Swimming intervention mitigates HFD-induced obesity of rats through PGC-1α-irisin pathway

OBJECTIVE

Irisin, a newly discovered myokine, can drive the browning of white adipocytes to control body weight or mitigate obesity progression through regulating energy metabolism. However, the underlying mechanisms or specific signal pathways of exercise-induced irisin on the management of obesity are still unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Totally 30 rats were subjected to high fat diet (HFD) feeding for 8 weeks to establish the rat model with obesity successfully. HFD-induced obese model rats were provided with 8 weeks swimming intervention at moderate intensity for exploring the treatment of obesity through exercise intervention. In addition, another 15 rats were subjected to HFD feeding coupled with total 16 weeks swimming intervention at a moderate intensity from the beginning of the experiment, which was used for exploring the prevention of obesity through exercise intervention. Blood and gastrocnemius samples were harvested from obese rats after swimming intervention to explore its specific signal pathways through ELISA analysis and Western blotting.

RESULTS

HFD feeding of rats for 8 weeks could lead to the obesity due to the disorders of lipid metabolism. Totally 8 weeks swimming intervention at moderate intensity for rats with obesity could obviously alleviate the progression of obesity and 16 weeks swimming intervention from the beginning of the experiment could significantly inhibit the development of obesity. Meanwhile, swimming intervention could result in an increased phosphorylation of AMPK and up-regulation of irisin and PGC-1α as the biomarkers of energy metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Exercise intervention can activate PGC-1α-dependent irisin to induce the browning of white adipocytes, thus inhibiting or alleviating the occurrence and development of obesity.

Metabolic Syndrome and Periodontal Disease Progression in Men

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of 3 or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is associated with periodontal disease, but few studies have been prospective in design. This study's aim was to determine whether metabolic syndrome predicts tooth loss and worsening of periodontal disease in a cohort of 760 men in the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study and Normative Aging Study who were followed up to 33 y from 1981 to 2013. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Waist circumference was measured in units of 0.1 cm following a normal expiration. Fasting blood samples were measured in duplicate for glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein. Calibrated periodontists served as dental examiners. Periodontal outcome events on each tooth were defined as progression to predefined threshold levels of probing pocket depth (≥5 mm), clinical attachment loss (≥5 mm), mobility (≥0.5 mm), and alveolar bone loss (≥40% of the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the root apex, on radiographs). Hazards ratios (95% confidence intervals) of tooth loss or a periodontitis event were estimated from tooth-level extended Cox proportional hazards regression models that accounted for clustering of teeth within individuals and used time-dependent status of metabolic syndrome. Covariates included age, education, smoking status, plaque level, and initial level of the appropriate periodontal disease measure. Metabolic syndrome as defined by the International Diabetes Federation increased the hazards of tooth loss (1.39; 1.08 to 1.79), pocket depth ≥5 mm (1.37; 1.14 to 1.65), clinical attachment loss ≥5 mm (1.19; 1.00 to 1.41), alveolar bone loss ≥40% (1.25; 1.00 to 1.56), and tooth mobility ≥0.5 mm (1.43; 1.07 to 1.89). The number of positive metabolic syndrome conditions was also associated with each of these outcomes. These findings suggest that the metabolic disturbances that comprise the metabolic syndrome may play a role in the development or worsening of periodontitis.

HLA-B allele dropout in PCR sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe typing due to intronic polymorphism in the novel B*58:01:01:02 allele

Currently, Luminex technology based on the PCR sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) probe method has been widely used for HLA genotyping in the immunogenetics laboratories. Here, we reported a case with HLA-B allele dropout by Luminex technology. The initial HLA-B result of the Luminex method with a commercial agent kit was inconclusive, and then, the result of PCR-SBT technology indicated the dropout as a HLA-B*58 allele. Subsequently, the full-length sequence of HLA-B allele was determined by TOPO-TA cloning, and a novel allele B*58:01:01:02 was identified in the individual. Compared with HLA-B*58:01:01:01, the novel allele showed some nucleotides difference at 509 C>T, 521 T>G and CCC insertion in position 503 of intron 2. According to the full-length sequence, the new mutations of intron 2 were contributed to HLA-B locus allele dropout in the sample. Our results indicated multiplatform should be used to improve the HLA typing accuracy when a conclusive HLA genotype cannot be determined.

HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies of 8333 Chinese Han from the Zhejiang province, China

The distribution of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) allele and haplotype is varied among different ethnic populations. In this study, HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies were determined in 8333 volunteer bone marrow donors of Zhejiang Han population using the polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing. A total of 52 HLA-A, 96 HLA-B and 61 HLA-DRB1 alleles were found. Of these, the top three frequent alleles in HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 loci, respectively, were A*11:01 (24.53%), A*24:02 (17.35%), A*02:01 (11.58%); B*40:01 (15.67%), B*46:01 (11.87%), B*58:01 (9.05%); DRB1*09:01 (17.54%),DRB1*12:02 (9.64%) and DRB1*08:03 (8.65%). A total of 171 A-B-DRB1 haplotypes with a frequency of >0.1% were presented and the five most common haplotypes were A*33:03-B*58:01- DRB1*03:01, A*02:07-B*46:01-DRB1*09:01, A*30:01-B*13:02-DRB1*07:01, A*33:03-B*58:01-RB1*13:02 and A*11:01-B*15:02-DRB1*12:02. The information will be useful for selecting unrelated bone marrow donors and for anthropology studies and pharmacogenomics analysis.

Ambient volatile organic compounds and their effect on ozone production in Wuhan, central China

Ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were continuously measured from February 2013 to October 2014 at an urban site in Wuhan. The characteristics and sources of VOCs and their effect on ozone (O3) formation were studied for the first time. The total VOC levels in Wuhan were relatively low, and of all VOCs, ethane (5.2 ± 0.2 ppbv) was the species with the highest levels. Six sources, i.e., vehicular exhausts, coal burning, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) usage, the petrochemical industry, solvent usage in dry cleaning/degreasing, and solvent usage in coating/paints were identified, and their contributions to the total VOCs were 27.8 ± 0.9%, 21.8 ± 0.8%, 19.8 ± 0.9%, 14.4 ± 0.9%, 8.5 ± 0.5%, and 7.7 ± 0.4%, respectively. Model simulation of a photochemical box model incorporating the Master Chemical Mechanism (PBM-MCM) indicated that the contribution to O3 formation of the above sources was 23.4 ± 1.3%, 22.2 ± 1.2%, 23.1 ± 1.7%, 11.8 ± 0.9%, 5.2 ± 0.4%, and 14.2 ± 1.1%, respectively. LPG and solvent usage in coating/paints were the sources that showed higher contributions to O3 formation, compared to their contributions to VOCs. The relative incremental reactivity (RIR) analysis revealed that the O3 formation in Wuhan was generally VOC-limited, and ethene and toluene were the primary species contributing to O3 production, accounting for 34.3% and 31.5% of the total RIR-weighted concentration, respectively. In addition, the contribution of CO to the O3 formation was remarkable. The C4 alkanes and alkenes from the LPG usage also significantly contributed to the O3 formation. The results can assist local governments in formulating and implementing control strategies for photochemical pollution.

Synthesis of glycoaminooxy acid and N-oxyamide-linked glycolipids

Synthesis of orthogonally protected glycoaminooxy acid and fully deprotected N-oxyamide-linked novel glycolipids is reported.

Treadmill Running and Rutin Reverse High Fat Diet Induced Cognitive Impairment in Diet Induced Obese Mice

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of treadmill exercise training and rutin intervention independently and in combination on key molecules involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and cognitive function in diet induced obese (DIO) mice.

METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were randomized into 5 groups: chow group, high fat diet group (HFD), HFD plus rutin intervention group (HR), HFD combined with treadmill running group (HE), HFD combined with treadmill running and rutin group (HRE). At the end of the intervention, Morris water maze test was conducted to assess hippocampal dependent, long term spatial learning and memory retention. Hippocampus and cortex were dissected and the protein expression of key molecules including insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), Beta-secretase (BACE1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and synaptophysin were measured via western blotting.

