Evaluating the efficacy of GIPR agonists on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study

OBJECTIVE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming the most common chronic liver disease worldwide while still lacks drugs for treatment or prevention. We aimed to investigate the causal role of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonists (GIPRAs) on NAFLD and identify the mediated risk factors by which GIPRAs exert their therapeutic effects.

METHODS

Genetic proxies of GIPRAs were identified as cis-SNPs of GIPR associated with both the gene expression level and HbA1c and analyses including colocalization and linkage disequilibrium (LD) were performed for validation. We then performed two-sample two-step mendelian randomization to determine the causal effect of GIPRAs on NAFLD.

RESULTS

The MR analysis suggested genetic proxies of GIPRAs were causally associated with reduced risk of NAFLD (Odds ratio (OR): 0.46, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI): 0.24-0.88, P = 0.02) and T2DM (OR: 0.10, 95 % CI: 0.07-0.13, P < 0.01). In addition, Mediation analysis showed evidence of indirect effect of GIPRAs on NAFLD via TRIG (0.88, [0.85-0.92], P < 0.01) and HDL-C (0.85, [0.80-0.90], P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provided strong evidence to support the causal role of GIPRAs on reducing the risk of NAFLD probably through improving lipid metabolism, especially TG and HDL-C, providing guidance for future clinical trials.

Integrated analysis of Mendelian Randomization and Bayesian colocalization reveals bidirectional causal association between inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have suggested an association between inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] and psoriasis. However, the detailed genetic basis, causality, and direction of this association remain unclear.

METHODS

Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization [MR] analysis was conducted using summary statistics from published genome-wide association studies. Bayesian Colocalization and multivariable MR [MVMR] analyses were performed to identify candidate variants and risk genes involved in the shared genetic basis between IBD, psoriasis, and their subtypes.

RESULTS

Genetically predicted IBD and Crohn's disease [CD] were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis, psoriasis vulgaris [PsV], and psoriatic arthritis [PsA] (IBD on psoriasis: pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.14, p = .0001; CD on psoriasis: pooled OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06-1.15, p < .0001) and vice versa (psoriasis on IBD: pooled OR 1.11, 95%CI 1.02-1.21), whereas CD only exhibited a unidirectional association with psoriasis. Colocalization analysis revealed eight candidate genetic variants and risk genes (including LINC00824, CDKAL1, IL10, IL23R, DNAJC27, LPP, RUNX3, and RGS14) associated with a shared genetic basis. Among these, IL23R, DNAJC27, LPP, and RGS14 were further validated by MVMR analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated bidirectional causal associations between IBD and psoriasis (including PsV and PsA), which were attributed primarily to CD rather than Ulcerative colitis [UC]. Furthermore, we identified several candidate variants and risk genes involved in the shared genetic basis of IBD and psoriasis. Acquiring a better understanding of the shared genetic architecture underlying IBD and psoriasis would help improve clinical strategies.

Interleukin-17 and inflammatory bowel disease: a 2-sample Mendelian randomization study

Introduction

Observational studies have discovered a contradictory phenomenon between interleukin-17 (IL-17) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study aimed to confirm the causal association between each subtype of IL-17 and IBD.

Methods

We performed a 2-sample univariable and multivariable mendelian randomization (MR) to determine which subtype of IL-17 is causally related to IBD and its subtypes, and used a series of sensitivity analysis to examine the reliability of the main MR assumptions.

Results

We found that IL-17B, IL-17E and IL-17RB were significantly associated with an increased risk of UC (IL-17B: OR: 1.26, 95% CI, 1.09-1.46, P < 0.01; IL-17E: OR: 1.17, 95% CI, 1.05-1.30, P < 0.01; IL-17RB: OR: 1.30, 95% CI, 1.20-1.40, P < 0.0001) while IL-17C and IL-17RC showed causal effects on the increased risk of CD (IL-17C: OR: 1.23, 95% CI, 1.21-1.26, P < 0.0001; IL-17RC: OR: 2.01, 95% CI, 1.07-3.75, P=0.03). The results of multivariable MR (MVMR) showed that the causal effects of IL-17B and IL-17E on UC were unilaterally dependent on IL-17RB, while the effects of IL-17C and IL-17RC on CD were interdependent.

Discussion

Our study provided new genetic evidence for the causal relationships between each subtype of IL-17 and IBD, promoting future mechanistic research in IBD.

Measurement of Ultra-High-Energy Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission of the Galactic Plane from 10 TeV to 1 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

The diffuse Galactic γ-ray emission, mainly produced via interactions between cosmic rays and the interstellar medium and/or radiation field, is a very important probe of the distribution, propagation, and interaction of cosmic rays in the Milky Way. In this Letter, we report the measurements of diffuse γ rays from the Galactic plane between 10 TeV and 1 PeV energies, with the square kilometer array of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Diffuse emissions from the inner (15°10  TeV). The energy spectrum in the inner Galaxy regions can be described by a power-law function with an index of -2.99±0.04, which is different from the curved spectrum as expected from hadronic interactions between locally measured cosmic rays and the line-of-sight integrated gas content. Furthermore, the measured flux is higher by a factor of ∼3 than the prediction. A similar spectrum with an index of -2.99±0.07 is found in the outer Galaxy region, and the absolute flux for 10≲E≲60  TeV is again higher than the prediction for hadronic cosmic ray interactions. The latitude distributions of the diffuse emission are consistent with the gas distribution, while the longitude distributions show clear deviation from the gas distribution. The LHAASO measurements imply that either additional emission sources exist or cosmic ray intensities have spatial variations.

Machine learning-derived multi-omics prognostic signature of pyroptosis-related lncRNA with regard to ZKSCAN2-DT and tumor immune infiltration in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become the most prevalent gastrointestinal malignant tumor, ranking third (10.2%) in incidence and second (9.2%) in death among all malignancies globally. The most common histological subtype of CRC is colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), although the cause of CRC remains unknown, as there are no valid biomarkers.

METHODS

A thorough investigation was used to build a credible biomolecular risk model based on the pyroptosis-associated lncRNAs discovered for COAD prediction. Furthermore, Cibersort and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE), the methods of exploring tumor immune infiltration, were adopted in our paper to detect the effects of differential lncRNAs on the tumor microenvironment. Finally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), as the approach of exploring expressions, was utilized on four different cell lines.

RESULTS

Seven pyroptosis-related lncRNAs have been identified as COAD predictive risk factors. Cox analysis, both univariate and multivariate, revealed that the established signature might serve as a novel independent factor with prognostic meaning in COAD patients. ZKSCAN2-DT was shown to be considerably overexpressed in the COAD cell line when compared to normal human colonic epithelial cells. Furthermore, ssGSEA analysis results revealed that the immune infiltration percentage of most immune cells dropped considerably as ZKSCAN2-DT expression increased, implying that ZKSCAN2-DT may play an important role in COAD immunotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Our research is the first to identify pyroptosis-related lncRNAs connected with COAD patient prognosis and to construct a predictive prognosis signature, directing COAD patient prognosis in therapeutic interventions.

