Objective To develop a new type of lumbar puncture needle to facilitate to measure intracranial pressure,decrease the risks for intracranial infection and brain hernia.Methods The needle was composed of a body,no.1 and no.2 sleeves,a stylet,a needle base,a catheter,joints and etc.The needle had body and stylet made of stainless steel,the catheter manufactured with medical silicone tube,the joints produced by medical rubber and the remained components by medical plastics.Results The developed needle executed pressure measuring,cerebrospinal fluid collection and medication injection with no extracting the stylet.The outflow velocity of cerebrospinal fluid was limited,and the incidences of the complications were decreased including infection,brain hernia and etc.Conclusion The lumbar puncture needle has simple structure,easy operation and high safety,and thus is worthy promoting practically.

AIM: To observe the effect of exogenous androgen responsive element decoy on the promoter of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and the growth of LNCaP cells for searching the possibility of gene therapy for prostate cancer. METHODS: Firstly, pGL3 - PSA luciferase expression vector containing 640bp - promoter fragment of PSA gene was constructed. Then, a 23 -mer phosphorothioated ARE decoy based on the deduced ARE sequence at the promoter region of PSA gene was synthesized. pGL3 - PSA and ARE decoy DNA were cotransfected into PC3 - M cell by lipofectamineTM 2000. Through detecting the activity of luciferase, the effect of ARE decoy on the promoter of PSA was studied. Then the ARE decoy DNA was transfected into LNCaP cells. The effect of decoy DNA on the proliferation of LNCaP cells was examined by using MTT assay. The effects of apoptosis were detected by phase contrast microscopy, DNA agrose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the nuclear extract was prepared from LNCaP cells and DNA - protein interactions were examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS: The reporter assay showed that the aetivity of luciferase was significantly reduced in the ARE decoy - transfected cells, bnt not in the cells transfected with the control decoy. EMSA demonstrated specific binding of the ARE decoy to androgen receptor. The growth of LNCaP was remarkably inhibited and apoptotic morphological changes as well as DNA fragmentation were observed in the ARE decoy- transfected cells. The rate of apoptosis was 22.4% detected by FCM. CONCLUSION: The ARE decoy is capable of inhibiting the promoter of PSA gene and inducing the apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. It may become a potential therapeutic tool for prostate cancers.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance(MR)-guided prostate biopsy based on abnormal diffusion weighted imaging for prostate cancer in elder men.Methods From July 2014 to Dec 2016,56 patients (age≥ 65 years) with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)abnormalities undergoing MR-guided prostate biopsy were retrospectively evaluated.According to pathological diagnosis,patients were divided into prostate cancer and non-prostate cancer groups.The clinical data of two groups were analyzed.The correlation of Gleason score,prostate specific antigen(PSA),and the location and number of biopsy were compared.Results Among 56 cases,32 (57.1％)were diagnosed as prostate cancer,and 24 (42.9％)as chronic prostatitis and prostatic hyperplasia (non-prostate cancer).There were statistically significant differences between prostate cancer and non-prostate cancer in age[(73.0±5.7)vs.(70.1±4.3)year]and PSA[(9.3±6.0)μg/L vs.(6.0± 3.9)μg/L] (both P＜0.05),and no statistical differences in biopsy location and biopsy number(t =2.08,2.37,P＞ 0.05).Gleason score had no correlation with PSA level and biopsy location and biopsy number(r=0.189、-0.183、0.082,P＞0.05).Conclusions MR-guided prostate biopsy based on MR-DWI has some merits,such as accurate positioning,fewer numbers of biopsy,and lower false-negative rate.

Objective To explore the relevance between gait speed and muscle strength of lower extremities, or several kinds of physical functional tests. Methods 341 community-dwelling individuals (160 males, 181 females) aged 65-94 years were selected. They were divided into suspected sarcopenia group (n=137) and normal group (n=204) by their gait speed less or more than 0.8 m/s. It was compared between both groups with the basic physical characteristics, strength of iliopsoas, quadriceps, hamstrings and tibialis anterior, and the scores of One Leg Standing Test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment, Functional Stretch Test and Timed Up and Go Test. Results The subjects were older in the suspected sarcopenia group than in the normal group. The difference of body weight, height were not statistically significant between groups. The strength of the muscles in bilateral lower limbs was not significantly different between both groups (P>0.05), while the gait speed positively correlated with the strength of iliopsoas, quadriceps and hamstrings (r=0.121-0.227, P<0.05), but not with the tibialis anterior (P>0.05). Gait speed positively correlated with the scores of One Leg Standing Test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment, Functional Stretch Test (P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the score of Timed Up and Go Test (r=-0.502, P<0.001). The scores of all the tests were significantly different between 2 groups (P<0.05), except that of Functional Stretch Test (P=0.28). Conclusion Sarcopenia diagnosis is not only depended on the strength of muscle of lower extremity, but also their functions.

