[Current status and prospects of non-surgical treatment for fecal incontinence].

Fecal incontinence is a refractory disease in colorectal surgery. The main clinical manifestation is that patients cannot control the discharge of gas, solid or liquid feces in the rectum autonomously. It is easy to bring shame to patients and seriously affect their physical and mental health. Reducing the frequency of fecal incontinence, restoring anal sphincter function, and improving patient quality of life are important goals for treating fecal incontinence. With the development of medical technology and the improvement of treatment plans for fecal incontinence, patients with fecal incontinence usually undergo conservative treatment first, and if conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery can be chosen. Non-surgical treatment methods commonly used in clinical practice include biofeedback therapy, magnetic stimulation therapy, pelvic floor muscle training, anal sphincter training, Kegel training, and other rehabilitation treatments. This article discusses the non-surgical treatment methods for fecal incontinence, hoping to provide a choice for clinical treatment of fecal incontinence.

[Advances in colonic manometry in adults with colonic motility disorders].

In recent years, colonic manometry has been gradually introduced into clinical practice. It helps clinicians to gain a better understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of colonic contractile activity in healthy adults and patients with colonic dysfunction. More and more patterns of colonic motility are being discovered with the help of colonic manometry. However, the clinical significance of these findings still needs to be further investigated. This review enhances our understanding of colonic motility and the current state of development and application of colonic manometry, as well as the limitations, future directions and potential of the technique in assessing the impact of treatment on colonic motility patterns, by analyzing and summarizing the literature related to colonic manometry.

Experimental Evidence of t_{2g} Electron-Gas Rashba Interaction Induced by Asymmetric Orbital Hybridization.

We report the control of Rashba spin-orbit interaction by tuning asymmetric hybridization between Ti orbitals at the LaAlO_{3}/SrTiO_{3} interface. This asymmetric orbital hybridization is modulated by introducing a LaFeO_{3} layer between LaAlO_{3} and SrTiO_{3}, which alters the Ti-O lattice polarization and traps interfacial charge carriers, resulting in a large Rashba spin-orbit effect at the interface in the absence of an external bias. This observation is verified through high-resolution electron microscopy, magnetotransport and first-principles calculations. Our results open hitherto unexplored avenues of controlling Rashba interaction to design next-generation spin orbitronics.

[Factors associated with selection of breast-conserving surgery in early female patients with breast cancer].

Objective: To analyse the factors associated with the selection of breast- conserving surgery in early female patients with breast cancer. Methods: The targeted patients were females diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and received surgical treatment at Fujian Provincial Hospital from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019. The targeted patients' clinical, demographic, and social-economic characteristics were extracted from the hospital health information system. Relevant information of their attending surgeons was collected through a smart-phone based self-respond online survey. We performed multivariate logistic regression to explore the associated factors with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) decision-making. Results: The age of the patient and attending surgeon and the economic development level of the patient's residence area were the associated factors with BCS decision-making of female early-stage breast cancer. By controlling the other factors unchanged, patients from middle-income areas were more likely to accept BCS (OR=1.91, 95%CI: 1.01-3.62, P=0.05) than those from low-income areas. When the attending surgeon was at the average age of 45 years old, increasing of 1 year age of patient led to 4% decrease of the probability of BCS (95%CI: -0.07 - -0.01, P=0.01). When the patient was at the average age of 52 years old, increasing of 1 year age of the attending surgeon reduced 10% of the probability of BCS (95%CI: -0.19 - -0.01, P=0.03). The interaction effects related to the age of attending surgeon and patient for some observations to choose BCS were statistically significant, and the average interaction effect was 0.06% (Z=2.11, sx =0.000 3, P<0.05). Conclusion: To promote breast-conserving surgery in the indicated early female patients with breast cancer, it is necessary to consider factors from both the surgeons and the patients.

[Evaluation of basic laparoscopic training under 5A teaching mode].

