Clock1a affects mesoderm development and primitive hematopoiesis by regulating Nodal-Smad3 signaling in the zebrafish embryo.

Circadian clock and Smad2/3/4-mediated Nodal signaling regulate multiple physiological and pathological processes. However, it remains unknown whether Clock directly cross-talks with Nodal signaling and how this would regulate embryonic development. Here we show that Clock1a coordinated mesoderm development and primitive hematopoiesis in zebrafish embryos by directly up-regulating Nodal-Smad3 signaling. We found that Clock1a is expressed both maternally and zygotically throughout early zebrafish development. We also noted that Clock1a alterations produce embryonic defects with shortened body length, lack of the ventral tail fin, or partial defect of the eyes. Clock1a regulates the expression of the mesodermal markers ntl, gsc, and eve1 and of the hematopoietic markers scl, lmo2, and fli1a Biochemical analyses revealed that Clock1a stimulates Nodal signaling by increasing expression of Smad2/3/4. Mechanistically, Clock1a activates the smad3a promoter via its E-box1 element (CAGATG). Taken together, these findings provide mechanistic insight into the role of Clock1a in the regulation of mesoderm development and primitive hematopoiesis via modulation of Nodal-Smad3 signaling and indicate that Smad3a is directly controlled by the circadian clock in zebrafish.

Assessment of Rectal Tumors with Shear-Wave Elastography before Surgery: Comparison with Endorectal US.

Purpose To compare the value of endorectal ultrasonography (US) with shear-wave elastography (SWE) in staging rectal tumors before surgery. Materials and Methods This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board and written informed consent was obtained. In a pilot cohort from April 2015 to January 2016, 70 patients with rectal adenocarcinomas and/or adenomas confirmed with histopathologic examination underwent both endorectal US and SWE. Tumor stiffness and three regions of reference backgrounds, as well as tumor stiffness ratios (SRs) versus these backgrounds, were analyzed. The optimal staging feature was selected by using receiver operating characteristic analysis, and the concordance rate with pathologic stage was analyzed and compared with endorectal US. The results were validated in an independent cohort of 30 patients from February 2016 to July 2016. Results In the pilot study, from rectal adenoma to stage T3 cancers, the tumor stiffness, stiffness of peritumoral fat, tumor SR versus distant perirectal fat, and tumor SR versus normal rectal wall were significantly increased (all P < .05, correlation coefficients between SWE features and pathologic T stages were 0.589-0.853). Receiver operating characteristic analysis of tumor staging demonstrated that tumor stiffness was the optimal feature with the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC = 0.991-1.000). The cutoff values of stage T1, T2, and T3 cancers were 26.9 kPa, 70.3 kPa, and 112.0 kPa, respectively. For SWE, the diagnostic concordance rate with pathologic stage (95.7%, weighted κ = 0.962) was higher than that of endorectal US (75.7%, weighted κ = 0.756). In the validation cohort, similar findings were revealed for diagnostic concordance rate (93.3% vs 76.7%; weighted κ = 0.927 vs 0.651) and diagnostic performance of tumor staging (AUC = 0.950-1.000 vs 0.700-0.833). Conclusion By using the feature of tumor stiffness at SWE, the accuracy of preoperative staging for rectal tumors was improved compared with endorectal US in the pilot study, but was not significantly different in the validation cohort, potentially due to small sample size. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Valproic acid (VPA) enhances cisplatin sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells via HDAC2 mediated down regulation of ABCA1.

Valproic acid (VPA) has been suggested to be a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI). Our present study revealed that VPA at 1 mm, which had no effect on cell proliferation, can significantly increase the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells to cisplatin (DDP). VPA treatment markedly decreased the mRNA and protein levels of ABCA1, while had no significant effect on ABCA3, ABCA7 or ABCB10. Luciferase reporter assays showed that VPA can decrease the ABCA1 promoter activity in both A549 and H358 cells. VPA treatment also decreased the phosphorylation of SP1, which can bind to -100 and -166 bp in the promoter of ABCA1. While the phosphorylation of c-Fos and c-Jun were not changed in VPA treated NSCLC cells. Over expression of HDAC2 attenuated VPA induced down regulation of ABCA1 mRNA expression and promoter activities. Over expression of HDAC2 also attenuated VPA induced DDP sensitivity of NSCLC cells. These data revealed that VPA can increase the DDP sensitivity of NSCLC cells via down regulation of ABCA1 through HDAC2/SP1 signals. It suggested that combination of VPA and anticancer drugs such as DDP might be great helpful for treatment of NSCLC patients.

