[Preliminary report on the use of total lumpectomyconical remnant gastric - esophagus side overlap anastomosis in radical resection of Siewert type II proximal gastric cancer].

Objective: There is no standard method for esophageal remnant gastric reconstruction for proximal gastrectomy. Reflux esophagitis caused by esophagogastrostomy remains a difficult surgical problem. To report the preliminary surgical results of novel esophagus-conical remnant gastric side overlap anastomosis (CGEO) , with particular emphasis on postoperative esophageal reflux. Methods: In June 2022, we developed a novel CGEO for laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy on two patients with Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. Surgical procedures for CGEO: (1) Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and preparation of conically shaped gastric remnant; (2) Determining anastomotic site of residual stomach and esophagus; (3) Side-to-side anastomosis of right esophageal wall to anterior of conical gastric remnant; (4) Valvuloplasty of esophageal stump. Results: Case 1 was a 71-year-old man with an operation time of 305 minutes and was successfully discharged from the hospital on the 9th day after surgery, and the postoperative pathology was T3N0M0. Case 2 was an 82-year-old man with an operation time of 325 minutes. He was discharged on the 10th day after surgery. In both cases, only mild esophageal mucosal changes were seen in gastroscopy, there were no obvious symptoms of esophageal reflux. There was also no significant weight change at half a year after operation. Conclusion: CGEO is moderately safe in radical surgery for proximal gastric cancer, and may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of postoperative esophageal reflux, but long-term results need to be confirmed by further studies with follow-up.

[Three-dimensional analysis of maxillary dentition during molar distalization with clear aligners under different movement designs: an in vitro experiment].

Objective: To investigate the three-dimensional force in the maxillary dentition under different movement designs for molar distalization with clear aligners Methods: Three groups were designed: simultaneous movement group (simultaneous distalization of maxillary first and second molars), second molar movement group (distalization of maxillary second molars) and first molar movement group (distalization of maxillary first molars). Ten clear aligners were made in each group, and the displacement was designed to be 0.2 mm. A force sensing device was established to measure the three-dimensional force on the upper dentition with the clear aligner. The device contained a model of the maxillary dentition consisting of 14 teeth, each tooth connected to an individual sensor. After the clear aligner was fitted, the data of 14 sensors were collected and analyzed using computer analysis software. The moving teeth were taken as the target teeth, and the rest of the teeth were anchorage. The data of the three-dimensional force in the three groups in each tooth position were measured and compared. Results: The sagittal forces on the first and second molars in the simultaneous movement group were (5.61±0.94) and (5.81±1.08) N, respectively, which were significantly smaller than those of the target teeth in the same position in other groups (P<0.05). The second molars in the first molar movement group received a sagittal reaction force, which was (-6.73±1.99) N. The anterior teeth in the three groups were all subjected to sagittal reaction force, and the force value was in a range of (-3.33 to 0.46) N. In the coronal direction, the second premolars of the simultaneous movement group received the reaction force in the palatal direction, and the force value was (-2.17±1.06) N. The first molars in the second molar movement group were also subjected to palatal reaction force of (-1.99±0.70) N. The second molars and second premolars in the first molar movement group were also subjected to palatal reaction force, which were (-2.85±0.57) and (-1.85±0.74) N, respectively. Compared with the sagittal and coronal forces, the target teeth and anchorage teeth in the three groups were less stressed in the vertical direction. Conclusions: The first and second molars distalized simultaneously, the correction force in the sagittal direction was relatively small. When first molar was moved distally alone, a greater reaction force in the sagittal direction was exerted on the second molar. Buccal displacement of the adjacent anchorage teeth should be designed to counteract the palatal reaction force on the anchorage teeth as the molars moved distally.

