AIM:To explore the preliminary mechanism of senegenin ( Sen) on inhibiting hypoxia/reoxygenation ( H/R)-induced apoptosis of primary cortical neurons .METHODS:The cultured cortical neurons were randomly divided in-to normal group (control group), model group (H/R group), Sen+H/R group and Sen group.Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the effect of Sen on H/R-induced cell apoptosis .The protein levels of JNK , p-JNK, c-Jun, p-c-Jun, Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed by Western blotting .RESULTS:The apoptotic rate in H/R group was obviously higher than that in control group (P<0.05), while the apoptotic rate in Sen +H/R group was obviously lower than that in H/R group (P<0.05), suggesting that the model of apoptosis was established successfully .The results of Western blotting showed that Sen increased the expression of JNK and c-Jun, inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun (P<0.05), increased the protein level of Bcl-2 and inhibited the protein level of Bax in H/R treated primary cortical neurons (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Sen has a protective effect against H/R-induced neuronal apoptosis by increasing the expression of JNK and c-Jun, inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun, increasing the protein level of Bcl-2 and decreasing the protein level of Bax .

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological characterization of primary esophageal benign tumor (EBT). Methods:A total of 1,058 EBTs were enrolled from 500,000 cases in an esophageal and cardiac tumor biological sample and clinical information data-base of Henan Key Laboratory for Esophageal Cancer Research (1973-2015) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. SPSS 21.0 software was applied for data analysis. Results:In this database, 1,058 cases with primary EBTs among the 249,246 esopha-geal tumor patients with detailed clinical and pathological information were identified with an incidence of 0.42%(1,058/249,246). A total of 544 patients were male with an average age of 50±11 years old, whereas 514 patients were female, with an average age of 52± 11 years old. Among the 10 types of EBTs, leiomyoma was the most common type (84.50%, 894/1,058), followed by papilloma (6.90%, 73/1058). Adenoma (0.38%, 4/1,058) was the rarest type. Leiomyoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and neurofibroma mainly oc-curred in male patients. By contrast, lipoma, granulosa cell tumor, schwannoma, and hemangioma mainly occurred in female patients.All five cases of hamartoma occurred only in female patients. Given the incidence of≥50%as the common standard, the common EBT in sequence in young male patients was leiomyoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, whereas that in young female patients was granulosa cell tumor and lipoma. The common EBT in sequence in older male patients was papilloma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and leiomyoma, whereas that in older female patients was schwannoma, papilloma, leiomyoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and hamartoma. Additionally, lipoma, hemangioma, neurofibroma, and adenoma in male patients and neurofibroma in female patients oc-curred in older patients. The different ages of patients with EBTs (P=0.034) and leiomyoma (P=0.004) had a statistical significance. In these EBTs, leiomyoma, papilloma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and schwannoma mainly occurred in the middle esophagus, where-as lipoma mainly occurred in the lower esophagus. The major treatment for EBT in the present study was surgery (57.54%, 492/855), which was followed by endoscopic resection (38.01%, 325/855) and others (4.45%, 38/855). Conclusion:The incidence of EBT is low, with a couple of different histological types. Gender, age, and predilection sites are different depending on the histological types of EBTs. Surgery and endoscopic resection are the major treatment methods.

Objective:To explore the factors of perioperative blood loss during total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and to analyze the influence of tranexamic acid on the amount of occult bleeding.Methods:A total of 100 patients who underwent TKA surgery in the knee surgery department of Dingzhou People′s Hospital from August 2018 to August 2020 were selected as the research subjects. According to whether tranexamic acid was used or not, they were divided into tranexamic acid group (68 cases) and non-tranexamic acid group (32 cases). The influence of the age, presence or absence of comorbidities, tourniquet use time, body mass index (BMI), platelet count (PLT) levels, and tranexamic acid use on TKA perioperative occult blood loss were analyzed.Results:Univariate analysis showed that factors such as age, presence or absence of comorbidities, tourniquet use time, BMI and PLT levels had a significant effect on occult blood loss, and the difference between different groups was statistically significant ( P<0.05), while gender and disease type, operation side, operation time and blood transfusion type had no significant effect on occult blood loss ( P>0.05); The latent blood loss in the tranexamic acid group was significantly lower than that in the non-tranexamic acid group: (662.47 ± 65.82) ml vs. (733.86 ± 59.86) ml, P<0.05. The proportion of allogeneic blood transfusion in the tranexamic acid group was significantly lower than that in the non-tranexamic acid group: 45.49%(31/68) vs. 68.75% (22/32), P<0.05. Postoperative drainage volume and perioperative total blood loss in the tranexamic acid group were significantly lower than those in the non-tranexamic acid group: (211.54 ± 85.63) ml vs. (427.61 ± 103.08) ml, (995.38 ± 187.11) ml vs. (1 276.42 ± 236.84) ml, P<0.05. Multivariate analysis showed that age, comorbidities, and tourniquet use time, and BMI were independent risk factors affecting the increase of perioperative occult blood loss ( P<0.05), and tranexamic acid was a protective factor ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Old age, comorbidities, excessive use time of tourniquets, and obesity can all cause the increase of perioperative occult blood loss during TKA. The use of tranexamic acid can effectively reduce the occult blood loss.