A tera-electron volt afterglow from a narrow jet in an extremely bright gamma-ray burst

Some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have a tera-electron volt (TeV) afterglow, but the early onset of this has not been observed. We report observations with the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory of the bright GRB 221009A, which serendipitously occurred within the instrument field of view. More than 64,000 photons >0.2 TeV were detected within the first 3000 seconds. The TeV flux began several minutes after the GRB trigger, then rose to a peak about 10 seconds later. This was followed by a decay phase, which became more rapid ~650 seconds after the peak. We interpret the emission using a model of a relativistic jet with half-opening angle ~0.8°. This is consistent with the core of a structured jet and could explain the high isotropic energy of this GRB.

Influence of Primary Tumor Resection on Survival of Patients With Metastatic Siewert Type II Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction: A Population-Based, Propensity-Matched Analysis

OBJECTIVE

It remains unclear whether primary tumor resection improves survival in patients with metastatic Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). Therefore, our study attempted to investigate the prognostic value of primary tumor resection on metastatic AEG.

METHODS

In total, 4200 patients diagnosed with metastatic AEG were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2015. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the performance of primary tumor resection. Pearson's chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier survival curve, and Cox regression analysis were conducted in this study. In addition, propensity-score matching was conducted to match 323 patients who received primary tumor resection and another 323 patients without.

RESULTS

Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that primary tumor resection was a significant prognostic factor in patients with metastatic AEG before matching. Moreover, in the matched cohort, metastatic AEG patients receiving primary tumor resection had significantly longer overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]: .54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .46-.64, P < .001) and cancer-specific survival (HR: .53, 95% CI: .45-.63, P < .001). Subgroup analysis similarly revealed that primary tumor resection was significantly associated with better survival in most subgroups.

CONCLUSION

The present population-based study identified that primary tumor resection led to significantly superior survival in patients with metastatic AEG. These findings are likely to contribute to the development of individualized therapy in metastatic AEG.

Constraints on Heavy Decaying Dark Matter from 570 Days of LHAASO Observations

The kilometer square array (KM2A) of the large high altitude air shower observatory (LHAASO) aims at surveying the northern γ-ray sky at energies above 10 TeV with unprecedented sensitivity. γ-ray observations have long been one of the most powerful tools for dark matter searches, as, e.g., high-energy γ rays could be produced by the decays of heavy dark matter particles. In this Letter, we present the first dark matter analysis with LHAASO-KM2A, using the first 340 days of data from 1/2-KM2A and 230 days of data from 3/4-KM2A. Several regions of interest are used to search for a signal and account for the residual cosmic-ray background after γ/hadron separation. We find no excess of dark matter signals, and thus place some of the strongest γ-ray constraints on the lifetime of heavy dark matter particles with mass between 10^{5} and 10^{9}  GeV. Our results with LHAASO are robust, and have important implications for dark matter interpretations of the diffuse astrophysical high-energy neutrino emission.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell microRNAs are novel biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a recurrent, progressive, immune-mediated inflammatory disease and merely manifests non-specific symptoms at early stage. In this study, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to determine whether PBMC miRNAs are reliable biomarkers for Crohn's disease diagnosing and monitoring. 5 Crohn's disease patients and 5 healthy controls were recruited to find differentially expressed miRNAs by next generation sequencing. Candidate PBMC miRNAs were further validated by qRT-PCR in another cohort consisting of 86 Crohn's disease patients and 39 healthy controls. We found PBMC miR-582-5p could diagnose Crohn's disease with the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.701(95%CI 0.606-0.796, p < .001). While PBMC miR-96-5p was significantly higher in active Crohn's disease and correlated with both clinical (ρ = 0.376, p < .001) and endoscopic activity (ρ = 0.512, p = .015). Furthermore, PBMC miR-96-5p had a better performance in recognizing active Crohn's disease with AUROC of 0.727 (95%CI 0.609-0.844, p = .001) than C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and fecal calprotectin. In conclusion, PBMC miR-582-5p may be further utilized as a diagnostic biomarker, while miR-96-5p may be a novel and valuable biomarker in monitoring disease activity.

High-Fat Diet Enhances the Liver Metastasis Potential of Colorectal Cancer through Microbiota Dysbiosis

Simple Summary

High-fat diet (HFD) is hypothesized to induce gut dysbiosis and promote colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the specific mechanisms involved require investigation. In this study, we established an animal model and utilized 16S sequencing to determine the effects of HFD on gut microbiota, as well as on the colon and liver. Furthermore, due to the abundance of Desulfovibrio (DSV) in the faecal samples of HFD-fed rats and CRC hepatic metastasis patients, we also conducted a DSV gavage animal experiment to determine the role of DSV in CRC development. Our study confirmed that HFD could cause microbiota dysbiosis, especially DSV enrichment, and may promote CRC initiation and metastasis.

Abstract

Obesity, metabolic changes, and intestinal microbiota disruption significantly affect tumorigenesis and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the relationships among these factors remain poorly understood. In this study, we found that a high-fat diet (HFD) promoted gut barrier dysfunction and inflammation in the colorectum and liver. We further investigated gut microbiota changes through 16S rRNA sequencing of faecal samples from HFD-fed rats and CRC hepatic metastasis patients and found an abundance of Desulfovibrio (DSV). DSV could also induce barrier dysfunction in the colorectum and inflammation in the colorectum and liver, suggesting that it contributes to the formation of a microenvironment conducive to CRC tumorigenesis and metastasis. These findings highlight that HFD-induced microbiota dysbiosis, especially DSV abundance, could promote CRC initiation and metastasis.

[Association of SCN2A, ABCB1 and CYP2C19*3 with genetic susceptibility to major depressive disorder]

