Carcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction(GEJ) is defined as carcinoma that crosses the GEJ line,irrespective of where the tumor epicenter is located.This group of cancer is rare but controversial.Based on study resu...Carcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction(GEJ) is defined as carcinoma that crosses the GEJ line,irrespective of where the tumor epicenter is located.This group of cancer is rare but controversial.Based on study results from the majority of epidemiologic and clinicopathologic investigations carried out in Western countries,this cancer is believed to arise from Barrett's esophagus(BE) and includes both distal esophageal and proximal gastric carcinomas because of similar characteristics in epidemiology,clinicopathology,and molecular pathobiology in relation to BE.As such,the most recent American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual requires staging all GEJ carcinomas with the rule for esophageal adenocarcinoma(EA).This mandate has been challenged recently by the data from several studies carried out mainly in Chinese patients.The emerging evidence derivedfrom those studies suggests:(1) both BE and EA are uncommon in the Chinese population;(2) almost all GEJ cancers in Chinese arise in the proximal stomach and show the features of proximal gastric cancer,not those of EA;(3) application of the new cancer staging rule to GEJ cancer of Chinese patients cannot stratify patients' prognosis effectively;and(4) prognostic factors of GEJ cancer in Chinese are similar,but not identical,to those of EA.In conclusion,the recent evidence suggests that GEJ cancer in Chinese shows distinct clinicopathologic characteristics that are different from EA.Further investigations in molecular pathology may help illustrate the underlying pathogenesis mechanisms of this cancer in Chinese patients and better manage patients with this fatal disease.展开更多
Objective:The aim of the study was to observe and compare the trend of T-lymphocyte subsets in the elder and adult esophageal carcinoma patients postoperatively. Methods: Forty-four esophageal carcinoma patients, clas...Objective:The aim of the study was to observe and compare the trend of T-lymphocyte subsets in the elder and adult esophageal carcinoma patients postoperatively. Methods: Forty-four esophageal carcinoma patients, classified as ASA physical status I-II, were divided into two groups. Twenty-two patients aged than 65 years were grouped as elder patient group, and the rest twenty-two patients, served as adult patient group, were younger than 60 years old. The jugular venous blood samples were collected before induction of anesthesia (T1) as baseline, after completion of surgery (T2), on the first, second and fifth postoperative days (T3, T4 and T5), respectively. The blood counts of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+T-lymphocyte were measured by flow cytometer. Results: Compared with the baseline level, the blood CD3+, CD4+ and CD4/CD8 levels were significantly decreased immediately after surgery, on the first and second postoperative days in the two groups (P<0.01), which returned to baseline values on the fifth postoperative day (P>0.05). On the fifth postoperative day, CD3+, CD4+ and CD4/CD8 levels in adult group were significantly higher than those in elder group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The postoperative immune function in elder patients recovered more slowly than that in adult.展开更多
AIM: To characterize the effects of age on the mechanisms underlying the common condition of esophageal dysphagia in older patients, using detailed manometric analysis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control audit was ...AIM: To characterize the effects of age on the mechanisms underlying the common condition of esophageal dysphagia in older patients, using detailed manometric analysis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control audit was performed on 19 patients aged ≥ 80 years (mean age 85 ± 0.7 year) who underwent a manometric study for dysphagia (2004-2009). Data were compared with 19 younger dysphagic patients (32 ± 1.7 years). Detailed manometric analysis performed prospectively included basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (BLESP), pre-swallow and nadir LESP, esophageal body pressures and peristaltic duration, during water swallows (5 mL) in right lateral (RL) and upright (UR) postures and with solids. Data are mean ± SE; a P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Elderly dysphagic patients had higher BLESP than younger patients (23.4 ± 3.8 vs 14.9 ± 1.2 mmHg; P < 0.05). Pre-swallow LESP was elevated in the elderly in both postures (RL: 1 and 4 s P = 0.019 and P = 0.05; UR: P < 0.05 and P = 0.05) and solids (P < 0.01). In older patients, LES nadir pressure was higher with liquids (RL: 2.3 ± 0.6 mmHg vs 0.7 ± 0.6 mmHg, P < 0.05; UR: 3.5 ± 0.9 mmHg vs 1.6 ± 0.5 mmHg, P = 0.01) with shorter relaxation after solids (7.9 ± 1.5 s vs 9.7 ± 0.4 s, P = 0.05). No age-related differences were seen in esophageal body pressures or peristalsis duration. CONCLUSION: Basal LES pressure is elevated and swallow-induced relaxation impaired in elderly dysphagic patients. Its contribution to dysphagia and the effects of healthy ageing require further investigation.展开更多
