Gastric emptying and plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones in patients with peptic ulcer

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中药复方 慎柔养真汤 中血管活性肠肽的探讨

目的中药复方慎柔养真汤中是否含有血管活性肠肽（ＶＩＰ），以探索该药治疗消化系统疾病的作用机理．方法用放射免疫分析药盒，对中药复方慎柔养真汤煎剂，２０例正常人和２０例脾阴虚证患者血浆中ＶＩＰ的含量进行检测．结果最大结合率Ｂ０／Ｔ＝５３２９０％；非特异性结合率Ｎ／Ｔ＝１１７０％；拟合曲线方程Ｙ＝０８１９８３＋０４４３１９Ｘ０２８９２７Ｘ２，拟合度Ｒ２＝０９９０；中药中ＶＩＰ＝１０６６ｎｇ／Ｌ±２０ｎｇ／Ｌ，与正常人相比较无显著性差异，但有升高趋势；正常人血浆中ＶＩＰ＝９０１６ｎｇ／Ｌ±１５ｎｇ／Ｌ；脾阴虚患者血浆中ＶＩＰ＝６３２５ｎｇ／Ｌ±１１ｎｇ／Ｌ，与正常人相比较有显著性差异（Ｐ＜００５）．结论中药复方慎柔养真汤煎剂中有ＶＩＰ或ＶＩＰ前体复合物，其ＶＩＰ水平略高于正常人血浆，而脾阴虚患者血浆中ＶＩＰ水平低于正常人．     

Changes in mucosal permeability to lipopolysaccharide in the colon of chronic alcoholic rats

AIM: To evaluate the effects of chronic alcohol abuse on mucosal permeability to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the colon of rats.METHODS: Escherichia coli LPS (20 mg/L) was injected into the colon of chronic alcoholic rats (n = 10) that had been supplied with Lieber diet every other day for six weeks. Before and 5, 10, 20, and 30 min after LPS injection, portal vein blood samples were obtained and the LPS levels in the blood were measured. The distribution of LPS in the colon tissues was observed with confocal laser scanning microscopy by immunofluorescence technique using a monoclonal antibody specific to the lipid A region of LPS. Normal rats were used as the controls (n = 6).RESULTS: Before LPS injection, LPS levels in the portal vein blood of chronic alcoholic rats were significantly higher than that of the normal controls (3.56 ± 0.67 ng/L vs 2.45 ± 0.15 ng/L, P < 0.01). At 5, 10, 20, and 30 min after LPS injection, LPS levels were significantly higher than that before LPS injection (173.56 ± 3.45 ng/L, 154.78 ± 0.57 ng/L, 43.89 ± 0.67 ng/L, 45.38 ± 0.89 ng/L vs 3.56 ± 0.67 ng/L, respectively, P < 0.01). Most mucosal cells in the chronic alcoholic rats showed strong positive reactions to LPS, but in the normal rats, there were no significant changes in portal vein blood LPS levels and in the fluorescence reactions to LPS in the mucosal cells after LPS injection.CONCLUSION: Chronic alcohol abuse results in a significant increase in LPS permeability in the colon mucosa cells of rats.     

Characteristics of saliva secreted by patients with TCM-Piyinxu

AIM: To investigate various characteristics of saliva secreted by patients with TCM-Piyinxu (Spleen-yin deficiency).METHODS: Twenty-five individuals with Piyinxu (15 males and 10 females; age range 26-70 years, mean age = 45 years) diagnosed based on criteria used in traditional Chinese medicine, were compared with 20 individuals with Shenyinxu (Kidney-yin deficiency) (11 males, 9 females; age range 35-75 years, mean age = 50) and 30 normal individuals (17 males, 13 females; age range 35-65 years, mean age = 49 years). After acid stimulation, the saliva flow in each group was measured, and the levels of amylase and protein in saliva were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The resultant data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and one-way factorial ANOVA test.RESULTS: The flow rates of saliva and amylase in Piyinxu patients (0.27 ± 0.016 mL/min and 2134.13 ± 343.51 IU/min, respectively) were lower than those in normal subjects (0.46 ± 0.027 mL/min and 3501.63 ± 1099.63 IU/min, respectively, P < 0.01), but higher than those in the Shenyinxu group (0.13 ± 0.051 mL/min and 951.62 ± 383.17 IU/min, respectively, P < 0.01). The three groups showed no significant difference in their level of total salivary protein (Piyinxu group, 3.07 ± 0.60 g/L; Shenyinxu group, 3.01 ± 0.90 g/L, and control group, 2.94 ± 1.13 g/L, P = 0.869), amount of amylase per saliva volume, or their ratio of amylase to protein in secreted saliva (P = 0.173 and P = 0.436, respectively).CONCLUSION: Piyinxu patients showed altered rates of saliva and amylase secretion when compared with those parameters in patients with Shenyinxu and normal subjects.     

