Lactobacillus acidophilus and Clostridium butyricum ameliorate colitis in murine by strengthening the gut barrier function and decreasing inflammatory factors

Ulcerative colitis is a type of chronic inflammation present in the intestines for which the aetiology is not yet clear. The current therapies for ulcerative colitis cannot be considered to be long-term management strategies due to their significant side effects. Therefore, it is essential to identify an alternative therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis. The present study focused on the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activities of Lactobacillus acidophilus CGMCC 7282 and Clostridium butyricum CGMCC 7281. The roles of both single and combination of L. acidophilus CGMCC 7282 and C. butyricum CGMCC 7281 in ulcerative colitis were investigated in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced acute colitis (Th1-type colitis) in Sprague-Dawley rats and oxazolone-induced chronic colitis (Th2-type colitis) in BALB/c mice. The in vivo studies showed that the administration of L. acidophilus CGMCC 7282, C. butyricum CGMCC 7281 and L. acidophilus CGMCC 7282 plus C. butyricum CGMCC 7281 could reduce the Th1-type colitis as well as the Th2-type colitis, and the combination of the two strains exhibited the most notable effects, as indicated by the reduced mortality rates, the suppressed disease activity indices, the improved body weights, the reduced colon weight/colon length and colon weight/body weight ratios, and the improved gross anatomic characteristics and histological features (ameliorations of neutrophil infiltration and ulceration in the colon). It was found that the alterations of the gut microbiome, the barrier function changing and the selected inflammation-related cytokines are observed in the ulcerative colitis rats/mice treated with L. acidophilus CGMCC 7282 and C. butyricum CGMCC 7281. The combination of L. acidophilus CGMCC 7282 plus C. butyricum CGMCC 7281 also exerted a stronger anti-inflammatory effect than either of the single strains alone in vitro. These findings provide evidence that the administration of L. acidophilus CGMCC 7282 plus C. butyricum CGMCC 7281 may be a promising therapy for ulcerative colitis.

Nomogram to predict lymph node metastasis in patients with early oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Lymph node status is crucial in determining the prognosis for early oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for the prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with early SCC.

Methods

A prediction model was developed in a derivation cohort of patients with clinicopathologically confirmed early SCC. Patients who underwent oesophagectomy for pT1 SCC between January 2010 and December 2013 were identified from an institutional database. Risk factors for lymph node metastasis were assessed using a binary logistic regression modelling technique. A nomogram for the prediction of lymph node metastasis was constructed using the results of multivariable analyses. For internal validation, bootstraps with 1000 resamples were performed. The predictive performance of the nomogram was measured by Harrell's concordance index (C-index). An independent cohort from the same hospital was used to validate the nomogram. This cohort included consecutive patients with early SCC who underwent oesophagectomy from January 2014 to December 2015.

Results

The derivation cohort included 281 patients. Four variables associated with lymph node metastasis were included in the model: depth of tumour invasion (odds ratio (OR) 4·37, 95 per cent c.i. 1·59 to 12·03; P = 0·004), grade of differentiation (OR 4·47, 1·02 to 19·70; P = 0·048), tumour size (OR 2·52, 1·11 to 5·75; P = 0·028) and lymphovascular invasion (OR 6·58, 2·54 to 17·05; P < 0·001). The C-index was 0·790 (95 per cent c.i. 0·717 to 0·864) in the derivation cohort and 0·789 (0·709 to 0·869) for the validation cohort (198 patients).

Conclusion

A validated nomogram for patients with early oesophageal SCC can predict the risk of lymph node metastasis.

[Application of vascular replacement technique with allogenic blood vessel in radical resection for pancreatic carcinoma: a report of 33 cases]

