Endoscopic ultrasound-guided lauromacrogol injection for treatment of colorectal cavernous hemangioma: Two case reports

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cavernous hemangioma is a rare vascular malformation resulting in recurrent lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and can be misinterpreted as colitis. Surgical resection is currently the mainstay of treatment, with an emphasis on sphincter preservation.

CASE SUMMARY

We present details of two young patients with a history of persistent hematochezia diagnosed with colorectal cavernous hemangioma by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Cavernous hemangioma was relieved by several EUS-guided lauromacrogol injections and the patients achieved favorable clinical prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Multiple sequential EUS-guided injections of lauromacrogol is a safe, effective, cost-efficient, and minimally invasive alternative for colorectal cavernous hemangioma.

Manipulating the carrier concentration and phase transition via Nb content in SrTiO3

SrTiO3 is a model of the perovskite-like compounds for structural transition which inducing the intriguing physical properties around the critical phase transition temperature TAFD (antiferrodistortive, abbrev. as AFD). Here we report that the electrical transport behavior is a new way to quantify Nb concentration for Nb-doped SrTiO3. The lattice parameter (c), phase transition temperature (TAFD), and the carrier concentration (n) of SrTiO3 may be manipulated by niobium doping. TAFD increases with increasing the niobium content in a rate of about 30 K per (wt%, i.e. niobium element's weight verses total weight) niobium and n in a rate of about 2.5 [Formula: see text] 1020/cm3 per (wt%) niobium.

Coupled electronic and magnetic relaxation in Fe1+yTe: direct evidence for the interaction between itinerant carriers and local moments

Iron chalcogenides are of particular interests among iron-based superconductors due to their distinct properties such as high-T_con FeSe monolayer and competing magnetic correlations in Fe_1+yTe. Here we report unusual transport properties observed near the critical composition of Fe_1+yTe (y∼ 0.09) where competing magnetic correlations exist. The resistivity exhibits surprising temperature-dependent relaxation behavior belowT_N, resulting in the increase of resistivity with time for 35 K <T<T_N, but the decrease of resistivity with time for 10 K <T< 35 K. Such resistivity relaxation is intimately coupled to the magnetization relaxation and can be attributed to the glassy magnetic states induced by the competing magnetic orders. These findings demonstrate strong coupling between itinerant carriers and local ordered moments in Fe_1+yTe.

Biliary microbiota and mucin 4 impact the calcification of cholesterol gallstones

BACKGROUND

Cholesterol gallstones account for over 80% of gallstones, and the pathogenesis of gallstone formation involves genetic and environmental factors. However, data on the evolution of cholesterol gallstones with various densities are limited. This study aimed to determine the roles of microbiota and mucins on the formation of calcified cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis.

METHODS

Paired gallbladder tissues and bile specimens were obtained from cholelithiasis patients who were categorized into the isodense group and calcified group according to the density of gallstones. The relative abundance of microbiota in gallbladder tissues was detected. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to detect the expression levels of MUC1, MUC2, MUC3a, MUC3b, MUC4, MUC5ac and MUC5b in gallbladder tissues and bile. The correlation of microbiota abundance with MUC4 expression was evaluated by linear regression.

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients with gallbladder stones were included. The density of gallstones in the isodense group was significantly lower than that of the calcified group (34.20 ± 1.50 vs. 109.40 ± 3.84 HU, P < 0.0001). Compared to the isodense group, the calcified group showed a higher abundance of gram-positive bacteria at the fundus, in the body and neck of gallbladder tissues. The concentrations of MUC1, MUC2, MUC3a, MUC3b, MUC5ac and MUC5b in the epithelial cells of gallbladder tissues showed no difference between the two groups, while the concentrations of MUC4 were significantly higher in the calcified group than that in the isodense group at the fundus (15.49 ± 0.69 vs. 10.23 ± 0.54 ng/mL, P < 0.05), in the body (14.54 ± 0.94 vs. 11.87 ± 0.85 ng/mL, P < 0.05) as well as in the neck (14.77 ± 1.04 vs. 10.85 ± 0.72 ng/mL, P < 0.05) of gallbladder tissues. Moreover, the abundance of bacteria was positively correlated with the expression of MUC4 (r = 0.569, P < 0.05) in the calcified group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the potential clinical relevance among biliary microbiota, mucins and calcified gallstones in patients with gallstones. Gram-positive microbiota and MUC4 may be positively associated with the calcification of cholesterol gallstones.