Among-population differences in morphology and behaviors such as boldness have been shown to co-vary with eco- logical conditions, including predation regime. However, between- and within-population covariation of pre...Among-population differences in morphology and behaviors such as boldness have been shown to co-vary with eco- logical conditions, including predation regime. However, between- and within-population covariation of predator defense mor- phology with variation in behaviors relevant to ecology and evolution （boldness, exploration, activity, sociability and aggressive- ness, often defined as personality traits when they are consistent across time and contexts） have never been quantified together in a single study in juvenile fish from populations found in contrasting environments. We measured predator defense morphology differences between adults from two freshwater populations of threespine sticklebacks with different ecological conditions. We then quantified five behaviors in juveniles from both populations raised in a common environment. Wild-caught adults showed significant differences in predator defense morphology. One population had significantly lower lateral plate number, shorter dorsal spine, pelvic spine and pelvic girdle. Furthermore, 61% of individuals from that population showed an absence of pelvic spine and girdle. At the population level, we found that differences in defense morphology in adults between the two lakes were coupled with differences in behaviors in juveniles raised in a common environment. Levels of activity, aggressiveness and boldness were higher in juveniles from the population lacking predator defense structures. At the individual level, anti-predator morphology of adult females could not predict their offspring＇s behavior, but juvenile coloration predicted individual boldness in a popula- tion-specific manner. Our results suggest that ecological conditions, as reflected in adult predator defense morphology, also affect juvenile behavior in threespine sticklebacks, resulting in trait co-specialization, and that there is a genetic or epigenetic compo- nent to these behavioral differences [Current Zoology 58 （1）： 53-65, 2012].展开更多
The impacts of transgenic Bt rice on target pests and their predators need to be clarified prior to the commercialization of Bt rice.In this study,the percentages of folded leaves of three transgenic Bt rice lines and...The impacts of transgenic Bt rice on target pests and their predators need to be clarified prior to the commercialization of Bt rice.In this study,the percentages of folded leaves of three transgenic Bt rice lines and non-transgenic parental rice line caused by Cnaphalocrocis medinalis were studied over two successive growing seasons.In addition,the population densities,relative abundance and population dynamics of C.medinalis and four species of its natural arthropod predators were investigated at three sites in China.The results showed that rice line significantly affected the percentages of folded leaves and population densities of C.medinalis larvae.Significantly higher percentages of folded leaves were observed on the non-transgenic rice compared with the three transgenic Bt rice on most sampling dates.Significantly higher densities of C.medinalis larvae and higher relative abundance of C.medinalis within phytophages were found on non-transgenic rice compared with three transgenic Bt rice at different sites across the study period.The population dynamics of C.medinalis larvae were significantly affected by rice line,rice line×sampling date,rice line×year,rice line×sampling date×year.However,there was little,if any,significant difference in the relative abundance,population density and population dynamics of the four arthropod predators between the three Bt rice lines and non-transgenic rice.The results of this study indicate that the Bt toxin in transgenic Bt rice can effectively suppress the occurrence of C.medinalis,but has no significant effects on the occurrence of the four predatory arthropod species.展开更多
Animals grouping together is one of the most interesting phenomena in population dynamics and different functional responses as a result of prey-predator forming groups have been considered by many authors in their mo...Animals grouping together is one of the most interesting phenomena in population dynamics and different functional responses as a result of prey-predator forming groups have been considered by many authors in their models. In the present paper we have considered a model for one prey and two competing predator populations with time lag and square root functional response on account of herd formation by prey. It is shown that due to the inclusion of another competing predator, the underlying system without delay becomes more stable and limit cycles do not occur naturally. However, after considering the effect of time lag in the basic system, limit cycles appear in the case of all equilibrium points when delay time crosses some critical value. From the numerical simulation, it is observed that the length of delay is minimum when only prey population survives and it is maximum when all the populations coexist.展开更多
