Double-nylon purse-string suture in closing postoperative wounds following endoscopic resection of large (≥ 3 cm) gastric submucosal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) of gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) is safe and effective; however, postoperative wound management is equally important. Literature on suturing following EFTR for large (≥ 3 cm) SMTs is scarce and limited. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and clinical value of double-nylon purse-string suture in closing postoperative wounds following EFTR of large (≥ 3 cm) SMTs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 85 patients with gastric SMTs in the fundus of the stomach or in the lesser curvature of the gastric body whose wounds were treated with double-nylon purse-string sutures after successful tumor resection at the Endoscopy Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. The operative, postoperative, and follow-up conditions of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: All tumors were completely resected using EFTR. 36 (42.35%) patients had tumors located in the fundus of the stomach, and 49 (57.65%) had tumors located in the body of the stomach. All patients underwent suturing with double-nylon sutures after EFTR without laparoscopic assistance or further surgical treatment. Postoperative fever and stomach pain were reported in 13 (15.29%) and 14 (16.47%) patients, respectively. No serious adverse events occurred during the intraoperative or postoperative periods. A postoperative review of all patients revealed no residual or recurrent lesions. CONCLUSION: Double-nylon purse-string sutures can be used to successfully close wounds that cannot be completely closed with a single nylon suture, especially for large (≥ 3 cm) EFTR wounds in SMTs.

[Pollution Characteristics，Source Analysis，and Activity Analysis of Atmospheric VOCs During Winter and Summer Pollution in Zhengzhou].

In order to study the pollution characteristics of volatile organic compounds （VOCs）， continuous monitoring of VOCs in two pollution processes was conducted in June and December 2021 in Zhengzhou. Combined with meteorological conditions， the pollution characteristics， source contributions， and reactivity of VOCs in winter and summer were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the volume fraction of atmospheric VOCs in two episodes were （27.92±12.68）×10-9 and （24.30±5.93）×10-9， respectively. The volume fraction of atmospheric VOCs in the haze pollution process in winter was larger than that in the ozone pollution process in summer. The analysis results of winter sources were as follows： industrial source （27.0%）， motor vehicle source （22.5%）， combustion source （20.1%）， solvent use source （16.3%）， and oil and gas volatilization source （14.1%）. The analysis results of summer sources were as follows： motor vehicle source （24.8%）， industrial source （24.1%）， solvent source （17.4%）， oil and gas volatilization source （14.2%）， combustion source （11.2%）， and plant source （8.4%）. The results of the smog production model showed that the proportion of days in the synergistic control zone of VOCs during the two pollution processes in summer （66.7%） was smaller than that in winter （100.0%）. The secondary reaction activity results showed that the average ·OH loss rate （L·OH） values in winter and summer were 4.12 s-1 and 4.75 s-1， respectively. The average ozone formation potential （OFP） values in summer were 108.36 µg·m-3. The olefins were dominant in the top ten species due to L·OH and OFP contributions in summer. The total SOAFP values in winter in Zhengzhou were 54.38 µg·m-3. Among the top ten species contributing to SOAFP in winter， nine were aromatic hydrocarbons.

[Characteristics and Source Apportionment of VOCs at Different Pollution Levels During the Winter in an Urban Area in Zhengzhou].

In this study, volatile organic compound (VOC) species were measured at an urban site in Zhengzhou from January 3 to 23, 2019, to investigate the composition, variation characteristics, sources, and effects on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation of VOCs at different pollution levels. Results showed that oxygenated VOCs and alkanes were the main components of VOCs, while ethyl acetate and acetone were the most abundant species. During the process from clean days to heavy pollution days, the mixing ratio of VOCs approximately doubled, and the mixing ratios of most species continued to increase as the pollution level increased. Based on the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, during the observation period, VOCs mainly originated from vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, combustion sources, solvent utilization, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) utilization. There were significant differences in the source contribution at different pollution levels, and the contributions of industrial emissions and solvent utilization during the heavy pollution days increased to 9 times and 3 times that of the clean days, respectively. With respect to the SOA formation potential (SOAp), aromatics were the component that contributed the most, and toluene and m/p-xylene were the species that contributed the most, while solvent utilization was the greatest source contributor. During the heavy pollution period, the total SOAp increased to approximately 2.6 times that of clean days. There is a great need to reduce winter haze pollution in Zhengzhou by strengthening the control of aromatic emissions and related sources such as solvent utilization.

