AIM:To investigate the effects of voltage-dependent K +channel 1.5 (Kv1.5) on the proliferation and apoptosis of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) under hypoxia+hypercapnia condition and the relation-ship with mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signal pathway.METHODS:The PASMCs isolated from the male SD rat were cultured under hypoxia +hypercapnia condition, and randomly divided into normal group (N group), hypoxia+hyper-capnia group (HH group), hypoxia+hypercapnia+DMSO incubation group (HD group), hypoxia+hypercapnia +U0126 (an extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 inhibitor) incubation group (HU group), hypoxia+hypercapnia+SB203580 (a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor ) incubation group (HS group), and hypoxia+hypercapnia+anisomycin (an agonist of MAPK) incubation group (HA group).Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to detect the cell viability.The protein expression of Kv1.5, PCNA and Bax was detected by Western blotting .RESULTS:Compared with N group , the cell via-bility and PCNA protein expression in HH group and HD group were significantly raised (P<0.01), but Kv1.5 and Bax proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.01).No difference between HH group and HD group was observed (P>0.05 ) .Compared with HD group , the cell viability and PCNA protein expression in HU group , HS group and HA group were decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but Kv1.5 protein and Bax protein were raised (P<0.01), with the most significant changes in HA group .CONCLUSION:The regulation of Kv1.5 to the proliferation and apoptosis of PASMCs under hy-poxia+hypercapnia condition might have a relationship with the activation of MAPK signal pathway .

The antibacterial activity and mechanism of the antimicrobial peptide mutant Cbf-14-2 against NDM-1 carrying recombinant bacteria (E.coli BL21 (DE3)-NDM-1) was investigated in this study.The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC),minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and killing curves (KCs) in vitro were determined by the broth microdilution method.Mice septicemia model was established by interaperitotoneal injection of E.coli BL21 (DE3)-NDM-1 to evaluate the antibacterial activity of this peptide in vivo.Results showed that Cbf-14-2 exhibited a potent antibacterial activity with MIC of 16 μg/mL and killed almost all recombinant bacteria within 120 min.Meanwhile,it significantly improved the survival rate of infected mice up to 70％ with the decreasing of bacterial load in mice lung,liver,spleen and kidney.This powerful clearance ability of Cbf-14-2 against bacteria mainly related to its enhanced membrane penetration ability through neutralizing the negative charges and disrupting the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane.Therefore,Cbf-14-2 is expected to be a potential antimicrobial agent for the treatment of infection induced by multi-drug resistant bacteria,especially for the NDM-1carrying bacteria.

Objective To establish a flow-cytometric method to detect microvesicles (MVs) in rat peripheral blood, and to detect platelets-derived MVs (PMVs) and endothelial cell-derived MVs (EMVs) in blood from ischemic precondition-ing (IPC) treated rats. Methods Blood was withdrawn from rat abdominal aorta and anticoagulated with sodium citrate. Platelets-free plasma (PFP) was isolated through two centrifugations at room temperature. PFP was incubated with FITC-conjugated mouse anti-rat CD61 or PE-conjugated mouse anti-rat CD144. Standard beads in diameter of 1 and 2μm were used for calibration and absolute counting, respectively. Analysis was performed on flow cytometer. Results When 3.5%so-dium citrate was mixed with blood at volume ratio of 1∶4, clear supernatant was collected after centrifugation. Signals of parti-cles smaller than 1μm accounted for more than 99%of overall signals. PMVs and EMVs were CD61 positive and CD144 positive, respectively. Their diameters were both smaller than 1 μm. The concentration of PMVs and EMVs in peripheral blood from IPC treated rats was (4 053±1 987)/μL and (4 870±825)/μL, respectively. Conclusion The method for MVs de-tection by flow cytometry was successfully established and optimized, and verified through detecting PMVs and EMVs in pe-ripheral blood from IPC treated rats.

Objective:To explore the influencing factors of low carbohydrate diet (LCD) management compliance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) so as to provide a basis for improving diet compliance of patients.Methods:From May to September 2019, we selected 16 T2DM patients participating in LCD project for three months in Department of Endocrinology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University as interviewees by purposive sampling. The semi-structured interview was carried out for them, and Colaizzi analysis was used to interview data sorting and analysis.Results:A total of two themes were extracted, the promoting factors and obstructing factors. The promoting factors included the perceived benefits, positive psychological effect, multiplex social support, strengthening diet and blood glucose management as well as operational diet plan; the obstructing factors involved the perceived no benefits, difference between diet knowledge and actual demand, diet habit facing a challenge, increasing social role stress, difficulty carrying out diet plan.Conclusions:LCD management compliance of T2DM patients have many influencing factors. Patients, family members and medical staff should be paid attention to integrated management of LCD for diabetic patients in future.

