BA Group Research Articles

Effects of Probiotics BaSC06 on Intestinal Digestion and Absorption, Antioxidant Capacity, Microbiota Composition, and Macrophage Polarization in Pigs for Fattening.

This study aimed to compare the effects of BaSC06 and antibiotics on growth, digestive functions, antioxidant capacity, macrophage polarization, and intestinal microbiota of pigs for fattening. A total of 117 pigs for fattening with similar weight and genetic basis were divided into 3 groups: Anti group (containing 40 g/t Kitasamycin in the diet), Anti+Ba group (containing 20 g/t Kitasamycin and 0.5 × 108 CFU/kg BaSC06 in the diet) and Ba group (containing 1 × 108 cfu/Kg BaSC06 in the diet without any antibiotics). Each treatment was performed in three replicates with 13 pigs per replicate. Results showed that BaSC06 replacement significantly improved the ADG (P < 0.05), intestinal digestion and absorption function by increasing the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes and the expression of glucose transporters SGLT1 (P < 0.05) and small peptide transporters PEPT1 (P < 0.05). Besides, BaSC06 supplementation enhanced intestinal and body antioxidant capacity by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 antioxidant signaling pathway due to the increased expression of p-Nrf2 (P < 0.05). Notably, BaSC06 alleviated intestinal inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-8, IL-6, and MCP1 (P < 0.05), and simultaneously increasing the expression of M1 macrophage marker protein iNOS (P < 0.05) and M2 macrophage marker protein Arg (P < 0.05) in the intestinal mucosa. Moreover, BaSC06 promoted the polarization of macrophages to M2 phenotype by stimulating the STAT3 signaling pathway. It was also noted that BaSC06 improved microbiota composition by enhancing the proportion of Firmicutes, and reducing that of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Taken together, our results indicate that dietary supplementation of BaSC06 in pigs for fattening improves the growth, mucosal structure, antioxidative capacity, immune functions (including increasing M1 and M2 polarization of macrophage) and composition of intestinal microbiota, which is much better than antibiotics, suggesting that it is an effective alternative to antibiotics in the preparation of pig feed.

Comparison of different access sites (radial, brachial and femoral) for subclavian artery intervention