[Evolution and Evaluation of O3 and VOCs in Zhengzhou During the National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities Period].

During the National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities (NTGEM) 2019, air quality in Zhengzhou was analyzed to evaluate the impact of pollution prevention and control measures on Zhengzhou. Ground-observed meteorological and pollutant data as well as the chemical compositions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were investigated. The results showed that the six parameters of pollutants in the safeguard period in 2019 indicated a downward trend as compared with that during the same time in 2018, and the average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were decreased by 16.2% and 25.1%, respectively. However, the average concentration of O3 was only reduced by 3.7%. The daily proportions of primary pollutants of O3 increased to 90% during the NTGEM, and the ozone pollution was severe in this period. Meanwhile, the concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) in the safeguard period was 26.21×10-9, which was significantly lower than that during the historical period. Six emission sources of the VOCs were identified using PMF model, including vehicle exhaust (28%), LPG evaporation (21%), combustion source (16%), industrial emissions (15%), solvent utilization (15%), and biogenic VOCs (5%). During the NTGEM period, the control of combustion sources and industrial sources was evident.

Biopromoters for Gas Hydrate Formation: A Mini Review of Current Status.

Gas hydrates have promising application prospects in the fields of future energy sources, natural gas storage and transportation, CO2 capture and sequestration, gas separation, and cold energy. However, the application of hydrate technologies is being restricted due to the slow formation rate of gas hydrates. Kinetic promoters have been receiving increased attention, given that they can improve the hydrate formation rate with very small doses and do not affect gas storage capacity. However, most kinetic promoters are non-renewable, petrochemical-derived, non-degradable materials, inevitably leading to resource waste and environmental pollution. Biopromoters, derived from biomass, are renewable, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, non-toxic (or low toxic), and economically feasible. This mini review summarizes the current status of already discovered biopromoters, including lignosulfonate, amino acid, biosurfactant, and biological porous structures, which have the potential to replace petrochemical-derived promoters in hydrate technologies. Finally, future research directions are given for the development of biopromoters.

[Analysis of Characteristics and Meteorological Influence Factors of Ozone Pollution in Henan Province].

The spatio-temporal characteristics of ozone (O3) pollution in the Henan Province in 2017 and its relationship with particulate matter, precursors, and meteorological factors were studied using the data obtained from the air quality monitoring station and national baseline ground climate station. Results showed that the annual mean O3 concentration of a maximum daily 8-h average (MDA8) was 108 µg·m-3 in the Henan Province with the trend of summer > spring > autumn > winter. Different levels of O3 were observed in various cities. The number of days exceeding the standard was up to 88 days in Anyang, while the lowest was found in Xinyang with 17 days. The most severe of O3 pollution occurred during late spring and early summer. During this period, the average monthly concentration of O3 MDA8 was above 140 µg·m-3, and peaked in June. The qualitative and quantitative analysis showed that the monthly average concentration of O3 MDA8 was negatively correlated with particulate matter, and the O3 hourly concentration was also negatively correlated with CO and NO2. The O3 MDA8 concentration and meteorological factors (sunshine duration, temperature, rainfall, visibility, humidity, and wind speed) had different correlations during different seasons and various cities.

[Ambient VOCs Characteristics, Ozone Formation Potential, and Source Apportionment of Air Pollution in Spring in Zhengzhou].

Ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined by GC 5000 online gas chromatography in the urban site of Zhengzhou from April 15 to May 15, 2018. Based on chemical composition analysis, in this study, the concentrations, ozone formation potential (OFP), and source apportionment were studied. The results show that the averaged volume fraction of VOCs in Zhengzhou during spring was 40.26×10-9, which was 23% higher on polluted days (44.12×10-9) than on non-polluted days (35.82×10-9). The contribution of VOC species to OFP was in the order: alkenes > aromatics > alkanes > alkyne. The five factors identified by the PMF model were liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) volatilization sources (66.05%), motor vehicle exhaust sources (47.39%), industrial solvent sources (37.51%), fuel combustion sources (37.80%), and biogenic sources (11.25%). The contributions of LPG volatilization sources and biogenic sources on polluted days were higher by 22.92% and 68.50% than on non-polluted days, respectively.