Objective: To evaluate the rationality and effectiveness of basic laparoscopic training under 5A teaching mode. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. The teaching records of 70 trainees who received basic laparoscopic traning at the Laparoscopic Surgical Training Base in Chinese PLA General Hospital from July to December 2019 were analyzed. All the trainees participating in the laparoscopy training had obtained the national practicing physician certificates, including 12 junior physicians of our center, 9 intermediate physicians of our center, 19 advanced physicians, 13 postgraduate students, 8 doctoral students, and 9 surgical standardized training physicians. A random number table method was used to divide all the trainees into two groups: the traditional teaching group or the 5A teaching group (35 people in each group). In the traditional teaching group, the training of 4 modules of " precise beans, quincuncial piles, ring positioning and knot-tying suture" modules according to a fixed sequence and schedule was carried out. Each module had a learning time of 8 hours. In the 5A teaching group, the training started from five dimensions of analysis, aim, accomplishment, appraise and advance. Before conducting each stage of training, the actual operation ability of the trainees was tested, each class hour was designed individually, accurate teaching was conducted to the trainees, the ability of the trainees was evaluated dynamically, and the previous steps were cycled periodically based on class hours. The operating time and pass rate of trainees of two groups in the basic operation module of laparoscopy were statistically analyzed, and a hierarchical analysis of related influencing factors was conducted. Results: The time of above modules before training in the 5A teaching group and the traditional teaching group was similar (all P>0.05). After definitive training, the time required for trainees in 5A teaching group and traditional teaching group to complete the 4 modules was shortened to varying degrees. Compared to traditional teaching group, 5A teaching group spent less time in completing each project [precise beans: (63.2±10.1) seconds vs. (83.6±18.7) seconds, quincuncial piles: (56.2±7.3) seconds vs. (101.4±31.7) seconds, ring positioning: (84.2±13.7) seconds vs. (127.3±28.5) seconds, knot-tying suture: (263.2±41.8) seconds vs.(428.8±95.2) seconds, all P<0.05], and had higher pass rates [precise beans: 97.1% (34/35) vs. 80.0% (28/35), quincuncial piles: 91.4% (32/35) vs.71.4% (25/35), ring positioning: 100.0% (35/35) vs. 82.9% (29/35), knot-tying suture: 77.1% (27/35) vs. 60.0% (21/35), all P<0.05]. Among the junior trainees (junior physicians of our center, postgraduate students, doctoral students, and standardized surgical training physicians) and intermediate trainees (intermediate physicians of our center and advanced physicians), the 5A teaching group completed 3 modules (quincuncial piles, ring positioning and knot-tying suture) faster than the traditional teaching group [junior trainees: quincuncial piles (76.4±12.4) seconds vs. (139.8±41.6) seconds, ring positioning (92.2±20.5) seconds vs. (131.3±28.4) seconds, knot-tying suture (293.8±66.7) seconds vs. (444.3±103.3) seconds; intermediate trainees: quincuncial piles (51.4±5.9) seconds vs. (94.7±8.6) seconds, ring positioning (63.9±13.5) seconds vs. (87.5±18.6) seconds, knot-tying suture (210.1±35.6) seconds vs. (367.5±54.9) seconds, all P<0.05]. Conclusion: 5A teaching mode can acheive better training results compared with the traditional teaching mode in basic laparoscopic training, and is worthy of further popularization and application.

Using social media for smoking cessation interventions: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that smoking tobacco significantly increases both incidence and mortality rates for many diseases. Social media has become one of the most influential platforms for various smoking cessation interventions. However, results from smoking cessation interventions have differed from study to study. Limited studies have summarised cessation outcomes from social media-based interventions. Therefore, the objective of this review is to explore the effectiveness of using social media for smoking cessation. METHODS: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for articles between June 2008 and June 2018, and also assessed the references of selected articles. We included studies that used social media as intervention platforms, provided a baseline assessment before the intervention, and provided smoking cessation outcomes after the intervention. RESULTS: We identified 13 original studies that enrolled between 16 and 1698 participants; 7-day Point Prevalence Abstinence (PPA) rate was the most frequently used measure of abstinence, with a range of 7%-75%, regardless of the measurement time, study design, and analysis methods. Social media-based smoking cessation interventions were effective, because (1) smokers reported higher 7-day PPA rates after intervention compared to baseline and (2) smokers reported higher 7-day PPA rates in intervention groups than in control groups. Moreover, at each time point, approximately half of all smokers in studies reporting abstinence were found to be biochemically abstinent. There were no significant differences in the effectiveness of smoking cessation outcomes between those that used existing popular social networking platforms (e.g. Pechmann et al's studies) and those that used individually designed interactive platforms (e.g. MyLastDip, iQuit system, Quitxt system). CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the effectiveness of social media-based smoking cessation intervention studies. Due to the widespread use of social media, as well as its low cost, we suggest embedding smoking cessation interventions within existing popular social media platforms.

[Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy in diffuse lung disease: a pathological analysis of 173 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the value of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBCB) in pathological diagnosis for diffuse lung disease. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 173 patients from the first affiliated hospital of Guangzhou medical university between Jaunary 2017 and June 2019 with transbronchial lung cryobiopsy of diffuse lung disease were retrospectively analyzed and summarized with review. Among 173 cases, TBCB and conventional transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) were performed in 54 patients. The size of biopsy samples and diagnostic yield were compared. Results: Among 173 cases, the diagnostic yield was 85.54% (148/173) , 160 (92.49%) cases provided definite diagnosis and valuable pathological results, according to age, sex, occupation, past history, contact history, smoking history, laboratory serology and imaging findings. Among 160 cases, there were 72 cases of known etiology (45.00%), 27 cases of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (16.88%), 7 cases of granulomatous lesions (4.38%) and 54 cases of other types (33.75%). With TBCB and TBLB in 54 patients, the specimens sizes of TBCB and TBLB were (3.3±1.3) mm(2) and (1.0±0.3) mm(2) respectively (t'=12.67 P<0.01) . The diagnostic yields of TBCB and TBLB were 81.48% (44/54) and 42.59% (23/54) respectively (χ(2)=17.33, P<0.01) . The diagnostic yields of TBCB and TBLB for interstitial lung diseases were 48.15% (26/54) and 5.56% (3/54) respectively (χ(2)=24.94, P<0.01) . However, the diagnostic yields of TBCB and TBLB for the other diffuse lung disease except interstitial lung diseases were 33.33% (18/54) and 37.04% (20/54) respectively, with no significant difference (χ(2)=0.1624, P=0.687). Conclusion: Compared with TBLB, TBCB has obvious advantages and application value in the diagnosis of diffuse pulmonary diseases, especially interstitial pulmonary diseases.

Epigenetic silencing of GDF1 disrupts SMAD signaling to reinforce gastric cancer development.

Accumulating evidence reveals the effectiveness of epigenetic therapy in gastric cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms and targets underlying such therapeutic responses remain elusive. Herein, we report an aberrant yet therapeutically rectifiable epigenetic signaling in gastric carcinogenesis. Administration of DNA-demethylating drug 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) reduced gastric cancer incidence by ~74% (P < 0.05) in N-nitroso-N-methylurea-treated mice. Through genome-wide methylation scanning, novel promoter hypermethylation-silenced and drug-targeted genes were identified in the resected murine stomach tumors and tissues. We uncovered that growth/differentiation factor 1 (Gdf1), a member of the transforming growth factor-ß superfamily, was silenced by promoter hypermethylation in control tumor-bearing mice, but became reactivated in 5-aza-dC-treated mice (P < 0.05). In parallel, the downregulated SMAD2/3 phosphorylation in gastric cancer was revived by 5-aza-dC in vivo. Such hypermethylation-dependent silencing and 5-aza-dC-mediated reactivation of GDF1-SMAD2/3 activity was conserved in human gastric cancer cells (P < 0.05). Subsequent functional characterization further revealed the antiproliferative activity of GDF1, which was exerted through activation of SMAD2/3/4-mediated signaling, transcriptional controls on p15, p21 and c-Myc cell-cycle regulators and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein. Clinically, hypermethylation and loss of GDF1 was significantly associated with reduced phosphorylated-SMAD2/3 and poor survival in stomach cancer patients (P < 0.05). Taken together, we demonstrated a causal relationship between DNA methylation and a tumor-suppressive pathway in gastric cancer. Epigenetic silencing of GDF1 abrogates the growth-inhibitory SMAD signaling and renders proliferation advantage to gastric epithelial cells during carcinogenesis. This study lends support to epigenetic therapy for gastric cancer chemoprevention and identifies a potential biomarker for prognosis.

