Background:Pancreatic cancer is obscure in onset and progresses rapidly with very poor prognosis. Photodynamic therapy( PDT)has been developed as a novel anti-tumor treatment modality since 1980s. At present,there are only limited researches on pancreatic cancer treated with PDT in vivo. Aims:To investigate the efficacy of quantum dots-RGD ( QDs-RGD)based PDT combined with gemcitabine for treatment of pancreatic cancer xenograft in nude mice. Methods:QDs-RGD probe was synthesized and nude mice bearing pancreatic cancer xenograft was established. Nude mice were imaged at 1,5,10 and 24 hours after injection of QDs-RGD and QDs by in vivo imaging system. Forty model nude mice were randomly divided into five groups:control group( without any treatment),simple illumination group( laser 630 nm, 120 J/cm2,20 min),PDT group(QDs-RGD 0. 5 nmol+laser irradiation),gemcitabine group(gemcitabine 50 mg/kg)and combination group(QDs-RGD 0. 5 nmol+laser irradiation+gemcitabine 50 mg/kg). All the nude mice were sacrificed 18 days later. Tumor weight and volume were measured and tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Results:Fluorescence of tumor was shown 1 hour after injection and became clearest at the 5th hour,then showing a decrescendo trend. Density of QDs surrounding tumor was significantly less than that of QDs-RGD and faded away at the 10th hour. Tumor weight and volume in PDT group,gemcitabine group and combination group were all significantly lower than those in control group and simple illumination group(P<0. 01),and those in combination group were significantly lower than those in PDT group and gemcitabine group(P <0. 05). No significant differences in tumor weight and volume were found between control group and simple illumination group(P >0. 05),as well as between PDT group and gemcitabine group(P >0. 05). Tumor inhibition rate in combination group,gemcitabine group and PDT group was 70. 5%,43. 5% and 37. 1%, respectively. Conclusions:QDs-RGD based PDT combined with gemcitabine can inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer xenograft in nude mice,which introduces a new idea to the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND:Bismth-doped iron nanoparticles modified by hyaluronic acid (HA-BiIOPs) not only act as an effective MRI contrast agent, but also as a radiotherapy sensitizer.OBJECTIVE:To fabricate the HA-BiIOPs and to observe its effect to enhance the radiosensitivity of glioblastoma cells U87MG under X-ray radiation.METHODS:HA-BiIOPs were synthesized using hydrothermal polyol method. (1) Cytotoxicity: A cytotoxicity test was carried out on U87MG cells and rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Cell proliferation rate of two kinds of cells cultured with different concentrations of HA-BiIOPs (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/L) at 24 hours after culture were determined by cell counting kit-8 assay. (2) Histological analysis: ICR mice were sacrificed after intravenous injection of HA-BiIOPs, and pathological changes of mouse visceral organs were observed under an optical microscope. (3) Cellular uptake: The HA-BiIOPs after entered into the cytoplasm were observed by Prussian blue staining. (4) Radiosensitization test: U87MG cells at Logarithmic growth stage were cultured in culture medium as control group, subjected to X-ray irradiation (0, 3, 6, 9 Gy) as radiotherapy group, cultured in HA-BiIOPs (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/L) as HA-BiIOPs group or subjected to HA-BiIOPs culture plus X-ray irradiation as combined therapy group. Then, the cell proliferation rate and cloning efficiency were measured at 24 hours after treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The HA-BiIOPs at different concentrations were non-cytotoxic for VSMC and U87MG cells. (2) After intravenous injection of HA-BiIOPs, there was no obvious toxicity to the mouse susceptible organs. (3) After 6 hours of culture, the HA-BiIOPs could be internalized by U87MG cells. (4) The proliferation rate of U87 cells was negatively correlated with the concentration of HA-BiIOPs (0-200 mg/L) and X-ray dose (0-9 Gy). Especialy, the combination of 6 Gy X-ray irradiation with 200 mg/L HA-BiIOPs dramatically decreased the cell viability that was decreased to (41±7)%. In the combined therapy group with 6 Gy X-ray and 100 mg/L HA-BiIOPs, the cells proliferation rate was significantly lower than that in the control and radiotherapy groups (P < 0.05). These results indicate that HA-BiIOPs have a radiosensitizative effect on glioblastoma cells U87MG.