Relevance of α-defensins (HNP1-3) and defensin β-1 in diabetes

AIM: To investigate the genetic background of human defensin expression in type 1 and 2 diabetes.METHODS: Associations between DEFA1/DEFA3 gene copy number polymorphism and diabetes as well as between the promoter polymorphisms of DEFB1 and diabetes were studied. The copy number variation of the DEFA1/DEFA3 genes was determined in 257 diabetic patients (117 patients with type 1 and 140 with type 2 diabetes). The control group consisted of 221 age- and gender-matched healthy blood donors. The cumulative copy numbers of the DEFA1/DEFA3 genes were detected by using quantitative PCR analysis. To evaluate the HNP 1-3 (human neutrophil peptide 1-3 or α-defensin) levels in the circulation, plasma HNP 1-3 concentrations were measured by ELISA. The expression of DEFA1/A3 in peripheral leukocytes of the diabetic patients was measured by quantitative RT PCR analysis. Three SNPs of the human DEFB1 (human defensin β-1) gene: DEFB1 G-20A (rs11362), DEFB1 C-44G (rs1800972) and DEFB1 G-52A (rs1799946) were genotyped by Custom TaqMan^® Real Time PCR assay.RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in HNP1-3 levels between the healthy subjects and both groups of diabetic patients. The mean ± SE was 28.78 ± 4.2 ng/mL in type 1 diabetes, and 29.82 ± 5.36 ng/mL in type 2 diabetes, vs 11.94 ± 2.96 ng/mL in controls; P < 0.01 respectively. There was no significant difference between patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the high plasma concentrations of HNP1-3. The highest concentrations of α-defensin were found in diabetic patients with nephropathy (49.4 ± 4.8 ng/mL), neuropathy (38.7 ± 4.8 ng/mL) or cardiovascular complications (45.6 ± 1.45 ng/L). There was no significant difference in the cumulative copy numbers of DEFA1/DEFA3 genes between controls and patients, or between patients with the two types of diabetes. Comparisons of HNP 1-3 plasma level and DEFA1/A3 copy number of the same patient did not reveal significant relationship between defensin-α levels and the gene copy numbers (r² = 0.01). Similarly, no positive correlation was observed between the copy numbers and the mRNA expression levels of DEFA1/A3. Regarding the C-44G polymorphism of DEFB1, the GG “protective” genotype was much less frequent (1%-2%) among both groups of patients than among controls (9%).CONCLUSION: Elevated HNP1-3 levels in diabetes are independent of DEFA1/DEFA3 copy numbers, but GG genotype of C-44G SNP in DEFB1 gene may result in decreased defensin β-1 production.     

Beneficial effects of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channel opener on liver ischemia/reperfusion injury