Overexpression of lncRNA HOXA11-AS promotes cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition by repressing miR-200b in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have verified that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in many biological functions and play crucial roles in human cancers progression, the study aimed to detect the association between long non-coding RNA HOXA11-AS and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The lncRNA HOXA11-AS expression levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays in 78 paired of tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue samples in NSCLC patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test was used to examine the association between lncRNA HOXA11-AS expression and the over survival time in NSCLC patients. Transwell invasion assay was performed to detect the cell invasion ability. QRT-PCR and western-blot analysis detected the mRNA and protein expression of EMT related transcription factors ZEB1/ZEB2, Snail1/2 and EMT marker E-cadherin and N-cadherin in NSCLC cells. RIP and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to analyze the association between lncRNA HOXA11-AS and miR-200b expression in NSCLC cells. RESULTS: The lncRNA HOXA11-AS expression levels were significantly higher in NSCLC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues and higher HOXA11-AS expression levels had a poor prognosis in NSCLC patients. Furthermore, knockdown of lncRNA HOXA11-AS in A549 and H1299 cells dramatically inhibited cell invasive abilities. Besides, the transcription levels and protein levels of EMT related transcription factors ZEB1/ZEB2, Snail1/2, and EMT maker N-cadherin were down-regulated after lncRNA HOXA11-AS was knocked down, but the mRNA and protein expression levels of EMT maker E-cadherin was increasing in A549 and H1299 cells. The mechanistic findings showed demonstrated that HOXA11-AS interacted with EZH2 and DNMT1 and recruited them to the miR-200b promoter regions to repress miR-200b expression in NSCLC cells, which promoted cell EMT in NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that up-regulation of lncRNA HOXA11-AS predicted a poor prognosis and lncRNA HOXA11-AS promoted cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by inhibiting miR-200b expression in NSCLC.

[Chemical constituents of ethyl acetate fraction of Tetrastigma planicaule].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of ethyl acetate of Tetrastigma planicaule. METHODS: The ethyl acetate fraction was isolated and purified by repeated silica gel chromatography and recrystallization. The structures of compounds were identified by physical-chemical methods and spectral data such as MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, etc. RESULTS: Six compounds were identified as gheddic acid (I), tricosanol (II), beta-sitosterol (III), palmitic acid (IV), ethyl gallate (V) and vanillin (VI), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds I, II, V and VI are isolated from this plant for the first time.

High-expression of DJ-1 and loss of PTEN associated with tumor metastasis and correlated with poor prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: DJ-1 and PTEN have been shown to involve in multiple cell processes and play an important role in cancer development and progression. However, their relationship with gastric carcinoma (GC) has not been identified yet. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship of DJ-1 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in GC. METHODS: 114 specimens were collected from GC patients and expression of DJ-1 and PTEN in tissue microarray was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Correlation between immunostainings and clinicopathological parameters, follow-up data of patients, was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: High expression of DJ-1 was found in 66.7% (76/114) and associated with tumor depth (P=0.003), lymph node metastasis (P=0.011), distant metastasis (P=0.001) and advanced clinical stage (P=0.001). Loss or downregulation of PTEN was found in 58.7% (67/114) and associated with advanced clinical stage (P=0.018) and high expression of DJ-1 in tumor cells (P=0.006). In univariate survival analysis, high-expression of DJ-1 or loss of PTEN was significantly associated with poor prognosis of GC patients. However, only tumor depth (P=0.011) and coexistence of DJ-1 and PTEN abnormal expression (P=0.009) emerged as strong independent prognostic factors for overall survival of GC patients. CONCLUSIONS: the present study indicates that DJ-1 and PTEN may play their roles in progression of GC in a cooperating pattern. Co-existence of abnormal DJ-1 and PTEN expression is likely to serve as an independent predictive factor for prognosis of GC patients.

