PG Levels Research Articles

Current Status of E-Learning in Indian Higher Education: A Case Study of U.P.

If an educational institution is committed to give high quality education, it should be built on values and ethics, and be innovative in offering its teaching programmes. E-learning is not a single strand but is multifaceted, covering a wide range of approaches and methods. The present study was conducted to find out the current status of e-learning in higher education. Thus, in order to study this objective 2919 teachers (839 teachers from professional courses and 2080 teachers from non-professional courses) and 7717 students (4512 students from professional courses and 3205 from non-professional courses at UG & PG levels) were selected as a sample from the eleven state universities of U.P. for the present study. It was found that below average number of professional courses’ teachers in higher education are using e-learning mode whereas only a few non-professional courses’ teachers are using e-learning mode. There are three modes of e-learning: online mode, hybrid/blended mode and e-enhancement mode but only e-enhancement mode is being presently used by the professional and non-professional courses’ teachers in Indian higher education.

Determination of prostaglandin profiles in lipopolysaccharide‐challenged guinea pig spleen

ABSTRACTWe previously reported that splenic extract from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐challenged guinea pigs inhibits the exaggerated febrile response of splenectomized guinea pigs, suggesting that the spleen generates an inhibitory factor. Earlier results indicate that the factor is a lipid. In an effort to identify this factor, lipid fractions, isolated from splenic extracts of control and LPS‐challenged guinea pigs, were analyzed with emphasis on identifying and quantifying prostanoids, which according to current knowledge are the likely bioactive factors. Prostaglandins have been extensively implicated in central and peripheral thermoregulation, and thus these lipids were targeted for characterization in the spleen. Analysis was done on the splenic extracts using solid‐phase extraction, analytical and preparative thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). Four prostaglandins (PGs, 6‐keto‐PGF1α, PGF2α, PGE2 and PGD2) were identified and quantified. Our data shows that these PG levels are doubled in LPS‐treated guinea pig spleen compared with the control group. The methods used in this investigation to characterize PG in the spleen offer significant advantages over immunoassays previously used to identify and quantify PG in the spleen and other biological tissues. These methods will be utilized in further research needed to definitively characterize the role of splenic‐derived PG in modulation of the febrile response induced by LPS. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The distribution of the prostaglandin E receptor type 2 (EP2) in the detrusor of the guinea pig

ObjectiveTo explore the distribution of prostaglandin E receptor type 2 (EP2) in the bladder muscle layers and its spatial relationship to cyclo-oxygenase type 1 (COX I). Materials and methodsTwelve male guinea pigs were killed by cervical dislocation, the bladders removed and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS. Frozen sections of 10μm were cut and stained with antibodies to EP2, COX I and vimentin. ResultsEP2 receptor immunoreactivity is located on the smooth muscle cells as well as on vimentin positive surface muscle and intramuscular interstitial cells. EP2 expression on interstitial cells is highly localized. Discrete regions of intense staining were observed on the interstitial cell processes. COX I is expressed in the muscle interstitial cells and was found to be located on discrete regions of the cell and cell processes. Double staining with EP2 and COX I suggests that the regions of a cell expressing EP2 are different from those expressing COX I. ConclusionsThe presence of COX I, prostaglandin E receptor type 2 (EP2) immune-reactivity in the network of interstitial cells suggests a role of this network in the propagation of signals. Due to a cAMP coupling of the EP2 receptor in many other tissues and a lower dissociation constant of EP2, it is suggested that a rise in PG levels may gradually push the balance from a relaxant EP2 effect towards a contractile effect. Hence, PG could have a modulatory role on the non-voiding bladder contractions by changing the threshold level for excitability of the interstitial cell network.

