Objective To determine the effect of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) gene silencing by shRNA mediated by lentiviral vector for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Methods The recombinant lentiviral vector pRNAT-shSTAT3, empty lentiviral vector pRNAT-GFP, and lentiviral packaging plasmids in supernatant were collected to transfect HT-29 cells for harvesting the HT-29-shSTAT3 cells and HT29-GFP cells. Fifteen male rats were divided into three groups (n = 5 ), and then they were inoculated with HT-29cells, HT-29-GFP cells and HT-29-shSTAT3 cells, respectively. Cell growth was assessed by MTT assay and the changes in cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. The changes in microvessel density (MVD) of tumors were detected by immunohistochemistry. All data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance. Results The growth of HT-29-shSTAT3 cells was significantly suppressed compared with HT-29 and HT-29-GFP cells (F = 632.50,P ＜ 0. 05 ). The proportions of cells at the G0/G1 phase were 68.7% ± 2.9% in HT-29-shSTAT3 cells, 38.5% ±1.6% in HT-29-GFP cells and 38.7% ± 2.3% in HT-29 cells, with a significant difference among the three groups (F = 166.53, P ＜ 0.05 ). The MVDs of HT-29 cells, HT-29-GFP cells and HT-29-shSTAT3 cells were 29 ±5, 28 ±4 and 10 ±3, respectively, with a significant difference among the three groups (F=31.60, P ＜0.05). Conclusion STAT3 gene silencing by shRNA mediated by lentiviral vector can significantly inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells.

Objective To observe the distribution and influence factors of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in general population. Methods In a cross-sectional population survey, a total of 101 510 subjects who were employed by Kailuan Group had been carried out a healthy examination in the period of 2006 to 2007. In the statistical analysis, we observed 91 123 subjects (males 72 805, females 18 318) who had full information and met the inclusion criteria of the study. Results ( 1 ) The geometric means of hs-CRP were 0. 70 mg/L, 0. 70 mg/L and 0. 73 mg/L in all subjects, males and females,respectively, the 95th percentiles were 6.28 mg/L, 6.20 mg/L and 6.49 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of hs-CRP increased with age in both males and females (P trend = 0. 001 ). Serum hs-CRP geometric mean was 0. 54 mg/L and the 95th percentile was 5.40 mg/L in health group, while the geometric mean was 0. 80 mg/L and the 95th percentile was 6. 57 mg/L in non-health group. (2) Multiple linear regression analysis showed that concentrations of hs-CRP were positively associated with gender, age,systolic blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, smoking history, history of coronary heart disease and stroke history, but concentrations of hs-CRP were inversely related with diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and alcohol history. Conclusion Serum concentrations of hs-CRP level increased with age, concentrations of hs-CRP were higher in females than males; a variety of cardiovascular factors effected the concentrations of hs-CRP.