Abstract Introduction The primary purpose of this multicenter prospective register was to evaluate the success and complication rate of different access sites for subclavian artery intervention. Secondary purpose was to investigate the safety of the distal radial artery access for subclavian artery intervention. Methods The clinical and angiographic data of 223 consecutive patients with symptomatic subclavian and anonym artery stenosis treated via transradial (TR), transbrachial (TB) and transfemoral (TF) access between 2015 and 2019 were evaluated in a multicenter registry. The exclusion criteria of the intervention was the acute proximal subclavian artery thrombosis. Primary endpoint: angiographic outcome of the subclavian and anonym artery intervention, rate of major and minor access site complications. Secondary endpoints: procedural complications, consumption of the angioplasty equipment, cross over rate to another puncture site and hospitalization in days. Results The procedure was successful in 182/184 in TR, in 5/5 in TB and in 32/32 patients in TF group. The cross over rate in the TR, TB and TF group was 0%. Chronic total occlusion recanalization was successful in 75/77 cases in TR, and 15/15 cases in the TF group. Contrast consumption was 152±106 ml in TR, 99±22.5 ml in TB and 152±95 in TF group, respectively (p=ns). Cummulativ dose was 602±1205 mGray in RA, 455±210 mGray in BA and 1089±1674 mGray in FA group (p&amp;lt;0.05). Procedural complications occurred in 1/184 (0.5%) case in RA group, in 0 case (0%) in BA group and in 4/32 cases (12.5%) in the FA group (p&amp;lt;0.05). Major access site complication were detected in 3 patients (1.6%) in RA, in 1 patient in BA (20%) and in 1 patient in FA group (3.1%) (p&amp;lt;0.05). Minor access site complication were encountered in 9 patients in the RA (4.8%), in 1 patient in the BA (20%) and in 8 patients in the FA group (25%) (p&amp;lt;0.05). Distal radial access was used in 29 cases and proximal radial access in 155 patients. The rate of radial artery occlusion in proximal and distal radial group was 5.1% and 0% (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusions Subclavian artery intervention can be safely and effectively performed using radial access with acceptable morbidity and high technical success. Femoral and brachial access is associated with more access site complications than radial artery access. Distal radial access is associated with less radial artery occlusion than proximal radial artery access. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Traditional Chinese medicine classification of knee osteoarthritis with proteomics analysis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogeneous disease caused by the pathology of the synovial joint. About 10-12% of adults have symptomatic OA. In this study, the proteomics method was used to find differentially expressed proteins and to explore the material basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classification in knee OA patients. Fifteen patients of the treatment group with knee OA of three different classifications were divided into three groups according to the dialectical classification of TCM: kidney deficiency type (5 cases), Yang deficiency type (5 cases), blood stasis type (5 cases). Also, five patients with traumatic synovitis were enrolled as the control group. The joint fluids were drawn separately. The joint fluids before treatment were Aa, Ba, and Ca groups. After one week of medication, the three joint fluid types were drawn again, and they were Ab group, Bb, and Cb groups. Liquid from the control group was named group D. Quantitative analysis of protein expression was conducted to find out the differently expressed proteins. The treatment group was treated with prescriptions for syndromes according to the TCM classification. The proteomics analysis identified 251 differentially expressed protein groups, and the number of groups with quantitative information for all seven channels was 246. The three treatment groups and the control group had 32 differential proteins (P<0.01), of which nine might be differential proteins between OA and traumatic synovitis. Histone H4, histone H2A, S100 calbindin A8, fibrinogen γ, fiber protein α, cDNA (FLJ92148), C4b binding protein, and partial transketolase variants were down-regulation, and basement membrane glycan was up-regulation in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.01). HIST1H2BC and myeloperoxidase levels in the Aa group were less than those in the D and Ab groups. The serum amyloid P and apolipoprotein CI variants in the Ba group were less than those in the D and Bb groups. Histone H2A and C-reactive protein, Fibrinogen α levels in the Ca group were less than those in the D and Cb groups. Nine proteins are closely related to OA of different TCM classification.

Low efficiency of β-alanine supplementation to increase muscle carnosine

Supplementation with β-alanine (BA) increases muscle carnosine content, although the amount of BA used for muscle carnosine loading has been suggested to be low. However, methodological issues may have underestimated the amount of BA used. The aim of this study was to determine the estimated amount of BA converted to muscle carnosine, using a retrospective analysis from a 4-week randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of BA supplementation on muscle carnosine content of the m. vastus lateralis. Twenty-five males (age 27±5 years, height 1.74±0.09 m, body mass 77.4±11.5 kg) were supplemented with 6.4 g·day-1 of BA (N=17) or placebo (PL; N=8) for 28 days. Pre- and postsupplementation participants provided a muscle biopsy subsequently analysed for carnosine content using HPLC. Data were analysed using mixed-models and Pearson’s correlations. Muscle carnosine content increased by +11.0±6.7 mmol·kg-1dm (P&lt;0.0001) in BA, with no change in PL (P=0.99). The estimated amount of BA converted to muscle carnosine was 2.1±1.2% (Range: 0.5 to 4.5%) of the total dose ingested. Pearson’s correlations showed that pre-supplementation carnosine was correlated to post-supplementation carnosine in the BA group (r=0.65, r2=0.38, P=0.009), but not the absolute change in carnosine (r=-0.28, r2=0.08, P=0.28) or the amount of BA used (r=-0.31, r2=0.10, P=0.22). The estimated amount of ingested BA used for carnosine synthesis was extremely low following 4 weeks of BA supplementation at 6.4 g·day-1. Data suggest that very little of the BA ingested is used for muscle carnosine synthesis and highlights the potential for further work to optimise BA supplementation in humans.

