Exploring the pathogenesis of chronic atrophic gastritis with atherosclerosis via microarray data analysis.

Although several studies have reported a link between chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and atherosclerosis, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms common to both diseases from a bioinformatics perspective. Gene expression profiles were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Data on atherosclerosis and CAG were downloaded from the GSE28829 and GSE60662 datasets, respectively. We identified the differentially expressed genes co-expressed in CAG and atherosclerosis before subsequent analyses. We constructed and identified the hub genes and performed functional annotation. Finally, the transcription factor (TF)-target genes regulatory network was constructed. In addition, we validated core genes and certain TFs. We identified 116 common differentially expressed genes after analyzing the 2 datasets (GSE60662 and GSE28829). Functional analysis highlighted the significant contribution of immune responses and the positive regulation of tumor necrosis factor production and T cells. In addition, phagosomes, leukocyte transendothelial migration, and cell adhesion molecules strongly correlated with both diseases. Furthermore, 16 essential hub genes were selected with cytoHubba, including PTPRC, TYROBP, ITGB2, LCP2, ITGAM, FCGR3A, CSF1R, IRF8, C1QB, TLR2, IL10RA, ITGAX, CYBB, LAPTM5, CD53, CCL4, and LY86. Finally, we searched for key gene-related TFs, especially SPI1. Our findings reveal a shared pathogenesis between CAG and atherosclerosis. Such joint pathways and hub genes provide new insights for further studies.

Quantitative Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Potential Role of lncRNA FTX in Endothelial Cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) FTX in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). METHODS: Transfection of FTX/Sh-FTX with lentivirus was used to construct gain and loss of function cell models in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for quantitative proteomics analysis of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and protein interaction analysis were further conducted to investigate the key molecules and pathways that respond to lncRNA-FTX. RESULTS: In the proteomics analysis, 3308 quantifiable proteins were identified, 64 proteins were upregulated and 103 were downregulated when lncRNA FTX was overexpressed. Additionally, 100 proteins were upregulated and 147 were downregulated when lncRNA FTX was knocked down. Functional clustering analysis of DEPs demonstrated that lncRNA FTX was involved in multiple biological processes. Among them, the expression of complement 3 (C3), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), faciogenital dysplasia 6 (FGD6), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) was significantly upregulated when lncRNA FTX was knocked down, and significantly downregulated when lncRNA FTX was overexpressed. They are associated with inflammation, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and regulation of liver stem cell differentiation, which may be associated with the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that lncRNA FTX might play a potential role in ECs and contribute to the development of liver fibrosis. Thus, FTX may be a promising target for the prevention or reversal of liver fibrosis.

Correlation of Hypoxia-inducible facto-1α and C-reactive protein with disease evaluation in patients with ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with ulcerative colitis and correlations of HIF-1α and CRP levels with disease severity. METHODS: A total of 82 patients with confirmed ulcerative colitis were enrolled in this study and according to the disease severity grading, these patients were assigned into three groups: mild group (n=25), moderate group (n=31) and severe group (n=26). And other 30 patients without ulcerative colitis as demonstrated by colonoscopy examination were enrolled in control group in the same period. HIF-1α and CRP levels were detected by ELISA and Real-time PCR and compared among different groups. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations of HIF-1α and CRP levels with disease severity. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors of disease severity in patients with ulcerative colitis. RESULTS: The expression levels of HIF-1α and CRP in ulcerative colitis group were significantly higher than those in control group (all P<0.001). The levels of HIF-1α and CRP in patients with ulcerative colitis increased remarkably with the increase of disease severity. Patients in mild group had the lowest levels of HIF-1α and CRP, while patients in severe group had the highest levels of HIF-1α and CRP. Logistic regression analysis showed that the expression of HIF-1α and CRP were the risk factors for disease severity of ulcerative colitis (all P<0.001). And Pearson correlation analysis showed that HIF-1α and CRP levels were significantly associated with Rachmilewitz score and disease activity index (DAI), respectively (all P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The levels of HIF-1α and CRP were up-regulated in patients with ulcerative colitis and positively correlated with the progression of ulcerative colitis, indicating that the detection of HIF-1α and CRP expression could be used for predicting the disease severity.

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor with acute bleeding: Management and nursing.

