Colorectal cancer remains a major threat to people’s health around the world. Researchers have paid more and more attention to colorectal cancer epigenetics. From two main aspects of colorectal cancer epigenetics: DNA methylation and histone modiifcation, this article analyzes the similarities and differences between patients with colorectal cancer in Eastern and Western countries. This review brielfy introduces epigenetic modiifcation of genes that were used to be biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Although there are some common features of colorectal cancer in the world, analysis has showed that some obvious epigenetic differences do exist in different races. For example, it had been conifrmed in the studies that there are differences in speciifc gene methylation, histone modiifcation sites and the degree of methylation and acetylation among countries, which provide the basis for speciifc diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of colorectal cancer in different ethnic groups. With improved research methods and increased sample size, more and more special molecular targets of colorectal cancer tissues will be found, and then personalized therapy for colorectal cancer can be achieved.

Objective There is a lack objective methods for the diagnosis of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).This study aimed to investigate the influence of propofol or etomidate anes-thesia on the postoperative cognitive function and serum S 100βprotein level in infants . Methods This study included 100 hernia infants aged 1-3 years treated by laparoscopic herniorrhaphy under propofol (n=50) or etomidate anesthesia (n=50).At 1 day before and 3 days after surgery, we assessed the cognitive function of the patients using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development ( BSID-Ⅲ) and further divided each group into a POCD and a non-POCD sub-group based on the results of diagnosis made according to the Z-scores.Using ELISA, we measured the levels of the serum S100βpro-tein in the iliac venous blood drawn preoperatively ( T0 ) and before PACU ( T1 ) and compared them between the POCD and non-POCD groups. Results At 3 days after operation, POCD was observed in 10 cases (20.0%) in the propofol group and 9 cases (18.0%) in the etomidate group, with no statistically significant differences between the two (P>0.05).The level of the serum S100βprotein was markedly elevated in both the propofol and etomidate groups at T 1 as compared with that at T0(P<0.05), and so was it in the POCD in comparison with that in the non-POCD group (P<0.05), with no statistically significant differences between the two groups at T1(P>0.05).A significant correlation was found between the postoperative S 100βlevel and POCD at 3 days after surgery in both the propofol (r=0.842, P=0.001) and the etomidate group (r=0.821, P=0.001). Conclusion Propofol and etomidate anes-thesia can induce different degrees of postoperative decline of cognitive function in 1-3 years old infants .The post-anesthesia elevation of the serum S100βprotein level is positively correlated with early postoperative POCD and indicates various degrees of brain damage .

Objective To assess the application of Chinese children's intelligence equation (CCIE) and Bayley Scales of infant and toddler development-Ⅲ (BSID-Ⅲ) in screening of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in children after general anesthesia.Methods The study group (Group A),including 50 ASA-Ⅰ participants of 1-3 years old who would undergo hernia repair laparoscopic surgery,was assessed on one day (1 d) before and three days (3d) after the surgery respectively by both of CCIE and BSID-Ⅲ according to their ages of month.The control group (Group C),including 50 healthy participants with the matched age,was assessed in the same period by the same method.Both of Group A and C were assessed by the Z score method to diagnose POCD and both scales were used to analyze the results of POCD screening and their agreement.Results (1) Compared with preoperative 1 d,the CCIE score of Group A on 3d after surgery was relatively decreased (21.22±4.96 vs 18.65±4.74,P＜0.05) and the POCD rate was 12.0％.While in Group C,the CCIE score and the POCD rate had no statistical significance (20.83±4.97 vs 21.22±5.21,P＞0.05).(2) Compared with preoperative 1d,the scores of cognition,language,motion,social-emotion and adaptive behaviors in BSID-Ⅲ of Group A decreased (100.00±4.58 vs 96.44± 4.20,103.22±4.99 vs 96.24± 5.75,102.06±4.01 vs 95.28±4.27,101.22±7.38 vs 91.06±7.10,98.52±9.11 vs 90.5±8.47,P＜0.05) and the POCD incidence was 20.0％.While in group C,the BSID-Ⅲ score and the POCD rate had no statistical significance (104.61±5.48 vs 103.79±5.38,107.68±5.60 vs 107.11 ±6.05,108.29±5.91 vs 108.29±4.21,101.11±7.61 vs 101.86±6.99,99.00±7.99 vs 100.82±7.36,P＞0.05).(3)Reasonable agreement of the CCIE and BSID-Ⅲ was observed (Kappa value was 0.70;P＜ 0.05).Conclusion There is considerable agreement between BSID-Ⅲ and CCIE.While BSID-Ⅲ is relatively more sensitive to the POCD and more efficient in the diagnosis of POCD than the CCIE.Thus,BSID-Ⅲ is more likely to provide better evaluation of the postoperative cognitive functions of children within 1-3 years old and should be recommended to the health professionals in China.