[Characteristic of Surface Ozone and Meteorological Parameters Analysis in Anyang City].

This study uses the national ambient air quality station data of Anyang City from 2014 to 2017 to analyze the characteristics and variation rules of ozone (O3) in different functional zones (urban, suburban, and industrial), and also studies meteorological influencing factors and potential source distributions of O3 pollution. The results showed that the O3 concentration in Anyang increased significantly between 2014 and 2017, whereby pollution started to advance from 2015 and the earliest occurrence of an O3 pollution episode was in April 2017. The 90th percentile and average concentrations of O3 in the industrial zone increased at faster rates (average annual growth of 16.0 µg·m-3 and 13.0 µg·m-3, respectively) than of those in the urban and suburban zones. The O3 concentrations at the suburban site showed the fastest increase of all zones at the 5th percentile (average annual growth of 13.2 µg·m-3). The monthly variation in O3 concentrations in Anyang showed an "M" pattern that varied spatially depending on the zone. Temperature played a leading role in O3 concentrations; air temperatures >23℃, relative humidity <58%, and a wind speed of 5 m·s-1 in a south-southwesterly direction were closely related to the occurrence of high O3 concentrations. Potential sources of O3 in different seasons were significantly different, and mainly distributed in southern Hebei, northern Hubei, and northern Shenyang in summer. The first heavy O3 pollution day in the studied period was in May 2017, at which time the highest O3 concentration was found in the industrial zone (up to 405 µg·m-3). This heavy O3 pollution episode was related to the continuous high temperature that was caused by the transfer of a dry, hot air mass in western China.

[Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Ambient VOCs in Spring in Zhengzhou].

Ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) samples were collected at five sites in Zhengzhou during the spring of 2018. VOCs concentrations, the ozone formation potential (OFP), the aerosol formation potential (AFP), and source apportionment using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were studied based on chemical composition analysis. The results showed that the averaged concentration of VOCs in Zhengzhou during spring was (30.66±13.60)×10-9, of which the proportion of alkanes was the highest (35.3%) followed by oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs, 25.3%), halocarbons (24.1%), aromatics (10.0%), and alkenes (5.2%). The total OFP was 195.53 µg·m-3 and the contributions of alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, halocarbons, and OVOCs were 25.6%, 17.8%, 38.9%, 5.8%, and 11.9%, respectively. The total AFP was 0.95 µg·m-3 with an 87.6% contribution from aromatics and 12.4% from alkanes. The correlation between major species showed that pentane, isopentane, benzene, and toluene in Qinlinglu (QLL) site and Jingkaiqu (JKQ) site were greatly influenced by motor vehicles, but these were mainly influenced by combustion sources in Zhengzhou University (ZZU) site. The five factors that were identified by the PMF model were vehicle and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) volatilization source (30.5%), solvent coating source (27.3%), industrial process source (22.1%), aging air mass (14.4%), and biogenic source (5.7%).

[A 2013-based Atmospheric Ammonia Emission Inventory and Its Characteristic of Spatial Distribution in Henan Province].

Based on the best available activity data at a city level from top down and bottom up methods, a 2013-based emission inventory of NH3 was established for the Henan Province using an emission factors method. The 3 km×3 km spatial gridded distribution was carried out by using GIS technology. The results showed that the total amount of atmospheric NH3 emission in Henan Province in 2013 was 1035.3 kt, and the average emission intensity reached levels of 6.4 t/km2. Livestock and nitrogen fertilizer applications were the top two emission sources, accounting for 52.71% and 31.53% of the total emissions, respectively. Beef, laying hen, and goats were the main contributors in the livestock category, accounting for 34.98%, 16.63%, and 14.02% of the total emissions, respectively. There were different characteristics between emission source contributions and emission intensities in each city. Nanyang, Zhoukou, Shangqiu, and Zhumadian were the prefecture-level cities with large emissions, accounting for 11.53%, 9.84%, 9.62%, and 9.57% of the total amount in Henan Province, respectively. The NH3 emission intensities of Puyang and Louhe were larger than those of other cities, reaching up to 10.7 t·km-2 and 10.2 t·km-2, respectively. The spatial distribution revealed that emissions in the middle eastern region were relatively higher; whereas, the western region emissions were relatively low. The areas with high emissions were concentrated in the plains and densely populated areas.

