Objective To investigate the in vitro effects of various antibiotics (spectinomycin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ofloxacin and doxycycline) against 12 isolates of C. trachomatis. Methods Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs ) and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) of the antimicrobials against all C. trachomatis were calculated. Checkerboard method was used for the determination of FICs and Ridit test for the comparison of the interactions among the various combinations. Results No difference was observed in most of the combinations. No antagonism was found in all except for ceftriaxone-doxycycline combination. Synergism was observed in 42% (5 of 12) and 50% (6 of 12) of the chlamydial isolates for erythromycin-spectinomycin and doxycycline-spectinomycin combination, respectively. No significant difference was observed among triple combinations with spectinomycin or with ceftriaxone. When interactions of erythromycin, ofloxacin and doxycycline with spectinomycin were compared to those with ceftriaxone respectively, both interactions of erythromycin (U = 2.46, P = 0.014) and doxycycline (U = 2.83, P = 0.002) were more synergistic with spectinomycin than those with ceftriaxone. Conclusions This study indicates that the combination of spectinomycin with erythromycin or doxycycline is more effective against C. trachomatis than that of ceftriaxone. Therefore, spectinomycin rather than ceftriaxone might be recommended in the dual therapy against C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of intragastric administration of human interferon-α (hIFN-α)-transformed Bifidobacterium on immune functions of mice.

METHODSThe E.coli-Bifidobacterium shuttle expression vector containing hIFN-α gene was constructed and transformed into Bifidobacterium. The hIFN-α-transformed Bifidobacterium suspension (1010 /ml) was prepared after induction with 0.2% L-arabinose for hIFN-α expression and administered intragastrically in male Balb/C mice at the dose of 0.1 ml every other day for 2 weeks, with the mice receiving empty vector-transformed Bifidobacteria as the negative control and those having an equal volume of saline as the blank control. The percentages of mononuclear cell subsets in the thymus, spleen and blood were detected in the mice by flow cytometry, and the serum levels of IL-4, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α were assayed using mouse cytokine FlowCytomix Kit.

RESULTSThe percentages of CD3⁺CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells in the thymus, CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells in the spleen, and CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells in the blood all increased significantly in IFN group as compared with those in the negative and blank control groups (P<0.01 or 0.05). The serum level of IFN-γ also increased significantly (P<0.05) while IL-4 level remained unchanged in IFN group compared with those in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONIntragastric administration of hIFN-α-transformed Bifidobacterium promotes lymphocyte proliferation and maturation and increases the serum levels of Th1 cytokines in mice.

Animals ; Bifidobacterium ; Cell Proliferation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Spleen ; cytology ; Th1 Cells ; cytology ; Thymus Gland ; cytology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Delorme procedure for adults with full-thickness rectal prolapse.Methods:Clinical data of 17 adult patients suffering from full-thickness rectal prolapse undergoing Delorme procedure from June 2014 to May 2018 in Hangzhou Third Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, operative data, postoperative complications, recurrence of rectal prolapse, continence state and constipation state were evaluated.Results:Eleven patients were female, 6 patients were male with a mean age of (68 ± 9) years. Operations were successfully performed in these 17 cases. The operation time was (88 ± 16) minutes. The estimated blood loss during operation was (23 ± 9) ml. The postoperative time of hospital stay was (8 ± 1) d. Two complications in two patients were observed. There was no treatment related death. One recurrent case was observed during (16 ± 2) months follow-up. The preoperative and postoperative mean constipation score of five patients with fecal constipation were (23 ± 2) and (11 ± 3) respectively ( t = 9.51, P<0.01). The mean fecal incontinence score of six patients with fecal incontinence, before and after Delorme procedure, were (14 ± 2) and (6 ± 2) respectively ( t = 9.09, P<0.01). Conclusions:The Delorme procedure for adults with full-thickness rectal prolapse is a safe and effective surgery with less complications and low recurrence rate. The Delorme procedure may be one of the preferred option of perineal approach for adults with full-thickness rectal prolapse, but the long-term outcome of Delormer procedure and its effect on postoperative anal function need to be further studied.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between serum miRNA-6086 expression level and anal fistula recurrence.

METHODSClinical data and serum samples of 60 patients with anal fistula and mix hemorrhoid identified by pathology undergoing resection in our department from August 2015 to August 2016 were collected. In addition, serum samples of 20 patients matching with fistula group in age, gender and body weight and receiving only hemorroidectomy were collected as control during the same period. Serum miRNA6086 expression level was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR method, and the association of serum miRNA6086 expression level with clinicopathologic features was analyzed. Univariate ANOVA test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the association between serum miRNA6086 expression level and anal fistula recurrence.