AIM: To investigate the effect of diazoxide administration on liver ischemia/reperfusion injury.METHODS: Wistar male rats underwent partial liver ischemia performed by clamping the pedicle from the medium and left anterior lateral segments for 1 h under mechanical ventilation. They were divided into 3 groups: Control Group, rats submitted to liver manipulation, Saline Group, rats received saline, and Diazoxide Group, rats received intravenous injection diazoxide (3.5 mg/kg) 15 min before liver reperfusion. 4 h and 24 h after reperfusion, blood was collected for determination of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), nitrite/nitrate, creatinine and tumor growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Liver tissues were assembled for mitochondrial oxidation and phosphorylation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and histologic analysis. Pulmonary vascular permeability and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were also determined.RESULTS: Four hours after reperfusion the diazoxide group presented with significant reduction of AST (2009 ± 257 U/L vs 3523 ± 424 U/L, P = 0.005); ALT (1794 ± 295 U/L vs 3316 ± 413 U/L, P = 0.005); TNF-α (17 ± 9 pg/mL vs 152 ± 43 pg/mL, P = 0.013; IL-6 (62 ± 18 pg/mL vs 281 ± 92 pg/mL); IL-10 (40 ± 9 pg/mL vs 78 ± 10 pg/mL P = 0.03), and nitrite/nitrate (3.8 ± 0.9 μmol/L vs 10.2 ± 2.4 μmol/L, P = 0.025) when compared to the saline group. A significant reduction in liver mitochondrial dysfunction was observed in the diazoxide group compared to the saline group (P < 0.05). No differences in liver MDA content, serum creatinine, pulmonary vascular permeability and MPO activity were observed between groups. Twenty four hours after reperfusion the diazoxide group showed a reduction of AST (495 ± 78 U/L vs 978 ± 192 U/L, P = 0.032); ALT (335 ± 59 U/L vs 742 ± 182 U/L, P = 0.048), and TGF-β1 (11 ± 1 ng/mL vs 17 ± 0.5 ng/mL, P = 0.004) serum levels when compared to the saline group. The control group did not present alterations when compared to the diazoxide and saline groups.CONCLUSION: Diazoxide maintains liver mitochondrial function, increases liver tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion injury, and reduces the systemic inflammatory response. These effects require further evaluation for using in a clinical setting.     

Intestinal barrier dysfunction is involved in the development of systemic inflammatory responses and lung injury in type A aortic dissection: a case-control study

BackgroundThe definite pathogenesis of lung injury complicated by type A aortic dissection (TAAD) remains unclear. In this paper, we investigated the relationship between intestinal injury, lung injury, and systemic inflammatory responses, with the aim of exploring the mechanism underlying intestinal injury and its impact on systemic inflammatory responses and lung injury in patients with TAAD.MethodsPatients with TAAD (n=36) and those with aortic root aneurysm (ARA) (n=30) were compared. TAAD patients were younger and had higher creatinine (Cr) than ARA patients. White blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, neutrophil percentage, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), histamine (HIS) levels, PaO₂-FiO₂ ratio, diamine oxidase (DAO), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP), and peptidoglycan (PGN) were measured using the same laboratory methods between the two groups.ResultsIncreased WBC [(9.70±4.05)×10⁹/L vs. (5.88±1.2)×10⁹/L, P<0.001], neutrophil [(7.65±4.27)×10⁹/L vs. (3.40±0.97)×10⁹/L, P<0.001], neutrophil percentage [(74.73±13.42)% vs. (57.67±9.45)%, P<0.001], IL-6 (37.48±4.87 vs. 20.90±0.92 pg/mL, P<0.001), IL-8 (97.15±9.11 vs. 69.46±3.17 pg/mL, P<0.001), TNF-α (71.32±10.35 vs. 33.90±2.27 pg/mL, P<0.001), CRP (10.67±1.62 vs. 4.43±0.26 µg/mL, P<0.001), HIS (13.29±1.88 vs. 7.63±0.58 ng/mL, P<0.001), DAO (24.94±4.72 vs. 10.92±2.44 U/L, P<0.001), iFABP (879.01±190.12 vs. 206.35±42.20 pg/mL, P<0.001), and PGN (31.10±5.51 vs. 12.52±2.20 ng/mL, P<0.001) and decreased PaO₂-FiO₂ ratio (365.35±146.47 vs. 447.86±70.80 mmHg, P=0.01) were detected in TAAD group relative to ARA group. In TAAD group, positive correlations were detected between DAO and inflammatory cytokines [IL-6 (r=0.56, P<0.001), IL-8 (r=0.61, P<0.001), TNF-α (r=0.71, P<0.001), and CRP (r=0.68, P<0.001)], between iFABP and inflammatory cytokines [IL-6 (r=0.72, P<0.001), IL-8 (r=0.71, P<0.001), TNF-α (r=0.90, P<0.001), and CRP (r=0.89, P<0.001)], between DAO and PGN (r=0.52, P<0.001), between iFABP and PGN (r=0.74, P<0.001), between PGN and inflammatory cytokines [IL-6 (r=0.85, P<0.001), IL-8 (r=0.44, P<0.001), TNF-α (r=0.61, P<0.001), and CRP (r=0.73, P<0.001)]. In acute TAAD subgroup, PGN and PaO₂-FiO₂ ratio were negatively correlated (r=−0.50, P=0.036).ConclusionsSystemic inflammatory responses in TAAD patients may lead to lung and intestine injury, and the latter may be involved in the development of systemic inflammatory responses and lung injury in these patients.     