[Effects of inhibition of Hedgehog signaling pathway for transforming growth factor-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the mechanism of Hedgehog pathway in the metastasis of gastric cancer and examine particularly the effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). METHODS: Using pharmacological and siRNA knockdown approach, the Hedgehog pathway was inhibited. The cellular morphology, protein level, invasion and metastatic abilities were measured by microscope, Western blot, Transwell invasion assay and Transwell migration assay. RESULTS: Under the inhibition of Hedgehog pathway, the invasive and migration abilities of gastric cancer decreased. The transforming growth factor (TGF) -ß could induce spindle-like-shaped morphological changes with a down-regulation of epithelial characteristic (decreased E-cadherin protein level) and an up-regulation of mesenchymal characteristics (increased Vimentin protein level). There were concurrent increases of invasive and migration potentials by 3 and 4 folds respectively.However, under the continuous stimulation of TGF-ß, the inhibition of Hedgehog pathway could reverse the EMT changes, lower the expression of vimentin and reduce the invasion and metastatic abilities by 3 and 2 folds respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of Hedgehog pathway can decrease the TGF-ß-inducing EMT.It suggests that Hedgehog pathway may play a critical role in the metastasis of gastric cancer.

Risk factors and their interactive effects on severe acute pancreatitis complicated with acute gastrointestinal injury.

BACKGROUND: There are many risk factors for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) complicated with acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI), but few reports on the interaction between these risk factors. AIM: To analyze the risk factors for SAP complicated with AGI and their interactive effects. METHODS: We selected 168 SAP patients admitted to our hospital between December 2019 and June 2022. They were divided into AGI group and non-AGI group according to whether AGI was present. Demographic data and laboratory test data were compared between the two groups. The risk factors for SAP with concomitant AGI were analyzed using multifactorial logistic regression, and an analysis of the interaction of the risk factors was performed. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, acute physiological and chronic health scoring system II (APACHE II) score, white blood cell count and creatinine (CRE) level was higher in the AGI group than in the non-AGI group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that an APACHE II score > 15 and CRE > 100 µmol/L were risk factors for SAP complicating AGI. The interaction index of APACHE II score and CRE level was 3.123. CONCLUSION: An APACHE II score > 15 and CRE level > 100 µmol/L are independent risk factors for SAP complicated with AGI, and there is a positive interaction between them.

High CpG island methylator phenotype is associated with lymph node metastasis and prognosis in gastric cancer.

Several studies have found that the promoter CpG island is frequently methylated in gastric cancer. The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) defines concordant methylation of multiple promoter CpG island loci in a subset of gastric cancer. However, the relationship between CIMP and lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer is unknown. Our study aimed to characterize the role of CIMP in lymph node metastasis. Clinical specimens from 120 patients were analyzed and PCR was used to detect the methylation status of five genes (ALX4, TMEFF2, CHCHD10, IGFBP3, and NPR1). We measured the level of mRNA for the five genes by real-time RT-PCR. Microsatellite instability and Helicobacter pylori infection status were assayed by capillary electrophoresis and real-time PCR, respectively. DNA methylation in the five genes was correlated with low expression of the respective mRNA. With CIMP as the dependent variable, CIMP-high gastric cancer tended to show more distant lymph node metastasis, higher pathologic tumor classification, more pathologic metastasis, and higher pathologic TNM status. Microsatellite instability and H. pylori status were not significant predictors of prognosis. CIMP-high gastric cancer showed significantly worse survival compared with that of CIMP-low/CIMP-negative gastric cancer (P < 0.001). Our results show that there is an association between CIMP status and lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer and CIMP-high was an independent prognostic factor.

(4R*,5R*)-Diethyl 2-(4-nitro-phen-yl)-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dicarboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(15)H(17)NO(8), the nitro group is essentially coplanar with the aromatic ring [dihedral angle = 6.4 (3) Å]. The five-membered ring has a twist conformation. In the crystal, C-H⋯O inter-actions link the mol-ecules into a helical chain propagating along [010].

(4R*,5R*)-2-(4-Meth-oxy-phen-yl)-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dicarboxamide.

In the title compound, C(12)H(14)N(2)O(5), the five-membered 1,3-dioxolane ring has a twisted conformation. In the crystal, N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into a two-dimensional network lying parallel to the ab plane. There are also C-H⋯π inter-actions present in the crystal structure.