Berberine alleviates type 2 diabetic symptoms by altering gut microbiota and reducing aromatic amino acids

ObjectiveBerberine (BBR), which is extracted from traditional Chinese herb, is abundant in Coptis chinensis and Berberis vulgaris, with a treatment on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, its oral bioavailability is poor. Therefore, the ability of BBR to regulate gut microbiota and intestinal metabolites might exist. This study aimed to investigate changes in gut microbiota and intestinal metabolites, and to reveal the potential mechanism of BBR. MethodsTo observe the role of gut microbiota in the treatment of T2DM by BBR, antibiotics intervened gut microbiota was used in this study, and the therapeutic effects of BBR were evaluated. A 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach was utilized to analyze gut microbiota alterations, and UHPLC-QTOF/MS-based untargeted metabolomics analysis of colon contents was used to identity differential intestinal metabolites. Finally, serum aromatic amino acids (AAAs) were absolutely quantified using LC/MS. ResultsInhibition of the blood glucose levels, and improvements in glucose tolerance and serum lipid parameters were observed in the BBR treated group. Type 2 diabetic symptoms in rats in the BA group (treated with antibotics and BBR) were alleviated. However, the therapeutical effects are weaker in the BA group compared with the BBR group, indicating that BBR can be used to treat type 2 diabetic rats immediately, and modulation of gut microbiota is related to the mechanism of BBR in the treatment of T2DM. The community richness and diversity of the gut microbiota were significantly increased by BBR, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was increased in the BBR group, which was accompanied by a decreased relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia at the phylum level. At the family level, a probiotic Lactobacillaceae was significantly upregulated not only in the BBR group but also in the BA group and was negatively associated with the risk of T2DM. Metabolomic analysis of colon contents identified 55 differential intestinal metabolites between the BBR group and the model group. AAAs, including tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine, were obviously decreased in the BBR group not only in the colon contents but also in the serum. ConclusionsThese results demonstrated that BBR could alleviate symptoms in type 2 diabetic rats by affecting gut microbiota composition and reducing the concentration of AAAs.

DIFFERENTIATING BILIARY ATRESIA FROM OTHER CAUSES OF CHOLESTASIS JAUNDICE IN INFANTS

Aim: The aim of this study is to find out the cholestatic etiologies in infants and differences of clinical features, laboratory investigations between biliary atresia and other causes of cholestasis at Vietnam Children Hospital. Background: Cholestasis is defined as reduced bile formation or biliary flow. It results of varied causes. Early detection of biliary atresia is to intervene in time and have the best outcome. Patient and methods: In this retrospective study, 305 infants under 12 months of age with cholestasis were studied in Vietnam Children Hospital during 1/2017-7/2018. Demographic data, duration of jaundice, signs and symptoms as well as laboratory, imaging, liver biopsy and the causes of cholestasis were recorded, divided into 2 group BA and Non-BA. Results: 305 infants (194 boys, 111 girls) with cholestasis and mean age of 83,22±72,10 days were included in the study. The most common causes of cholestasis were idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (33,8%), biliary atresia (25,9%), cytomegalovirus infection (21,6%). In BA group, pale stool (100%), Hepatomegaly (98,7%); increasing less AST, ALT, more GGT level than Non-BA. Find out GGT cutoff &gt; 212,05 UI/l in diagnosing BA. Conclusion: Biliary atresia and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis are the most common causes of infantile cholestasis. Pale stool, hepatomegaly and GGT elevation &gt; 212,05 UI/l are the most reliable tests for diagnosing BA.&#x0D;

Investigation of the protective effects of boric acid on ethanol induced kidney injury

ABSTRACTBoric acid (BA) is used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, and for regulating mitochondrial membrane potential in many disorders. We investigated the protective effects of BA against chronic ethanol toxicity in rat kidney. We used 32 male rats in four groups of eight: control (C), BA, ethanol (E), and ethanol + BA (E + BA). Kidney samples were taken for histology and biochemistry. Kidney injury was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. TUNEL and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were used as indicators of apoptosis. We measured biochemical markers of ethanol induced oxidative stress in the kidneys including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI). The E + BA group TOS, OSI and MDA levels decreased, whereas the TAS level increased compared to group E. Caspase-3 and TUNEL activity in the E + BA group were decreased compared to group E. BA acted as an antioxidant against renal tubule injury caused by chronic use of ethanol. BA protects against apoptosis in renal tubules by decreasing oxidative damage.

