Objective To investigate the effect of Notch1 and Jagged1 on the growth of prostate cancer PC3 cells and the regulation of Jagged1 expression by its receptor Notch1 in PC3. Methods Notch1 and Jagged1 expression were inhibited by siRNA interference. The growth rate of PC3 cells was measured by MTT. Notch1 expression was inhibited by siRNA interference and promoted by transfection of Notch1 cDNA. The changes of Notch1 and Jagged1 protein and mRNA levels were measured by Western blot and Real-time RCR. Results The growth of PC3 cells decreased after inhibiting Notch1 and Jagged1 expression. Jagged1 protein level decreased after inhibiting Notch1 expression and increased after over-expressing Notch1. Moreover, the change of Jagged1 protein level was discordant with the situation of mRNA. Conclusion In PC3 cells, Notch1 and Jagged1 are important to cell growth. Notch1 may regulate Jagged1 expression.

Objective To explore the effect of cluster scalp acupuncture on pathological changes and the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF) in rats after acute cerebral infarction.Methods30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group (group A), model group (group B) and cluster scalp acupuncture group (group C) with 10 animals in each group. Animal model was made by the middle cerebral artery occlusion. The pathological changes and the expression of NGF and TGF in the brain tissues of rats were tested.ResultsOn the 7th day after operation, brain tissue of infarction area in the group B indicated significantly edema, neural cells decreased. Compared with the group B, the edema in the group C decreased and neural cells increased. At the same time, there were a few NGF and TGF expressions in hippocampus andcortex areas of the group A and group B, and there was no difference between the two groups ( P>0.05); but compared with the group A and group B, NGF and TGF in the group C increased significantly ( P<0.05, P<0.01).ConclusionCluster scalp acupuncture therapy can decrease edema, increase neural cells in infarction areas, as well as induce the expression of NGF and TGF in cortex and hippocampus.

Objective To elucidate the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and to investigate the associated problems in treatment. Methods A total of 254 PD patients in our division were enrolled in this study. CVD history, laboratory measurements, examinations of carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy by ultrasonography were collected and associated factors were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 49 months. Results The overall prevalence of CVD was 37% (93/254). Diabetes, longer dialysis duration, hypertfiglyceridemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoprealbuminemia were commonly found in the patients with new CVD event. The patients without pre-existing CVD had the higher Ccr, Kt/V, D/Pr, nPCR, serum albumin level. In those with pre-existing CVD, the hypertriglyceridemia and the duration of dialysis were independent predictors of progression of CVD. Differences of LAD, LVST, LVMI and IMT were significant between with and without pre-existing CVD groups. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the presence of CVD was the independent risk factor of survival. Alb<330 g/L, LAD>39.6 mm and peritonitis were risk factors of CVD. Conclusion The prevalence of CVD in PD patients is quite high. CVD history should be realized, dialysis adequacy should be maintained, and peritonitis should be prevented.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term restriction of dietary protein intake (DPI) supplemented with α-keto acids on chronic hepatitis B patients complicated with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out.Seventeen chronic hepatitis B patients with CKD were randomized to either low DPI with α-keto acid-supplemented (sLP) or low DPI (LP) group for 3 months.Low-protein diet (LPD) was individualized with total energy intake 125.52-146.44 kJ·kg-1 ·d-1,and protein intake of 0.6-0.8 g·kg-1·d-1.α-keto acid was supplied in a dosage of 0.1 g·kg-1·d-1.Nutritional indexes were recorded and other clinical indexes were measured to evaluate the efficacy and safety respectively. Results The urine protein excretion level and microalbuminuria were significantly decreased at the end of the observation period in the sLP group compared to the basal value and the LP group [24 h urine protein:baseline (4.52±1.74) g,the 1st month (3.19±1.52) g,the 2nd month (2.19±1.1) g,the 3rd month (1.64±0.77) g,P＜0.05; microalbuminyria:baseline (2855.43±248.03) mg/L,the 1st month (2157.14±218.15) mg/L,the 2nd month (1681.57±146.18) mg/L,the 3rd month (924.29±83.33) mg/L,P＜0.05].No significant difference was found in Scr and eGFR.Nutritional indexes (SGA,serume albumin) were significantly higher at the end of 3 months in the sLP group (P＜0.05).No obvious side-effect occurred. Conclusions Short-term restriction of DPI is safe,and when combined with α-keto acids,can increase serum protein and decrease urine protein excretion in chronic hepatitis B patients complicated with CKD without significant sideeffect.