Objective:To determine the equilibrium solubility and the apparent oil/water partition coefficients of nicotinate-curcu-min ester,so as to provide basis for the new formula design. Methods:Nicotinate-curcumin ester was dissolved in buffer solution with pH of 1.2-7.8. HPLC was used to detect the equilibrium solubility of nicotinate-curcumin ester in various solutions. The apparent oil/water partition coefficients in octanol-water and octanol-buffer solution system were measured by a shaking-flask method. Results:The solubility of nicotinate-curcumin ester in pH 6.8 was the highest. The apparent oil-water partition coefficients of nicotinate-curcumin ester in pH 1.2,5.8,6.5 and 7.8 were lgPapvalues within the range(lgPap=1.69-1.98) beneficial to the absorption in vivo. But in pH 2,5 and 6.8,the lgPapvalues were greater than 2 with strong lipophilicity. Conclusion:The equilibrium solubility as well as ap-parent oil/water partition coefficients of nicotinate-curcumin ester is greatly influenced by the pH value of media. In the pH value with relatively high solubility,lipophilicity is stronger,suggesting it is difficult to be absorbed by the body and needs to be further studied on dosage forms.

Objective:To explore the effects of aerobic exercise combined with resistance exercise on patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).Methods:A total of 60 patients with DPN in Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from June 2018 to October 2019 were selected, and randomly divided into control group (20 cases), aerobic exercise group (20 cases) and combined training group (20 cases). Three groups all received the routine medication management and dietary guide. The control group had no other intervention. The aerobic exercise group received moderate intensity cycle ergometer, 40 min/time, once a day, three times a week. In addition to the moderate intensity aerobic exercise, patients in the combined training group conducted resistance exercise with elastic belt, 40 min/time, once a day, three times a week. The curative effect was evaluated after 12 weeks, which included fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), nerve conduction velocity and static balance function of eye-opened and eye-closed condition in Pro-Kin 254 balance assessment equipment.Results:Before exercise intervention, there were no significant differences in any measurements among the three groups (all P>0.05). After exercise intervention, the FBG, HbA1c, motor nerve conduction velocity of common peroneal nerve, sensory nerve conduction velocity of common peroneal nerve, sway length and area in the eye closed test of Pro-Kin254 balance assessment in the aerobic exercise group were significantly better than those in the control group[(6.26±0.28) vs. (6.76±0.68) mmol/L, (5.75±0.42)% vs. (6.48±0.37)%, (45.36±8.78) vs. (42.16±6.78) m/s, (38.75±8.14) vs. (35.45±8.34) m/s, (513±39) vs. (613±71) mm, (678±58) vs. (1 024±98) mm 2] (all P<0.05); the above indexes of the combined training group [(6.03±0.36) mmol/L, (5.27±0.35)%, (49.51±9.76) m/s, (42.87±7.18) m/s, (425±38) mm, (535±47) mm 2] were significantly better than those in the other two groups, the sway length and area in the eye open test of Pro-Kin254 balance assessment were also significantly superior to those in the other two groups [(316±21) vs. (395±18), (436±28) mm and (689±33) vs. (782±30), (824±70) mm 2] (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Aerobic exercise combined with resistance exercise can better improve the levels of blood glucose and HbA1c, increase nerve conduction rate and improve static balance ability compared with simple aerobic exercise in patients with DPN.

Objective To investigate the effects of radical prostatectomy on the overall survival (OS)and tumor-specific survival in prostate cancer(PCa)patients aged 75 years and older.Methods Clinical data of patients aged 75 and older with localized PCa from Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)Database from 2004 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 17 899 cases of PCa undergoing radical prostatectomy and 3 648 cases of PCa without surgery in this study.The OS and prostate cancer-specific survival(PSS)were compared between the surgery group and the nonsurgery group.Results For 75-79-year-old patients with high-risk localized PCa,the OS and PSS in the surgery group were better than in the non-surgery group (OR =1.49,95 ％ CI:1.22 ～ 1.82,P ＜ 0.01;OR=1.43,95％CI:1.09～2.04,P＜0.05).For patients aged 75-79 years with low-risk PCa and patients aged 80 years and older with low-,middle-,or high-risk PCa,the OS was worse in the surgery group than in the non-surgery group(OR =0.54,95％CI:0.38～0.76,P＜0.01;OR =0.47,95％CI:0.34～0.66,P＜0.01;OR =0.58,95％CI:0.44～0.78,P＜0.01;OR =0.59,95％CI:0.51 ～0.68,P＜0.01).For patients aged 75-79 years with low-or medium-risk PCa and patients aged 80 years and older with medium-risk PCa,there was no statistical difference in PSS between the surgery and non-surgery groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions Age limits for prostatectomy should be extended as a result of increasing average life expectancy.Patients aged 75-79 years with high-risk PCa can be considered for surgical treatment,while it should not be recommended for patients aged 75-79 years with low-or medium-risk localized PCa or aged more than 80 years.Many factors should be considered in making treatment decisions for prostate cancer.