Evidence for diabetes mellitus criteria in 2010 using HbA1c

A study was done on the correlation of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-h PG levels in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT 2-h PG) with the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value and on the prevalence and incidence of retinopathy in order to determine diabetes mellitus diagnostic criteria using HbA1c in Japanese patients. Participants in this study were 15,191 individuals who underwent OGTT. HbA1c determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at the time of OGTT was converted by the corresponding National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (Seino et al., Diabetol Int 1:2–20, 2010). A high correlation of HbA1c value with FPG and OGTT 2-h PG was observed, and using a regression equation, HbA1c of 6.5 % was calculated to be FPG 124.3 mg/dl and OGTT 2-h PG 199.6 mg/dl, which are consistent with diabetes mellitus diagnostic criteria. The prevalence of all retinopathy was significantly elevated from HbA1c values of 6.1–6.5 %. Also evident was retinopathy excluding microaneurysm, which was elevated significantly from HbA1c values of 6.1–6.5 %. The incidence of all retinopathy was significantly elevated from HbA1c values of 6.1–6.5 %. In view of the above, it can be said that HbA1c of >6.5 % is the most appropriate criteria in Japanese for diagnosing diabetes mellitus. However, from the receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve, sensitivity of diabetes mellitus was 54.3 % at HbA1c levels of 6.5 % and thus in its diagnosis, the PG level is also very important. It is therefore necessary to take into account both values in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

A phase plane graph based model of the ovulatory cycle lacking the "positive feedback" phenomenon

When hormones during the ovulatory cycle are shown in phase plane graphs, reported FSH and estrogen values form a specific pattern that resembles the leaning “&" symbol, while LH and progesterone (Pg) values form a "boomerang" shape. Graphs in this paper were made using data reported by Stricker et al. [Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:883–887]. These patterns were used to construct a simplistic model of the ovulatory cycle without the conventional "positive feedback" phenomenon. The model is based on few well-established relations:hypothalamic GnRH secretion is increased under estrogen exposure during two weeks that start before the ovulatory surge and lasts till lutheolysis.the pituitary GnRH receptors are so prone to downregulation through ligand binding that this must be important for their function.in several estrogen target tissue progesterone receptor (PgR) expression depends on previous estrogen binding to functional estrogen receptors (ER), while Pg binding to the expressed PgRs reduces both ER and PgR expression.Some key features of the presented model are here listed:High GnRH secretion induced by the recovered estrogen exposure starts in the late follicular phase and lasts till lutheolysis. The LH and FSH surges start due to combination of accumulated pituitary GnRH receptors and increased GnRH secretion. The surges quickly end due to partial downregulation of the pituitary GnRH receptors (64% reduction of the follicular phase pituitary GnRH receptors is needed to explain the reported LH drop after the surge). A strong increase in the lutheal Pg blood level, despite modest decline in LH levels, is explained as delayed expression of pituitary PgRs. Postponed pituitary PgRs expression enforces a negative feedback loop between Pg levels and LH secretions not before the mid lutheal phase.Lutheolysis is explained as a consequence of Pg binding to hypothalamic and pituitary PgRs that reduces local ER expression. When hypothalamic sensitivity to estrogen is diminished due to lack of local ERs, hypothalamus switches back to the low GnRH secretion rate, leading to low secretion of gonadotropins and to lutheolysis. During low GnRH secretion rates, previously downregulated pituitary GnRH receptors recover to normal levels and thus allow the next cycle.Possible implications of the presented model on several topics related to reproductive physiology are shortly discussed with some evolutionary aspects including the emergence of menopause.

Anti-inflammatory effects and hepatotoxicity of Tripterygium-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f. (TWHF) has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive effects and its clinical use was restricted to some extent due to some toxic effects on the digestive, urogenital, and blood circulatory systems, especially the male reproductive system. In the previous study, we had confirmed that TWHF-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have protective effects on male reproductive toxicity in rats. Anti-inflammatory effects and hepatotoxicity of TWHF-SLN remain to be unidentified. The present study was focused on the anti-inflammatory effect of complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats treated with TWHF-SLN as well as the effects of SLN delivery system on decreasing the hepatotoxicity induced by tripterygium. Sixty-four healthy male rats were randomly divided into eight groups with eight rats each. From day 18 after FCA injection, TWHF-SLN group (120, 60, 30mg/kg) and TWHF group (120, 60, 30mg/kg) were administered by oral gavage for 24 consecutive days. The control group was with saline and model control group was without any treatment. The volume of the right hind paws was evaluated at 0, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 days post-injection of FCA by a home-made connected device. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBIL) and albumin (ALB) levels were evaluated by an autoanalyzer. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) malondialdehyde (MDA) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) levels were determined using commercial kits. The PG level in sera was examined by double antibody sandwich method. Tissue histopathology was evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The results show that TWHF-SLN can significantly reduce rat paw volume at 60mg/kg (p<0.05) and PG levels in serum (p<0.05); the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, GGT in serum and MDA, XOD, GSH-PX in liver were not significantly elevated. Histopathology observation found that free TWHF caused more serious damage to the liver than TWHF-SLN. These results revealed that SLN delivery system can enhance the anti-inflammatory activity of TWHF, and meanwhile has a protective effect against TWHF-induced hepatotoxicity.

