The role of hypergastrinemia in the pathogenesis of intussusception in infants

ＴｈｅｒｏｌｅｏｆｈｙｐｅｒｇａｓｔｒｉｎｅｍｉａｉｎｔｈｅｐａｔｈｏｇｅｎｅｓｉｓｏｆｉｎｔｕｓｓｕｓｃｅｐｔｉｏｎｉｎｉｎｆａｎｔｓＩＮＸｉａｎＱｉｎｇ，ＷＵＦｅｎｇ，ＬＥＩＰｅｉＹｕｎ，ＸＵＪｉａＬｉｎｇａｎｄＣＨＥＮＺｈｉＹａｎＳｕｂ...     

Value of selective chemoembolization in treatment of hepatic metastases in colorectal carcinoma

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＴｈｅｌｉｖｅｒｉｓｔｈｅｍｏｓｔｃｏｍｍｏｎｓｉｔｅｏｆｍｅｔａｓｔａｔｉｃｄｉｓｅａｓｅｉｎｌａｒｇｅｉｎｔｅｓｔｉｎａｌｃａｒｃｉｎｏｍａ，ａｎｄｈｅｐａｔｉｃｉｎｖｏｌｖｅｍｅｎｔｄｅｔｅｒｍｉｎｅｓｔｈｅｓｕｒｖｉｖ...     

Pharmacoeconomic analysis of Metoject(®) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Spain

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the clinical and economic consequences of using subcutaneous methotrexate (Metoject^®) with respect to oral methotrexate in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Spain.MethodsA cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to compare early treatment of RA using a Markov model. The model allowed us to estimate long term efficacy of RA treatment based on data from the literature and expert opinion, and to combine this data with costs of managing RA in Spain. The perspective of the study was from the National Health System point of view, using a time horizon of 5 years and patient lifetime. All costs were expressed in 2009 euros and a 3% discount rate was applied.ResultsThe cost (only pharmacologic costs) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained with Metoject^® went from 25,173 to 35,807 € at 5 years and from 19,056 to 25,351 € for patient lifetime. When direct costs in RA treatment were considered, it was observed that cost-effectiveness at 5 years went from 29,682 to 42,175 €/QALY gained, and for patient lifetime from 22,514 to 29,848 €/ QALY gained.ConclusionsAdditional costs of Metoject^® with respect to oral methotrexate would be offset by their improved effectiveness, expressed in QALY, showing that Metoject^® could be a cost-effective treatment option for RA in the Spanish Health System assuming a spanish threshold.     

Advances in clinical research of hepatocellular carcinoma in China

Ｂａｓｅｄｏｎｔｈｅｓｕｒｖｅｙｉｎ１９９０／１９９２，ｈｅｐａｔｏｃｅｌｕｌａｒｃａｒｃｉｎｏｍａ（ＨＣＣ）ｈａｓｂｅｃｏｍｅｔｈｅｓｅｃｏｎｄｃａｎｃｅｒｋｉｌｅｒｉｎＣｈｉｎａ，ｔｈｅｍｏｒｔａｌｉｔｙｒａｔｅｗａｓ２０３７／１０００００［１...     

Role of intestinal barrier in pathogenesis of pigment gallstone in a guinea pig model

BACKGROUND: The function of the intestinal barrier has drawn more and more attention from researchers in recent years for its important role in many diseases such as burns, wounds, and pancreatitis. In our experimental studies on pigment gallstone, we found potential relationships between the function of the intestinal barrier and pigment gallstone formation. This study was undertaken to investigate the possible action and mechanism of the function of the intestinal barrier in the pathogenesis of pigment gallstone. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were divided into a normal group (CON), a pigment gallstone group (PS) and an intestinal mucosa protection group (GLN). Normal forage, pigment gallstone-forming forage and pigment gallstoneforming forage with supplemental intestinal mucosa protector (glutamine) were given to each group. In the gallstone-forming rate, morphology of intestinal mucosa, intestinal permeability, serum endotoxin and biliaryβ-glucuronidase were assessed after 8 weeks. RESULTS: The rate of gallstone-formation was 73.9% in the PS group. Damage of intestinal mucosa, endotoxemia (from 77±43×106 EU/L to 1367±525×l06 EU/L, P<0.01) and increased activity of biliaryβ-glucuronidase (endogenousβ-glucuromdase from 122.1±39.5 to 209.8±47.5 Fishman Unit, P<0.01, and exogenous p-glucuronidase from 573.5±476.9 to 2206.6±983.9 Fishman Unit, P<0.01) were observed in the PS group compared with the CON group. The rate gallstone-formation decreased significantly to 44.4% and the other indices except P-glucuronidase were lower in the GLN group than in the PS group. CONCLUSIONS: The function of the intestinal barrier is correlated with pigment gallstone formation. Dysfunction of the intestinal barrier function may promote pigment gallstone formation through bacterial translocation, endotoxemia, and biliaryβ-glucuronidase.     

