Endoscopic resection via antral submucosal tunneling for en bloc removal of tumors in the duodenal bulb.

To overcome difficulties in the removal of duodenal bulb lesions, especially those in anatomically challenging locations, we developed the endoscopic resection via antral submucosal tunneling (ERAST) technique. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of ERAST for the removal of superficial and subepithelial lesions in the duodenal bulb. This was a single-center retrospective study of 10 patients with lesions in the bulb. Submucosal tunneling from the gastric antrum to the duodenum was performed to facilitate en bloc tumor resection in the bulb. The en bloc resection rate, postoperative bleeding, and perforation were the primary endpoints. Ten lesions (four superficial and six subepithelial), with an average size of 19.1 ± 9.2 mm, were resected en bloc by ERAST. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy follow-up after 2 months indicated complete wound healing in all patients. In our primary experience, ERAST was found to be a feasible and safe endoscopic resection technique for the removal of lesions in the duodenal bulb, especially those that are difficult to access.

Isomaltulose Exhibits Prebiotic Activity, and Modulates Gut Microbiota, the Production of Short Chain Fatty Acids, and Secondary Bile Acids in Rats.

In vitro experiments have indicated prebiotic activity of isomaltulose, which stimulates the growth of probiotics and the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). However, the absence of in vivo trials undermines these results. This study aims to investigate the effect of isomaltulose on composition and functionality of gut microbiota in rats. Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the IsoMTL group was given free access to water containing 10% isomaltulose (w/w), and the control group was treated with normal water for five weeks. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing showed that ingestion of isomaltulose increased the abundances of beneficial microbiota, such as Faecalibacterium and Phascolarctobacterium, and decreased levels of pathogens, including Shuttleworthia. Bacterial functional prediction showed that isomaltulose affected gut microbial functionalities, including secondary bile acid biosynthesis. Targeted metabolomics demonstrated that isomaltulose supplementation enhanced cholic acid concentration, and reduced levels of lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, dehydrocholic acid, and hyodeoxycholic acid. Moreover, the concentrations of propionate and butyrate were elevated in the rats administered with isomaltulose. This work suggests that isomaltulose modulates gut microbiota and the production of SCFAs and secondary bile acids in rats, which provides a scientific basis on the use of isomaltulose as a prebiotic.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Improves Postoperative Cognitive Function in Senior Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for improving postoperative cognitive function in senior patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS). METHODS: From January to December 2020, 97 participants were randomly assigned to the TEAS group (49 cases) and the control group (48 cases) by a random number table. The patients in the TEAS group received TEAS, at the bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints. The control group received sham TEAS. The stimulation was started from 30 min before surgery until the end of the operation. The primary outcome was the incidence of pstoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), diagnosed based on the changes in the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. The secondary outcomes were plasma levels of S100ß protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). RESULTS: The incidence of POCD on day 1 and 3 after surgery in the TEAS group was significantly lower than that in the control group [day 1 after surgery: 28.3% (13/46) vs. 52.3% (23/44), P=0.028; day 3 after surgery: 21.7% (10/46) vs. 40.9% (18/44), P=0.043]. Compared with baseline, the MMSE and MoCA scores decreased to various extents in both groups. The MMSE scores on day 1, 3, and 5 after surgery and MoCA scores on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 after surgery in the TEAS group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05) in both groups. Compared with baseline, the plasma levels of S100ß and NSE were significantly increased at 4, 8, 12, 24 h after surgery (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the plasma levels of S100ß and NSE were lower in the TEAS group at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after surgery (all P<0.05). No obvious adverse events were found during the trial. CONCLUSION: Application of TEAS in senior patients after VATS could reduce incidence of POCD and improve postoperative cognitive function.

[6-(4-Bromo-phen-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine-κN,N']bis-(triphenyl-phosphane-κP)copper(I) tetra-fluoridoborate.

The title compound, [Cu(C(16)H(11)BrN(2))(C(18)H(15)P)(2)]BF(4), is composed of one Cu(I) atom, one 6-(4-bromo-phen-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine (L) ligand, two triphenyl-phosphane mol-ecules and one tetra-fluoridoborate anion. The Cu(I) ion is four-coordinated in a distorted tetra-hedral configuration by two N atoms from L and two P atoms from triphenyl-phosphane ligands. In the L ligand, the two pyridine rings are not coplanar; the mean planes making a dihedral angle of 15.3 (5)°. In the crystal, the ions are linked by weak C-H⋯F inter-actions.

[The cloning and expression of a novel rPDCD5 gene from rice].

An EST related to the gene PCD was isolated from SSH (suppression subtractive hybridization) library of callus tissues of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Primers were designed to obtain its complete cDNA encoding putative apoptosis-related protein from Shanyou 63 (Oryza sativa L.). Sequencing indicated that the gene contained a 387 bp open reading frame, which encodes a protein containing 128 aa. Sequence alignment showed that the deduced protein is highly homologous to the known PDCD5. Real time quantitative PCR was performed to reveal that rPDCD5 was up-regulated in abiotic stress (low temperature and NaCl treatment).

Genome shuffling of Propionibacterium shermanii for improving vitamin B12 production and comparative proteome analysis.

Genome shuffling is an efficient approach for the rapid improvement of microbial phenotype. Here we improved vitamin B12 production of Propionibacterium shermanii by genome shuffling based on inactivated protoplast fusion. A genome shuffling strain with titer of vitamin B12 of 2.85 mgl(-1), named Propionibacterium shermanii-F2-3, was obtained. The genome shuffled strain produced about 61% improvement of vitamin B12 over the parent strain after 96 h. Comparative analysis of proteome profile was conducted between Propionibacterium shermanii 17 and F2-3. The expression levels of 38 proteins varied significantly in the genome shuffled strain compared with those in the parent strain. Of these proteins, 22 proteins were up-regulated, 16 proteins were down-regulated. Of the up-regulated proteins, 6 proteins (glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnS), Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (HemB), methionine synthase (Meth), riboflavin synthase (RibE), phosphofructo kinase (PfkA) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (Icd) is involved in the vitamin B12 biosynthesis pathway. They may be the key enzymes of vitamin B12 biosynthesis.