Objective: Due to genetic factors might increase the risk of depression, this study investigated the genetic risk factors of depression in Chinese Han population by analyzing the association between 13 candidate genes and depression. Methods: 439 depression patients and 464 healthy controls were included in this case-control study. Case group consisted of 158 males and 281 females, aged (29.84±14.91) years old, who were hospitalized in three departments of the affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University including Affective Disorders Department, Adult Psychiatry Department and Geriatrics Department, from February 2020 to September 2021. The control group consisted of 196 males and 268 females, aged (30.65±12.63) years old. 20 loci of 13 candidate genes in all subjects were detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Age difference was compared using the student's t-test, the distributions of gender and genotype were analyzed with Pearson's Chi-square test. The analyses of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, allele frequency and the genetic association of depression were conducted using the corresponding programs in PLINK software. Results: PLINK analysis showed that SCN2A rs17183814, ABCB1 rs1045642, CYP2C19*3 rs4986893 and NAT2*5A rs1799929 were associated with depression before Bonferroni correction (χ²=10.340, P=0.001; χ²=11.010, P=0.001; χ²=9.781, P=0.002; χ²=4.481, P=0.034). The frequencies of minor alleles of above loci in the control group were 12.07%, 43.64%, 2.59% and 3.88%, respectively. The frequencies of minor alleles of loci mentioned above in the case group were 17.43%, 35.99%, 5.47% and 6.04%, respectively. OR values were 1.538, 0.726, 2.178 and 1.592, respectively. After 1 000 000 permutation tests using Max(T) permutation procedure, the four loci were still statistically significant, the empirical P-value were 0.002, 0.001, 0.003 and 0.042, respectively. However, only three loci including SCN2A rs17183814, ABCB1 rs1045642 and CYP2C19 rs4986893 had statistical significance after Bonferroni correction, the adjusted P-value were 0.026, 0.018 and 0.035, respectively. Conclusion: SCN2A rs17183814, ABCB1 rs1045642 and CYP2C19*3 rs4986893 were associated with depression's susceptibility in Chinese Han population. The A allele of SCN2A rs17183814 and CYP2C19*3 rs4986893 were risk factors for depression, while the T allele of ABCB1 rs1045642 was a protective factor for depression.

Exploring Lorentz Invariance Violation from Ultrahigh-Energy γ Rays Observed by LHAASO

Recently, the LHAASO Collaboration published the detection of 12 ultrahigh-energy γ-ray sources above 100 TeV, with the highest energy photon reaching 1.4 PeV. The first detection of PeV γ rays from astrophysical sources may provide a very sensitive probe of the effect of the Lorentz invariance violation (LIV), which results in decay of high-energy γ rays in the superluminal scenario and hence a sharp cutoff of the energy spectrum. Two highest energy sources are studied in this work. No signature of the existence of the LIV is found in their energy spectra, and the lower limits on the LIV energy scale are derived. Our results show that the first-order LIV energy scale should be higher than about 10^{5} times the Planck scale M_{Pl} and that the second-order LIV scale is >10^{-3}M_{Pl}. Both limits improve by at least one order of magnitude the previous results.

Association between family history and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

A family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) increases the risk of developing CRC, and numerous studies have assessed the influence of family history on survival among CRC patients. However, the prognostic effect of a family history of CRC remains uncertain. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically assess the association between family history and CRC prognosis.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science and Scopus databases up to October 2021, based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes and Study designs framework. Two reviewers independently extracted data on baseline characteristics and outcomes from the included studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment of each study. Either a fixed- or a random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled hazard ratio (HR).

Results

Eighteen studies comprising 80,093 CRC patients were finally included in this meta-analysis. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale scores of the included studies ranged from 4 to 8, and 12 studies were of high quality. A significant association between family history and improved overall survival was determined in the CRC patients (HR =0.89, 95% CI: 0.81–0.99) with significant heterogeneity (I²=65.7%, P<0.001). This effect was found in male CRC patients (HR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56–0.88) but not females (HR =0.77, 95% CI: 0.54–1.09). The association between family history and disease-free survival was not significant (HR =0.94, 95% CI: 0.88–1.01) (I²=21.0%, P=0.263). However, a subgroup analysis supported the prognostic value of disease-free survival in patients with stage III CRC (pooled HR =0.78, 95% CI: 0.67–0.92).

Discussion

In conclusion, a positive family history was associated with improved overall survival in CRC patients. It was also a favorable predictor of disease-free survival in patients with stage III CRC. These findings should be interpreted with caution because of limitations related to study quality and differences in the adjusted factors across studies.

Circulating MiR-1290 as a potential diagnostic and disease monitoring biomarker of human gastrointestinal tumors

Background

Gastrointestinal tumors are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. As shown in our previous study, miR-1290 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and promotes tumor progression. We therefore aimed to explore the potential of circulating miR-1290 as a biomarker for gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods

A serum miRNA sequencing analysis was performed. Then, circulating miRNA detection technologies were established. The expression of miR-1290 was analyzed in gastrointestinal tumor cell lines and culture supernatants. Expression levels of circulating miR-1290 in clinical samples were examined. Associations between miR-1290 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed. Xenograft models were generated to assess the fluctuation in serum miR-1290 levels during disease progression.

Results

Through miRNA sequencing, we identified that miR-1290 was overexpressed in serum samples from patients with CRC. We confirmed that human gastrointestinal tumor cells express and secrete miR-1290. The circulating miR-1290 levels was up-regulated in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) (p < 0.01), CRC (p < 0.05), and gastric cancer (GC) (p < 0.01). High miR-1290 expression levels were associated with tumor size, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, distant metastasis, tumor differentiation and AJCC stage in patients with PC and CRC. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.8857 in patients with PC, with 60.9% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. The AUC was 0.7852 in patients with CRC, with 42.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. In patients with GC, the AUC was 0.6576, with 26.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. The in vivo model verified that the circulating miR-1290 level was significantly increased after tumor formation and decreased after drug treatment.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that circulating miR-1290 is a potential biomarker for gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis and monitoring.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08729-0.

Peta-electron volt gamma-ray emission from the Crab Nebula

The Crab Nebula is a bright source of gamma rays powered by the Crab Pulsar's rotational energy through the formation and termination of a relativistic electron-positron wind. We report the detection of gamma rays from this source with energies from 5 × 10^-4 to 1.1 peta-electron volts with a spectrum showing gradual steepening over three energy decades. The ultrahigh-energy photons imply the presence of a peta-electron volt electron accelerator (a pevatron) in the nebula, with an acceleration rate exceeding 15% of the theoretical limit. We constrain the pevatron's size between 0.025 and 0.1 parsecs and the magnetic field to ≈110 microgauss. The production rate of peta-electron volt electrons, 2.5 × 10³⁶ ergs per second, constitutes 0.5% of the pulsar spin-down luminosity, although we cannot exclude a contribution of peta-electron volt protons to the production of the highest-energy gamma rays.

Extended Very-High-Energy Gamma-Ray Emission Surrounding PSR J0622+3749 Observed by LHAASO-KM2A

We report the discovery of an extended very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray source around the location of the middle-aged (207.8 kyr) pulsar PSR J0622+3749 with the Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). The source is detected with a significance of 8.2σ for E>25  TeV assuming a Gaussian template. The best-fit location is (right ascension, declination) =(95.47°±0.11°,37.92°±0.09°), and the extension is 0.40°±0.07°. The energy spectrum can be described by a power-law spectrum with an index of -2.92±0.17_{stat}±0.02_{sys}. No clear extended multiwavelength counterpart of the LHAASO source has been found from the radio to sub-TeV bands. The LHAASO observations are consistent with the scenario that VHE electrons escaped from the pulsar, diffused in the interstellar medium, and scattered the interstellar radiation field. If interpreted as the pulsar halo scenario, the diffusion coefficient, inferred for electrons with median energies of ∼160  TeV, is consistent with those obtained from the extended halos around Geminga and Monogem and much smaller than that derived from cosmic ray secondaries. The LHAASO discovery of this source thus likely enriches the class of so-called pulsar halos and confirms that high-energy particles generally diffuse very slowly in the disturbed medium around pulsars.