Prevalence of Diabetes in Asian Indians Based on Glycated Hemoglobin and Fasting and 2-H Post-Load (75-g) Plasma Glucose (CURES-120)

With the introduction of glycated hemoglobin (A1c) as a method of screening for diabetes, it is essential to study how use of A1c would affect the prevalence of diabetes in different ethnic groups. We compared the prevalence of diabetes by fasting (FPG) and 2-h post-load (75-g) plasma glucose (2-h PG) and A1c criteria in an Asian Indian population. Subjects (n=2,188) without known diabetes were drawn from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiological Study, a population-based study in Chennai, South India. FPG, 2-h PG, and A1c estimations were carried out. Prevalence rates of diabetes were compared using as cut points FPG ≥7 mmol/L (126 mg/dL), 2-hr PG ≥11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL), or A1c ≥6.5% criteria. Prevalence of diabetes was 6.1% (n=134) using the FPG criterion, 10.1% (n=221) by the 2-h PG criterion, and 12.8% (n=281) by the A1c criterion. Thus the prevalence of diabetes by the A1c criterion was 110% and 27% higher than the FPG and 2-hr PG criteria, respectively. Only 121 of these subjects were identified by all three criteria. Subjects diagnosed by the A1c criteria had the lowest FPG, 2-h PG, A1c, and serum triglyceride levels. In Asian Indians, use of A1c criteria would result in markedly higher prevalence rates of diabetes. It also identifies a different set of individuals with milder glucose intolerance and lower serum triglyceride levels.

High-speed cryo-focusing injection for gas chromatography: Reduction of injection band broadening with concentration enrichment

In order to maximize peak capacity and detection sensitivity of fast gas chromatography (GC) separations, it is necessary to minimize band broadening, and in particular due to injection since this is often a major contributor. A high-speed cryo-focusing injection (HSCFI) system was constructed to first cryogenically focus analyte compounds in a 6cm long section of metal MXT column, and second, reinject the focused analytes by rapidly resistively heating the metal column via an in-house built electronic circuit. Since the cryogenically cooled section of column is small (∼750nl) and the direct resistive heating is fast (∼6000°C/s), HSCFI is demonstrated to produce an analyte peak with a 6.3ms width at half height, w1/2. This was achieved using a 1m long column with a 180μm inner diameter (i.d.) operated at an absolute head pressure of 55psi and an oven temperature of 60°C, with a 10V pulse applied to the metal column for 50ms. HSCFI was also used to demonstrate the head space sampling and fast GC analysis of an aqueous solution containing six test analytes (acetone, methanol, ethanol, toluene, chlorobenzene, pentanol). Using Henry’s law constants for each of the analytes, injected mass limits of detection (LODs) were typically in the low pg levels (e.g., 1.2pg for acetone) for the high speed separation. Finally, to demonstrate the use of HSCFI with a complex sample, a gasoline was separated using a 20m×100μm i.d. column and the stock GC oven for temperature programming, which provided a separation time of 200s and an average peak width at the base of 440ms resulting in a total peak capacity of 460 peaks (at unit resolution).