RESULTSThe relative expression of serum miRNA6086 in fistula group was 65.85±15.57, which was significantly up-regulated for 4.87 folds of 13.52±7.32 in control group(P<0.05). In fistula group, 24 cases(40%) developed anal fistula recurrence, whose serum miRNA6086 expression was significantly higher compared to 36 cases without recurrence (74.06±12.92 vs. 60.38±14.90, P<0.05). No associations of serum miRNA6086 expression with age, gender, BMI, drug history, acute phase were observed (P>0.05), while association of serum miRNA6086 expression level with the type, number and position of anal fistula was significant (all P<0.05). Univariated analysis indicated that anal fistula type (χ=6.890, P=0.009), anal fistula number (χ=0.554, P<0.001) and serum miRNA6086 expression (χ=11.390, P=0.001) were significantly associated with anal fistula recurrence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that complex anal fistula (OR=4.75, 95%CI: 1.84 to 12.01, P=0.001) and high expression of serum miRNA6086 (OR=3.22, 95%CI:1.31 to 8.22, P=0.011) were independent risk factors of anal fistula recurrence.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulated expression of serum miRNA6086 is associated to the anal fistula type and may be valuable in predicting the prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of prostaglandin transporter (PGT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and its relationship with clinicopathological features.

METHODSThe mRNA and protein levels of PGT were determined by real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical methods in cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissue from 80 patients with colorectal cancer and their relationship with clinicopathological features was analyzed.

RESULTSCompared with the adjacent normal tissue of colorectal cancer, the PGT mRNA relative expression (0.57 ± 0.33 vs. 2.33 ± 1.20) and the PGT protein expression in cancer tissues decreased significantly [PGT/GAPDH 0.45 ± 0.16 vs. 0.78 ± 0.23, integral A 718.7 ± 359.4 vs. 10412.0 ± 6423.3, average A 0.03 ± 0.01 vs. 0.12 ± 0.09, all P<0.01]. Lower mRNA and protein expressions of PGT in colorectal cancer were associated with depth of invasion T3 to T4 and TNM stage III( to IIII( (P<0.01), while not associated with gender, age, tumor location and differentiation degree (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONExpression levels of PGT mRNA and protein in colorectal cancer tissue are significantly down-regulation. PGT expression is associated with invasion depth and late stages.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organic Anion Transporters ; RNA, Messenger

Objective To investigate the expression of prostaglandin transporter (PGT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and its relationship with clinicopathological features. Methods The mRNA and protein levels of PGT were determined by real-time PCR , Western blot and immunohistochemical methods in cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissue from 80 patients with colorectal cancer and their relationship with clinicopathological features was analyzed. Results Compared with the adjacent normal tissue of colorectal cancer , the PGT mRNA relative expression (0.57 ±0.33 vs. 2.33 ±1.20) and the PGT protein expression in cancer tissues decreased significantly [PGT/GAPDH 0.45 ±0.16 vs. 0.78 ±0.23, integral A 718.7 ±359.4 vs. 10412.0 ±6423.3, average A 0.03 ±0.01 vs. 0.12 ±0.09, all P<0.01]. Lower mRNA and protein expressions of PGT in colorectal cancer were associated with depth of invasion T3 to T4 and TNM stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ (P<0.01), while not associated with gender, age, tumor location and differentiation degree (all P>0.05). Conclusion Expression levels of PGT mRNA and protein in colorectal cancer tissue are significantly down-regulation. PGT expression is associated with invasion depth and late stages.

Objective To investigate the effects of intragastric administration of human interferon-α (hIFN-α)-transformed Bifidobacterium on immune functions of mice. Methods The E.coli-Bifidobacterium shuttle expression vector containing hIFN-αgene was constructed and transformed into Bifidobacterium. The hIFN-α-transformed Bifidobacterium suspension (1010/ml) was prepared after induction with 0.2%L-arabinose for hIFN-αexpression and administered intragastrically in male Balb/C mice at the dose of 0.1 ml every other day for 2 weeks, with the mice receiving empty vector-transformed Bifidobacteria as the negative control and those having an equal volume of saline as the blank control. The percentages of mononuclear cell subsets in the thymus, spleen and blood were detected in the mice by flow cytometry, and the serum levels of IL-4, IL-12, IFN-γand TNF-αwere assayed using mouse cytokine FlowCytomix Kit. Results The percentages of CD3+CD8+and CD4+CD8+cells in the thymus, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+and CD4+CD8+cells in the spleen, and CD3+CD8+cells in the blood all increased significantly in IFN group as compared with those in the negative and blank control groups (P<0.01 or 0.05). The serum level of IFN-γalso increased significantly (P<0.05) while IL-4 level remained unchanged in IFN group compared with those in the two groups. Conclusion Intragastric administration of hIFN- α- transformed Bifidobacterium promotes lymphocyte proliferation and maturation and increases the serum levels of Th1 cytokines in mice.