Ultrahigh-energy photons up to 1.4 petaelectronvolts from 12 γ-ray Galactic sources

The extension of the cosmic-ray spectrum beyond 1 petaelectronvolt (PeV; 10¹⁵ electronvolts) indicates the existence of the so-called PeVatrons-cosmic-ray factories that accelerate particles to PeV energies. We need to locate and identify such objects to find the origin of Galactic cosmic rays¹. The principal signature of both electron and proton PeVatrons is ultrahigh-energy (exceeding 100 TeV) γ radiation. Evidence of the presence of a proton PeVatron has been found in the Galactic Centre, according to the detection of a hard-spectrum radiation extending to 0.04 PeV (ref. ²). Although γ-rays with energies slightly higher than 0.1 PeV have been reported from a few objects in the Galactic plane^3-6, unbiased identification and in-depth exploration of PeVatrons requires detection of γ-rays with energies well above 0.1 PeV. Here we report the detection of more than 530 photons at energies above 100 teraelectronvolts and up to 1.4 PeV from 12 ultrahigh-energy γ-ray sources with a statistical significance greater than seven standard deviations. Despite having several potential counterparts in their proximity, including pulsar wind nebulae, supernova remnants and star-forming regions, the PeVatrons responsible for the ultrahigh-energy γ-rays have not yet been firmly localized and identified (except for the Crab Nebula), leaving open the origin of these extreme accelerators.

Dilemma and Challenge of Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a tumor with a high degree of malignancy, morbidity, and mortality. Immunotherapy is another important treatment for pancreatic cancer in addition to surgery and chemotherapy, but its application in pancreatic cancer is very limited, which is related to the unique biological behavior of pancreatic cancer and the tumor microenvironment. The immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer is highly heterogeneous and presents challenges for immunotherapy. The transformation of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment contributes to the response to tumor immunotherapy, such that the tumor undergoes functional reprogramming to change from immunologically "cold" to immunologically "hot." In this review, we summarized the research and progress in immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, adoptive T cell therapy, oncolytic viruses, and immunomodulators, and suggest that individualized, combination, and precise therapy should be the main direction of future immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

SLC1A3 promotes gastric cancer progression via the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway

Gastric cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide. The glutamate/aspartate transporter SLC1A3 has been implicated in tumour metabolism and progression, but the roles of SLC1A3 in gastric cancer remain unclear. We used bioinformatics approaches to analyse the expression of SLC1A3 and its role in gastric cancer. The expression levels of SLC1A3 were examined using RT‐qPCR and Western bolting. SLC1A3 overexpressing and knock‐down cell lines were constructed, and the cell viability was evaluated. Glucose consumption, lactate excretion and ATP levels were determined. The roles of SLC1A3 in tumour growth were evaluated using a xenograft tumour growth model. SLC1A3 was found to be overexpressed in gastric cancer, and this overexpression was associated with poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo assays showed that SLC1A3 affected glucose metabolism and promoted gastric cancer growth. GSEA analysis suggested that SLC1A3 was positively associated with the up‐regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. SLC1A3 overexpression activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and up‐regulated GLUT1, HK II and LDHA expression. The PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 prevented SLC1A3‐induced glucose metabolism and cell proliferation. Our findings indicate that SLC1A3 promotes gastric cancer progression via the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. SLC1A3 is therefore a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer.

Risk for gastric cancer in patients with gastric atrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The risk for gastric cancer among patients with gastric atrophy is unclear. We investigated the association between the risk for gastric cancer and gastric atrophy.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive literature search in the PubMed and Embase databases and extracted relevant data from eligible studies. A fixed- or random-effects model was applied to pool study-specific risk according to heterogeneity across studies.

Results

Thirteen cohort or nested case-control studies with 655,937 participants and 2,794 patients with gastric cancer were analyzed. The pooled results suggested that gastric atrophy was associated with an elevated risk for gastric cancer [pooled risk ratio (RR) =2.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.58–3.27]. The pooled RR (3.10, 95% CI: 2.58–3.73) of studies that used serum levels of pepsinogen for diagnosis of gastric atrophy was similar to that of those that used (pooled RR =2.79, 95% CI: 2.37–3.27) (for endoscopy). Gastric atrophy was positively associated with the risk for gastric cancer in both prospective and retrospective studies. Moreover, the pooled RRs did not significantly vary by country of origin (Asia and Europe) or gastric cancer subtype (cardia and non-cardia).

Conclusions

Gastric atrophy is associated with an elevated risk for gastric cancer, and endoscopy and serum levels of pepsinogens can be used to predict the risk.

Internet and WeChat used by patients with Crohn's disease in China: a multi-center questionnaire survey

Background

Currently, WeChat is widely used in disease education for patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in China. It is beneficial for the patients to actively engage in their disease management.

Methods

In this study, we examined the source and expectations of disease information for Chinese CD patients, analysing the content of popular WeChat public accounts and their potential association with medication adherence.

Results

Between November 24th, 2017 and April 10th, 2018, online questionnaires were sent to CD patients from eight different large urban hospitals in China. In all, 436 patients with CD were surveyed, and 342 patients responded. Patients most frequently visited Baidu (65%), WeChat (61%) and medical websites such as Haodaifu (35%) when searching for IBD-related information. Among ten WeChat IBD public accounts, the China Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCCF) (73%), “IBD Academic Officer” (21%) and “IBD in love” (21%) were the most popular. CD patients were most interested in information from the internet about diet and day-to-day health-related living with IBD (83%), an introduction to the disease (80%), and medication advances and side effects (80%). The correlation between the information provided by the top five WeChat public accounts and patients’ expectations was low. Additionally, most patients (64%) had greater confidence in overcoming the disease after learning about CD through their internet searches. Medical adherence was also related to internet access and income (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

WeChat has become a major source of information for IBD education in China, but the content of WeChat didn’t fully meet patients’ expectations. Therefore, future initiatives should aim to provide high-quality information that based on patients’ demands.

Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with metabolic syndrome in aged Chinese females

The association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and metabolic syndrome (MetS) determined in different cohorts from different countries is currently inconclusive. In the majority of previous studies, H. pylori infection was diagnosed based on the presence of H. pylori IgG antibody in the serum. However, to the best of our knowledge, only few studies have investigated the association between H. pylori infection and MetS using the urea breath test (UBT) as a diagnostic tool. The present study was performed with the aim of providing a detailed analysis of the association between H. pylori infection, as diagnosed by the UBT method, and MetS in a large community from Zhejiang province in eastern China. The results indicated that H. pylori infection increases the risk of MetS in the aged female population.

