Butyrate, normally produced by probiotics in the gut, not only provides energy for cells, but also changes the phosphorylation, acetylation and methylation levels of many proteins in cells. As a result, it affects the expression of many genes and the transmission of cell signals. Through G protein-coupled receptors, butyrate promotes the secretion of intestinal mucus and the formation of epithelial barriers, and attenuates the impacts of the pathogenic bacteria and their metabolites on human body. The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a group of pattern recognition receptors, and their activation causes the translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and eventually leads to expression and secretion of various pro-inflammatory factors and chemokines. The expression of TLRs is also involved in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory diseases and tumors. The purpose of this review is to summarize the effects of butyrate on TLRs and their downstream signaling pathways. We not only summarized the production of butyrate, the expression of TLRs and the influence of their interaction on the body under the conditions of inflammation and tumor, but also discussed the potential role of butyrate as a bacterial metabolite in the treatments of some human diseases.
Humans ; Butyrates ; Toll-Like Receptors ; Acetylation ; Phosphorylation ; Inflammation

Objective: To investigate the effect of visceral fat area (VFA) on the surgical efficacy and early postoperative complications of radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study method was used. Clinicopathological data and preoperative imaging data of 195 patients who underwent D2 radical gastric cancer surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2014 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria: (1) complete clinicopathological and imaging data; (2) malignant gastric tumor diagnosed by preoperative pathology, and gastric cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology; (3) no preoperative complications such as bleeding, obstruction or perforation, and no distant metastasis. Those who had a history of abdominal surgery, concurrent malignant tumors, poor basic conditions, emergency surgery, palliative resection, and preoperative neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. The VFA was calculated by software and VFA ≥ 100 cm² was defined as visceral obesity according to the Japan Obesity Association criteria . The patients were divided into high VFA (VFA-H, VFA≥100 cm², n=96) group and low VFA (VFA-L, VFA<100 cm², n=99) group . The clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes and early postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of early complications. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze predictive values of VFA for early complications. Pearson's χ² test was used to analyze the correlation between BMI and VFA. Results: There were no significant differences in terms of gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, preoperative comorbidities, preoperative anemia, tumor TNM staging, N staging, T staging and tumor differentiation, surgical method, extent of resection, and tumor location between the VFA-L group and the VFA-H group (all P>0.05). However, patients in the VFA-H group had higher BMI, larger tumor, lower rate of hypoalbuminemia and greater subcutaneous fat area (SFA) (all P<0.05). The VFA-H group presented significantly longer operation time and significantly less number of harvested lymph nodes as compared to the VFA-L group (both P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, conversion to laparotomy and postoperative hospital stay (all P>0.05). Complications of Clavien-Dindo grade II and above within 30 days after operation were mainly anastomosis-related complications (leakage, bleeding, infection and stricture), intestinal obstruction and incision infection. The VFA-H group had a higher morbidity of early complications compared to the VFA-L group [24.0% (23/96) vs 10.1% (10/99), χ²=6.657, P=0.010], and the rates of anastomotic complications and incision infection were also higher in the VFA group [10.4% (10/96) vs. 3.0% (3/99), χ²=4.274, P=0.039; 7.3% (7/96) vs. 1.0% (1/99), P=0.033]. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that high BMI (OR=3.688, 95%CI: 1.685-8.072, P=0.001) and high VFA (OR=2.526, 95%CI: 1.148-5.559,P=0.021) were independent risk factors for early complications. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of VFA for predicting early complications was 0.645, which was higher than that of body weight (0.591), BMI (0.624) and SFA (0.626). Correlation analysis indicated that there was a significantly positive correlation between BMI and VFA (r=0.640, P<0.001). Conclusion: VFA ≥ 100 cm² is an independent risk factor for early complications after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.It can better predict the occurrence of above early postoperative complications.
Gastrectomy/methods* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Lipids ; Obesity/surgery* ; Obesity, Abdominal/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*