Insights into glycan biosynthesis in chemically-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats: A glycomic analysis

AIM:To evaluate the qualitative and quantitative changes in N-linked glycosylation,which occurred in association with diethyl nitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in rodents.METHODS:Liver tissues of(1) normal(non-tumorbearing) rats;and(2) tumor-bearing rats;were collected and were used for histological and GlycanMap~ analyses.Briefly,GlycanMap analysis is a high-throughput assay that provides a structural and quantitative readout of protein-associated glycans using a unique,automated 96-well assay technology coupled to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-offlight mass spectrometry and custom bioinformatics.Histopathological studies were carried out to ensure the development of HCC in the tested animals.RESULTS:The N-glycomic analysis revealed 5glycans;Glc1Man9GlcNAc2,Gal2Man3GlcNac4Fuc1Neu1,Man4GlcNac2,Gal2Man3GlcNac4Neu3OAc3,and Man3GlcNac5Fuc1,which showed significant changes in rat HCC tissues when compared with normal liver tissues.Four glycans were increased(P 0.05) and Glc1Man9GlcNAc2 was decreased(5.89 ± 0.45 vs 3.54± 0.21,P 0.01) in HCC tissues compared to normal liver tissues.An increase(66.5 ± 1.05 vs 62.7 ± 1.1,P 0.05) in high-mannose structures in HCC rats was observed compared to normal rats.Importantly,HCC rats showed an increase(P 0.05) in both tumorassociated carbohydrates and in branched glycans.The changes in glycans correlated well with glycan flow changes reported in the glycan biosynthetic pathway,which indicates the importance of enzyme activities involved in glycan synthesis at different subcellular localizations.CONCLUSION:The reported HCC-associated changes in glycan flow and subcellular localization explain the increase in high mannose glycans and siayl Lewis glycans common in HCC liver tissues.     

Effect of gingerol on colonic motility via inhibition of calcium channel currents in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of gingerol on colonic motility and the action of L-type calcium channel currents in this process.METHODS: The distal colon was cut along the mesenteric border and cleaned with Ca²⁺-free physiological saline solution. Muscle strips were removed and placed in Ca²⁺-free physiological saline solution, which was oxygenated continuously. Longitudinal smooth muscle samples were prepared by cutting along the muscle strips and were then placed in a chamber. Mechanical contractile activities of isolated colonic segments in rats were recorded by a 4-channel physiograph. Colon smooth muscle cells were dissociated by enzymatic digestion. L-type calcium currents were recorded using the conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique.RESULTS: Gingerol inhibited the spontaneous contraction of colonic longitudinal smooth muscle in a dose-dependent manner with inhibition percentages of 13.3% ± 4.1%, 43.4% ± 3.9%, 78.2% ± 3.6% and 80.5% ± 4.5% at 25 μmol/L, 50 μmol/L, 75 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L, respectively (P < 0.01). Nifedipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker, diminished the inhibition of colonic motility by gingerol. Gingerol inhibited L-type calcium channel currents in colonic longitudinal myocytes of rats. At a 75 μmol/L concentration of gingerol, the percentage of gingerol-induced inhibition was diminished by nifedipine from 77.1% ± 4.2% to 42.6% ± 3.6% (P < 0.01). Gingerol suppressed I_Ba in a dose-dependent manner, and the inhibition rates were 22.7% ± 2.38%, 35.77% ± 3.14%, 49.78% ± 3.48% and 53.78% ± 4.16% of control at 0 mV, respectively, at concentrations of 25 μmol/L, 50 μmol/L, 75 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L (P < 0.01). The steady-state activation curve was shifted to the right by treatment with gingerol. The value of half activation was -14.23 ± 1.12 mV in the control group and -10.56 ± 1.04 mV in the 75 μmol/L group (P < 0.05) with slope factors, Ks, of 7.16 ± 0.84 and 7.02 ± 0.93 (P < 0.05) in the control and 75 μmol/L groups, respectively. However, the steady-state inactivation curve was not changed, with a half-inactivation voltage, 0.5 V, of -27.43 ± 1.26 mV in the control group and -26.56 ± 1.53 mV in the 75 μmol/L gingerol group (P > 0.05), and a slope factor, K, of 13.24 ± 1.62 in the control group and 13.45 ± 1.68 (P > 0.05) in the 75 μmol/L gingerol group.CONCLUSION: Gingerol inhibits colonic motility by preventing Ca²⁺ influx through L-type calcium channels.     

