Objective To explore the value of miniprobe sonography (MPS) in differentiating Crohn??s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods 46 patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were included into the patient group (16 patients with CD and 30 cases with UC). 20 healthy cases ( underwent physical examination in outpatient department) were recruited as the control group. All cases underwent MPS and high sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) test.The MPS measurement index include thetotalwallthickness(TWT), mucosal thickness (MT), submucosal thickness (SMT), muscularispropria thickness (MPT), and the number of enlarged colic and paracolic lymph nodes. Results TheTWT, M, SM, MP(mm)and Hs-CRP(mg/L)in CD, UC and control group are 5.84 ± 1.42, 1.48 ± 0.23, 1.88 ± 0.28, 2.31 ± 0.85, 40.58 ± 19.33, 4.74 ± 1.01, 1.79 ± 0.35, 1.41 ± 0.25, 1.32 ± 0.34, 22.41 ± 15.25,2.86 ± 0.23, 0.97 ± 0.13, 1.06 ± 0.11, 0.64 ± 0.0 and 1.70 ± 0.65. TWT, MT, SMT, MPT and Hs-CRP in UC group has significant different with those in controp group(P<0.05). The mean value of TWT, MT, SMT, MPT and Hs-CRP in CD group are higher than those in UC group. M in UC group is higher than that in CE group. The difference is significant(P<0.05). 5 cases in CD and 2 cases with UC had enlarged colic or paracolic lymph nodes. Conclusions The MPS can distinctly observe the changesof different colonic tissue layers and the surrounding tissue structures in IBD patients,which helps for distinguishing active CD from UC.

A bacterium, having high chitinolytic activity, was isolated from sediment of Shantou Bay, named SWCH-6. According to its physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence, it was identified as Aeromonas hydrophlilla. The optimal chitinase fermentation conditions of strain SWCH-6 were conformed by single-factor experiments and orthogonal experiments, they were colloidal chitin 25.0 g/L, tryptone 10.0 g/L, seawater 1 L, pH 8.5, 32 ℃ , 150 r/min for 72 h. In these conditions, its chitinase activity reached 0.39 U/mL. In addition, at 40℃ and pH 5.0, its chitinase performed the highest catalytic activity and its chitinase activity could be enhanced by Cu2+, Fe3+ and surfactant toween-80; weakened by Zn2+, Mn2+ and surfactants SDS, detergent powder, and there were some differences from orther chitinases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of microcystin (MC) in drinking water with the incidence of colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe study was designed as a retrospective cohort. Eight townships or towns were randomly selected as the study sites in Haining City of Zhejiang Province, China. 408 cases of colon and rectum carcinomas diagnosed from 1977 to 1996 in the study sites were included, and a survey on types of drinking water of these patients was conducted. Samples of different water sources (well, tap, river and pond) were collected separately and microcystin concentrations were determined by indirect competitive ELISA method.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of colorectal cancer was significantly higher in population who drank river and pond water than those who drank well and tap water. Compared to well water, the relative risk (RR) for colorectal cancer was 1.88 (tap), 7.94 (river) and 7.70 (pond) respectively. The positive rate (> 50 pg/mL) of microcystin in samples of well, tap, river and pond water was 0, 0, 36.23% and 17.14% respectively. The concentration of microcystin in river and pond water was significantly higher than that in well and tap water (P < 0.01). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that in the study sites, the microcystin concentration of river and pond water was positively associated with the incidence of colorectal cancer (rs = 0.881, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe types of drinking water are positively associated with the incidence of colorectal cancer in the study sites, and this may be related to microcystin contamination of drinking water. Further biological study is needed to support the possible causative role of mycrocystin in carcinogenesis of colon and rectum.

Bacterial Toxins ; toxicity ; Carcinogens, Environmental ; toxicity ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microcystins ; Peptides, Cyclic ; toxicity ; Retrospective Studies ; Water ; chemistry ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; toxicity ; Water Supply ; standards

Objective To establish and verify the prediction model for ischemic cardiovascular disease(ICVD)among the elderly population who were under the current health care programs. Methods Statistical analysis on data from physical examination, hospitalization of the past years, from questionnaire and telephone interview was carried out in May, 2003. Data was from was randomly selected to generate both module group and verification group. Baseline data was induced to make the verification group into regression model of module group and to generate the predictive value. Distinguished ability with area under ROC curve and the predictive veracity were verified through comparing the predictive incidence rate and actual incidence rate of every deciles group by Hosmer- Lemeshow test. Predictive veracity of the prediction model at population level was verified through comparing the predictive 6-year incidence rates of ICVD with actual 6-year accumulative incidence rates of ICVD with error rate calculated. Results The samples included 2271 males over the age of 65 with 1817 people for modeling population and 454 for verified population.All of the samples were stratified into two layers to establish hierarchical Cox proportional hazard regression model, including one advanced age group(greater than or equal to 75 years old), and another elderly group(less than 75 years old). Data from the statically analysis showed that the risk factors in aged group were age, systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine level, fasting blood glucose level, while protective factor was high density lipoprotein; in advanced age group, the risk factors were body weight index, systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol level, serum creatinine level, fasting blood glucose level, while protective factor was HDL-C. The area under the ROC curve (AUC)and 95%CI were 0.723 and 0.687-0.759 respectively. Discriminating power was good. All individual predictive ICVD cumulative incidence and actual incidence were analyzed using Hosmer-Lemshow test, x 2=1.43, P=0.786, showing that the predictive veracity was good.Conclusion The stratified Cox Hazards Regression model was used to establish prediction model of the aged male population under a certain health care program. The common prediction factor of the two age groups were: systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine level, asting blood glucose level and HDL-C. Thc area under the ROWC curve of the verification group was 0.723, showing that the distinguished ability was good and the predict ability at the individual level and at the group level were also satisfactory. It was feasible to using Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Model for predicting the population groups.