Structural and functional implications of plakoglobin compensation due to β‐catenin loss in the liver

β‐Catenin is important in liver homeostasis as a part of Wnt signaling and cell‐cell adhesions. We previously reported that hepatocyte‐specific β‐catenin knockout (KO) mice show higher plakoglobin (PG; γ‐catenin) levels over wild‐type (WT) livers and also maintain intact adherens junctions (AJ) as a result of PG compensation. Since PG is a desmosomal protein we wanted to see if its increase in the KOs comes at the expense of desmosomes. Here we show no change in the desmosomes in the KO livers by protein analysis and TEM. Next we wanted to address functionality of PG's compensation for β‐catenin loss especially in Wnt signaling. We show that knocking down PG in Hep3B human hepatoma cells only slightly decreases TCF reporter (TOPflash) activity, indicating that PG is able bind TCF and participate in Wnt signaling. However, knock down of β‐catenin shows a dramatically greater drop in TOPflash activity. Next, we wanted to determine if changes in PG affect proliferation and migration. Changes in PG levels do not affect thymidine incorporation rates. However, scratch‐wound assays reveal that β‐catenin knock down (and subsequent PG increase) increases migration of Hep3Bs. Also, PG knock down decreases migration, indicating that PG may play a role in cell motility. Thus, β‐catenin loss is compensated by PG at the AJ without affecting desmosomes; however, the functions of β‐catenin as a part of the Wnt pathway remain unfulfilled by PG. Moreover, changes in PG levels also affect the migratory potential of human hepatoma cells. Research support: NIH grant 1R01DK62277.

Insulin secretory capacity and insulin sensitivity in impaired fasting glucose in Japanese.

Aims/Introduction: Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) increases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus (DM). This study was carried out to characterize Japanese patients who have fasting glucose levels (FPG) between 100 and 109 mg/dL (IFG100-109). A total of 1383 Japanese participants were examined by oral glucose tolerance test. We compared insulin secretory capacity (insulinogenic index) and insulin sensitivity (ISI composite) of IFG100-109/normal glucose tolerance (NGT; 100 ≤ FPG < 110 mg/dL and 2-h postchallenge glucose level (2-hPG) < 140 mg/dL) with NGT (100 mg/dL < FPG and 2-hPG < 140 mg/dL) and IFG110-125/NGT (110 ≤ FPG < 126 mg/dL and 2-hPG < 140 mg/dL). In addition, IFG100-109 patients were analyzed in three subgroups according to glucose intolerance by 2-hPG. Of the three categories of IFG100-109, IFG100-109/DM had the lowest insulinogenic index despite an ISI composite showing only a small decline from IFG100-109/NGT through IFG100-109/IGT (100 ≤ FPG < 110 mg/dL and 140 ≤ 2-hPG < 200 mg/dL) to IFG100-109/DM (100 ≤ FPG < 110 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL < 2-hPG). By multiple regression analysis, the insulinogenic index showed a significant relationship with 2-h PG levels. Both insulinogenic index and ISI composite were decreased significantly from NGT through IFG100-109/NGT to IFG110-125/NGT. Although impaired early-phase insulin secretion plays the more important role in the elevation of postchallenge glucose in IFG100-109 patients, both impaired early-phase insulin secretion and decreased insulin sensitivity are involved in the deterioration of FPG in Japanese. In addition, insulin secretory defect and decreased insulin sensitivity already have begun in patients with IFG100-109. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2012.00201.x, 2012).

Low serum pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I/II ratio and Helicobacter pylori infection are associated with increased risk of gastric cancer: 14‐year follow up result in a rural Chinese community

The correlation between low serum PG level and H. pylori infection with the development of gastric cancer has caused considerable concerns all over the world. Some authors exclaimed that gastric cancer developed only in patients infected with H. pylori, whereas the other had different findings. In this study, 1,501 adult local residents with determined serum PG levels and anti H. pylori IgG status were followed for 14 years for the development of gastric cancer in a rural community with high risk of gastric cancer in Hebei Province, China. The results showed the accumulated gastric cancer incidence in the subjects with abnormal PG level and those with H. pylori infection were all significantly higher than that in the corresponding normal controls (53.9‰ vs. 12.7‰, p < 0.05 and 23.1‰ vs. 5.93‰, p < 0.05). The highest gastric cancer incidence was seen in the subjects with both abnormal serum PG and positive H. pylori (56.0‰), and followed by the subjects with abnormal PG and negative H. pylori (47.6‰) and those with normal serum PG and positive H. pylori (18.4‰). The abnormal serum PG level (OR 3.029) and H. pylori infection (OR 4.345) were all risk factors for the development of gastric cancer. The results suggested that the subjects with abnormal serum PG level and/or positive H. pylori infection in the rural area of China were all high risk population for gastric carcinoma and the subjects with both abnormal serum PG and positive H. pylori infection were at especially high risk for the development of gastric carcinoma.