Objective: To analyze the application of vascular replacement technique with allogenic blood vessel in radical resection for pancreatic carcinoma. Methods: The clinical data of 33 patients with vascular invasion of pancreatic carcinoma who underwent radical resection from April 2013 to April 2017 in Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 19 females with age of (62.5±10.6)years(ranging from 35 to 78 years). Vascular replacement technique with allogenic blood vessel was used on all patients who underwent radical resection for pancreatic carcinoma. The operation procedure was made according to the specific location of the carcinoma, and the allogenic blood vessel was selected according to the type of vascular invasion. The matching vessel was selected for replacement to the patient who was invaded only one vessel. And the "Y" type of iliac vein was selected for replacement to the patient who was invaded the confluence of portal vein, splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein. After the operation, the patients were followed up by telephone and outpatient review. Results: All of 33 patients were successfully completed the operations. There were 28 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with vascular replacement, and 5 patients underwent total pancreatectomy with vascular replacement. All the patients were confirmed pancreatic carcinoma and R0 resection according to the postoperative pathology. There were 16 patients with the carcinoma invasion the confluence of portal vein, splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein, 12 patients with the carcinoma invasion the superior mesenteric vein, and 5 patients with the carcinoma invasion the portal vein. There was no perioperative death in this group and no complications related to allogenic blood vessel. The incidence of postoperative complications was 18.2% (6/33), and the incidence of pancreatic fistula was 6.1% (2/33), all of which were biochemical fistula. There were 32 patients were followed up, and the follow-up rate was 96.9%. The median survival time was 14.6 months. The half-year, 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 75.6%, 37.6% and 27.4%. Conclusion: The application of vascular replacement technique with allogenic blood vessel for pancreatic carcinoma has a great significance for improving the R0 resection rate and the prognosis of patients.

Myocardial late gadolinium enhancement: a head-to-head comparison of motion-corrected balanced steady-state free precession with segmented turbo fast low angle shot

AIM

To evaluate the image quality and diagnostic agreement with a head-to-head comparison of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images acquired by the motion-corrected (MOCO) balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) phase sensitivity inversion recovery (PSIR) and conventional segmented fast low angle shot (FLASH) PSIR methods^15,16 in a patient cohort with a wide spectrum of cardiovascular disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 59 consecutive patients, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of the normal myocardium (NM), LGE, and blood pool (BP) were pair-wise compared between the two different sequences. A further semi-qualitative score system (graded 1 -4) was used to compare the overall image quality (OIQ). The diagnostic agreement of the two techniques were evaluated by both transmural severity and absolutely quantitative size of LGE.

RESULTS

The SNRs of the NM, LGE, and BP of MOCO bSSFP were 4.8±3.4, 53.6±35.6 and 43.2±29.3, compared with 3.9±3.6 (p=0.126), 27.7±18.5 (p<0.001) and 24.3±13.4 (p<0.001) of FLASH LGE, respectively. The CNRs of LGE to NM, LGE to BP, and BP to NM were 48.3±33.1 versus 23.8±16.7 (p<0.001), 6.5±21.6 versus 3.8±10.8 (p<0.001), and 38.3±27.2 versus 20.3±10.7 (p=0.448), respectively. The OIQ of MOCO bSSFP was higher than that of segmented FLASH (median 4 versus median 3, p<0.001). For quantification of LGE size, there is good agreement and high correlation (r=0.992, p<0.001) between the two methods.

CONCLUSIONS

MOCO bSSFP is a feasible, robust sequence for LGE imaging, especially for patients with arrhythmia and those incapable of breath-holding due to severe heart failure.

Frequent genomic alterations and better prognosis among young patients with non-small-cell lung cancer aged 40 years or younger

BACKGROUND

The subgroup of young patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poorly understood. We retrospectively studied the clinical characteristics, gene mutations, and outcomes of patients with NSCLC (aged ≤ 40 years).

RESULTS

Of the 7494 patients with lung cancer diagnosed from February 2001 to October 2016, 252 aged ≤ 40 years showed NSCLC. We divided their cases into non-squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma groups according to their histology results. Of the 252 young NSCLC patients, 173 (69%) patients had stage IIIB or IV, and 196 (78%) had never smoked. The four most common metastases were intrapulmonary lesions, pleura, bone, and brain. Among patients with adenocarcinoma, 29 (40%, n = 73) harbored epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, 25 (34%, n = 74) harbored anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translations, and 1 (14%, n = 7) harbored ROS proto-oncogene 1 receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1) translations. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.3 and 27.6 months for patients receiving chemotherapy (n = 65), and 12.1 and 33.6 months for patients receiving EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (n = 13), respectively. Patients receiving crizotinib had a median PFS time of 21.9 months (n = 8).

CONCLUSIONS

Young patients are associated with an increased likelihood of gene mutations and can receive a better prognosis when patients harboring gene mutations are treated with EGFR-TKIs or ALK inhibitors.

Pretransplant diabetes mellitus predicts worse outcomes of liver transplantation: evidence from meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

It has been demonstrated that the prognosis of liver transplantation (LT) is significantly influenced by pretransplant factors, such as diabetes mellitus (DM). However, inconsistent observations are obtained.