Role of Ribomunyl® in the Prevention of Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults

Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in adults are the result of an imbalance between lung defense mechanisms, and bacterial burden. Antibacterial treatments can temporarily restore the equilibrium between host and bacterial load, but do not prevent recurrence of infection. An alternative approach to prevent recurrence of infection is treatment with an immunostimulant, which provides immune protection against repeated bacterial and viral infection. All immunostimulant products are bacterial in origin: lysates (first generation immunostimulants), or bacterial extracts, like bacterial ribosomes, or membrane proteoglycans. This review highlights the current state of knowledge regarding the use of immunostimulants in adults with RRTIs, taking the ribosomal immunostimulant Ribomunyl((R)) as an example. Many studies are available on the mechanism of action and clinical efficacy in prevention of RRTIs in adults treated with Ribomunyl((R)). The effect of this immunostimulant on anti-infectious responses is explained by a stimulation of both nonspecific (innate) and specific (adaptive) immunity. In order to obtain a global overview of the therapeutic efficacy of Ribomunyl((R)) the most pertinent trials were selected from the literature based on adequate patient numbers and good methodology. Results of double-blind placebo-controlled trials using Ribomunyl((R)) for the treatment of different upper or lower RRTIs have demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the number of infectious episodes and as a consequence, a decrease in antibacterial consumption, after 3 and 6 months of treatment. The tolerance profile of Ribomunyl((R)) was good in all studies. Economic evaluations suggest that savings can be made in healthcare expenditure, in patients with recurrent episodes of infection. It is concluded that Ribomunyl((R)) is effective in preventing and reducing upper and lower respiratory tract infections in adults. The product may also have an impact on reducing the development of bacterial resistance, as a result of fewer courses of antibacterials required to treat patients with RRTIs.     

Fumagillin treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats： An in vivo study of antiangiogenesis

AIM: To investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of antiangiogenesis therapy for HCC in rats. METHODS: Adult male LEW/SsN rats were divided into 3 groups, 25 animals each. Group A was the control group. Groups B and C were given diethylnitrosamine, 5 mg/kg/d. In addition, group C rats received an intraperitoneal injection of fumagillin, 30 mg/(kg·d). Five animals in each group were killed at 6th, 12th, 18th, 20th and 24th wk to evaluate the development of HCC and metastasis. Weight of the rats, liver tumors, and number of organs involved by HCC were measured at each stage. We compared methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP-2) mRNA, Bcl-2 mRNA, telomerase mRNA, and telomerase activity at 24th wk in the liver tissue of group A rats and tumor tissue of HCC from group B and C rats. RESULTS: No HCC developed in group A, but tumors were present in group B and C rats by the 18th wk. At wk 20 and 24, the median liver weight in group B was 0.64 g (range: 0.58-0.70 g) and 0.79 g (range: 0.70-0.90 g) (P= 0.04), and that in group C was 0.37 g (range: 0.35-0.42 g) and 0.39 g (range: 0.35-0.47 g) (P= 0.67). The liver weight in group C rats was significantly lower than that in group B rats (P= 0.009). At the same time, the median metastasis score (number of organ systems involved) was 3 (range2-3) in group B, and 1 (range 1-2) in group C, a significant difference between the groups (P= 0.007, 0.004). The levels of MetAP-2 mRNA were significantly higher in groups B and C than in group A (P = 0.025), and significantly higher in group C than in group B (P= 0.047). The level of Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P=0.024), but lower in group C than in group B, although not significantly (P = 0.072). Telomerase mRNA was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P = 0.025), but significantly lower in group C than in group B (P= 0.016). The same inter-group relationship was also true for telomerase activity (P= 0.025 and 0.046). CONCLUSION: Fumagillin effectively inhibits both liver tumor growth and metastasis in rats in vivo. A possible mechanism is fumagillin-induced inhibition of MetAP-2, which plays an essential role in endothelial cell proliferation. Inhibition of MetAP-2 also results in inhibition of Bcl-2 and telomerase activity.     

