Objective To determine whether altered expression of apoptosis pathway genes is related to different apoptosis susceptibility of prostate cancer cells. Methods Androgen sensitive and insensitive prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and PC 3 were cultured and treated by etoposide,and apoptosis were determined using Hoechst 33258 staining.The cells were harvested and the total RNA was extracted.cDNA probes were prepared and labeled with biotin 16 dUTP,then hybridized to commercially available cDNA arrays including apoptosis pathway specific genes. Results Apoptosis were induced in both PC 3 and LNCaP cells by etoposide,however,PC 3 was more resistant than LNCaP.Compared with LNCaP cells,the 4 fold down regulated genes in PC 3 cells were Bcl10,CIDE A,GADD45a,RIP2,caspase 4,5 and 6,while the 4 fold up regulated gene in PC 3 cells was TRAF4.Caspase 14 and TNFR2 were most strongly expressed genes in the 2 cell lines. Conclusions The altered expressions of apoptosis pathway specific genes are related to the different apoptosis susceptibility,and this may make an important contribution to androgen insensitive state of prostate cancer cells.

Objective To explore the anti‐cancer effects of physiological deep‐sea water(PDSW) combined with hyperther‐mia for hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro .Methods Deep‐sea water (DSW) from the south Chinese sea was processed ,and made in‐to PDSW ,detection of some elements .In vitro ,the cultured normal liver cells and human hepatoma QGY‐7703 cells were randomly divided into PDSW group and normal saline(NS) group ,the NS group received saline ,the PDSW group received different concentra‐tions of PDSW .Two groups were heated respectively to 6 h of 40 ℃ or 1 h of 43 ℃ ,24 ,48 ,72 h after the administration of PDSW or saline ,the normal liver cells and QGY‐7703 cells proliferation capacity and toxicity were investigated by MTT assay .At the same time testing PDSW and NS in 40 ℃ 6 h for 10 d state of human liver QGY‐7703 cell clone formation rate .Results The results of MTT assay showed that tumor inhibitory rate were time and concentration dependent in tow groups .Tumor inhibitory rate of PD‐SW group in different time was significantly higher than NS group (P<0 .05) .On the other hand ,the inhibitory of hepatocyte for PDSW group in different time were significantly lower than NS group .In addition ,the clone formation rate of PDSW group was lower than those of NS group(P<0 .05) .Conclusion PDSW can improve the heat tolerance of normal liver cells .When combine with heat ,it can obviously inhibit the growth of human liver cancer QGY‐7703 cells .

Objective To explore the expression and function of myosin light streptokinase (MLCK) in small intestine mucosa of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) rats.Methods Fifty-six male SD rats were randomly assigned to control group and ANP group.A rat model of ANP was reproduced by retrograde injection of 4％ sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct,while the control group underwent a sham operation.The rats were sacrificed at 6th,12th,24th,48th hour after ANP induction.Serum amylase、TNF α,IL 1β,diamine oxidase (DAO) were measured.The pathological scores in the pancreas and small intestine were observed.The ultrastructure and tight junction (TJ) changes in the small intestine mucosa were observed with an electron microscope.The localization and expression of MLCK in small intestine mucosa was determined by immunohistochemistry method.Results Compared to the control group,the serum amylase,TNF-α,IL-1 β,DAO level,in the ANP group were all significantly increased;[(4 978 ± 1 574) U/L vs (1 176 ± 124))U/L,(47.88 ± 15.85) μg/L vs (17.24 ± 1.99) μg/L,(132.48 ± 68.54) μg/L vs (23.51 ± 6.44) μg/L,(95.96 ± 30.84)μg/L vs (38.06 ± 17.73)U/L at 12 h],and the pathology scores of pancreas and small intestine were both significantly elevated [12 h:(12.2 ± 1.80) vs (4.68 ± 0.35),(2.58 ± 0.52) vs (0.58 ±0.26)] (P ＜0.05);the MLCK protein expression in small intestine mucosa was significantly increased in ANP group (12 h:0.1863 ± 0.0230 vs 0.1636 ± 0.0049),and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.05).The small intestine ultrastructure was seriously damaged and TJ was widened significantly in ANP Group.Conclusions The increased serum TNF alpha and IL-1β concentration and DAO activity and up-regulated MLCK protein expression in small intestine mucosa may damage the integrity of tight junction of intestinal epithelial cell and cause intestine mucosa barrier dysfunction.

Objective To compare the function and influence of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and T tube cholangiography before pulling out T tube after biliary tract surgery. Methods Clinical data from 248 patients with T tube drainage after biliary tract surgery bewteen January 2009 and June 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, the T tube cholangiography group was 195 cases, and MRCP group was 53 cases.Analyzed the function, the toxic side reaction and effect of prolonged hospitalization time of T tube cholangiography group and MRCP group,and discussed the diagnostic effect of MRCP before pulling out T tube after biliary tract surgery.Results Two groups of patients got distinct and integrated image of the bile ducts all.Compared with T tube cholangiography group, all 53 cases patients of MRCP group got accurate of diagnosis results, no fake positive results and adverse reaction occurred, and no prolonged hospitalization. Conclusion MRCP can replace T tube cholangiography as a means of diagnosis before removal of T tube.