Regulation of prolactin secretion during the estrus in rats: possible role of glucocorticoids

Mifepristone (MIF) administration to cycling rats at proestrus induces hypersecretion of prolactin (PRL) at the following estrus. We aimed to assess whether this effect is due to the antiprogesterone or antiglucocorticoid action of MIF and to help underscore the nature of the circulating hormone(s) regulating PRL secretion at estrus. Female cycling rats in proestrus were treated with vehicle; the progesterone (Pg) and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, MIF (5 mg/kg) or ORG-33628 (5 mg/kg); the glucocorticoid agonist dexamethasone (DEX; 27 mg/kg)±MIF; or the inhibitor of steroid synthesis aminoglutethimide (AG; 150 mg/kg)±MIF. The animals' blood was sampled the same day at 1800 h and at 1800 h of the following day to assess for circulating PRL and Pg levels. To distinguish antiglucocorticoid from antiprogesterone effects of MIF, we administered a highly specific neutralizing antibody against Pg. None of the antagonists modified serum PRL values at proestrus but increased PRL levels at estrus. DEX decreased the secretion of PRL at proestrus, yet the effect was entirely blocked by MIF. Furthermore, DEX decreased PRL at estrus in a MIF-reversible manner, suggesting that adrenal corticoids during proestrous may regulate PRL secretion at estrus. AG increased PRL secretion at estrus, whereas its association with MIF produced an even higher response. PRL concentration at estrus was not modified by the antiprogesterone antibody, suggesting that the effect of MIF is a consequence of its antiglucocorticoid effect and not due to its antiprogesterone properties. In conclusion, PRL secretion in the afternoon of the estrus is most likely regulated by glucocorticoids through an inhibitory action.

Low Serum Levels of Pepsinogen and Gastrin 17 Are Predictive of Extensive Gastric Atrophy with High-Risk of Early Gastric Cancer

Atrophic gastritis (AG) is a well-recognized high-risk condition for developing gastric cancer (GC). Gastrin 17 (G17), a hormone secreted from antral G cells, regulates gastric acid secretion, and its serum level is a possible indicator of antral atrophy. Serum pepsinogen is well established as the indicator of AG involving the corpus. Here we investigated whether serum PG and G17 levels would be useful for determining the topographic pattern of AG and estimating the risk of GC. Enrolled were 122 Japanese patients with early GC (114 well- to moderate-differentiated cancers and 8 poorly-differentiated cancers). In addition, 178 subjects without GC were recruited as control from those undergoing endoscopic examination (non-GC group). All subjects were histologically assigned to the following four groups: non-AG, antrum-predominant AG, corpus-predominant AG, and multifocal AG, affecting the antrum and corpus. Serum concentrations of pepsinogen and G17 were determined using ELISA. Multifocal AG was more frequent in the GC group than in the adjusted non-GC group, and had the highest risk of GC (OR 25.1). Serum G17 was significantly decreased with the exacerbation of antral atrophy in the coexistence of corpus atrophy. Serum biomarker profiles showed that the low levels of pepsinogen and G17 could discriminate between multifocal AG and other types of AG, but not with pepsinogen level alone. Serologically defined multifocal AG had the highest cancer risk among other serologically defined AG groups (OR 26.9). In conclusion, the low serum levels of pepsinogen and G17 are predictive of extensive gastric atrophy with high-risk of early GC.

Black Soy Peptide Supplementation Improves Glucose Control in Subjects with Prediabetes and Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The present study aimed to determine the effect of black soy peptide supplementation on glucose control in subjects with prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects with prediabetes and type 2 DM were randomly assigned to the placebo control group or the black soy peptide intervention group. We determined fasting serum concentrations of glucose, hemoglobin A1c, insulin, and free fatty acids, performed a 2-hour postload glucose (2-hour PG) test, and compared serum lipid profiles before and after the 12-week supplementation. In particular, subjects with fasting glucose ≥ 110 mg/dL who consumed black soy peptides tended to have lower fasting glucose levels (two-tailed test, P = .098; one-tailed test, P = .049) and had a significant reduction in 2-hour PG level (two-tailed P = .012, one-tailed P = .006), compared with baseline levels. The changes in 2-hour PG levels were also statistically significant in the intervention group (-41.25 ± 13.67 mg/dL) compared with the placebo group (12.42 ± 9.80 mg/dL; two-tailed P = .015, one-tailed P = .008). In contrast, hemoglobin A1c levels were not significantly improved by the dietary intervention. In conclusion, black soy peptide supplementation may be beneficial for controlling fasting blood glucose levels and 2-hour PG levels.

