Objective To investigate the role of cancer stem cells in radiation resistance of esophageal cancer and its molecular mechanism, and to provide a theoretical basis for radiotherapy for esophageal cancer.Methods Esophageal cancer cell line TE1 was treated with 8 Gy of radiation. Esophageal cancer cell line with resistance to radiation, TE1-res, was established and screened.Cell counting was used to evaluate cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was used to determine the expression of CD44 (high) CD24(-) CD133(+) and apoptosis in cells.The colony formation assay was used to determine the colony-forming rate and cell survival curve.Bisulfite sequencing PCR was used to determine the methylation status of cancer suppressor genes.Comparison of the data was made by group t test or analysis of variance. Results Compared with TE1 cells, TE1-res cells had significantly enhanced proliferation, a significantly higher proportion of CD44( high) CD24(-) CD133(+) cells, and significantly enhanced resistance to apoptosis (mean value 20.84×105 vs.4.46×105/day, P=0.008;(38.0±2.9)%vs.(10.1±1.3)%, P=0.001;mean value 33.23% vs.10.50%, P=0.003 ) .After treatment with 8 Gy of radiation, TE1-res cells had significantly higher colony-forming rate and D0 value than TE1 cells ((14.3±2.6)%vs.(0.9±0.3)%, P=0.011;3.28 vs.2.19 Gy, P=0.125 ) .Moreover, the promoter methylation in cancer suppressor genes including SPINT2, CDKN1B, DKK1, TP53, and PPP2R1B was significantly enhanced in TE1-res cells than in TE1 cells ((89.7±4.9)%vs.(5.0±0.5)%, P=0.001;(92.3±4.7)%vs.(10.4±0.7)%, P=0.001;(90.7±3.7)%vs.(7.9±0.4)%, P=0.001;(83.4±5.7)%vs.(17.2±1.2)%, P=0.002;(90.2±
6.7)%vs.(4.4±1.2)%, P=0.002).Conclusions Cancer stem cells play an important role in radiation resistance of esophageal cancer. The resistance to radiation is closely associated with promoter hypermethylation in cancer suppressor genes including SPINT2, CDKN1B, DKK1, TP53, and PPP2R1B.

Objective To establish a radioresistant esophageal squamous cancer cell line,and to identify the radioresistant genes and mechanisms.Methods The radioresistant KYSE410-res cell line was established by repeated exposure of cell line KYSE410 to radiation.The proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal squamous cancer cells were evaluated before and after radiation.The changes in gene expression of the esophageal squamous cancer cells after radiation were determined by gene microarray and analyzed by group t test.The genes with significant difference in expression after radiation were validated.Results The KYSE410-res cells had significantly enhanced proliferation and anti-apoptosis than the KYSE410 cells (all P＜0.05).The result of gene microarray showed that compared with the KYSE410 cells,the KYSE410-res cells had the expression of 463 and 251 genes upregulated and downregulated by no less than 4 folds,respectively.Those genes with different expression levels after radiation were mainly responsible for cell proliferation,adhesion,signal transduction,angiogenesis,reactive oxygen metabolism,cell damage repair,and the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.OAS2 and UBD were key proteins in the network.In the KYSE410-res cells,the expression of HLA-DQBI,MMP1,NCAM1,ZNF521,GPC6,SELENBP1,LCN15,and TFPI-2 genes measured by real-time PCR was consistent with that measured by gene microarray.Conclusions Abnormal activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway,upregulated expression of OAS2 and UBD,downregulated expression of TFPI-2,and upregulated expression of MMPs may play a role in radioresistance of esophageal cancer cells.