METHODS

We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science to identify eligible cohort studies to evaluate the impact of preexisting DM on LT prognosis. Overall mortality and graft loss, as the most frequently observed parameters, were used to evaluate the outcomes of LT. Hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to assess the effect of DM.

RESULTS

15,768 diabetic LT recipients and 60,176 non-diabetic LT recipients from 13 populations were included in this meta-analysis. Preexisting DM increased the risk for overall death of LT by 40% (95% CI 1.22-1.61), compared with DM-free patients. In addition, the risk for graft loss was also elevated by pretransplant DM (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07-1.54). Both analyses showed high heterogeneities (I ² = 85.2 and 93.2%, respectively) and their sources were not identified by meta-regression analyses. In terms of the additive effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on poor outcomes of diabetic LT recipients, stratified meta-analyses were conducted. It was demonstrated that HCV infection increased the risk for mortality by 73% (95% CI 1.64-1.83), relatively higher than non-HCV recipients (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.25-1.39) and general population (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.22-1.61).

CONCLUSION

Preexisting DM predicts worse patient and graft survivals of LT. Concomitant HCV infection would further deteriorate this unfavorable impact. Given the high heterogeneities and the insufficient evidences, more studies are still warranted to support these observations.

Ectopic Cartilage Formation Induced by Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Porous Gelatin-Chondroitin-Hyaluronate Scaffold Containing Microspheres Loaded with TGF-β1

The study aimed to produce a novel porous gelatin-chondroitin-hyaluronate scaffold in combination with a controlled release of TGF-β1 and to evaluate its potentials in ectopic cartilage formation. The gelatin-chondroitin-hyaluronate scaffold was developed to mimic the natural extra cellular matrix of cartilage. Gelatin microspheres loaded with TGF-β1 (MS-TGFβ1) showed a fast cytokine release at initial phase (37.4%) and the ultimate accumulated release was 83.1% by day 18. Then MS-TGFβ1 were incorporated into scaffold. The MSCs seeded on scaffold with or without MS-TGFβ1 were incubated in vitro or implanted subcutaneously in nude mice. In vitro study showed that, compared to the scaffold, the scaffold/MS-TGFβ1 significantly augmented the proliferation of MSCs and GAG synthesis. Three weeks postoperatively histology observation showed that in MSCs/scaffold/MS-TGFβ1 implantation group, cells of newly formed ectopic cartilage were located within typical lacunae and demonstrated morphological characteristics of chondrocytes. Six weeks later the ectopic cartilage grew more and islands of cartilage were observed. The matrix was extensively metachromatic by safranin-O/Fast green staining. Immunohistochemical staining also indicated ectopic cartilage was intensely stained for type II collagen. Instead, in the MSCs/scaffold implantation group, no cartilage-like tissue formed and matrix showed negative or weak positive staining. The percentage of positive staining area was significantly larger in MSCs/scaffold/MS-TGFβ1 group (p<0.05) at each time point. The results indicated that the novel gelatin-chondroitin-hyaluronate scaffold with MS-TGFβ1 could induce the chondral differentiation of MSCs to form cartilage and might serve as a new way to repair cartilage defects.

MiR-150 alleviates EMT and cell invasion of colorectal cancer through targeting Gli1

OBJECTIVE

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is related to colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis. Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) abnormal expression is associated with EMT, invasion, and metastasis in various cancers. MiR-150 is found downregulated in colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Bioinformatics analysis shows the complementary targeted relationship between miR-150 and the 3'-UTR of Gli1 mRNA. This study explores the role of miR-150 in regulating Gli1 expression, colorectal cancer cell EMT, and invasion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dual luciferase assay confirmed the targeted relationship between miR-150 and Gli1 predicted by bioinformatics analysis. MiR-150 and Gli1 expressions were compared in NCM460, SW480, and SW620 cells. Cell colony formation and invasion were tested in SW480 and SW620 cells. Anip973 and AGYZ83-a cells were treated by 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 to detect miR-150 and Gli1 expressions. SW620 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into five groups, including miR-NC, miR-150 mimic, si-NC, si-Gli1, and miR-150 mimic + si-Gli1 groups.