[Construction and implementation of oral multidisciplinary team system]

Concerning the complexities of many difficult oral diseases, how to make comprehensive diagnosis and carry out optimal treatment with high quality for an oral disease has always been the focus of clinical work. Oral multidisciplinary team (OMDT) provides new therapeutic approach for the complicated oral diseases. It is an effective supplement to the traditional specialty-oriented dental treatment mode and becomes the developmental trend of stomatology. Many difficult cases were reported to achieve good results by using multidisciplinary approach in recent years, but the complete concept system and the operation mode of OMDT have not been formed yet. On the basis of previous studies and years of clinical exploration, the author puts forward the concept of OMDT in both narrow sense and broad sense. The OMDT system was elaborately constructed and implemented from the aspects of objectives, essential requirements, organizational structure, operation mode, management framework, system guarantee, quality control and effect evaluation. To build a standardized and mature OMDT system will promote the overall level of stomatology in China.

[Surgical key points of precision functional sphincter-preserving surgery]

The principle of sphincter-preserving surgery is to preserve the anal sphincter function under the premise of radical resection. Due to low position of rectal tumor, conventional laparoscopic surgery has difficulties in operating in the deep and narrow pelvis, which may lead to inaccurate tissue dissociation, imprecise positioning of tumor edge, excessive stretch of the anal sphincter complex, and excessive removal of distal rectal mucosa. Moreover, pain from abdominal auxiliary incision has an unavoidable side effect for postoperative recovery. With the help of the Liu's transanal microsurgery system, precision functional sphincter-preserving surgery (PPS) can be successfully performed. PPS tries to preserve left colonic artery and pelvic autonomic nerve in the transabdominal operation. In the part of transanal surgery, measurement, localization and resection of the lower edge of the tumor are conducted under a clear and open visual field with the transparent screw anal dilator. After the rectum is cut off, the specimen is taken out through the anus to avoid abdominal incision. Inserting the intestinal supporter to support the bowel stump, full thickness of bowel stump is then sutured with anal canal by vertical mattress suture. Special transanal tube is placed afterwards without routine prophylactic stoma. PPS can achieve precise tumor resection and sphincter preservation simultaneously.

Modulating the electronic and optical properties for SrTiO3/LaAlO3 bilayers treated as the 2D materials by biaxial strains

The emerging two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene have opened the door to industrial applications. Here, we consider the oxide perovskite monolayer of SrTiO₃ (STO), LaAlO₃ (LAO) and their heterostructures as the 2D transitional metal system. Results show that a band-gap transition from indirect to direct occurs when the separated monolayer STO (indirect band gap of 3.210 eV), and LAO (indirect band gap of 4.024 eV), form the heterostructures (direct band gap of 2.976 eV). The obtained bandgap for the stable bilayers may effectively be modulated by biaxial strains from  -12% to 8%. With 12% compressive biaxial strain, the band gap reduces to be 0.23 eV. The optical properties for the stable bilayers are also tuned by the biaxial strain. When the strain increases from compressive strain to tensile strain, the strongest peak of the imaginary part of dielectric function red shifts to lower energy. In comparing with the monolayer STO and LAO, the elastic property enhances obviously for the stable heterostructure, suggesting the heterostructure can be more stable freestanding or may be applied in device fabrications.

Esophageal bronchogenic cyst excised by endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection: A case report

BACKGROUND

Esophageal bronchogenic cyst (EBC) is a rare congenital disease that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively, and treatment remains controversial.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a 53-year-old Chinese woman hospitalized in our hospital following the discovery of a submucosal protruding mass of the esophagus by upper endoscopy. A preliminary diagnosis of EBC was made by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), and treatment was accomplished by endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection (ESTD). The pathological results verified the diagnosis. No scar changes or cystic lesion within the original lesion were found under EUS after a 3-mo follow-up.

