Efficacy of bifidobacteria combined with Kangfuxin liquid in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer in older adult patients and its effects on intestinal flora / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of bifidobacteria combined with Kangfuxin liquid in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer in older adult patients and its effects on intestinal flora. Methods:A total of 84 older adult patients with gastrointestinal ulcer who received treatment in The First People's Hospital of Yongkang from January 2020 to December 2021 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to receive either Kangfuxin liquid treatment (control group, n = 42) or Kangfuxin liquid combined with bifidobacteria treatment (combined group, n = 42) based on conventional symptomatic treatment. Efficacy and intestinal flora were compared between the two groups. Results:Total response rate and Helicobacter pylori eradication rate in the combined group were 97.62% and 88.10%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group ( χ2 = 8.63, 7.25, both P < 0.05). After treatment, the numbers of Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli, Digestive cocci and Eubacteria in the combined group were greater than those in the control group, and the numbers of Enterococci, Enterobacter and Clostridium were lower than those in the control group ( t = 11.84, 6.50, 6.33, 7.16, 3.21, 3.24, 6.98, all P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the combined group were (5.09 ± 0.85) ng/L and (6.13 ± 1.27) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group, and interferon-γ and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in the combined group were (25.95 ± 3.67) ng/L and (20.06 ± 0.92) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = 8.28, 7.28, 8.19, 9.10, all P < 0.001). Conclusion:Bifidobacteria combined with Kangfuxin liquid is highly effective on gastrointestinal ulcer in older adult patients. The combined method can adjust intestinal flora and improve inflammatory indicators, and therefore is worthy of clinical promotion.

Regulation of MUC6 Methylation Correlates with Progression of Gastric Cancer

Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate the mechanistic downregulation of mucin 6 (MUC6) and its influence on the progression of gastric cancer (GC). @*Materials and Methods@#The expression of MUC6 was examined in 40 GC patients. The methylation status of the MUC6 promoter region was investigated using GC cell lines and GC tissue specimens by immunohistochemistry and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). MUC6 was knocked down in the gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) cell and overexpressed in the SGC7901 cell.The effects of MUC6 knockdown and overexpression on cell migration and invasion were examined using Transwell assays. The effects of demethylation and methylation on MUC6 expression were examined by western blot, qPCR, or double luciferase reporter assays. @*Results@#The expression of MUC6 in GC with lymph node metastasis and poor pathological stage was significantly lower than that in GC without lymph node metastasis and good pathological stage, respectively. While cell migration and invasion were significantly decreased after overexpression of MUC6, these abilities significantly increased after the knockdown of MUC6. The methylation levels of MUC6 in GC tissues and GC cell lines were significantly higher than those in para-cancerous tissues and normal GES.Promoter methylation could significantly reduce the binding of related transcription factors to the MUC6 promoter. The expression of MUC6 increased with the concentration and time of action of demethylation drugs. @*Conclusion@#Expression of MUC6 was regulated by promotor methylation. This methylation of the MUC6 promoter may lead to significant downregulation of MUC6 in GC and promote the progression of GC.

Regulation of MUC6 Methylation Correlates with Progression of Gastric Cancer

Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate the mechanistic downregulation of mucin 6 (MUC6) and its influence on the progression of gastric cancer (GC). @*Materials and Methods@#The expression of MUC6 was examined in 40 GC patients. The methylation status of the MUC6 promoter region was investigated using GC cell lines and GC tissue specimens by immunohistochemistry and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). MUC6 was knocked down in the gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) cell and overexpressed in the SGC7901 cell.The effects of MUC6 knockdown and overexpression on cell migration and invasion were examined using Transwell assays. The effects of demethylation and methylation on MUC6 expression were examined by western blot, qPCR, or double luciferase reporter assays. @*Results@#The expression of MUC6 in GC with lymph node metastasis and poor pathological stage was significantly lower than that in GC without lymph node metastasis and good pathological stage, respectively. While cell migration and invasion were significantly decreased after overexpression of MUC6, these abilities significantly increased after the knockdown of MUC6. The methylation levels of MUC6 in GC tissues and GC cell lines were significantly higher than those in para-cancerous tissues and normal GES.Promoter methylation could significantly reduce the binding of related transcription factors to the MUC6 promoter. The expression of MUC6 increased with the concentration and time of action of demethylation drugs. @*Conclusion@#Expression of MUC6 was regulated by promotor methylation. This methylation of the MUC6 promoter may lead to significant downregulation of MUC6 in GC and promote the progression of GC.