Effect of faeces trogopterorum extract B1 on the experimental gastric ulcer and gastric secretion in rats

AIM: To study the effects of extracts B1, B2, and B3 from faeces trogopterorum on the experimental gastric ulcer in rats.METHODS: Two different animal models of gastric ulcers were used in this experiment: Shay''s model (n = 72) and the reserpine-induced ulcer model (n = 76). The total volume and the pH of the gastric juices were recorded. The lesion scores of gastric mucosa were also recorded.RESULTS: The lesion scores of gastric mucosa in the Shay’s model of animals in the WLZ-B₁ groups treated with either 40 g/kg or 80 g/kg were 8.6 ± 10.8 and 1.6 ± 1.9 respectively, which were lower than that of the 0.9% NaCl control group (47.0 ± 31.4, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The lesion scores for the 80 g/kg group was lower compared to those of the Ran group (20.5 ± 16.4, P < 0.01). The pH of the gastric juices of the 80 g/kg group (3.425 ± 0.143) was higher than that of the 0.9% NaCl group (2.836 ± 0.632, P < 0.05). In the reserpine model, the lesion score of the 40 g/kg group of the WLZ-B₁ (20.7 ± 16.5) was also lower than that of the 0.9% NaCl control group (76.3 ± 50.6, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: B₁ is the most effective of the three sections in inhibiting gastric secretion, protecting gastric mucosa and preventing experimental ulceration.     

Outcomes of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in decompensated liver cirrhosis

AIM: To determine the long-term efficacy of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) transplantation in terms of improving liver function and reducing complications in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.METHODS: A total of 47 inpatients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled in this trial, including 32 patients undergoing a single BM-MNCs transplantation plus routine medical treatment, and 15 patients receiving medical treatment only as controls. Forty-three of 47 patients were infected with hepatitis B virus. Bone marrow of 80-100 mL was obtained from each patient and the BM-MNCs suspension was transfused into the liver via the hepatic artery. The efficacy of BM-MNCs transplantation was monitored during a 24-mo follow-up period.RESULTS: Liver function parameters in the two groups were observed at 1 mo after BM-MNCs transfusion. Prealbumin level was 118.3 ± 25.3 mg/L vs 101.4 ± 28.7 mg/L (P = 0.047); albumin level was 33.5 ± 3.6 g/L vs 30.3 ± 2.2 g/L (P = 0.002); total bilirubin 36.9 ± 9.7 mmol/L vs 45.6 ± 19.9 mmol/L (P = 0.048); prothrombin time 14.4 ± 2.3 s vs 15.9 ± 2.8 s (P = 0.046); prothrombin activity 84.3% ± 14.3% vs 74.4% ± 17.8% (P = 0.046); fibrinogen 2.28 ± 0.53 g/L vs 1.89 ± 0.44 g/L (P = 0.017); and platelet count 74.5 ± 15.7 × 10⁹/L vs 63.3 ± 15.7 × 10⁹/L (P = 0.027) in the treatment group and control group, respectively. Differences were statistically significant. The efficacy of BM-MNCs transplantation lasted 3-12 mo as compared with the control group. Serious complications such as hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were also significantly reduced in BM-MNCs transfused patients compared with the controls. However, these improvements disappeared 24 mo after transplantation.CONCLUSION: BM-MNCs transplantation is safe and effective in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. It also decreases the incidence of serious complications.     