Objective To explore methods to measure the management level of Chinese hospitals in natural conditions of Chinese hospitals, for improvement of their operation efficiency. Methods The methodology of World Management Survey( WMS) was introduced, and the questionnaire was localized using expert consultation method. Double-blind telephone interviews were conducted to investigate the management level of Chinese hospitals in the four dimensions of standardized operation, performance monitoring, target setting and talent management. Results The management level of hospitals in China varied greatly from places. Among them, the hospital management scoring was found to range from 2. 50 to 2. 75 in most cases, averaging 2. 55. These hospitals scored relatively poor at the four specific management practices of hospital layout(2.48), performance communication(2.27), talents retention, and clarity and comparability of objectives(2. 45). Management level of a hospital was correlated to such factors as its history, ownership form, human capital and hospital size. Conclusions This study uses WMS methodology to quantify Chinese hospital management. The overall management level of Chinese hospitals is expected to improve with much gaps to cover. At this stage, it is imperative to solve the unbalanced and inadequate development of hospital management levels, among regions, hospital grades and forms of ownership.

Objective:To investigate whether silence information regulator 1 (SIRT1) could regulate nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway and its role in acute lung injury (ALI) in sepsis rats.Methods:Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced sepsis group (CLP group), sepsis+SIRT1 specific agonist group (CLP+SRT1720 group,10 mg/kg SRT1720 was intraperitoneally injected 2 hours before CLP), sepsis+SIRT1 specific inhibitor group (CLP+EX527 group, 10 mg/kg EX527 was intraperitoneally injected 2 hours before CLP), with 6 rats in each group. The rats were killed 24 hours after modeling and their lung tissues were taken for pathological score (Smith score), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β), and SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein expression were detected.Results:The lung tissue of the CLP group mice was severely damaged, the alveolar interval was widened and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated, and there was visible pulmonary capillary hyperemia. The Smith score, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MDA and 8-OHdG were significantly increased, the levels of SOD, GSH, SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly decreased in CLP group. After using SIRT1 specific agonist, the lung injury in CLP+SRT1720 group was significantly alleviated compared with that in CLP group, Smith score and lung tissue TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels were significantly decreased [Smith score: 2.83±0.75 vs. 5.67±0.52, TNF-α (ng/L): 36.78±5.36 vs. 66.99±5.44, IL-6 (ng/L): 23.97±3.76 vs. 45.70±4.16, IL-1β (ng/L): 16.76±1.39 vs. 39.64±2.59, all P < 0.05], SOD activity and GSH content increased [SOD (kU/g): 115.88±3.31 vs. 101.65±1.09, GSH (μmol/g): 8.42±0.81 vs. 5.74±0.46, both P < 0.05], MDA and 8-OHdG contents decreased [MDA (μmol/g): 5.24±0.33 vs. 9.86±0.66, 8-OHdG (ng/L): 405.76±8.54 vs. 647.12±10.64, both P < 0.05], the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased [SIRT1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.49±0.15 vs. 0.64±0.03, Nrf2 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.19±0.08 vs. 0.84±0.02, HO-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.80±0.41 vs. 0.64±0.11, SIRT1 protein (SIRT1/β-actin): 1.03±0.06 vs. 0.52±0.05, Nrf2 protein (Nrf2/β-actin): 1.14±0.10 vs. 0.63±0.05, HO-1 protein (HO-1/β-actin): 1.01±0.11 vs. 0.73±0.03, all P < 0.05]. The lung injury in CLP+EX527 group was more severe than that in CLP group, Smith score and lung tissue TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β levels were significantly increased [Smith score: 8.00±0.89 vs. 5.67±0.52, TNF-α (ng/L): 87.15±4.23 vs. 66.99±5.44, IL-6 (ng/L): 66.79±2.93 vs. 45.70±4.16, IL-1β (ng/L): 58.99±2.12 vs. 39.64±2.59, all P < 0.05], SOD activity and GSH content decreased [SOD (kU/g): 72.84±3.85 vs. 101.65±1.09, GSH (μmol/g): 3.30±0.67 vs. 5.74±0.46, both P < 0.05], the contents of MDA and 8-OHdG were increased [MDA (μmol/g): 14.14±0.70 vs. 9.86±0.66, 8-OHdG (ng/L): 927.66±11.47 vs. 647.12±10.64, both P < 0.05], the mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 were decreased [SIRT1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 0.40±0.07 vs. 0.64±0.03, Nrf2 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 0.48±0.07 vs. 0.84±0.02, HO-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 0.27±0.14 vs. 0.64±0.11, SIRT1 protein (SIRT1/β-actin): 0.20±0.05 vs. 0.52±0.05, Nrf2 protein (Nrf2/β-actin): 0.45±0.01 vs. 0.63±0.05, HO-1 protein (HO-1/β-actin): 0.36±0.08 vs. 0.73±0.03, all P < 0.05]. Conclusions:In the rat model of ALI induced by sepsis, SIRT1 can regulate the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes, reduce oxidative stress injury, and then alleviate the ALI induced by sepsis in rats.

Sepsis is a severe and life-threatening symptom that poses a significant risk to human health.Treatment mainly involves supportive care,but research on new drugs is ongoing.Advancements have been achieved in the management of immune function,inflammatory pathway,blood coagulation,and vascular endothelial homeostasis in sepsis.The advances in the treatment of sepsis in recent years were these reviewed in this article.