[Clinicopathologic features and prognostic analyses of Borrmann type IV gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To compare Borrmann type IV gastric cancer with other types of cancer and explore their clinicopathological features and prognostic factors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 893 consecutive advanced gastric cancer patients. They were divided into 2 groups: Borrmann type IV (n = 139) and other macroscopic Borrmann types of cancer (n = 754). Their clinicopathologic characteristics and overall survival data were analyzed. RESULTS: Borrmann type IV gastric cancer was found to be associated with more advanced and unfavorable clinicopathological features. The incidence of preoperative biopsy-negative rate of Borrmann type IV gastric cancer was much higher (15.9%) than other Borrmann types of gastric cancer. The 5-year survival rate of Borrmann type IV cancer patients was 9.9% and it was significantly lower than that of other types. Moreover, the 5-year survival rate was higher in the patients with curative resection (18.7%) (P < 0.05). Stratified analysis revealed that when the tumor TNM stages were of II, III, the survival data of Borrmann type IV cancer were worse than others. Multivariate analyses revealed distant metastasis and curability were independent prognostic factors for Borrmann type IV gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Borrmann type IV carcinoma has poor clinicopathological features and survival rate compared with other types. An early detection and curative resection may improve the prognosis for the patients with Borrmann type IV cancer.

Microbiologic risk factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis post-endoscopic sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: Choledocholithiasis is a severe disorder that affects a significant portion of the world's population. Treatment using endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) has become widespread; however, recurrence post-EST is relatively common. The bile microbiome has a profound influence on the recurrence of choledocholithiasis in patients after EST; however, the key pathogens and their functions in the biliary tract remain unclear. AIM: To investigate the biliary microbial characteristics of patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis post-EST, using next-generation sequencing. METHODS: This cohort study included 43 patients, who presented with choledocholithiasis at the Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital between May and June 2020. The patients had undergone EST or endoscopic papillary balloon dilation and were followed up for over a year. They were divided into either the stable or recurrent groups. We collected bile samples and extracted microbial DNA for analysis through next-generation sequencing. Resulting sequences were analyzed for core microbiome and statistical differences between the diagnosis groups; they were examined using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway hierarchy level using analysis of variance. Correlation between the key genera and metabolic pathways in bile, were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: The results revealed distinct clustering of biliary microbiota in recurrent choledocholithiasis. Higher relative abundances (RAs) of Fusobacterium and Neisseria (56.61% ± 14.81% vs 3.47% ± 1.10%, 8.95% ± 3.42% vs 0.69% ± 0.32%, respectively) and the absence of Lactobacillus were observed in the bile of patients with recurrent disease, compared to that in stable patients. Construction of a microbiological co-occurrence network revealed a mutual relationship among Fusobacterium, Neisseria, and Leptotrichia, and an antagonistic relationship among Lactobacillales, Fusobacteriales, and Clostridiales. Functional prediction of biliary microbiome revealed that the loss of transcription and metabolic abilities may lead to recurrent choledocholithiasis. Furthermore, the prediction model based on the RA of Lactobacillales in the bile was effective in identifying the risk of recurrent choledocholithiasis (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated differences in the bile microbiome of patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis compared to that in patients with stable disease, thereby adding to the current knowledge on its microbiologic etiology.

[Reconstruction of pancreaticogastrostomy versus pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a meta-analysis of prospectively controlled trials].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the reconstructing safety of pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) versus pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: The articles of prospectively controlled trials published until late December 2010 comparing PJ and PG after PD were searched by the means of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases and Chinese Biomedical Database. After quality assessment of all included prospective controlled trials, a meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.0 for statistic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 6 prospective controlled trials were included. Among 867 patients analyzed, 440 underwent PG and 426 PJ. A meta-analysis of 6 prospective controlled trials (including randomized control trial (RCT) and non-randomized prospective trial) revealed significant differences between PJ and PG regarding the overall postoperative complication rates [OR 0.53, 95%CI (0.30, 0.95), P = 0.03], pancreatic fistula [OR 0.47, 95%CI (0.22, 0.97), P = 0.04] and intra-abdominal fluid collection [OR 0.42, 95%CI (0.25, 0.72), P = 0.001]. The differences in biliary fistula, intra-abdominal (IAC) complications and mortality were of no significance. Meta-analysis of 4 RCTs revealed significant differences between PJ and PG regarding intra-abdominal fluid collection [OR 0.46, 95%CI (0.26, 0.79), P = 0.005]. The differences in pancreatic fistula, overall postoperative complications, biliary fistula, intra-abdominal complications and mortality were of no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Through a meta-analysis of 6 prospective controlled trials, there are significant differences between PJ and PG regarding overall postoperative complications, pancreatic fistula and intra-abdominal fluid collection. Significant differences exist between PJ and PG regarding intra-abdominal fluid collection. The safety profiles of PG and PJ are comparable.

A Substage Increase in The AJCC Classification System Improves Prognostic Prediction in Stage III Gastric Cancer With Insufficient Lymph Nodes Removed.