Myricetin inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation via reduction of ROS-dependent ubiquitination of ASC and promotion of ROS-independent NLRP3 ubiquitination

Myricetin is a plant-derived flavonoid that exhibits diverse pharmacological properties. The NLRP3 (NLR family, pyrin domain-containing 3 protein) inflammasome is a cytosolic multiprotein complex that plays a critical role in the innate immune response and pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory disorders. The present study found that myricetin inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome assembly via promotion of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-independent ubiquitination of NLRP3 and reduction of ROS-dependent ubiquitination of ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), which disrupted the interaction between ASC and NLRP3 and inhibited ASC oligomerization. This effect was further confirmed in vivo using mouse models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis and alum-induced peritonitis. These results suggest the therapeutic value of myricetin by targeting NLRP3-driven inflammatory diseases.

The associations among Helicobacter pylori infection, white blood cell count and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a large Chinese population

Reported relationships among Helicobacter pylori infection, white blood cell (WBC) count and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are inconsistent and controversial. We, therefore, conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the associations among the presence of NAFLD, WBC count and H pylori infection, as diagnosed using the C-urea breath test (UBT).This study included 20,389 subjects enrolled at the International Health Care Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2015 to December 2015. All participants underwent a C-UBT for the diagnosis of H pylori infection and ultrasonography for NAFLD as well as a blood test to determine WBC count. Multivariate logistic regression was then performed to evaluate the relationship among H pylori infection, WBC count and NAFLD.H pylori infection was detected in 38.49% (7,848/20,389) of the subjects via the UBT, and NAFLD was present in 37.24% (7,592/20,389) of the subjects. The prevalence of H pylori infection was higher in the NAFLD group than in the control group (41.25% vs 36.85%, P <.001). Significant differences were found between various WBC quartiles and H pylori infection, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS-CRP), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FPG), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and smoking. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the combination of H pylori infection and WBC count (odds ratio [OR] = 1.067, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.014, 1.093; P = .007; OR = 1.165, 95% CI: 1.023, 1.488; P <.001; OR = 1.183, 95% CI: 1.085, 1.559; P <.001, respectively) was positively associated with NAFLD.H pylori infection and WBC count may contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Risk of gastric cancer among patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia

Plenty of studies have assessed the association between intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric cancer risk, while the results were inconsistent. We aimed to assess the risk of gastric cancer among patients with IM. Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases. Baseline characteristics and outcomes from the included studies were extracted independently by two investigators. Either a fixed-effects or a random-effects model was used to composite the pooled OR for gastric cancer risk. Finally, a total of 21 studies, which comprised 402,636 participants and 4,535 gastric cancer patients, were finally included in the current meta-analysis. Compared with those participants without IM, IM patients were at a higher risk of gastric cancer (pooled OR = 3.58, 95% CI 2.71-4.73). We observed that incomplete IM (pooled OR = 9.48, 95% CI 4.33-20.78) but not complete IM (pooled OR = 1.55, 95% CI 0.91-2.65) was significantly associated with a higher gastric cancer risk. Besides, it appeared that gastric cancer risk was higher among patients with IM in the corpus (pooled OR = 7.39, 95% CI 4.94-11.06) than those with IM in the antrum only (pooled OR = 4.06, 95% CI 2.79-5.91). And the pooled ORs for gastric noncardia cancer and gastric cardia cancer were 4.98 (95% CI 3.12-7.95) and 1.93 (95% CI 1.15-3.24), respectively. In conclusion, patients with IM were at a higher risk of gastric cancer, especially for incomplete IM and IM in the corpus. The current evidence supports the use of IM subtypes in the surveillance of gastric cancer.

Cyclooxygenase-2 induces angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer mediated by prostaglandin E2

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo, and to clarify the potential mechanism of COX-2-induced angiogenesis of pancreatic cancer. The study analysis was conducted in the pancreatic cancer PC-3 cell line. The expression of COX-2 and VEGF in human pancreatic cancer tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Angiogenesis was detected using immunohistochemistry with anti-collagen IV antibodies, and was calculated according to the microvascular density (MVD). In vitro analysis was performed using ELISA or radioimmunoassay (RIA). The effect of exogenous PGE2 on the downregulation of VEGF by Celebrex was also assessed. In vivo analysis was performed using western blotting or RIA. Concurrently, MVD was also investigated in nude mice using immunohistochemistry with anti-collagen IV antibodies. COX-2 was overexpressed in pancreatic cancer tissues, with an overall positive rate of 87.5%. There was a positive association between the expression of COX-2 and MVD. The in vitro study indicated that Celebrex suppressed the expression of VEGF and PGE2 in PC-3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, while exogenous PGE2 rescued the expression of VEGF, which was suppressed by Celebrex, in a dose-dependent manner. The in vivo study revealed that the administration of Celebrex to xenograft nude mice significantly inhibited the expression of VEGF and PGE2. These data provide evidence that PGE2 may be an important mediator between COX-2 and VEGF expression in the process of angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer.

Association between allergic conditions and colorectal cancer risk/mortality: a meta-analysis of prospective studies

We aimed to assess the association between allergic conditions and risk/mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). A systematic literature search was conducted using Pubmed and Embase to identify relevant studies. Prospective studies assessing the association between allergic conditions and risk/mortality of CRC were included. Risk ratios (RRs) were pooled with either a fixed- or a random-effects model according to heterogeneity. A total of 515379 participants and 10345 CRC cases from 12 studies were included in the analysis of CRC risk, while four studies with 1484741 individuals and 30040 CRC deaths were included in the analysis of CRC mortality. The pooled RR for the association between allergic conditions and CRC risk was 0.88 (95% CI 0.83–0.92). The inverse association was observed both in colon cancer (pooled RR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.72–0.97) and rectal cancer (pooled RR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.74–0.93). Moreover, no gender difference was observed in the analysis of CRC risk (for males, pooled RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.96; for females, pooled RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.82–0.95). And allergic conditions were also found to be inversely associated with CRC mortality (pooled RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.92). In conclusion, the current meta-analysis provides further evidence that allergic conditions were inversely associated with CRC risk and mortality.

Aspirin use after diagnosis but not prediagnosis improves established colorectal cancer survival: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this meta-analysis was to systematically assess the survival benefit of aspirin use before or after diagnosis for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

DESIGN

Relevant studies were identified through searching PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases before May 2014. Two investigators extracted data independently for baseline characteristics and outcomes from the included studies. Either a fixed-effects or a random-effects model was derived to composite the pooled HR for overall mortality and CRC-specific mortality of CRC.

