Genome evolution of blind subterranean mole rats: Adaptive peripatric versus sympatric speciation.

Speciation mechanisms remain controversial. Two speciation models occur in Israeli subterranean mole rats, genus Spalax: a regional speciation cline southward of four peripatric climatic chromosomal species and a local, geologic-edaphic, genic, and sympatric speciation. Here we highlight their genome evolution. The five species were separated into five genetic clusters by single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variations (CNVs), repeatome, and methylome in sympatry. The regional interspecific divergence correspond to Pleistocene climatic cycles. Climate warmings caused chromosomal speciation. Triple effective population size, Ne , declines match glacial cold cycles. Adaptive genes evolved under positive selection to underground stresses and to divergent climates, involving interspecies reproductive isolation. Genomic islands evolved mainly due to adaptive evolution involving ancient polymorphisms. Repeatome, including both CNV and LINE1 repetitive elements, separated the five species. Methylation in sympatry identified geologically chalk-basalt species that differentially affect thermoregulation, hypoxia, DNA repair, P53, and other pathways. Genome adaptive evolution highlights climatic and geologic-edaphic stress evolution and the two speciation models, peripatric and sympatric.

Association of decreased mitochondrial DNA content with the progression of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Experimental data suggest that mitochondria is involved in tumorigenesis. However, little is known about the qualitative and quantitative changes of mtDNA in colorectal cancer tissues. We therefore conducted possible correlations of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in colorectal cancer (CRC) with clinical and pathological findings and CRC prognosis. METHODS: mtDNA copy numbers in CRC cancer tissue and adjacent non-cancerous tissue samples were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses from 60 patients admitted to our hospital. We examined the correlation of mtDNA copy numbers and clinicopathologic parameters of CRC patients. The correlation between mtDNA copy number and three-year survival was analyzed. RESULTS: The mtDNA copy number was lower in CRC tissue compared with the corresponding non-cancerous colorectal tissue (mean: 108.60 ± 20.11 vs. 153.68 ± 25.72) and was significantly correlated with lymph-node metastasis. Patients with a lower mtDNA copy number tended to have lower 3-year survival than patients with a higher mtDNA copy number assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves, but the correlation was not significant (overall survival, 63.0 vs 83%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a reduced copy number of mtDNA is correlated with malignant potential in CRC.

The suture fixation of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device in the treatment of adenomyosis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The report on Levonorgestrel⁃releasing intrauterine system (LNG⁃IUS) suture under hysteroscopy is very rare, and currently only three articles have been reported. We reported a patient with adenomyosis who had previously had LNG-IUS, but the LNG-IUS moved downward. We sutured and fixed the LNG-IUS under hysteroscopy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old woman presented with a 7-year history of adenomyosis of the uterus and adenomyoma adenomyosis. Half a year ago, due to increased menstrual flow, LNG-IUS was placed in the uterine cavity, and the treatment effect was satisfactory. Nine days ago, vaginal bleeding occurred, and ultrasound showed that LNG-IUS had moved downward. We performed LNG-IUS suturing under hysteroscopy for her, and a half-year follow-up ultrasound showed that the position of LNG-IUS was normal. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: For adenomyosis, LNG-IUS is the most promising medical therapy due to its ability to suppress hormones to improve symptoms with a low profile of adverse effects while enabling women to maintain fertility. However, the high excretion rate of LNG-IUS may cause patients with adenomyosis to lose confidence in continuing to use this treatment method. CONCLUSION: Our case report demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of LNG-IUS suture fixation under hysteroscopy. It provided another reliable treatment option for those patients with adenomyosis for whom the LNG-IUS fell off or fell down.

Effect of Rabeprazole and Rebamipide in the Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Associated with Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease.

To investigate the therapeutic effect of rabeprazole and rebamipide on patient age over 60 with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)-related upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 360 patients age over 60 undergoing PCI were recruited for antiplatelet therapy involving a combined treatment of aspirin (100 mg/d) and clopidogrel (75 mg/d). The enrolled patients were divided into 4 groups: the control group, the rabeprazole group, the rebamipide group, and the rabeprazole + rebamipide group. The incidence and severity of any upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were observed 6 months after the operation. The incidence of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the 4 groups was 11.1%, 3.3%, 8.9%, and 1.1%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). On comparing the groups, the differences between the control group and the rabeprazole group, those between the control group and the rabeprazole + rebamipide group, and those between the rebamipide group and the rabeprazole + rebamipide group were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). The severity of the upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the rabeprazole group and the rabeprazole + rebamipide group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The 4 groups exhibited no significant differences in the incidence of MACEs (P > 0.05). For patients age over 60 receiving DAPT following PCI in our study population, treatment with rabeprazole or a combination of rabeprazole and rebamipide could reduce the risk of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, as well as reduce its severity.