To investigate therapeutic efficiency of Ad/CMV- hTGF-beta1 gene for rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration model. 60 Japanese white rabbits were selected to form the 1.5-L6 Anterior-Lateral-Anulus-Fibrosus-Incision-Induced model in order to simulate human intervertebral disc degeneration. 36 rabbits, whose corresponding intervertebral discs were injected with 20 microl (10 x 10(6) pfu) of Ad/CMV- hTGF-beta1 gene, constituted the therapy group, 12 were injected with 20 microl (10 x 10(6) pfu)of Ad/CMV-LacZ gene as comparison group, while 12 were only injected with equivalent capacity of saline for empty comparison group, 3 weeks after injection, examples were taken for investigation of HE staining, MRI, Western Blotting and immunohistochemical research TGF-beta1. Wide distribution of TGF-beta1 was detected by immunohistochemical research in the degenerated annulus fibrosus after injection. Western Blotting research showed significant increase of TGF-beta1 content in intervertebral discs treated with TGF-beta1 gene than comparison groups. MRI signal transformed from low to comparatively high and that intervertebral disc pathological degree improved. Ad/CMV- hTGF-beta1 gene transfection is a potential method to increase TGF-beta1 content and reverse intervertebral disc degeneration.
Adenoviridae/genetics ; Gene Therapy ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; *Intervertebral Disk/pathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Spinal Diseases/*drug therapy ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/*genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective To observe the effect of sitagliptin on carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and serum hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods 65 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus who were admitted to the outpatient clinic and were hospitalized in our hospital were selected. They were randomly divided into sitagliptin phosphate tablet group (experimental group) with 35 cases and metformin hydrochloride tablet group (control group) with 30 cases. All patients were given health education about diabetes, diet guidance and exercise. All patients were given drawing of venous blood at a fasting condition ≥10 h before treatment and 6 months after treatment to determine the following indicators: FPG, 2 hPG, hs-CRP, IL-6, TC, TG, HDL-c, LDL-c, HbA1 c, hs-CRP, IL-6, etc, and c-IMT was determined. Results There was no statistically significant difference in blood glucose, blood lipids, inflammation index and c-IMT between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05); after treatment, FPG, 2 hPG and HbA1 c were significantly lower than those before treatment in both groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in FPG and HbA1 c between the two groups (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in 2-hour postprandial blood glucose between groups (P>0.05). The c-IMT, hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the experimental group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant change in c-IMT in control group after treatment (P>0.05). hs-CRP and IL-6 had a decreasing trend compared with those before treatment, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in c-IMT, hs-CRP and IL-6 between the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). Spearman linear correlation analysis: c-IMT was positively correlated with hs-CRP levels and IL-6 (r=0.6585, P=0.000; r=0.571, P=0.000). There was no significant correlation between fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (P>0.05). Conclusion The DPP-4 inhibitor of sitagliptin has a clear hypoglycemic effect and can reduce c-IMT, hs-CRP and IL-6. The anti-inflammatory effects besides hypoglycemic effect may be involved in the reduction of atherosclerosis in the patients with diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVETo explore a new method for the therapy of avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid pCD-hVEGF165 was mixed with collagen and was implanted in the necrotic femoral head. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was examined by RNA dot hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. Repair of the femoral head was observed by histological and histomorphometric analysis.

RESULTSThe expression of VEGF was detected in the femoral head transfected with the VEGF gene. The femoral head transfected with the VEGF gene showed a significant increase in angiogenesis 2 and 4 weeks after gene transfection and a significant increase in bone formation 6 and 8 weeks after gene transfection on histomorphometric analysis (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTransfection of the VEGF gene enhances bone tissue angiogenesis. Repair of osteonecrosis could be accelerated accordingly, thus providing a potential method for therapy of osteonecrosis.