Objective To investigate the anti carcinoma role of integrin targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) on pancreatic carcinoma cells in vitro.Methods Pancreatic carcinoma cells SW1990 were divided into four groups:cells without quantum dots (QDs) and light-treated as blank control group,pure light-treated group,photosensitizer group and PDT group.The targeting of QDs-arginine,glycine,aspartic acid (RGD) and integrin probe was confirmed by laser confocal microscopy.And as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy,after treated for 48 hours the morphology changes of pancreatic carcinoma cells of each group were observed.After 48 hours,the cell proliferation,apoptosis and cell cycle changes were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry (FCM).The expressions of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1),protein kinase B(Akt) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of each group were evaluated by fluorescence probe.One-way ANOVA was performed for comparison between groups to analyze the treatment effects of PDT group.Results The QDs RGD probe could effectively targeting pancreatic carcinoma cells.The MTT results indicated that the relative inhibition rate of pancreatic carcinoma cells proliferation of PDT group was statistically higher than that of the other groups at 24,48,72 h (F=73.00,85.10,126.58; all P＜0.01).The FCM results revealed that the cell apoptosis rate of PDT group (17.860％ ±1.230％) was higher than that of the other groups (F=130.617,P＜0.01) and cell cycle G0/G1 phase (69.14％±2.63％) and S phase (24.41％ ± 2.67 ％) retardance was also significant (all P＜0.05).The expression of proliferation and apoptosis related gene Mcl-1 and Akt at mRNA level was lower than that of the other groups however the expression of apoptosis-inducing ligand TRAIL at mRNA level was higher than that of the other groups (F=567.456,446.817,145.238; all P＜0.05).The ROS level of PDT group was higher than that of the other groups (F=3262.559,P＜0.01).Conclusion PDT with a QDs-RGD probe could significantly inhibit pancreatic carcinoma cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of a protein kinase CK2 inhibitor on intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and DNA double?stand break in human non?small cell lung cancer H460 cells. Methods H460 cells were exposed to 0, 12?5, 25.0, and 50.0μmol/L quinalizarin, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase CK2, for 24 hours. The changes in protein and mRNA levels of CK2 subunits were measured. Flow cytometry was used to measure changes in the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species in H460 cells after 4 or 24 hours of quinalizarin treatment. Immunofluorescence assays were performed to determine the effect of the CK2 inhibitor onγ?H2 AX expression and the average fluorescent number ofγ?H2 AX foci in H460 cells. Comparison was made by analysis of variance and t test. Results There were no significant differences in protein or mRNA levels of CK2 subunits in H460 cells after quinalizarin treatment ( CK2α,0μmol vs. 12?5 μmol/L, P=0?966;0 μmol/L vs. 25 μmol/L, P=0?355;0 μmol/L vs. 50 μmol/L, P=0?864, CK2α’ , 0 μmol/L vs. 12?5μmol/L,P=0?409;0μmol/L vs. 25μmol/L,P=0?833;0μmol/L vs. 50 μmol/L, P=0?0. 746, CK2β, 0 μmol/L vs. 12?5 μmol/L, P=0?532;0 μmol/L vs. 25 μmol/L, P=0?830;0 μmol/L vs. 50 μmol/L, P= 0?061 ) . The intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species were substantially elevated in H460 cells with the increase in quinalizarin concentration and treatment time. Different concentrations of quinalizarin resulted in dose?and time?dependent increases in the numbers of γ?H2 AX foci after 4 and 24 hours of treatment ( treated by Quianlizarin for 4 or 24 h, 0 μmol/L vs. 12?5μmol/L,12?5 μmol/L vs. 25 μmol/L, 25 μmol/L vs. 50 μmol/L, all P=0?000, concentration is 12?5μmol/L,25 μmol/L or 50 μmol/L, 4 h vs. 24 h, all all P=0?000 ) . Conclusions Quinalizarin can increase the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and DNA double?stand break in H460 cells by inhibition of protein kinase CK2 activity. This study provides a theoretical basis for using quinalizarin as a potential radiosensitizer for lung cancer.

Objective: To investigate the intervention effect of SB431542, which inhibits the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway, on silicotic fibrosis in rats. Methods: A total of 40 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal saline control group, model group, SB431542 inhibitor group, and SB431542 inhibitor control group using a random number table, with 10 rats in each group. All rats except those in the normal saline control group were given non-exposed single intratracheal instillation of free silicon dioxide dust suspension 1 mL (50 mg/mL) ; the rats in the SB431542 inhibitor group were given intraperitoneal injection of SB431542 (5 mg/kg) on days 7 and 30 after dust exposure, those in the SB431542 inhibitor control group were given intraperitoneal injection of SB431542 cosolvent (5 mg/kg) on days 7 and 30 after dust exposure, and those in the normal saline control group were given intratracheal instillation of an equal volume of normal saline (5 mg/kg). On day 60 after dust exposure, the paraffin-embedded section of the right upper lobe of lung was collected for HE staining; the left upper lobe of lung was collected to measure the mRNA levels of fibronectin (FN) , collagen type I (COL-I) , and collagen type III (COL-III) by quantitative real-time PCR; the right inferior lobe of lung was collected to measure the protein levels of FN, COL-I, COL-III, phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) , and Smad3. Results: Compared with the normal saline control group, the model group had nodules with various sizes in lung tissue, with rupture of some alveolar septa, emphysema changes, and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, as well as significant increases in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 in lung tissue (P<0.05) . Compared with the SB431542 inhibitor control group, the SB431542 inhibitor group had a relatively complete structure of lung tissue without marked nodules and with a small amount of exudate in alveolar space and the lumen of bronchioles, as well as significant reductions in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 in lung tissue (P<0.05) . There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 between the model group and the SB431542 inhibitor control group (P>0.05) . Conclusion SB431542 exerts an intervention effect on silicotic fibrosis by blocking the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway and reducing the expression of the downstream fibrosis factors FN, COL-I, and COL-III.