The Influence of Kinesio Taping on the Increase of Effort Tolerance in Patients after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Physiotherapy in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CHL) is impeded by post-operative pain which causes a decline in patients’ activity, reduces respiratory muscle function and affects patients’ ability to look after themselves. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of Kinesio Taping (KT) on the increase in effort tolerance in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The task of the research was to compare results of 100-meter walk test in test group and control group before surgery, during and after physiotherapy. The research included 63 patients after CHL treated in General Surgery Department of Hospital in Nysa. Both test group (BA) and control group (KO) included randomly selected volunteers who met test qualification criteria. BA group consisted of 32 patients (26 females and 6 males), KO group consisted of 31 patients (22 females and 9 males). Both groups were subjected to complex physiotherapy and group BA had additional KT applications. The results were subjected to statistical analysis with the use of U MannWhitney test. The level of statistical significance was established at p &lt; 0.05. The results showed that in the test conducted before surgery the level of median time recorded in the 100-meter test did not differ significantly between the two research groups. In further tests, the 100-meter walk test time was significantly shorter in the test group in comparison with the patients from the control group. Conclusion: The improvement in effort tolerance observed in the research indicates the efficiency of Kinesio Taping as a method complementing physiotherapy in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Keywords: Kinesio Taping, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, physiotherapy.

Race-specific differences in the phase coherence between blood flow and oxygenation: A simultaneous NIRS, white light spectroscopy and LDF study.

Race-specific differences in the level of glycated hemoglobin are well known. However, these differences were detected by invasive measurement of mean oxygenation, and their understanding remains far from complete. Given that oxygen is delivered to the cells by hemoglobin through the cardiovascular system, a possible approach is to investigate the phase coherence between blood flow and oxygen transportation. Here we introduce a noninvasive optical method based on simultaneous recordings using NIRS, white light spectroscopy and LDF, combined with wavelet-based phase coherence analysis. Signals were recorded simultaneously for individuals in two groups of healthy subjects, 16 from Sub-Saharan Africa (BA group) and 16 Europeans (CA group). It was found that the power of myogenic oscillations in oxygenated and de-oxygenated hemoglobin is higher in the BA group, but that the phase coherence between blood flow and oxygen saturation, or blood flow and hemoglobin concentrations is higher in the CA group.

Weight status, body composition, and diet quality of Spanish schoolchildren according to their level of adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines

Introduction: moderate to vigorous physical activity, limiting sedentary behaviors, and getting adequate rest are lifestyle factors that help prevent overweight and obesity. However, there are few studies that relate all of these factors to weight status, body composition, and diet quality in school children. Objective: to assess the differences in anthropometric status and diet quality in a group of Spanish schoolchildren, according to their level of adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines. Methods: a total of 367 schoolchildren aged 7-11 years were studied. Anthropometric, dietary, and movement patterns were collected. Subsequently, they were divided into three groups based on their adherence to the extant guidelines: low adherence (BA), medium adherence (AM) and high adherence (AA). Results: only 15 % of the schoolchildren met the guidelines. The percentage of overweight was higher in the BA group than in the AM and AA groups. The BA group also had a lower fibre intake; a lower contribution to the recommendations for vitamins B6, B12 and C, selenium and magnesium; and a higher intake of saturated fatty acids. The schoolchildren who did not meet screen time recommendations had a higher odds ratio for overweight/obesity (OR = 1.92 (1.10-3.36); p = 0.022). Conclusion: schoolchildren who adhere to 2 or more movement guideline recommendations had less overweight and a diet of better nutritional quality. Non-compliance with the screen time recommendation leads to a higher risk of overweight or obesity.