BACKGROUND: The impact of lymph nodes (LNs) removed on the survivals of patients with stage III gastric cancer, especially on that of those who undergo the adjuvant chemotherapy as a compensation for a possibly insufficient lymphadenectomy, is still unclear. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 488) with stage III gastric cancer under R0 curative resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy were analyzed. The overall survival (OS) was compared between patients with insufficient LNs removed (ILNr, <16 LNs) and sufficient LNs removed (SLNr, ≥16 LNs). Performance of the prediction systems was evaluated using the Likelihood ratio χ2 test, Akaike information criterion (AIC), Harrell's concordance index (C-index), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). RESULTS: The OS of patients were significantly longer in those with SLNr relative to those with ILNr (for stage IIIA, 68.2 vs. 43.2 months, P = 0.042; for stage IIIB, 43.7 vs. 24.9 months, P < 0.001; for stage IIIC, 23.9 vs. 8.3 months, P < 0.001; and for total stage III, 37.7 vs. 21.7 months, P < 0.001). However, the OS were similar between stage IIIA patients with ILNr and stage IIIB patients with SLNr (P = 0.928), between IIIB patients with ILNr and IIIC patients with SLNr (P = 0.962), and IIIC patients with ILNr and stage IV (P = 0.668), respectively. A substage increase in the AJCC classification system, from IIIA to IIIB, from IIIB to IIIC, and from IIIC to IV in patients with ILNr, enhanced the accuracy of prognostic prediction in patients with stage III gastric cancer compared to the current TNM system (Likelihood ratio χ2, 188.6 vs. 184.8; AIC, 4336.4 vs. 4340.6; C-index, 0.695 vs. 0.679, P = 0.002). The ROC curves revealed that the performance of prognostic prediction was better in the new prediction system (AUC = 0.699) compared with the current TNM system (AUC = 0.676). CONCLUSIONS: ILNr (LNs <16) impairs the long-term outcomes of stage III gastric cancer underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. The status of LNs removal adds values to the current TNM system in prognostic prediction of stage III gastric cancer.

[Spectrum diagnostics for optimization of experimental parameters in thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering].

The plasma emission spectra generated during the deposition process of Si-based thin films by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering using Cu and Al targets in an argon atmosphere were acquired by the plasma analysis system, which consists of a magnetron sputtering apparatus, an Omni-lambda300 series grating spectrometer, a CCD data acquisition system and an optical fiber transmission system. The variation in Cu and Al plasma emission spectra intensity depending on sputtering conditions, such as sputtering time, sputtering power, the target-to-substrate distance and deposition pressure, was studied by using the analysis lines Cu I 324. 754 nm, Cu I 327. 396 nm, Cu I 333. 784 nm, Cu I 353. 039 nm, Al I 394. 403 nm and Al I 396. 153 nm. Compared with the option of experimental parameters of thin films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering, it was shown that emission spectra analysis methods play a guiding role in optimizing the deposition conditions of thin films in RF magnetron sputtering.

SgRVE6, a LHY-CCA1-Like Transcription Factor From Fine-Stem Stylo, Upregulates NB-LRR Gene Expression and Enhances Cold Tolerance in Tobacco.

Stylosanthes species are economically important tropical and subtropical forage legumes which are generally vulnerable to chilling and frost. Fine-stem stylo (S. guianensis var. intermedia) has the most superior cold tolerance among all stylo species. A REVEILLE (RVE) gene, SgRVE6, was cloned from fine-stem stylo. Bioinformatic analysis suggests that SgRVE6 encodes a transcription factor of 292 amino acid residues, which belongs to the LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL/CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1-LIKE (LCL) subgroup of RVE family and contains a SHAQKYF-class MYB domain and a LCL domain. SgRVE6 is universally expressed in root, stem and leaf tissues of fine-stem stylo and is rapidly up-regulated in all tested tissues under cold stress. Over-expressing SgRVE6 affects expression of 21 circadian clock genes, up-regulates expression of 6 nucleotide binding domain leucine-rich repeats (NB-LRR) encoding genes associated with tobacco cold tolerance, improves physiological responses to low temperature, and endows the transgenic tobaccos with higher tolerance to cold stress. This is the first time a study investigates the biological function of RVE6 in cold responses of plant species.

Application of the molecular combing technique to starch granules.

The molecular combing technique was used to dissociate the nanostructural units of starch granules from the starch fragments after a gelatinization process. With the help of atomic force microscopy (AFM), we observed that some nanostructural chains were just flowing out of the granules. It proves that there are substantive nanostructural units in the starch granules, a phenomenon not previously observed, so these nanostructural units were defined as suspected intermediates. Furthermore, we conclude that blocklets of starch granules are formed through twisting or distortion of nanochains.