CONCLUSION

EUS is valuable for the preliminary diagnosis of EBC and surveillance. ESTD is a safe and effective treatment for EBC. Further evaluation of complications and long-term follow-ups are required.

Effectiveness of mesalazine to treat irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis

AIM

Accumulating evidence has explored the effect of mesalazine on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, these studies remain inconsistent. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the role of mesalazine on IBS.

METHODS

PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library Database were searched for all relevant randomized, controlled, blinded trials on mesalazine in patients with IBS between January 1980 and October 2018. All statistical analyses were performed using Revman 5.3 software. A fixed-effects model was adopted, 95% confidence intervals for SMD was calculated. Heterogeneity was evaluated by χ test and I statistic.

RESULTS

Five studies involving 387 participants were finally included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that the SMD for clinical efficacy on abdominal pain in IBS patients treated with mesalazine in comparison to placebo was 0.19 (95% CI = -0.01 to 0.39, P = .06), which was statistically non-significant but clinically important. For beneficial effect of abdominal bloating, the SMD was 0.05 (95% CI = -0.20 to 0.30, P = .70), which was statistically non-significant. In regard to clinical efficacy on defecation frequency per day, the results revealed that the SMD was 0.29 (95% CI = -0.14 to 0.73, P = .18), which was statistically non-significant but clinically important. As for beneficial effect of general well-being, we found that the SMD was 0.41 (95% CI = -0.75 to 1.58, P = .49), which was statistically non-significant. With respect to stool consistency, the SMD was 0.01 (95% CI = -0.31 to 0.33, P = .96), which was statistically non-significant. For the effect of defecation urgency severity in IBS patients treated with mesalazine in comparison to placebo, we detected a surprising result with an SMD of 0.54 (95% CI = 0.05-1.04, P = .03), which was statistically significant. There was no significant difference between mesalazine group and placebo group on total mucosal immune cell counts of the patients with IBS with an SMD of -1.64 (95% CI = -6.17 to 2.89, P = .48) and there was also no significant difference in adverse reactions between two groups with an SMD of 1.05 (95% CI = 0.76-1.46 P = .77).

CONCLUSION

Mesalazine is not superior to placebo in relieving clinical symptoms of abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and general well-being of IBS and has no advantage of reducing defecation frequency per day and immune cell infiltration and improving stool consistency though without adverse reactions of mesalazine compared with placebo. For defecation urgency severity, placebo is even superior to mesalazine for IBS patients. Thus, mesalazine might be a cost burden to patients without providing good effectiveness. In view of the small sample size of the current study and the differences in every experimental designs, this study has high heterogeneity and requires subsequent verification.

Evidence of s-wave superconductivity in the noncentrosymmetric La7Ir3

Superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric compounds has attracted sustained interest in the last decades. Here we present a detailed study on the transport, thermodynamic properties and the band structure of the noncentrosymmetric superconductor La 7 Ir 3 (T c  ~ 2.3 K) that was recently proposed to break the time-reversal symmetry. It is found that La7Ir3 displays a moderately large electronic heat capacity (Sommerfeld coefficient γ n  ~ 53.1 mJ/mol K2) and a significantly enhanced Kadowaki-Woods ratio (KWR ~32 μΩ cm mol2 K2 J-2) that is greater than the typical value (~10 μΩ cm mol2 K2 J-2) for strongly correlated electron systems. The upper critical field Hc2 was seen to be nicely described by the single-band Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg model down to very low temperatures. The hydrostatic pressure effects on the superconductivity were also investigated. The heat capacity below T c reveals a dominant s-wave gap with the magnitude close to the BCS value. The first-principles calculations yield the electron-phonon coupling constant λ = 0.81 and the logarithmically averaged frequency ω ln  = 78.5 K, resulting in a theoretical T c  = 2.5 K, close to the experimental value. Our calculations suggest that the enhanced electronic heat capacity is more likely due to electron-phonon coupling, rather than the electron-electron correlation effects. Collectively, these results place severe constraints on any theory of exotic superconductivity in this system.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection Is Positively Associated with Gallstones in Liver Cirrhosis

AIM

To elucidate the prevalence and risk factors of gallstone disease (GD) among patients with liver disease and explore their association with the aetiology and severity of hepatic injury.