Objective:To investigate the effect of decarbromodiphenyl ether(BDE-209)exposure on the migration ability of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)cells and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods:Human TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells were divided into blank control group and BDE-209 exposure groups(treated with 0.02,0.20,2.00,20.00 and 200.00 ng/mL BDE-209 in high glucose DMEM).Extracellular vehicles(EVs)secreted by MDA-MB-231 cells were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation.Transmission electron microscopy(SEM),nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA)and Western blotting were performed to characterize the EVs.The effect of the EVs induced by BDE-209 exposure(EVs-BDE-209)on the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells was detected by wound-healing assay and Transwell test.qRT-PCR was used to measure the miR-221 level in EVs-BDE-209.The expression of MMP9 in MDA-MB-231 cells was determined by Western blotting.Results:Compared with the blank control,BDE-209 exposure increased the tumor cell-derived EVs in dose-dependent manner.The MDA-MB-231 cells co-cultured with EVs released by 200.00 ng/mL BDE-209 exposure showed an 86%increase in cell migration rate,a 1.32-fold higher number of membrane-penetrating cells,a 2.71-fold higher expression level of miR-221,and a 1.62-fold higher expression level of MMP9 compared with the blank control group(all P<0.05).While transfection with anti-miR-221 antibody to decrease miR-221 level in EVs significantly reversed the increased invasion ability of the MDA-MB-231 cells treated with EVs-BDE-209.Conclusion:BDE-209 exposure may promote metastasis potential of MDA-MB-231 cells via EVs-BDE-209 transmitted miR-221.

AIM:To investigate the impact of platycodin D(PD)on the viability,migration,invasion,apop-tosis and cell cycle of osteosarcoma cells in vitro,along with its underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Human osteosarco-ma cells MG63 and U2OS were divided into control group(0 μmol/L)and PD treatment group(6.25,12.5,25,50 and 100 μmol/L,respectively).Human osteosarcoma cells MG63 and U2OS were categorized into control groups(0 μmol/L PD)and PD treatment groups(6.25,12.5,25,50 and 100 μmol/L).The CCK-8 assay determined cell viability and identified effective treatment concentrations.MG63(15 μmol/L PD)and U2OS(25 μmol/L PD)were specifically ana-lyzed.Cell scratch and Transwell assays assessed migration and invasion.Hoechst 33342 staining examined nuclear mor-phological changes.Flow cytometry analyzed cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate.Western blot measured protein ex-pression levels:cleaved caspase-3,cleaved PARP,c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),p-JNK,B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-ssociated X protein(BAX),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2),MMP-9,cyclin-dependent kinase 4(CDK4),cyclin D1,CDK1,cyclin B1,extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)and p-ERK.Proteome sequencing of MG63 cells was performed.RESULTS:PD treatment significantly decreased cell survival,scratch healing rate,and invasive cell numbers,while increasing apoptosis rates(P<0.05).Morphological changes such as nuclear hyperchroma-tism and fragmentation were observed in PD-treated cells.PD induced G2/M phase arrest in MG63 and G0/G1 phase arrest in U2OS cells.PD treatment upregulated BAX,cleaved caspase-3,cleaved PARP,and p-JNK/JNK,while downregulat-ing Bcl-2,MMP-2,MMP-9,CDK4,cyclin D1,CDK1,cyclin B1,and p-ERK/ERK(P<0.05).Proteome sequencing re-vealed PD's involvement in cell division,cell cycle regulation,focal adhesion,apoptosis,and the MAPK signaling path-way.CONCLUSION:PD inhibits cell viability,migration,and invasion of osteosarcoma cells in vitro,while promoting apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest.These effects are likely mediated through modulation of the MAPK signaling path-way.

Objective To analyze the changes in left ventricular deformation function in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)treated with different doses of anthracycline chemotherapy using 3D speckle-tracking imaging(3D-STI).Methods 66 DLBCL patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy were enrolled.Based on the cumulative dose of anthracycline received,the patients were divided into a high-dose group(＞360 mg/m2,n=39)and a low-dose group(≤360 mg/m2,n=27).Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography before chemotherapy and within one week after completion of the entire chemotherapy cycle.Left ventricular global longitudinal strain(LVGLS),left ventricular global circumferential strain(LVGCS),and other indices were analyzed using 3D-STI to assess changes in left ventricular deformation indices after chemotherapy and between two groups.Results Compared to baseline,DLBCL patients showed significant reductions in LVGLS,LVGCS and left atrial global longitudinal strain(LAGLS)after treatment completion(P＜0.001).When comparing the high-dose group with the low-dose group,there was a significant increase in relative LVGCS change rate at the end of chemotherapy(21.12[6.52,35.37]vs 5.49[-14.73,27.01];P=0.03).However,there were no statistically significant differences in relative left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),LVGLS,LVGCS,LVEF change rate,or LVGLS change rate between the two groups.Conclusions 3D-STI can be a potential method to identify the sub-clinical deterioration of left ventricular systolic function in patients received anthracycline chemotherapy,the difference of change rate of LVGCS may predict the variation of sub-clinical deterioration of left ventricular function between patients received high and low doses of anthracycline chemotherapy.