Objective To evaluate the function of regulatory T (Treg)cells in peripheral blood from patients with psoriasis, and to explore the possible role of the STAT3 signaling pathway in Treg cell dysfunction. Methods Totally, 81 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, who all presented with chronic plaques and had a psoriasis area and severity index (PASI)score of 10 - 30, were enrolled into this study. Forty-six healthy blood donors served as the control group. Venous blood samples were collected from these subjects followed by isolation of Treg cells and responder T (Tresp)cells. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the proportion of Treg cells in peripheral blood as well as that of cells secreting phosphorylated-STAT3(p-STAT3), interferon γ(IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and interleukin 17(IL-17)in Treg cells, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)to measure the expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 mRNAs in Treg cells. Some Treg cells and Tresp cells were cultured in vitro alone or in combination, and flow cytometry was conducted to estimate cellular proliferative activity on day 7 after stimulation with IL-2. Some patient-derived Treg cells were classified into several groups to be cultured alone or in combination with Tresp cells with or without the presence of the STAT3 pathway inhibitor, Stattic V (10 or 50 μg/L), for 7 days. Subsequently, flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the proliferative activity of Tresp cells, and qRT-PCR to measure the expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 mRNAs in Treg cells. Results No significant differences were observed in the proportion of Treg cells in peripheral blood between the patient group and control group (6.437% ± 0.186% vs. 6.812% ± 0.241%, t = 1.224, P >0.05). Compared with control-derived Treg cells, the patient-derived Treg cells showed significantly decreased proliferative activity and inhibitory effects on Tresp cells, but increased proportion of cells secreting p-STAT3, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 (all P < 0.05). After the treatment with 50 μg/L Stattic V, a significant increase was observed in the inhibitory effect of patient-derived Treg cells on Tresp cells (inhibition rate: 61.670% ± 4.640% vs. 28.820% ± 11.490%, P < 0.05), but a significant decrease in the mRNA expressions of IFN-γ (2-△△C t: 1.654 ± 0.879 vs. 23.350 ± 6.721, P <0.05), TNF-α(0.850 ± 0.705 vs. 4.847 ± 1.525, P < 0.05)and IL-17(0.572 ± 0.135 vs. 3.095 ± 0.650, all P < 0.05)in patient-derived Treg cells compared with untreated patient-derived Treg cells. Conclusions The negative regulatory effect of Treg cells on Tresp cells is decreased in patients with psoriasis, which may be associated with abnormal activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway, and inhibition of the pathway may restore the function of Treg cells to a certain extent.

Objective To investigate the expression of Wnt-5a gene in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to expose its role and clinical significance in the development of HCC.Methods Real time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed in 26 fresh HCC samples and the corresponding para-carcinoma tissues to detect mRNA expression of Wnt-5a gene.Wnt-5a protein was detected with immunohistochemical method in paraffin embedding tissues of 85 cases of HCCs and the corresponding para-carcinoma tissues,and 15 cases of hepatic cirrhosis.Results RT-PCR analysis showed that Wnt-5a mRNA (0.102 127 ±0.158 620) in the HCC tissues was more than that (0.020 106 ±0.022 075) in the para-carcinoma tissues (P＜0.05).The positive expression rate of Wnt-5a protein in HCC,para-carcinoma,and hepatic cirrhosis tissues were 21.2％ (18/85),81.26％ (69/85),and 86.7％ (13/15),respectively.The positive rate of Wnt-5a was significantly lower in the HCC than in the para-carcinoma and hepatic cirrhosis tissues (P ＜ 0.01).The expression of Wnt-5a was significantly associated with lower tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages and small alpha fetoproteins (AFP) content of blood serum (P ＜0.05).Conclusions The high expression of Wnt-5a mRNA was found in the gene transcription of HCC,while Wnt-5a protein was absent or low in HCC.It was suggested that the roles of Wnt-5a was interfered at the protein level rather than the transcriptional level in the HCC.

Objective: To investigate the health status of radiation workers in a city and provide evidence for the health management of radiation workers. Methods: To investigate the health status of radiation workers in a city and provide evidence for the health management of radiation workers. Results: The majority of radiation workers are engaged in diagnostic radiology, male is more than female. The abnormal rate of micronuclear (0.59‰) and chromosome aberration (0.47%) was highest in nuclear medicine workers. The abnormal rate of micronuclear and chromosome aberration was similar with interventional and diagnostic radiology. Expect for micronuclear (χ²=32.945, P<0.01) and chromosome aberration (χ²=75149.737, P<0.01) , other radiation sensitive indicators have no difference. The abnormal rate of thyroid function (18.8%) (χ²=12.084, P<0.01) , micronuclear (0.25‰) (χ²=57.359, P<0.01) , chromosome aberration (0.08%) (χ²=17.209, P<0.01) in group whose service length exceeding 20 years was higher than other service length groups. There is no statistical difference in other radiation sensitive indicators among different service length group. Conclusion Long-term low doses of ionizing radiation could affect radiation worker's health, expecially radiation workers engaged in nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. We must pay attention to occupaitonal health care and management to ensure radiation worker's health.