Objective To analyze the compliance and the influencing factors of the children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH).Methods 231 children with CH were collected for this study.The questionnaire survey and referring the case were used to collect relative factors.According to regular follow -up treatment,the children were divided into two groups,one group was good compliance and the other one was bad compliance.The results were ana-lyzed by two -independent sample t -test,2 -test and unconditioned logistic regression analysis.Results (1)Blood TSH(χ2 =59.870,P =0.00) and blood FT4 (χ2 =6.468,P =0.01) were normal,short distance from the hospital (χ2 =16.375,P =0.00),level of education of their mothers was high(χ2 =7.483,P =0.02),and regular compli-ance treatment of children with CH(χ2 =7.483,P =0.024) was good.(2) Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that serum TSH value(OR =17.135),the short distance(OR =1.692) and diagnosis of CH(OR =4.028) were introduced into the logistic regression model (all P <0.05).Conclusion It is essential to take measures actively and reinforce the management of children with long distance,low -educated,and the diagnosis of TSH.More-over,enhancing the regular treatment compliance of children with CH is the key to improve the growth and develop-ment status of children with CH.

ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors of pulmonary infection for critically ill ICU patients with tracheotomy,and investigate the methods to prevent nosocomial lung infection. Methods94 patients in ICU with pulmonary infection after tracheotomy from March 2008 to March 2010 were analyzed retrospectively,they were set as the observation group.100 patients in synchronization without pulmonary infection after tracheotomy were set as the control group.The general condition,diagnosis and treatment methods and care,the environment,etc.were studied,the risk factors for nosocomial pulmonary infections after tracheotomy were analyzed.The care methods and points to prevent lung infections for critically ill ICU patients after tracheotomy were summarized. ResultsThe study showed that the respiratory system diseases in critically ill patients,smoking history,low seniority of nursing staff,long-term use of large dose of antibiotics,application of H2 blockers and antacids,and many patients in the same ward were risk factors for critically ill patients with pulmonary infection. ConclusionsLung infection after tracheotomy in critically ill ICU patients was affected by many factors.In the actual operation,we should targeted to avoid infection led by treatment and care factors,environmental factors,control and prevention measures should especially be strengthened for patients with respiratory diseases to prevent lung infection.

Objective Pemetrexed and β-elemene can inhibit the growth of tumor cells .This study was to investigate the effect of pemetrexed combined with β-elemene on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells. Methods Cervical cancer HeLa cells were treated with pemetrexed at the concentrations of 38, 76, 152, 228, and 304μg/mL, and at 24 and 48 hours of treatment subjected to MTT for detection of their proliferation .The experiment included four groups , with the cells treated with β-elemene ( 125μg/mL) , pemetrexed ( 76 μg/mL ) , β-elemene ( 125 μg/mL ) +pemetrexed (76μg/mL), and nothing (blank control) for 24 hours, followed by determination of their proliferation and apoptosis by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. Results Pemetrexed at 38, 76, 152 and 228μg/mL inhibited the proliferation of the HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with the inhibition rates of (7.24 ±3.78), (7.94 ±4.37), (11.10 ±2.86) and (15.88 ± 3.38)%at 24 hours, and (16.69 ±0.95), (22.54 ±1.53), (24.48 ±0.92) and (25.54 ±3.61)%at 48 hours, both with statis-tically significant differences between any two groups (P<0.05).Significant differences were also found in the proliferation rate of the same concentration of pemetrexed at the two time points (P<0.05).The combination of pemetrexed and β-elemene showed an inhibi-tion rate of (49.95 ±5.76)%at 24 hours, remarkably higher than (24.36 ±5.59)%in theβ-elemene group and (10.69 ±1.37)%in the pemetrexed group (P<0.01). Conclusion Pemetrexed combined with β-elemene can significantly inhibit the proliferation and synergistically accelerate the apoptosis of HeLa cells .