Objective:To explore the effect of postoperative intravenous drip of tranexamic acid on perioperative blood loss, coagulation function and knee joint function in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.Methods:A total of 100 patients who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty for the first time from August 2018 to August 2020 in Dingzhou People′s Hospital were selected and divided into the tranexamic acid group and the control group according to registration order, with 50 cases in each group. The tranexamic acid group was given intravenous infusion of tranexamic acid immediately after the operation, and the control group was given intravenous infusion with the same dose of normal saline after the operation. The postoperative drainage volume was evaluated at 12 h after the treatment, and the total blood loss and occult blood loss were calculated. The change value of hemoglobin, related indexes of the coagulation function at 24 h after the operation, the knee joint range of motion before and after the operation, and Hospital for Special Surgery knee score (HSS score) were recorded. The proportion of blood transfusion, the rate of deep vein thrombosis and the incidence of pulmonary embolism were compared.Results:The postoperative drainage, total blood loss and occult blood loss in the tranexamic acid group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The change value of hemoglobin in the tranexamic acid group was significantly lower than that in the control group: (33.32 ± 8.87) g/L vs. (47.37 ± 9.26) g/L, t = 7.75, P<0.05. There was no statistically significant difference in related indexes of coagulation function in the two group at 24 h after the operation ( P>0.05). The range of motion of the knee joint and the HSS scores in the tranexamic acid group were significantly greater than those in the control group: (98.57 ± 7.28)° vs. (87.20 ± 8.05)°, (87.25 ± 8.30) points vs. (78.37 ± 10.20) points, t =7.41, 4.78, P<0.05. The proportion of postoperative blood transfusion, the rate of deep vein thrombosis and the incidence of pulmonary embolism in the tranexamic acid group were significantly lower than those in the control group: 14.0%(7/50) vs. 32.0%(16/50), 6.0%(3/50) vs. 20.0%(10/50), 4.0%(2/50) vs. 16.0%(8/50), χ2 = 4.57, 4.33, 4.00, P<0.05. Conclusions:Tranexamic acid can reduce perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, reduce the proportion of patients undergoing blood transfusion, without increasing the risk of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism complications. Besides, it doesnot affect the coagulation function, and can accelerate the recovery of knee joint function.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of microRNA-140 (miR-140) on the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and the possible mechanism.

METHODSmiR-140 mimics, miR-140 specific inhibitor or small interfering RNA (siRNA) against Smad3 were transfected into human CRC cell line RKO cells respectively, using Oligofectamine or Lipofectamine2000. Quantitative real-time PCR (real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of miR-140 and Smad3 mRNA. Smad3 protein was analyzed by Western blot. The in vitro cell migrating and invasive abilities were determined by wound-healing and Transwell chamber assay after up-regulating or down-regulating miR-140 or knocking down Smad3.

RESULTSThe Western blot assays showed that the Smad3 protein level was significantly reduced after up-regulating miR-140 (0.04 ± 0.01), compared with that of (0.47 ± 0.02, P < 0.05) in the control group and that of (0.52 ± 0.06) in the negative control group (P < 0.05 for both). The results of real-time PCR indicated that no significant difference was found in the levels of Smad3 mRNA between miR-140 transfection and NC groups (1.11 ± 0.13 vs. 1.00 ± 0.06, P > 0.05). The wound-healing assay showed that the migrating ability was dramatically attenuated by miR-140 compared with that in the control and NC groups, whereas no significance was found when compared with that of the Smad3 siRNA transfected cells. The number of cells migrating through Transwell chamber without matrigel in the miR-140 group was (76.2 ± 4.4), remarkably lowered than that in the control (267.1 ± 4.9) and NC (336.1 ± 5.7) groups (P < 0.05 for both), but no significant difference between the miR-140 (76.2 ± 4.4) and Smad3 siRNA (83.5 ± 7.3) groups. Transwell chamber with matrigel assay showed that number of cells penetrating through the membrane was (109.5 ± 7.4) in the miR-140 group, significantly lower than that in the control (403.1 ± 5.1) and NC (392.6 ± 8.4) groups (P < 0.05 for both), while Smad3 siRNA transfection had a similar effect (138.8 ± 3.6)(P > 0.05). Down-regulation of miR-140 increased the level of smad3 protein expression, and partially reversed the inhibition of the cell migration and invasion mediated by miR-140. Co-transfection of miR-140 inhibitor and Smad3 siRNA had no significant effect on the Smad3 protein expression and the abilities of cell migration and invasion.