Objective To explore the role and efficacy of VEGF and HGF gene adenovirus vector in promoting angiogenesis in ischemic tissue.Methods 84 Kunming mice were randomly divided into sham group,control group,VEGF group,HGF group and VEGF+HGF group,and the left lower limb ischemia model was established.The blood supply of ischemic tissue was observed by rheometer,and the expression levels of VEGF and HGF in each group were detected by Western Blot and ELISA.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect angiogenesis(CD31,SMA)in ischemic tissues.Safety was assessed by side effects during treatment in mice.Results After the successful modeling,the blood flow velocity of the left lower limb in each group decreased significantly.On the 7th day after operation,the blood flow of the left lower limb in each group was significantly better than that on the 0th day after operation(P<0.05),and the blood flow of the left lower limb in Ad-VEGF-HGF group was significantly better than that in other groups(P<0.05).On the 28th day after operation,the blood flow of the left lower limb in Ad-VEGF-HGF group gradually stabilized,the blood flow in Ad-VEGF-HGF group was significantly better than that in other groups,and both VEGF group and HGF group were significantly better than the control group(P<0.05).On the 7th,14th,and 28th days following surgery,HGF and VEGF protein levels in the Ad-HGF,Ad-VEGF,and Ad-VEGF-HGF groups were substantially greater than those in the control group(P<0.05).The expression level in the Ad-VEGF-HGF group peaked on the 14th day(all P<0.001)and subsequently declined to preoperative levels on the 28th day after operation.Conclusion Ad-VEGF-HGF gene injection can effectively boost VEGF and HGF protein expression and rapidly reach the relative peak level,encour-aging angiogenesis after lower limb ischemia,increasing blood flow,and improving lower limb circulation.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for delayed gastric emptying (DGE) following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).Methods:Clinical data of 385 patients who underwent PD in Changhai Hospital of Navy Medical University from January 2017 to November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, including 235 men and 150 women. According to the definition of DGE by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS), patients were divided into-clinically irrelevant DGE (non CR-DGE) group and clinically relevant DGE(CR-DGE) group. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were used to identify the risk factors of CR-DGE after PD.Results:Of the 385 patients, 78 cases (20.3%) developed DGE. There were 35 cases of CR-DGE (9.1%). In the multivariate analysis, BMI( OR=1.117, 95% CI1.006-1.240, P=0.038), preoperative serum albumin( OR=0.902, 95% CI 0.832-0.977, P=0.012), the main pancreatic duct diameter (MPD)≤3 mm( OR=2.397, 95% CI 1.016-5.653, P=0.046), soft texture of pancreas( OR=2.834, 95% CI 1.093-7.350, P=0.032), clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF)( OR=4.498, 95% CI 1.768-11.441, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for CR-DGE after PD. Conclusions:High BMI, low preoperative serum albumin, MPD ≤3 mm, soft texture of pancreas and CR-POPF after surgery were independent risk factors for CR-DGE, and early clinical interventions should be performed.

Urate oxidase (Uox), an enzyme catalyzing oxidation of uric acid to allantoin, is widely used as diagnostic reagents and for treatments of uarthritis and hyperuricemia diseases. In our study, a higher Uox producer, bacterial strain OUC-1, was isolated from soil samples. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain OUC-1 showed 99% identity to the homologous fragments of Bacillus fastidiosus. After purification, Uox showed the optimal pH and temperature was 10.0 and 40 °C. The Km value of Uox was (0.15±0.04) mmol/L (n=5) with uric acid as the substrate. Uox activity was enhanced by Mg²⁺, and seriously inhibited by Zn²⁺ and SDS. Then the uox gene of B. fastidiosus OUC-1 was amplified and sequenced. The 3D structures of Uox, predicted with SWISS-MODEL, showed a homotetramer structure with a subunit molecular weight of 35.38 kDa. Finally, the gene coding for the B. fastidiosus Uox was successfully cloned and heterologously expressed in E. coli, which provides theoretical basis and technical support for improvement of Uox in the future.