METHODS

We analysed 4,832 subjects of hepatic injury induced by one of the following aetiologies: hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, excessive alcohol consumption. The risk factors significantly associated with GD were analysed using stepwise logistic regression analysis, the influence of aetiology and severity of liver disease on the prevalence of GD were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for confounding factors.

RESULTS

Three thousand forty eight patients were of positive HBV surface antigen alone with a prevalence of GD of 18.6%, 526 were tested as positive Anti-HCV alone with a prevalence of GD of 22.4%, and 1,258 were identified with excessive alcohol consumption patterns with a prevalence of GD of 13.5%. In each aetiological category, the prevalence of GD increased by age. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age, female, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-Cho), family history of GD, HBV infection, HCV infection, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis were independent factors associated with GD. After adjusting for age, LDL-Cho and family history of GD, the prevalence of gallstone disease was significantly associated with HCV-related cirrhosis in both genders, HBV-related cirrhosis in males and alcohol-related cirrhosis in females compared with patients with less severe liver disease [corrected]. After adjusting for gender, age, LDL-Cho and family history of GD, patients with HCV-related cirrhosis (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.49-3.84) but not HBV-related cirrhosis (OR 1.52, 95% CI 0.73-1.82) were more likely to have GD compared with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

HCV infection is positively associated with gallstone formation especially in those with cirrhosis patients.

Surgical treatment of incarcerated calculi via laparoscopic bile duct exploration using laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps

The present study aimed to investigate the practicability and clinical value of applying laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps to laparoscopic bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for the surgical treatment of incarcerated calculi. A total of 63 patients were diagnosed with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. The present study performed a retrospective analysis of clinical samples from 16 of these patients who had incarcerated calculi at the terminus of the common bile duct, and who had been treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and LCBDE. During the procedure, laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps were used to gently remove the calculi from the common bile duct. Of the surgical procedures that used laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps, one case was unsuccessful and 15 cases were successful. The results of the present study suggested that it may be clinically advisable to use laparotomy biliary lithotomy forceps to remove incarcerated calculi from the common bile duct during a laparoscopy, since it is easy, economical and effective.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gallstones: Epidemiological survey in China

AIM: To elucidate the prevalence and risk factors for gallstones, primarily focusing on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

METHODS: A total of 10016 Chinese subjects, who had undergone physical examination, fasting ¹³C urea breath test and abdominal ultrasonography, had sufficient blood test data, and had finished a questionnaire, were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants (n = 1122) who had previous eradication of H. pylori were studied separately.

RESULTS: Gallstones were discovered in 9.10% of men and 8.58% of women, with no significant sex difference. Multivariate analyses displayed that age, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, H. pylori infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and fatty liver had a significant association with gallstones (P < 0.05). Successive multiple logistic regression analysis including index of odds ratio (OR) and standardized coefficient (β) indicated that older age (OR/β = 1.056/0.055), H. pylori infection (OR/β = 1.454/0.109), HCV infection (OR/β = 1.871/0.123), and fatty liver (OR/β = 1.947/0.189) had a significant positive association with gallstones. After age stratification, H. pylori infection and fatty liver still had a significant positive association with gallstones in any age-specific groups, whereas HCV infection had a significant positive association in patients aged > 40 years. The prevalence of gallstones among H. pylori-positive, H. pylori-eradicated, and H. pylori-negative subjects was 9.47%, 9.02%, and 8.46%, respectively. The matched analysis showed that gallstones among H. pylori eradicated subjects was significantly lower compared with H. pylori-positive subjects (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection and fatty liver have a significant positive association with gallstones. H. pylori eradication may lead to prevention of gallstones.