Objective: To investigate visual acuity of pupils of grade 4-6 in Liaoning Province in 2019 and to analyze its influencing factors, and to provide the scientific basis for myopia prevention and intervention. Methods: A total of 16 716 students of grade 4-6 in 14 cities of Liaoning Province were selected by multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling, and the long-range visual acuity and refraction was evaluated and a questionnaire survey was conducted. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the in-fluencing factors of myopia in primary school students. Results: The myopic rate of grade 4-6 pupils in Liaoning Province was 49.17%. Multiple Logistic regression analysis found that the main factors affecting vision included urban and rural division, sex, recess, restriction of electronic products usage from parents, and heredity(OR=0.93, 1.29, 0.90, 0.82, 3.12, 1.61, 1.64, P<0.05). Among them, rural areas, outdoor activity during recess and restriction of electronic product usage from parents was associated with lower risk of myopia, in contrast, being girl and parental myopia was associated with higher risk of myopia. Conclusion The incidence of myopia among primary school students in Liaoning Province is relatively high, exterting high pressure on prevention and control. In order to prevent myopia in primary school students, Composite interventions should be developed including change students’ lear-ning style, eliminate unhealthy living habits and targeted propaganda and education.

Objective Toexplorethevalueofmulti-parameterquantitativeanalysisofspectralCTimaging (GSI)indifferentiatingrenal fat-poorangiomyolipoma(fpAML)andchromophobecellrenalcarcinoma(CCRC).Methods 42patientswithrenaltumor,including 25caseswithfpAMLand17caseswithCCRC,wereretrospectivelyanalyzed.Allofthem werescannedinGSImode.Themorphology differencesbetweenthefpAMLgroupandtheCCRCgroupwereanalyzed.GSIViewersoftwarewasusedtocalculatetheiodineconcentration (IC),thenormalizediodineconcentration(NIC),thesloperateofthespectrumenergycurveinthecorticalphase(CP)andmedullaryphase (MP),respectively.Thedifferencesofthoseparameterswerecomparedbetweenthetwogroupsusingthetwo-simplettest.Results Somecharacteristicsigns,suchas"blackspots"sign,cracksignandnecrosishadthevaluefordifferentialdiagnosis.IntheCP,theIC ofthefpAMLandCCRCgroupwere30.20±5.25vs19.97±4.01,theNICswere0.45±0.10vs0.32±0.06,andthesloperatesof spectrumenergycurveswere3.45±1.23vs2.42±0.48,respectively.IntheNP,theICofthefpAMLandCCRCgroupwere27.84± 8.07vs22.94±4.46,theNICswere0.58±0.17vs0.46±0.11,andthesloperatesofthespectrumenergycurveswere3.24±1.25vs 2.69±0.47,respectively.Thereweresignificantdifferencesbetween2groups(P<0.05).TheNICintheCPprovidedhighsensitivity (75%)andspecificity(86%)indifferentiatingfpAMLfrom CCRC,andtheareaundertheROCcurvewas0.886.Conclusion The focalcysticandnecrotic,enhanceduniformityanddegree,"blackspots"sign,cracksignand multi-parametersofGSI,includingIC, NIC,andthesloperateofthespectrumenergycurvecouldplayimportantroleindifferentialdiagnosisbetweenfpAMLandCCRC.