基金Supported by Science and Technology Development Project of the Nanjing City in China,No. ZKX05013,No. ZKX07011a special grant from the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital in Nan-jing,China
文摘Carcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction(GEJ) is defined as carcinoma that crosses the GEJ line,irrespective of where the tumor epicenter is located.This group of cancer is rare but controversial.Based on study results from the majority of epidemiologic and clinicopathologic investigations carried out in Western countries,this cancer is believed to arise from Barrett's esophagus(BE) and includes both distal esophageal and proximal gastric carcinomas because of similar characteristics in epidemiology,clinicopathology,and molecular pathobiology in relation to BE.As such,the most recent American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual requires staging all GEJ carcinomas with the rule for esophageal adenocarcinoma(EA).This mandate has been challenged recently by the data from several studies carried out mainly in Chinese patients.The emerging evidence derivedfrom those studies suggests:(1) both BE and EA are uncommon in the Chinese population;(2) almost all GEJ cancers in Chinese arise in the proximal stomach and show the features of proximal gastric cancer,not those of EA;(3) application of the new cancer staging rule to GEJ cancer of Chinese patients cannot stratify patients' prognosis effectively;and(4) prognostic factors of GEJ cancer in Chinese are similar,but not identical,to those of EA.In conclusion,the recent evidence suggests that GEJ cancer in Chinese shows distinct clinicopathologic characteristics that are different from EA.Further investigations in molecular pathology may help illustrate the underlying pathogenesis mechanisms of this cancer in Chinese patients and better manage patients with this fatal disease.
基金Supported by grants from Department of Public Health of Jiangsu Province (No.H200705)Jiangsu Province's Outstanding Medical Academic Leader Program (No.RC2002058)
文摘Objective:The aim of the study was to observe and compare the trend of T-lymphocyte subsets in the elder and adult esophageal carcinoma patients postoperatively. Methods: Forty-four esophageal carcinoma patients, classified as ASA physical status I-II, were divided into two groups. Twenty-two patients aged than 65 years were grouped as elder patient group, and the rest twenty-two patients, served as adult patient group, were younger than 60 years old. The jugular venous blood samples were collected before induction of anesthesia (T1) as baseline, after completion of surgery (T2), on the first, second and fifth postoperative days (T3, T4 and T5), respectively. The blood counts of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+T-lymphocyte were measured by flow cytometer. Results: Compared with the baseline level, the blood CD3+, CD4+ and CD4/CD8 levels were significantly decreased immediately after surgery, on the first and second postoperative days in the two groups (P<0.01), which returned to baseline values on the fifth postoperative day (P>0.05). On the fifth postoperative day, CD3+, CD4+ and CD4/CD8 levels in adult group were significantly higher than those in elder group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The postoperative immune function in elder patients recovered more slowly than that in adult.
文摘AIM: To characterize the effects of age on the mechanisms underlying the common condition of esophageal dysphagia in older patients, using detailed manometric analysis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control audit was performed on 19 patients aged ≥ 80 years (mean age 85 ± 0.7 year) who underwent a manometric study for dysphagia (2004-2009). Data were compared with 19 younger dysphagic patients (32 ± 1.7 years). Detailed manometric analysis performed prospectively included basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (BLESP), pre-swallow and nadir LESP, esophageal body pressures and peristaltic duration, during water swallows (5 mL) in right lateral (RL) and upright (UR) postures and with solids. Data are mean ± SE; a P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Elderly dysphagic patients had higher BLESP than younger patients (23.4 ± 3.8 vs 14.9 ± 1.2 mmHg; P < 0.05). Pre-swallow LESP was elevated in the elderly in both postures (RL: 1 and 4 s P = 0.019 and P = 0.05; UR: P < 0.05 and P = 0.05) and solids (P < 0.01). In older patients, LES nadir pressure was higher with liquids (RL: 2.3 ± 0.6 mmHg vs 0.7 ± 0.6 mmHg, P < 0.05; UR: 3.5 ± 0.9 mmHg vs 1.6 ± 0.5 mmHg, P = 0.01) with shorter relaxation after solids (7.9 ± 1.5 s vs 9.7 ± 0.4 s, P = 0.05). No age-related differences were seen in esophageal body pressures or peristalsis duration. CONCLUSION: Basal LES pressure is elevated and swallow-induced relaxation impaired in elderly dysphagic patients. Its contribution to dysphagia and the effects of healthy ageing require further investigation.