Objective: To compare clinical efficacy between laparoscopic radical proximal gastrectomy with double-tract reconstruction (LPG-DTR) and laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (LTG-RY) in patients with early upper gastric cancer, and to provide a reference for the selection of surgical methods in early upper gastric cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study method was carried out. Clinical data of 80 patients with early upper gastric cancer who underwent LPG-DTR or LTG-RY by the same surgical team at the Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2018 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the DTR group (32 cases) and R-Y group (48 cases) according to surgical procedures and digestive tract reconstruction methods. Surgical and pathological characteristics, postoperative complications (short-term complications within 30 days after surgery and long-term complications after postoperative 30 days), survival time and nutritinal status were compared between the two groups. For nutritional status, reduction rate was used to represent the changes in total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, body mass, hemoglobin and vitamin B12 levels at postoperative 1-year and 2-year. Non-normally distributed continuous data were presented as median (interquartile range), and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between groups. The χ(2) test or Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of data between groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the ranked data between groups. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method categorical, and compared by using the log-rank test. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data betweeen the two groups, except that patients in the R-Y group were oldere and had larger tumor. Patients of both groups successfully completed the operation without conversion to laparotomy, combined organ resection, or perioperative death. There were no significant differences in the distance from proximal resection margin to superior margin of tumor, postoperative hospital stay, time to flatus and food-taking, hospitalization cost, short- and long-term complications between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the R-Y group, the DTR group had shorter distal margins [(3.2±0.5) cm vs. (11.7±2.0) cm, t=-23.033, P<0.001], longer surgery time [232.5 (63.7) minutes vs. 185.0 (63.0) minutes, Z=-3.238, P=0.001], longer anastomosis time [62.5 (17.5) minutes vs. 40.0 (10.0) minutes, Z=-6.321, P<0.001], less intraoperative blood loss [(138.1±51.6) ml vs. (184.3±62.1) ml, t=-3.477, P=0.001], with significant differences (all P<0.05). The median follow-up of the whole group was 18 months, and the 2-year cancer-specific survival rate was 97.5%, with 100% in the DTR group and 95.8% in the R-Y group (P=0.373). Compared with R-Y group at postoperative 1 year, the reduction rate of weight, hemoglobin and vitamin B12 were lower in DTR group with significant differences (all P<0.05); at postoperative 2-year, the reduction rate of vitamin B12 was still lower with significant differences (P<0.001), but the reduction rates of total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, body weight and hemoglobin were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: LPG-DTR is safe and feasible in the treatment of early upper gastric cancer. The short-term postoperative nutritional status and long-term vitamin B12 levels of patients undergoing LPG-DTR are superior to those undergoing LTG-RY.
Albumins ; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y/adverse effects* ; Cholesterol ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin B 12

Three new indole alkaloids, flueindolines A-C (1-3), along with nine known alkaloids (4-12), were isolated from the fruits of Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Voigt. Compounds 1 and 2 are two new fused tricyclic indole alkaloids possessing an unusual pyrido[1, 2-a]indole framework, and 3 presents a rare spiro (pyrrolizidinyl-oxindole) backbone. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by means of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical calculation, as well as X-ray crystallography. Chiral resolution and absolute configuration determination of the known compounds 4, 10, and 11 were reported for the first time. The hypothetical biogenetical pathways of 1-3 were herein also proposed.

OBJECTIVE:To study the current status of cesarean section rate(CSR)and cesarean section(CS)indications in Shanghai,and to provide basic evidence for reducing the rate of CS.METHODS:Six general and maternal and child hospi⁃tals(MCH)in Shanghai were selected,and all data of childbirth of these hospitals in 2016 were collected.The total CSR was calculated for all hospitals and the Chi-square tests were used to compare the CSR among different hospitals.The constitution of CS indications were reported by using the data collected from two out of the six hospitals.RESULTS:The to⁃tal CSR of all hospitals in this study was 47.88%(95% CI 47.30%-48.46%).The CSR in suburb an hospitals was signifi⁃cantly higher than that in outer suburbs and city center(51.72% vs. 50.54% vs. 43.24%,P<0.01),The CSR in secondary hospitals was significantly higher than that in tertiary hospitals(49.73% vs. 46.36%,P<0.01).The CSR in general hospi⁃tals was higher than that in MCH(54.54% vs. 43.81%,P<0.01).The CS without medical indications or for social reasons accounted for 25.15% of all CS,while the scar uterus(36.31%),maternal pregnancy-related complications(13.17%)and abnormal fetal head position(6.33%)were the three leading medical indications of CS.CONCLUSION:The CSR in Shang⁃hai is at a high level.There are significant differences in CSR among different hospitals.The scar uterine and social rea⁃sons are the leading causes of CS in Shanghai.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ligustrazine (LTZ) on airway inflammation in a mouse model of neutrophilic asthma (NA).

METHODSForty healthy C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table, including the normal control, NA, LTZ and dexamethasone (DXM) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The NA mice model was established by the method of ovalbumin combined with lipopolysaccharide sensitization. At 0.5 h before each challenge, LTZ and DXM groups were intraperitoneally injected with LTZ (80 mg/kg) or DXM (0.5 mg/kg) for 14 d, respectively, while the other two groups were given the equal volume of normal saline. After last challenge for 24 h, the aerosol inhalation of methacholine was performed and the airway reactivity was measured. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected. The Wright-Giemsa staining was used for total white blood cells and differential counts. The levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pathological change of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin eosin staining.

RESULTSThe airway responsiveness of the NA group was signifificantly higher than the normal control group (P<0.05), while those in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly lower than the NA group (P<0.05). The neutrophil and eosinophil counts in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly lower than the NA group (P<0.05), and those in the LTZ group were signifificantly lower than the DXM group (P<0.05). There were a large number of peribronchiolar and perivascular inflammatory cells in fifiltration in the NA group. The airway inflflammation in the LTZ and DXM groups were signifificantly alleviated than the NA group. The infifiltration in the LTZ group was signifificantly reduced than the DXM group. Compared with the normal control group, the IL-17 level in BALF was signifificantly increased and the IL-10 level in BALF was signifificantly decreased in the NA group (P<0.05). LTZ and DXM treatment signifificantly decreased IL-17 levels and increased IL-10 levels compared with the NA group (P<0.05), and the changes in the above indices were more signifificant in the LTZ group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLTZ could alleviate the airway inflflammation in the NA mice model through increasing the IL-10 level and decreasing the IL-17 level.