RESULTS

MiR-150 specifically inhibited Gli1 expression. The level of miR-150 was significantly downregulated, while Gli1 was elevated in SW480 and SW620 cells compared with that in NCM460 cells. SW620 exhibited markedly stronger invasive and colony formation abilities than SW480. The level of miR-150 was apparently reduced, whereas Gli1 was increased in SW620 than that in SW480 cells after the treatment of TGFβ1. MiR-150 mimic and/or si-Gli1 transfection markedly reduced Gli1 and Snail levels, upregulated E-cadherin expression, and attenuated cell colony formation and invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

Downregulation of miR-150 and elevation of Gli1 promote the development and invasion of colorectal cancer cell EMT. MiR-150 attenuated the progression of colorectal cancer cell EMT via inhibiting Gli1.

TLR-Induced SMPD3 Defects Enhance Inflammatory Response of B Cell and Macrophage in the Pathogenesis of SLE

B lymphocyte and macrophages may contribute to SLE pathogenesis through cytokine production after TLR stimulation. Emerging evidences suggested that defects of sphingolipid metabolism were responsible for SLE pathogenesis. However, it is not clear whether these defects exist in B cells and macrophages under SLE condition and whether TLR signalling pathway was related to the dysfunction of sphingolipid metabolism in SLE. Here, we demonstrated that the enzymes involved in the sphingolipid metabolism expressed abnormally in B cells from SLE patients and lupus-prone mice. Moreover, we found that TLR signalling induced the abnormal expression of sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3 (SMPD3), sphingosine-1-phosphate phosphatase 2 (SGPP2), ceramide kinase (CERK) and UDP glycosyltransferase 8 (UGT8), which were involved in sphingolipid metabolism. TLR signalling also induced the transportation of SMPD3 from Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, the dysfunction of SMPD3 enhanced TLR-induced inflammatory response of B cells and macrophages in turn. Thus, these findings provide an innovative direction and a new target for research and treatment of SLE.

[Surgery treatment of ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To investigation the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) syndrome.

METHODS

The clinical characters of 57 cases of ecotopic ACTH syndrome from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2016 were collected and analyzed. The 57 cases included 32 males and 25 females. The age ranged from 11 to 68 years (average 32 years). ACTH levels significantly increased from 16.5 to 365.6 pmol/L, with average 77.6 pmol/L (normal range <10.1 pmol/L). The pituitary MRI did not found lesions. The CT showed that their bilateral adrenal glands diffused small nodular changes or nodular hyperplasia. The 57 cases were divided into 3 groups according to different treatment options. In the study, 25 ectopic ACTH syndrome cases (44%) were group A, without identified source of ectopic hormone, were treated with bilateral or unilateral adrenalectomy due to the severity of the disease and difficulty of operation. Group B was composed of 16 cases (28%) diagnosed as ectopic ACTH syndrome by finding ectopic ACTH tumors and surgical resection. Group C included 16 cases (28%) with nonsurgical therapy. Different treatment results and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the study, 40 cases of the 57 had been followed up for 6 months to 10 years. In group A, of the 25 cases with bilateral or unilateral adrenalectomy, 4 died of diabetes and severe pulmonary infection, 18 survived, and 3 were lost to the follow-up, and the survival rate was 81% (18/22). In group B, of the 16 cases with radical tumor resection, 5 died of tumor recurrence 0.5-6.0 years after operation, 3 survived, and 8 were lost to the follow-up, and the survival rate was 37.5% (3/8). In group C, of the 16 non-operation patients, 4 with radiotherapy and chemotherapy died of metastases, diabetes or pulmonary infection, 6 with chemotherapy died of pulmonary infection within 1 year and the others were lost to the follow-up, and the survival rate was 0.

CONCLUSION

Ectopic ACTH syndrome is difficult to treat. Adrenalectomy is effective for the management of ectopic ACTH syndrome, especially for those patients with severe Cushing's syndrome, but the primary tumor can not be located.

An epidemiological survey of echinococcosis in intermediate and definitive hosts in Qinghai Province, China