Sources identification and contamination assessment of heavy metals in soil of Middle Nile Delta, Egypt

Sedimentological and geochemical studies are integrated to determine the potential of heavy metals in the Middle Nile Delta soil. Four sources of trace elements were identified; a geogenic source includes Fe, Co, Cr, Ni and V, along with Ca that partly enhanced by anthropogenic input, and three dissimilar anthropogenic sources grouped the elements as follow; As, Pb, Zn Cu, Ba and P which derived mainly from industrial activities; Ba, Pb, Zn and Cu group is likely dispersed by traffic emissions, and P, As and Cu elements group which influenced by agrochemical application and drain water irrigation. The concentrations of studied elements increasing with decreasing the particle size. Moreover, two groups of mineral assemblages of soil are recognized; the first group deposited with one particle fraction and inherited from parent materials, The second one includes non-silicate minerals clasts, deposited with more than one fraction and most likely of anthropogenic source.

Music Therapy Enhances Executive Functions and Prefrontal Structural Neuroplasticity after Traumatic Brain Injury: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes lifelong cognitive deficits, particularly impairments of executive functioning (EF). Musical training and music-based rehabilitation have been shown to enhance cognitive functioning and neuroplasticity, but the potential rehabilitative effects of music in TBI are still largely unknown. The aim of the present crossover randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to determine the clinical efficacy of music therapy on cognitive functioning in TBI and to explore its neural basis. Using an AB/BA design, 40 patients with moderate or severe TBI were randomized to receive a 3-month neurological music therapy intervention either during the first (AB, n = 20) or second (BA, n = 20) half of a 6-month follow-up period. Neuropsychological and motor testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed at baseline and at the 3-month and 6-month stage. Thirty-nine subjects who participated in baseline measurement were included in an intention-to-treat analysis using multiple imputation. Results showed that general EF (as indicated by the Frontal Assessment Battery [FAB]) and set shifting improved more in the AB group than in the BA group over the first 3-month period and the effect on general EF was maintained in the 6-month follow-up. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis of the structural MRI data indicated that gray matter volume (GMV) in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) increased significantly in both groups during the intervention versus control period, which also correlated with cognitive improvement in set shifting. These findings suggest that neurological music therapy enhances EF and induces fine-grained neuroanatomical changes in prefrontal areas.

P4423Extreme bradycardia in athletes is due to intrinsic changes within the heart

Abstract Background It is well known that athletes and in particular endurance athletes have lower resting heart rates than non-athletes. This has generally been considered a healthy adaptation. Traditionally this was thought be due to increased vagal tone. Several studies have shown that endurance athletes continue to have lower heart rates in the absence of autonomic influence suggesting bradycardia is due to intrinsic changes within the heart. A subset of endurance athletes have very low heart rates with Tour de France cyclists having described heart rates in the 30s. It is unclear whether in these elite athletes with very low heart rates the profound bradycardia is due to autonomic influence or intrinsic changes within the heart. Aim The aim of this study was to determine if extreme bradycardia in athletes is due to excess vagal tone or more profound intrinsic changes within the heart. Methods We recruited three cohorts for this study: non-athlete controls (NA), endurance athletes with a documented resting heart rate &gt;40 (EA) and endurance athletes with a resting heart rate &lt;40 (BA). All participants underwent baseline testing including ECG, echocardiography and VO2 max testing. All participants came back on a second occasion for treatment with dual autonomic blockade (DAB) to determine intrinsic heart rate in the following manner. After resting supine for five minutes resting heart rate was measured. Participants were then administered 0.04mg/kg of intravenous atropine. After five minutes participants were then administered 0.05mg/kg of intravenous metoprolol. This was repeated every five minutes until there was no further drop in heart rate or 0.2mg/kg had been administered. The resting heart rate at this stage was recorded as the intrinsic heart rate. Parasympathetic blockade was confirmed by lack of response to Valsalva manoeuvre and sympathetic blockade was confirmed by lack of response to metoprolol. VO2 max testing was then performed to determine maximum heart rate. Results 9 NA (7 male), 10 EA (8 male) and 5 BA (4 male) participated in this study. The average age was similar in all groups (NA 32.9y, EA 32.4y, BA 31.4y). The average resting heart rate was 71.7 in the NA group, 48.3 in the EA group and 41.6 in the BA group (p&lt;0.05 for comparisons between all three groups). Following dual autonomic blockade resting heart rate was 86.0 in the NA group, 76.9 in the EA group and 64.4 in the BA group (p&lt;0.05 for comparisons between all three groups). Maximum heart rate under DAB was 140.1 in the NA group, 138.0 in the EA group and 140.4 in the BA group. These differences were not significant. Conclusion In athletes with very low heart rates, bradycardia is due to more profound intrinsic changes within the heart. Acknowledgement/Funding NHMRC Project Grant