Objective To study the supporting role of traditional Chinese medicine GanFuAn in the treatment of high-risk state of liver cancer by color Doppler ultrasound.Methods Based on a number of joint detection of tumor markers,85 patients of liver cancer were selected from patients with chronic hepatitis B.Among these 85patients,50 patients were selected in a treatment group and treated with Chinese herbal preparation GanFuAn,with ultrasound and tumor markers serving as joint monitoring; while the other 35 patients were selected in a control group and treated with conventional treatment.Results In the treatment group,the liver tumor markers or liver tumor continually diminished.5 cases showed tumor disappear.38 cases showed effective results,while 7 cases showed no effects.The total incidence rate of liver cancer was 14％;while in the control group,none case showed tumor disappear.20 cases showed effects and 15 cases showed none effects.The cumulative incidence rate of liver cancer induced by chronic hepatitis was 43％,with all the cases have been confirmed by pathology.Conclusion Color doppler ultrasound was an intuitive,non-invasive dynamic method to monitor liver tumor's growth and decline.

Objective To investigate the feasibility, efficacy, safety and economy of secondary splenic pedicle trisection method in removing schistosoma cirrhosis caused the splenic function. Methods Thirty patients receiving spleen secondary structure amputation between July 2014 and September 2016 were analyzed. Results Laparoscopic splenectomy with secondary splenic pedicle transaction was successfully performed in 28 patients, whereas two Endo-GIAs were used in 2 patients. The average of operation time was (80 ± 20) min, and operative blood loss was (320 ± 10) ml. The drainage of the splenic fossa was removed (3- 4) days after operation.Postoperative hospital stay was (10.8 ± 1.2) days after operaions. No massive hemorrhage, pancreatic leakage, secondary infection, serious complications such as abscess under diaphragm and recent complication such as infection of incision occurred postoperatively. Platelet of all patients recovered in 4 days postoperatively, and patients with platelet>400 × 109/L was given oral aspirin enteric-coated metformin hydrochloride. All patients were followed up for 6 months postoperatively, and no intestinal obstruction, portal vein thrombosis and other long-term complications occurred in all patients. Conclusions The amputation of secondary structures of the spleen in laparoscopic splenectomy to remove schistosoma cirrhosis caused the splenic function is safe. It could shorten the length of hospital stay and reduce the medical cost. It is a valuable method for clinical promotion.

Objective To investigate the expression and distribution of the downstream substrate of extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK1/2) pathway, ternary complex factor phospho-Elk-1, in rat brains with chronic fluorosis, and reveal the mechanism of the impaired learning and memory ability caused by chronic fluorosis. Methods Seventy-two SD rats, weighing 100 - 120 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups, 24 in each group (half male and half female). The rats in control group were fed with tap water (fluoride < 0.5 mg/L); low- and high-dose fluoride groups were fed with tap water with different concentrations of NaF(5.0,50.0 mg/L F-, respectively). After 6 months, body weight was weighed, dental fluorosis was determined by observation and urinary fluoride and bone fluoride were detected by fluorine ion-selective electrode; the learning ability of rats was measured by navigation test of Morris water maze, and memory ability by spatial probe test in Morris water maze; the expression and distribution of phospho-Elk-1 in different brain regions were detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results In low- and high-fluoride groups, the body weight of rat[(449.2 ± 77.1), (312.8 ± 89.7)g] was significantly decreased than that of control [(635.5 ± 76.2 )g, all P< 0.05], the varying degrees of dental fluorosis were observed(x2 = 7.83, P<0.05), urinary fluoride[(2.56 ±0.91),(5.73 ±3.14)mg/L] and bone fluoride[(709.2 ± 37.4) ,(1306.3 ± 102.4) mg/kg] were significantly higher than those in controls[(0.92 ± 0.30)mg/L,(348.5 ± 89.2)mg/kg, all P< 0.05]. The escape latency of low- and high-fluoride groups[ (7.4 ± 4.1), (12.2 ± 5.7)s] was longer than that of control [(4.8 ± 2.7 )s, all P < 0.05] and the escape latency in high-fluoride group was significantly longer than that in other groups (all P < 0.05); in spatial probe test, the time of first crossing platform was longer in rats with fluorosis [(4.18 ± 1.10),(5.89 ± 0.56)s] as compared to control[(1.17 ± 0.75)s, all P< 0.05]. Expressions of phospho-Elk-1 in the hippocampus CA1(167.4 ± 8.3,163.2 ± 9.4), CA2(175.7 ± 5.0,183.3 ± 4.2), CA3(165.2 ± 11.6,162.9 ± 4.4), CA4(168.7± 6.9,169.5 ±5.3), fascia dentate (185.2 ±4.0,193.1 ±6.1) and caudate putamen( 181.4 ± 3.8, 179.8 ± 5.5) in low- and high-fluoride groups were higher than those of controls(142.4 ± 8.1,144.9 ± 8.4,143.6 ± 5.8, 116.8 ± 9.1,140.2 ± 7.8,163.1 ± 13.1, all P< 0.05). Conclusion Chronic fluorosis can cause increased expression of phospho-Elk-1 in the hippocampus and caudate putamen region of rat brains, which might be related to the mechanisms of decreased learning and memory ability of rats overexposed to fluoride.