Retrospective study of low-to-moderate dose glucocorticoids on viral clearance in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective@#To study the effect of low-to-moderate dose glucocorticoid therapy on viral clearance time in patients with COVID-19.@*Methods@#A total of 72 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 19 to February 17, 2020 at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University were recruited. All patients received oral abidol and/or combined lopinavir/ritonavir, darunavir antiviral, and symptomatic supportive care. Among them, 51 patients received methylprednisolone (0.75-1.50 mg·kg-1·d-1) (glucocorticoid treatment group), and 21 patients who did not use glucocorticoid were the control group. The time of stable virologic conversion insputumand the time of radiologic recovery in lungsince onset were compared between the two groups and among the normal patients.The Kruskal-Wallis test or Fisher exact test was used to compare the difference between groups.@*Results@#The median ages of the glucocorticoid group and the control group were 52 [interquartile range (IQR):45, 62] years and 46 (IQR: 32, 56)years, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). The clinical conditions at hospital admission were different between the two groups (P<0.01). There were 52.0% critical ill patients in the glucocorticoid treatment group, compared to that of 71.4% normal patients in the control group. The median times from the onset tostable virologic conversion to negative in the two groups were 15 (IQR:13,20) days and 14 (IQR:12,20) days (P>0.05), and the difference was no statistically significant. The median times from onset to radiologic recovery were 13 (IQR: 11,15) days and 13 (IQR:12,17) days in the two groups, and there was no difference (P>0.05). In ordinary patients, the median timesfrom the onset tostable virologic conversion insputum were no difference (P>0.05), with 13 (IQR:11,18) days in the glucocorticoid group and 13 (IQR:12,15) days in the control group; The median times from onset to radiologic recovery in lungwere also no difference (P>0.05), with 12 (IQR: 10,15)days in the glucocorticoid group and 13 (IQR: 12,17) days inthe control group.@*Conclusions@#Low-to-moderate glucocorticoid treatment has no effect on the time of virus clearance in patients with different clinical types of COVID-19. The glucocorticoid is not recommended since no effectiveness on accelerating the improvement of radiologic recovery in lung has been observed.

Effect of low-to-moderate dose glucocorticoids on viral clearance in COVID-19: a retrospective study / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective:To study the effect of low-to-moderate dose glucocorticoid therapy on viral clearance in patients with COVID-19.Methods:A total of 72 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 19 to February 17, 2020 at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were recruited. All patients received oral arbidol and combination of lopinavir/ritonavir or darunavir/cobistitat for antiviral therapy, and symptomatic supportive care. Among them, 51 patients received methylprednisolone (0.75-1.50 mg·kg -1·d -1) (glucocorticoid treatment group), and 21 patients did not use glucocorticoid (control group). The time of virologic negative conversion in sputum and the time of radiologic recovery in lung since onset were compared between the two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test or Fisher exact test was used to compare the difference between groups. Results:The median ages of the glucocorticoid group and the control group were 52 (45, 62) and 46 (32, 56) years ( χ2=4.365, P<0.05). The clinical conditions at hospital admission were different between the two groups ( P<0.01). The severe cases accounted for 52.0%, while moderate cases in the control group accounted for 71.4%. The median times from the onset to virologic negative conversion in the two groups were 15 (13, 20) and 14 (12, 20) days ( P>0.05). The median times from onset to radiologic recovery were 13 (11, 15) and 13 (12, 17) days in the two groups ( P>0.05). In moderate cases, the median times from the onset to virologic conversion in sputum were 13 (11, 18) days in the glucocorticoid group and 13 (12, 15) days in the control group ( P>0.05). The median times from onset to radiologic recovery in lung were 12 (10, 15) and 13 (12, 17) days, respectively ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Low-to-moderate glucocorticoid treatment has no effect on the time of virus clearance in patients with different clinical types of COVID-19, and also no effect on accelerating radiologic recovery in lung, so it is not recommended.

RPS15a Silencing Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Information on the possible role of the ribosomal protein S15a (RPS15a) in gastric cancer is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of RPS15a gene expression on the growth and cell cycle of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RPS15a mRNA expression was examined in cancer tissues and their corresponding adjacent normal tissues of 40 gastric adenocarcinoma patients. Next, RPS15a was knocked down using a lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (short hairpin RNA) system in the gastric cancer cell line BGC823. The effect of RPS15a knockdown was examined using CCK-8 assay, cell scratch test, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. Finally, in nude mice, a tumorigenicity test was performed, and the tumor volume and weight were measured. RESULTS: RPS15a expression in tumor tissue was significantly greater than that in the adjacent normal tissue of gastric cancer patients. After RPS15a silencing, the BGC823 cell proliferation rate decreased significantly; most cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase, cell growth was inhibited, and the migration rate was decreased. Colony formation assay showed that the number and size of clones in the RPS15a-silenced cells were fewer and smaller, compared to control cells. The nude mouse tumorigenicity test showed that RPS15a silencing had an inhibitory effect on tumor volume and mice weight. CONCLUSION: The present study found RPS15a expression to be higher in gastric tumors and its silencing in gastric cancer cells to inhibit the proliferation, growth, and migration thereof. Accordingly, RPS15a may be considered as a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer.

