Objective To investigate the protective role of dexmedetomidine in rats with endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI).Methods Forty-eight adult male SD rats were divided into four groups (n=12 each) according to the random number table: control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, dexmedetomidine (DEX) treatment group and DEX pretreatment group.ALI was induced in rats by femoral intravenous injection of LPS (8 mg/kg).Rats in DEX treatment group was given DEX (50 μg/kg) for 2 minutes via the femoral intravenous injection 0.5 hour after LPS injection, followed by maintenance pump injection of DEX (5 μg·kg-1·h-1).Analogously, rats in DEX pretreatment group was given DEX (50 μg/kg) for 2 min via the femoral intravenous injection 0.5 hour before LPS injection, followed by maintenance pump injection of DEX (5 μg·kg-1·h-1).By contrast, control group received the same amount of normal saline intravenously.All rats were sentenced to death and their carotid blood samples were collected6 hours after all injections.Superior lobe of the right lung was examined under light microscope and the histologic findings were tested using the difusse alveolar damage (DAD) score.Middle lobe of the right lung was used to calculate the lung tissue wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio.Samples of collected carotid blood were taken to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage was collected to measure levels of TNF-α and IL-6.Results Lung tissue injury was obvious after LPS injection and DAS score was improved as well.However DEX therapy reduced the lung damage as well as the DAD score, especially obvious in DEX pretreatment group (P<0.05).W/D ratio was obviously increased in other three groups compared to control group, but further comparison showed that W/D ratio was lowered in DEX treatment and pretreatment groups compared to LPS group, especially obvious in DEX pretreatment group (P<0.05).Levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were higher in other three groups than control group, but further comparison showed that levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased in DEX treatment and pretreatment groups compared to LPS group, especially obvious in DEX pretreatment group (P<0.05).Levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in BALF were higher in LPS and DEX treatment groups than control group and were higher in LPS group than DEX treatment(P<0.05).Further comparison showed level of TNF-α in BALF similar between DEX treatment and pretreatment groups (P>0.05), but IL-6 in BALF was significantly lower in DEX pretreatment group than DEX treatment group (P<0.05).Level of total protein in BALF was increased in LPS group compared to control group and was decreased in DEX treatment and pretreatment groups compared to LPS group, but there were no significant differences between DEX treatment and pretreatment groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Either preoperative injection of DEX or DEX treatment has protective effect in rats with LPS-induced ALI, while preoperative injection of DEX has been proved to be more effective.

Objective To investigate functional role and clinical significance of the methylation in the promoter of TPAP gene in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer.Methods Surgically resected specimen from 68 patients who were pathologically diagnosed as pancreatic cancer in Changhai Hospital from July 2006 to August 2009 were collected.The methylation in the promoter of TPAP gene in tumor and nontumor adjacent tissue was detected by methylation specific PCR.Results The methylation rate of tumor and non-tumor adjacent tissue was (0.214 ± 0.057) ％ and (0.084 ± 0.096) ％,respectively,and pancreatic cancer tissue had significantly higher methylation rate than the adjacent tissue.Hypermethylation of TPAP gene was not correlated with age,gender,tumor differentiation,lymphatic metastasis,serum CEA and CA19-9,but was positively correlated with distant metastasis.Conclusions Hypermethylation in the promoter of TPAP gene may participate in the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer and the hypermethylation of the promoter is closely associated with the tumorigenesis and development of pancreatic cancer.

Objective To quantitatively analyze the K-ras gene mutation at codon 12 in pancreatic cancer tissues and the relationship between K-ras gene mutation and clinicopathological parameters. Methods Quantitative detection of K-ras gene at codon 12 in 93 pairs of pancreatic cancer and adjacent tissues were performed by using PNA-mediated PCR clamping with two different fluorescence labeled probes. The quantity of mutation was expressed by percentage of mutation. The percentage of K-ras gene mutation = the copy of K-ras mutation/(copy of wild type K-ras + copy of K-ras mutation) × 100%. Results The percentage of mutation of K-ras gene at codon 12 in pancreatic cancer and adjacent tissues were 83.9% and 65.6%, and the difference was statistically significant(P ＜ 0. 05); and the quantity of mutation were (13.385 ± 1. 745) % and (2. 246 ±0. 728) %, and the difference was also statistically significant(P ＜ 0. 05). The quantity of mutation of K-ras gene at codon 12 was not associated with clinicopathological parameters. Conclusions The percentage of K-ras gene mutation, as well as the quantity of K-ras gene mutation was different in pancreatic carcinoma and adjacent tissues.

