Application of serum gastric function markers and digestive tumor indices to the diagnosis of early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To study the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 199, CA724, CA242, pepsinogen (PG) I, PGII, gastrin-17 (G-17), the PGI/PGII ratio (PGR), as well as the expression of p27 and Ki67, in patients suffering from early gastric cancer and intraepithelial neoplasia and to provide new markers for the diagnosis of early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions. METHODS: A retrospective study where the blood serum concentration of CEA, CA199, CA724, CA242, PGI, PGII, G-17 and PGR were tested and also the protein expression of p27 and Ki67 was detected in patients tissues by immunohistochemistry in the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China, from March 2018 to March 2021. RESULTS: Carbohydrate antigen 242 and CA199 levels in tumor tissue significantly differed among the groups. Pepsinogen I levels decreased with increasing disease severity, G-17 levels increased with the aggravation of severity, and p27 expression decreased with the severity. CONCLUSION: The combination of serum gastric function markers (PGI and G-17) and p27 digestive tumor indices can serve as markers for the diagnosis of early gastric cancer and intraepithelial neoplasia.

Transcriptome-based analysis of early post-mortem formation of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) pork.

Pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) meat can cause consumer dissatisfaction and economic losses. This study determined meat quality, glycolytic enzyme activity, and differential gene expression in the longissimus lumborum (LL) and semimembranosus (SM) of normal and PSE pork carcasses. The SM did not result in PSE meat. Hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate kinase activities were lower in the SM of PSE carcasses than in the normal carcasses. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that immune, inflammatory, and muscle fibre genes were significantly enriched in PSE pork. More specifically, PPP1R3G and MSS51 may be key genes regulating pork quality in the SM. Meanwhile, the differential expression of PLVAB, ADIPOQ, LEP, MYH4, MYH7, MYL3, MYL6B, FOS, ATF3, and HSPA6 may induce PSE formation in the LL. These results may provide insights into PSE pork formation mechanisms and reveal candidate genes for improving meat quality after validation.

The effect of freezing time on the quality of normal and pale, soft and exudative (PSE)-like pork.

This study investigated the effects of frozen storage time on the quality and muscle structure in normal and pale, soft and exudative (PSE)-like pork. The meat quality of M. longissimus et lumborum (LL) was studied at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 weeks of storage at -18 °C, and M. Biceps femoris (BF) was studied at 0, 3 and 18 weeks of storage at -18 °C. Storage time affected all the measured parameters (pH, thaw loss, TVB-N, shear force and muscle structure). There were no differences between normal and PSE-like meat for thaw loss (%) or TVB-N (mg/100 g) values at all storage times. An initial tenderizing effect in PSE-like samples was observed at weeks 3 and 6 in LL samples, but thereafter samples became tougher during frozen storage and after 3 weeks in the BF. Storage for 6 weeks for PSE-like and 9 weeks for normal pork at -18 °C does not reduce quality.

Waveform width of a satellite laser altimeter illuminating on the sea surface.

The echo width is one of the most essential parameters of waveforms, which can be used to evaluate the ranging performance of a laser altimeter or retrieve wind speeds when laser pulses illuminate on the sea surface. The classical expression of waveform widths is not suitable for a current satellite laser altimeter because only the waves on the sea with smaller wavelengths can be covered by a satellite laser altimeter due to its small footprint. A new expression is derived by dividing the broadening effect of echo widths into the wind wave with small wavelengths and the swell cause with large wavelengths. The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) data are used to verify the new expression. Based on the new echo width expression, the ranging performance is evaluated when a laser is illuminating on the ocean surface. It indicates that a laser altimeter performs a better ranging accuracy (better than 5 cm) than when it is evaluated using the classical expression (worse than 6 cm) at moderate and strong winds.