Effects of the Helicobacter pylori Virulence Factor CagA and Ammonium Ion on Mucins in AGS Cells

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-CagA and the urease metabolite NH₄⁺ on mucin expression in AGS cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AGS cells were transfected with CagA and/or treated with different concentrations of NH₄⁺CL. Mucin gene and protein expression was assessed by qPCR and immunofluorescence assays, respectively. RESULTS: CagA significantly upregulated MUC5AC, MUC2, and MUC5B expression in AGS cells, but did not affect E-cadherin and MUC6 expression. MUC5AC, MUC6, and MUC2 expression in AGS cells increased with increasing NH₄⁺ concentrations until reaching a peak level at 15 mM. MUC5B mRNA expression in AGS cells (NH₄⁺ concentration of 15 mM) was significantly higher than that at 0, 5, and 10 mM NH₄⁺. No changes in E-cadherin expression in AGS cells treated with NH₄⁺ were noted, except at 20 mM. The expression of MUC5AC, MUC2, and MUC6 mRNA in CagA-transfected AGS cells at an NH₄⁺ concentration of 15 mM was significantly NH₄⁺ concentration, and was significantly higher compared to that in untreated cells. No significant change in the expression of E-cadherin mRNA in CagA-transfected AGS cells was observed. Immunofluorescence assays confirmed the observed changes. CONCLUSION: H. pylori may affect the expression of MUC5AC, MUC2, MUC5B, and MUC6 in AGS cells via CagA and/or NH₄⁺, but not E-cadherin.

Predictive and clinical value of endoscopic ultrasonography combined with conventional endoscopy for invasion depth of early gastric cancer / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of endoscopic ultrasonography ( EUS) combined with conventional endoscopy for prediction of invasion depth of early gastric cancer and its therapeutic decision-making. Methods Patients with biopsy-proven gastric cancer underwent EUS and conventional endoscopy from July 2011 to January 2018 in Ningbo No. 2 Hospital. A total of 129 patients with early gastric cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology were enrolled in the study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, consistency ( the value of Kappa ) and area under receiver operating characteristic curve ( AUC) of EUS, conventional endoscopy and combination of two methods to assess the accuracy of tumor infiltration depth were analyzed. The accuracy of therapeutic decision-making based on the EUS, conventional endoscopy and combination of two methods were assessed. Results In intramucosal cancer, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, the value of Kappa and AUC of EUS were 75. 00％, 82. 22％, 88. 73％, 63. 79％, 0. 536 and 0. 797, respectively, and for conventional endoscopy, these statistical values were 61. 9％, 93. 33％, 94. 55％, 56. 76％, 0. 481, and 0. 801, respectively. For the combination of two methods, these statistical values were 85. 71％, 82. 22％, 90. 00％, 75. 51％, 0. 666 and 0. 850, respectively. In submucosal cancer, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, the value of Kappa and AUC of EUS were 51. 11％, 86. 91％, 67. 65％, 76. 84％, 0. 403 and 0. 697, respectively, and for conventional endoscopy, these statistical values were 57. 78％, 73. 81％, 54. 17％, 76. 54％, 0. 311 and 0. 678, respectively. For the combination of two methods, these statistical values were 71. 11％, 90. 48％, 80. 00％, 85. 39％, 0. 632 and 0. 817, respectively. The accuracies of therapeutic decision-making of EUS, conventional endoscopy and the combination of two methods were 83. 72％, 68. 22％ and 92. 25％, respectively. Conclusion Patients who are diagnosed as intramucosal caner by conventional endoscopy should not be recommended to undergo EUS. For those whose invasion depth is unclear, or diagnosed as submucosal cancer or deeper by conventional endoscopy, EUS should be performed for reassessment. The combination of two methods can improve the accuracy of distinguishing intramucosal and submucosal caners and therapeutic decision-making. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-DDT-13003299.

Therapeutical effect of ferulic acid on rabbit ear chronic ischemic wounds / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To study whether ferulic acid can promote healing on chronic ischemic wounds and its possible mechanisms.Methods 40 male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups:vaseline group,ischemic control group,5％ ferulic acid group and recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor for external use (rb-bFGF) group.Gross wounds were carefully observed and HE staining was used to observe the wound healing and immumohistochemical staining to observe the expression of the VEGF and CD31.The RNA was extracted to detect the expression of VEGF and HIF-1a by real-time PCR.Results The general observation and the HE staining of each specimen 11 days after operation all indicated that the duration of wound healing of the 5 ％ ferulic acid group was similar to that of the rb-bFGF group and markedly shorter than the ischemic control group and the vaseline smear group.The result of the immunohistochemical staining indicated that the content of the VEGF and CD31 expression of the 5 ％ ferulic acid groups and the rb-bFGF group made lit tle difference,but there was markedly less VEGF and CD31 in ischemic control group and the vaseline smear group.The result of the PCR showed that expression level of VEGF and HIF-1α in the 5 ％ fer ulic acid group was similar to that in the rb bFGF group and the vaseline smear group,but was obviously more than that of the ischemic control group and the vaseline smear group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Ferulic acid can promote angiogenesis by increasing VEGF and HIF-1α which are closely related to angiogenesis and then promote the healing of chronic wounds.