Prevalence of Raynaud’s Phenomenon in General Practice in the East of Spain

Our aim was to establish the prevalence of Raynaud’s phenomenon in a general practice in the east of Spain and compare our results with those of other studies performed in geographical areas with similar climatic characteristics. Two hundred and seventy-six subjects visiting their general practitioner for whatever reason were randomly selected from a particular area of the city of Valencia. Each was interviewed by their GP following the guidelines of a structured questionnaire to establish whether they had Raynaud’s phenomenon or not. There were 205 women and 71 men. The mean age was 54.43, with a standard deviation of 18.22. Raynaud’s phenomenon was present in nine subjects, two men and seven women, with a prevalence of 2.8% and 3.4%, respectively. Of the nine positives (mean age 60.56 years, standard deviation 16.38), two were diagnosed with hypertension and two with migraine. None of them usually took Raynaud’s phenomenon-related drugs or performed physical exercise. No patient had a family history of Raynaud’s phenomenon or had already been diagnosed with it. All the positive males were affected only by the pallor stage. This study shows lower prevalences than those of other studies performed in different geographical areas with similar climatic conditions. Received: 22 November 1999 / Accepted: 6 September 2000     

Assessment of resin perfusion in hepatic failure in vitro and in vivo

AIM:To observe the adsorbent effect of resin on endotoxin,cytokine,bilirubin in plasma of patients with hepatic failureand to determine the resin perfusion as an artificial liversupport system in the treatment of hepatic failure.METHODS:One thousand milliliters of discarded plasmawas collected from each of 6 severe hepatitis patients treatedwith plasma exchange.The plasma was passed through aresin perfusion equipment for 1-2 h via extracorporealcirculation,and then absorbent indicators of transaminase,bilirubin,blood ammonia,endotoxin and cytokines wereexamined.In the meantime,study of in vivo resin plasmaperfusion was performed on 7 severe hepatitis patients tocompare the changes of endotoxin and cytokines in bloodbefore and after perfusion.RESULTS:The levels of total bilirubin,endotoxin,interleukin1β and TNF-α in plasma were significantly decreased afterin vitro resin plasma perfusion.The levels of interleukin 1β,TNF-α and endotoxin in blood were also evidently declinedafter in vivo resin plasma perfusion.Nevertheless,no obviouschanges in IL-6,creatinine (Cr) and urea nitrogen (UN),bloodammonia and electrolytes were found both in vitroand in vivo.CONCLUSION:Bilirubin,endotoxin and cytokines in plasmaof patients with hepatic failure can be effectively adsorbedby resin in vitro.Most cytokines and endotoxin in plasma canalso be effectively removed by resin in vivo.It demonstratesthat resin perfusion may have good treatment efficacy onhepatic failure and can be expected to slow down theprogression of hepatic failure.     

Potential involvement of leptin in carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the potential involvement of leptin incarcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and toelucidate the etiology,carcinogenesis and progress of HCC.METHODS:Expressions of Ob gene product,leptin and itsreceptor,Ob-R were investigated in 36 cases of HCC specimensand corresponding adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues withimmunohistochemical staining.The effect of leptin onproliferation of Chang liver cell line and liver cancer cell lineSMMC-7721 was studied with cell proliferation assay(MTT),RESULTS:Leptin expression was detected in 36 cases ofadjacent non-tumorous liver tissues(36/36,100%)withmoderate( )to strong( )intensity;and in 72.22%(26/36)of HCC with weaker( )intensity(P<0.05).Thirtyof 36(83.33%)cases of adjacent non-tumorous livertissues were positive for Ob-R,with moderate( )tostrong( )intensity.In HCC,11/36(30.56%)cases werepositive,with weak( )intensity(P<0.05).In cellproliferation assay,leptin inhibited the proliferation of Changliver cells.The cell survival rate was 10-13% lower thanthat of the untreated cells(P>0.05).Leptin had little effecton the proliferation of liver cancer cells(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:High level expression and decreased orabsent expression of leptin and its receptor in adjacentnon-tumorous liver cells and HCC cells,inhibitory effect ofleptin on the proliferation of normal Chang liver cells andno effect of leptin on proliferation of liver cancer cells,may provide new insights into the carcinogenesis andprogression of human HCC.It could be assumed that leptinacting as an inhibitor and/or promoter,is involved in theprocess of carcinogenesis and progress of human HCC.     