Objective To investigate the methylation status of PCDH8 gene in pancreatic carcinoma.Methods Methylation of PCDH8 gene in 2 samples of normal pancreatic tissues and 6 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (PANC1, ASPC1, BxPC3, CFPAC, PaTu8988 and SW1990) was detected by the methylationspecific PCR (MSP) method. The expression of PCDH8 mRNA was detected with 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) treatment, a kind of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor in 6 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines by real-time-PCR. Results The methylation of PCDH8 gene was not detected in normal tissues, while it was partially methylated in PANC1, BxPC3, CFPAC and it was totally methylated in PaTu8988, ASPC1, SW1990.PCDH8 mRNA was expressed in PANC1, SW1990, PaTu8988 and the relative quantities of mRNA expression (RQ) were 1.576 ± 0.648, 0.013 ± 0.008, 0.002 ± 0.001; PCDH8 mRNA was not expressed in BxPC3,CFPAC, ASPC1. After 5-Aza-dC treatment, PCDH8 mRNA was expressed in PANC1, ASPC1, BxPC3,CFPAC, PaTu8988, SW1990 and the relative quantities of mRNA expression all significantly increased, and they were 7. 463 ± 2.628, 10. 696 ± 1.539, 7.852 ± 2.762,421.815 ± 1.493, 118.595 ± 4.089, 6.690 ±1.884. Conclusions The methylation of PCDH8 gene may be the major mechanism of down-regulated expression of PCDH8 gene in pancreatic carcinoma.

Objective To detect the microRNAs in fecal with patients of pancreatic cancer, and evaluate its diagnostic value. Methods Stool samples were collected from three group persons including 29 pancreatic cancer, 22 chronic pancreatitis and 13 normal controls. The total fecal microRNAs were extracted.The quantity of miR-16, miR-21, miR-155, miR-181a, miR-181b, miR-196a, and miR-210 were detected by using real-time PCR, and miR-16 was used as reference gene. ROC AUC was used to evaluate the diagnostic value for pancreatic cancer. Results MicroRNAs were efficiently obtained from stools, and independent experiments showed high reproducibility for microRNAs extraction and detection. The expression of miR-181b,miR-196a, miR-210 in fecal was 2.22 ±0.64,2.78 ±0.14, 5.55 ±0.38 in pancreatic cancer; 1.42 ±0.39,3.88 ± 0.85,5.39 ± 0.69 in chronic pancreatitis; 0.32 ± 0.40, 1.14 ± 0.98,4.23 ± 0. 99 in normal controls;the three microRNA expressions in pancreatic cancer were group and CP group significantly higher than those in normal controls ( P ＜ 0.05 ). But there was no significant difference between pancreatic cancer group and chronic pancreatitis group. AUC of pancreatic cancer / normal controls miR 18lb was 0.745(95% CI 0. 597-0.894), the sentivity, specificity for pancreatic cancer was 84.6% and 51.7%. AUC of miR-210 was 0. 772(95% CI0.629-0.914), the sentivity, specificity for pancreatic cancer was 84.6% and 65.5%, and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.05). miR-196a was no significant for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, but the expression of miR-196a was correlated with the tumor size (r = 0.516, P = 0.041 ).Conclusions The extraction and detection of the fecal microRNAs were non-invasive and reproducible. The expression of miR-181b and miR-210 was increased in stool of patients with pancreatic cancer, and may be potential biomarker for pancreatic cancer.

Objective To investigate the RADIL mRNA expression in pancreatic carcinoma and to evaluate its clinical significance.Methods Fluoesecent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) was used to detect the RADIL mRNA expression in 40 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and adjacent tissue and in 5 healthy adult with normal pancreatic tissue and to observe its relationship with clinicopathologic parameters.Results RADIL mRNA was expressed in pancreatic carcinoma and adjacent tissue, as well as normal pancreatic tissue, and the relative expression was 2.263 ± 3.826, 5.425 ± 8.858 and 8.559 ± 4.214, respectively.There was statistically significant difference among the three groups (P ＜0.05 ).RADIL mRNA expression was closely related with the metastasis and differentiation grade ( r = -0.312 and -0.294, P ＜ 0.05 ), however, it was not significantly related to tumor site, tumor size, CA19-9, TNM staging, sex and age.Conclusions RADIL gene may have an inhibitory effect on the pancreatic cancer.