Objective:To explore the application value of wide detector multi-slice spiral CT target scanning technique in the preoperative evaluation of pancreatic cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 22 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreatic arterial contrast enhanced CT scanning and were diagnosed by pathology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from September 2019 to October 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The CT phantom experiment was carried out on the international standard phantom CATPHON500. By changing the scanning radiation dose, scanning mode and scanning field of view, the spatial resolution and density resolution of the image were compared and analyzed. The target scan technical parameters obtained from the experiment were applied to the late arterial phase of MDCT enhanced scan in 22 patients with pancreatic cancer. Executive current, volume scanning mode and small scanning field were used for scanning. The attenuation value (CT value) and noise value (SD value) of pancreatic cancer tissue and normal pancreatic tissue were measured at different phases, the attenuation difference and contrast signal-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the two tissues were calculated, the contrast difference between the two tissues was evaluated, and the CT values of celiac trunk, renal artery and vein, superior mesenteric artery and vein, splenic vein and portal vein were measured, and the display of tumor tissue and peripancreatic important vessels was evaluated.Results:In the phantom experiment, under the condition of the same radiation dose, the image quality of the volume scan mode was better than that of the spiral scan mode (1%@4 mm versus 1%@9 mm at 5 mGy and 1%@2 mm versus 1%@6 mm at 25 mGy). In comparison between pancreatic tumor and pancreatic tissue, the enhancement process of pancreatic tumor tissue was increased at first and then decreased, while that of pancreatic tumor tissue was slightly enhanced. The attenuation difference between pancreatic tissue and tumor tissue and CNR also increased at first and then decreased, reaching the maximum at the late arterial stage [(91.96±29.29)HU, 8.60±5.71]. The differences between each phase were statistically significant ( F values were 47.20 and 19.80 respectively, all P values <0.05). The evaluation of vascular variation and invasion showed that a better arterial phase image could be obtained on the late arterial target scan images, while taking into account the display of splenic vein, mesenteric vein and portal vein. Conclusions:The wide detector MDCT target scanning technique can improve the spatial resolution and density resolution of the image, greatly improve the contrast between tumor tissue and peripancreatic tissue and blood vessels, and provide more accurate tumor staging and resectability evaluation information for preoperative evaluation of pancreatic cancer.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bortezomib plus highdose melphalan (L-phenylalanine nitrogen mustard) (Bor-HDM) pretreatment regimen for multiple myeloma (MM) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT).Methods:From August 2008 to December 2021, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 58 MM patients undergoing MM transplantation.The conditioning regimens were Bor-HDM (n=36) and HDM (n=22). Non-hematopoietic adverse reactions, hematopoietic reconstruction time, remission rate post-ASCT and minimal negative rate of residual disease (MRD) on flow cytometry within 3 months post-ASCT and survivals were analyzed.Results:In Bor-HDM and HDM groups, median time of neutrophil engraftment was 12(8-30) and 11(8-29) day and median time of platelet reconstitution 16(8-33) and 16(7-32) day respectively.There was no significant inter-group difference ( P=0.890, P=0.638). In Bor-HDM group, the most common non-hematological adverse reactions were nausea (n=21, 58.0%) and diarrhea (n=11, 30.6%). There was no transplant-related death.Complete remission (CR) rate was (25/36, 69.4%) versus (9/22, 40.9%). The inter-group difference was statistically significant ( P=0.032). Median follow-up period was 29.0(2.0-91.0) vs. 20.5(5.0-114.0) month, 3-year progression-free survival(PFS)62.1% vs. 39.7% and 3-year overall survival(OS) 83.8% vs. 62.5%.There were relapse (n=10 vs.10) and death (n=6 vs. 7). Median PFS in Bor-HDM and HDM groups was non-attained and 27 months( P=0.047) and median OS time non-attained and 40 months respectively ( P=0.282). Multivariate analysis revealed that CR was an independent risk factor for PFS ( HR=28.896, 95% CI: 6.130-136.198, P<0.001). Non-CR was an independent risk factor for OS ( HR=3.843, 95% CI: 1.334-11.071, P=0.013; HR=28.595, 95% CI: 6.273-130.355, P<0.001). Conclusions:Bor-HDM pretreatment regimen of ASCT is both safe and efficacious for MM patients.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of sphingosine kinase-2 (SphK2) on the function of activated astrocytes and the progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice.Methods:Primary mouse astrocytes were isolated from wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and sphk2 gene knock-out ( sphk2 -/-) mice and stimulated in vitro with interleukin 17 (IL-17). Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines at mRNA levels. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3). An EAE mouse model was constructed using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG 35-55) polypeptide. Western blot was used to detect the expression of GFAP and p-STAT3 at protein level and real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines at mRNA level in spinal cords. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were used to observe the changes in inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination in spinal cords. Results:Compared with the WT group, the phosphorylation of STAT3 was obviously reduced in in vitro activated mouse astrocytes of sphk2 -/- mice, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), TNF-α and IL-6 at mRNA level was also significantly decreased. Compared with the WT EAE group, changes in the above-mentioned cytokines and relative proteins in sphk2 -/- EAE mice in vivo were similar to those in vitro. Moreover, inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination were significantly reduced in spinal cords of sphk2 -/- EAE mice. However, no significant difference in in vitro or in vivo GFAP expression was observed between WT and sphk2 -/- mice. Conclusions:SphK2 might regulate the function of reactive astrocytes through STAT3 molecular pathway, thereby regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and participating in the pathological process of EAE.