Identification and expression analysis of irak1 gene in common carp Cyprinus carpio L.: indications for a role of antibacterial and antiviral immunity

In this study, the full-length complementary (c)DNA of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 gene (irak1) was cloned from common carp Cyprinus carpio. The complete open reading frame of irak1 contained 2109 bp encoding a protein of 702 amino acid residues that comprised a death domain, a ProST region, a serine-threonine-specific protein kinase catalytic domain and a C-terminal domain. The amino-acid sequence of C. carpio Irak1 protein shared sequence homology with grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus (84.5%). The phylogenetic tree of IRAKs separated the polypeptides into four clades, comprising IRAK1s, IRAK2s, IRAK3s and IRAK4s. Cyprinus carpio Irak1 fell into the cluster with previously reported IRAK1s including teleost Irak1s. The irak1 gene was highly expressed in gills, followed by brain, skin, hindgut, buccal epithelium, spleen, foregut, head kidney and liver, and was expressed at lowest levels in gonad and muscle. The irak1 messenger (m)RNA expression was up-regulated in liver, spleen, head kidney, foregut, hindgut, gills and skin after stimulation with Vibrio anguillarum and poly(I:C), and significantly high up-regulated expression was observed in liver and spleen. These results implied that irak1 might participate in antibacterial and antiviral innate immunity. These findings gave the indications that irak1 may participate in antibacterial and antiviral immunity.

The value of decreased plasma gelsolin levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in diagnosis and disease activity evaluation

Plasma gelsolin, the extracellular gelsolin isoform, circulates in the blood of healthy individuals at a concentration of 200 ± 50 mg/l and plays important roles in the extracellular actin-scavenging system during tissue damage. Decreased plasma gelsolin levels have been observed in many inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the variation and potential clinical application of plasma gelsolin levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analysed. Plasma samples and clinical data were collected from informed and consenting participants: 47 SLE patients, 60 RA patients and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. Semiquantitative western blotting was used for measuring plasma gelsolin levels. The plasma gelsolin levels in patients with SLE and RA were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls (145.3 ± 40.4 versus 182.7 ± 38.3 mg/l and 100.8 ± 36 versus 182.7 ± 38.3 mg/l, p < 0.001), and plasma gelsolin levels were especially lower in RA than in SLE patients (100.8 ± 36 versus 145.3 ± 40.4 mg/L, p < 0.001). An analysis of the clinical data showed a significant negative correlation between plasma gelsolin levels and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores (r = 0.659, p < 0.001) but no correlation between plasma gelsolin levels and RA disease activity score 28 (DAS28) (r = 0.076, p = 0.569). Different clinical characteristics were also observed in SLE and RA patients with normal and decreased plasma gelsolin levels.This study found significantly lower plasma gelsolin levels in patients with SLE and RA compared with healthy controls and documented a significant negative correlation between plasma gelsolin levels and SLEDAI, which suggested the potential clinical application of plasma gelsolin in SLE diagnosis and disease activity evaluation. The different clinical characteristics in SLE and RA patients with normal and decreased plasma gelsolin levels indicate differences in the basis of the diseases.

Formation of (FexMn(2-x))O3 solid solution and high sulfur capacity properties of Mn-based/M41 sorbents for hot coal gas desulfurization

Several MCM-41 materials were synthesized at different conditions by hydrothermal procedure using cheap and easily available industrial water glass as silica source. Fe doped manganese-based oxide/MCM-41 sorbents were prepared by a sol-gel method. The effects of loadings of metal oxide, Fe/Mn molar ratios over MCM-41 and reaction temperature on the performance of sorbent for hot coal gas desulfurization were investigated. Various techniques such as BET, XRD, XPS, LRS and HRTEM were used to characterize the sorbents. The result indicated Fe(3+) ions could occupy a position of Mn(3+) in cubic lattice of Mn2O3 and the (FexMn2-x)O3 solid solution is mainly active phase of sorbent. Moreover, the result of nine successive sulfurization-regeneration cycles of sorbent showed high sulfur adsorption capacity and endurable stability of FeMn4Ox/MCM-41 for H2S removal.