Trends of faunistic-ecological researches in the Department of Parasitology in Wrocław University

Paper deals with the results of systematic-ecological investigations of host-parasite relationships in the context of 45 year history of the Parasitological Department at the University of Wroc?aw. Achievements are concentrated on the presentations of new taxonomic units and rearrangement of classification of parasitic protozoans and tapeworms (J. Janiszewska), nematodes (A. Okulewicz), lice (J. Z?otorzycka, E. Lonc, M. Modrzejewska). Faunistic and biometrical data of parasitic commities of fishes, birds and mammals, mainly rodents as well as the vector role of ticks and mosquitoes at Wroclaw area are also discussed. Localities of those parasites and their hosts, collected mainly from the Lower Silesia region are rearranged according to new system of physicogeographic differentiation of Poland and its regional position at biogeographical map of world.     

Transthoracic esophagectomy of adenocarcinoma in Barrett’s esophagus in Japanese patients: analysis of localization of lymph node metastases in 19 cases

Background  

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is only 1%–2% in Japan. For this reason, many aspects of this disease have not been clarified, such as its generation, progress, and the potential of malignancy. It is necessary to investigate the strategy for treating this disease.     

Progress in research into the mechanism of Radix salviae miltiorrhizae in treatment of acute pancreatitis

Introduction The active components of Radix salviae miltiorrhizae (Danshen) are tanshinone Ⅰ, tan- shinone ⅡA, tanshinone ⅡB, isotanshinoneⅠ, and isotanshinone ⅡA. Modern pharmacological studies have proven that Danshen can prevent calcium overload, eliminate oxygen free radicals (OFRs), combat inflammation, and improve microcirculation. Presently it has been extensively used in the treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP) with marked effects.[1] This review aims to summarize the therape…     

Current status of basic and clinical research studies in the field of gastroenterology in China

ＣｕｒｅｎｔｓｔａｔｕｓｏｆｂａｓｉｃａｎｄｃｌｉｎｉｃａｌｒｅｓｅａｒｃｈｓｔｕｄｉｅｓｉｎｔｈｅｆｉｅｌｄｏｆｇａｓｔｒｏｅｎｔｅｒｏｌｏｇｙｉｎＣｈｉｎａＷＵＸｉｅＮｉｎｇＳｕｂｊｅｃｔｈｅａｄｉｎｇｓＧａｓｔｒｏｅｎｔｅｒｏｌｏｇｙＣｌｉｕ...     

Concentration of allergic fungi spores in the air of flats in Lódź

The real contribution of moulds to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases remains unknown, although positive skin prick tests and/or specific serum IgE to moki allergens can be detected in 1-5% of atopic patients. A significant problem in assesment of exposure to mould allergens, resulting with difficulty in standarization of methods. The aim of this work was to assess the concentration of spores of 8 mould species in flats inhabited by peoples who Bont show any symptoms of allergy. The Open Petri Dish (OPD) method involving sedimentation of participles contained in the column of air over the dish was used to assess the number of spores in 1 m3 of indoor atmospheres. All colonies were counted, but only 8 mould species implicated in inhaled allergy were identified, ie.: Alternaria tenuis, Cladosporium herbarum, Helminthosporum halodes, Pullularia pullulans, Penicillium notatam, Rhizopus nigricans, Mucor mucedo, Aspergillus fumigatus. The tests were carried out in 10 flats located in various quarters of the cify of Lod? during three consecutive days of September 1995 between 5:00 pm and 6:04 pm. In analyzing the percentage of spores of each of the eight mould species tested we determined that, independent of fiat and test day, C. herbarum predominated. It is good agreement with the observations of other authors who report that among large quantities of fungi that are detected in late summer, usually C. herbarum spores dominate. This is the season when the incidence of the Cladosporium spores in the atmospheric air increases. Spores of H. halodes were detected least frequently. Our study demonstrated the presence of substantial amounts of mould spores in indoor air of houses in Lód?. The spores belong to species with documented allergenicity, suggesting that they may play a role in development of allergic sensitization in susceptible subjects.     

Advances in classification of aortic dissection

Background Aortic dissection remains one of the most acute and critical diseases in cardiac surgery, with high mortality and disability rates. In the 1960s, DeBakeyfirst proposed the classification of aortic dissection. Subsequently, various classifications of aortic dissection have been proposed. To facilitate clinicians and medical staff involved in the treatment of aortic dissection to make better assessment of the condition of aortic dissection patients and to make reasonable clinical decisi...