Animals ; Asthma ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; pathology ; Pneumonia ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology

Objective To explore the effect of long noncoding RNA-ATB (LncRNA-ATB) on phenotypic transition and proliferation of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) induced by high glucose.Methods HPMCs used in experiment were divided into three groups:control group,mannitol group and hypertonic glucose group.HPMCs in control group received no treatment,and in hypertonic glucose group and mannitol group were treated with 50mmol/L D-glucose and isotonic mannitol for 72 hours,respectively.Real-time PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expression of LncRNA-ATB,E-cadherin,α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),connective tissue growth factor (CTGF),Cyclin D1,cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 4 (CDK4),protein 27 (p27)and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).Western blotting was performed to detect the proteins expression of E-cadherin,α-SMA,CTGF,Cyclin D1,CDK4,p27 and PCNA,and flow cytometry was used to test the cell cycle.Lentivirus artifice was used to up-or down-regulate the expression of LncRNA-ATB in untreated HPMCs.Real-time PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expression of E-cadherin,α-SMA and CTGF,Western blotting was performed to detect the proteins expression of E-cadherin,α-SMA and CTGF,and flow cytometry was used to test the cell cycle.Results It is revealed by Real-time PCR,Western blotting and flow cytometry that the expressions increased of LncRNA-ATB,α-SMA,CTGF,Cyclin D1,CDK4 and PCNA induced by hypertonic glucose,and decreased of E-cadherin and p27 (P＜0.05).Up-regulation of LncRNA-ATB promoted HPMCs phenotypic transition and proliferation,while down-regulation alleviated HPMCs phenotypic transition and proliferation.Conclusion Hypertonic glucose may accelerate HPMCs phenotypic transition and proliferation by up-regulating the expression of LncRNA-ATB.

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-renal fibrosis effect of Paidu Baoshen Pill (PBP) on 5/6 nephrectomized rats and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSTotally 50 SD male healthy rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (n = 10), the sham-operation group (n = 10), and the nephrectomy model group (n = 30) according to the proportion of 1:1:3. Rats in the sham-operation group had their renal capsule isolated without nephrectomy. Rats in the nephrectomy model group had their kidneys 5/6 nephrectomized. Then 24 h urine was collected and 24 h urinary protein (24 h UP) detected. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatitine (SCr) were also tested. According to the SCr level 30 rats of the model group were further randomly divided into the model group, the PBP group, and the Niaoduqing Granule (NG) group, 10 in each group. Rats in the PBP group and the NG group were respectively administered with PBP (at the daily dose of 1.0 g/kg) and NG (at the daily dose of 3.33 g/kg) by gastrogavage (they were dissolved in distilled water). At the same time, 2 mL distilled water was administered by gastrogavage to rats in the normal control group, the sham-operation group, and the nephrectomy model group, once daily for 4 successive weeks. Mental conditions, activities, hair color, shape of stool, and the body weight were observed during administration. After 4 weeks, urine was collected to detect 24 h UP. Blood was sampled to detect SCr, BUN, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), type III procollagen (PC III), collagen type IV (Col IV), laminin (LN), and fibronectin (FN). After rats were killed, their left remnant renal tissues were collected for pathological examinations. The protein expression quantity of TGF-β1 and FN was detected by immunohistochemical method. mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1 and FN were detected using real time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the above indices between the normal control group and the sham-operation group (P > 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, rats' general condition was poorer in the model group, their body weight grew slower, and 24 h UP increased; serum levels of BUN, SCr, TGF-β1, PC III, Col IV, LN, and FN increased; the residual renal pathological lesion was serious; expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β1, mRNA, FN, and FN mRNA increased in the renal tissue (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, rats' general condition was better, their body weight grew faster, 24 h UP reduced (P < 0.05), blood levels of BUN and SCr decreased significantly (P < 0.01), serum levels of TGF-β1, PC III, CoL IV, LN, and FN decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the residual renal pathological lesion was attenuated in the PBP group and the NG group; expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β1, mRNA, FN, and FN mRNA decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the NG group, blood levels of SCr and FN, and expression levels of FN and FN mRNA decreased more in the PBP group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPBP had the effect of anti-renal fibro- sis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. Down-regulating expression levels of TGF-β1, and FN from gene transcription and protein translation levels might be one of its mechanisms.

Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Collagen Type IV ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fibronectins ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; Laminin ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Humans ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; therapy ; Spinal Diseases ; therapy

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meningioma ; diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult