Objective To explore the effects of signaling pathways inducing activation of DC-SIGN promoter on the activity of HIV-1 5'LTR.Methods The sequences of DC-SIGN promoter and HIV-1 5'LTR were amplified by PCR and then cloned into pGL-3/Basic plasmid to constructluciferase reporter plasmids for DC-SIGN promoter and HIV-1 5'LTR.Differentiated THP-1 cells stimulated by PMA (phorbol myristate acetate) were used as the in vitro model of DCs.The activaties of DC-SIGN promoter and HIV-1 5'LTR induced by IL-4 in differentiated THP-1 cells were studied using luciferase reporter plasmids.The signaling pathways were identified by using specific inhibitors.Results IL-4 induced signaling pathways could increase the activities of HIV-1 5'LTR and DC-SIGN promoter for more than two times in THP-1 cells transfected with luciferase reporter plasmids.However,the activity of HIV-1 5'LTR was weaker than that of DCSIGN promoter.ERK/JAK-STAT/NF-κB signal pathway blockers could inhibit the luciferase activity driven by DC-SIGN promoter,of which ERKI/2 blocker showed the strongest inhibitory effect that almost completely blocked IL-4 induction.NF-κB blocker had a significant inhibitory effect on HIV-1 5'LTR activity at a rate of 52.32％,followed by the ERK blocker at a rate of 43.31％.Conclusion This study suggested that IL-4-induced signaling pathways mediate the activation of DC-SIGN promoter and HIV-1 5'LTR through NFκB and ERK.

OBJECTlVE To study the reIationship between microRNA(miRNA)-122 and Iiver injury in-duced by anti-tubercuIosis drugs,and to discover the new biomarkers for earIy diagnosis of this type of Iiver injury. METHODS mice were given 2 mL isoniazid oraIIy at 90 mg·kg-1 . BIood and Iiver tissue sampIes were coIIected at 1,3,5,7,14,21 and 28 d after administration of isoniazid. Serum gIutamic-pyruvic transaminase( GPT)and gIutamic-oxaIoacetic transaminase( GOT)IeveIs were determined using an automatic biochemicaI anaIyzer. Cu/ Zn-superoxide dismutase( Cu/ Zn-SOD ) activity and maIondiaIdehyde( mDA)content were detected by biochemicaI method. ReaI-time qPCR was used to measure the expression of miRNA-122. RESULTS GPT and GOT IeveIs were significantIy higher at 14 and 21 d(P﹤0.05)than in the controI. Cu/ Zn-SOD began to decIine whiIe mDA began to increase after 5 d(P﹤0.05). miRNA-122,which progressiveIy decreased after administration,was reduced to the mini-mum 0.58 ±0.02 at 14 d. There were good correIations between miRNA-122 and GPT,Cu/ Zn-SOD, mDA(the correIation coefficients were -0.370,0.268,and -0.298,respectiveIy),but no correIation with GOT was observed. CONCLUSlON The tissue miRNA-122 profiIe can be used as a sensitive marker for anti-tubercuIosis drug-induced Iiver injury,which couId contribute to the earIy diagnosis of Iiver injury.

