Objective To investigate the expression of TGF-?1 and Smad 3, 7 in rats renal tissue after unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) and the effect of Shentong capsule on their expressions. Methods Sixteen rats underwent UUO and were devided into operation group and Shentong treatment group, additional 8 rats were shame operation group. The pathological change of renal tissues were examined by light microscopy 8 days after operation. The extent of renal fibrosis was determined by measuring the area of renal interstitial fibrosis. Immunhistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of TGF-?1 and Smad 3,7. Results In comparison with shame operation group, the expression of TGF-?1 and Smad 3 in operation group significantly increased, and the expression of Smad 7 significantly decreased(P

Objective To explore the effects of mental practice on upper extremity function after stroke. Methods Thirty sub-acute stroke patients were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n=15 ) and a control group (n=15). The patients in the control group were treated with conventional therapy. The patients in the treat-ment group were treated with motor imagery therapy in addition. All patients were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer mo-tor assessment (FMA) and the motor assessment scale (bIAS) before treatment and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treat-ment. Results After 2 weeks of treatment, average MAS scores in the treatment group improved significantly com-pared with before treatment, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. After 4 weeks, FMA and MAS scores in the two groups had improved, and the FMA scores in the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group. After 8 weeks, the FMA and MAS scores of both groups had further improved significant-ly, but the average FMA and MAS scores in the treatment group were now significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusions Mental practice can improve the functional performance of the upper extremities of stroke pa-tients.

Aim Toinvestigatetheroleofbrain-de-rived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)-tyrosine receptor ki-nase B (trkB ) signaling pathway in the therapeutic effects of ketamine on diabetic neuropathic pain.Meth-ods Forty-eightWistarrats,aged3months,weighing 200~250 g,were equally randomized into 4 groups(n=12 ):control group (C group ), saline group (S group),ketamine group (K group)and ketamine +ANA-12 group (KA group ).Rats in S,K and KA groups were intraperitoneally injected with a single of streptozotocin(STZ)65 mg·kg-1 to construct diabetic neuropathic pain model.After twenty-eight days,rats in S,K and KA groups were intraperitoneally injected with saline, ketamine 10 mg·kg-1 and ketamine 10 mg·kg-1 +ANA-12 0. 5 mg·kg-1 for consecutive 7 days, respectively. On the 8th day, mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT)of rats was measured.Af-ter that,the rats were immediately sacrificed,and dor-sal ganglion of lumbar spine and prefrontal cortex (PFC)were harvested for measuring BDNF,p-trkB/trkB,synaptophysin and spine density by Western blot andglogistaining.Results ComparedwithCgroup, rats in S group significantly decreased MWT,BDNF, p-trkB/trkB,synaptophysin and spine density in dorsal ganglion and PFC (P <0. 05 ).Compared with S group,rats in K group showed a significant increase of MWT,BDNF,p-trkB/trkB,synaptophysin and spine density in the all observed regions(P<0. 05 ).On the contrary,rats in KA group showed a significant de-crease of MWT and BDNF,p-trkB/trkB,synaptophys-in and spine density as compared with K group in all regions(P<0. 05 ).Furthermore,BDNF was positive-ly correlated with spine density in all regions (P <0.05).Conclusion BDNF-trkBsignalingpathway mediates ketamine-induced therapeutic effects in dia-betic neuropathic pain.

AIM:To explore the effects of stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) on the proliferation, migration and the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.METHODS:The expression levels of STC2 in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and normal liver cells were assessed by Western blot.Colony formation assay was used to test the effect of STC2 on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.The effects of STC2 on the expression of proliferation-related molecules at mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The effect of STC2 on the migration ability was measured by Transwell assay.The mRNA and protein levels of vimentin and E-cadherin in STC2-overexpressing and-silencing cell lines were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with the normal liver cell line, the protein expression of STC2 was up-regulated in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.The results of colony formation assay indicated that STC2 promoted the proliferation of HepG2 cells.STC2 significantly regulated the proliferation-related gene expression, such as cyclin D1.The results of Transwell assay showed that STC2 enhanced the migration ability of the HepG2 cells and influenced the EMT process.CONCLUSION:STC2 promotes the proliferation of HepG2 cells and affects the expression of proliferation-related genes.STC2 influences the process of EMT and promotes the migration of HepG2 cells.

AIM:To explore the mitochondrial pathway in the apoptosis of PC3 cells induced by PXD101 (also named as belinostat).METHODS:PC3 cells were treated with PXD101 at different doses or stimulated with PXD101 for different time.The effect of PXD101 on the viability of PC3 cells was measured by CCK-8 assay.The apoptotic rates and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were analyzed by flow cytometry.The protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax and cytochrome C (Cyt C) were determined by Western blot.The caspase-3 activity were tested by caspase-3 activity assay kit.RESULTS:The viability of the PC3 cells was inhibited by PXD101 in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Flow cytometric analysis showed that the apoptotic rates were increased in the cells treated with PXD101 (P<0.01).At the same time, PXD101 induced the decreases in MMP and Bcl-2, the release of Cyt C, and the increase in caspase-3 activity.CONCLUSION:PXD101 induces the apoptosis of human prostate cancer cell line PC3 by mitochondrial signal pathway.