Objective To observe the expression of mitochondrial fission protein locus Fis1 and ultrastructural changes in the renal cells of rats with chronic fluorosis,and to reveal the mechanism in mitochondrial damage of the renal cells.Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups according to sex and body mass(20 in each group):control group,lower fluoride group and higher fluoride group.All the rats were fed with different doses of sodium fluoride in drinking water(0,10 and 50 mg/L,respectively).Six-month later,the expression of Fisl in renal cells was determined by real-time fluorenscence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry technology,the mitochondrial morphology of renal cells was observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Results As compared with the control group(28.70 ± 12.41),Fis1 mRNA levels(91.48 + 34.83 and 582.09 ± 184.69) in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups were increased(all P ＜ 0.05).As compared with the control group(10.49 ± 7.66),Fisl protein levels(16.33 ± 10.26 and 21.50 ± 5.24) in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups showed a trend of increasing,the higher fluoride group was higher than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05).By TEM,mitochondrial crest in renal cells of the lower fluoride and the higher fluoride groups was vague or disappeared,mitochondrial division section appeared.Conclusions Fluoride is a kind of toxicant that can cause damage to mitochondrion of renal cells,induce the expression of Fis1 in transcriptional and protein level,and lead to the obstacles of mitochondrial fusion-fission and ultrastructural abnormality of mitochondrion,which may play an important role in mechanism of mitochondrial damage in the renal cells of rats with chronic fluorosis.

Objective To investigate the association of promoter hypermethylation of secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods The promoter hypermethylation of SFRPs in 20 sporadic colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent mucosa were detected by methylation-specific PCR. The amplified DNA was subcloned into the T-A cloning vector and sequenced. Two colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116 and SW480) were treated with 5-aza-2' deoxycytidine for demethylation. The promoter hypermethylation and protein expression of SFRPs in colorectal cancer cell lines were detected by methylation-specific PCR and Western blotting. Results It was demonstrated that the hypermethylation of SFRP 1, 2, 4 or 5 was 19/20,17/20,3/20 or 13/20in cancer tissues, respectively, whereas it was 12/20, 8/12, 1/20 or 7/20 in adjacent mucosa,respectively. SFRP 1, 2 or 5 methylation was more frequently found in cancer tissue than in adjacent mucosa (P～0.05). Methylation of SFRP 1, 2, 4 and 5 were found in HCT116 cell line, but only SFRP1 and SFRP2 were found in SW480 cell line. There was a negative correlation between protein expression and methylation of SFRPs. The Western blotting revealed that SFRP protein re-expressedafter it treated with 5-aza-2' deoxyeytidine. Conclusion Methylation of SFRP 1, 2 or 5 gene is associated with the evolution of eolorectal cancer, and is closely related to silencing expression.

Objective: To investigate the status of electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and to provide evidence for tobacco control in adolescents. Methods: Based on the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Epidemic Monitoring Program, multistage proportional sampling method was used to select middle school students from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A questionnaire revised by Chinese CDC was used to collect the general information, the cognition and use of electronic cigarettes, and the access to advertising of electronic cigarettes and related products. Results: Totally 9 019 questionnaires were distributed, 8 401 valid ones were recovered, and the response rate was 93.2%. The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt among students were 4.3% and 13.4%. The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt in male students were 7.7% and 22.9%, which were higher than that in female students (0.8% and 3.8%, P<0.05) . The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt varied in different schools ( P<0.05 ), which were higher in vocational high school students ( 11.5% and 26.8% ). Among 246 students who used electronic cigarettes, 30.1% did not thought electronic cigarettes contained nicotine, while 60.2% did not know whether electronic cigarettes contain nicotine. In the past 30 days, 27.0% of the students had seen the advertisements of electronic cigarettes and related products, mainly through TV, store, supermarket, convenience store, grocery store, electronic cigarette experience store or retail store. Conclusions The rates of electronic cigarette use and attempt among adolescents in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region are 4.3% and 13.4%. Boys and vocational high school students have higher rates. Students generally know electronic cigarette and have more access to it.