1981. Of the 86,913 perinatals born during this period, there were 2131 deaths, including 1140 stillbirths and 991 early neonatal deaths, for a perinatal mortality rate of 24.52. Causes of perinatal mortality included hypoxia (37.5%), respiratory disturbance (25.0%), congenital anomaly (11.3%), birth trauma (8.5%), prematurity (6.1%), and miscellaneous or unknown causes (11.6%). These results indicate the importance of the prevention of hypoxia and respiratory disturbance, which together accounted for 62.5% all of perinatal deaths. In the hypoxic category, 54.2% of the deaths were due to umbilical cord factors; in the respiratory disturbance group, 45.6% of deaths were a result of asphyxia neonatorum. Setting up facilities to detect congenital anomalies and determine fetal maturity would further lower perinatal mortality, as would improved fetal monitoring and abandonment of methods of delivery such as version extraction. In the 5 cities south of the Yangzi River, where medical care and living standards are better, the perinatal mortality rate was 21.8-23.8 compared with 24.5-38.4 in the 6 northern cities of the province.^ieng