Do atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia reverse after Helicobacter pylori eradication?

BACKGROUND: It's still controversial whether Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication can reverse atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM). Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of H. pylori eradication on AG and IM. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE datasets through April 2023 for epidemiological studies, which provided mean glandular atrophy (GA) or IM score before and after H. pylori eradication, or provided ORs, RRs or HRs and 95% CIs for the association of AG or IM with H. pylori eradication. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and pooled ORs and 95%CIs were used to estimate the effect of H. pylori eradication on AG and IM. RESULTS: Twenty articles with a total of 5242 participants were included in this meta-analysis. H. pylori eradication significantly decreased GA score in the antrum (WMD -0.36; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.19, p < 0.01), GA score in the corpus (WMD -0.35; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.19, p < 0.01), IM score in the antrum (WMD -0.16; 95% CI: -0.26, -0.07, p < 0.01) and IM score in the corpus (WMD -0.20; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.04, p = 0.01). H. pylori eradication significantly improved AG (pooled OR 2.96; 95% CI: 1.70, 5.14, p < 0.01) and IM (pooled OR 2.41; 95% CI: 1.24, 4.70, p < 0.01). The association remained significant in the subgroup analyses by study design, sites of lesions, regions and follow-up time. Although Publication bias was observed for AG, the association remained significant after trim-and-fill adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication could significantly improve AG and IM at early stage.

Study on Reaction Mechanism and Process Safety for Epoxidation.

The reaction mechanism and process safety for epoxidation were investigated in this study. 1-(2-Chlorophenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(1,2,4-triazole) propene (triazolene), a typical representative of high steric olefinic compounds, was chosen as the raw material. In addition, hydrogen peroxide was chosen as the oxygen source in the reaction. Online Raman spectroscopy combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the process monitoring analysis. The results of this study indicated that the epoxidation process is exothermic, and the apparent reaction heat was 1340.0 kJ·kg-1 (measured by the mass of triazolene). The heat conversion rate was 39.7% immediately after hydrogen peroxide dosing to a triazolene and maleic anhydride mixture solution in chloroform. This result indicated that a considerable amount of heat is accumulated during the epoxidation reaction, which leads to a potential high safety concern. The study of the reaction mechanism showed that maleic anhydride reacts with hydrogen peroxide quickly to form maleic acid peroxide, which is controlled by hydrogen peroxide feeding, and the formed maleic acid peroxide further reacts with triazolenes slowly, which is a kinetically controlled reaction. Decomposition kinetics studies revealed that the temperatures corresponding to the time of maximum reaction rate for 8 and 24 h are TD24 = 89.9 °C and TD8 = 104.1 °C, respectively.

Senolytic Treatment Improve Small Intestine Regeneration in Aging.

Aging induces a series of alterations, specifically a decline in the stature and number of villi and crypts in the small intestine, thus compromising the absorbent capability of the villi. This investigation employed a senolytic combination of dasatinib and quercetin (D+Q) to examine its impact on the intestinal tract of elderly mice. Our findings demonstrate that D+Q treatment leads to a decrease in the expression of p21, p16, and Ki67, while concurrently triggering removal of apoptotic cells within the villi. Additionally, D+Q treatment exhibits the ability to promote growth in both the height and quantity of villi and crypts, along with stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production in aged mice. The study presented a model to assess strategies to alleviate age-related senescence in the intestinal tract of elderly mice. Importantly, D+Q showcases promising potential in enhancing intestinal functionality within the aging.

Toxicity and Sublethal Effects of Diamide Insecticides on Key Non-Target Natural Predators, the Larvae of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Coccinella septempunctata (ladybird) is an extremely important natural predator that feeds on aphids. An assessment of the toxicity of pesticides on environmental organisms is an essential component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. This study evaluated diamide insecticides' toxicity at lethal and 30% lethal doses (LR30) against C. septempunctata larvae. The pre-imaginal median lethal doses (LR50) of chlorantraniliprole 10% SC, tetrachlorantraniliprole 10% SC, and broflanilide 10% SC were calculated to be 42.078, 289.516, and 0.0943 g active ingredient (a.i.)/ha, respectively. The mortality tests demonstrated that chlorantraniliprole and tetrachlorantraniliprole are comparatively less toxic to C. septempunctata than broflanilide, which were detected to be highly toxic to C. septempunctata. The mortality rates of the groups treated with the three diamide insecticides tended to stabilize after 96 h, extending to the pre-imaginal stage. Furthermore, when compared to broflanilide, which had a much higher potential risk, the hazard quotient (HQ) values indicated that chlorantraniliprole and tetrachlorantraniliprole have a lower risk potential for C. septempunctata in farmland and off farmland. The LR30 dose induces abnormalities in the development phase 4th-instar larvae weight, pupal weight, and adult weight of treated C. septempunctata. The study emphasizes the importance of assessing the adverse effects of diamide insecticides on natural predator species that serve as biological control agents in agricultural IPM strategies.