RESULTS

Exercise and rutin enhances HFD induced cognitive deficits in DIO mice. In the hippocampus, although HFD has no effect on IDE, BACE1, phosphorylation (p)-STAT3 and p-CREB, HR and HE group have elevated protein expression of IDE; meanwhile, p-CREB was elevated in the HE and HRE group. In the cortex, HFD led to induction in BACE1 and reduction in p-STAT3 and PSD95. Rutin or exercise reversed BACE1, p-STAT3 and PSD95 to normal levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Treadmill running and rutin could improve HFD induced cognitive impairment, and p-STAT3, p-CREB, BACE1, IDE, and PSD95 are potential mediators involved in the protective effects of rutin or exercise against HFD induced cognitive dysfunction.

N–O linkage in carbohydrates and glycoconjugates

The synthesis and chemical and physicochemical properties as well as biological and medical applications of various hydroxylamine-functionalized carbohydrate derivatives are summarized.

Role of VEGF gene polymorphisms in the clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer

This report details a study conducted to assess the role of VEGF gene polymorphisms in the prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Samples obtained from 210 advanced NSCLC patients admitted at the Huaihe Hospital of Henan University between January 2010 and December 2011 were recruited for this study. The VEGF -2578C/A (rs699947), +936C/T (rs3025039), and -634G/C (rs2010963) genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. We discovered, by logistic regression analysis, that the TT genotype of VEGF +936C/T was associated with more complete response + partial response to chemotherapy, compared to the CC genotype (odds ratio (OR) = 4.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.34-25.85). We also found a correlation between the TT genotype of VEGF +936C/T and lower risk of death from all causes compared to the CC genotype (OR = 0.26, 95%CI = 0.10-0.69), using the Cox proportional hazard model (after adjusting for potential confounding factors). In conclusion, we discovered that the VEGF +936C/T gene polymorphism influences the response to chemotherapy and overall survival of NSCLC patients.

Protective role of selenium-enriched supplement on spinal cord injury through the up-regulation of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord injury (SCI), as one of the common serious spine disorders, often leads to severe neurological dysfunction and even permanent disability, which will cause heavy economical burden for family and society. Currently, selenium-enriched products have an obvious role in the protection and recovery of SCI; however, its protective mechanism is still unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to explore the protective effect of selenium-enriched supplement (SES) on SCI, the adult rats were randomly divided into sham operation control (SC) group, ischemia-reperfusion model (IM) group and SES pretreatment (ST) group to investigate the change of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and its receptor-alpha (CNTF-Ralpha) during SCI in the presence of SES. The rats in IM and ST groups were subjected to the blockage of their abdominal aorta to establish the model of SCI; but the rats in SC group were subjected to sham operation without the blockage of abdominal aorta. The rats in ST group were fed with foods containing SES at the dose of equivalent 5 mg/L selenium in water before blocking their abdominal aorta. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed to observe the structure of nerve cells through HE staining and the expression of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha by Western blot, immunohistochemical, and RT-PCR methods, respectively.

RESULTS

Both protein and mRNA of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha were positively expressed in rats from SC group. The mRNA expression levels of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha in ST group were much higher than SCI model group.

CONCLUSIONS

SES can execute a protective role in SCI through up-regulating the expression of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha.

Functional characterization of the PCLO p.Ser4814Ala variant associated with major depressive disorder reveals cellular but not behavioral differences

Genome-wide association studies have suggested a role for a genetic variation in the presynaptic gene PCLO in major depressive disorder (MDD). As with many complex traits, the PCLO variant has a small contribution to the overall heritability and the association does not always replicate. One variant (rs2522833, p.Ser4814Ala) is of particular interest given that it is a common, nonsynonymous exon variant near a calcium-sensing part of PCLO. It has been suggested that the molecular effects of such variations penetrate to a variable extent in the population due to phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity at the population level. More robust effects may be exposed by studying such variations in isolation, in a more homogeneous context. We tested this idea by modeling PCLO variation in a mouse knock-in model expressing the Pclo(SA)(/)(SA) variant. In the highly homogeneous background of inbred mice, two functional effects of the SA-variation were observed at the cellular level: increased synaptic Piccolo levels, and 30% increased excitatory synaptic transmission in cultured neurons. Other aspects of Piccolo function were unaltered: calcium-dependent phospholipid binding, synapse formation in vitro, and synaptic accumulation of synaptic vesicles. Moreover, anxiety, cognition and depressive-like behavior were normal in Pclo(SA)(/)(SA) mice. We conclude that the PCLO p.Ser4814Ala missense variant produces mild cellular phenotypes, which do not translate into behavioral phenotypes. We propose a model explaining how (subtle) cellular phenotypes do not penetrate to the mouse behavioral level but, due to genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity and non-linearity, can produce association signals in human population studies.

