OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to evaluate the biological characteristics of a human specifically targeted antimi- crobial peptide C16LL-37 against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans).

METHODSIn this study, an antimicrobial peptide LL-37, a peptide derived from CSP(C16) (S. mutans competence stimulating peptide), and recombinant peptide C16LL-37 were synthesized by Fmoc-chemistry-based strategy. The selectivity and antibacterial activity of C16LL-37 were identified by the colony counting method on microbial culture plates. After treatment of C16LL-37 at 32 µmol · L⁻¹, the morphological changes in S. mutans were observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the hemolytic activity and antibacterial activity of C16LL-37 under different conditions.

RESULTS1) The minimum inhibitory concentration of C16LL-37 was 16 µmol · L⁻¹, and the minimum bactericidal concentration was 64 μmol ·L⁻¹. 2) The survival rate of S. mutans was 3.46% after C16LL-37 treatment at 64 µmo-L⁻¹ for 30 min, whereas it was 0% at 64 µmol · L⁻¹ for 60 min. The survival rates of four other kinds of bacteria were more than 60% at any time (P < 0.05). 3) The morphological change in S. mutans was observed after C16LL-37 treatment at 32 µmol · L⁻¹ by using SEM. S. mutans presented an irregular shape, rough surface, and evident splitting. 4) The hemolysis rate of C16LL-37 (≤ 64 µmol · L⁻¹) was less than 0.33%. 5) This study showed no significant in- fluence on the antibacterial activity of C16LL-37 under different conditions, such as temperature, pH, salinity, and trypsin at low concentration (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONC16LL-37 exhibited obvious specificity for S. mutans, strong antibacterial activity, low toxicity, and high stability. Thus, C16LL-37 has good potential in caries research and clinical application.

Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; Dental Caries ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Peptides ; Streptococcus mutans ; drug effects

ObjectiveTo understand the difference in characteristics between juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and adult dermatomyositis (ADM).Methods Sixty-one cases of JDM were retrospectively analyzed and compared with 30 cases of ADM. Results The rashes were presented as the initial symptom in all expect one JDM patients. Gottron’s papules were presented in 90% JDM patients and 67% ADM patients. Calcium deposition was presented in 7% JDM patients and none of the ADM patients. The cardiovascular system was involved in 7 % JDM patients and 23% ADM patients. Cancer occurred in none of JDM patients and 13% ADM patients. In JDM and ADM patients, the ratio of elevated muscle enzymes from highest to lowest was LDH, hy-droxybutyric acid enzyme, CK-MB, AST, and CK. The positive ratio of magnetic resonance (MRI) all exceeded 80% in JDM and ADM groups. Two cases died in each group.Conclusions The clinical presentation of JDM is basically the same as that of ADM. The most common initial symptoms in JDM are skin rashes and Gottron's papules. Cardiovascular disease and cancer are less in JDM than in ADM. MRI is valuable in the diagnosis of DM.

Objective Previous studies showed that hypoxia preconditioning could protect cardiac function against subsequent myo-cardial infarction injury. However, the effect of hypoxia on left ventricular after myocardial infarction is still unclear. This study therefore aims to investigate the effects of hypoxia training on left ventricular remodeling in rabbits post myocardial infarction. Methods Adult male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: group SO (sham operated), group MI (myocardial infarc-tion only) and group MI-HT (myocardial infarction plus hypoxia training). Myocardial infarction was induced by left ventricular branch ligation. Hypoxia training was performed in a hypobaric chamber (having equivalent condition at an altitude of 4000 m, FiO214.9%) for 1 h/day, 5 days/week for four weeks. At the endpoints, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the plasma was measured. Infarct size and capillary density were detected by histology. Left ventricular remodeling and function were as-sessed by echocardiography.Results After the 4-week experiment, compared with the group SO, plasma VEGF levels in groups MI (130.27 ± 18.58 pg/mL,P< 0.01) and MI-HT (181.93 ± 20.29 pg/mL,P< 0.01) were significantly increased. Infarct size in Group MI-HT (29.67% ± 7.73%) was deceased remarkably, while its capillary density (816.0 ± 122.2/mm2) was significantly increased. For both groups MI and MI-HT, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions were increased whereas left ventricular ejection fraction was decreased. However, compared with group MI, group MI-HT diminished left ventricular end-diastolic (15.86 ± 1.09 mm,P< 0.05) and end-systolic dimensions (12.10 ± 1.20 mm,P< 0.01) significantly and im-proved left ventricular ejection fraction (54.39 ± 12.74 mm,P< 0.05).ConclusionHypoxia training may improve left ven-tricular function and reduce remodeling via angiogenesis in rabbits with MI.