RhoA regulates resistance to irinotecan by regulating membrane transporter and apoptosis signaling in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. While surgery remains the mainstay of treatment in early stage CRC, chemotherapy is usually given to prolong the overall survival and improve the quality of life for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). But drug resistance is one of the major hurdles of mCRC treatment, and the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. In this study, we show that, compared with parental cells, RhoA is up-regulated in irinotecan (CPT-11)-resistant CRC cells. Furthermore, inhibition of RhoA in drug resistant cells, at least partially, rescues the resistance against irinotecan and increases the sensitivity to other chemotherapeutic drug by inhibiting expression of MDR1, MRP1and GSTP1, promotes apoptosis by suppressing the expression of BCL-XL and Bcl-2 and increasing Bax expression, and significantly decreases side population cells. Our results suggest that, in addition to survival, proliferation, migration, adhesion, cell cycle and gene transcription, RhoA is also involved in chemoresistance by regulating the expression of membrane transporter and apoptosis protein in colorectal cancer. They raise an interesting possibility that the expression of RhoA may indicate a poor prognosis due to the high probability to therapy resistance and, on the other hand, inhibition of RhoA activity and function may overcome chemoresistance and improve the effectiveness of clinical treatment of CRC.

In vivo kinematic study of the tarsal joints complex based on fluoroscopic 3D-2D registration technique.

The tarsal bones articulate with each other and demonstrate complicated kinematic characteristics. The in vivo motions of these tarsal joints during normal gait are still unclear. Seven healthy subjects were recruited and fourteen feet in total were tested in the current study. Three dimensional models of the tarsal bones were first created using CT scanning. Corresponding local 3D coordinate systems of each tarsal bone was subsequently established for 6DOF motion decompositions. The fluoroscopy system captured the lateral fluoroscopic images of the targeted tarsal region whilst the subject was walking. Seven key pose images during the stance phase were selected and 3D to 2D bone model registrations were performed on each image to determine joint positions. The 6DOF motions of each tarsal joint during gait were then obtained by connecting these positions together. The TNJ (talo-navicular joint) exhibited the largest ROMs (range of motion) on all rotational directions with 7.39±2.75°of dorsi/plantarflexion, 21.12±4.68°of inversion/eversion, and 16.11±4.44°of internal/external rotation. From heel strike to midstance, the TNJ, STJ (subtalar joint), and CCJ (calcaneao-cuboid joint) were associated with 5.97°, 5.04°, and 3.93°of dorsiflexion; 15.46°, 8.21°, and 5.82°of eversion; and 9.75°, 7.6°, and 4.99°of external rotation, respectively. Likewise, from midstance to heel off, the TNJ, STJ, and CCJ were associated with 6.39, 6.19°, and 4.47°of plantarflexion; 18.57°, 11.86°, and 6.32°of inversion and 13.95°, 9.66°, and 7.58°of internal rotation, respectively. In conclusion, among the tarsal joints, the TNJ exhibited the greatest rotational mobility. Synchronous and homodromous rotational motions were detected for TNJ, STJ, and CCJ during the stance phase.

Correlation between an interleukin-6 -572C/G polymorphism and chronic periodontitis.

Genetic polymorphisms in the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene are associated with bone homeostasis and diseases characterized by bone loss. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the IL-6-572C/G polymorphism and the risk of chronic periodontitis in a Chinese Han population. The IL-6-572C/G polymorphism was genotyped in 93 patients suffering from chronic periodontitis and 96 control subjects by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of patients and control subjects and amplified using a polymerase chain reaction. IL-6 genotypes were identified using gel electrophoresis. The IL-6-572 GG genotype and the G allele were more frequent in chronic periodontitis patients than in control subjects (P<.05). When compared with the CC genotype, the odds ratio for chronic periodontitis was 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 3.40; P<.05) for the CG+GG genotype. The frequency of the -572CG+GG genotype was significantly different between the control group and the group with chronic periodontitis. Therefore, the IL-6-572C/G polymorphism may contribute to the susceptibility to chronic periodontitis in the Chinese Han population.

A virtual reality simulator for remote interventional radiology: concept and prototype design.