Aim To explore the role of AMPK/ PGC-1α pathway in cardioprotection of hydrogen sulfide ( H2 S ) against ischemia/reperfusion ( I/R ) injury. Methods Langendorff perfusion apparatus was used to build an isolated rat myocardial I/R model. Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=12):control group (Control), ischemia/reperfu-sion group ( I/R ) , DMSO group ( DMSO ) , inhibitor Compound C group ( CC) , H2 S postconditioning group ( NP) , and H2 S with Compound C group ( N +C ) . The heart rate ( HR ) , the left ventricular developed pressure ( LVDP ) , the maximum rate of increase or decrease of left ventricular pressure ( ± dp/dtmax ) and the left ventricular diastolic pressure ( LVEDP ) were registered at 20 min of baseline and 60 min of reperfu-sion separately. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride ( TTC) staining and HE staining were used to determine the myocardial infarct size and the myocardial tissue mor-phological change of each group was observed respec-tively. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of PGC-1α. The expressions of total AMPK ( tAMPKα ) , phosphorylated AMPK ( pAMPKα) and PGC-1α were detected with Western blot anaylsis. Results There were no differences in e-quilibrium hemodyamics observed between the experi-mental groups(P>0. 05). At the end of reperfusion, compared with I/R group, NP group had obviously a-meliorated functional recovery and significantly de-creased myocardial infarct size [ ( 23. 9 ± 3. 4 )% vs (60. 9 ± 3. 8 )%, ( P <0. 05 ) ] . HE staining showed that in NP group, the myocardial injury was reduced. Meanwhile, the expression of pAMPKα and PGC-1αincreased significantly. However, Compound C re-versed the cardioprotection effects provided by hydro-gen sulfide postconditioning and reduced the expression of pAMPKαand PGC-1α. Conclusion AMPK/ PGC-1α pathway is involved in the role of hydrogen sulfide against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Aim To explore the role of PI3 K/Akt/Sirt1 pathway in cardioprotection of hydrogen sulfide ( H2 S ) postconditioning against ischemia/reperfusion ( I/R) injury. Methods Langendorff perfusion appa-ratus was used to build an isolated rat myocardial I/R model. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min global ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion after 20 min of equilibrium. 60 male SD rats were randomly di-vided into 5 groups(n=12):control group(Control), ischemia/reperfusion group( I/R) , H2 S postcondition-ing group( H2 S) , inhibitor LY294002 group( LY) and H2 S with inhibitor group( H2 S+LY) . The left ventric-ular diastolic pressure ( LVEDP ) , the left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP), the maximum rate of in-crease or decrease of left ventricular pressure ( ± dp/dtmax ) were registered at the end of 20 min equilibri-um, 30 and 60 min of reperfusion separately. Triphe-nyl tetrazolium chloride( TTC) staining was used to de-termine the myocardial infarct size. The levels of Sirt1 and PGC-1 mRNA were tested using real-time PCR. The expressions of Sirt1 and PGC-1αwere detected with Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical method was used to determine the location of Sirt1 . Results There were no differences in equilibrium hemodynamics observed between the experimental groups(P>0. 05). At the end of reperfusion, compared with I/R group, H2 S group had obviously ameliorated functional recov-ery and significantly decreased the myocardial infarct size(26. 9 ± 4. 9)% vs(48. 9 ± 5. 6)%(P <0. 05). Meanwhile, the expression of Sirt1 and PGC-1α in-creased significantly. However,LY294002 reversed the cardioprotective effects provided by hydrogen sulfide postconditioning and reduced the level of Sirt1 and PGC-1α, the percentage of Sirt1-positive nuclei. Con-clusion PI3 K/Akt/Sirt1 signaling pathway mediates the hydrogen sulfide postconditioning-induced protec-tion against I/R injury.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hypertension among primary and middle school students living in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into comprehensive hypertension control among children and adolescents. Methods: Primary and middle school students at ages of 7 to 17 years were recruited for a questionnaire survey in Suzhou City using the stratified cluster random sampling method from September to December, 2020, and the height and body weight were measured. Blood pressure was measured at three separate clinic visits according to the national criteria Reference of Screening for Elevated Blood Pressure among Children and Adolescents Aged 7-18 Years ( WS/T 610-2018 ), and the detection of elevated blood pressure was estimated at three separate visits. In addition, factors affecting elevated blood pressure were identified. Results: A total of 3 713 students were enrolled, including 1 924 boys ( 51.82% ) and 1 789 girls ( 48.18% ). The detection of elevated blood pressure was 13.63%, 5.36%, and 3.37% at three separate visits, respectively, and the prevalence of hypertension ( elevated blood pressure at all three visits ) was 3.37%. The detection rates of elevated blood pressure were all higher at three visits ( 16.90%, 8.40%, and 5.26% ) among students at ages of 12 to 17 years than among students at ages of 7 to 11 years ( 9.65%, 1.67%, and 1.07%, P<0.05 ). The detection of elevated blood pressure was significantly higher in boys ( 15.23% ) than in girls (11.91%) at the first visit ( P<0.05 ), while no significant differences were seen at the second or third visit ( P>0.05 ). In addition, higher detection rates of elevated blood pressure were seen in obese ( 27.62%, 11.51%, and 7.06% ) and overweight students ( 17.45%, 6.95%, and 4.85% ) than in students with normal weight ( 9.44%, 3.54%, and 2.15% ) at all three visits, and greater detection rates of elevated blood pressure were found in obese students than in overweight students at the first and second visits ( P<0.017 ). Conclusions The prevalence of hypertension was 3.37% based on three separate visits among primary and middle school students in Suzhou City. Measurement of blood pressure at three separate visits within different days is effective to reduce the false positive rate of hypertension and decrease misdiagnosis among children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND:Autologous micro-skin graft covered with alogeneic skin has become a major means for repair of extremely severe burn wounds. Due to the limitation of the source of alogeneic skin, heterogeneous skin (pigskin) or artificial skin serves as a vector to cover the wound on the clinical use. OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of thin-thickness micro-skin pulping covered with heterogeneous skin for repair of burn wounds in comparison with blade-thickness micro-skin pulping covered with heterogeneous skin. METHODS:A self-control study was performed in 36 patients with severe burns of bilateral limbs. There were 42 pairs of wounds, 32 of which were at joint sites. One or two pairs of III-degree burns treated with escharectomy were selected from each patient for self-control comparison. Covered with heterogeneous skin, thin-thickness micro-skin pulping and blade-thickness micro-skin pulping were used in the trial and control groups, respectively. The expansion ratio was controled at 1:8-1:12 in al patients. Wound healing time, degree of scar hyperplasia within 6 months to 2 years after transplantation, and ratio of reconstruction surgery at joint sites were observed and compared. The removed scars by surgery were analyzed based on the total score of the Vancouver Scar Scale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The average wound healing time was (44.7±1.24) days in the trial group and (49.6±1.41) days in the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The trial group exhibited less scar hyperplasia than the control group at 6 months to 2 years after transplantation. Compared with the control group, the ratio of severe scar hyperplasia was significantly less in the trial group (P < 0.05), while the ratio of mild scar hyperplasia was obviously greater in the trial group (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in the ratio of moderate scar hyperplasia between the two groups (P > 0.05). The reconstructive surgery ratio of the trial group was 38%, significantly lower than that of the control group (59.38%;P < 0.01). The total score on the Vancouver Scar Scale was less in the trial group than the control group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the thin-thickness micro-skin covered with heterogeneous skin is likely to be a better treatment to repair large ful-thickness skin burn by increasing the thickness of micro-skin, and it can obtain better wound healing quality.