Objective To investigate the expression of prostaglandin transporter (PGT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and its relationship with clinicopathological features. Methods The mRNA and protein levels of PGT were determined by real-time PCR , Western blot and immunohistochemical methods in cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissue from 80 patients with colorectal cancer and their relationship with clinicopathological features was analyzed. Results Compared with the adjacent normal tissue of colorectal cancer , the PGT mRNA relative expression (0.57 ±0.33 vs. 2.33 ±1.20) and the PGT protein expression in cancer tissues decreased significantly [PGT/GAPDH 0.45 ±0.16 vs. 0.78 ±0.23, integral A 718.7 ±359.4 vs. 10412.0 ±6423.3, average A 0.03 ±0.01 vs. 0.12 ±0.09, all P<0.01]. Lower mRNA and protein expressions of PGT in colorectal cancer were associated with depth of invasion T3 to T4 and TNM stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ (P<0.01), while not associated with gender, age, tumor location and differentiation degree (all P>0.05). Conclusion Expression levels of PGT mRNA and protein in colorectal cancer tissue are significantly down-regulation. PGT expression is associated with invasion depth and late stages.

Objective To investigate the effects of intragastric administration of human interferon-α (hIFN-α)-transformed Bifidobacterium on immune functions of mice. Methods The E.coli-Bifidobacterium shuttle expression vector containing hIFN-αgene was constructed and transformed into Bifidobacterium. The hIFN-α-transformed Bifidobacterium suspension (1010/ml) was prepared after induction with 0.2%L-arabinose for hIFN-αexpression and administered intragastrically in male Balb/C mice at the dose of 0.1 ml every other day for 2 weeks, with the mice receiving empty vector-transformed Bifidobacteria as the negative control and those having an equal volume of saline as the blank control. The percentages of mononuclear cell subsets in the thymus, spleen and blood were detected in the mice by flow cytometry, and the serum levels of IL-4, IL-12, IFN-γand TNF-αwere assayed using mouse cytokine FlowCytomix Kit. Results The percentages of CD3+CD8+and CD4+CD8+cells in the thymus, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+and CD4+CD8+cells in the spleen, and CD3+CD8+cells in the blood all increased significantly in IFN group as compared with those in the negative and blank control groups (P<0.01 or 0.05). The serum level of IFN-γalso increased significantly (P<0.05) while IL-4 level remained unchanged in IFN group compared with those in the two groups. Conclusion Intragastric administration of hIFN- α- transformed Bifidobacterium promotes lymphocyte proliferation and maturation and increases the serum levels of Th1 cytokines in mice.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility and clinical significance of the detection of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in human colorectal cancer.

METHODSLevels of NGAL in serum samples from 133 healthy people, 125 colorectal polyps patients and 100 colorectal cancer patients respectively were determined by sandwich ELISA assay. Relationship of NGAL level with clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer patients was analyzed. The optimal cut-off value of serum NGAL for diagnosing colorectal cancer was determined by ROC curve and compared with CEA and CA19-9. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the relationship of NGAL level with the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.

RESULTSThe median serum NGAL protein level in 100 colorectal cancer cases was 67.96 (53.30-79.86) μg/L, significantly higher than that in healthy people and colorectal polyps patients. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). Serum NGAL protein level was significantly associated with tumor diameter, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and vascular involvement (P<0.05). The optimal cut-off point of serum NGAL protein level for diagnosing colorectal cancer was 49.78 μg/L, and the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 81% respectively. As for colorectal cancer patients with stage I, the sensitivity of serum NGAL (78.9%) was significantly higher as compared to CA19-9 (31.6%) and CEA (36.8%); as for those with stage II, the sensitivity of serum NGAL(88.0%) was also significantly higher compared to CA19-9 (48.0%) and CEA (52.0%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with positive NGAL (≥49.78 μg/L) had worse survival than those with negative NGAL (P=0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that NGAL was an independent prognostic factor (HR=2.060, 95%CI:1.023-4.150, P=0.043).

CONCLUSIONSNGAL can be served as the novel malignant biological phenotype marker for human colorectal cancer and can be used for the risk stratification. NGAL may be an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer.

Acute-Phase Proteins ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Lipocalin-2 ; Lipocalins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; blood