[Epidemiological investigation of allergic rhinitis in central cities and countrysides of Inner Mongolia region].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in 3 central cities (Chifeng, Hohhot, Ordos) and the surrounding rural areas of Inner Mongolia region, and to look for possible risk factors related to the disease. Methods: From March to October of 2019, a multi-stage stratified random sampling epidemiological survey was conducted in Chifeng, Hohhot, Ordos and rural areas. The AR-related factors of the population were obtained in the form of face-to-face questionnaire survey, and the skin prick test (SPT) was taken for the participants. AR disease was diagnosed according to the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis (2015, Tianjin)". The daily airborne pollen situation in the three regions was monitored during the same period. SPSS 23.0 was used to analyze all survey results. Results: A total of 6 818 questionnaires were recovered, with 6 393 valid questionnaires. The self-reported prevalence of AR was 27.72% (1 772/6 393) and the confirmed prevalence of AR was 17.10% (1 093/6 393). The prevalence of perennial AR was 1.83% (117/6 393) while the prevalence of seasonal AR was 15.27% (976/6 393). The prevalence of AR diagnosed in females was higher than that in males (19.19% vs 15.34%, χ²=16.594, P<0.001) and the prevalence of females in the two age groups of 36-45 years and 46-55 years was significantly higher than that of males (18.17% vs 9.73%, 14.13% vs 7.25%, χ2 value was 23.848, 18.772, respectively, all P<0.001). The prevalence of confirmed diagnoses in ethnic minorities was higher than that of Han nationality, and the prevalence of confirmed diagnoses in urban areas was higher than that in rural areas (23.13% vs 16.20%, 27.27% vs 9.71%, χ2 value was 24.516, 336.024, respectively, all P<0.001). The main nasal symptoms of AR patients were sneezing (91.31%), nasal congestion (85.91%) and nasal itching (85.00%). The most common concomitant disease of AR was allergic conjunctivitis (73.99%). Asthma (OR=6.629), food allergy (OR=3.236), drug allergy (OR=1.786), application of antibiotics (OR=1.553), recent home decoration (OR=2.307), and smoking (OR=1.322) were the AR related risk factors. The highest proportion of SPT positive reactions was Artemisia annua (80.15%). The peak period of clinical symptoms of AR patients in Inner Mongolia region was July to September, which was consistent with the second peak period of airborne pollen monitoring. Conclusions: The prevalence of AR in central cities and the surrounding rural areas of Inner Mongolia region is 17.10%, and Artemisia species is the most important pollen allergen in this area. History of asthma, food allergy, drug allergy, antibiotic use, home decoration and smoking history are the related risk factors for AR.

Circular RNA circ-SMAD7 is downregulated in colorectal cancer and suppresses tumor metastasis by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition.

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "Circular RNA circ-SMAD7 is downregulated in colorectal cancer and suppresses tumor metastasis by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition, by D.-K. Wang, R.-F. Chong, B.-L. Song, K.-F. Fan, Y.-F. Liu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (4): 1736-1742-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202002_20350-PMID: 32141541" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/20350.

Circular RNA circ-SMAD7 is downregulated in colorectal cancer and suppresses tumor metastasis by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, circular RNAs play a vital role in many diseases including tumor progression. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most ordinary malignant tumors. The purpose of our study is to detect the potential function of circ-SMAD7 in CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The level of circ-SMAD7 was detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) in CRC tissue samples. The circ-SMAD7 expression level and the patients' overall survival time were analyzed. Functional experiments were conducted to identify the changes of the biological behaviors in CRC cells after the overexpression of circ-SMAD7. The transwell assay, the Matrigel assay, and the Wound healing assay were conducted. The Western blot assay was performed to analyze the effect of circ-SMAD7 on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. RESULTS: In the research, the expression level of circ-SMAD7 was significantly decreased in CRC tissues compared with that in the adjacent samples. Circ-SMAD7 expression was positively associated to patients' overall survival time. The expression of circ-SMAD7 was also decreased in CRC cell lines. The upregulation of circ-SMAD7 led to the inhibition of cell migration and invasion in CRC. In addition, the results of further experiments revealed that the EMT-related proteins were regulated via overexpression of circ-SMAD7 in CRC. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that circ-SMAD7 could inhibit cell migration and invasion of CRC by suppressing the EMT process, which might offer a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

Regulatory T-cell depletion in the gut caused by integrin ß7 deficiency exacerbates DSS colitis by evoking aberrant innate immunity.