CONCLUSIONSmiR-140 regulates the Smad3 expression at the post-transcriptional level. miR-140 suppresses the migrating and invasive abilities of CRC cells, possibly through down-regulation of Smad3. The findings of this study suggest that miR-140 may have a unique potential as a possible biomarker candidate for diagnosis and therapy of tumor metastasis.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Up-Regulation

Objective:To investigate the relationship between different fluorine concentrations in drinking water and dental fluorosis and caries of children.Methods:In 2014-2019, 5 cities and 6 counties (districts) were selected, which were Dali and Heyang counties of Weinan City, Liquan County of Xianyang City, Fugu County of Yulin City, Chencang District of Baoji City, and Yanliang District of Xi'an City, villages of different water fluorine contents were selected, 3 tap water samples were collected from each village to detect the water fluoride content. The prevalence of dental fluorosis and caries in children aged 8 to 12 years old in villages was investigated, and children's urinary fluorine level was determined.Results:Totally 48 water samples and 868 urine samples were tested, and the water fluorine content was from 0.23 to 3.70 mg/L, and the urinary fluorine mean was 1.47 mg/L; 1 021 children aged 8-12 years old were examined, 372 were diagnosed with dental fluorosis, the detection rate was 36.43%; 198 with caries, the detection rate was 19.39%. The detection rate of caries in children decreased and then increased with the increase of water fluorine ( F=14.470, P < 0.05), and the detection rate of caries was the lowest when the water fluorine was 1.2-< 2.0 mg/L. The detection rate of dental fluorosis in children increased with the increase of water fluorine ( F=52.215, P < 0.05), when the water fluoride was 1.0-< 1.2 mg/L, the detection rate of children's dental fluorosis was 31.90% (37/116), which was basically within the national control line (30%). Conclusion:The content of water fluoride in 1.0-< 1.2 mg/L, can not only reduce the detection rate of caries, but also control the prevalence of dental fluorosis.

Objective To evaluate the application value of tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty. Methods 120 elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis admitted to Department of Joint Surgery in our hospital from December 2018 to March 2020 were selected as study subjects. They were divided into the control group and the observation group by random number table method, with 60 patients in each group. The control group was treated with total knee arthroplasty. The observation group received one tranexamic acid injection during and after total knee arthroplasty. Both groups were followed up for 6 months after the operation. The operation-related indexes in two groups, preoperative and postoperative coagulation function 48 h after operation, preoperative and postoperative knee joint function 6 months after operation were compared. The incidence of complications during hospitalization in the two groups was counted. Results The intraoperative blood loss, hidden blood loss and postoperative drainage volume of the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The postoperative drainage time, drying time and wound healing time in the observation group were all shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and whole blood fibrinogen (FIB) between two groups before the surgery and 48 h after operation (P>0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with those before operation, the pain, walking stability, walking distance, walking assistance, flexor extension and muscle strength scores of the subjects in the two groups increased 6 months after the operation. The index scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). During the treatment, the total complication rate was 8.33% in the observation group and 13.33% in the control group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Tranexamic acid can effectively reduce blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and postoperative drainage time in total knee arthroplasty for elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. It promotes wound healing, improves knee joint function, and has little effect on coagulation function and less postoperative complications.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children and the intake of dietary nutrients. Methods A total of 81 children aged 8-12 (34 males and 47 females) with fluorosis were randomly selected in the districts of Daxu, Fuping, and Fuyang in Shaanxi Province where the drinking water had been changed for more than 5 years. The diagnosis of dental fluorosis was carried out using Dean's method. According to the 1:1 case-control study method, 81 children aged 8-12 (34 males and 47 females) without dental fluorosis were selected as a control group. A ^“double meal method^“ was employed for dietary investigation for 3 consecutive days. The differences in dietary nutrient intake between the two groups of children were analyzed and compared. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the difference in the dietary intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, phosphorus, and selenium in the fluorosis group was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The logistic regression analysis of the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children showed that the dietary nutrient magnesium was associated with the onset of dental fluorosis. Conclusion Within a certain range, dietary magnesium is a protective factor for children with dental fluorosis. It is suggested that school-age children in areas with excessive water fluoride should be supplemented with sufficient magnesium in their diets.