Usefulness of a New Gastric Cancer Screening Program Using the Combination Assay of Serum Anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG Antibody and the Serum Pepsinogen Levels

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate a new gastric cancer screening program using this combination assay of the serum Hp and PG test method. Methods: Serum Hp and PG levels were measured in the total number of 48073 asymptomatic individuals (about 16000 per year; majority participants checked every year) at a work place in Tokyo as a primary screening between April 2007 and March 2010 (a ratio of man to woman=3.6, a mean age of 47.4 years). We classified into 1 of 4 groups based on the results of the serum Hp and PG levels; group A [Hp (-) PG (-)] (73.2%), group B [Hp (+) PG (-)] (16.4%), group C [Hp (+) PG (+)] (9.3%), and group D [Hp (-) PG (+)] (1.1%), respectively. Group A, B, C, and D were recommended to undergo endoscopic examination every 5 years, 3 years, 2 years, and every year, respectively, and we examined the detection rate of gastric cancers and details of detected cancers. Simultaneously, we estimated the annual increasing or decreasing ratio of each group, comparing the ratio of each group in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Results: In a total of 48073 participating individuals, 6965 planned to undergo endoscopic examination (4202 in group B, 2346 in group C, and 417 in group D). For the total of planned examination, 3921 individuals underwent endoscopic examination (2244 in group B, 1436 in group C, and 241 in group D). Gastric cancer was detected in 23 patients (12 patients in 2007, 8 patients in 2008, and 3 patients in 2009), and 16 and 7 of them were detected from group B and C, respectively. 18 of them were early gastric cancers and 12 of them could be resected endoscopically. Although 5 advanced cancers were detected in this screening program, it was the first time for all of them to have this program for reasons such as mid-career hiring. Histopathologically, 47.8% of the detected cancers were diffuse type, and the ratio of diffuse type was increasing gradually (25.0% in 2007, 62.5% in 2008, and 100% in 2009). The ratio of group A in 2007, 2008, and 2009 was 70.7%, 72.7%, and 75.8%, and the ratio of group B was 19.4%, 16.7%, and 13.5%, respectively. Consequently, the annual increasing ratio of group A per year was estimated about 3% and the decreasing rate of group B was about 3% per year. Conclusion: A mass screening for gastric cancer using the combination assay of the serum Hp and PG test method was useful to select a high-risk and low-risk population of developing gastric cancers and to detect not only intestinal type but also diffuse type cancers in early stage. The number of individuals in group A will continue to increase at a rate of about 3%, which is expected to contribute to a further reduction in the number of individuals who are advised to undergo a mass screening method for gastric cancer in the future.

E0342 Effect of Acarbose on myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary heart disease and impaired glucose tolerance after PCI: a clinical trial

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Acarbose on myocardial perfusion in revascularized patients with coronary heart disease and impaired glucose tolerance after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and investigate variations of lipid,...

Similar antineoplastic effects of nimesulide, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, and prostaglandin E1 on B16-F10 murine melanoma cells

There is now increasing evidence that a constitutive expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) plays a role in the development and progression of malignant ectodermal tumours. In this study, we investigated whether the selective inhibition of COX-2 would be beneficial in melanoma treatment. Nimesulide, a selective inhibitor of COX-2 that causes the breakdown of proinflammatory 2-series prostaglandins (PG2), adversely affected the growth of B16-F10 melanoma cells through the induction of differentiation. The intracellular levels of polyamine, as a proliferation marker, were reduced by the treatment; at the same time, transglutaminase activation and increase in melanin content, as differentiation indicators, were observed. The potential antimetastatic activity of the drug was further shown by means of the Boyden invasion assay and gelatin zymography for metalloproteinase activity. Comparable results were obtained after the treatment of cells with one of the 1-series PGs (PGE1). Therefore, our hypothesis is that the antineoplastic activity observed for nimesulide may be ascribed to intracellular changes in alterations in PG levels.