Highly stable and regenerable Mn-based/SBA-15 sorbents for desulfurization of hot coal gas

A series of mesoporous xCuyMn/SBA-15 sorbents with different Cu/Mn atomic ratios were prepared by wet impregnation method and their desulfurization performance in hot coal gas was investigated in a fixed-bed quartz reactor in the range of 700-850°C. The successive nine desulfurization-regeneration cycles at 800°C revealed that 1Cu9Mn/SBA-15 presented high performance with durable regeneration ability due to the high dispersion of Mn(2)O(3) particles incorporated with a certain amount of copper oxides. The breakthrough sulfur capacity of 1Cu9Mn/SBA-15 observed 800°C is 13.8 g S/100g sorbents, which is remarkably higher than these of 40 wt%LaFeO(3)/SBA-15 (4.8 g S/100g sorbents) and 50 wt%LaFe(2)O(x)/MCM-41 (5.58 g S/100g sorbents) used only at 500-550°C. This suggested that the loading of Mn(2)O(3) active species with high thermal stability to SBA-15 support significantly increased sulfur capacity at relatively higher sulfidation temperature. The fresh and used xCuyMn/SBA-15 sorbents were characterized by means of BET, XRD, XPS, XAES, TG/DSC and HRTEM techniques, confirmed that the structure of the sorbents remained intact before and after hot coal gas desulfurization.

Screening and identification of peritoneal metastasis-related genes of gastric adenocarcinoma using a cDNA microarray

With the aim of identifying peritoneal metastasis-related genes in gastric cancer, we performed a broad analysis of differential gene expression between the parental cell line GC9811 and its highly metastatic peritoneal counterpart, cell line GC9811-P. Two fluorescent cDNA probes, labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 dyes, were prepared from GC9811 and GC9811-P mRNA samples by the reverse transcription method. The two color probes were then mixed and hybridized to a cDNA chip constructed with double-dots from 11,901 human genes; this was scanned at two wavelengths. The experiment was repeated twice. In GC9811-P cells, 218 genes were upregulated and 30 genes were downregulated compared with the parental cell lines. Some selected genes were confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot; we found that S100A4 and CTNNB1 were upregulated and PTEN was downregulated in GC9811-P cells. Identification of these differentially expressed genes could contribute to disclose the molecular mechanisms involved and provide new targets for therapeutic intervention to avoid peritoneal dissemination of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Functionalization of a self-assembled monolayer driven by low-energy electron exposure

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 10-undecene-1-thiol on Au were functionalized with nitrogen-containing groups using an approach in which multilayer ammonia (NH(3)) films were deposited at low temperature onto the SAMs and subsequently exposed to 15 eV electrons. The result of this process was investigated after removal of the remaining NH(3) by annealing to room temperature using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). HREELS shows that the CC double bonds disappear during electron exposure, while XPS gives evidence that about 25% of the terminal double bonds of the SAM were functionalized. Also, XPS shows that a sufficiently thick NH(3) layer protects the underlying SAM from electron-induced damage. The process suggested here thus represents a particularly gentle approach to the functionalization of ultrathin molecular layers. Thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS) and electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) experiments on condensed layers of NH(3) reveal production of N(2) but show that significant amounts of the initial NH(3) as well as N(2) produced during electron exposure desorb. Hydrogen released upon formation of N(2) is held responsible for the reduction of double bonds and protection of the SAMs from damage.

Comparative study of gene expression during tooth eruption and orthodontic tooth movement in mice

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to understand tooth eruption by comparing the gene expression during tooth eruption and orthodontic tooth movement (OTM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Orthodontic force was applied on maxillary molars for 2, 4, 7 and 14 days to study tooth movement. Mice at PN 0, 7, 10, 15 and 21 were fixed to observe tooth eruption. Comparative study of two procedures was assessed by haematoxylin and eosin, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and in situ hybridization for matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp)2, 13, bone sialoprotein (Bsp) and osteocalcin (Ocn).

RESULTS

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and expression of Mmp2, 13 were obviously detectable in the compression region during OTM. They were also identified in the occlusal and apical region of alveolar bone during tooth eruption. Strong expression of Bsp and Ocn was detectable at the tension side during OTM. These genes were also expressed in the inner lateral region of alveolar bone adjacent to the tooth, but absent in the inner surface of the occlusal and root apical regions during tooth eruption.