Comprehensive study of the physical properties of Ba3Pn2 (Pn=N, P, As, Sb and Bi) through first principles technique

The structural, electronic and optical properties of Ba3Pn2 (Pn=N, P, As, Sb and Bi) compounds have been investigated using density functional theory based on Full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FPLAPW) method, as implemented in WIEN2K package. Wu-Cohan approach is used for structural parameters; lattice constant, optimized volume, bulk modulus and its derivative. For band structure calculations Modified Beck and Johnson Approximation (mBJ) is used, which predicted these materials as small and direct band gap semiconductors. The bond lengths between Ba and Pn are also calculated. Ba-d state and Pn-p state contribute in VB as well as in CB. The bonding nature calculation indicates the strong covalent bond between Barium (Ba) and Pnictogen group situated at corner of the unit cell position and ionic bond between Ba and Pnictogen group placed at unit cell centre. The optical parameters, like dielectric function (real and imaginary part), optical conductivity, absorption coefficient, index of refraction (real and imaginary) and reflectivity are also calculated, which is the IR region of electromagnetic spectra.

Bakuchiol suppresses oestrogen/testosterone-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia development through up-regulation of epithelial estrogen receptor β and down-regulation of stromal aromatase

Estrogens and androgens play critical roles during benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) development. Estrogen receptors (ERs), androgen receptor (AR) and aromatase, the key conversion enzyme of androgen to estrogen, are thought to be the effective targets for BPH treatment. Bakuchiol (Ba)-containing herb Psoralea corylifolia has been long-termed used for BPH patients in traditional Chinese medicine while the role and regulatory mechanism of Ba involved remain unclear. Human prostatic cell lines WPMY-1 and BPH-1 and oestrodial/testosterone-induced BPH rats were used as the in vitro and in vivo models. Ba significantly inhibited the proliferation of WPMY-1 and BPH-1 cells. In E2/T-induced BPH model, Ba treatment also significantly inhibited the enlargement of prostate, decreased PI values, reduced the thickness of periglanular smooth muscle layer, and down-regulated the expressions of PCNA and smooth muscle cell marker α-SMA, all of which were highly induced in BPH rats. Moreover, the basal and PGE2-induced expressions of aromatase were reduced in Ba-stimulated WPMY-1 cells, while the expression of ERβ was highly increased in Ba-stimulated BPH-1 cells, both of which are consistent with the findings in Ba group in vivo. Ba induced ERE activity in BPH-1 cells as E2 did; however, silence of ERβ not ERα, blocked Ba-induced ERE activity while E2 still exhibited the significant ERE activity, indicating the regulation of estrogen signaling by Ba is particularly via ERβ. In conclusion, by down-regulation of stromal aromatase and up-regulation of epithelial ERβ, Ba contributes to the balance of estrogen and androgen signaling and further inhibits BPH development.