Objective To investigate the 6-year accumulative incidence rate of ischemic cardiovascular disease (ICVD) and its related risk factors. Methods Baseline population was all from an elderly population with members all born before 1-1,1938 and under health care programm.Data was recorded in a database of a hospital and baseline of subjects under research was aged ＞65years. People that had had ICVD at baseline were excluded. Risk factors under research would include: age at the baseline study, gender, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, serum triglyceride level, serum high-density lipoprotein level, serum triglyceride level, serum apolipoprotein A1 level, history of diabetes mellitus and cigarette smoking etc. Single factor analysis was carried out using person-years as time of study, then calculating the person-year incidence and the accumulative incidence rate at different levels related to baseline risk factors.Multivariate analysis was under Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Model. Results Baseline population included 2271 elderly men, with the 6-year cumulative prevalence rate of ICVD as 23.56%, and the person-year prevalence rate was 45.41‰. Single factor analysis showed that the ICVD events positively related to variables which including systolic blood pressure, body mass index,serum cholesterol level and serum triglyceride level, serum apolipoprotein A1 level, status of diabetes mellitus and cigarette smoking. The ICVD events negatively related to variables as serum high-density lipoprotein levcl and serum creatinine level. Results of multivariate analysis showed that high systolic pressure, diabetes mellitus, serum creatinine level, Body Mass Index were the main risk factors. The serum high-density lipoprotein level served as the main protective factor. Conclusion The aged male population under health care programme was high in the ICVD prevalence rate, suggesting that programmes as controlling blood pressure, blood glucose, and increasing serum high-density lipoprotein levels were effective measures to decrease the ICVD events.

Angioplasty ; Embolectomy ; Ischemia ; pathology ; surgery ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; pathology ; surgery ; Mesenteric Ischemia ; Thrombosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Vascular Diseases ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of osteopontin (OPN) expression down-regulated by RNA interference (RNAi) on the invasiveness of hepatocelluar carcinoma cell line HCC-LM3.

METHODSHCC-LM3 cells were transfected with the chemically synthesized small interfering RNA (siRNA) formulated by lipofectamine 2000. Wild type HCC-LM3 and HCC-LM3 cells transfected with non-specific siRNA served as controls. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to quantify the mRNA and OPN protein levels. The malignant phenotypes of transfected HCC-LM3 cells including cellular growth rate, colony formation and Matrigel invasion activities were analyzed.

RESULTSSequence-specific siRNAs targeting OPN suppressed OPN RNA expression by 79% and also decreased OPN protein level by 81% in HCC-LM3 cells. The number of formed colonies and migrating numbers in vitro were decreased in HCC-LM3 cells transfected using sequence-specific siRNAs targeting OPN relative to controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated that specific siRNA is able to reduce OPN at both the mRNA and protein levels and significantly diminishes the invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of routine intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support in patients with high-risk acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSThe clinical data of 41 patients with high-risk AMI undergoing emergency PCI with routine IABP support were retrospectively reviewed, and 38 patients paired with the former group receiving emergency PCI for high-risk AMI without IABP support at the same time were included as the control group. Thirty days after the operation, the two groups were compared for myocardial ischemic events, left ventricular function and major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

RESULTSPatients receiving IABP support had a significantly lower incidence of myocardial ischemic events than those without IABP (4.9% vs 15.8%, P<0.05), and showed greater improvement in the left ventricular function. Significant differences were also observed in the mortality rate, incidence of reinfarction and revascularization rate between the two groups, but not in the rate of MACE.

CONCLUSIONPatients undergoing PCI for high-risk acute AMI can benefit from routine IABP support in terms of improvement of left ventricular function and reduce myocardial ischemic events and the rate of MACE. These results, however, still await further confirmation by large-scale clinical trials.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; mortality ; therapy ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Function, Left

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy burdening people globally, with increasing morbidity and mortality nowadays, due to the alternation in the diet type and lifestyle in modern society. Berberine, a type of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, is widely present in numerous medicinal plants, particularly including Coptidis Rhizoma. Mounting evidence reveals that berberine possesses an array of pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammation, anti-bacterium, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes mellitus and so on. In particular, berberine exhibits substantial inhibition on various types of cancers including CRC. Hereby, we sought to systematically review the suppressive effect of berberine on CRC through the diminishment of the proliferation and metastasis, induction of apoptosis, arrest of cell cycle, regulation of inflammatory reaction, the reverse of chemotherapeutic resistance and restoration of gut microbiota in CRC, so as to shed light on the in-depth mechanisms underlying the treatment of CRC with berberine in the clinical setting.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with sleep bruxism (SB). Twelve patients with SB were included in an open, single-intervention pilot study. rTMS at 1 Hz and an intensity of 80% of the active motor threshold was applied to the ‘hot spot’ of the masseter muscle representation at the primary motor cortex bilaterally for 20 min per side each day for 5 consecutive days. The jaw-closing muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity during sleep was recorded with a portable EMG recorder at baseline, during rTMS treatment and at follow-up for 5 days. In addition, patients scored their jaw-closing muscle soreness on a 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS). Data were analysed with analysis of variance. The intensity of the EMG activity was suppressed during and after rTMS compared to the baseline (P 5 0.04; P 5 0.02, respectively). The NRS score of soreness decreased significantly during and after rTMS compared with baseline (P,0.01). These findings indicated a significant inhibition of jaw-closing muscle activity during sleep along with a decrease of muscle soreness. This pilot study raises the possibility of therapeutic benefits from rTMS in patients with bruxism and calls for further and more controlled studies.