Automatic Optical Inspection System for Wire Color Sequence Detection.

Given the huge demand for wire in today's society, the quality of the wire is especially required. To control the quality of the produced wire, the industry has a great desire for automated optical inspection technology. This technology is a high-speed and highly accurate optical image inspection system that uses mechanical sensing equipment to replace the human eye as the inspection method and simulates manual operation by means of a robotic arm. In this paper, a high-performance algorithm for the automated optical inspection of wire color sequence is proposed. This paper focuses on the design of a high-speed wire color sequence detection that can automatically adapt to different kinds of wires and recognition situations, such as a single wire with only one color, and one or two wires covered with aluminum foil. To be further able to successfully inspect even if the wire is short in the screen and the two wires are close to each other, we calculate the horizontal gradient of the wires by edge detection and morphological calculation and identify the types and color sequences of the wires in the screen by a series of discriminative mechanisms. Experimental results show that this method can achieve good accuracy while maintaining a good computation speed.

Reaction mechanism of the green synthesis of glutaric acid.

In this study, the reaction mechanism underlying the green synthesis of glutaric acid was studied via joint test technology. Density functional theory calculations were used to verify the mechanism. Quantitative analysis of glutaric acid via infrared spectroscopy and HPLC was established. The linear correlation between the two methods was good, from 0.01 to 0.25 g mL-1. The analysis results of the two methods were consistent as the reaction progressed.

Migration kinetic of silver from polylactic acid nanocomposite film into acidic food simulant after different high-pressure food processing.

The migration study of nano-Ag migration from polylactic acid (PLA) films was studied. Samples treated by high-pressure food processing (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 MPa pressure) were soaked in acetic acid solution and incubated at 20 °C for 90 days. At the end of storage, nano-Ag particles (AgNPs) migration from the PLA/AgNPs composite film treated under 200 MPa high pressure was the lowest. However, AgNPs migration was accelerated under 400 MPa high pressure. High-pressure processing (200 MPa) could cause denser structure and higher crystallinity degree in films than other treatments. Lower amount of AgNPs induced a decline in the intensity of specific characteristic peaks. The diffraction peak intensity of α-crystal for the film sample treated with 400 MPa was the lowest on day 60. The crystallization index of the PLA matrix changed with different high-pressure processing. The result indicated that appropriate high-pressure food processing could effectively suppress AgNPs migration from PLA-based film while contacting with acidic acid food simulant. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The release of nanoparticles from food packaging material is a very important matter when the migration is concerned with regulatory and toxicity issues. The study described the migration kinetic of AgNPs from PLA nanocomposite film into acidic food simulant after different high-pressure food processing. The results indicated that the PLA/AgNPs nanocomposite film was safe for acidic food after high-pressure treatment.

Research on Thermal Decomposition Kinetics and Thermal Safety for a New Epoxiconazole Crystal.

To clarify the thermal safety inherent in a new epoxiconazole crystal, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and adiabatic accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) were used for testing and research. The Friedman method and model method were used to analyze thermal decomposition kinetics based on the DSC data, and the N-order and autocatalytic decomposition reaction kinetic models were established. The double scan method was utilized to verify the autocatalytic effect during the decomposition process. The Friedman method, N-order, and autocatalytic model methods were used to study the substance's thermal decomposition characteristics. ARC data are utilized to verify the aforementioned prediction results and the kinetic parameters that were obtained based on ARC data from N-order and autocatalytic model methods that concur with the simulation results. This paper applies the N-order and autocatalytic model to the kinetic model to further predict thermal safety parameter time to maximum rate under adiabatic conditions.

Absolute configuration of four chiral isomers of pyrisoxazole and their bioactivity.

BACKGROUND: Pyrisoxazole is a fungicide that has two chiral carbon atoms and four isomers: (3S,5R)-, (3R,5S)-, (3S,5S)-, and (3R,5R)-pyrisoxazole. RESULTS: Pure crystals of four pyrisoxazole isomers were prepared by chiral separation and single-crystal cultivation. Their absolute configurations were established by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. Bioassays indicated that compound (3S,5R)-pyrisoxazole showed excellent fungicidal activity with a median effective concentration (EC50 ) value of 0.14 µg mL-1 and protective activity with an EC50 value of 13.29 µg mL-1 . These values are superior to the commercial fungicides boscalid and racemic pyrisoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: The biological activity of racemic pyrisoxazole is due almost exclusively to the isomer (3S,5R)-pyrisoxazole; the other three isomers had very low activity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Optimizing the performance of magnet-controlled capsule endoscopy based on radiological and gastroscopic modeling.

Routine use of magnet-controlled capsule endoscopy of the stomach has been limited by the inadequate views of specific stomach regions. In the present study, radiology and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) were used to determine optimal subject body positioning and suitable external control magnet placement for capsule endoscopy. Healthy adult volunteers were subjected to upper gastrointestinal X-ray radiography (n=5), spiral computed tomography with volume reconstruction (n=4) or UGIE (n=1). Stomach fundus-to-body (FB) and body-to-antrum (BA) angles were compared when subjects were supine, prone, lying on their left side and on their right side, and when they were standing upright. Vertical distances from the surface of the body to the distal points of the fundus and antrum were also compared in this range of subject positions. Obtuse angles were considered the most beneficial for capsule movement and short vertical distances were considered desirable for optimizing magnetic force. The FB angle was sharply acute in the supine position, relatively open where subjects were on their side, and almost 180° in the standing position. The BA angle was obtuse in the standing position but acute in all other positions. With the subject in any position, the left lower lateral chest had the shortest distance to the fundus, while the ventral wall was closest to the antrum. The present modeling analysis indicates that standing is superior to all decubitus positions for magnetic-capsule endoscopy, including the commonly used supine position. Both the abdominal anterior wall and left lateral lower chest appeared to be advantageous locations for external control magnet placement.

Human gastric magnet-controlled capsule endoscopy conducted in a standing position: the phase 1 study.

BACKGROUND: Current magnet-controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) for the stomach is not yet satisfactory with respect to navigation control, especially in the gastric fundus and cardia. A newly developed MCE system conducted in a standing rather than supine position may improve capsule maneuverability within the stomach. The aim of this phase 1 study was to assess the feasibility and safety of this system for examining the human stomach in healthy volunteers. METHODS: A cohort of 31 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Each swallowed a capsule after drinking water and gas producing agents intended to produce distention. Under the newly developed standing MCE system, subjects were examined endoscopically while standing with external guide magnets placed on the abdominal wall and left lower chest. Safety, gastric preparation, maneuverability, visualization of anatomical landmarks and the gastric mucosa, and examination time were the primary parameters assessed. The gastric preparation and examination procedures were well accepted by the subjects and there were no adverse events. RESULTS: Gastric examination took 27.8 ± 8.3 min (12-45 min). Gastric cleanliness was good in 24 participants (77.4%) and moderate in 7 participants (22.6%). Gastric distention was good in all of 31 participants (100%). Capsule maneuverability was also graded as good in all 31 subjects (100%), and manipulation in the fundus and cardia regions was as easy as that in the antrum and body. Visualization of the gastric cardia, fundus, body, angulus, antrum and pylorus was assessed subjectively as complete in all 31 subjects (100%). Visualization of the gastric mucosa was also good (> 75%) in all 31 subjects (100%). In areas where the mucosa could not be visualized, the low visibility was due to opaque fluid or foam. Polyps and erosive lesions were found in 25 subjects. CONCLUSION: MCE of the stomach conducted in a standing position is feasible and safe with satisfactory maneuverability.

Highly photoluminescent N, P doped carbon quantum dots as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of dopamine and temperature.

In recent times, fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as an optical sensor have attained massive attention owing to their excellent optical properties. In current investigation, our group presented an easy and economical methodology to synthesize the nitrogen and phosphorous doped carbon quantum dots (N, P doped CQDs) for sensing dopamine (DA) and temperature in aqueous medium. The synthesized CQDs were characterized by using XRD, XPS, TEM, UV-Vis, FT-IR and fluorescence techniques. The N, P doped CQDs were synthesized via one-step microwave digestion method by using citric acid, ethylenediamine and urea phosphate as precursors. This method established the noble water solubility, good optical performances and fluorescence thermosensitivity of N, P doped CQDs. Also, N, P doped CQDs demonstrated a wide linear range of 10-500 µM (R2 = 0.994) and offered an electrifying detection limit of 0.021 µM for quantifying the dopamine. Moreover, this sensor possessed a good sensitivity, reversibility and linearity in the range of 10-70 °C. In addition, the CQDs sensing system repel the interference from probable foreign substances in real sample analysis, and attained good recoveries, which revealed the tremendous selectivity and adequate accuracy of the carbon quantum dots for sensing dopamine. The proposed N, P doped CQDs are simple as well as effective optical nanosensor and clasps venerable potential to widen the applications in analysis of biomolecules and other areas.

Aloe-Emodin Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Dependent Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND Recently, colorectal cancer has become a more common type of tumor in the world. Research has reported that several kinds of single compounds of Chinese herbs have shown anti-tumor activity in colorectal cancer. Aloe-emodin (AE), a natural compound extract from Aloe Vera, has been discovered to suppress cell proliferation and accelerate apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells. Whether AE exerts an effect on colorectal cancer cells has not yet been investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, we examined the impact of AE on SW620 and HT29 colorectal cancer cell lines. After treatment with various concentrations of AE (10, 20, and 40 µM), cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cytosolic calcium level, and related gene expression were analyzed. RESULTS Our results indicated that AE suppressed cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in SW620 and HT29 cell lines. Furthermore, both cell lines when exposed to AE generated ROS, which induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We then detected the expression of ER stress-related proteins and cytosolic calcium levels. We found that cells exposure to AE had upregulation of unfolded protein response (UPR) proteins like glucose-related protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated protein kinase R (PKR)-like ER kinase (p-PERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (p-eIF2α), and transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Meanwhile, we detected an increased cytosolic calcium content followed by the upregulation of the calpain-1, calpain-2 and caspase-12. CHOP and caspase-12 are important regulatory factors leading to cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS AE might serve as a candidate in the treatment of colorectal cancer through inducing ER stress-dependent apoptosis.

Nematode-specific cadherin CDH-8 acts as a receptor for Cry5B toxin in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Parasitic nematodes of animals and plants cause worldwide devastating impacts on people's lives and agricultural crops. The crystal protein Cry5B produced by Bacillus thuringiensis has efficient and specific activity against a wide range of nematodes. However, the action mode of this toxin has not yet been thoroughly determined. Here, a nematode-specific cadherin CDH-8 was demonstrated to be a receptor for Cry5B toxin by using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model, providing evidence that the cadherin mutant worm cdh-8(RB815) possesses significant resistance to Cry5B, and the CDH-8 fragments bind specifically to Cry5B. Furthermore, CDH-8 was identified to be required for the oligomerization of Cry5B toxin in vivo and contribute to the internalization and pore formation of Cry5B in nematode cells. This study will facilitate a better understanding of the action mode of nematicidal Cry toxins and help the design of Cry toxin-based products for the control of plant or animal parasitic nematodes.

Hollow Fiber Supported Ionic Liquids Liquid-Phase Micro-extraction Followed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for the Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Milk Samples.

A rapid, simple, reliable and efficient hollow fiber supported ionic liquids liquid-phase micro-extraction method (IL-HF-LPME) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography was successfully applied to the determination of four kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in milk samples. In the IL-HF-LPME method, a mixture of [OMIM]PF6 and lauric acid, in a ratio of 3:1, was immobilized in the pores of a polypropylene hollow fiber used as extraction solvent. A series of essential parameters influencing the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the extraction equilibrium is achieved within 3 min, the good linearity was >0.9990, the limits of detection varied from 0.14 to 0.71 ng/mL, the limit of quantification values were between 0.4 and 1.8 ng/mL, and the relative standard deviations were in the range of 1.24-3.27% (n = 5). The proposed method was applied to analyze four PAHs in milk samples and recoveries were between 93.6 and 102.8%.