OBJECTIVETo evaluate the changes in body fat distribution after gastric bypass in gastric cancer patients with metabolic syndrome.

METHODSFrom July 2009 to February 2010, 26 patients with gastric cancer and concurrent metabolic syndrome were prospectively enrolled and underwent gastric bypass surgery at the Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command. Body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, insulin and insulin resistance index were measured before operation and at postoperative 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks.

RESULTSAfter gastric bypass surgery, metabolic syndrome was improved including obesity, hypertension, disturbance of lipid and hyperglycemia. After 48 weeks postoperatively HOMA-IR decreased from 5.7 ± 1.5 to 3.4 ± 1.0 (P<0.05). BMI decreased from (27.1 ± 3.8) kg/m(2) to (22.6 ± 1.4) kg/m(2) (P<0.05). Indices for central obesity: waist circumference decreased from (95.3 ± 2.5) cm to (75.3 ± 1.1) cm, and visceral fat area decreased from(101.7 ± 13.8) cm(2) to (78.7 ± 11.2) cm(2) (P<0.05). There were no decline in peripheral obesity indices including hip circumference and subcutaneous fat area(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe distribution of body fat after gastric bypass changes from central obesity to peripheral obesity. Improvement of insulin resistance after gastric bypass surgery is associated with the decrease in central obesity indices.

Adult ; Body Fat Distribution ; Gastric Bypass ; Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome ; metabolism ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; pathology ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies

In recent studies some urea derivatives have been identified as potent anti-tuberculosis agents by targeting mycobacterial membrane protein large 3 (MmpL3). However, this compound series as exemplified by AU1235 exhibited poor in vitro pharmacokinetic profile. With AU1235 as the lead, we have identified a novel benzimidazole series as potential anti-tuberculosis agents by using scaffold hopping approach. Among these synthesized compounds, 2-aminobenzimidazole derivative 8b showed the potent anti-tuberculosis activity with the MIC value of 0.03 microg x mL(-1). This compound also showed improved metabolic stability compared to AU1235. Our investigation indicated that benzimidazole derivatives are the promising lead for further optimization as anti-tuberculosis agents.
Antitubercular Agents ; pharmacology ; Benzimidazoles ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Drug Design ; Humans ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Tuberculosis ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effects of Cleistocalyx operculatus on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes and on the trauma of PC12 cells induced by H2O2.

METHODThe mouse liver homogenate lipid peroxidation assay and PC12 Cell culture and Cell viability (MTT assay) were applied.

RESULTCleistocalyx operculatus showed strong protective effects on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited potent protective effects on the trauma of PC12 cells induced by H2O2 (200 micromol x L(-1)) when the concentration reached 1.00 g x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONCleistocalyx operculatus may be used as antioxidant to prevent or delay the pathogenesis of neural cell diseases.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; toxicity ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Microsomes, Liver ; metabolism ; Myrtaceae ; chemistry ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and short-term outcomes of total laparoscopic sigmoid and rectal surgery combined with transanal endoscopic microsurgery(TEM).

METHODSThe clinical data of 26 patients with colorectal carcinoma treated by total laparoscopic surgery with TEM between May 2010 and May 2011 in the Shanghai Ruijin Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAll the 26 operations were successfully accomplished laparoscopically. There was no conversion to open procedure. No diverting ileostomy was made. The mean operative time was (151.6±25.9) min. The mean blood loss was (200.2±114.7) ml. The mean time to first flatus was (2.0±0.5) d. The mean tumor size was (3.0±0.7) cm and all resection margins were negative. The mean number of lymph nodes harvested was (12.9±2.2). Six patients developed postoperative anastomotic leakage, all of who had tumors in the lower rectum. There were no ureteral injury, intestinal obstruction, or pulmonary infection.

CONCLUSIONSTotal laparoscopic sigmoid and rectal surgery combined with TEM is a safe and feasible minimally invasive surgery. It is an improvement by combining laparoscopic skills with the concept of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of giganteaside D (GD) on hepatocellular carcinoma and its molecular mechanisms.

METHODSThe inhibitory effects of GD on Hep 3b cells were determined using MTT assay and colony formation assay. The morphological changes of Hep 3b cells after GD treatment were observed by electron microscopy, and the cell cycle changes was analyzed using flow cytometry. The cell apoptosis and mitochondrial potential collapse in the treated cells were tested with Hoechst staining assay and flow cytometry. The expression levels of Bcl-2, PARP and key proteins in MAPK pathway were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTSGD showed a significant inhibitory effect on Hep 3b cells with an ICvalue of 16.08 µmol/L at 72 h. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the phases of cell cycle remained unchanged and a sub-G1 peak (from 3.3% to 33.6%) appeared as GD concentration increased. GD-induced apoptosis was further conformed by Hoechst staining assay, and flow cytometry showed increased mitochondrial potential collapse in the cells. Western blotting demonstrated the cleavage of PARP, decrease of Bcl-2 and p-Erk1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204), and activation of p-p38 (Thr180/Tyr182) and p-JNK (Thr183/Tyr185) in GD-treated cells.