In order to understand the epidemiological status of alveolar and cystic echinococcosis in intermediate and definitive hosts in Qinghai Province, China, during the period 2007-2011, we investigated the infection in humans and animals, including yaks, Tibetan sheep, Tibetan dogs, and wild foxes distributed in different counties around the province. Sera from local residents were examined using a rapid serodiagnostic kit to detect specific antibodies against Echinococcus. Seropositive samples were confirmed with B-scan ultrasonography and X-ray examinations. Yaks and Tibetan sheep were checked at slaughterhouses, and cysts and suspicious lesions were collected for analysis. A rapid diagnostic strip was used to detect Echinococcus adults in Tibetan dogs. Positive dogs were dewormed and the parasites collected. Wild foxes were trapped and necropsies performed with particular attention to the intestine. Forty-eight of 735 (6.4%) humans tested were positive and 475 of 854 (55.6%) Tibetan sheep and 85 of 352 (24.15%) yaks were infected with Echinococcus. Across different counties, 214 of 948 (22.57%) Tibetan dogs were positive, and five of 36 (13.9%) wild foxes were infected with Echinococcus. Molecular studies showed that all the infections detected in humans, domestic yaks, and Tibetan sheep were the G1 genotype (E. granulosus), whereas the parasites from Tibetan foxes and Tibetan dogs were E. shiquicus and E. multilocularis, respectively. In conclusion, Echinococcosis is hyperendemic in Qinghai Province in both its intermediate and definitive hosts and the G1 genotype of cystic Echinococcus is the dominant strain.

[Surveillance on the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease during the outbreaks in three cities of Jiangsu province, 2012-2015]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics through monitoring the outbreaks of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), in three cities of Jiangsu province from 2012 to 2015 and to provide evidence for prevention and control of the disease. Methods: Data related to cases of HFMD during the outbreaks was collected through active surveillance programs in three cities of Jiangsu province, under the guidelines of clusters and outbreaks of HFMD (2012 edition HFMD). Features related to clusters and outbreaks of the disease were identified according to the real-time RT-PCR detection. Descriptive analysis was conducted to understand the type/subtype of HFMD virus and time, area, place and extent of the outbreaks. Logistic regression was used to explore the influencing factors. Results: From 2012 to 2015, a total of 1 425 HFMD epidemics, including 1 314 clusters and 111 outbreaks were reported. Two incidence peaks were observed each year, between March and June, as well as between September and December, accounting for 58.18% (829/1 425), 33.68% (480/1 425), respectively. Most HFMD clusters and outbreaks were reported in Wuxi city, accounting for 59.30% (845/1 425) of the total. Most HFMD clusters and outbreaks happened in kindergartens, accounting for 68.63% (978/1 425) of the total. A total of 931 HFMD clusters and outbreaks were confirmed under laboratory findings. The main pathogens were Entervirus type 71 (EV71) in 2013 and Coxsackie A16 (Cox A16) in 2015, respectively, while both EV71 and Cox A16 were predominant in 2012 and 2014. With multivariate backward conditional regression, surrounding environment was identified as important risk factor associated with the attack rate. Health condition of the environment was quite good, with low attack rates (middle vs. bad: OR=0.150, 95% CI: 0.034-0.667; good vs. bad: OR=0.072, 95%CI: 0.016-0.317). Time between the onset of index patient and the reporting of HFMD clusters or outbreaks was important in the control program of HFMD epidemics (4-7 d vs. 1-3 d: OR=3.452, 95%CI: 2.293-5.198; 8 d vs. 1-3 d: OR=12.108, 95%CI: 7.767-18.763). Conclusions: The clusters and outbreaks of HFMD happened in Jiangsu province showed an obvious feature of seasonality. The predominant types or subtypes of the virus varied in different years. Kindergartens were the hard-hit places of HFMD clusters and outbreaks. Timely report of the disease appeared the key point regarding the control of HFMD clusters and outbreaks.

Beneficial effects of early hemostasis on spinal cord injury in the rat

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of early hemostasis on spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING

Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.

METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats were used. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe hemorrhage at different time points (2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h) after SCI to determine the time window of hemostatic drug administration (n=3 per time point). Three different concentrations of Etamsylate (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 g kg-1) were administered immediately and 5 and 10 h after SCI to evaluate the effective dosage (n=6 per group). Another 82 rats were then randomly divided into two groups, Etamsylate group (0.1 g kg-1, n=41) and glucose control group (n=41). Nissl staining was performed to observe neurons at 10 days post injury. Immunohistochemistry, western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to detect tissue necrosis at 7 d.p.i., the activation of astrocytes and microglia/macrophages and lesion cavity at 10 d.p.i. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scoring and rump height index assay were used to examine locomotion recovery.

RESULTS

Early hemostasis reduced the lesion area and tissue necrosis, enhanced neuronal survival, alleviated the activation of microglia/macrophages and astrocytes and facilitated functional recovery after spinal cord contusion in rats. Early hemostasis decreased hemorrhage area and lesion area after spinal cord transection in rats.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that early hemostasis has beneficial effects on SCI in the rat. It has the potential to be translated into clinical practice.