Synthesis and characterization of lanthanum phosphate nanoparticles as carriers for (223)Ra and (225)Ra for targeted alpha therapy

INTRODUCTION

Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) has the potential for killing micro-metastases with minimum collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In-vivo generator radionuclides, such as(223)Ra, (225)Ra, and (225)Ac, are of special interest for radiotherapeutic applications as they emit multiple α-particles during their decay. Utilizing appropriate carriers capable of retaining both the parent radioisotope as well as daughter products is important for the effective delivery of the radioisotope to the tumor site while mitigating global in vivo radiotoxicity. In this work, LaPO4 core and core+2 shells nanoparticles (NPs) (NPs with 2 layers of cold LaPO4 deposited on the core surfaces) were synthesized containing either (223)Ra or(225)Ra/(225)Ac, and the retention of the parents and daughters within the NPs in vitro was investigated.

METHODS

Core LaPO4 NPs were synthesized in aqueous solution by reacting 1 equivalent of La(NO3)3, along with few microcuries of either (223)Ra or (225)Ra/(225)Ac, with 1 equivalent of sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) under moderate heating and purified by membrane dialysis. Core-shell NPs were also synthesized with one (core+1 shell) and two (core+2 shells) cold LaPO4 layers deposited onto the radioactive cores. The NPs were then characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder x-ray diffraction (XRD). Identification and quantification of radioactive parents and daughters released from the NPs in vitro were investigated using gamma-ray spectroscopy.

RESULTS

XRD and TEM analysis revealed that the NPs crystallized in the rhabdophane phase with mean diameters of 3.4 and 6.3nm for core and core+2 shells, respectively. The core LaPO4 NPs retained up to 88% of (223)Ra over 35days. However, in the core+2 shells NPs, the retention of (223)Ra and its daughter, (211)Pb, was improved to >99.9% over 27days. Additionally, the retention of (225)Ra/(225)Ac parents was >99.98% and ~80% for the (221)Fr and (213)Bi daughters over 35days for the core+2 shells NPs.

CONCLUSIONS

The in vitro retention of both parents and daughters results suggests that LaPO4 NPs are potentially effective carriers of radium isotopes.

EFFECT OF RELATIVE GENE EXPRESSION ON PLAQUE VULNERABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE ANGINA AND PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of relative gene expression on plaque vulnerability in patients with either stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 30 patients with ACS, 28 patients with stable angina and 17 healthy volunteers were selected. High resolution ultrasound was used to detect carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque score, Sandwich enzyme linked immunoassay to determine the change of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1. The three groups had no statistically significant difference in age, gender, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. MMP-9, TIMP-1, MMP-9/TIMP-1 and IMT, total plaque score, soft plaque score and hard plaque score of patients’ acute coronary syndrome were obviously higher than those with stable angina and normal people. It was also found that MMP-9 was in a positive correlation with IMT, total and soft plaques score, TIMP-1 was positively correlated with IMT as was MMP-9/TIMP-1. Regardless of age, IMT was in a positive correlation with MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 in partial correlation analysis. All these findings suggest that ACS patients have remarkably higher MMP-9, 1TIMP-1, MMP- 9/TIMP-1, IMT, total plaque score, soft plaque score and hard plaque score compared to patients with stable angina pectoris and healthy subjects (P<0.05) and there are positive correlations between MMP- 9, TIMP-1, 1MMP-8/TIMP-1, total plaque and soft plaque score.

Changes in skeletal collagen cross-links and matrix hydration in high- and low-turnover chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases fracture risk. The results of this work point to changes in bone collagen and bone hydration as playing a role in bone fragility associated with CKD.

INTRODUCTION

Clinical data have documented a clear increase in fracture risk associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Preclinical studies have shown reductions in bone mechanical properties although the tissue-level mechanisms for these differences remain unclear. The goal of this study was to assess collagen cross-links and matrix hydration, two variables known to affect mechanical properties, in animals with either high- or low-turnover CKD.