CONCLUSIONSGD has significant inhibitory effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro by inducing apoptosis possibly in association with the MAPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo study the central modulation mechanism on the relative specificity of the Heart and Lung Meridians and to provide the experimental evidence for deeply study on correlation between meridian-viscera and brain.

METHODSTen healthy students in Anhui College of TCM were chosen and a modified block design was adopted. After 32 time points of resting and 32 of rotation needling, then 48 of resting and 32 stimulating, and 16 resting time points, functional imagings were collected at last. All the process would last for 10 min 44 sec. Acupuncture work was finished by one acupuncturist with extensive experience by acupuncture at the left Shenmen (HT 7) or Taiyuan (LU 8) with the disposable sterile stainless steel needle, and uniform reinforcing-reducing method was used with frequency of 1 Hz and depth of 1.0 cm. After the experiment, the sensation of acupuncture and the other feeling or psychic process were inquired and recorded detailedly. These data were analyzed by AFNI software.

RESULTSAcupuncture at Taiyuan (LU 8) could excite the contralateral frontal lobe, apical lobe, cerebral ganglion, VI, VIII areas and inferior semilunar lobule of cerebellum, and restrain bilateral callosal gyrus and homolateral gyrus rectus. Acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) could excite the contralateral IV-VIII areas of cerebellum, and homolateral VI, VII areas of cerebellum, and restrain parts of homolateral apical lobe.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) of the Heart Meridian and Taiyuan (LU 8) of the Lung Meridian can excite or restrain different brain areas, indicating that there are relatively specific corresponding brain areas for the Heart Meridian and Lung Meridian.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meridians ; Radiography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) in pathologic diagnosis of pneumoconiosis.

METHODSIn our hospital during May 2011 and Sep 2011, the TBLB samples from 35 cases occupationally exposed to dusts were compared with the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or lobectomy samples from 27 cases not exposed to dusts for pathological indexes, including fibrotic proliferation, nodule or nodule-like, dust deposition and needle-shaped birefringent particles.

RESULTSIn group exposed to dusts, there were 6 cases (17.1%) with the moderate dust deposition and 28 cases (80.0%) with fibrotic proliferation. But in group not exposed to dusts, there were 0 case with the moderate dust deposition and 11 cases (40.0%) with fibrotic proliferation. There were significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05). In group exposed to dusts, there were 6 cases (17.1%) with Nodules-like and needle-shaped birefringent particles, but in group not exposed to dusts, there was 0 case with Nodules-like and needle-shaped birefringent particles.

CONCLUSIONTBLB could provide the evidence of pathological changes in lung tissue induced by dusts, and TBLB play an important role in pneumoconiosis diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; methods ; Dust ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; diagnosis ; pathology

Objective:To explore the effect and underlying mechanism of koumine （Kou） at different concentrations （0， 100， 200， 400 μmol·L^-1） on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells. Method:After 24 hours of in vitro intervention with HCT-116 cells by Kou， cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to detect its effect on cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle， apoptosis， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） expression. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of forkhead box O3a （FoxO3a）. Cells were transfected with small interfering ribonucleic acid （siRNA）. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of the FoxO3a target gene. Result:Compared with the conditions in the blank group， Kou treatment reduced the proliferation rate of HCT-116 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01） in a dose-dependent manner， caused cell cycle arrest in the G₀/G₁ phase， and induced the apoptosis of HCT-116 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）， which was positively correlated with the concentration of Kou. FoxO3a siRNA interference reduced the expression of FoxO3a and its downstream target genes cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A （p21）， cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B （p27）， and Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death （Bim） （P<0.01）. Kou treatment induced the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） in HCT116 cells. SP600125 （JNK specific inhibitor） treatment inhibited the Kou-induced FoxO3a activation and the expression of its downstream target genes. N-acetyl cysteine （NAC） treatment reduced Kou-induced ROS levels （P<0.01） and JNK signal activation. The above results were significantly different from those in the blank group （P<0.01）. Conclusion:Kou can effectively inhibit the proliferation of HCT-116 cells and promote apoptosis， and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of the ROS/JNK/FoxO3a pathway.

Objective:To construct a CDHR2 conditional knockout mouse model, and to provide conditions for the study on biological function of CDHR2 gene.Methods:The conditional CDHR2 targeting vector was constructed and transfected into mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells by electroporation.The positive ES cells screened by G418 and GANC were microinjected into the blastocysts of C57BL/6J mice.The chimeric mice were obtained and then mated with Cre mice to obtain conditional CDHR2 knockout mice.The phenotype was analyzed by PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Results:The conditional CDHR2 targeting vector was successfully constructed, with six positive clones of ES cells being obtained.The positive clones of ES cells were microinjected into blastocysts of C57BL/6J mice with 5 chimeric mice being obtained.The chimeric mice were mated with Flp mice, and 6 positive F1 generation mice without Neo gene were obtained.Finally, such mice were hybridized with Cre mice to obtain intestine-specific CDHR2 knockout mice.Immunohistochemistry assay showed that the CDHR2 gene in intestinal tracts of the positive mice was specifically knocked out.In contrast, the expression of CDHR2 in kidney tissue was not affected.Conclusions:The successful construction of intestine-specific CDHR2 knockout mice has laid the foundation for provides a basis for further functional study on CDHR2 gene.