Objective To explore the application value of endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast approach without transection anterior cervical muscle group .Methods The clinical data of 130 patients which treated by thyroidectomy without transection ante‐rior cervical muscle group were analyzed ,retrospectively .There were 68 cases treated by endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast ap‐proach and 62 cases treated by conventional thyroidectomy .Results 68 patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy ,the mean time of operation was(127 .66 ± 29 .56)min ,which was longer than that in conventional group (89 .06 ± 24 .25)min(P<0 .01) ,but blood loss was significantly less in endoscopy group than that in conventional group(19 .13 ± 7 .37)mL vs .(50 .17 ± 29 .28)mL . (P<0 .01) .The patients treated by endoscopic thyroidectomy with neck pain induration were less than that in conventional group (1 case vs .7 case) ,P<0 .01 ,and the nerve dysfunction were (4 case vs .3 case) ,P>0 .05 ,the nerve dysfunction had no significant difference .Conclusion Endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast approach without transection anterior cervical muscle group has less blood loss ,lower neck pain induration rate ,hidden incisions and excellent cosmetic benefits .The method is safe and feasible .

Objectives To assess the performance of first trimester ultrasound screening for fetal structural and chromosomal anomalies based on a detailed anomaly and nuchal translucency (NT) scan at 11-13+6 weeks' gestation.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital.Fetuses with a crown-rump length (CRL) between 45 mm and 84 mm scanned during December 2015 to March 2016 were enrolled in this study.After a detailed first-trimester anomaly scan followed the protocol of systematic standardized scan plans,fetuses with congenital abnormalities were screened out.Second trimester ultrasound screening and postnatal examination were performed for further examination of fetal anomalies.Cytogenetic analysis was performed on the fetuses with informed consent.Results (1) A total of 1 154 fetuses were enrolled in this study and among them,36 (3.1％) cases of fetal abnormalities were diagnosed through prenatal examination (35 cases) and postnatal examination (one case).(2) Twenty-one (58.3％) out of the 36 cases with structural and chromosomal anomalies were screened out by using the first-trimester scan,including eight cases of congenital cardiac defect (two cases of atrioventricular septal defect,one case of tricuspid atresia,one case of tetralogy of tetralogy,one case of right ventricle aneurysms and one cases of hypoplastic left heart syndrome combined with cystic hygroma with one case combined with polydactyly),four cases of central nervous system anomaly (three cases of exencephaly and one case of anencephaly combined with double outlet right ventricle),two cases of cleft palate/lip with one case combined with double outlet right ventricle,two cases of exomphalos,one case of amniotic band syndrome,one case of spinal bifida combined with megacystis,one case of umbilical cyst,one case of polydactyly and one case of cystic hygroma.One case of twin pregnancy chose selective fetocide to the fetus with exencephaly and 16 cases terminated pregnancy.The other four cases were confirmed by second trimester ultrasound screening and postnatal examination.Fourteen (38.9％,14/36) new cases of structural and chromosomal anomalies were detected by the second-trimester scan,six of which terminated the pregnancies and the rest were confirmed at term.One (2.8％,1/36) case of polydactyly was detected postnatally.(3) Chromosomal microarray analysis was performed on 28 cases,seven of which were identified as having chromosomal abnormalities including five cases detected in the first trimester and two cases detected in the second trimester.(4) Out of the 20 fetuses with abnormal NT in early trimester,which accounted for 1.7％ of all enrolled fetuses,nine were indentified with major structural or chromosomal abnormalies,a quarter of all abnormal fetus.Conclusions Detailed anomaly scan and NT scan in the first-trimester can increase the detection rate of fetal structural and chromosomal anomalies as compared with the traditional NT scan and provide earlier detection of severe fetal abnormalities as compared with second trimester anomaly scan.

Objective To explore the effects of physiological deep-sea water(PDSW) on hyperthermal tolerance of Kunming (KM ) mice in the 45 .0 ℃ environment .Methods Deep-sea water from the south Chinese sea was processed ,and the metallic ele-ments dissolved in the DSW were analysed .The mice were randomly divided into 2 groups :the control group received tap water ;the experimental group treated with PDSW for 15 d .And then the mice were fed in the 45 .0 ℃ conditions .The survival time and histo-morphometric analyses of the brain ,lung ,heart ,liver and kidney were investigated .Results The survival time in PDSW-fed group was significantly longer than that of the control group (P< 0 .05) .Moreover ,histomorphometric analyses showed that PDSW could protect the brain ,lung ,heart ,liver and kidney of KM mice from the 45 .0 ℃ conditions .The results of western blot revealed that ex-pression of HSP72 of liver tissues for PDSW-fed group substantially increased ,when compared with the control mice(P< 0 .05) . Conclusion PDSW could improve hyperthermal tolerance of KM mice ,which maybe in the relation with expression of HSP72 pro-moted by PDSW .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in mRNA expression of p53 and related downstream genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes in workers occupationally exposed to arsenic as well as its influencing factors, and to analyze the mechanism of genetic toxicity of arsenic.