Objective To study the characteristics of resting energy expenditure (REE) and evaluate the association between REE and obesity-related comorbidities in obese children and adolescents.Methods Recruited obese children and adolescents were recruited from the Department of Child Health Care in Nanjing Children's Hospital from July,2015 to September,2016.Height,weight(WT),waist circumference,hip circumference,blood pressure were measured.Puberty status was determined by Tanner staging.REE was measured by indirect calorimetry.Body composition,including fat mass (FM),fat free mass (FFM) were assessed in terms of bioelectrical impedance.Serum biochemical parameters were assessed,including fasting blood glucose (FBG),fasting blood insulin (FBI),total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and uric acid (UA).B-model ultrasonography of the liver was conducted.Results One hundred and ninety-six obese children (143 boys and 53 girls) aged 7-15 years were recruited.The measured REE was (1 497.2 ± 312.1) kcal/d.Pearson correlation analysis indicated that REE was positively related to age (r =0.386,P ＜ 0.001),WT(r =0.676,P ＜ 0.001),FM (r =0.629,P ＜0.001),FFM(r=0.635,P＜0.001) and FM％ (r =0.335,P＜0.001),but negatively related to FFM％ (r=-0.335,P ＜0.001).By studying stepwise linear regression,it was found that the factors which influenced REE were age and weight[REE(kcal/d) =899.469-32.098 × age (year) + 16.143 × weight (kg),P ＜ 0.001].REE was expressed per kg of body weight (REE/WT),and there was a significant difference in REE/WT during pubertal development (P ＜0.001) in both males and females and the pubertal males had lower REE/WT than females.Moreover,REE/WT was lower in insulin resistant group compared to the normal insulin group.Meanwhile,REE/WT in hypertension group was lower than that in the normal blood pressure group.The above differences remained after adjusted for age adjustment(P ＜0.O1).Conclusion The decrease in REE/WT level in obese children and adolescents is correlated with puberty development and obesity complicated with insulin resistance and hypertension.

Objective To construct a CaME141G fusion protein-expressing plasmid,and to express,purify,and identify the activity of the recombinant protein. Methods The 141st site of the wild type CaM,E (GAG),was mutated to G (GGG),using site-specific mutagenesis technology. Escherichia coli BL-21 was transformed with the mutant plasmid. The GST-CaME141G fusion protein was mass-cultured and induced for expression. Subsequently,the GST-CaME141G fusion protein was purified using GS-4B beads. PreScission protease was applied to remove the GST,the Bradford method used to determine the concentration of purified protein,and SDS-PAGE used to detect its relative molecular weight and purity. The GST pull-down assay was used to study the protein's biological activity. Results The CaME141G protein was successfully purified at a high concentration and purity. The protein could interact with PreIQ protein fragments from the myocardial CaV1. 2 calcium channel C terminal,in a CaME141G concentration-dependent manner. Therefore,CaME141G has the ability to bind with the CaV1. 2 calcium channel. Conclusion This study successfully constructed a CaME141G fusion protein-expressing plasmid and purified the CaME141G protein. This lays a foundation for regulating the function of CaM mutations in the myocardial CaV1. 2 calcium channel,and for the study of its relationship with diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Objective:To assess the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on the thyroid of medical radiation workers.Methods:Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 articles, involving 22 937 individuals, were screened finally from relevant literature published from 1996 to 2022. Meta-analysis was carried out using Stata 16.0 for serum levels of triiodothyronine (T 3), free triiodothyronine (FT 3), thyroid hormone (T 4), free thyroid hormone (FT 4), thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid nodule rates. As well, subgroup analysis were carried out of thyroid function in different types of radiation workers. Results:The standardized mean difference (SMD) at T 3 and T 4 levels for radiation workers was -0.19 (-0.37, -0.01) and -0.34 (-0.38, -0.30), lower than that of control group ( Z=2.07, -16.06, P<0.05). The SMD at FT 4 levels for radiation workers was 0.22 (0.06, 0.39), higher than control group ( Z=2.61, P<0.05). The relative risk of thyroid nodules in radiation workers was 1.47 (1.19, 1.82), higher than that of control group ( Z=-3.58, P<0.05). The analysis result for subgroup showed that the SMD for T 3, T 4 and TSH levels in the interventional radiology workers were -0.29 (-0.51, -0.07), -0.31 (-0.47, -0.15) and -0.43 (-0.73, -0.13) ( Z=-2.55, -3.86, -2.82, P<0.05), respectively, and the SMD for T 4 levels in the nuclear medicine workers was -0.26 (-0.45, -0.07), which meaned a reduced risk compared to the control group ( Z=-2.70, P<0.05). Conclusions:Long-term low doses of ionising radiation may have adverse effects on thyroid hormone and thyroid nodule in radiation workers, particularly in interventional radiology workers, and attention should be focused on their radiation protection.