文摘Among-population differences in morphology and behaviors such as boldness have been shown to co-vary with eco- logical conditions, including predation regime. However, between- and within-population covariation of predator defense mor- phology with variation in behaviors relevant to ecology and evolution （boldness, exploration, activity, sociability and aggressive- ness, often defined as personality traits when they are consistent across time and contexts） have never been quantified together in a single study in juvenile fish from populations found in contrasting environments. We measured predator defense morphology differences between adults from two freshwater populations of threespine sticklebacks with different ecological conditions. We then quantified five behaviors in juveniles from both populations raised in a common environment. Wild-caught adults showed significant differences in predator defense morphology. One population had significantly lower lateral plate number, shorter dorsal spine, pelvic spine and pelvic girdle. Furthermore, 61% of individuals from that population showed an absence of pelvic spine and girdle. At the population level, we found that differences in defense morphology in adults between the two lakes were coupled with differences in behaviors in juveniles raised in a common environment. Levels of activity, aggressiveness and boldness were higher in juveniles from the population lacking predator defense structures. At the individual level, anti-predator morphology of adult females could not predict their offspring＇s behavior, but juvenile coloration predicted individual boldness in a popula- tion-specific manner. Our results suggest that ecological conditions, as reflected in adult predator defense morphology, also affect juvenile behavior in threespine sticklebacks, resulting in trait co-specialization, and that there is a genetic or epigenetic compo- nent to these behavioral differences [Current Zoology 58 （1）： 53-65, 2012].
基金supported by National Genetically Modified Organisms Breeding Major Project:Technology of Environmental Risk Assessment on Transgenic Rice (Grant No. 2008ZX08011-001)
文摘The impacts of transgenic Bt rice on target pests and their predators need to be clarified prior to the commercialization of Bt rice.In this study,the percentages of folded leaves of three transgenic Bt rice lines and non-transgenic parental rice line caused by Cnaphalocrocis medinalis were studied over two successive growing seasons.In addition,the population densities,relative abundance and population dynamics of C.medinalis and four species of its natural arthropod predators were investigated at three sites in China.The results showed that rice line significantly affected the percentages of folded leaves and population densities of C.medinalis larvae.Significantly higher percentages of folded leaves were observed on the non-transgenic rice compared with the three transgenic Bt rice on most sampling dates.Significantly higher densities of C.medinalis larvae and higher relative abundance of C.medinalis within phytophages were found on non-transgenic rice compared with three transgenic Bt rice at different sites across the study period.The population dynamics of C.medinalis larvae were significantly affected by rice line,rice line×sampling date,rice line×year,rice line×sampling date×year.However,there was little,if any,significant difference in the relative abundance,population density and population dynamics of the four arthropod predators between the three Bt rice lines and non-transgenic rice.The results of this study indicate that the Bt toxin in transgenic Bt rice can effectively suppress the occurrence of C.medinalis,but has no significant effects on the occurrence of the four predatory arthropod species.
文摘Animals grouping together is one of the most interesting phenomena in population dynamics and different functional responses as a result of prey-predator forming groups have been considered by many authors in their models. In the present paper we have considered a model for one prey and two competing predator populations with time lag and square root functional response on account of herd formation by prey. It is shown that due to the inclusion of another competing predator, the underlying system without delay becomes more stable and limit cycles do not occur naturally. However, after considering the effect of time lag in the basic system, limit cycles appear in the case of all equilibrium points when delay time crosses some critical value. From the numerical simulation, it is observed that the length of delay is minimum when only prey population survives and it is maximum when all the populations coexist.
