Sequence analysis of the HBV S protein in Chinese patients with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies.

The coexistence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been discovered and explained for several decades, but debate still exists. This study was to explore the relationship between this special serological pattern and mutations in S gene region. Fifteen patients with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs were selected as the experimental group, and 27 patients with HBsAg positive only were selected as the control group.

Fujinon intelligent color enhancement for the diagnosis of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesion.

Background/aims: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is a common malignant tumor in recent years, and the key for improving the survival rate is early diagnosis and treatment. Computed virtual chromoendoscopy with the Fujinon intelligent color enhancement (FICE) system was reported to improve visualization of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions in gastroscopy and colonoscopy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of FICE in the diagnosis of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions.

LY294002 potentiates the anti-cancer effect of oxaliplatin for gastric cancer via death receptor pathway.

Aim: To examine the effects of combined treatment of oxaliplatin and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitor, 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002) for gastric cancer.

Methods: Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometric analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay.

[The expression and role of PTEN in doxorubicin induced gastric cancer cell apoptosis].

Objective: To study the expression of PTEN and its significance in doxorubicin-treated gastric cancer cells.

Methods: (1) Gastric cancer BGC-823 cells were treated with doxorubicin. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT and flow cytometry.

[Impact of PI3K /Akt /mdm2 signaling pathway on the sensitivity of gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 to doxorubicin].

Objective: To explore whether PI3K/Akt/mdm2 signalling pathway affect the sensitivity of gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 cells to doxorubicin.

Methods: Gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 cells were exposed to doxorubicin and specific PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. Cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry.

Effect of fluoxetine on depression-induced changes in the expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and corticotrophin releasing factor in rat duodenum.

Aim: To investigate changes in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) in the plasma and duodenum of chronic stress-induced depressed rats and the effects of fluoxetine hydrochloride (fluoxetine) treatment on depression-induced changes in VIP and CRF.

Methods: A Sprague-Dawley rat model of chronic stress-induced depression was produced. Thirty experimental rats were randomly divided into the following groups: control group, saline-treated depressed group, and fluoxetine-treated depressed group.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway plays an important role in chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells against etoposide and doxorubicin induced cell death.

The major obstacle to successful treatment of gastric cancer is chemotherapy resistance. Our study was designed to investigate the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in the development of chemoresistance in gastric cancer. In the present study, elevated Akt expression and Akt phosphorylation (Ser 473), as well as decreased PTEN expression were observed in 28 cases of gastric cancer tissues.

[Effects of hFRNK on E-cadherin/beta-catenin in colon cancer cells in vitro].

Objective: To explore the effects of human FRNK gene on E-cadherin/beta-catenin complex in colon cancer cell line Colo320WT cells stimulated with extrinsic gastrinl7.

Methods: AdEasy system was used to construct pAdhFRNK expressing human FRNK gene by recombination in E. coli.

[Molecular mechanism of gastrin increasing colon cancer cells' invasion].

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanism of increasing the invasion of colon cancer cells by gastrin 17.

Methods: The plasmid pCR 3.1/GR expressing the gastrin receptor cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK-2R) was transfected into colonic carcinoma cells of the line Colo320 by Lipofectamine 2000.

Intestinal trefoil factor in treatment of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in the rat model.

Aim: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal disease of premature infants. The role of cytokines and growth factors in the pathophysiology of NEC is not yet clearly defined. Among these factors, the intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) is known as cytoprotective to the gut.

[The role of p38 MAPK in gastrin-induced u-PA expression in human colon cancer cells].

Objective: To study the effect of gastrin on the mRNA and protein expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) in human colon cancer cells and detect the role of p38 MAPK in this process.

Methods: Lipofectin method was used to transfect pCR3. 1/CCK2R vector expressing gastrin receptor into a colon cancer cell line colo320.

12-lipoxygenase induces apoptosis of human gastric cancer AGS cells via the ERK1/2 signal pathway.

12-Lipoxygenase (12-LOX) is over-expressed in a variety of human tumors, but its exact effect on the tumorogenesis of gastric cancer remains largely obscure. To investigate the effect of 12-LOX and its inhibitor baicalein on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer, AGS cells were separately treated with 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE, a metabolite of 12-LOX) and baicalein. MTT assay revealed that the absorbance of the 12-HETE-treated group was significantly (P < 0.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on inflammatory mediators (SOD, MDA, TNF-alpha, NF-kappaBp65, IL-6) in TNBS-induced colitis in rats.

Inflammatory mediators play a critical role in ulcerative colitis immune and inflammatory processes. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on inflammatory mediators (SOD, MDA, TNF-alpha, NF-kappaBp65, IL-6) in TNBS-induced colitis in rats. Colitis in rats was induced by colonic administration with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS, 150 mg/kg).

Endoscopic findings and pathologic characteristics of gastric eosinophilic granuloma: a report of 18 patients.

Aim: To investigate the endoscopic findings and patholo-gic characteristics of gastric eosinophilic granuloma (GEG).

Methods: A retrospective study of 18 cases of gastric eosinophilic granulomas was conducted. Gastroscopy was performed and all specimens of biopsies were stained by HE and observed under light microscopy.

Effects of gastrin 17 on beta-catenin/Tcf-4 pathway in Colo320WT colon cancer cells.

Aim: To explore the effect of gastrin 17 (G17) on beta-catenin/T cell factor-4 (Tcf-4) signaling in colonic cancer cell line Colo320WT.

Methods: The pCR3.1/GR plasmid, which expresses gastrin receptor, cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK-2R), was transfected into a colonic cancer cell line Colo320 by Lipofectamine (TM)2000 and the stably expressing CCK-2R clones were screened by G418.

Effect of ligand troglitazone on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression and cellular growth in human colon cancer cells.

Aim: To investigate the effect of troglitazone on pe-roxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) expression and cellular growth in human colon cancer HCT-116 and HCT-15 cells and to explore the related molecular mechanism.

Methods: Human colon cancer HCT-116 and HCT-15 cells cultured in vitro were treated with troglitazone. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were employed to detect the effect of troglitazone on PPARgamma expression.

Enhanced expression of cholecystokinin-2 receptor promotes the progression of colon cancer through activation of focal adhesion kinase.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is suggested to be intimately involved in the progression of malignancies. Our previous research has demonstrated that activation of cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R) by gastrin stimulates a rapid activation of FAK pathway in human colon cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of CCK2R and FAK in the progression of colon cancer.

Therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of Ginkgo biloba extract on liver fibrosis in rats.

Oxidative stress can be implicated as a cause of liver fibrosis. In this sense, Ginkgo Biloba Extract (EGB), an antioxidant, may be beneficial in restraining liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EGB on experimental liver fibrosis.

Adenovirus expressing p27kip1 suppresses growth of established esophageal carcinoma xenografts.

Aim: To investigate the growth suppression of adenovirus expressing p27(kip1) on established esophageal tumors in nude mice.

Methods: Esophageal carcinoma xenografts in nude mice were established by tumor tissue mass transplantation. The successfully constructed recombinant adenoviral vectors carrying p27(kip1) gene (Ad-p27(kip1)) were directly injected into the esophageal tumors in nude mice.

[Effects of nuclear factor kappaB and transforming growth factor beta1 in the anti-liver fibrosis process using Ginkgo biloba extract].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGB) on CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Rats were divided into the following groups: normal control group, CCl(4) model group, low dose EGB group, moderate dose EGB group and high dose EGB group. The rat liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl(4) twice a week for 8 weeks.

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in gastric cancer correlates with the high abundance of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and lymphatic metastasis.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C are closely related with the development and metastasis of tumors. The gene expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C in gastric cancer and the correlation between them were investigated; 64 paraffin-embedded gastric cancer samples and 22 flesh gastric cancer samples were tested by using immunohistochemistry and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology, respectively. The mean expressive density of COX-2 and VEGF-C mRNA in gastric cancer, with beta-actin coamplified as an internal standard, were both significantly higher than those in non-cancerous gastric mucosa (1.

Melatonin reduces inflammatory injury through inhibiting NF-kappaB activation in rats with colitis.

Proinflammatory mediators are important in the pathogenesis of IBD, which are regulated by activation of NF-kappaB. The aim of this study was to investigate whether melatonin reduces inflammatory injury and inhibits proinflammatory molecule and NF-kappaB in rats with colitis. Rat colitis model was established by TNBS enema.

Evaluation of contrast-enhanced helical hydro-CT in staging gastric cancer.

Aim: To discuss the helical computed tomography (CT) characteristics of gastric cancer and evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced helical hydro-CT (HHCT) in staging gastric cancer.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with gastric cancer were included in this study. The CT findings in them were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with pathologic findings at surgery.

Effects of garlicin on apoptosis in rat model of colitis.

Aim: To investigate the effects of garlicin on apoptosis and expression of bcl-2 and bax in lymphocytes in rat model of ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes, weighing 180+/-30 g, were employed in the present study. The rat model of UC was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) enema.