肠道微生物菌群与消化道肿瘤关系的研究进展

人体肠道作为一个多元化的微生态系统,其中共生着100多万亿个微生物菌群,约有1 000多种,是人体细胞的10倍。肠道微生物固有的微生物基因有300多万个,是人体基因的100多倍,这些微生物基因帮助人体微生物适应多变的环境,与人类相互作用,对人类健康产生了巨大影响,其中有积极的作用,同时又伴随着潜在的威胁。总结了肠道微生物菌群与消化道肿瘤的关系,从肠道菌群的多样性、影响因素及其作用机制展开综述,以期为开展肠道微生物的研究提供参考。     

Endocannabinoid‐related compounds in gastrointestinal diseases

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an endogenous signalling pathway involved in the control of several gastrointestinal (GI) functions at both peripheral and central levels. In recent years, it has become apparent that the ECS is pivotal in the regulation of GI motility, secretion and sensitivity, but endocannabinoids (ECs) are also involved in the regulation of intestinal inflammation and mucosal barrier permeability, suggesting their role in the pathophysiology of both functional and organic GI disorders. Genetic studies in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease have indeed shown significant associations with polymorphisms or mutation in genes encoding for cannabinoid receptor or enzyme responsible for their catabolism, respectively. Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are testing EC agonists/antagonists in the achievement of symptomatic relief from a number of GI symptoms. Despite this evidence, there is a lack of supportive RCTs and relevant data in human beings, and hence, the possible therapeutic application of these compounds is raising ethical, political and economic concerns. More recently, the identification of several EC‐like compounds able to modulate ECS function without the typical central side effects of cannabino‐mimetics has paved the way for emerging peripherally acting drugs. This review summarizes the possible mechanisms linking the ECS to GI disorders and describes the most recent advances in the manipulation of the ECS in the treatment of GI diseases.     

Proteomic Profiling of Enteroid Cultures Skewed toward Development of Specific Epithelial Lineages

Recently, 3D small intestinal organoids (enteroids) have been developed from cultures of intestinal stem cells which differentiate in vitro to generate all the differentiated epithelial cell types associated with the intestine and mimic the structural properties of the intestine observed in vivo. Small‐molecule drug treatment can skew organoid epithelial cell differentiation toward particular lineages, and these skewed enteroids may provide useful tools to study specific epithelial cell populations, such as goblet and Paneth cells. However, the extent to which differentiated epithelial cell populations in these skewed enteroids represent their in vivo counterparts is not fully understood. This study utilises label‐free quantitative proteomics to determine whether skewing murine enteroid cultures toward the goblet or Paneth cell lineages results in changes in abundance of proteins associated with these cell lineages in vivo. Here, proteomics data confirms that skewed enteroids recapitulate important features of the in vivo gut environment, demonstrating that they can serve as useful models for the investigation of normal and disease processes in the intestine. Furthermore, comparison of mass spectrometry data with histology data contained within the Human Protein Atlas identifies putative novel markers for goblet and Paneth cells.     

高剂量生长抑素、奥美拉唑联合止血芳酸治疗急性上消化道出血合并凝血功能障碍患者的临床效果

目的:探讨高剂量生长抑素、奥美拉唑联合止血芳酸治疗急性上消化道出血合并凝血功能障碍患者的临床效果及安全性。方法:选择我院2014年1月~2017年12月收治的92例急性上消化出血合并凝血功能障碍的患者,并按随机数表法将其分为对照组和研究组。对照组予以常规剂量生长抑素、奥美拉唑联合止血芳酸治疗,研究组予以高剂量生长抑素治疗,其余奥美拉唑及止血芳酸用法同对照组。治疗后,比较两组的临床疗效、止血情况、住院时间,治疗前后血常规指标、凝血功能的变化及并发症的发生情况。结果:治疗后,研究组总有效率明显高于对照组[91.30%vs.74.42%](P0.05),而平均止血时间、再止血率及住院时间均明显短于对照组(P0.05);两组白细胞计数(WBC)、部分活化凝血酶原时间(APTT)及凝血酶原时间(PT)均较治疗前明显下降,血红蛋白(Hb)、红细胞计数(RBC)、红细胞压积(Hct)及血小板计数(PLT)均较治疗前明显上升,且研究组以上指标变化较对照组更明显(P0.05)。两组并发症的发生率比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:高剂量生长抑素、奥美拉唑联合止血芳酸治疗急性上消化道出血合并凝血功能障碍的效果明显优于常规剂量生长抑素、奥美拉唑联合止血芳酸治疗,其能够更有效缩短止血时间,避免再出血,且未增加药物不良反应,安全性高。     

Regional Quantitation of Preprodynorphin mRNA in Guinea Pig Gastrointestinal Tract

The endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin has been shown by immunochemical studies to be widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine basal levels of preprodynorphin (ppDyn) mRNA in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract of the guinea pig. A modified sensitive and specific solution hybridization RNase protection assay was used to quantitate ppDyn mRNA, with confirmation by gel analysis of the RNase protected hybrids and PCR amplified cDNA. This method combines high sensitivity and sufficient throughput to analyze large number of samples in a single assay. Low but measurable amounts of ppDyn mRNA were detected in fundus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and rectum. The rectum contained significantly more ppDyn mRNA than the stomach, small bowel, and cecum. The muscularis/myenteric plexus layer of both ileum and rectum contained a higher concentration of ppDyn mRNA per g total RNA compared to the mucosa/submucosa/submucosal plexus. However, a greater absolute amount of ppDyn mRNA (80–85%) localized to the mucosal layer. The greater absolute amount of ppDyn mRNA in the mucosal layer may indicate the presence of dynorphin in the endocrine cells of the mucosa.     

Climate‐driven changes to the spatio‐temporal distribution of the parasitic nematode,Haemonchus contortus,in sheep in Europe

Recent climate change has resulted in changes to the phenology and distribution of invertebrates worldwide. Where invertebrates are associated with disease, climate variability and changes in climate may also affect the spatio‐temporal dynamics of disease. Due to its significant impact on sheep production and welfare, the recent increase in diagnoses of ovine haemonchosis caused by the nematode Haemonchus contortus in some temperate regions is particularly concerning. This study is the first to evaluate the impact of climate change on H. contortus at a continental scale. A model of the basic reproductive quotient of macroparasites, Q₀, adapted to H. contortus and extended to incorporate environmental stochasticity and parasite behaviour, was used to simulate Pan‐European spatio‐temporal changes in H. contortus infection pressure under scenarios of climate change. Baseline Q₀ simulations, using historic climate observations, reflected the current distribution of H. contortus in Europe. In northern Europe, the distribution of H. contortus is currently limited by temperatures falling below the development threshold during the winter months and within‐host arrested development is necessary for population persistence over winter. In southern Europe, H. contortus infection pressure is limited during the summer months by increased temperature and decreased moisture. Compared with this baseline, Q₀ simulations driven by a climate model ensemble predicted an increase in H. contortus infection pressure by the 2080s. In northern Europe, a temporal range expansion was predicted as the mean period of transmission increased by 2–3 months. A bimodal seasonal pattern of infection pressure, similar to that currently observed in southern Europe, emerges in northern Europe due to increasing summer temperatures and decreasing moisture. The predicted patterns of change could alter the epidemiology of H. contortus in Europe, affect the future sustainability of contemporary control strategies, and potentially drive local adaptation to climate change in parasite populations.