Local corticosterone production and angiotensin-I?converting enzyme shedding in a mouse model of intestinal inflammation

AIM: To investigate local corticosterone production and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) protein expression and their interaction in healthy and inflamed intestine.METHODS: Acute intestinal inflammation was induced to six weeks old male Balb/c mice by administration of either 3% or 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water for 7 d (n = 12 in each group). Healthy controls (n = 12) were given tap water. Corticosterone production and ACE protein shedding were measured from ex vivo incubates of the small and large intestine using EIA and ELISA, respectively. Morphological changes of the intestinal wall were assessed in hematoxylin-eosin stained tissue preparations of jejunum and distal colon. Effects of angiotensin II, captopril and metyrapone on corticosterone production was assessed by incubating pieces of small intestine of healthy mice in the presence of 0.1, 1 or 10 μmol/L angiotensin II, 1, 10 or 100 μmol/L captopril or 1, 10 or 100 μmol/L metyrapone solutions and measuring corticosterone released to the incubation buffer after 90 min (n = 5 in each group).RESULTS: Both concentrations of DSS induced inflammation and morphological changes in large intestines but not in small intestines. Changes were observed as distortions of the crypt structure, mucosal erosion, immune cell infiltration to the mucosa and submucosal edema. Ex vivo corticosterone production (2.9 ± 1.0 ng/mL vs 2.0 ± 0.8 ng/mL, P = 0.034) and ACE shedding (269.2 ± 97.1 ng/mL vs 175.7 ± 52.2 ng/mL, P = 0.016) were increased in small intestines in 3% DSS group compared to the controls. In large intestine, corticosterone production was increased compared to the controls in both 3% DSS (229 ± 81 pg/mL vs 158 ± 30 pg/mL, P = 0.017) and 5% DSS groups (366 ± 163 pg/mL vs 158 ± 30 pg/mL, P = 0.002). Large intestine ACE shedding was increased in 5% DSS group (41.5 ± 9.0 ng/mL vs 20.9 ± 5.2 ng/mL, P = 0.034). Angiotensin II treatment augmented corticosterone production in small intestine at concentration of 10 μmol/L (0.97 ± 0.21 ng/mg protein vs 0.40 ± 0.09 ng/mg protein, P = 0.036).CONCLUSION: Intestinal ACE shedding is increased by DSS-induced intestinal inflammation and parallels local corticosterone production. ACE product angiotensin II stimulates corticosterone formation in healthy intestine.     

Helicobacter pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils does not initiate hematological diseases

AIM: To investigate whether Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection contributes to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) onset in gerbils.METHODS: A total of 135 Mongolian gerbils were randomly divided into two groups: an H. pylori infection group and a control group. Both groups were fed the same diet and the same amount of food. Each group was then divided into three subgroups, which were sacrificed at 6, 12, or 18 mo for analysis. At each time point, arterial blood was collected from the abdominal aorta and a complete blood cell count was analyzed in the clinical laboratory in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University.RESULTS: There were no significant differences in platelet counts (938.00 ± 270.27/L vs 962.95 ± 162.56 × 10⁹/L), red blood cell counts (8.11 ± 1.25/L vs 8.44 ± 1.48 × 10¹²/L), or hemoglobin levels (136.9 ± 8.76 g/L vs 123.21 ± 18.42 g/L) between the control and the H. pylori groups, respectively, at 18 mo. With the exception of the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), all other indicators, including white blood cell counts, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, lymphocyte count, and lymphocyte count percentage, showed no significant differences between the control and H. pylori infection groups at each time point. The MCV in the H. pylori infection group (52.32 f/L ± 2.86 f/L) was significantly lower than the control group (55.63 ± 1.89 f/L) at 18 mo (P = 0.005), though no significant differences were observed at 6 (54.40 ± 2.44 f/L vs 53.30 ± 1.86 f/L) or 12 mo (53.73 ± 2.31 f/L vs 54.80 ± 3.34 f/L).CONCLUSION: A single H. pylori infection is insufficient to cause onset of ITP or IDA and other factors may be required for disease onset.     