Measurement of Erythrocyte Methotrexate Polyglutamate Levels: Ready for Clinical Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most commonly prescribed and most effective drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Given the partial response of many patients and the side effect profile of the drug, there is considerable interest in identifying biomarkers to guide MTX therapy in RA. Upon entering cells, MTX is polyglutamated. Measuring MTX polyglutamate (MTX PG) levels in circulating red blood cells has been proposed as an objective measure to help optimize MTX therapy in RA. Data are conflicting with regard to the clinical utility of MTX PG measurements as a predictor of the efficacy or toxicity of low-dose MTX effects in RA. Should large, randomized clinical trials of this assay show consistent, reproducible, long-term correlations between MTX PG levels and efficacy or toxicity, this test could become a prominent tool for clinicians to optimize the use of MTX in treating RA.

Inhibitory effects of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Siebold et Zucc.; Ume) on Helicobacter pylori-related chronic gastritis

We investigated the correlation between Japanese apricot (JA) intake and Helicobacter pylori-related chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). A questionnaire was administered and serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies measured in 1358 asymptomatic adults. The subjects were divided into high-intake and low-intake groups. Histological and serological evaluation of H. pylori-related CAG was performed in 68 non-elderly volunteers. The H. pylori-negative rate did not differ significantly between the high-intake and low-intake groups. Mean antibody titers were lower in the high-intake group, but the difference was not significant. There was no significant difference in the rate of H. pylori infection on the basis of JA intake when subjects were stratified by age. Among H. pylori-positive non-elderly subjects, antibody titers were significantly lower in the high-intake group (P=0.041). Endoscopic tissue biopsy from the 68 volunteers showed less H. pylori bacterial load and mononuclear infiltration irrespective of gastric site in the high-intake group. In the high-intake group, antral neutrophil infiltration was significantly less pronounced and corporal atrophy was less extensive. Serological evaluation using serum PG levels also confirmed these histopathological data. Our findings strongly indicate a preventive effect of JA intake on CAG by inhibiting H. pylori infection and reducing active mucosal inflammation.

T1268 Gut Bio-Regulation in Health and Disease: Fermentonomic Insights – A Pilot Study

Background: Resident colonic bacteria, principally anaerobes and firmicutes, ferment undigested fibre, leading to the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOC). These are passed in faeces but also possibly absorbed and excreted in the urine. We hypothesised that the “fermentation profile” (FP), as seen in faeces and urine, may differ in health and in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and in the latter may change as the patient responds to treatment. Aim: Pilot study to determine if FP in faeces and urine can be recognised and reliably measured and to examine if there were identifiable differences in health and IBD. Methods: Healthy volunteers n=2; Longitudinal study of IBD patients: ulcerative colitis (UC) n=1, studied when acutely ill and when better on treatment; Crohn's disease (CD) n=1, at the beginning and during the course of Infliximab therapy. Samples of faeces and urine were analysed fresh and after storage for 2 weeks. VOC were released by heating (thermal desorption, TD) separated by gas chromatography (GC) and identified by mass spectroscopy (MS). The noise in GC data was cleaned using Clearview software ©Markes. Results: Initial technical developments were made using horse, cow and chicken faeces: each showed a very large number of peaks, some shared. Volunteers within-run variability: <15% for faeces but <10% for urine, reflecting its more uniform nature. Data from urine VOC is presented here. All individuals showed a wide range of peaks, which could be grouped into 5 broad categories (expressed as % of total compounds present). IBD patients showed higher levels of TAK but lower levels of TOA. The IBD VOC profile changed with improvement on treatment: CD: HB Index fell from 4 to 0 at week 6; the TOA and PG levels fluctuated. UC: SCA Index fell from 4 to 3; VOC profile showed changes similar to those in CD and in addition, loss of high molecular weight compounds. Conclusion: We have observed: 1 Clear differences in VOC profiles between healthy volunteers and IBD patients 2 Improvement in IBD during treatment was associated with change in VOC profile. We believe the study of FPs using TD-GC/MS offers new insights into gut health which have clinical relevance.