CARD3 deficiency protects against colitis through reduced epithelial cell apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Caspase activation and recruitment domain 3 (CARD3) is a 61-kDa protein kinase. Recent evidence shows the importance of CARD3 in the immune response and inflammatory diseases. To elucidate its impact on inflammatory bowel disease, we studied the effects of the loss of CARD3 in the acute dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. METHODS: Colitis was induced by administration of dextran sodium sulfate to wild-type and CARD3 mice. Colon tissues were analyzed. RESULTS: CARD3 mice were less susceptible to the development of colitis than wild-type controls as determined by weight loss, disease activity, colon histology, neutrophil infiltration, and cytokine expression. Reduced susceptibility of CARD3 mice to colitis was closely related to increased density of colonic epithelial cells relative to wild-type controls, which was because of decreased levels of apoptosis that resulted in enhanced epithelial barrier function. Finally, CARD3 levels were increased in intestinal tissue from patients with IBD. CONCLUSIONS: These results imply a role for CARD3 as a positive regulator of intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in the inflamed colon. Genetic loss of CARD3 is protective against colitis through decreased epithelial cell apoptosis and consequent enhancement of intestinal epithelial barrier function. Thus, targeted CARD3 inhibition may represent a new therapeutic approach in IBD.

Expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase-17 and -25 in gastric cancer.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and clinicopathological features of matrix metalloproteinase 17 (MMP17; also known as MT4-MMP) and MMP25 (also known as MT6-MMP) in gastric cancer. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression of MMP17 and MMP25 in 42 cases of gastric carcinoma and normal tissues, and 40 cases of atrophic gastritis. The expression of MMP17 in the normal gastric and atrophic gastritis tissues was significantly lower than that in the gastric cancer tissues (P<0.05). The expression of MMP25 in the gastric cancer and atrophic gastritis tissues was markedly higher compared with the normal gastric tissues (P<0.05). The expression of MMP17 and MMP25 was significantly associated with the depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and serous membrane involvement (P<0.05), but not with patient age and gender, or lesion length, site and histological grade (P>0.05). Therefore, this indicates that the expression of MMP17 and MMP25 is increased with the degree of progress of gastric carcinoma. The detection of MMP17 and MMP25 expression may have clinical value in predicting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer.

Adiponectin polymorphisms and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The adiponectin polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the results remain inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the association between adiponectin polymorphisms and NAFLD risk. METHODS: All eligible case-control studies published up to September 2013 were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI. Effect sizes of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated by using a fixed- or random-effect model. RESULTS: A total of 10 case-control studies were included; of those, there were nine studies (1223 cases and 1580 controls) for +45T>G polymorphism, seven studies (876 cases and 989 controls) for +276G>T polymorphism, and three studies (299 cases and 383 controls) for -11337C>G polymorphism. Overall, a significantly increased risk was found for +45T>G and -11377C>G polymorphism (+45T>G: OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.06-2.00 for recessive model, OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.07-2.06 for GG vs TT; -11377C>G: OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.10-2.09 for dominant model, OR = 3.88, 95% CI: 1.29-11.68 for GG vs CC), while for +276G>T polymorphism, we found a significantly decreased risk between them (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45-0.94 for recessive model, OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.40-0.84 for TT vs GG). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant association was detected among Asians for +276G>T polymorphism, but not for +45T>G polymorphism. Besides, none of the three adiponectin polymorphisms was associated with the serum adiponectin levels. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that adiponectin +45T>G and -11377C>G polymorphisms might be a risk factor for NAFLD, while +276G>T polymorphism may be a protective factor for NAFLD among Asians.

