The effects of hyperthermia on human hepatocellular carcinoma stem and mature cancer cells

Introduction and objectivesHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can recur following radiofrequency ablation and other hyperthermic treatment modalities. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of HCC cells that are difficult to eradicate and largely responsible for tumor recurrences. Thus, the principal objective of this study was to determine whether human HCC CSCs are relatively thermal-resistant compared to non-stem or mature cancer cells (MCCs).Materials and methodsEpithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) positive enriched CSCs and EpCAM⁻ MCCs were derived from a human HCC cell line using fluorescence activated cell sorting. Each cell population was exposed to 65 °C heat for 0–16 min and survival documented at various time points.ResultsCell survival curves were similar in CSC and MCCs throughout the 16 min heat exposure period. Maximum killing was obtained after 12–14 min of heat exposure. Cytoprotective, heat shock proteins-70 (HSP70) and -90 (HSP90) mRNA expression were not disproportionately increased in CSCs.ConclusionsThese results suggest that human HCC CSCs are not more thermal resistant than MCCs and therefore, do not support the hypothesis that HCC recurrences following hyperthermic treatment reflect CSC thermal-resistance.     

The jejunum is the key factor in insulin resistance

BackgroundBiliopancreatic diversion (BPD) is more effective than Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on both insulin resistance and diabetes.ObjectivesBecause the major difference between the 2 procedures resides in the length of jejunal bypass, we investigated the role of the jejunum in insulin resistance.SettingUniversity hospital in Italy.MethodsInsulin sensitivity (IS) and secretion were measured before and 4 weeks after RYGB or BPD in 16 patients. A translational study was also conducted in 6 pigs, by isolating a jejunal loop with its vascular and nerve supply (Thiry-Vella loop [TVL]). TVL was doubly stomatized and bowel continuity restored by a side-to-side jejuno-jejunostomy. At baseline and 4 weeks postoperatively a glucose bolus was injected either in the stomach or in the TVL. Whole-body IS and jejunal heat shock proteins (HSPs) were measured. Primary porcine hepatocyte cultures were incubated with plasma or individual HSPs.ResultsWhole-body IS increased from 353.5 ± 26.7 to 442.0 ± 37.4 (P < .05) after RYGB and from 312.4 ± 14.9 to 441.2 ± 15.9 mL/m⁻²/min⁻¹ (P < .001) after BPD. Hepatic IS was unchanged after RYGB, while it increased from .3 ± .01 to .4 ± .1 (μM/pM) – 1 (P < .01) after BPD. Total insulin secretion rate remained unchanged after RYGB but decreased (from 58.3 ± 23.6 to 33.1 ± 7.8 nmol/m⁻², P < .05) after BPD. Jejunectomy in pigs enhanced IS (.3 ± .01 versus .2 ± .01 mM/pM, P < .001), while injection of glucose into TVL reduced it (.1 ± .01 versus .3 ± .01 mM/pM, P < .0001). The jejunum secreted HSPs, Hsp70, and GRP78, which impaired insulin signaling in hepatocyte cultures.ConclusionsThis study shows that jejunal bypass in both humans and pigs improves IS. Injection of glucose into the TVL in pigs determines insulin resistance. In response to glucose, the jejunum secretes HSPs that impair insulin signaling.     

乌司他丁与连续性血液净化联合治疗热射病的效果及对机体炎性反应影响研究

目的 分析乌司他丁与连续性血液净化联用对热射病患者所产生的影响。方法 选取2017年5月—2019年2月在海南医学院第二附属医院进行治疗的88例热射病患者作为研究对象,将其分为研究组和常规组,常规组患者接受常规治疗,研究组患者在常规治疗基础上,将乌司他丁与连续性血液净化联用。分析两种治疗措施的效果。结果 治疗前两组患者的IL-17、TNF-α、cTnⅠ、β₂-MG、PT、D-D、ET和TM水平,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。经治疗两组患者的上述指标水平都表现出下降的趋势,相对于常规组,研究组患者下降水平更明显,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。研究组治疗的总有效率为95.5%,高于常规组的72.7%,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 运用乌司他丁与连续性血液净化联用的疗法对热射病患者进行治疗,可获得十分理想的治疗效果,可在临床工作中推广。     

利胆和胃方治疗胆热犯胃型胆汁反流性胃炎的临床观察

目的:观察利胆和胃方联合西药疗法对胆热犯胃型胆汁反流性胃炎产生的治疗效果。方法:将2016年2月-2018年2月甘肃中医药大学附属医院门诊及住院的129例胆热犯胃型胆汁反流性胃炎病例纳入本次研究,按照随机数字表法分为两组,对照组67例,观察组62例,对照组仅予以常规西药疗法,观察组在西医的基础上联合予以利胆和胃方联合常规西药,分析比较两组患者的中医证候积分、总体临床疗效及胃电图指标。结果:①两组患者治疗后各中医证候积分均有所降低,并且试验组各中医证候积分降低幅度明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。②观察组总体临床疗效有效率是95.2%(59/62),对照组总体临床疗效有效率为83.6%(56/67),观察组总体临床疗效有效率优于对照组(P<0.05)。③治疗后两组胃电图波形平均频率、胃肠电节律紊乱百分比具有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论:对胆汁反流性胃炎实施利胆和胃方联合西药方案,可明显改善临床症状,调节胃肠运动。     

吴耀南寒热并调法辨治脾胃病的学术思想

寒热错杂证是脾胃病中最常见的证型之一,寒热并调法出自张仲景《伤寒论》中半夏泻心汤证、乌梅汤证等条文中对寒冷与温热药物共同运用的方法,临床上运用有很好的疗效。本文主要介绍全国名老中医专家吴耀南教授如何用寒热并调法治疗脾胃病寒热错杂证的学术思想。