Neuropeptide S Increases locomotion activity through corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 in substantia nigra of mice.

Neuropeptide S (NPS), the endogenous ligand of NPS receptor (NPSR), was reported to be involved in the regulation of arousal, anxiety, locomotion, learning and memory. The basal ganglia play a crucial role in regulating of locomotion-related behavior. Here, we found that NPSR protein of mouse was distributed in the substantia nigra (SN) and globus pallidus (LGP) by immunohistochemical analysis. However, less is known about the direct locomotion-related effects of NPS in both SN and LGP. Therefore, we investigated the role of NPS in locomotion processes, using the open field test. The results showed that NPS infused into the SN (0.03, 0.1, 1nmol) or LGP (0.01, 0.03, 0.1nmol) dose-dependently increased the locomotor activity in mice. SHA 68 (50mg/kg), an antagonist of NPSR, blocked the locomotor stimulant effect of NPS in both nuleus. Meanwhile, these effects of NPS were also counteracted by the CRF1 receptor antagonist antalarmin (30mg/kg, i.p.). In addition, we found that the expression of c-Fos was significantly increased after NPS was delivered into SN. In conclusion, these results indicate that NPS-NPSR system may regulate locomotion together with the CRF1 system in SN.

Meta-analysis demonstrates no association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and bladder cancer risk.

We examined whether the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) Arg399Gln polymorphism is a risk factor for bladder cancer by conducting a meta-analysis. We searched the Pubmed and Embase databases for study retrieval. This meta-analysis examined 16 case-control studies, including 892 prostate cancer cases and 1020 healthy controls. Meta-analysis results based on these studies showed no significant association between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and bladder cancer risk in comparisons of the glutamine (Gln) allele vs arginine (Arg) allele, Arg/Arg vs (Gln/Gln + Gln/Arg), Gln/Gln vs (Gln/Arg + Arg/Arg), Gln/Gln vs Arg/Arg, and Gln/Arg vs Arg/Arg [odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.80-1.16, P = 0.70; OR = 1.13, 95%CI = 0.70-1.82, P = 0.62; OR = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.79-1.07, P = 0.29; OR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.69-1.16, P = 0.42; OR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.75-1.05, P = 0.17, respectively]. In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, no association was observed between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and bladder cancer risk in Caucasian, Mongoloid, or black populations. We identified no association between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and bladder cancer risk.

Meta-analysis demonstrates no association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk.

We examined whether p53 codon 72 polymorphism confers prostate cancer risk by conducting a meta-analysis. Two investigators independently searched the Pubmed, Embase and CBM databases. This meta-analysis was made of seven case-control studies, that included 892 prostate cancer cases and 1020 healthy controls. Meta-analysis results based on all the studies showed no significant association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk in the comparisons of Pro allele vs Arg allele; Pro/Pro + Pro/Arg vs Arg/Arg; Pro/Pro vs Pro/Arg + Arg/Arg; Pro/Pro vs Arg/Arg, and Pro/Arg vs Arg/Arg [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87-1.36, P = 0.47; OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.86-1.73, P = 0.27; OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.62-1.72, P = 0.91; OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.66-2.26, P = 0.52; OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 0.84-1.87, P = 0.27, respectively]. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, no association was found between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk both in Caucasian and Asian populations. We found no association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk.