RESULTS

Seven studies on postdiagnosis aspirin therapy and seven studies on prediagnosis aspirin use were finally included in this meta-analysis. The overall survival benefit associated with postdiagnosis aspirin use represented an HR of 0.84 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.94). This effect was observed both in colon cancer (HR=0.78, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.96) and in rectal cancer (HR=0.90, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.98). Besides, the survival benefit of postdiagnosis aspirin use appeared to be confined to those patients with positive prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, also known as cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2) expression (HR=0.65, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.85) and with mutated PIK3CA tumours (HR=0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.90). Aspirin use postdiagnosis was not associated with CRC-specific mortality (HR=0.77, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.14). We observed no evidence of an association between prediagnosis aspirin use and CRC overall mortality (HR=1.01, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.06) or CRC-specific mortality (HR=0.93, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide further indication that postdiagnosis aspirin therapy improved CRC overall survival, especially for patients with positive PTGS2 (COX-2) expression and mutated PIK3CA tumours.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of microRNA-21 in colorectal cancer: an original study and individual participant data meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to systematically summarize the diagnostic and prognostic value of circulating/tissue miR21 in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODS

An original study was conducted to explore the potential value of circulating miR21 in colorectal cancer diagnosis and tissue miR21 in colorectal cancer prognosis. PUBMED and EMBASE were searched (to August, 2013) to identify eligible studies. To explore the diagnostic performance of circulating miR21, meta-analysis methods were used to pool sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic OR and to construct a summary ROC curve. For prognostic meta-analysis, study-specific HRs of tissue miR21 for survival were summarized. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were applied to explore heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Finally, 14 studies (including our study) were included in the meta-analyses. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of circulating miR21 were 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.59-0.88], 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76-0.85), and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78-0.85) in diagnosing colorectal cancer. Patients with higher expression of tissue miR21 had significant inferior overall survival (OS; pooled HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.16-2.11) and disease-free survival (DFS; pooled HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.08-1.69). The individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis demonstrated that tissue miR21 level was independently associated with worse colorectal cancer OS (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.07-2.67; P = 0.023), whereas this association seems to be confined to males (P = 0.007) but not for females (P = 0.845).

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating miR21 level has potential value for colorectal cancer early detection, whereas high tissue miR21 level is associated with adverse colorectal cancer prognosis.

IMPACT

miR21 is a promising biomarker for early detection and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(12); 2783-92. ©2014 AACR.

Association between dietary antioxidant vitamins intake/blood level and risk of gastric cancer

We aimed to systematically evaluate the association between dietary intake/blood levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, and α-carotene) and gastric cancer risk. Systematic literature searches were conducted until April 2013 in Pubmed and Embase to identify relevant studies. Either a fixed- or a random-effects model was adopted to estimate overall odds ratios (ORs). Dose-response, meta-regression, subgroup, and publication bias analyses were applied. Forty articles were finally included in the present study. Higher dietary intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, and α-carotene was inversely associated with gastric cancer risk (for vitamin C, pooled OR=0.58, 95% CI 0.51-0.65; for vitamin E, pooled OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.57-0.74; for β-carotene, pooled OR=0.59, 95% CI 0.49-0.70; for α-carotene, pooled OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.52-0.93). Subgroup analyses suggested the effects of these antioxidant vitamins were different in gastric cancer subtypes. As indicated by dose-response analysis, a 100 mg/day increment of vitamin C intake conferred an OR of 0.78 (95% CI 0.67-0.90); a 15 mg/day increment of vitamin E intake conferred an OR of 0.79 (95% CI 0.66-0.94); and a 5 mg/day increment in β-carotene intake conferred an OR of 0.80 (95% CI 0.60-1.04). No significant association was observed between blood vitamin C, α-tocopherol, γ- tocopherol, β-carotene and α-carotene levels and gastric cancer risk. In conclusion, dietary intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene and α-carotene was inversely associated with gastric cancer risk while no such association was observed for blood levels of these antioxidant vitamins, thus the results should be interpreted cautiously.

Restoration of miR-1228* expression suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer

Dysregulated miRNAs play critical roles during carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In the present study, the function of miR-1228* in regulating cancer progression was investigated in gastric cancer. Decreased expression of miR-1228* was observed in human gastric cancer tissues comparing to normal tissues. Subsequently, the role of miR-1228* was evaluated in vivo using the tumor xenograft model. In this model, miR-1228* overexpression suppressed xenograft tumor formation. Furthermore, we demonstrated miR-1228* negatively regulated NF-κB activity in SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells and found that CK2A2 was a target of miR-1228*. Upregulation of miR-1228* decreased the expression of mesenchymal markers and increased the epithelial marker E-cadherin, suggesting its potential role in suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Collectively, these findings provide the first evidence that miR-1228* plays an important role in regulating gastric cancer growth and suggest that selective restoration of miR-1228* might be beneficial for gastric cancer therapy.

Up-regulation of microRNA-1290 impairs cytokinesis and affects the reprogramming of colon cancer cells

Abnormal cytokinesis increases the possibility of nuclear fusion in tumor cells. However, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in abnormal cytokinesis is unclear. Here, we found that miR-1290 was significantly up-regulated in clinical colon cancer tissues. Up-regulation of miR-1290 postponed cytokinesis and led to the formation of multinucleated cells. KIF13B was a target of miR-1290 that was involved in aberrant cytokinesis. Furthermore, enforced expression of miR-1290 activated the Wnt pathway and increased the reprogramming-related transcript factors c-Myc and Nanog. Our results suggest that up-regulation of miR-1290 in colon cancer cells impaired cytokinesis and affected reprogramming.

ZIC1 modulates cell-cycle distributions and cell migration through regulation of sonic hedgehog, PI(3)K and MAPK signaling pathways in gastric cancer

Background

ZIC1, a vital transcription factor with zinc finger domains, has been implicated in the process of neural development. We previously showed that ZIC1 may function as a tumour suppressor in gastrointestinal cancers. However, the molecular mechanism underlying ZIC1 participation in tumour progression remains unknown.

Methods

The role of ZIC1 on cell proliferation and migration was examined. The regulation of sonic hedgehog (Shh), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI₃K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways after ectopic expression of ZIC1 in gastric cancer cells were evaluated.

Results

Overexpression of ZIC1 contributes to the inhibition of cell proliferation migration and cell-cycle distribution in gastric cancer. The modulation of G1/S checkpoint by ZIC1 is mainly mediated through the regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases (p21 ^Waf1/Cip1, p27 ^Kip1 and cyclin D1). In addition, ZIC1 can inactivate the level of phospholated Akt and Erk1/2, and transcriptionally regulate sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling, thus leading to regulate the expression of p21 ^Waf1/Cip1 and cyclin D1. Finally, we have systemically identified ZIC1 downstream targets by cDNA microarray analysis and revealed that 132 genes are down-regulated and 66 genes are up-regulated after transfection with ZIC1 in gastric cancer cells. These candidate genes play critical roles in cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell motility.