To explore a new method for the therapy of the avascular necrosis of the femoral head, the recombinant plasmid pCD-hVEGF165 was mixed with collagen and was implanted in the necrotic femoral head. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected by RNA dot hybridization and immunohistochemical method. The repair of the femoral head was observed by histological method. The results showed that the expression of VEGF was detectable in the femoral head treated with VEGF gene. Angiogenesis in these femoral heads was more abundant than the control. Bone repairing was augmented in the femoral head treated with VEGF gene. The results suggest that angiogenesis in bone tissue could be augmented by gene transfection of VEGF and bone repairing would be accelerated accordingly.
Animals ; Collagen ; therapeutic use ; Femur Head ; blood supply ; Femur Head Necrosis ; therapy ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Implants, Experimental ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Osteogenesis ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective: To explore the interaction effects and possible sex differences in childhood emotional overeating and polygenic influences on adolescent pubertal timing and tempo. Methods: In March 2016 (T0), all participants were recruited from grades 1 to 3 from two primary school of Bengbu, Anhui Province using cluster sampling, and follow up surveys were conducted once per year (T1, T2, T3). Emotional overeating was assessed at T1 and pubertal development was assessed annually (breast Tanner stage in girls and testicular volume in boys). The nonlinear growth model was used to estimate pubertal timing and tempo. Polygenic risk scores were calculated based on 17 SNPs for early pubertal timing. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to examine the interaction effects between childhood emotional overeating and polygenic risk scores on pubertal timing and tempo. Results: The complete data of 896 children were analyzed, including 373 boys (41.60%) and 523 girls (58.40%). A total of 203 (22.7%) children reported emotional overeating behavior at T1. After adjusting for several variables including early life adversity, delivery mode, and birthweight, only emotional overeating was associated with accelerated pubertal tempo among girls with a high genetic risk (B=0.19, 95%CI=0.07~0.32， P<0.01), although there was no association with pubertal timing (B=0.14, 95%CI=-0.12~0.41，P=0.28). In girls with a low genetic risk and boys, no evidence was found to support interaction effects between childhood emotional overeating and polygenic influences on pubertal timing and tempo (P＞0.05). Conclusion Emotional overeating was associated with a faster pubertal tempo in girls who had a high genetic risk of early pubertal development.

Objective: To examine the prospective association between peripubertal diet quality and pubertal timing. Methods: Multivariate regression analyses were performed using data obtained from 1 588 SCCNG (Southwest China Childhood Nutrition and Growth) study participants, which included dietary data, anthropometric parameters, and information about potential confounders during peri puberty, two and four years before the onset of menarche or voice break. Dietary intake in peri puberty was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Diet quality was determined using the Chinese Children Dietary Index (CCDI), which measures adherence to current dietary recommendations. Age at menarche or voice break (M/VB) were used as pubertal markers. Results: The CCDI score ranged from 58.0 to 132.5 for girls and from 48.3 to 129.9 for boys. The pubertal markers consistently indicated that girls and boys with a higher peripubertal diet quality entered puberty later than their counterparts with lower CCDI scores (higher vs. lower CCDI tertiles: age at M was 13.1 years (11.2-13.3) and 12.5 years (12.0-13.9)(P<0.01); VB was 13.8 years (12.1-14.8) and 13.4 years (12.5-15.1)（P=0.03), after adjusting for paternal education level, energy intake, and pre pubertal body fat. Conclusion Children with a higher diet quality during peri puberty entered puberty at a later age. Dietary guidance and intervention are needed for better dietary quality among children during pubertal transition.

Objective: To evaluate the development trajectory of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake in childhood, and to explore the influence of different SSB intake patterns on childhood obesity. Methods: In 2016, a follow-up cohort study was carried out in two primary schools in Bengbu, Anhui Province. Three annual follow-ups were conducted in 1 263 children at baseline, and 997 children were included in the final analysis. Parental and student questionnaires were used to obtain basic information related to the children s consumption of SSBs. A group-based trajectory model (GBTM) was applied to classify the development trajectory of SSB intake patterns in childhood. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the correlation between different SSB intake patterns and childhood obesity. Results: GBTM identified four childhood SSB intake patterns, namely, the "persistently-low group (n=822), “decreasing-after-increasing” group (n=20), “gradually-decreasing” group (n=106), and “increasing” group (n=49). In the decreasing-after-increasing group and the gradually-decreasing group, baseline BMI levels and BMI levels obtained at the three follow-ups were significantly higher than those observed in the persistently-low group (F=6.26, 5.90, 5.99, 5.87, P<0.01). There were sex differences in the association between SSB intake patterns and the children s BMI levels. Among girls, after adjusting for confounding factors, the gradually decreasing group increased by 1.20 kg/m 2(B=1.20，95%CI=0.25-2.15, P=0.01) when compared with the persistently low group at the third follow-up. Among boys, no statistically significant association was found between SSB intake patterns and BMI levels (P>0.05). Conclusion Sex differences were observed with respect to the association between SSB intake patterns and obesity in children. Girls with a higher SSB intake had a significantly increased risk of obesity. Further studies are needed to explore the physiological mechanisms underlying sex differences, to provide the theoretical basis for developing intervention programs to prevent childhood obesity.