Cysteine-independent inhibition of the CFTR chloride channel by the cysteine-reactive reagent sodium (2-sulphonatoethyl) methanethiosulphonate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Methanethiosulphonate (MTS) reagents are used extensively to modify covalently cysteine side chains in ion channel structure-function studies. We have investigated the interaction between a widely used negatively charged MTS reagent, (2-sulphonatoethyl) methanethiosulphonate (MTSES), and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl(-) channel. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Patch clamp recordings were used to study a 'cys-less' variant of human CFTR, in which all 18 endogenous cysteine residues have been removed by mutagenesis, expressed in mammalian cell lines. Use of excised inside-out membrane patches allowed MTS reagents to be applied to the cytoplasmic face of active channels. KEY RESULTS: Intracellular application of MTSES, but not the positively charged MTSET, inhibited the function of cys-less CFTR. Inhibition was voltage dependent, with a K(d) of 1.97 mmol x L(-1) at -80 mV increasing to 36 mmol x L(-1) at +80 mV. Inhibition was completely reversed on washout of MTSES, inconsistent with covalent modification of the channel protein. At the single channel level, MTSES caused a concentration-dependent reduction in unitary current amplitude. This inhibition was strengthened when extracellular Cl(-) concentration was decreased. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our results indicate that MTSES inhibits the function of CFTR in a manner that is independent of its ability to modify cysteine residues covalently. Instead, we suggest that MTSES functions as an open channel blocker that enters the CFTR channel pore from its cytoplasmic end to physically occlude Cl(-) permeation. Given the very widespread use of MTS reagents in functional studies, our findings offer a broadly applicable caveat to the interpretation of results obtained from such studies.

Activated beta-catenin induces myogenesis and inhibits adipogenesis in BM-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been thought to be attractive candidates for the treatment of degenerative muscle diseases. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing the myogenic differentiation in MSC. As the Wnt signaling pathway has been associated with myogenesis in embryogenesis and post-natal muscle regeneration, we hypothesized that the Wnt signaling pathway may be involved in governing the myogenic differentiation in MSC. METHODS: Primary MSC were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and expanded in proliferation medium. The rMSC were transfected with a constitutively active hbeta-catenin (S37A) plasmid or control vector by Lipofectamine followed by G418 selection. The transfected rMSC were grown to 80% confluence and then cultured in myogenic or adipogenic differentiation medium. Cells were characterized by light microscopy, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR at different time points after myogenic or adipogenic introduction. RESULTS: Ectopic expression of activated beta-catenin located primarily in the nucleus and activated transcription in rMSC. Overexpression of stabilized beta-catenin induced 27.1 +/- 3.91% rMSC forming long multinucleated cells expressing MyoD, myogenin, desmin and myosin heavy chain (MHC) via evoking the expression of skeletal muscle-specific transcription factors. In addition, overexpression of activated beta-catenin inhibited the adipogenic differentiation in rMSC through down-regulated expressions of C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that activated beta-catenin can induce myogenic differentiation in rMSC. The ability of stabilized beta-catenin to induce myogenic differentiation in rMSC may allow for its therapeutic application.

Molecular cloning of a new crystal protein gene cry1Af1 of Bacillus thuringiensis NT0423 from Korean sericultural farms.

A new cry1Ab-type gene encoding the 130 kDa protein of Bacillus thuringiensis NT0423 bipyramidal crystals was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in a crystal-negative B. thuringiensis host. Hybridization experiments revealed that the crystal protein gene is located on a 44 MDa plasmid of B. thuringiensis NT0423. A strong positive signal detected on the 6.6 kb HindIII fragment from B. thuringiensis NT0423 plasmid DNA was cloned and sequenced. The cry1Ab-type gene, designated cry1Af1, consisted of open reading frame of 3453 bp, encoding a protein of 1151 amino acid residues. The polypeptide has the deduced amino acid sequences predicting molecular masses of 130,215 Da. With both Bt I and Br II promoter sequences were found, the B. thuringiensis NT0423 crystal protein gene promoter closely aligned with those of cry1A-type crystal protein gene. When compared with known sequences of other Cry and Cyt proteins, the Cry1Af1 protein showed maximum 93% sequence identity to Cry1Ab protein of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. The expressed Cry1Af1 protein in a crystal-negative B. thuringiensis host appears to have strong insecticidal activity against lepidopteran larvae (Plutella xylostella). Crystals containing Cry1Af1 were about six times more toxic than the wild-type crystals of B. thuringiensis NT0423.

Immunological analysis of the tegument phosphoprotein ppUL83 of human cytomegalovirus.