Conclusions

Overexpression of ZIC1 results in inactivation of Shh, PI₃K and MAPK signaling pathways, as well as regulation of multiple downstream targets which are essential for the development and progression of gastric cancer. ZIC1 serves as a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

[Effect of metoclopramide on capsule endoscopy examination: a randomized study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of metoclopramide on capsule endoscopy (CE) examination.

METHODS

Total 116 patients referred for CE were randomized into two groups with 58 patients in each group. In treatment group patients received 10 mg metoclopramide intramuscular injection after swallowing the capsule and in control group no metoclopramide was administered. The gastric transit time, small bowel transit time, complete endoscopy rate were observed in both groups.

RESULTS

The CE examination was completed in 51 patients of treatment group (87.9%) and 48 of control group (84.2%). Mean gastric transit time was (32.45 ± 29.63) min in treatment group and (45.81 ± 40.01)min in control group, there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). Mean small bowel transit time was (252.69 ± 113.29) min in treatment group and (258.75 ± 83.83) min in control group, there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Metoclopramide may reduces gastric transit time, but not effect small bowel transit time,which suggests that it might increase the likelihood of complete small-bowel examination in patients undergoing capsule endoscopy.

Therapeutic effects of rectal administration of muscovite on experimental colitis in rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate whether rectal administration of muscovite can ameliorate colonic inflammation in a rat model of experimental colitis, and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis were treated with rectal administration of muscovite or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) daily for 14 days. The changes in body weight, macroscopic damage and histologic scores were subsequently evaluated. Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), mucin2 (MUC2) and trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) in the colonic tissues was assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) while protein levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were detected by ELISA. Mucin2 expression in colonic mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry. The capacity of muscovite to adsorb cytokines in vitro was determined by the changes in the amount of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta secreted by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated THP-1 cells and IL-8 secreted by LPS-stimulated HT-29 cells.

RESULTS

Rectal administration of muscovite improved the loss of body weight, macroscopic and histologic scores of TNBS-induced colitis in a dose-dependent manner. Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was reduced by muscovite and 5-ASA treatment. Reduction of MUC2 expression in colitis rats was reversed by muscovite and 5-ASA treatment. However, the expression of TFF3 mRNA in colonic mucosa was not affected. In addition, we found muscovite inhibited the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta secreted by THP-1 and IL-8 secreted by HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated for the first time that rectal administration of muscovite can ameliorate colonic inflammation of TNBS-induced colitis. Further confirmatory studies are needed to prove that muscovite might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Induction of experimental acute ulcerative colitis in rats by administration of dextran sulfate sodium at low concentration followed by intracolonic administration of 30% ethanol

Several models of experimental ulcerative colitis have been reported previously. However, none of these models showed the optimum characteristics. Although dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis results in inflammation resembling ulcerative colitis, an obvious obstacle is that dextran sulfate sodium is very expensive. The aim of this study was to develop an inexpensive model of colitis in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 2% dextran sulfate sodium in drinking water for 3 d followed by an intracolonic administration of 30% ethanol. The administration of 2% dextran sulfate sodium followed by 30% ethanol induced significant weight loss, diarrhea and hematochezia in rats. Severe ulceration and inflammation of the distal part of rat colon were developed rapidly. Histological examination showed increased infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes and existence of cryptic abscesses and dysplasia. The model induced by dextran sulfate sodium at lower concentration followed by 30% ethanol is characterized by a clinical course, localization of the lesions and histopathological features similar to human ulcerative colitis and fulfills the criteria set out at the beginning of this study.

[Effect of emodin on pancreatic fibrosis: experiment with rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of emodin on pancreatic fibrosis and potential mechanism thereof.

METHODS

Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups: normal control group, model control group, low-dose emodin-treated group, mediate-dose emodin-treated group, and high-dose emodin-treated group. The rats of the latter 4 groups underwent infusion of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) into the pancreatic duct so as to establish models of pancreatic fibrosis. The emodin-treated rats were fed with different doses of emodin (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg body weight), while the normal and model control groups received 0.9% sodium chloride solution instead. Twenty-eight days later the rats were killed, blood samples were collected, and their pancreases were taken out. The serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN) were determined by radioimmunoassay. The histopathological alterations were studied by optical microscopy. The expression of collagen was examined by Van Gieson staining. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)).

RESULTS

(1) The serum level of HA of the low-dose, mediate-dose, and high-dose emodin-treated groups were 87 microg/L +/- 22 microg/L, 78 microg/L +/- 25 microg/L, and 62 microg/L +/- 19 microg/L respectively, all significantly lower than that of the model control group (113 microg/L +/- 27 microg/L, P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The serum levels of laminin in the low-dose, mediate-dose, and high-dose emodin-treated groups were 67 microg/L +/- 14 microg/L, 57 microg/L +/- 12 microg/L, and 44 microg/L +/- 10 microg/L respectively, all significantly lower than that of the model control group (86 microg/L +/- 17 microg/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); (2) The degrees of fibrosis of the emodin-treated groups were obviously ameliorated in comparison with the model control group, the higher the dose of emodin the more improved the pathological changes, especially in the high-dose emodin-treated group (P < 0.05). (3) The percentages of collagen positive cells of the low-dose, mediate-dose, and high-dose emodin-treated groups were 39% +/- 7%, 38% +/- 4%, and 36% +/- 5% respectively, all lower than that of the model control group (42% +/- 6%), with a significant difference between the high-dose emodin-treated group and the model control group (P < 0.05). (4) The protein content of TGF-beta(1) of the low-dose, mediate-dose, and high-dose emodin-treated groups were 44.3% +/- 2.1%, 39.2% +/- 1.8%, and 28.8% +/- 1.6% respectively, all significantly lower than that of the model control group (60.7% +/- 1.7%, all P < 0.05), and the protein content of TGF-beta(1) of the high-dose emodin-treated group was significantly lower than those of the other 2 emodin-treated groups (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Emoidn has an anti-fibrosis effect on pancreatic fibrosis, which maybe related to the content of TGF-beta(1) protein.

Morphological and pathologic changes of experimental chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and the regulating mechanism of protein expression in rats

OBJECTIVE

To study the pathologic change and molecular regulation in cell proliferation and apoptosis of gastric mucosa in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), and evaluate the possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Rats were administered with 60% alcohol or 2% salicylate sodium, 20 mmol/L deoxycholate sodium and 0.1% ammonia water to establish chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) models. The gastric specimens were prepared for microscopic view with hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) and alcian blue (A-B) stain. The number of infiltrated inflammatory cells, the thickness of the mucosa gland layer (microm) and the number of gastric glands were calculated. The damage of barrier in mucosa with erosion or ulceration, and the thickness of mucin were examined by scanned electron microscope (SEM). The levels of PGE(2), EGF (epiderminal growth factor) and gastrin in the serum were measured with radioimmunoassay or ELISA method. The immunohistochemistry method was used to observe the number of G cells, the expression of protein of EGFR (EGF receptor), C-erbB-2, p53, p16 and bcl-2 in gastric tissue.