Salivary microbiota analysis of patients with membranous nephropathy.

The oral microbiota are closely related to human health. Nonetheless, to the best of our knowledge, their relationship with membranous nephropathy (MN) remains unstudied. The saliva microbiota collected from 22 patients with MN and 15 healthy controls were analyzed by next­generation sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was subsequently carried out. The Chao1 and Shannon indices in patients with MN were higher than those in healthy controls. Analysis of similarities revealed that the oral microbiota in the patient group were significantly different from those in the healthy controls. At the genus level, the abundance of Alloprevotella, Granulicatella, Prevotella, Streptococcus and Prevotella_7 was markedly higher in patients with MN than in healthy controls. Six operational taxonomic units (OTUs; OTU5, OTU28, OTU9, OTU15, OTU33 and OTU38) were found to be markedly correlated with the clinical factors creatinine, proteinuria in 24 h, estimated glomerular filtration rate and systolic blood pressure. A total of 28 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were obtained from the significant OTUs. The oral microbiota of patients with MN were investigated and it was found that OTU5, OTU28, OTU9, OTU15, OTU33 and OTU38 may be used as biomarkers. The present findings may assist in the diagnosis of patients with MN.

The clinical outcome of the endoscopic submucosal dissection of colonic polyps larger than 20 mm. A single medical study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of colonic polyps larger than 20 mm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March 2017 and July 2019, a gastro-entero endoscopist team resected 24 large colorectal polyps measuring 20-35 mm in diameter using the ESD technique. After the injection of a mixture of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose with dilute epinephrine and methylene blue into the submucosal layer, a circumferential incision was performed using an electrosurgical knife. RESULTS: A total of 24 colorectal polyps (≥20 mm) from 20 patients were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 60 years; 16 patients were men and 4 patients were women. The mean polyp size removed by colorectal ESD was 35.3 mm (range 20.0-70.1 mm), and all 24 polyps were larger than 2 cm (100%). There were no cases of delayed bleeding after the colorectal ESD nor were there any post-surgery complications. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of carrying out ESD of large polyps. This is important because there is not a large body of literature on this subject in this specific population. KEY WORDS: Colonic polyps, Endoscopic submucosal dissection, Gastrointestinal endoscopy.

[Expression of epithelial-cadherin, CD44v6 and connexin43 in hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of epithelial-cadherin (E-cad), CD44v6 and Cx43 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with sex and age of patients, as well as tumor histopathologic grades. METHODS: Double immunofluorescent staining and laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to study the expression of E-cad, CD44v6 and Cx43 in 30 cases of normal liver tissue, 25 cases of benign hepatic lesions and 38 cases of HCC. In the HCC group, correlation of antigen expression with sex and age of patients and tumor histopathologic grades was studied by T-test. RESULTS: Significant decrease in expression of E-cad and Cx43 was noted in HCC group, as compared to normal liver tissue and benign hepatic lesion (P<0.05). On the other hand, CD44v6 expression was higher in HCC group than in the other two groups (P<0.05). In HCC group, the expression of E-cad and Cx43 did not correlate with sex, age and histopathologic grades (P>0.05). However, CD44v6 expression positively correlated with higher tumor histopathologic grades (P<0.05) but not sex and age of patients (P>0.05). In HCC group, the expression of E-cad positively correlated with that of Cx43, while the expression of CD44v6 negatively correlated with that of E-cad and Cx43. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor immunophenotype alters during development and progression of HCC. Low expression of E-cad and Cx43 and high expression of CD44v6 may be related to aggressive clinical behavior of HCC, moreover, high expression of CD44v6 correlated with high tumor grades. Detection of E-cad, CD44v6 and Cx43 expression may thus be useful in predicting prognosis of HCC.