Meta-analysis of the ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer in East Asians.

OBJECTIVE: The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) genes have been implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the results are inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the associations between the ALDH2 and ADH1B polymorphisms and the risk of CRC. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI up to February, 2013. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the fixed- or random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 11 case-controlled studies were selected. Of these, 11 studies included 2,893 cases and 3,817 controls concerning the ALDH2 Glu487Lys polymorphism and six studies included 1,864 cases and 3,502 controls concerning the ADH1B polymorphism. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant link between the ALDH2 polymorphism and the risk of CRC (Glu/Lys+Lys/Lys vs. Glu/Glu: OR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.78-0.96, p=0.10; Glu/Lys vs. Glu/Glu: OR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.77-0.97, p=0.38); however, no significant associations were observed between the ADH1B polymorphism and the risk of CRC win any of the genetic models. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrated that the ALDH2 polymorphism, but not the ADH1B polymorphism, significantly increases the risk of CRC in East Asians.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer using endoscopy with Fuji Intelligent Color Enhancement.

Demarcation of early gastric cancers is sometimes unclear. Indigo carmine chromoendoscopy has usually been used as a diagnostic method for tumor margins as it enhances mucosal irregularities and differences in color. Fuji Intelligent Color Enhancement (FICE), a recently developed virtual chromoendoscopic system, can explore the entire mucosal surface (of structures and vessels). Here we report a case of a patient with early gastric cancer who underwent a successful endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using endoscopy with FICE. A 58-year-old man with early gastric cancer underwent an ESD. Demarcation of the lesion was not clear through normal endoscopy. Therefore, an endoscopy was performed with FICE, which clearly revealed the demarcation. An ESD was carried out after spots were marked circumferentially. We identified the positional relationship between the demarcation and all markings on the magnifying model. A resection of the lesion was performed on the area outside the markings. Finally, the lesion was Histopathologically diagnosed as a well-differentiated adeno-carcinoma confined in the mucosal region, and the margins were free from carcinoma. FICE, especially combined with the magnifying model, is useful in the identification of the demarcation of early gastric cancer. This method may be useful in increasing the rate of complete resection by ESD for early gastric cancer.

TNF-α-308 polymorphism and risk of digestive system cancers: a meta-analysis.

AIM: To evaluate the association between the tumour necrosis factor alpha-308 (TNF-α-308) gene polymorphism and the risk of digestive system cancers. METHODS: All eligible case-control studies published up to December 2012 were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and China National Knowledge Internet without language restrictions. The risk of digestive system cancers associated with the TNF-α-308 polymorphism was estimated for each study using odds ratio (OR) together with its 95%CI, respectively. Cochrane Collaboration RevMan 5.1 was used to perform the analysis. A χ²-test-based Q statistic test and an I² test were performed to assess the between-study heterogeneity. When the Q test was significant (P < 0.05) or I² > 50%, the random effects model was used, otherwise the fixed effects model was used. RESULTS: Fifty-eight studies from fifty-five publications with a total of 9986 cancer patients and 15511 healthy controls were included. Overall, a significant association was found between the TNF-α-308 polymorphism and the risk of digestive system cancers [dominant model: OR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.09-1.39, (G/A) vs (G/G): OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.02-1.28, (A/A) vs (G/G): OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.19-1.73, recessive model: OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.15-1.66]. Furthermore, when the analysis was stratified by ethnicity, similar results were observed in both the Asian and Caucasian populations, except for the dominant model and heterozygote comparisons in the Asian population [dominant model: OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 0.99-1.56, (G/A) vs (G/G): OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 0.96-1.24]. When the cancer type subgroups were examined, similar results were detected in gastric and hepatocellular carcinomas; however, no significant association was observed among other digestive system cancers. CONCLUSION: The TNF-α-308 gene polymorphism may be significantly associated with the risk of gastric and hepatocellular carcinomas, but not colorectal, pancreatic, or oesophageal cancer, in the Asian population.