CONCLUSION

The process of alveolar bone metabolism during developmental eruption and OTM shares the same mechanism. Internal force, as the orthodontic force for OTM, may be initiating factor for tooth eruption.

Serum soluble CD44v6 levels in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the levels of serum sCD44v6 in patients with oral cancer and evaluate the value of serum sCD44v6 in adjuvant diagnosis, staging and monitoring treatment response in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 112 hospitalized patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy and 28 healthy individuals were examined for serum sCD44v6 levels. Venous blood was collected from these patients and the healthy individuals. One week after treatment, venous blood was collected once again in 60 patients with oral and maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

RESULTS

The sCD44v6 concentration was not significantly different between patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy and control group (P > 0.05). The levels of serum sCD44v6 in patients with OSCC and salivary carcinoma showed no difference with those in control group (P > 0.05). The sCD44v6 level in patients with stage III and IV disease was higher than that of patients with stage I and II and that of the control group, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Serum sCD44v6 levels in patients with OSCC after treatment became lower than that prevailed during pretreatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The possible roles of CD44v6 in the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial malignancy deserve further elucidation and evaluation. Serum sCD44v6 may be a valuable marker in monitoring treatment response in patients with OSCC.

Large Low-Field Magnetoresistance in Nanocrystalline Magnetite Prepared by Sol−Gel Method

Nanocrystalline magnetite Fe3O4 samples with a grain size of about 40 nm have been synthesized by an optimized sol-gel method. The single phase of spinel magnetite was confirmed by both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It has been found that the magnetoresistance of the samples at low field (LFMR) is relatively large, and with the decrease of temperature its value at a field of 0.5 T changes dramatically from -2.5% at 300 K to -17.0% at 55 K. With the further decrease of temperature a sharp drop occurs for the magnitude of the magnetoresistance (MR), regarded as a spin (cluster) glass transition in the surface region of the grains that can be confirmed by the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization and ac susceptibility measurement. The mechanism of the magnetic and transport properties was discussed.

[Treatment of ocular injury with lensectomy and closed vitrectomy]

The authors reviewed 104 consecutive cases of ocular injury treated with lensectomy and closed vitrectomy including anterior segment resection in 80 cases and posterior segment, in 24 cases. The curative rate was 80.8%. Post-operatively, 44 eyes (47.8%) gained visual acuities of 0.025-0.6 and 68 eyes (65.4%) obtained visual improvement. 29 eyes were followed up 1-38 months, averaging 22.5 months, to find long-term therapeutic effects in 23 eyes (79.3%). The authors believe that lensectomy with closed vitrectomy is a useful modality in treatment of ocular injury.

Exposure to radon progeny, tobacco use and lung cancer in a case-control study in southern China

A case-control study of lung cancer in underground tin miners in southern China was conducted to examine the interplay between exposure to radon progeny and tobacco use. A total of 460 incident cases and 1,043 controls were evaluated. Among the exposed, mean radon progeny exposures were 600 and 427 working level months (WLM) for cases and controls, respectively. The excess relative risk per WLM (ERR/WLM) was 0.28% overall, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.1-0.6%, similar to the estimate from a cohort study in a related population of underground miners. The established patterns of lung cancer associated with radon were seen; the ERR/WLM decreased with attained age and time since last exposure. Conditional on total exposure, risk was highest for exposures delivered at a low rate. The ERR/WLM did not differ significantly among current and former smokers or within categories of time since last exposure. The relative risk relationship between exposure to radon progeny and tobacco use was consistent with a multiplicative model, but the best-fitting model was intermediate between additive and multiplicative; an additive association was rejected. Adjustment for exposure to inorganic arsenic, a known lung carcinogen, reduced the estimate of the ERR/WLM from 0.86% to 0.28%. The ERR/WLM estimate was homogeneous across subgroups defined by workers not exposed to arsenic and quartiles of cumulative arsenic exposure. Although squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant cell type, small cell and adenocarcinoma histologies appeared more strongly associated with exposure to radon progeny. The finding of a stronger trend with exposure with small cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, compared to squamous cell carcinomas, occurred primarily at younger ages at diagnosis. Finally, the risk of lung cancer was higher if exposure to radon progeny and tobacco use occurred together than if the exposure to radon progeny entirely preceded tobacco use.