Effects of probiotic on intestinal mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To investigate the effects of probiotic on intestinal mucosae of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and to evaluate the role of probiotic in preventing the relapse of UC. METHODS: Thirty patients received treatment with sulphasalazine (SASP) and glucocorticoid and then were randomly administered bifid triple viable capsule (BIFICO) (1.26 g/d), or an identical placebo (starch) for 8 wk. Fecal samples were collected for stool culture 2 wk before and after the randomized treatments. The patients were evaluated clinically, endoscopically and histologically after 2 mo of treatment or in case of relapse of UC. p65 and IkappaB expressions were determined by Western blot analysis. DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB in colonic nuclear extracts was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). mRNA expressions of cytokines were identified by semi-quantitative assay, reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Three patients (20%) in the BIFICO group had relapses during 2-mo follow-up period, compared with 14 (93.3%) in placebo group (P<0.01). The concentration of fecal lactobacilli, bifidobacteria was significantly increased in BIFICO-treated group only (P<0.01). The expressions of NF-kappaB p65 and DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB were significantly attenuated in the treatment group than that in control (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines was elevated in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSION: The probiotic could impede the activation of NF-kappaB, decrease the expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and elevate the expression of IL-10. These results suggest that oral administration of this new probiotic preparation is effective in preventing flare-ups of chronic UC. It may become a prophylactic drug to decrease the relapse of UC.

Contribution of eIF-4E inhibition to the expression and activity of heparanase in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line: LS-174T.

AIM: Heparanase degrades heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and is a critical mediator of tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. Recently, it has been cloned as a single gene family and found to be a potential target for antimetastasis drugs. However, the molecular basis for the regulation of heparanase expression is still not quite clear. The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF-4E) correlated with the heparanase level in tumor cells and to explore the correlation between heparanase expression and metastatic potential of LS-174T cells. METHODS: A 20-mer antisense s-oligodeoxynucleotide (asODN) targeted against the translation start site of eIF-4E mRNA was introduced into LS-174T cells by lipid-mediated DNA-transfection. eIF-4E protein and mRNA levels were detected by Western blot analysis and RT-PCR, respectively. Heparanase activity was defined as the ability to degrade high molecular weight (40-100 kDa) radiolabeled HS (heparan sulfate) substrate into low molecular weight (5-15 kDa) HS fragments that could be differentiated by gel filtration chromatography. The invasive potential of tumor cell in vitro was observed by using a Matrigel invasion assay system. RESULTS: The 20-mer asODN against eIF-4E specifically and significantly inhibited eIF-4E expression at both transcriptional and translational levels. As a result, the expression and activity of heparanase were effectively retarded and the decreased activity of heparanase resulted in the decreased invasive potential of LS-174T. CONCLUSION: eIF-4E is involved in the regulation of heparanase production in colon adenocarcinoma cell line LS-174T, and its critical function makes it a particularly interesting target for heparanase regulation. This targeting strategy in antisense chemistry may have practical applications in experimental or clinical anti-metastatic gene therapy of human colorectal carcinoma.

A novel method for preparation of tissue microarray.

AIM: To improve the technique of tissue microarray (tissue chip). METHODS: A new tissue microarraying method was invented with a common microscope installed with a special holing needle, a sampling needle, and a special box fixing paraffin blocks on the microscope slide carrier. With the movement of microscope tube and objective stage on vertical and cross dimensions respectively, the holing procedure on the recipient paraffin blocks and sampling procedure of core tissue biopsies taken from the donor blocks were performed with the refitted microscope on the same platform. The precise observation and localization of representative regions in the donor blocks were also performed with the microscope equipped with a stereoscope. RESULTS: Highly-qualified tissue chips of colorectal tumors were produced by a new method, which simplified the conventional microarraying procedure, and was more convenient and accurate than that employing the existing tissue microarraying instruments. CONCLUSION: Using the refitted common microscope to produce tissue microarray is a simple, reliable, cost-effective and well-applicable technique.