METHODS

At 35 weeks of age (>75% reduction in kidney function), the femoral diaphysis of male Cy/+ rats with high or low bone turnover rates, along with normal littermate (NL) controls, were assessed for collagen cross-links (pyridinoline (Pyd), deoxypyridinoline (Dpd), and pentosidine (PE)) using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay as well as pore and bound water per volume (pw and bw) using a (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. Material-level biomechanical properties were calculated based on previously published whole bone mechanical tests.

RESULTS

Cortical bone from animals with high-turnover disease had lower Pyd and Dpd cross-link levels (-21% each), lower bw (-10%), higher PE (+71%), and higher pw (+46%) compared to NL. Animals with low turnover had higher Dpd, PE (+71%), and bw (+7%) along with lower pw (-60%) compared to NL. Both high- and low-turnover animals had reduced material-level bone toughness compared to NL animals as determined by three-point bending.

CONCLUSIONS

These data document an increase in skeletal PE with advanced CKD that is independent of bone turnover rate and inversely related to decline in kidney function. Although hydration changes occur in both high- and low-turnover disease, the data suggest that nonenzymatic collagen cross-links may be a key factor in compromised mechanical properties of CKD.

Insight into the high reactivity of commercial Fe–Si–B amorphous zero-valent iron in degrading azo dye solutions

Improving intrinsic reactivity is one of the key requirements in applying zero-valent iron in the field.

Muscarinic-mediated vasoconstriction in human, rat and sheep umbilical cords and related vasoconstriction mechanisms

OBJECTIVE

The umbilical cord provides nutrition and oxygen to the fetus. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) on umbilical cords from humans and other mammals, and the mechanisms of ACh-mediated vasoconstriction in the human umbilical cord.

DESIGN

Human and animal umbilical cords used in vascular and cellular experiments.

SETTING

Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.

POPULATION

A total of 85 pregnant women, 16 Sprague Dawley rats and seven pregnant sheep.

METHODS

Umbilical cord veins and arteries from humans, rats and sheep, aortas and mesenteric arteries from rats, and mesenteric, carotid and femoral arteries from ovine fetuses were used to compare vascular functions in response to ACh and to determine the mechanisms of ACh-mediated umbilical vasoconstriction. Vascular tension and ion channel currents were measured on isolated vessels and smooth muscle cells from human umbilical cords.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Provision of new evidence to conclude that ACh-stimulated vasoconstriction is common to all umbilical cords, and cellular mechanisms are linked to potassium channels.

RESULTS

ACh caused reliable vasoconstriction in umbilical veins/arteries in humans, rats and sheep, but not in any other vessels, including fetal vessels. Atropine inhibited the effects of ACh. The mRNA of ACh-muscarinic receptor subtypes M1 -M5 was expressed in human umbilical vessels. The protein kinase C antagonist GF109203X and the calcium inhibitor nifedipine decreased ACh-induced vasoconstriction in human umbilical vessels. ACh also caused a reduction in whole-cell potassium channel currents and the single-channel current of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BKca) channels.

CONCLUSION

Umbilical vessels are significantly different from other vessels in their response to ACh. BKca channels in smooth muscle cells may play important roles in ACh-mediated vasoconstriction in human umbilical cords. This information may be important for fetal medicine and practice with regard to the effect on fetal development of umbilical vascular functions.

CRP gene polymorphism predicts post-stroke functional outcome in Han Chinese

OBJECTIVES

Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability and morbidity worldwide. C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, has been reported to be an independent predictor of functional outcome after ischemic stroke (IS). Because several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the CRP locus have been linked with elevated CRP levels, we hypothesized that CRP genetic variation might be associated with functional disability in patients after first-ever IS.

METHODS

A total of 1716 patients from western China with first-ever IS were genotyped for the CRP SNPs rs1130864 and rs1800947 using the ligation detection reaction method. Functional outcome was assessed 3 months after IS using the modified Rankin Scale. Then, we tested the association of CRP SNP genotypes with stroke outcome after adjusting for non-genetic factors.

RESULTS

Our data showed a significant association between the T allele of rs1130864 and poor functional outcome in IS patients. In addition, the presence of TT+CT genotypes of rs1130864 strongly predicted functional disability within the first 3 months, even after adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that SNP rs1130864 in the CRP gene is an independent predictor of 3-month functional outcome in patients with first-onset IS in a Han Chinese population. Further studies in different ethnic groups are needed to validate our findings.

