Smoking, alcohol consumption, and the risk of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma:A meta-analysis

AIM:To assess the association between smoking and alcohol consumption and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ECC)through a meta-analysis of clinical observational studies.METHODS:A literature search was conducted using Embase and MEDLINE databases from inception to 31May 2013 without language limitations,and by manually searching the references of retrieved articles.Casecontrol and cohort studies that investigated the association between smoking or alcohol consumption and ECC were included.The quality of these studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale.Summary relative risks and corresponding95%CI were calculated using a random-effects model.Publication bias was assessed by Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s test.RESULTS:A total of 12 eligible articles(11 case-control studies and one cohort study)were included in this meta-analysis.Eleven studies reported the association between smoking and ECC.Pooled analysis indicated that smokers had an increased risk of ECC development as compared with non-smokers(summary RR=1.23;95%CI:1.01-1.50).This correlation was present in population-based studies(n=5;summary RR=1.47;95%CI:1.06-2.05)but not in hospital-based studies(n=6;summary RR=1.10;95%CI:0.88-1.37)and in non-Asian regions(n=7;summary RR=1.39;95%CI:1.03-1.87)but not in Asia(n=4;summary RR=1.08;95%CI:0.85-1.38).Seven studies reported an association between consuming alcohol and ECC.Pooled analysis indicated that alcohol drinkers had a similar risk of ECC development as did individuals who did not drink alcohol(summary RR=1.09;95%CI:0.87-1.37).There was moderate heterogeneity among the studies and no evidence of publication bias.CONCLUSION:Smoking is associated with an increased risk of ECC,but alcohol consumption is not.Further population-based studies,particularly cohort studies,are warranted to enable definitive conclusions.

Depletion of telomerase RNA inhibits growth of gastrointestinal tumors transplanted in mice

AIM: To explore effects of telomerase RNA-targeting phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (PS-ASODN) on growth of human gastrointestinal stromal tumors transplanted in mice. METHODS: A SCID mouse model for transplantation of human gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) was established using tumor cells from a patient who was diagnosed with GIST and consequently had been treated with imatinib. GIST cells cultured for 10 passages were used for inoculation into mice. Transfection of PS-ASODN was carried out with Lipotap Liposomal Transfection Reagent. GISTs that subsequently developed in SCID mice were subjected to intratumoral injection once daily from day 7 to day 28 postinoculation, and mice were divided into the following four groups according to treatment: PS-ASODN group (5.00 μmoL/L of oligonucleotide, each mouse received 0.2 mL once daily); imatinib group (0.1 mg/g body weight); liposome negative control group (0.01 mL/g); and saline group (0.01 mL/g). On day 28, the mice were sacrificed, and tumor attributes including weight and longest and shortest diameters were measured. Tumor growth was compared between treatment groups, and telomerase activity was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect expression of the mRNA encoding the apoptosis inhibition B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (bcl-2 ) gene. RESULTS: In the PS-ASODN group, tumor growth was inhibited by 59.437%, which was markedly higher than in the imatinib group (11.071%) and liposome negative control group (2.759%) [tumor inhibition=(mean tumor weight of control group - mean tumor weight of treatment group)/(mean tumor weight of control group) × 100%]. Telomerase activity was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the PS-ASODN group (0.689 ± 0.158) compared with the imatinib group (1.838 ± 0.241), liposome negative control group (2.013 ± 0.273), and saline group (2.004 ± 0.163). Flow cytometry revealed that the apoptosis rate of tumor cells treated with PS-ASODN was 20.751% ± 0.789%, which was higher (P < 0.01) than that of the imatinib group (1.163% ± 0.469%), liposome negative control group (1.212% ± 0.310%), and saline group (1.172% ± 0.403%). Expression of bcl-2 mRNA in the transplanted GISTs was markedly downregulated (P < 0.01) in the PS-ASODN group (7.245 ± 0.739) compared with the imatinib group (14.153 ± 1.618) and liposome negative control group (16.396 ± 1.351).CONCLUSION: PS-ASODN can repress GIST growth, mediated perhaps by inhibition of telomerase activity and downregulation of bcl-2 expression.

Genetically engineered FGF1-sericin hydrogel material treats intrauterine adhesion and restores fertility in rat

Endometrial injury can cause intrauterine adhesions(IUA)and induce the formation of endometrial fibrosis,leading to infertility and miscarriage.At present,there is no effective treatment method for severe IUA and uterine basal injury with adhesion area larger than one-third of the uterus.In this study,we prepared FGF1 silk sericin hydrogel material(FGF1-SS hydrogel)to treat endometrial injury and prevent endometrial fibrosis.Compared with the silk sericin hydrogel material(WT-SS hydrogel),FGF1-SS hydrogel significantly promotes the cell migration and infiltration ability of endometrial stromal cells(ESCs).More importantly,FGF1-SS hydrogel can release FGF1 stably for a long time and inhibit the ESCs injury model forms fibrosis through the TGF-β/Smad pathway.In the IUA rat model,FGF1-SS hydrogel treatment effectively restored the number of uterine glands and uterine wall thickness in rats,with a fertility rate of 65.1%66.4%.The results show that FGF1-SS hydrogel is expected to be a candidate to prevent IUA.

不同NO_3^-:NH_4^+比对两种甘蓝型油菜钼吸收、转运和分布的影响（英文）

目的:采用不同NO_3^-:NH_4^+比的营养液,探索不同氮源对钼元素在两种甘蓝型油菜(L0917和ZS11)中的吸收、转运和分布的影响及品种间的差异。创新点:在不同氮源条件下,从组织分布、汁液运输、亚细胞分布以及品种等方面研究了甘蓝型油菜的钼营养状况。方法:将甘蓝型油菜L0917和ZS11的幼苗在正常营养液培养20天后,分别转移至4种NO_3^-:NH_4^+比(14:1、9:6、7.5:7.5、1:14)且总氮为15 mmol/L的营养液中培养15天后收获。采用原子吸收分光光度计-石墨炉法测定根、茎和叶不同部位钼含量,木质部和韧皮部液钼含量,叶肉细胞细胞壁组分、细胞器组分和可溶性组分钼含量。结论:在高或低NO_3^-:NH_4^+比条件下,高的钼吸收能力、木质部转运、韧皮部再迁移以及叶片亚细胞钼储存在甘蓝型油菜钼积累上扮演重要角色。