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of the serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration for postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery.Methods:Perioperative data of 110 consecutive neonates (≤28 days) who underwent cardiac surgery in our hospital from October 2017 to May 2021, were collected retrospectively.According to pROCK criteria, the patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group.Demographics, predominant diagnosis, laboratory examination, perioperative management and postoperative outcomes were compared between two groups.The concentration of serum NT-proBNP was routinely measured within 12 h after operation.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for the association between serum NT-proBNP and postoperative AKI.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn, and the predictive value of serum NT-proBNP for postoperative AKI was determined according to the area under the curve.Results:A total of 106 neonates were enrolled, and the incidence of postoperative AKI was 54.7%.There were significant difference in the baseline hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and serum creatinine and serum NT-proBNP concentration between AKI group and non-AKI group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that NT-proBNP level was an independent risk factor for AKI after cardiac surgery in neonates ( odds ratio 2.49, 95% confidence interval 1.183-5.23, P=0.016). The area under the curve of NT-proBNP predicting AKI after cardiac surgery was 0.66 (95% confidence interval 0.56-0.76, P=0.007). Conclusions:Elevated serum NT-proBNP concentration is an independent risk factor for AKI after cardiac surgery in neonates and has a certain predictive value for AKI, and close monitoring of perioperative NT-proBNP level is helpful for early identification of high-risk neonates.

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is an important assistant technique for complex cardiac surgery, which creates convenient operating conditions for surgery, and is also one of the measures to protect the brain during operation. However, the complications caused by this technique cannot be ignored, and it should be noticed that the occurrence of intestinal injury is relatively insidious, but brings great pain to patients and significantly reduces the quality of life after operation. Studies have shown that intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury is induced by DHCA. It causes mast cells to activate and release many inflammatory mediators that destroy the intestinal mucosal epithelium barrier, and eventually lead to intestinal injury. This article reviewed the research progress of mast cells in the mechanism of DHCA-induced intestinal injury.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation for adult patients with atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 76 patients with AVSD aged more than 18 years in our hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017. The patients ventilated longer than 24 hours were described as a prolonged ventilation group (n=27) and the others as a normal group (n=49). There were 9 males and 18 females aged 32.22±9.64 years in the prolonged ventilation group, and 16 males and 33 females aged 35.98±11.34 years in the normal group. Perioperative variables between the two groups were compared and selected, and then analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results The result of univariate analysis showed that there was a statistical difference in weight, preoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, the level of postoperative platelet, hemoglobin, blood glucose, lactic acid and serum creatinine, postoperative maximum heart rate and postoperative infection rate between the prolonged ventilated group and the normal group. Multivarable logistic regression showed that preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension (OR=1.056, 95%CI 1.005 to 1.110, P=0.030), prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (OR=1.036, 95%CI 1.007 to 1.066, P=0.016) and the low postoperative hemoglobin level (OR=0.874, 95%CI 0.786 to 0.973, P=0.014) were the risk factors of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. Conclusion Preoperative pulmonary artery hypertension, long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative anaemia are the risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation.

INTRODUCTION: Observational studies have revealed an association between waist circumference (WC) and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is difficult to infer a causal relationship from observational studies because the observed associations could be confounded by unknown risk factors. Therefore, the causal role of WC in AF is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the causal association between WC and AF using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. METHODS: In our two-sample MR analysis, the genetic variation used as an instrumental variable for MR was acquired from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of WC (42 single nucleotide polymorphisms with a genetic significance of P <5 × 10 -8 ). The data of WC (from the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits consortium, containing 232,101 participants) and the data of AF (from the European Bioinformatics Institute database, containing 55,114 AF cases and 482,295 controls) were used to assess the causal role of WC on AF. Three different approaches (inverse variance weighted [IVW], MR-Egger, and weighted median regression) were used to ensure that our results more reliable. RESULTS: All three MR analyses provided evidence of a positive causal association between high WC and AF. High WC was suggested to increase the risk of AF based on the IVW method (odds ratio [OR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-1.58, P = 2.51 × 10 -13 ). The results of MR-Egger and weighted median regression exhibited similar trends (MR-Egger OR = 1.40 [95% CI, 1.08-1.81], P = 1.61 × 10 -2 ; weighted median OR = 1.39 [95% CI, 1.21-1.61], P = 1.62 × 10 -6 ). MR-Egger intercepts and funnel plots showed no directional pleiotropic effects between high WC and AF. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that greater WC is associated with an increased risk of AF. Taking measures to reduce WC may help prevent the occurrence of AF.
Humans ; Atrial Fibrillation/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Waist Circumference/genetics* ; Computational Biology ; Databases, Factual