METHODSWith cluster random sampling, 79 workers from an arsenic smelting plant were selected as exposure group, and another 24 people without occupational exposure to arsenic were selected as control group. The relative mRNA expression of p53 and related downstream genes in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the two groups was determined by quantitative realtime PCR. The levels of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in urine were determined by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry.

RESULTSThe exposure group had significantly higher levels of iAs, MMA, and DMA than the control group (P<0.01); the exposure group had significantly higher relative mRNA expression (2(-ΔΔCt)) of p53 and four related downstream genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes than the control group (P<0.05); the relative mRNA expression of p53 and related downstream genes was positively correlated with each other (P<0.01), with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.4; the levels of arsenic compounds in urine were positively correlated with the relative mRNA expression of p53 and some of its downstream genes (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe changes in mRNA expression of p53 and related downstream genes are closely related to the metabolic transformation of inorganic arsenic in workers occupationally exposed to arsenic, and it also plays an important role in genetic toxicity and carcinogenic effect in people exposed to arsenic.

Arsenic ; adverse effects ; urine ; Arsenicals ; urine ; Cacodylic Acid ; urine ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Occupational Exposure ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

The lower limit of preterm birth varies around the world. In China, the lower limit of preterm infants is set at the gestational age of 28 +0-36 +6 weeks or birth weight ≥1 000 g. Extremely preterm infants are defined as neonates born before 28 weeks of gestation by the World Health Organization. With the development of perinatal medicine and the achievements in neonatal care, the survival rate and the short/long-term outcomes of extreme preterm infants have been greatly improved in China. This article reviews the survival rate, mortality/severe disability rate and medical costs of extremely preterm infants, aiming to provide reference for setting the right lower limit of gestational age for preterm births.

Objective:To explore the clinical significance of cervical length (CL) measured by transabdominal ultrasound during fetal structural anomalies screeing at 20-24 +6 weeks of gestation. Methods:This was a retrospective nested case-control study based on a prospective longitudinal cohort of "Prediction and Prevention of Early-onset Preeclampsia", which recruited 4 995 singleton pregnant women at the gestational age of 11-13 +6 weeks in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from April 2019 to August 2022. All the subjects underwent second-trimester ultrasound screening for fetal structural anomalies in our hospital with image records. This study excluded the women who were lost to follow-up, underwent cervical cerclage, terminated the pregnancy due to personal or social factors, or had miscarriage before 20 weeks of gestation, and those with iatrogenic preterm births, intrauterine fetal death or no second-trimester cervical sonography images. Propensity score matching was used to match pregnant women with spontaneous preterm birth ( n=101) and those with full-term delivery ( n=101) in a 1∶1 ratio, with factors of maternal age, body mass index, preterm birth history, cesarean section history, and pregnancy interval ≥5 years. CL was measured based on the retained ultrasound images. Nonparametric test or Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the correlation between CL measured by transabdominal ultrasound in the second trimester and spontaneous preterm birth. Results:The CL measured by transabdominal ultrasound at 20-24 +6 weeks of gestation was significantly shorter in the spontaneous preterm birth group than that in the full-term group [2.8 cm (2.5-3.3 cm) vs. 3.4 cm (3.0-3.9 cm), Z=－5.85, P<0.001]. If CL<3.4 cm was used as the cut-off value for predicting spontaneous preterm birth (20-36 +6 weeks), the specificity and the sensitivity were 0.50 and 0.77, respectively, and the sensitivity reached 0.92 for predicting preterm birth before 32 weeks and 1.00 for predicting preterm birth before 28 weeks. If CL<3.7 cm was used as the cut-off value, the specificity and the sensitivity were 0.36 and 0.87, respectively, and the sensitivity was 1.00 for predicting preterm birth before 32 weeks. The efficacy of preterm birth screening at 28-36 +6 weeks of gestation was comparable to that at 20-36 +6 weeks, if CL<3.4 cm and CL<3.7 cm were used as the cut-off value, the sensitivity were 0.76 and 0.86, respectively. Conclusion:Transabdominal ultrasound measurement of CL in the second trimester can be a preliminary screening to determine whether further transvaginal ultrasound measurement of CL is needed for women without a history of preterm birth or late spontaneous abortion.