The effect of polyethylene glycol recombinant human growth hormone on growth and glucose metabolism in hypophysectomized rats.

Objective: To study the effect of polyethylene glycol recombinant human growth hormone on growth and glucose metabolism in hypophysectomized rats, and compare the effect of treatment between recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and polyethylene glycol rhGH (PEG-rhGH).

Methods: Hypophysectomy was performed in juvenile rats to build the animal model of GH deficiency. The hypophysectomized animals were randomly assigned into three groups and treated with saline (negative control, n=20), rhGH (n=20) and PEG-rhGH (n=20).

Re-expression of cell adhesion molecule inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1.

This study examined the expression of cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) in pancreatic cancer and the possible mechanism. The expression of CADM1 was detected by immunohistochemistry in tissues of pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, and normal pancreas. The plasmid pcDNA3.

Success and complication rates of two precut techniques, transpancreatic sphincterotomy and needle-knife sphincterotomy for bile duct cannulation.

Background: The majority of literature on the precut technique is concerned with needle-knife sphincterotomy, whereas the comparison of transpancreatic sphincterotomy and needle-knife sphincterotomy has been rarely reported. Aim The aim of the study was to compare the success and the complication rates of transpancreatic sphincterotomy with needle-knife sphincterotomy.

Methods: During May 2006 and April 2007, 3,178 consecutive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures were performed in a prospective multicenter study on ERCP-related complications.

Decreased expression of KLF6 and its significance in gastric carcinoma.

To study the expression of the Krüppel-like transcription factor 6 (KLF6) in human gastric carcinoma and normal gastric mucosa tissues, and to explore the role of KLF6 in the carcinogenesis and tumor progression and its clinical significance. Expression of KLF6, P21WAF1 and PCNA was investigated by immunohistochemistry for 69 surgically resected gastric carcinoma tissues and corresponding normal gastric mucosa tissues, respectively. The correlations of KLF6 expression with clinicopathological characteristics, P21WAF1 and PCNA were examined.

Tick-borne agents in rodents, China, 2004-2006.

A total of 705 rodents from 6 provinces and autonomous regions of mainland People's Republic of China were tested by PCRs for tick-borne agents (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, spotted fever group rickettsiae, and Francisella tularensis). Infection rates were 5.5%, 6.

Risk factors for ERCP-related complications: a prospective multicenter study.

Objectives: To investigate the potential risk factors for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complications and to identify whether the risk factors are different for pancreatitis and asymptomatic hyperamylasemia.

Methods: Consecutive ERCP procedures were studied at 14 centers in China from May 2006 to April 2007. The complications after the patients' first-only procedures were evaluated.

Sirolimus inhibits human pancreatic carcinoma cell proliferation by a mechanism linked to the targeting of mTOR/HIF-1 alpha/VEGF signaling.

Sirolimus(SRL, Rapamune(â), rapamycin) is a highly specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Sirolimus exerts its biological activity by inhibiting the serine-threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which regulates important cellular processes such as control of cell cycle, cell size, translation initiation and transcription. The ability of sirolimus to inhibit cancer cell proliferation has led to efforts to develop rapamycin and related mTOR inhibitors as anticancer agents.

Effects of YC-1 on hypoxia-inducible factor 1-driven transcription activity, cell proliferative vitality, and apoptosis in hypoxic human pancreatic cancer cells.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole (YC-1) on HIF-1-driven transcription activity, cell proliferative vitality, and apoptosis in hypoxic human pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods: Human pancreatic cancer PC-3 cells were incubated under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. YC-1 was added to the media with different concentrations.

Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of biliary leak in patients following liver transplantation: a prospective clinical study.

Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation has been widely used in patients with end-stage liver disease within the last two decades. However, the prevalence of biliary complications after liver transplantation remains high. The most common short-term biliary complication may be biliary leak.

[Inhibitory effect of YC-1 on induction of VEGF and GPI genes in hypoxic human pancreatic cancer cells].

Objective: To investigate the function and mechanism of 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole (YC-1) on activity of VEGF and GPI genes in human pancreatic cancer PC-3 cells incubated under hypoxic conditions.

Methods: Human pancreatic cancer PC-3 cells were incubated under hypoxic culture conditions. Immunocytochemical staining was used to detect HIF-1alpha protein expression in hypoxic and normoxic PC-3 cells.

Retrospective survey of 452 patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Wuhan city, central China.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) had been uncommon in China until about 1990, but since then, it has been seen in the clinical setting more and more. The prevalence and phenotype of IBD in the Chinese population is not well known. The present study investigates the trend of prevalence in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in Wuhan City, central China, and evaluates clinical features, extraintestinal manifestations, and the treatment of IBD in the last 14 years.

[Hammerhead ribozyme-mediated cleavage of transforming growth factor beta1 RNA in a cell-free system and in hepatic stellate cells].

Objective: To identify the activity of hammerhead ribozyme against transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) in a cell-free system and in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: The ribozyme against TGFb1 was designed with computer software. The transcripts of ribozyme, disabled ribozyme and target RNAs were prepared using the RiboMAX large scale RNA production system.

PD98059 inhibited the activation of pancreatic stellate cells mediated by platelet-derived growth factor BB in rats.

To determine the biological effects of extracelluar signal regulated kinase (ERK) specific inhibitor PD98059 on pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) activated by platelet-derived factor-BB (PDGF-BB), cultured rat PSCs were co-incubated at 37 DC for 24 h with 25 ng/ml PDGF-BB and different doses of PD98059 (ranging from 5 ng/ml to 40 ng/ml). Expression of pERK1 protein was detected by Western blot and collagen alpha1 ( I ) mRNA was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results showed that there were statistical differences in the expression of pERK1 protein in all groups.

Clinical evaluation of ERCP and naobiliary drainage for biliary fungal infection--a report of five cases of severe combined bacterial and fungal infection of biliary tract.

This study studied the use of ERCP and nasobiliary tube in the diagnosis of fungal infection of biliary tract and the efficacy of combined use of local administration via nasobiliary tube and intravenous antifungal treatment for severe biliary tract fungal infection. 5 patients in our series, with age ranging from 47 to 68 y (mean 55.8), were diagnosed as having mixed bacterial and fungal infection of biliary tract as confirmed by smear or/and culture of bile obtained by ERCP and nasobiliary drainage.

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in rat liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells.

The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in rat liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the relationship between the expression of bFGF and rat liver fibrogenesis were studied. Sixty male SD rats (230-260 g) were divided into 4 groups randomly (the 0 week group, 1 week group, 4 week group and 8 week group). Liver fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride.

PD98059 inhibits expression of pERK1 protein and collagen alpha1(I) mRNA in rat pancreatic stellate cells activated by platelet-derived growth factor.

Objective: Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are considered as the principal effector cells in pancreatic fibrosis. We studied the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the activation of PSC.

Methods: Cultured rat PSC were co-incubated with PDGF-BB (25 ng/mL) and different doses (0-40 ng/mL) of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).

The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic manifestations of histopathologically diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma with obstructive jaundice.

To study the manifestations of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients of obstructive jaundice associated with HCC, 32 cases of histopathologically diagnosed HCC with obstructive jaundice were successfully examined with routine ERCP. 31 patients were demonstrated by ERCP as having malignant obstructive jaundice. Among them, 19 were hepatic perihilar bile duct stricture, 7 bile ductile tumorous thrombus, 3 perihilar bile duct stricture complicated with thrombus, 2 metastasis to hilar lymph node, and 1 common bile duct stone as proven by sphincterotomy.