RATIONALE: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors involving the gastrointestinal tract. A small percentage of GISTs may cause acute gastrointestinal bleeding, which requires urgent surgical intervention. PATIENT CONCERNS: In this case report, we present a 62-year-old male patient with who was hospitalized due to acute bleeding. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed as GIST with low risk. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated endoscopically with polidocanol sclerotherapy. OUTCOMES: The mass was removed completely, and the patient was discharged at day 9 after operation. LESSONS: This case indicates that GIST can present as massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding and urgent endoscopic sclerotherapy can be life-saving. The endoscopical intervention may be a good alternative for emergency.

[Application of Whole Body Localization Technique in the Craniospinal Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy].

The craniospinal radiotherapy method was studied by using the whole body positioning frame and base dose plan compensation (BDPC) technique.11 patients with central nervous system malignancies in our hospital were studied. Use whole body positioning frame with the head-neck shoulder and body membrane to immobilize posture, then use BDPC for the intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Target area conformability index(CI), homogeneity index (HI), dose of endangerment organ (OAR) and beam connecting dose distribution are evaluated. The use of base-dosecompensation intensity-modulated plan combined with whole-body positioning technology improves the target area conformability and target uniformity, simplifies the design of craniospinal radiotherapy, improves the placement accuracy and ensure good placement repeatability. We measure beam connecting dose distribution. Cold and hot spots do not appear, and calculated values are basically identical. The application of whole-body positioning technique combined with BDPC optimization method in the treatment of the craniospinal radiotherapy meets the clinical requirements of dosimetry. Moreover, it is simple and can improve the treatment planning efficiency.

Elevated expression of interleukin-21 and its correlation to T-cell subpopulation in patients with ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of interleukin-21 (IL-21) and its correlation to T-cell subpopulation including Th1, Tc1 and Th17 cells in Ulcerative colitis (UC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined the expression of IL-21, IL-17 and IFN-γ in UC patients and controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry. RESULTS: We found that IL-21 was expressed on CD3(+)CD8(-)T cells by flow cytometry. Plasma IL-21 level and the percentage of CD3(+)CD8(-)IL-21(+) T cells were significantly elevated in UC patients compared to controls. The percentage of CD3(+)CD8(-)IL-17(+) T (Th17), CD3(+)CD8(-)IFN-γ(+) T (Th1) and CD3(+)CD8(+) IFN-γ(+) T (Tc1) cells was also significantly increased in UC patients. Moreover, we found a significant positive correlation between CD3(+)CD8(-)IL-21(+)T cells and Th17 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IL-21 and its positive correlation to Th17 cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of UC.

Endoscopic interventional treatment for gastric schwannoma: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic Interventional Treatment is of little trauma and less complications in the treatment of gastric schwannoma and leads to faster recovery and fewer days of hospitalization. This study was aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic interventional therapy for gastric schwannoma, including endoscopic submucosal excavation, non-laparoscopic-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection, endoscopic tunneling submucosal resection, and so on. METHODS: Six patients of gastric schwannoma diagnosed by pathology examination were retrospectively analyzed ranging from Oct 2011 to Feb 2014 at Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University. Five of the six patients accepted endoscopic interventional therapy. RESULTS: Among the five patients, there were four males and one female, aged from 48 to 65 years old (the average age was 58 ± 6.4). The lesions located at the fundus, the fundus-cardia, gastric body or gastric antrum, respectively, with the diameters ranged from 8 to 25 millimeter (the average was 17.1 ± 7.8 mm). All the patients were performed endoscopic interventional therapy successfully. Among five patients, one patient was treated by endoscopic tunneling submucosal resection, two by endoscopic submucosal excavation, and the other two were given endoscopic full-thickness resection. Operation duration was about 43 to 83 minutes (the average was 57.6 ± 16.1 minutes). The mass were completely removed, with limited bleeding. During the operation, perforation and pneumoperitoneum occurred in two patients, who finally recovered by endoscopic and conservative treatment. No bleeding, inflammation or infection occurred in these patients. The average follow-up time was (7.4 ± 4.4) months. Neither recurrence nor metastasis was found during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic interventional therapy is a safe and effective treatment for gastric schwannoma.