RESULTS

Under SEM observation, the gastric mucosa was diffused erosion or ulceration and the thickness of mucin was decreased. Compared with normal rats, the grade of inflammatory cell infiltration in CAG rats was elevated, whereas the thickness and number of gastric gland were significantly lower (P<0.05). Compared with normal level of (0.61+/-0.28) microg/L, EGF in CAG (2.24+/-0.83) microg/L was significantly higher (P<0.05). The levels of PGE(2) and gastrin in serum were significantly lower in CAG rats than that in normal rats (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry detection showed that the number of G cell in antrum was lower in CAG group (P<0.05). Immuno-stain showed EGFR protein expression in the basal and bilateral membrane, and the cytoplasma in atrophic gastric gland, while negative expression was observed in normal gastric epithelial cells. Positive staining of p53 and p16 protein was localized in the nucleus of epithelial cells. The former was higher positively expressed in atrophic gland, while the later was higher positively stained in normal gastric tissue. bcl-2 protein was positively stained in the cytoplasma in atrophic gastric gland, while very weakly stained in normal gastric tissue.

CONCLUSION

The pathological findings in gastric gland accorded with the Houston diagnostic criteria of antrum-predominant CAG. CAG in rats was related with the damage of barrier in gastric mucosa and the misbalance of cell proliferation and apoptosis. There was high protein expression of oncogene, while inhibitor of suppressor gene in CAG rats indicated high trend of carcinogenesis.

[The effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on hyperammonaemia and hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship among Helicobacter pylori (Hp)infection, blood ammonia concentrations, and hepatic encephalopathy (HE) status, and to investigate the effect of Hp eradication on blood ammonia levels and hepatic encephalopathy status in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

From July 2003 to Jan 2005, cirrhotic patients in 5 regions of Zhejiang Province were enrolled. Patients were evaluated for the demographic checklists, number connection test, Hp infection, liver impairment level, blood ammonia concentrations and hepatic encephalopathy status. Patients with Hp infection were given one week therapy with omeprazole plus clarithromycin and tinidazole. (14)C urea breath test was performed and the mental symptoms and blood ammonia levels were reassessed after the eradication therapy.

RESULTS

(1) 457 cirrhotics were enrolled, the overall Hp infection rate was 60.6%, and HE happened with 47.5%. Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SHE) were detected 55 in 47.0% of 117 cirrhotics. (2) Blood ammonia concentration in Hp (-) and Hp (+) cirrhotics was (53.8 +/- 51.4) micromol/L and (78.4 +/- 63.6) micromol/L respectively (P < 0.01), which was significantly reduced to (53.5 +/- 37.7) micromol/L after Hp eradication (P < 0.01). HE was more frequently observed in patients with Hp infection than without it (58.5% vs 30.6%, P < 0.01). HE rate were significantly dropped to 34.1% after Hp eradication (P < 0.01). (3) Hp prevalence significantly differed among cirrhotic with HE (74.4%), those with SHE (69.1%), or without HE (53.2%) (P < 0.05). The level of blood ammonia had significant difference among the cirrhotics with HE (94.5 +/- 75.6) micromol/L, those with SHE (59.9 +/- 49.2) micromol/L, or without HE (47.3 +/- 33.5) micromol/L (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hp infection was an important factor of inducing with high blood ammonia concentration and hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients. Hp eradication may be helpful for treatment and prevention of HE.

[The expression of trefoil factor 1 and trefoil factor 2 in gastric cancer and precancer]

OBJECTIVE

Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) and trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) are members of the trefoil peptide family. To investigate the relationship between TFF1, TFF2 and tumorigenesis of precancerous conditions and gastric cancer.

METHODS

The expression of TFF1, TFF2 was determined by immunohistochemical method in 140 gastric specimens including 35 chronic superficial gastritis (CSG), 35 gastric ulcer (GU), 35 chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and 35 gastric cancer (GC).

RESULTS

In the CSG, GU, CAG and GC, the level of TFF1 expression had a decreasing tendency (P < 0.05). The expression of TFF2 also had a decreased tendency in GU, CAG, and GC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The reducing expression of TFF1, TFF2 in the precancerous conditions and gastric cancer was confirmed, and the decrease of TFF1, TFF2 expression may be related to tumorigenesis, progression and the degree of tumor differentiation. Further studies will be necessary to determine the mechanisms of TFF1, TFF2 in the tumor and prospects of clinical implication.

[Plasma levels of ascorbic acid and vitamin E in patients with liver cirrhosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the plasma levels of ascorbic acid and vitamin E in patients with liver cirrhosis and to explore their significance.

METHODS

The plasma levels of ascorbic acid,vitamin E and lipoperoxides in patients with liver cirrhosis were measured, and the results were compared with those of sex-and age-matched healthy subjects.

RESULT

The plasma levels of ascorbic acid, vitamin E and lipoperoxides in the patients group were (42.94 +/-6.99)micromol/L, (17.99 +/-3.51)micromol/L and (14.09 +/-1.28)micromol/L, respectively, while those in the control group were (53.30 +/-9.45)micromol/L (t=9.50, P=0.000), (24.59 +/-7.22)micromol/L (t=7.94, P=0.000) and (12.11 +/-1.20)micromol/L (t=17.21, P=0.000), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The levels of ascorbic acid and vitamin E in patients with liver cirrhosis decrease significantly,which may indicates the disturbance of balance between oxidation and antioxidation.

[The impact of selective cycloxygenase-2 inhibitor celexibo on the formation of cholesterol gallstone]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of specific cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor celexibo on the formation of gallstone in rabbits by comparing both the mucosa damage and the risk of gallstone formation.

METHODS

30 rabbits were equally divided into three groups: gallstone group (induced by high cholesterol diet HCD), celexibo group (treated with celexibo 10 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) in addition to HCD) and control group (fed with formal diet). After 7 weeks, bile was obtained for observing gallstone formation, and the morphologic changes of the mucosa were assessed under microscopy. The level of COX-2 in gallbladder mucosa in each group was estimated with immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTS

Celexibo group had lower risk to get gallstones than gallstone group (2/10 vs 9/10, P < 0.05). The degree of mucosa inflammation and level of COX-2 expression were significantly higher in gallstone group than in the other two groups (0.055 +/- 0.006 vs 0.017 +/- 0.003, P < 0.001; 0.055 +/- 0.006 vs 0.169 +/- 0.001, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific COX-2 inhibitor celexibo can decrease the risk of gallstone formation. COX-2 is highly expressed in gallbladder mucosa of gallstone, which suggests that there is certain inflammatory mechanism in the cholesterol gallstone formation.