[The effects of bifidobacterium on the intestinal mucosa of the patients with ulcerative colitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of bifidobacterium (Bf) on the intestinal mucosa of the patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Thirty patients in clinical and endoscopic remission by sulphasalazine and glucocorticoid were randomized to receive either Bifid Triple Viable capsule (BIFICO), 420 mg/d, or an identical placebo (starch) for 8 weeks. Fecal samples were collected for stool culture before and after treatment. Patients were assessed clinically endoscopically and histologically after 2 months or in the case of a relapse. p65 and IkappaB expression was determined by Western blot analysis DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB in colonic nuclear extracts was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The mRNA expression of cytokines were identified by a semi-quantitative assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Three patients in the BIFICO group had relapses within the 2-month follow-up period, compared with 14 in the placebo group (P < 0.01). Fecal concentration of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, increased significantly from baseline levels only in the BIFICO-treated group (P < 0.01). The expression of NF-kappaB p65 and DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB were significantly attenuated in the treat group than that in control (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines elevated obviously comparable of control group. CONCLUSIONS: The Bf maybe impede the activation of NF-kappaB, decrease the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and elevate the expression of IL-10. These results suggest that oral administration of this new probiotic preparation is effective in preventing flare-ups of chronic UC. It will become a prophylactic drug delaying the relapse of UC.

Effect of eIF-4E inhibition on heparanase mRNA and its expression in colon adenocarcinoma cell.

OBJECTIVE: To verify whether inhibition of the overexpressed eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF-4E) in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line LS-174T may facilitate the degradation of heparanase mRNA and alter the translation and expression levels of heparanase protein. METHODS: A 20-mer antisense s-oligodeoxynucleotide (asODN) targeted against the translation start site of eIF-4E mRNA was introduced into LS-174T cells by means of lipid-mediated DNA-transfection, followed by Western blotting analysis and reverse transcription-PCR to determine eIF-4E protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Northern methods was applied to determine heparanase mRNA expression level, with the alterations of heparanase expression assessed by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: The 20-mer asODN against eIF-4E specifically and significantly inhibited eIF-4E protein expression, and as a result, a significant reduction in heparanase mRNA level was observed by Northern blotting in conjunction with significantly decreased heparanase protein expression. CONCLUSION: The inhibition of eIF-4E strongly reduces the stability of heparanase mRNA in colon adenocarcinoma cell line LS-174T and results in an apparent reduction in the expression of heparanase protein.

Coexistence of tuberculous peritonitis and primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum: a case report and review of the literature.

A major diagnostic challenge to the evaluation of an incomplete intestinal obstruction is to distinguish between infectious and malignant etiologies. We present a case of an elderly woman complaining of abdominal pain accompanied with nausea and vomiting, and failure to pass gas or stools. Anti-tuberculosis drugs were used to relieve her abdominal pain, and a needle biopsy of the peritoneal cavity showed evidence of primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum (PSCP). This is a rare description of tuberculosis in the setting of PSCP. This report illustrates the potential complex nature of malignancies, and emphasizes the need to consider coexistence of malignancy and infection in patients, especially in those with risk factors for malignancy who fail with antibiotic therapy.

[Role of eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF-4E) in regulation of expression of NF-kappaB and its subsequent influence on transcription and activity of heparanase in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have revealed that some transcription factors may be translationally regulated by eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF-4E) in human cancer. These modifications in the expression levels of the key transcription factors will alter the expression of some malignancy-related gene products at the transcriptional levels. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of eIF-4E on the expression and activity of NF-kappaB and observe how the activity level of NF-kappaB contributes, as a secondary effect, to the transcription of heparanase in human colon adenocarcinoma LS-174T cells. METHODS: In order to repress the expression of eIF-4E, a 20-mer antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) targeted against the translation start site of eIF-4E mRNA was transfected into human colorectal cancer cell line LS-174T via liposome reagent, followed by assessment of the activity and the protein expression of NF-kappaB by an electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA) and Western blot analysis respectively. The alterations of heparanase expression were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, and heparanase activity in LS-174T cells was measured by specific enzymatic activity test using radiolabeled heparan sulfate as the substrate and gel filtration chromatography for the analysis of the degradation product. RESULTS: The 20-mer ASODN against eIF-4E specifically and significantly inhibited eIF-4E expression at both transcriptional and translational levels, and the repression of eIF-4E gene expression was correlated with decreased expression levels and activity of NF-kappaB protein. Furthermore, this down regulation of the ubiquitous transcription factor NF-kappaB led to reduced transcription of the heparanase gene, and the transfected cells also showed a considerable decrease in heparanase protein and activity. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that eIF-4E play an important role in translational regulation of NF-kappaB expression in LS-174T cells.NF-kappaB is an essential factor in the regulatory mechanisms of heparanase gene transcription, and the suppressed NF-kappaB activity in LS-174T cells may significantly reduce the transcriptional expression of heparanase that consequently leads to decreased heparanase protein expression and enzymatic activity.