Total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: uncut Roux-en-Y anastomosis versus Billroth II anastomosis

Objective To compare the advantages and disadvantages between Uncut Roux-en-Y anastomosis and Billroth Ⅱ anastomosis in total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) for gastric cancer. Methods The clinical data of 132 patients with distal gastric cancer, who underwent TLDG with Uncut Roux-en-Y anastomosis or Billroth Ⅱ anastomosis in the Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Ningbo University from February 2015 to December 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 52 patients receiving TLDG with uncut Roux-en-Y anastomosis (RA group) and 80 patients receiving TLDG with Billroth Ⅱ anastomosis (BA group). Results Compared with BA group,the RA group had a longer operation time [(240.6±49.6) min vs. (202.2±36.4) min, F=2.356, P=0.000]and anastomosis time[(49.1±5.9) min vs. (47.3±4.2) min, F=4.45, P=0.043], more intraoperative blood loss[(128.9±130.0)ml vs. (79.2±62.5) ml, F=5.66, P=0.004]; and short times to first flatus[(2.7±0.8)d vs.(3.0±0.6) d, F=6.61,P=0.031],for liquid diet[(3.7±0.8) d vs.(4.0±0.6) d, F=7.35, P=0.022] and semifluid diet[(4.7±0.8)d vs. (5.0±0.6) d, F=6.43, P=0.013]. No perioperative death occurred in two groups; there were no significant differences in length of postoperative hospital stay [(9.4±4.2)d vs. (10.9±6.4) d, F=0.83, P=0.117]and the incidence of postoperative complication[5.8%(3/52) vs. 8.8%(7/80), χ2=0.40, P=0.527)]. Compared to BA group,alkaline reflex gastritis rate [3.8%(2/52) vs. 52.5%(42/80), χ2=40.04, P=0.000]and marginal ulcer rate were lower[0(0/52) vs. 11.3%(9/80), χ2=6.28,P=0.012]. There was no significant difference in dumping syndrome rate[0(0/52) vs. 3.8%(3/80), χ2=0.20, P=0.158] between two groups. Conclusion Uncut Roux-en-Y anastomosis can prevent alkaline reflex gastritis, marginal ulcer and Roux-en-Y stasis syndrome, it may be the preferable technique for reconstruction after total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Carcinoma; Laparoscopy; Gastrectomy; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y

Characterization of biventricular alterations in myocardial (reverse) remodelling in aortic banding-induced chronic pressure overload

Aortic Stenosis (AS) is the most frequent valvulopathy in the western world. Traditionally aortic valve replacement (AVR) has been recommended immediately after the onset of heart failure (HF) symptoms. However, recent evidence suggests that AVR outcome can be improved if performed earlier. After AVR, the process of left ventricle (LV) reverse remodelling (RR) is variable and frequently incomplete. In this study, we aimed at detecting mechanism underlying the process of LV RR regarding myocardial structural, functional and molecular changes before the onset of HF symptoms. Wistar-Han rats were subjected to 7-weeks of ascending aortic-banding followed by a 2-week period of debanding to resemble AS-induced LV remodelling and the early events of AVR-induced RR, respectively. This resulted in 3 groups: Sham (n = 10), Banding (Ba, n = 15) and Debanding (Deb, n = 10). Concentric hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction (DD) were patent in the Ba group. Aortic-debanding induced RR, which promoted LV functional recovery, while cardiac structure did not normalise. Cardiac parameters of RV dysfunction, assessed by echocardiography and at the cardiomyocyte level prevailed altered after debanding. After debanding, these alterations were accompanied by persistent changes in pathways associated to myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and LV inflammation. Aortic banding induced pulmonary arterial wall thickness to increase and correlates negatively with effort intolerance and positively with E/e′ and left atrial area. We described dysregulated pathways in LV and RV remodelling and RR after AVR. Importantly we showed important RV-side effects of aortic constriction, highlighting the impact that LV-reverse remodelling has on both ventricles.