Objective:To provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of the posterior route through atlas occipital articular slope screw internal fixation system through the biomechanical study.Methods:Eight cadavers of healthy adults aged 35-60 years and 155-180 cm in height were selected. The specimens with complete anatomical structure and without surgical operation were established as normal models. The model of occipito-atlantoaxial complex was established by breaking the articular capsule, ligament and other connecting structures and cutting the dentate process. The device was established as an internal fixation model through the specimen of atlantooccipital joint slope screw internal fixation system. Given normal model and internal fixation of 1.5 N·m in the moment of flexion, lateral bending and axial rotation and to measure the specimen C 0-C 1 and C 0-C 2 segment of the range (range of motion, ROM), comparative analysis of pillow neck area within the normal model and fixed model changes the range of movement, after the evaluation through the slope between atlas and the occipital screw internal fixation system of mechanical properties. Results:In the normal model, the flexion, flexion and extension, lateral bend and axial rotation ranges of C 0-C 1 segments were 23.85°±2.43°, 4.74°±0.55°, 5.77°±0.75°, respectively; the corresponding activity ranges of C 0-C 2 segments were 30.66°±3.05°, 9.09°±1.37°, 70.97°±9.48°, respectively; in the internal fixation model, the flexion and extension, lateral bend and axial rotation ranges of C 0-C 1 segments were 0.71°±0.24°, 0.24°±0.06°, 0.34°±0.09°, respectively. The corresponding activity range of C 0-C 2 segment was 3.09°±0.82°, 0.74°±0.07°, 1.22°±0.10°, respectively. Compared with the normal model, the range of activity of the internal fixation model in all directions was significantly reduced (<3°), and the reduction ratio of activity was more than 90%. Conclusion:The posterior route through pillow slope screw internal fixation system can effectively reduce the range of motion of the occipital neck in flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation, and has safe and reliable biomechanical stability.

Objective To explore the effects of ApoC3 gene on the severity of hypertriglyceridemiainduced acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods ApoC3 transgenetic mice and C57BL/6J mice AP model was induced by cerulein intraperitoneal injection,and ApoC3 transgenetic mice and C57BL/6J mice injected by normal saline solution in equal volume served as control group.Serum triglyceride and cholesterol were detected,and the pathological changes of the pancreas were observed.RT PCR method was used to examine the changes of the inflammatory factor including IL-1β,IL-6,α-SMA and TNF-α mRNA levels,which reflected the severity of the inflammation.Results Serum triglyceride and cholesterol were higher in ApoC3 transgenetic mice than in C57BL/6J mice [(3.434 ± 0.931) mmol/L vs (0.766 ± 0.120) mmol/L,(2.553 ±0.178) mmol/L vs (1.996 ± 0.080) mmol/L],and the differences were statistically different (P ＜ 0.05).The pathological changes of the pancreas were more severe in ApoC3 transgenetic AP mice than in C57BL/6J AP mice,and the IL-1β,IL-6 and α-SMA mRNA levels in the pancreatic tissue were obviously higher in ApoC3 transgenetic AP mice than in C57BL/6J mice (1.72 ± 0.07vs 0.78 ± 0.09,1.58 ± 0.09vs 0.87 ±0.04,0.83 ± 0.05vs 0.44 ± 0.04),and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05),while there was no statistical difference on TNF-αmRNA level (0.70 ± 0.09vs 0.65 ± 0.08,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions ApoC3 gene could aggravate the severity of the inflammation in hypertriglyceridemia-induced AP.

Objective To assess the imported risk of COVID-19 in Guangdong province and its cities, and conduct early warning. Methods Data of reported COVID-19 cases and Baidu Migration Index of 21 cities in Guangdong province and other provinces of China as of February 25, 2020 were collected. The imported risk index of each city in Guangdong province were calculated, and then correlation analysis was performed between reported cases and the imported risk index to identify lag time. Finally, we classified the early warming levels of epidemic by imported risk index. Results A total of 1 347 confirmed cases were reported in Guangdong province, and 90.0% of the cases were clustered in the Pearl River Delta region. The average daily imported risk index of Guangdong was 44.03. Among the imported risk sources of each city, the highest risk of almost all cities came from Hubei province, except for Zhanjiang from Hainan province. In addition, the neighboring provinces of Guangdong province also had a greater impact. The correlation between the imported risk index with a lag of 4 days and the daily reported cases was the strongest (correlation coefficient: 0.73). The early warning base on cumulative 4-day risk of each city showed that Dongguan, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, Foshan and Huizhou have high imported risks in the next 4 days, with imported risk indexes of 38.85, 21.59, 11.67, 11.25, 6.19 and 5.92, and the highest risk still comes from Hubei province. Conclusions Cities with a large number of migrants in Guangdong province have a higher risk of import. Hubei province and neighboring provinces in Guangdong province are the main source of the imported risk. Each city must strengthen the health management of migrants in high-risk provinces and reduce the imported risk of Guangdong province.