Repair of soft tissue defect in distal thumb with dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flap / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the surgical methods and clinical effects of the reconstruction of soft tissue defect in distal thumbwith dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flap.Methods From January,2014 to December,2016,32 patients with soft tissue defects of distal thumb were repaired with dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flaps,including left thumbs in 11 cases and right thumbs in 21 cases.They were including 7 cases of nail bed defects,9 cases of pulp defects under nails,16 cases ofthe defects of tips or stump of fingers;skin and soft tissue defects range of 1.5 cm×1.0 cm-3.5 cm×3.2 cm;Flap cutting areas range of 2.0 cm×l.5 cm-4.0 cm×3.5 cm.If the donor areas could be sutured directly,be sutured;if they could not,be covered with intermediate split thickness skin grafts.All patients were followed up when they were reviewed in outpatient department,and to be evaluated the shape,texture,sensation,flexion and extension function,and donor site of the flaps.Results One case of flaps blood circulation disordereddue to tight suture,and eased after the removal of part of the sutures;One case of flaps atrophied,and the phalangette was exposed after 3 months,so we removed the end part of bone and the wound was closed;other flaps were survived,with primary wound healing.In the total 32 patients,they were followed up range of 3 to 36 months,with an average of 12 months.Eighteen cases were followed up at least 6 months,which were 4 of the 7 cases of nail bed defects,5 of the 9 cases of pulp defects under nail and 9 of the 16 cases of the defects of tip or stump of fingers.The appearances and textures of flaps were good,protective sensations were restored,and skin flap two-point discriminationswere 8-10 mm.According to the Trial Standard for Evaluation of Upper Limb Function of Chinese Society of Hand Surgery,it was excellent in 11 cases,good in 17 cases and moderate in 4 cases,with the excellent and good rate of 87.5％.Conclusion It has advantages of simple operation,low risk,high success rate and satisfactory curative effects of the use of dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flap for repair of distal thumb defect of skin and soft tissue.It is not only suitable for the hospital with good technical and equipment,but also suitable for the primary hospital.

Gene polymorphism of Helicobacter pylori correlates with its resistance to Clarithromycin / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the resistance rate of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) to clarithromycin and its correlation with point mutations in 23S rRNA gene. Methods Hp was cultured from gastric biopsy specimen obtained from 189 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The DNA of 11 clarithromycin sensitive Hp and 19 clarithromycin resistant Hp was extracted, and 23S rRNA was amplified and sequenced. Results The rate of clarithromycin resistance in cultured Hp was 29. 2%. Point mutations in 23S rRNA gene were found in 17 clarithromycin resistant Hp strains. The proportion of A to G mutation was 36.8%, G to A of 21.5%, C to T of 15.8%, A to C of 10.5% and T to C of 5.3%. No point mutation in 23S rRNA was detected in other 2 clarithromycin resistant and 11 sensitive Hp strains. Conclusion The resistance to clarithromycin is common in Hp, and point mutations in 23S rRNA gene of Hp are frequent in clarithromycin resistant strains, with most prevalent mutations of A to G and next G to A.

Understanding type 2 diabetes and aging: lessons from nonhuman primates.

Background: The increase in global prevalence of obesity and diabetes, and the growth of the elderly population worldwide emphasize the biomedical research need for an animal model which exhibits close similarity to human disease and aging processes. The rhesus monkey develops obesity and type 2 diabetes spontaneously and naturally when ad libitum fed, within a lifespan which is about a third that of the human. Objective: To characterize the genetic, structural, biochemical and physiological changes occurring in monkeys who age successfully and in those who develop obesity and type 2 diabetes. Results: The rhesus monkey demonstrates the same signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, including macroand microvascular complications, as observed in humans. Age-related changes, potential biomarkers, and proposed biochemical pathways of aging can be readily investigated, with outcomes very similar to those in humans. Conclusion: The rhesus monkey model imparts valuable insights to normal and pathological processes accompanying aging and type 2 diabetes. It also provides a valuable tool by which to test novel therapeutic interventions which otherwise can not be performed in humans due to ethical considerations, but where results are highly translatable.