Integrin α4ß7 controls lymphocyte trafficking into the gut and has essential roles in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The α4ß7-blocking antibody vedolizumab is approved for IBD treatment; however, high dose of vedolizumab aggravates colitis in a small percentage of patients. Herein, we show that integrin ß7 deficiency results in colonic regulatory T (Treg) cell depletion and exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis by evoking aberrant innate immunity. In DSS-treated ß7-deficient mice, the loss of colonic Treg cells induces excessive macrophage infiltration in the colon via upregulation of colonic epithelial intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and increases proinflammatory cytokine expression, thereby exacerbating DSS-induced colitis. Moreover, reconstitution of the colonic Treg cell population in ß7-deficient mice suppresses aberrant innate immune response in the colon and attenuates DSS colitis. Thus, integrin α4ß7 is essential for suppression of DSS colitis as it regulates the colonic Treg cell population and innate immunity.

Direct cloning of the unknown flanking DNA fragments from a large insert without restriction mapping.

A simple technique for direct cloning of the target DNA fragments from a large insert according to its adjacent known sequence is described here. In this new subcloning method, a large DNA insert is digested and ligated with a linearized plasmid vector to construct a subclone library that is subjected to screening. The bacterial clones in this library are individually picked, grown in a 96-well plate, and then pooled across the rows or columns. Target clones are obtained from the ordered separate pools by PCR-screening with a set of primers, one specific for the adjacent known sequence and the other serving as "anchor primer" specific for the vector sequence. This direct subcloning procedure was efficiently demonstrated by cloning a specific DNA region from a large insert within 2 days without mapping the starting DNA or isolating the digested DNA fragment.

Organization of human ACAT-2 gene and its cell-type-specific promoter activity.

Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) plays important roles in cellular cholesterol homeostasis. Two ACAT genes exist in mammals. We report here the genomic organization of human ACAT-2 gene and analysis of its promoter activity in various cell lines. The human ACAT-2 gene spans over 18 kb and contains 15 exons. Three transcription start sites and one poly(A) site are identified by the 5'/3'-RACE. In addition, the human ACAT-2 gene is linked to the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP-6) gene in a head-to-tail manner with a small intergenic region of about 1.2 kb. The 5'-flanking region of human ACAT-2 gene contains many potential cis-acting elements for multiple transcriptional regulatory factors but lacks TATA and CCAAT boxes. Using promoter-luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrate the transcriptional activity of ACAT-2 gene promoter is high in Caco-2 cells, especially after these cells become postconfluent and behave as intestinal enterocytes.

Covalent structures of BmK AS and BmK AS-1, two novel bioactive polypeptides purified from Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch.

Complete amino acid sequences of two novel bioactive polypeptides, each containing 66 amino acid residues, BmK AS and BmK AS-1 purified from the venom of Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch, have been determined by Edman sequencing and mass spectrometry on native proteins, reduced and S-carboxymethylated proteins and their peptides obtained after cleavage with proteolytic enzymes. Sequence analysis showed 86.4% structural identity between BmK AS and BmK AS-1 and also a high sequence similarity between BmK ASs and AaH IT4, a unique anti-insect toxin and a ligand of Na+ channels obtained from Sahara scorpion A. australis Hector, but poor sequence homology between BmK ASs and those of the known alpha-, beta-type and long-chain insect-selective type scorpion neurotoxins. The positions of four disulfide bridges in BmK AS-1 were established as Cys-12 and Cys-62, Cys-16 and Cys-37, Cys-23 and Cys-44, and Cys-27 and Cys-46, which are the same as those in alpha- and beta-scorpion neurotoxins. These results suggest that BmK ASs and AaH IT4 may form a new group sharing similar structural and functional properties in the family of scorpion neurotoxic polypeptides.

[Rejection of physico-chemical indices for pathological matrix in a quantitative drug design].

In a quantitative drug design, correlation of coefficient matrix of physico-chemical indices Xi is often pathological when these indices are highly correlated. The regression equation of biological activity Y about these indices Xi obtained in this case is not stable. In this paper, a method is given to obtain a stable regression equation: giving a critical valne alpha and finding out the indices among which correlation coefficient is not less than alpha. The following are the rules to reject some of them. If Xi and Xj is highly correlated (magnitude of rij greater than or equal to alpha, rij is the correlation coefficient of Xi and Xj), and magnitude of rin greater than magnitude of rjn (rin and rjn are correlation coefficients of Xi and Xj about Y, respectively), than the index Xj is rejected, otherwise, Xi is rejected. Stable equation can be obtained by stepwise regression with the remaining indices.

Evaluation of the effect of butyl p-hydroxybenzoate on the proteolytic activity and membrane function of human spermatozoa.

The inhibition of the proteolytic activity of acrosin in human spermatozoa by butyl p-hydroxybenzoate was assessed by the gelatin substrate film method. Compared with a typical acrosin inhibitor, TLCK, the inhibitory activity of butyl p-hydroxybenzoate to acrosin was much more effective (20 times) than that of TLCK, proving that butyl p-hydroxybenzoate was a potent acrosin inhibitor. The effect of butyl p-hydroxybenzoate on membrane function of human spermatozoa was evaluated using a sperm-tail hypoosmotic swelling test and supravital stain method. A good correlation (r = 0.92) was observed between the % spermatozoa with normal membrane function and the % live spermatozoa after treatment of the spermatozoa with butyl p-hydroxybenzoate for 1 min, indicating that the death of spermatozoa caused by butyl p-hydroxybenzoate is probably due to impairment of sperm membrane function. Both the inhibitory effect on acrosin and the adverse effect on membrane function suggest that butyl p-hydroxybenzoate could be developed as a new vaginal contraceptive.

Computer-assisted image analysis of sperm concentration in human semen before and after swim-up separation: comparison with assessment by haemocytometer.

Evaluation of male fertility is based predominantly on results from semen analysis and determination of the sperm concentration is one of the main parameters of the analysis. The availability of a fully automated videomicrographic digital image analyser would offer both an objective and rapid method for determination of the sperm concentration. In the present study the sperm concentration in 327 semen samples was determined by haemocytometer according to the World Health Organization guidelines, and also by a computer-assisted digital image analyser system. Results were classified according to the routine procedure (haemocytometer) before statistical analyses. The computerized measurements caused a shift to the right in the frequency distribution of sperm concentration. Sperm concentrations were more often overestimated significantly (P less than 0.001) by the computerized measurements in semen samples with concentrations up to 80.0 x 10(6)/ml. This overestimation seemed to be caused by the presence of particles in seminal plasma that were recognized incorrectly as sperm by the computer program. The computerized digital image analyser gave an average sperm concentration of 2.2 +/- 0.6 x 10(6)/ml (mean +/- SEM) in 17 azoospermic semen samples while the routine procedure did not detect the presence of sperm cells. After removing the seminal plasma by washing and centrifugation with culture medium, and using the swim-up procedure to harvest motile sperm, the computerized measurements showed comparable results with the routine procedure for those sperm preparations (n = 44) with sperm concentrations greater than 5.0 x 10(6)/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vitro spermicidal activity of parabens against human spermatozoa.

Potent in vitro spermicidal activity of parabens against human spermatozoa was demonstrated in this study. The "pass" point concentration of the four parabens--methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben, at which all spermatozoa were immobilized and no immobilized spermatozoon revived after 30 min incubation in phosphate buffered glucose solution, was 6, 8, 3, and 1 mg/ml, respectively, as tested by Harris' method. These parabens are used as food and pharmaceutic preservatives; less toxicity and side effects were expected for the development of parabens as vaginal contraceptive agents.