Th17-associated cytokines multiplex testing indicates the potential of macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha in the diagnosis of biliary atresia

Background & aimsBiliary atresia (BA) is a neonatal obliterative cholangiopathy with high prevalence in south China. Accurate identification of BA among infants with obstructive jaundice is still difficult by noninvasive diagnostic tools. Th17 cells have been reported closely related with the development of BA, which suggest that Th17-associated cytokines were potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of BA patients. MethodsIn the training study, 76 infants who were divided into 2 groups, including BA group (n = 31) and non-BA jaundice group (n = 45). Clinical and routine laboratory data were collected from all subjects. Totally 25 Th17-associated cytokines were tested and compared between groups. The diagnostic value of each differential cytokine was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The best potential diagnostic biomarker was further validated in a cohort including 68 jaundice infants from our partnering institution in a blinded fashion. ResultsData from the training study showed that gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and clay stool would be helpful in the identification of BA patients in jaundice subjects. Th17-associated cytokines assay indicated that IL-17F, IL-10, macrophage inflammatory protein-3alpha (MIP3a), IL-22, IL-13, IL-33, IL-6, IL-17E, IL-27, IL-31, TNF-a and TNF-b were differentially expressed in BA patients, and the AUC of MIP3a was higher than other markers. MIP3a alone or combined with other laboratory data would significantly increase the diagnostic accuracy of BA. The diagnostic value of MIP3a was further confirmed in our validation study. ConclusionMIP3a alone or combined with other laboratory data would significantly increase the diagnostic accuracy of BA.

Environmental Research and Geochemical Evaluation of Recent Bottom Sea Sediments North and North –East of Lesvos Island, Greece

An environmental and geochemical investigation of 33 surficial sediments of the continental shelf north and north east of Lesvos Island Greece was undertaken to study the mineralogy and geochemistry of the sediments and understand the distribution and sources of various major and trace elements. Texturally all the sediments contain high amounts of mud and clay indicating a uniform facies at depths between 30m - 300m. The sediments are a mixture of terrigenous components (albite, K-feldspar, muscovite, quartz, illite, amphibole and biogenic components (calcite, Mgcalcite, aragonite). Pyrite and glauconite are ascribed to diagenesis. There are four distinctive groups of elements each of which includes related elements, derived from different natural sources on land or in the marine basin. The first group (Ca, Sr) reflects the biogenous carbonate fraction and is negatively correlated against every other element determined. A second (Si, Al, Fe, Na, K, Ti, Ba and Zr) group reflects the aluminosilicate minerals derived from the alteration of volcanic rocks, and a third group (Mg, Ni, Cr, C and Zn) reflects the aluminosilicate minerals derived from the alteration of ultrabasic rocks (peridotites) and the organic carbon. The group of Fe, Mn, Zn and Y is a diagenetic association reflecting the distribution of these elements with pyrite. The association of Cu with Zn reflects a mineralization control in the sediment area. Finally, La and Ce are associated with the K-bearing minerals, while P is related to K and Fe-finegrained minerals. The concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments are normal comparing to the contents of other AEGEAN SEA sediments and are due to natural lithogenic sources.

The effects of 10 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on peak power, power drop, and lactate response in Korean national team boxers.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of β-alanine (BA) supplementation on peak power, power drop, and lactate response in elite male amateur boxers. Nineteen male Korean national team boxers were divided into groups with either BA (n=9) or placebo (PL, n=10) supplementation. BA consumed 4.9–5.4 g/day of BA with training for 10 weeks and PL took PL in a similar manner. Physical fitness and lactate changes in sparring were measured before and after the 10-week intervention. Significant interactions (P<0.05) were shown for lower body peak power (P=0.049) and upper body power drop (P=0.042). Positive effects for the BA group were shown for lower body peak power (Cohen d=0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–1.35) and the maintenance of upper body power output (d=−0.91; 95% CI, −1.61 to −0.17). These findings suggest that Korean national amateur boxers who consumed BA demonstrated differential responses following a training intervention in specific physical fitness when compared to boxing athletes who consumed a PL.