Comparison of dexmedetomidine vs. remifentanil combined with sevoflurane during radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Remifentanil is widely used for ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We determined whether dexmedetomidine could be an alternative to remifentanil for RFA of HCC under general anesthesia with sevoflurane.

Methods: We prospectively randomized patients scheduled to undergo RFA for HCC to a dexmedetomidine (DEX) group or remifentanil (REMI) group (47 patients each).

β-arrestin 2 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated inflammation in mice.

Aim: To study the role and the possible mechanism of β-arrestin 2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury and .

Methods: Male β-arrestin 2 and β-arrestin 2 C57BL/6J mice were used for experiments, and the mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was used for experiments.

Hypoxia induces TWIST-activated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in nude mice.

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development and progression. TWIST activated by intra-tumoral hypoxia functions to promote the EMT. We hypothesized that TWIST and the downstream gene pathway could mediate PDAC progression under hypoxia.

Hydroxy-safflor yellow A attenuates Aβ₁₋₄₂-induced inflammation by modulating the JAK2/STAT3/NF-κB pathway.

Beta-amyloid (Aβ)-mediated inflammation plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of Alzheimer׳s disease (AD). Anti-inflammatory treatment may provide therapeutic benefits. In this study, the effect of hydroxy-safflor yellow A (HSYA) on Aβ1-42-induced inflammation in AD mice was investigated and the underlying mechanisms were explored.

H. pylori-encoded CagA disrupts tight junctions and induces invasiveness of AGS gastric carcinoma cells via Cdx2-dependent targeting of Claudin-2.

Helicobacter pylori encoded CagA is presently the only known virulence factor that is injected into gastric epithelial cells where it destroys apical junctional complexes and induces dedifferentiation of gastric epithelial cells, leading to H. pylori-related gastric carcinogensis. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which CagA mediates these changes.

[Chemical structure of capsicuoside A from fruits of Capsicum annuum].

Five compounds were isolated from Capsicum annuum by means of various chromatographic techniques (silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, MCI GEL CHP-20P and HPLC), and their structures were determined as luteolin-7-O-[2"-O-(5"-O-sinapoyl)-beta-D-apiofuranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), uridine (2), adenosine (3), 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy cinnamic acid ethyl ester (4) and 7-hydroxy cinnamic acid ethyl ester (5) by extensive spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR). Among them, compound 1 is a new flavone glycoside named as capsicuoside A, and cmpounds 2-5 are isolated for the first time from the fruits of C. annuum.

[Effect of Helicobacter pylori-encoded CagA on biological behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma cells in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori-encoded CagA on biological behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma AGS cells.

Methods: With experiment-control system of the wild-type CagA positive strain and isogenic CagA negative mutant strain of Helicobacter pyroli (Hp) were used as control and experimental groups, respectively. The cell contact, migration and invasion were examined by light and electron microscopy and invasion assay.

[Expression of syndecan-1 at different stages in the course of gastric carcinoma and its significance].

Objective: To investigate the expression of syndecan-1 protein at different stages in the course of gastric carcinoma and its significance in carcinogenesis and metastasis.

Methods: There were 56 cases of chronic gastritis, 50 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis, 59 cases of intestinal metaplasia, 61 cases of displasia, and 112 cases of gastric carcinoma. Among the carcinoma cases, 55 were without and 57 with lymph node metastases.

[Expression of microvessel density in multistep tissues of gastric carcinoma and significance thereof].

Objective: To investigate the expression of microvessel density (MVD) in multistep tissue of gastric carcinoma and CD34 in the multistep tissue of gastric carcinogens.

Methods: 277 specimens of gastric diseases, 56 specimens of chronic gastritis, 50 specimens of chronic atrophic gastritis, 59 specimens of intestinal metaplasia, 61 specimens of dysplasia, 57 specimens of gastric carcinoma with lymph node metastases, and 55 specimens of gastric carcinoma without lymph node metastases, obtained from pathological department, Sun Yat-sen university, underwent pathological examination and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of CD34 antigen that is expressed only in the endothelial cells in tumor.

Results: The mean MVD was 13 +/- 10 in the specimens of chronic gastritis, 11 +/- 7 in the chronic atrophic gastritis group, 13 +/- 9 in the intestinal metaplasia group, 17 +/- 10 in the dysplasia group, 27 +/- 11 in the gastric carcinoma without lymph node metastases group, and 28 +/- 10 in the gastric carcinoma with lymph node metastases group.

[Expression and significance of caudal type transcription factor-2 in gastric mucosa at different stages of gastric carcinogenesis].

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of caudal type transcription factor-2 (Cdx2) in gastric mucosa at different stages of carcinogenesis.

Methods: By using ABC immunohistochemistry, the expression of Cdx2 was detected in the biopsy specimens of 104 cases of chronic superficial gastritis, 98 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis, 112 cases of intestinal metaplasia, 106 cases of dysplasia and 97 cases of intestinal-type gastric carcinoma.

Results: Cdx2 was expressed in the specimens of intestinal metaplasia with an expression rate of 86.

[The risk factors and impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on quality of life in general population].

Objectives: To assess the risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the general population and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods: A face-to-face interview was carried out in Guangdong Province using a validated Chinese version Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) to assess the prevalence of GERD. Random clustered sampling of permanent inhabitants aged 18 to 90 years was carried out under stratification of urban and suburban areas.

[Evaluation of the quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome].

Objective: To explore and assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients in the population.

Methods: Random clustered sampling involving permanent inhabitants aged 18 - 80 yr was carried out under stratification of urban and suburban areas in Guangdong Province. Altogether 231 IBS patients fulfilling the Rome II criteria and 636 Non-IBS as control were collected.

[A population-based epidemiologic study of irritable bowel syndrome in Guangdong province].

Objective: To explore the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its risk factors in Guangdong province.

Methods: A questionnaire was used to screen IBS by face-to-face interviews according to Manning (modified including symptoms of constipation) and Rome II criteria. Random clustered sampling involving permanent inhabitants aged 18 - 80 years was carried out under stratification of urban and suburban areas.

[Value and economic analysis of emergency endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage].

Objective: To study the application value of emergency endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and to evaluated by the economic analysis whether the emergency endoscopy was safe and effective,or shorten the hospitalization days and reduced the medical costs.

Methods: Ninety-one patients with massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage were randomly divided into emergency endoscopy group (group A) and non-emergency endoscopy group (group B). The patients in group A underwent endoscopy as soon as the blood pressures were normal and the patients of group B underwent endoscopy at 24-48 hours after hospitalization.