We present a virtual reality simulator to realize interventional radiology (IR) procedures remotely. The simulator contains two subsystems: one at the local site and the other at the remote site. At the local site, the interventional radiologist interacts with a three-dimensional (3-D) vascular model extracted from the patient's data and inserts IR devices through the Motion Tracking Box (MTB), which converts physical motion (translation and rotation) of IR devices into digital signal. This signal is transferred to the Actuator Box (AB) at the remote site that drives the IR devices in the patient. The status of the IR devices is subsequently fed back to the local site and displayed on the vascular model. To prove the concept, the prototype developed employs a physical angiography phantom (mimicking the patient) and its corresponding 3-D digital model. A magnetic tracking system provides information about positioning of the IR devices in the phantom. The initial results are encouraging. The AB controlled remotely drives IR devices with resolution of 0.00288 mm/step in translation and 0.079 deg/step in rotation.

Retroperitoneoscopic subcapsular nephrectomy for infective nonfunctioning kidney with dense perinephric adhesions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of retroperitoneoscopic subcapsular nephrectomy for infective nonfunctioning kidneys with dense perinephric adhesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients underwent retroperitoneoscopic subcapsular nephrectomy; the operative duration, blood loss, intestinal functional recovery time, complications during surgery and efficacy were recorded. Dissociation and ligation of the renal pedicle was the most important step, at which the renal capsule was cut near the renal hilum using a harmonic scalpel, and the fatty tissue around the renal hilum dissected carefully. The renal pedicle was then ligated and divided using an endoscopic linear stapler-cutter after the renal pedicle tissues had been separated to an adequate thickness. RESULTS: All 12 operations were successful and none required conversion to open surgery. The mean (SD, range) operative duration was 82.9 (22.3, 45-120) min, the blood loss 51.4 (12.2, 30-75) mL and the intestinal functional recovery time 12-48 h. There were no complications during or after the surgery, and in the follow-up of 1-15 months the short-term results were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneoscopic subcapsular nephrectomy can be used safely to remove an infected and heavily adhesive nonfunctioning kidney, with minimal trauma and blood loss, and with faster recovery than after an open subcapsular nephrectomy.

Comparison of open surgery versus retroperitoneoscopic approach to chyluria.

PURPOSE: We compared the clinical effectiveness of renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection for chyluria performed by retroperitoneoscopy and by open surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three male and 4 female patients 33 to 68 years old (mean age 49) with chyluria underwent retroperitoneoscopic renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection. Chyluria was on the left side in 5 cases and on the right side in 2. Open renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection was performed in 4 men and 2 women 33 to 61 years old (mean age 45.8). Chyluria was on the left and right sides in 3 cases each. Mean operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative intestinal function recovery time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative hospital delay and operative outcome were compared in these 2 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the open surgery group results in the retroperitoneoscopic group were superior in terms of operative time (42 to 90 minutes, mean +/- SD 65.0 +/- 18.8 versus 120 to 220, mean 156.7 +/- 38.8), intraoperative blood loss (20 to 50 ml., mean 29.3 +/- 10.2 versus 60 to 250, mean 171.7 +/- 76.5), postoperative intestinal function recovery time (24 to 48 hours, mean 36.0 +/- 6.9 versus 24 to 72, mean 54.0 +/- 21.1), intraoperative and postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay (3 to 6 days, mean 4.7 +/- 0.7 versus 7 to 9 days, mean 7.8 +/- 1.0). In the open surgery group primary anastomosis was performed in 1 case due to injury to a renal artery branch during the operation. Chyluria resolved the day after surgery in the 2 groups. No obvious complications developed postoperatively. The followup of 2 to 12 months (mean 6.7 +/- 4.0) showed no recurrence of chyluria. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic renal pedicle lymphatic disconnection completely ligates the lymphatic vessels with minimal invasion, less blood loss, rapid recovery and a good short-term outcome.