Objective To compare the dosimetric differences between intracavitary brachytherapy in combination with interstitial brachytherapy or not for locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods From May 2016 to March 2017,35 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with combined external beams and intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy were selected in this study.The prescription of intensity-modulated radiation therapy was:46.8-50.4 Gy/26-28 fractions,1.8 Gy/fraction.The prescription for combined intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy was 7 Gy/fraction × 4,once per week.Each patient was first implanted with a three tube applicator for brachytherapy,and the CT images were acquired for treatment planning.The three tube applicator was removed before a uterine tube and needles were implanted,thereafter planning images were acquired again.Dose to the targets and organs at risk were evaluated respectively for the two groups.Results A total of 212 brachytherapy plans were developed,including 106 intracavitary and 106 endoluminal combined interstitial plans.The target dose in endoluminal combined interstitial brachytherapy was significantly higher than that of intracavitary treatment alone,where D90 of the high-risk clinical target volume (CTV) and moderate CTV were both significantly increased (t =-6.01,-2.73,P ＜ 0.05).The D2 cm3 of the bladder,rectum and sigmoid colon were significantly reduced (t=3.07,4.52,2.91,P＜0.05).Conclusions The application of the endoluminal combined interstitial brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer can significantly increase the target dose,and reduce the dose to organs at risk such as the bladder,rectum and sigmoid colon.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided selective varices devascularization (EUS-SVD) for the treatment of esophagogastric varices.Methods:A total of 43 cases of liver cirrhosis with esophageal and gastric varices at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February to December 2021 were included in a retrospective cohort study. The cases were divided into two treatment groups based on endoscopic treatment: EUS-SVD group ( n=22) and conventional endoscopic sclerosant injection group (conventional gastroscopy group, n=21). The doses of sclerosants and tissue glue, effective rate of esophageal varice treatment within 2 months after surgery, rebleeding rate within 3 months after surgery, and adverse reactions were compared. Results:The differences in terms of mean patient age, gender composition, etiology of liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh classification of liver function, classification of esophageal varices, composition of endoscopic treatment indications, and mean maximum diameter of gastric varices were not statistically significant between the two groups ( P>0.05), indicating the comparability of baseline data. Perforating veins outside the gastric wall of gastric varices could be detected during the procedure in the EUS-SVD group, and disappearance of gastric varices after injection treatment could be determined, while these two indicators could not be detected in the conventional gastroscopy group. The amounts of sclerosing agents and tissue adhesives used in the EUS-SVD group were 7.54±3.10 mL and 1.30±0.57 mL, respectively, while the corresponding amounts in the conventional gastroscopy group were 7.57±3.50 mL ( t=0.026, P=0.980) and 1.38±0.67 mL ( t=-0.452, P=0.654), respectively. The effective treatment rate for esophageal varice within 2 months after surgery was 63.6% (14/22) in the EUS-SVD group and 52.4% (11/21) in the conventional gastroscopy group, but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2=0.559, P=0.455). The rebleeding rate within 3 months after surgery was 4.5% (1/22) in the EUS-SVD group, significantly lower than the rate of 33.3% (7/21) in the conventional gastroscopy group ( P=0.021). Neither group experienced events of ectopic embolism or death. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, or rebleeding rate within 72 hours after surgery ( P>0.05). The incidence of gastric fundus ulcers was 9.1% (2/22) in the EUS-SVD group, significantly lower than the rate of 42.9% (9/21) in the conventional gastroscopy group ( χ2=6.435, P=0.011). Conclusion:EUS-SVD treatment for esophagogastric varices is safe and effective. It can clearly display the deep-seated intramural vessels of the gastric wall, measure the diameter of the blood vessels, accurately inject tissue glue, occlude the varicose veins and perforating vessels, and reduce the occurrence of postoperative ulcers and rebleeding.

Objective:To compare the accuracy of endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) combined with Indian ink marking in locating injection sites for gastric varices, and to explore the influence of the features of gastric varices under endoscopy on the injection sites.Methods:Consecutive patients with gastric varices scheduled for EUS-guided glue injection therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from August 2021 to October 2022 were perspectively included. Firstly, gastric varices were assessed under endoscopy, where the size of the veins were estimated while the injection site was preliminarily judged during the procedure. Then EUS was used to identify perforating feeding veins and mark injection sites with Indian ink. After tissue adhesive was injected into identified varices, the change of varices after injection was observed and the marking was identified under endoscopy again. The clarity of the markinges was confirmed and the consistency between EUS-guided Indian ink mark and that under endoscopy was compared. Patients were divided into anastomosis group and non-anastomosis group based on marking consistency to investigate the effect of gastric varices features on the location of injection sites under endoscopy. Treatment efficacy and postoperative adverse events were counted.Results:Finally, 34 patients were included and all of them underwent successful marking under EUS guidance without complications. A total of 40 marker sites were clearly visible with Indian ink staining under endoscopy. The difference in distribution between the anastomotic group and non-anastomotic group marker points between EUS and endoscopy was statistically significant ( χ2=9.103, P=0.003). Vascular occlusion rate was 100.00% (40/40). There were 13 adverse events after operation, mainly fever, abdominal pain and nausea, and no serious adverse events such as allergy and ectopic embolization occurred. There was significant difference between the blood vessel diameter of the anastomotic group (10.84±4.02 mm) and that of the non-anastomotic group (8.80±1.61 mm, t=1.870, P=0.031). The percentage of raised vessels in the anastomotic group was 88.00% (22/25), higher than that in the non-anastomotic group [53.33% (8/15)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=6.009, P=0.024). Conclusion:Accuracy in positioning under endoscopy is influenced by variceal diameter and bulge shape, being less precise in varices with smaller diameters and less pronounced bulges.