0bjective To investigate the relationships between the peripheral lung cancer and pulmonary vessels or bronchi by 16-row muhislice computed tomography(MSCT)and analyze the related factors.Methods Fifty-four patients with peripheral lung cancer confirmed pathologically underwent contrast-erdaanced MSC TI Multiplanar reformation(MPR)and maximum intensity projection(MIP)in all patients were used to demonstrate the relationships between the peripheral lung cancer and pulmonary vessels,bronchi.The relationships were categorized five types:Type 1,erupted at the edge of nodule. Type 2,erupted at the center of nodule.Type 3,penetrated through the nodule.Type 4,contacting the nodule but stretched or encased.Type 5,contacting the nodule but smoothly compressed.The pathology type,stage,size,density and location of the peripheral lung cancer were recorded and the relationships with five types were evaluated by using Chi-square test and correlation analysis.Results (1)Tumor-bronchi relationship:type 1(33,61.1%)was more often seen in≥2.0 cm and solid lesions with stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ.while Type 2(14,25.9%)was often seen in<2.0 am and part-solid or non-solid lesions with stage Ⅰ.(2)Tumor-PA relationship:Type 1 was more often seen in≥2.0 am and solid lesions with stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ.while Type 2 was often seen in part-solid or non-solid lesions with stage Ⅰ.(3)Tumor-PV relationship:type 4 was the most common type(29,53.7%).Type 2(13,24.1%)was more often seen in part-solid or non-solid lesions.(4)Tumor-bronchi relationship and tumor-PA relationship had a positive correlation(r=0.5265,P<0.01).Conclusions MSCT can demonstrate the relations between the peripheral lung cancer and bronchi.PA and PV.It is useful for the differential diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of the lung csncer.