Plasma cathepsin L: A prognostic marker for pancreatic cancer

AIM: To assess the prognostic significance of cathepsin L, a cysteine protease that degrades the peri-tumoral tissue, in patients with pancreatic cancer.METHODS: Plasma samples from 127 pancreatic cancer patients were analyzed for cathepsin L levels by ELISA. Out of these patients, 25 underwent surgery and their paraffin-embedded tissue was analyzed for cathepsin L expression by immunohistochemistry. Survival of patients and clinicopathological parameters was correlated with cathepsin L expression in plasma and tissue using appropriate statistical analysis.RESULTS: The mean (± SD) cathepsin L in plasma samples of pancreatic cancer patients was 5.98 ± 2.5 ng/mL that was significantly higher compared to the levels in healthy controls (3.83 ± 0.45) or chronic pancreatitis patients (3.97 ± 1.06). Using ROC curve, a cut-off level of 5.0 ng/mL was decided for survival analysis. Elevated plasma levels of cathepsin L were found to be associated with poor prognosis (P = 0.01) in multivariate analysis. The plasma levels of the protease decreased after surgery. Though no significant correlation was seen between plasma and tissue expression of this protease, a trend did emerge that high cathepsin L expression in tissue correlated with its high levels in plasma.CONCLUSION: Cathepsin L levels in plasma of pancreatic cancer patients may be used as a potential prognostic marker for the disease.     

Endocrine cells in the ileum of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM: To study the ileal endocrine cell types in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients.METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with IBS (77 females and 21 males; mean age 35 years, range 18-66 years) were included, of which 35 patients had diarrhea (IBS-D), 31 patients had a mixture of both diarrhea and constipation (IBS-M), and 32 patients had constipation (IBS-C) as the predominant symptoms. The controls were 38 subjects (26 females and 12 males; mean age 40 years, range 18-65 years) who had submitted to colonoscopy for the following reasons: gastrointestinal bleeding, where the source of bleeding was identified as hemorrhoids (n = 24) or angiodysplasia (n = 3), and health worries resulting from a relative being diagnosed with colon carcinoma (n = 11). The patients were asked to complete the: Birmingham IBS symptom questionnaire. Ileal biopsy specimens from all subjects were immunostained using the avidin-biotin-complex method for serotonin, peptide YY (PYY), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), enteroglucagon, and somatostatin cells. The cell densities were quantified by computerized image analysis, using Olympus cellSens imaging software.RESULTS: The gender and age distributions did not differ significantly between the patients and the controls (P = 0.27 and P = 0.18, respectively). The total score of Birmingham IBS symptom questionnaire was 21 ± 0.8, and the three underlying dimensions: pain, diarrhea, and constipation were 7.2 ± 0.4, 6.6 ± 0.4, and 7.2 ± 0.4, respectively. The density of serotonin cells in the ileum was 40.6 ± 3.6 cells/mm² in the controls, and 11.5 ± 1.2, 10.7 ± 5.6, 10.0 ± 1.9, and 13.9 ± 1.4 cells/mm² in the all IBS patients (IBS-total), IBS-D, IBS-M, and IBS-C patients, respectively. The density in the controls differed significantly from those in the IBS-total, IBS-D, IBS-M, and IBS-C groups (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively). There was a significant inverse correlation between the serotonin cell density and the pain dimension of Birmingham IBS symptom questionnaire (r = -0.6, P = 0.0002). The density of PYY cells was 26.7 ± 1.6 cells/mm² in the controls, and 33.1 ± 1.4, 27.5 ± 1.4, 34.1 ± 2.5, and 41.7 ± 3.1 cells/mm² in the IBS-total, IBS-D, IBS-M, and IBS-C patients, respectively. This density differed significantly between patients with IBS-total and IBS-C and the controls (P = 0.03 and < 0.0001, respectively), but not between controls and, IBS-D, and IBS-M patients (P = 0.8, and P = 0.1, respectively). The density of PYY cells correlated significantly with the degree of constipation as recorded by the Birmingham IBS symptom questionnaire (r = 0.6, P = 0.0002). There were few PP-, enteroglucagon-, and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in the biopsy material examined, which made it impossible to reliably quantify these cells.CONCLUSION: The decrease of ileal serotonin cells is associated with the visceral hypersensitivity seen in all IBS subtypes. The increased density of PYY cells in IBS-C might contribute to the constipation experienced by these patients.     