Immunological properties of the tegument phosphoprotein, ppUL83, of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), expressed using a replication deficient recombinant adenovirus vector (RAd83) are described. The initial characterisation of this protein was carried out by immunofluorescence (IF), immunoprecipitation (RIP) and immunoblotting using nine mouse monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed against five linear and four conformational epitopes of ppUL83. The reactivity of the recombinant protein with the Mabs was similar to that observed with native ppUL83, although, the kinetics of its expression was in agreement with expression derived from the HCMV major immediate early promoter (MIEP). The recombinant antigen was used successfully in an Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) for the detection of IgG class antibodies in 171 sequential sera taken from 21 heart transplant recipients. Comparison of HCMV-infected and RAd83-infected cell extracts in this experiment showed that recombinant antigen could substitute whole virus extracts as a single well-characterised protein in EIA. Serum IgG avidity measurements, using the recombinant ppUL83, differentiated between primary and past HCMV infections in the population studied.

Protective effect of allium vegetables against both esophageal and stomach cancer: a simultaneous case-referent study of a high-epidemic area in Jiangsu Province, China.

To study the relation between allium vegetable intake and cancer of the esophagus (EC) and stomach (SC) in Yangzhong city, which is one of the highest-risk areas for these cancers in Jiangsu province, China, a simultaneous case-referent study was conducted using histopathologically confirmed cases (EC: n = 81, SC: n = 153) and population-based referents (n = 234). A questionnaire was used to collect information on the general status of subjects, their dietary habits, frequency intake of allium vegetables and other foods, tea consumption, smoking and alcohol drinking. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by a multiple logistic regression model. The results showed that frequent intake of allium vegetables (including garlic, onion, Welsh onion and Chinese chives), raw vegetables, tomatoes and snap beans, and tea consumption were inversely associated with the risk for EC and SC. In the highest consumption category (> or = 1 time/week) of garlic, onion, Welsh onion and Chinese chives, the adjusted ORs compared with the lowest category (< 1 time/month) were 0.30 (CI = 0.19-0.47), 0.25 (CI = 0.11-0.54), 0.15 (CI = 0.08-0.26), and 0.57 (CI = 0.23-1.42) for EC, and 0.31 (CI = 0.22-0.44), 0.17 (CI = 0.08-0.36), 0.22 (CI = 0.15-0.31) and 0.40 (CI = 0.17-0.94) for SC, respectively. The main results in the present study suggested that allium vegetables, like raw vegetables, may have an important protecting effect against not only stomach cancer, but also esophageal cancer.

Comparative study of lifestyles of residents in high and low risk areas for gastric cancer in Jiangsu Province, China; with special reference to allium vegetables.

There is a low risk area for gastric cancer in Jiangsu Province, China, where people frequently consume raw allium vegetables. As a first step epidemiological study to clarify the factors involved in the low incidence of gastric cancer, we conducted a comparative study of the ecological factors in a high risk area (HRA), Yangzhong, and a low risk area (LRA), Pizhou, using a questionnaire. Subjects were selected from the general population according to age and sex, and comprised 414 residents of the HRA and 425 residents of the LRA. Ecological factors were compared for the two areas by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method, age-adjusted. Smoking and drinking habits were found to be more common in the LRA. On the other hand, allium vegetables were consumed in the LRA much more frequently, with high consumption of raw vegetables fruit, tomatoes, kidney beans and soybean products. People who consumed garlic en masse 3 times or more per week were 82% of men and 75% of women in the LRA, and 1% of men and women in the HRA. The results of the survey suggest that frequent consumption of allium vegetables, in addition to other anticancer foods, may be a factor in low mortality for gastric cancer.

The Vpr protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 binds to nucleocapsid protein p7 in vitro.

The Vpr protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is incorporated into the virion by the Gag polyprotein precursor Pr55gag. The importance of the p6gag sequence at the C-terminal end of Pr55gag has a crucial role in Vpr incorporation. To identify the Gag sequences directly involved in Vpr binding, we compared the Vpr binding affinities of the 71 amino acid nucleocapsid protein p7, the C-terminal peptide (35-71) p7C and p6gag by affinity chromatography. p7 and p7C have the strongest Vpr binding activities compared to p6gag. These results suggest that the nucleocapsid protein and its C-terminal domain may be important for the incorporation of Vpr into the mature HIV-1 virion and the subsequent localisation of viral nucleic acid to the cell nucleus by Vpr.