Objective To explore the viscoelasticity of relaxed myocardium in vivo through indentation method with an intervention ultrasound indentation system (IUIS). Methods Old myocardial infarction (OMI) models of canine were established by ligating left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 3 months. The indentation creep tests were used respectively in OMI group and shame group (n=8, each) by IUIS in middle and advanced diastole stage in vivo. Test data were processed with three-parameter solid viscoelasticity model, and the viscoelastic parameters, such as instantaneous elastic modulus (E1), relaxation modulus (E∞), creep elastic modulus (E2) and viscous damping coefficient (η) in normal and infarcted myocardium were obtained and compared. Results All the parameters of E1, E∞, E2 and η increased obviously in OMI group than in sham group shown as follows: 27.81±6.74kPa vs. 6.78±2.43kPa; 17.87±3.59kPa vs. 4.52±1.56kPa; 49.54±14.35kPa vs. 16.82±12.37kPa and 1.97±0.78Pa.s vs. 0.66±0.40Pa.s. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions IUIS is a feasible method to assess the viscoelasticity of relaxed myocardium in vivo. Three-parameter viscoelasticity model can be used to describe creep properties of relaxed myocardium. Both elastic modulus and viscosity resistance have increased in infarcted myocardium.

Prostate cancer is a disease involving complicated multiple-gene alterations. Both NKX3.1 and p53 are related to prostate cancer and play crucial roles in prostate cancer progression. However, little is known about the relationships and interactions between p53 and NKX3.1 in prostate cancer. We found that NKX3.1 expression is down-regulated by over-expression of wild type (wt) p53 in prostate cancer LNCaP cells. NKX3.1 is down-regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels by p53 over- expression due to either transient transfection of exogenous p53 or induction of endogenous p53. p53 over-expression represses androgen-induced transactivation of NKX3.1 by inhibiting the promoter of the androgen acceptor (AR) gene and by blocking AR-DNA binding activity. In addition, transfection with the p21 expression vector (pPSA-p21) showed that p21 does not reduce NKX3.1 expression, indicating that NKX3.1 expression is not the result of nonspecific effects of cell growth arrest. Our results provide biochemical and cellular biologic evidence that NKX3.1 is down-regulated by p53 over-expression in prostate cancer cells.
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics/*metabolism ; Transcription Factors/genetics/*metabolism ; Trans-Activation (Genetics)/drug effects ; Response Elements ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics/*metabolism ; Promoter Regions (Genetics)/genetics ; Plasmids/genetics ; Male ; Humans ; Homeodomain Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; Genes, Reporter/genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Androgens/*pharmacology

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological features of patients with colorectal lesions, which could be the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment of early colorectal cancer. Methods The clinical ( including gender, age, size, location, morphology, and number ) and pathological characteristics of colorectal lesions were discussed based on the results of colorectal cancer screening in more than 320000 people of 40-74 years in Haining from 2007 to 2012. Results Screening of 286470 cases were completed with the compliance rate of 88. 96％. Colonoscopy was performed in 29069 cases, and 7408 lesions were detected with detection rate of 25. 48％. The detection rate was 32. 62％ for men and 19. 48％ for women ( P<0. 001 ) , and 18. 30％ in 40-49 age group and 35. 06％ in 70-74 age group. The older the patients, the higher the detection rate ( P<0. 001) . Among the 7408 lesions, left colonic lesions accounted for 69. 40％, multiple lesions accounted for 37. 23％, lesions with diameter>1. 0 cm accounted for 19. 60％. A total of 205 cases of colorectal cancer ( including 161 early carcinoma and 44 advanced carcinoma) , and 1365 cases of advanced adenoma were found. The early diagnosis rate was 97. 20％. Among the 5030 lesions underwent treatment, adenomatous and carcinomatous types accounted for the largest proportion ( 63. 00％) . The canceration rate of lesions with diameter >1. 5 cm was 34. 08％. Conclusion In high-risk populations, men have a higher detection rate of colorectal lesion than female. The older the age, the higher the detection rate. Adenoma account for the highest proportion among different pathologic types.

Objective:To observe the effect of early exercise intervention on the corticospinal tract of rats with cerebral infarction.Methods:Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sedentary group (SED), a 1 day later exercise group (1D) and a 1 week later exercise group (1W), each of 6. A modified Longa′s method was used to occlude the middle cerebral artery to model a stroke. Rats in the 1D and 1W groups started exercising 1 day and 1 week after the modeling, while those in the sedentary group were placed on a stationary treadmill for 30 minutes every day. Modified neurological severity scores (mNSSs) were used to quantify neurological functioning after 1, 4 and 8 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to calculate the infarct volume ratio, and diffusion tensor imaging was used to detect the fractional anisotropy ratio (rFA) of the corticospinal tract for correlation with the mNSS scores. The corticospinal cord′s morphology was observed using DTT.Results:After 1 week the average mNSS score of the 1D group was significantly lower than the other two groups′ averages. At 4 weeks the average mNSS scores of both the 1D and the 1W group were significantly lower than the sedentary group′s average. At 8 weeks the 1D group′s average mNSS score was significantly lower than those of the other two groups, while that of the 1W group was significantly lower than the sedentary group′s average. At 1 and 4 weeks after modeling the average infarct volume ratio in the 1D group was significantly lower than those of the other groups. By 4 weeks the average infarct volume ratio of the 1W group was significantly lower than that of the sedentary group, and by 8 weeks the average infarct volume ratios of both the 1D and 1W groups was significantly lower than that of the sedentary group. After 1 week the average rFA of the 1D group was significantly lower than that of the sedentary group, but by 4 weeks the averages of the 1D group and the 1W group were both significantly higher than the sedentary group′s average. At 8 weeks the 1D group′s average rFA was significantly above that of the 1W group and of the sedentary group, and that of the 1W group was significantly higher than that of the sedentary group. After 8 weeks the corticospinal tracts in the 1D group appeared to be more symmetrical than those of the other 2 groups. The rFA results correlated strongly with the mNSS scores ( r=-0.707). Conclusions:Exercise can promote corticospinal cord remodeling and improve neurological function after cerebral infarction, at least in rats. It should be started as early as possible.