Change of Acoustic Emission Characteristics during Temperature Induced Transition from Twinning to Dislocation Slip under Compression in Polycrystalline Sn

In this study, acoustic emission (AE) measurements on polycrystalline tin as a function of temperature at different driving rates under compression were carried out. It is shown that there is a definite difference between the acoustic emission characteristics belonging to twinning (low temperatures) as well as to dislocation slip (high temperatures). The stress averaged values of the exponents of the energy probability density functions decreased from ε = 1.45 ± 0.05 (−60 °C) to ε = 1.20 ± 0.15 (50 °C) at a driving rate of ε=0.15 s−1, and the total acoustic energy decreased by three orders of magnitude with increasing temperature. In addition, the exponent γ in the scaling relation S_AE~D_AE^γ (S_AE is the area and D_AE is the duration) also shows similar temperature dependence (changing from γ = 1.78 ± 0.08 to γ = 1.35 ± 0.05), illustrating that the avalanche statistics belong to two different microscopic deformation mechanisms. The power law scaling relations were also analyzed, taking into account that the detected signal is always the convolution of the source signal and the transfer function of the system. It was obtained that approximate values of the power exponents can be obtained from the parts of the above functions, belonging to large values of parameters. At short duration times, the attenuation effect of the AE detection system dominates the time dependence, from which the characteristic attenuation time, τ_a, was determined as τ_a ≅ 70 μs.     

Partial characterization of a phosphorylated intermediate associated with the plasma membrane ATPase of corn roots

The phosphorylated protein associated with a deoxycholate-extracted plasma membrane fraction from corn (Zea mays L. var WF9 × Mol7) roots was characterized in order to correlate its properties with those of plasma membrane ATPase. Its phosphorylation, like that of plasma membrane ATPase, was dependent on Mg²⁺, substrate specific for ATP, insensitive to azide, oligomycin, or molybdate, and sensitive to N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, diethylstilbestrol, or vanadate. Monovalent cations affected the phosphorylation of the protein in a manner consistent with their stimulatory effects on ATPase. For K⁺, this was shown to occur through an increase in the turnover of the phosphoenzyme. Analysis of the phosphorylated protein by NaDodSO₄/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of a single labeled polypeptide with a molecular weight of about 100,000. Phosphorylation of this polypeptide was dependent on Mg²⁺, sensitive to K⁺, and inhibited by vanadate. It is concluded that this polypeptide represents the catalytic subunit of the plasma membrane ATPase. These results are discussed in terms of a model for the coupling of metabolic energy to H⁺ and K⁺ transport in higher plants.     

Thermal Stability and Sublimation Pressures of Some Ruthenocene Compounds

We set out to study the use of a series of ruthenocenes as possible and promising sources for ruthenium and/or ruthenium oxide film formation.The thermal stability of a series of ruthenocenes, including (η⁵-C₅H₄R)(η⁵-C₅H₄R´)Ru (1), R = R´ = H (3), R = H, R´ = CH₂NMe₂ (5), R = H, R´= C(O)Me (6), R = R´ = C(O)Me (7), R = H, R´ = C(O)(CH₂)₃CO₂H (8), R = H, R´ = C(O)(CH₂)₂CO₂H (9), R = H, R´ = C(O)(CH₂)₃CO₂Me (10), R = H, R´= C(O)(CH₂)₂CO₂Me (11), R = R´ = SiMe₃), (η⁵-C₄H₃O-2,4-Me₂)₂Ru (2), and (η⁵-C₅H₅-2,4-Me₂)₂Ru (4) was studied by thermogravimetry. From these studies, it could be concluded that 1–4, 6 and 9–11 are the most thermally stable molecules. The sublimation pressure of these sandwich compounds was measured using a Knudsen cell. Among these, the compound 11 shows the highest vapor pressure.