Epigenetically downregulated Semaphorin 3E contributes to gastric cancer

Axon guidance protein Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E) promotes tumor metastasis and suppresses tumor cell death. Here, we demonstrated that Sema3E was decreased in gastric cancer. Its levels were inversely associated with tumor progression. Levels of Sema3E were associated with low p300 and high class I histone deacetylase (class I HDAC). Ectopic expression of Sema3E inhibited proliferation and colony formation of gastric cancer cell lines in vitro and xenografts in vivo. Sema3E overexpression inhibited migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, which was associated with induction of E-cadherin and reduction of Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We suggest that silencing of Sema3E contributes to the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.     

Do longer formula feeding and later introduction of solids increase risk for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia?

Milk formula feeding can elevate insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, possibly impacting leukemogenesis. The intent of the current study is to examine the associations between infant feeding practices and age at introduction of solids on risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Incident cases of infant and childhood (aged ≤14 years) ALL (n = 142) were enrolled in a case–control study. Cases were frequency matched on age, sex, race, and ethnicity to two sets of controls (n = 284 total). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between infant feeding practices and age at the introduction of solids and the odds ratio of ALL. In adjusted multivariable analyses, each additional month of formula feeding was associated with a 1.17 (1.09–1.25) odds ratio; each additional month of age at introduction of solids was associated with a 1.18 (1.07–1.30) odds ratio. In this study, longer duration of formula feeding and later age at the introduction of solid foods were independently associated with increased risk of ALL. Additional studies are needed to address the factors influencing duration of formula feeding and delayed introduction of solids. The results support the potential role of energy balance in early life as a contributor to risk for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.     

低钠血症与急性脑卒中预后的相关性研究

目的:研究低钠血症与急性脑卒中预后的相关性,并得出相应的结论。方法:收集急性脑卒中患者,观察期预后与低钠血症之间的相关性。结果:本研究中急性脑卒中预后患者中46%出现了低钠血症,低钠血症严重影响患者的预后。结论:低钠血症是急性出血性脑卒中较为常见的并发症之一,严重影响患者的预后。只有了解患者发生低钠血症的病理生理学机制,才能有效地纠正低钠血症,并防止可能出现的并发症。现介绍急性出血性脑卒中出现低钠血症患者的临床表现、诊断、发生机制及治疗方面的研究进展。     

Propionibacterium acnes-induced iNOS and COX-2 protein expression via ROS-dependent NF-κB and AP-1 activation in macrophages

BackgroundPropionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium, plays a critical role in the development of inflammatory lesion as a result of cytokines production by keratinocytes and macrophages activation. However, effect of P. acnes on iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE₂ production in macrophages is still uninvestigated.ObjectiveThis study aimed at determining the reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS)/nitric oxide (NO), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2/prostaglandin (PG)E₂ produced by macrophages upon P. acnes infection, and dissecting the mechanism of P. acnes-stimulated multiplicity of infection (MOI)-dependent increases in iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions in accordance with the elevation of NO and PGE₂ production by RAW264.7 macrophages.MethodsUsing an in vitro cell culture system, the effects of P. acnes on iNOS/NO, COX-2/PGE₂, ROS production, ERK/JNK, and AP-1/NF-κB activation were examined via Western blotting, a flow cytometric analysis, and luciferase assay. In pharmacological studies, the ROS scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenylene iodide (DPI), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors (U0126 and SP600125) were applied to investigate the mechanism.ResultsWe found that P. acnes exposures increased iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE₂ expression in RAW264.7, J774A.1, and peritoneal macrophages via a MOI-dependent manner. Increased ROS production, ERK/JNK protein phosphorylation, and elevated AP-1/NF-κB luciferase activity are identified in P. acnes-induced iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE₂ production. Additionally, hispolon but not its analogs, hispolon methylether or dehydroxyhispolon, showed significant inhibition of P. acnes-induced iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE₂ production, indicating an important role of OH at C5 for hispolon's inhibition of P. acnes-induced inflammatory events in macrophages.ConclusionROS-dependent stimulation of ERK, JNK, NF-κB, and AP-1 activation contributes to P. acnes-induced iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE₂ in macrophages, and chemicals such as hispolon possessing ability to block iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE₂ production reserve potential to be further developed for treatment of the early phase of inflammation elicited by P. acnes.     

Retrospective analysis of lauromacrogol injection endoscopic sclerotherapy in treatment of 153 cases of esophageal varices

目的 探讨国产硬化剂聚桂醇注射液经内镜治疗食管静脉曲张的疗效及并发症.方法 回顾性分析我院内镜中心2009年5月至2010年12月行内镜下行硬化治疗的64例患者共153例次的资料,其中男性46例,女性18例,年龄21～78(48.6±14.0)岁.观察急诊止血率、静脉曲张消失和基本消失率、并发症发生率及死亡率.结果 急诊止血率94.4％,静脉曲张消失和基本消失率80.0％,并发症发生率2.0％～23.5％,死亡率1.6％.门诊及电话随访时间1～17个月.结论 国产聚桂醇注射液治疗食管静脉曲张疗效好,并发症少,临床应用安全.