Bao-Ping Yu

Deletion of the FHIT gene in human colorectal cancer is independent of high-risk HPV infection.

AbstractBackground and aims. The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene, which is frequently lost in many cancers, has been identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene at chromosome 3p locus 14.2. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the major cause of cervical carcinoma and have been found to be able to integrate its genes into the chromosome 3 fragile site of cultured cells, deleting a piece of DNA which includes the FHIT gene. Materials and methods. We used nested reverse transcriptase PCR and DNA sequencing to evaluate 32 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma and matched nearby normal tissues for aberrant transcripts of FHIT and infection of high-risk HPVs. Results. Aberrant transcripts of the FHIT gene were observed in 34.4% of colorectal adenocarcinoma and in 6.3% of matched nearby normal tissues. The HPV16 DNA was detected in 21.9% of colorectal adenocarcinomas and 3.1% of matched nearby normal tissues using PCR. Only two cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma contained both aberrant transcripts of FHIT and HPV16 infection. No HPV18 infection was detected in the present study. Conclusion. Our results indicate that alteration of the FHIT gene and HPV16 infection are important genetic events associated with colorectal adenocarcinoma. However, there is no correlation between FHIT abnormalities, clinicopathological features, and HPV16 infection in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Effects of Berberine on Intracellular Free Calcium in Smooth Muscle Cells of Guinea Pig Colon

Aim: To investigate the effects and mechanism of berberine (Ber) on the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in the smooth muscle cells of guinea pig colon. Methods: The changes of [Ca²⁺]_i were assayed by the biwavelength spectrophotometry with Fura 2-AM in the cell suspension of the smooth muscle cells, which were freshly isolated from guinea pig colon. Results: In the resting state, [Ca²⁺]_i in the HEPES-Ringer solution (CaCl₂ 1.5 mmol·l^–1) was (108 ± 9.4) nmol·l^–1 (n = 7). Ber had no significant effects on the resting [Ca²⁺]_i, but markedly inhibited the increase in [Ca²⁺]_iinduced by 60 mmol·l^–1 KCl in a concentration-dependent manner. The value of IC₅₀was 34.09 µmol·l^–1. 30 and 100 µmol·l^–1 Ber also inhibited the elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i evoked by 10 µmol·l^–1 Ach in a dose-dependent fashion in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. In addition, Ber inhibited the elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i stimulated by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was more potent in the HEPES-Ringer solution (IC₅₀ = 37.79 µmol·l^–1) than Ca²⁺-free medium (IC₅₀ = 49.70 µmol·l^–1). Conclusions: Ber possessed an inhibitory effect on the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺-release from intracellular stores in the smooth muscle cells of colon. That is to say Ber may be a blocker of Ca²⁺ channels.

Increase of mast cells may be associated with infiltration of eosinophils and proliferation of microvessels in gastric eosinophilic granuloma

Background:  Gastric eosinophilic granuloma (GEG) is a rare disease. Recently this disease has begun to increase in China. In the present study, the function and the role of mast cells (MC) in the pathogenesis of GEG were investigated.

Development and clinical application of multi-parameter of gastroesophageal diagnose decive

Development and clinical application of multi-parameter of gastroesophageal diagnose decive