Objective To investigate radiation resources in medical diagnosis and treatment and their use frequency in medical institutions in Hangzhou, China, and to provide a basis for relevant departments to rationally allocate and scientifically supervise the resources. Methods From April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, a survey was conducted on the basic information, radiation staff, equipment configuration, and frequency of radiation diagnosis and treatment of all medical institutions in Hangzhou using a questionnaire. Results There were 1001 institutions with radiation services in Hangzhou, with 6714 radiation staff members and 2742 pieces of radiation equipment. The frequency of conventional X-ray diagnosis was 788.43 per 1000 population. The frequency of computed tomography diagnosis was 531.93 per 1000 population. The frequency of mammography and dental photography diagnosis was 246.34 per 1000 population. The frequency of interventional diagnosis and treatment was 10.01 per 1000 population. The frequency of radiotherapy was 2.39 per 1000 population. The frequency of nuclear medicine diagnosis was 8.90 per 1000 population. The frequency of nuclear medicine treatment was 0.99 per 1000 population. Conclusion Medical institutions have developed rapidly in Hangzhou, but with an unbalanced situation. In order to better protect the health of examinees, we recommend relevant departments optimize resource allocation and strengthen supervision on radiation protection in medical institutions.

Objective To explore the absorbed dose to the common tissues of subjects in four clinical CT scanning modes and the spatial distribution of the radiation field in chest scanning, in order to provide a basis for the radiation protection of subjects and the space in the machine room. Methods A thermoluminescence detector (TLD) was used to measure the absorbed doses to the eye lens, thyroid gland, gonad, chest and abdominal skins of the anthropomorphic phantom in four CT scanning modes. The TLD was used to monitor the air kerma at different positions from the CT diagnostic table during chest spiral scanning. Results The absorbed doses to the eye lens, thyroid gland, gonad, chest and abdominal skins of the anthropomorphic phantom in four CT scanning modes were 0.040-64.818 mGy, 0.154-10.155 mGy, 0.028-0.154 mGy, 0.443-17.141 mGy, and 0.093-14.346 mGy, respectively. The maximum air kerma value of the space radiation field during chest scanning was 0.049 mGy, and the farther the distance from the CT tube, the smaller the value. Conclusion The absorbed doses to the common tissues of subjects examined by the four CT scanning modes generally do not exceed the threshold doses. The dose received by the companion of the subject during a single chest CT scan was small. In order to minimize radiation hazards, shielding measures can be taken in CT scanning to reduce the absorbed doses to the tissues of the subject, and the companion of the subject should appropriately increase the distance from the tube and the diagnostic table.

The long-circulating effect is revisited by simultaneous monitoring of the drug payloads and nanocarriers following intravenous administration of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded methoxy polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (mPEG-PCL) nanoparticles. Comparison of the kinetic profiles of both DOX and nanocarriers verifies the long-circulating effect, though of limited degree, as a result of pegylation. The nanocarrier profiles display fast clearance from the blood despite dense PEG decoration; DOX is cleared faster than the nanocarriers. The nanocarriers circulate longer than DOX in the blood, suggesting possible leakage of DOX from the nanocarriers. Hepatic accumulation is the highest among all organs and tissues investigated, which however is reversely proportionate to blood circulation time. Pegylation and reduction in particle size prove to extend circulation of drug nanocarriers in the blood with simultaneous decrease in uptake by various organs of the mononuclear phagocytic system. It is concluded that the long-circulating effect of mPEG-PCL nanoparticles is reconfirmed by monitoring of either DOX or the nanocarriers, but the faster clearance of DOX suggests possible leakage of a fraction of the payloads. The findings of this study are of potential translational significance in design of nanocarriers towards optimization of both therapeutic and toxic effects.