Captopril potentiates the effects of nitroglycerin in the coronary vascular bed

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to examine the effects of captopril on the coronary vascular responses to nitroglycerin.

BACKGROUND

The vasodilator effects of nitroglycerin are mediated by sulfhydryl-dependent bioconversion and influenced by local and systemic neural and hormonal counter-regulatory factors.

METHODS

In patients with angina pectoris, the effects of 10 days of treatment with the sulfhydryl-containing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril on the coronary vasodilator responses to intracoronary nitroglycerin (1- to 20-micrograms doses) were examined utilizing a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized design. The effects of captopril on the induction of nitroglycerin tolerance were also examined after a 20-h intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin.

RESULTS

Captopril reduced mean arterial pressure at rest by 8 mm Hg compared with 3 mm Hg in the placebo group (p = NS) and did not affect baseline coronary blood flow (168 vs. 144 ml/min in the placebo group, standard error of the differences of means (SED) 26) or coronary vascular resistance (53 vs. 57 dynes.s.cm-5, SED 9). Intracoronary nitroglycerin increased coronary blood flow in a dose-dependent fashion in both the captopril and placebo groups (p < 0.001). However, captopril potentiated the effects of all doses of nitroglycerin and shifted the dose-response relationship to the left (p < 0.001). At the maximal dose of 20 micrograms, intracoronary nitroglycerin increased the coronary blood flow by a further 60% in the captopril group compared with placebo. After 20 h of intravenous nitroglycerin (24 +/- 3 micrograms/min), the coronary vasodilator responses to intracoronary nitroglycerin were attenuated (p < 0.02) in the placebo group. However, the responses to intracoronary nitroglycerin in the captopril group, remained similar to the responses observed before intravenous nitroglycerin exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Captopril potentiates the coronary vasodilator responses of nitroglycerin in both the absence and the presence of nitroglycerin tolerance. The mechanisms and therapeutic implications of this interaction require further exploration.

Structure of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Palinurus versicolor carrying the fluorescent NAD derivatives at 2.7 A resolution

Ultraviolet irradiation of carboxymethylated D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase leads to the formation of a fluorescent NAD derivative. The structure of the enzyme from Palinurus versicolor carrying this derivative has been determined by molecular replacement and refined using the restrained least-squares method to 2.7 A with a final crystallographic R-factor of 0.205. The polypeptide chain folding and subunit arrangement closely resemble the known structure of Homarus americanus GAPDH. The structure at the modified active site confirms that the photochemical reaction is a half-of-the-sites reaction and occurs in the red and yellow subunit pair. The stereochemical relationship between the Trp residues at the active site shows that Trp 310 is most probably involved in a radiationless energy transfer to the fluorophore. A large solvent channel connecting the catalytic and NAD(+)-binding sites was found parallel to the crystallographic axis alpha from packing analysis, suggesting that this crystal form may be suitable for a kinetic crystallographic study of the apoenzyme.

Protective effect of exogenous fructose-1,6-diphosphate in cardiogenic shock

The effect of intravenous fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) infusion on haemodynamic and biochemical variables was studied in dogs after ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. In the control series cardiogenic shock was present in every case 4 h after ligation. In FDP treated animals 4 h after ligation there was no fall in cardiac output and the systolic blood pressure was restored to pre-ligation values. Levels of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), a highly specific indicator of myocardial cell damage, rose in the shocked (no FDP given) group, but remained low in the FDP treated group, equalling the levels measured in sham operated (no ligation) dogs. Samples of myocardium were taken from infarcted and adjacent normal regions 4 h after ligation for biochemical analysis. CK-MB concentrations in the infarcted region did not change from normal levels with FDP infusion; in the infarcted region lactate concentration (mumol.g-1 wet weight) fell from 18.48 in the control group to 7.90 in the FDP treated group. ATP levels in the infarcted region remained the same as those in the adjacent normal region with FDP treatment. It is concluded that infusion of FDP improves myocardial performance and metabolism following acute myocardial ischaemia.