Objective: To understand the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in tumor registration areas of Zhejiang Province,and to provide reference for prevention and control strategies for colorectal cancer. Methods: The colorectal cancer data was retrieved from fourteen tumor registries in Zhejiang Province were collected,the incidence rate and mortality rate were calculated and standardized according to the Chinese standard population in 2010 and Segi's world population in 2000. The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in different sex,age group and region were analyzed. Results: The crude incidence rate of colorectal cancer from 2010 to 2014 was 35.82/100 000（20 983 cases）. The standardized incidence rate by Chinese and world standard population were 20.80/100 000 and 23.01/100 000. The crude mortality rate of colorectal cancer was 15.25/100 000 （8 934 cases）. The standardized mortality rate by Chinese and world standard population were 8.01/100 000 and 9.39/100 000. The ratio of mortality to incidence was 0.43:1. From 2010 to 2014,the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer were stable（P>0.05）. The incidence rates of colorectal cancer in urban and rural residents were 37.69/100 000 and 31.14/100 000,and the mortality rates were 15.73/100 000 and 14.05/100 000. The incidence rates of colorectal cancer in males and females were 41.53/100 000 and 30.11/100 000,and the mortality rates were 17.74/100 000 and 12.76/100 000. The incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer both increased with age. The incidence rate increased significantly in people after 40 years old,and peaked with 187.35/100 000 in people aged 80-84 years. The morbidity rate peaked with 171.27/100 000 in people aged 85 years or over. Conclusion The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in Zhejiang Province were stable,but the incidence was higher than the national average level. The incidence of colorectal cancer in people aged over 40 years increased significantly.

Objective To observe the hematological toxicity of 89SrCl2 in patients with multiple bone metastases of malignant tumors,and analyze the related-risk factors.Methods A total of 89 patients (63 males,26 females;age:(62.3±5.2) years) with multiple bone metastases and treated with 89SrCl2 were enrolled.Hematological data at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment with 89SrCl2 were analyzed.Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03 was used to evaluate the hematological toxicity,and the influencing risk factors were analyzed.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data.Results The incidences of grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ anemia,leukopenia and thrombocytopania at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment were 15.7％(14/89),18.0％(16/89),11.2％(10/89) and 18.0％(16/89),24.7％(22/89),18.0％(16/89),respectively.The incidences of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ anemia,leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were 2.2％(2/89),0,0 and 2.2％(2/89),2.2％(2/89),3.4％％(3/89),respectively.Logistics multivariate analysis showed that the number of bone metastases and the Hb level before treatment were independent effect factors for hematological toxicity of 89SrCl2,with odds ratio (OR) values of 2.200(95％ CI:1.269-3.841) and 0.961 (95％ CI:0.932-0.991),respectively.Conclusions Serious hematological toxicity after 89SrCl2 treatment is rare.The number of bone metastases and the Hb level before treatment are independent effect factors for hematological toxicity.

Objective:To summarize the strategy of using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support during lung transplantation from 2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with end-stage respiratory failure.Methods:Two COVID-19 with end-stage respiratory failure patients were admitted to Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital in March 2020. As the homoeostasis and vital signs could not be maintained in balance by conventional treatments, lung transplantations were performed. Here, detail information about combined application of peripheral veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO) and central veno-arterial ECMO (CVA-ECMO) during the operation will be discussed.Results:Case 1: 59 years old, 172 cm height, 72 kg weight, who received mechanical ventilation for 22 days, tracheotomy tube for 17 days, and VV-ECMO support for 7 days. Case 2: 72 years old, 178 cm height, 71 kg weight, who received mechanical ventilation for 19 days, tracheotomy tube for 17 days, and VV-ECMO support for 18 days. As both of them have severe COVID-19-associated respiratory failure, and the recovery was determined to be unlikely, lung transplantations were performed. Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and cardiac insufficiency were found during the operation. Based on preoperative VV-ECMO, CVA-ECMO was added. The concomitant use of peripheral VV-ECMO and CVA-ECMO offered satisfied intraoperative oxygenation and cardiopulmonary status, the operations run smoothly, and the CVA-ECMO was successfully removed, no ECMO-related complications occurred.Conclusion:The combined use of VV-ECMO and CVA-ECMO is an optimal strategy in the end-stage ARDS patients with severe PAH and cardiac insufficiency, which can offer benefits on respiratory and cardiac functions simultaneously, and ensure surgery safety.