[Comparison of clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis of gastric carcinoma between different phases].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinicopathologic parameters of gastric carcinoma between different phases and to investigate the prognostic factors for gastric carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 1016 consecutive gastric cancer patients were divided into two groups according to operating date, phase I (1994 - 1996) and phase II (2000 - 2006). The clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis were compared between the two phases. The prognostic factors were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the constituent ratio of male and female patients, the proportions of early gastric carcinoma, different TNM staged patients, specialized operation and adjuvant chemotherapy (all P < 0.05), but no significant differences in tumor location, peritoneal spread, lymph node metastasis and radical resection between the two phases. The overall 5-year survival rate and 5-year survival rate after curative resection were 48.1% and 61.5% respectively within phase II, significantly higher than 32.8% and 42.4% within phase I (all P < 0.01). Stratification analysis revealed that the survival rates of patients with curative resection, lymph node metastasis or not, advanced disease, different TNM stages, specialized operation, without adjuvant chemotherapy within phase II, were significantly higher than those within phase I (all P < 0.01). Multivariant regression analysis revealed that Borrmann type, histological type, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, curative resection, adjuvant chemotherapy and different phase were independent prognostic factors for gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic efficacy of gastric carcinoma within phase II was improved greatly as a result of elevated diagnostic rate of early gastric cancer, standardized radical operation and adjuvant chemotherapy. Gastric carcinoma within phase II was improved highly. It was elevated diagnostic rate of early gastric cancer, standardized radical operation, and adjuvant chemotherapy that contribute to such improvement.

[Effects of leptin on airway inflammation and the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in asthmatic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of leptin on airway inflammation and the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines. METHODS: The obesity and acute asthma models were established in 40 female SD rats, which were randomly divided into a normal weight control group (group A), a normal weight asthmatic group (group B), a normal weight intervention group (group C), an obese control group (group D) and an obese asthmatic group (group E). The airway resistance and airway responsiveness were calculated by transpulmonary pressure and gas flow rate. The numbers of leukocytes, eosinophils (EOS) and neutrophils (N) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted. The concentrations of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and leptin in serum and BALF were determined by ELISA. The protein and mRNA expression of leptin was measured by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively. RESULTS: The airway resistance in group C and E [(0.890 +/- 0.106) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1), (1.024 +/- 0.096) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1), (1.129 +/- 0.107) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1), (0.946 +/- 0.104) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1), (1.124 +/- 0.095) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1), (1.135 +/- 0.105) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1), respectively.] was increased significantly compared to group B [(0.638 +/- 0.128) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1), (0.745 +/- 0.073) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1), (0.773 +/- 0.090) cm H2Oxml(-1)xs(-1)] (q = 7.128, 8.712, 8.318, 11.300, 11.258, 11.447, all P < 0.05). The numbers of leukocyte and neutrophils in group C and E [(91 +/- 9) x 10(4)/ml, (108 +/- 21) x 10(4)/ml, (12.4 +/- 4.0) x 10(4)/ml, (14.2 +/- 5.9) x 10(4)/ml, respectively.] were increased significantly compared to group B [(79 +/- 7) x 10(4)/ml, (2.4 +/- 1.1) x 10(4)/ml] (q = 2.923, 7.063, 8.629, 10.182, all P < 0.05). The concentrations of IFN-gamma were [(42.3 +/- 3.5) ng/L, (45.1 +/- 4.8) ng/L, (19.2 +/- 1.8) ng/L, (20.3 +/- 1.5) ng/L] in group C and E respectively, which were significantly higher than those of group B [(16.5 +/- 1.4) ng/L, (9.3 +/- 1.0) ng/L] (q = 21.607, 23.952, 16.919, 18.799, all P < 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression of leptin in lung tissue in group C and E [(0.40 +/- 0.07) ng/L, (0.44 +/- 0.05) ng/L, (0.34 +/- 0.06) ng/L, (0.38 +/- 0.04) ng/L, respectively.] were remarkably higher than those of group B [(0.31 +/- 0.03) ng/L, (0.21 +/- 0.04) ng/L] (q = 4.648, 6.713, 8.222, 10.752, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Leptin could aggravate airway inflammation featured by infiltration of neutrophils and enhancement of Th1 type inflammation.