Objective: TO explore the effect of VEGF-C gene transfection on the expression of VEGF-C in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and the mechanisms of its anti-apoptosis effect. Methods: The con-structed pcDNA3.1(+)NEGF-C vector was transformed into human cervical cancer HeLa cells and was select-ed by G418. The changes in the expression level of VEGF-C mRNA and protein were determined by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and ELISA. HeLa cells with overexpression of VEGF-C were named as HeLa/S1. The expression level of NF-KB and bcl-2 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR in transfected cells. Results: After transfection by liposome, the VEGF-C mRNA level and the expression of VEGF-C protein in transfected cells were higher than those in the control groups. HeLa/S1 cell line was successfully established. In HeLa/S1 cells, the expression of NF-κB (2.06±0.09 vs 1.35±0.02 vs 1.38±0.02 P<0.05) and bcl-2 gene mRNA (2.02± 0.67 vs 0.41±0.06 vs 0.37±0.06, P<0.05) level were higher than those in the control groups. Conclusion: VEGF-C gene transfection by liposome can increase the expression of VEGF-C in human cervical cancer HeLa cells. NF-κB is stimulated and induces the overexpression of bcl-2 gene in HeLa/S1 cells.

Objective To study the drifting law of floats and potential risks of Oncomelania hupensis diffusion in the water diversion rivers of the east route of South?to?North Water Diversion Project. Methods The O. hupensis snails in the river chan?nels were monitored by the salvage method and snail luring method with rice straw curtains,and the diffusion possibility of snails along with water was assessed through the drift test of floats with GPS. Results In the flood seasons from 2006 to 2013, totally 8 338.0 kg of floats were salvaged,and 2 100 rice straw curtains were put into water in the Li Canal and Jinbao shipping channel,but no Oncomelania snails were found. The drift test of floats with GPS before water diversion showed that the flow ve?locity on water surface(northbound)was 0.45 m/s,the average drift velocity of the floats was 0.56-0.60 m/s,and the average drift distances each time were 999.70- 1 995.50 m in the Gaoshui River section,while there were no obvious drift in Jinbao shipping channel section. During the water diversion period,the flow velocity on water surface(northbound)was 0.45 m/s,the average drift velocity of the floats was 0.35-0.41m/s,and the average drift distances each time were 1 248.06-1 289.44 m in the Gaoshui River,while in Jinbao shipping channel section,the flow velocity on water surface was 0.28 m/s,the average drift velocity of the floats was 0.25- 0.27 m/s,and the average drift distances each time were 477.76- 496.38 m. The drift test showed that the floats gradually closed to the river bank as affected by water flow,wind direction and ship waves,when blocked by the reeds,water plants or other obstacles,and they would stopped and could not continue to drift without outside help. Con?clusions There are no Oncomelania snails found in the river channels of the east route of South?to?North Water Diversion Proj?ect. The drifting distance of the floating debris along with the water is restricted by the flow rate and shore environment.

Objective:To compare the short-term efficacy and the safety of microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs).Methods:This prospective randomized controlled trial, performed from December 2019 to September 2021, included 36 patients with solid or predominantly solid BTNs who met the eligibility criteria and provided written informed consent at the Nanjing sub-center (Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine). Patients were assigned to either the MWA group or the RFA group (18 patients in each group) at a ratio of 1∶1 using a block randomization design and allocation concealment using sealed envelope randomization. The independent-sample t-test and χ2 test were used to compare the volume reduction rates (VRRs), effective rates (VRRs≥50%), cosmetic scores, and complication rates at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment between the two groups. Results:The clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were comparable. After ablation, the nodule volume was significantly reduced in both groups. At 1, 3, and 6 months, there was no significant difference in the volume between the two groups (all P>0.05). At 3 months, the RFA group had a larger VRRs than that in the MWA group (62.08%±12.46% vs. 46.90%±23.16%, t=-2.45, P=0.021). However, at 1 and 6 months, no statistical significance was observed (both P>0.05). No significant difference was observed in the effective rates at the last follow-up (14/18 vs. 18/18, P=0.104). However, the RFA group had a lower cosmetic score than that in the MWA group (1.78±0.43 vs. 2.17±0.51, t=-2.47, P=0.019). There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Both MWA and RFA were effective and safe treatments for BTNs, with no significant differences in short-term efficacy and safety. In addition, the RFA group showed slightly more favorable outcomes than the MWA group in terms of cosmetic improvement.

Objective: Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is a common birth defect with its genetic evidence widely explored. This study explored the potential the parent-of-origin (PoO) effect of WNT pathway on the risks of NSCL/P, using a case-parent trio design. Methods: Data on the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of WNT genes were selected from a genome-wide association study (GWAS). A total of 806 Chinese non-syndromic cleft lip patients, with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) case-parent trios, were gathered from an international consortium. PoO effect of WNT pathway genes and its haplotypes were explored by log-linear models. Additional Wald tests were performed to assess: a) the heterogeneity of PoO effect between different maternal exposures, b) the interaction between PoO effect, c) maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and d) multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy. The threshold for statistical significance was adjusted as 3.47×10^-4, according to Bonferroni correction. Results: After quality control, a total of 144 SNPs within seven genes were included for analyses, among which 8 SNPs were of potential PoO effect (P<0.05). However, none of them achieved the statistical significance after Bonferroni correction. The haplotype rs4074668-rs12725747 (T-A) on WNT9A showed significant PoO effect, based on the haplotype test for PoO (P=2.74×10^-4). In addition, no statistically significant interaction was found in further exploration of this haplotype under environmental exposures as ETS or multivitamin supplementation. Conclusions Genes in the WNT pathway may influence the NSCL/P risks through the potential PoO effect. Particularly, the haplotype rs4074668-rs12725747 (T-A) on WNT9A presented significant PoO effect on NSCL/P, statistically. From this current study, findings on WNT pathway related risks among the NSCL/P, need to be further validated by independent samples in the future.