Simultaneous determination of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, mycophenolic acid and sterigmatocystin in grape pomace by UHPLC-MS/MS

A reliable ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, mycophenolic acid and sterigmatocystin in grape pomace. The samples were extracted by acetonitrile aqueous solution and further purified using a solid-phase extraction-based homemade clean-up cartridge. Next, the analytes were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile. The separated compounds were detected with a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in positive electro-spray ionisation mode using multiple reaction monitoring. The established method was extensively validated by determining linearity (R2≯0.999), recovery (97.5-102.8%) and precision (relative standard deviation ≤7.0%). This method was then used for the simultaneous determination of the four mycotoxins in grape pomace samples.

Lunasin as a promising health-beneficial peptide

Lunasin, a 43 amino acid polypeptide originally isolated from soybean, is known to produce multiple health benefits, including anti-hypertension, antioxidant activity, cancer prevention or therapy, anti-inflammation, hypocholesterolemic activity, anti-obesity and immunomodulation. These effects are believed to be due to its unique structure that includes a putative helical region, an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif and an Asp-rich carboxyl terminus. The focus of this article is to summarize the discovery, characterization and biological activities of lunasin, which will provide a reference for the future development and utilization of lunasin, and a basis for exploring the underlying mechanisms of these health-beneficial functions.

Prevention and treatment of diarrhoea with Saccharomyces boulardii in children with acute lower respiratory tract infections

The aim of this study was to determine whether Saccharomyces boulardii prevents and treats diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) in children. A total of 333 hospitalised children with acute lower respiratory tract infection were enrolled in a 2-phase open randomised controlled trial. During the 1st phase, all children received intravenous antibiotics (AB). They were randomly allocated to group A (S. boulardii 500 mg/day + AB, n=167) or group B (AB alone, n=166) and followed for 2 weeks. Diarrhoea was defined as ≥3 loose/watery stools/day during at least 2 days, occurring during treatment and/or up to 2 weeks after AB therapy had stopped. AAD was considered when diarrhoea was caused by Clostridium difficile or when stool cultures remained negative. In the 2nd phase of the study, group B patients who developed diarrhoea were randomly allocated to two sub-groups: group B1 (S. boulardii + oral rehydration solution (ORS)) and group B2 (ORS alone). Data from 283 patients were available for analysis. Diarrhoea prevalence was lower in group A than in group B (11/139 (7.9%) vs. 42/144 (29.2%); relative risk (RR): 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1-0.5). S. boulardii reduced the risk of AAD (6/139 (4.3%) vs. 28/144 (19.4%); RR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.1-0.5). When group B patients developed diarrhoea (n=42), S. boulardii treatment during 5 days (group B1) resulted in lower stool frequency (P<0.05) and higher recovery rate (91.3% in group B1 vs. 21.1% in B2; P<0.001). The mean duration of diarrhoea in group B1 was shorter (2.31±0.95 vs. 8.97±1.07 days; P<0.001). No adverse effects related to S. boulardii were observed. S. boulardii appeared to be effective in the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea and AAD in children treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Current status of rectal cancer treatment in China

AIM

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common carcinoma in China. For economic reasons, a national CRC registry has not been established and a large-scale screening programme has not been implemented.

METHOD

Clinical studies (since 2000) of CRC epidemiology which originated from China were summarized, and data was analyzed.

RESULTS

In China, the majority of hospitals in central cities and even in county hospitals are able to provide medical care for CRC patients. Due to socio-economic disparities, medical conditions and skill level, there is a wide variation in the treatment. Most oncologists make their clinical decisions based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, although some domestic guidelines are now available. On 11 October 2011, the China Ministry of Health released national guidelines for CRC treatment. Owing to language difficulties, research on CRC in China has only had a limited exposure in the international literature, due in some part to lack of understanding of the current position in the country.

CONCLUSION

The national guidelines for CRC treatment will give a degree of standardization of the treatment of CRC nationwide and will ensure that higher quality care will be available, especially in rural areas. Chinese colorectal surgeons urgently need to exchange their knowledge and experience with international colleagues.